Which is the best Textile Riding Suit?

[Shep]

Use my Rukka every day. Now 3yrs old and 50k miles and still as good as new. 5yr warranty as well.

Same here, but mine is not as good as new showing a bit of wear and tear (off roading and a couple of zip tags have been lost) But its still warm and waterproof and very adaptable having removable waterproof liners, but as they say expensive. But with the 5 year warrantee, you do get a replacement suit while yours is repaired.

IMO the best looking suit as well but maybe not the ideal suit for off-roading.

Shep

 

[squid]

HG Rallye suit - seems to work

But - I do wish I didn't look a cnut covered in caravanclub beige.

As for liners - there stupid. Why have a liner that's a pain to put on and makes the outer wet and dirty.

They should come with an outer waterproof - slip it on, take it off as required in a moment, easy to clean, wear off the bike etc.

 

[PIGGLET]

HG Rallye suit - seems to work

But - I do wish I didn't look a cnut covered in caravanclub beige.

As for liners - there stupid. Why have a liner that's a pain to put on and makes the outer wet and dirty.

They should come with an outer waterproof - slip it on, take it off as required in a moment, easy to clean, wear off the bike etc.

Yehbut a thin waterproof outer isn't going to last long is it? First off, brush with a tree etc and its shredded. You've got 2 choices really, for road work you want something that incorporates it's waterproof barrier in the outer shell ala rukka & streetguard, for off-road and versatility you want a jacket with a removable goretex liner .....................................


















Just like the Rallye

 

[samwise]

Yehbut a thin waterproof outer isn't going to last long is it? First off, brush with a tree etc and its shredded. You've got 2 choices really, for road work you want something that incorporates it's waterproof barrier in the outer shell ala rukka & streetguard, for off-road and versatility you want a jacket with a removable goretex liner

And then, with the waterproof membrane in the outer shell, you have an off or drop, snag a hole through the membrane and the cordura, and the jacket loses it's waterproofness (DAMHIK!).

With an internal, seperate membrane, you end up with a cordura outside that is soaking wet and stays thus for ages, and you have to remove your jacket and/or trousers to fit the waterproof lining while standing at the side of the road in the pouring rain .

Although my stuff has (had) a built-in waterpoof membrane, I'm looking for an external waterproof cover for the jacket at least - maybe some sort of XXXL cycling shell would do that job, at £20 or whatever they are now

All three options are a balance of pluses and minuses, you just have to choose which one has more pluses for you.

 

[squid]

Yehbut a thin waterproof outer isn't going to last long is it? First off, brush with a tree etc and its shredded. You've got 2 choices really, for road work you want something that incorporates it's waterproof barrier in the outer shell ala rukka & streetguard, for off-road and versatility you want a jacket with a removable goretex liner .....................................


Take your point but the waterproof top I wear for mountainbiking has 1 tiny hole after 2 yrs worth of riding through dense wood and forest.

The hole only appeared after I fell hard enough to dislocate my shoulder. A taj of seam tape sorted.

For me its a price worth paying over the arsing about with a liner.

Outer jacket £20-80 suit jacket £250+

I'd rather prolong the suit jackets life.

 

[charliegadget]

Can I jump in on this topic (rather than being told off for opening a separate one and being linked back to this one!!)

I am about to buy the Rallye 2 Pro Jacket and trousers, but reading this thread alot of people are using Rukka!

I do mostly road riding, as I use my GSA to commute, so what do people think of the Rallye 2.. should I forget it and for with a Rukka Allroad?? The cost is a bit prohibitive though!

I know alot of people have aswered some of this, but having been so set on the Rallye 2 stuff, this thead is making me think twice!

Charlie

 

[David Lee]

Rallye 2 pro for me

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

I've used my Rallye troosers for two years (30,ooo miles) now - everything from long distance touring, cold/wet M-Way work, off road and trips to the shops.
Oh, and they've been in a proper crash as well as a few tumbles and are still going strong. They will be replaced with the same when, eventualy, they die

I've had the matching jacket for 6 months now (second hand). It's done similar stuff, including the crash and will (you guessed it) be replaced with the same.

Forget about the inside/outside liner bollox - the jacket dries dead quick when riding (or hung up at home for that matter!). You also have a liner that can be worn under ANY jacket to keep warm and dry! ALSo - when I come to repalce the jacket and troosers I'll not have to buy liners again

The only gripe is it's not the warmest jacket in deepest winter and needs an extra warm layer to be worn. On the up side it is the coolest summer jacket, ever

Apart from early (much better IMHO) Dainese gear this is the best piece of kit I've yet to use (not used Rukka though, by all accounts brilliant stuff but my bank balance just can't stretch that far).

Andres

 

[cookie]

Can I jump in on this topic (rather than being told off for opening a separate one and being linked back to this one!!)

I am about to buy the Rallye 2 Pro Jacket and trousers, but reading this thread alot of people are using Rukka!

I do mostly road riding, as I use my GSA to commute, so what do people think of the Rallye 2.. should I forget it and for with a Rukka Allroad?? The cost is a bit prohibitive though!

I know alot of people have aswered some of this, but having been so set on the Rallye 2 stuff, this thead is making me think twice!

Charlie

the rukka is waterproof without need for liners. if it's one of the pricier models it will be made of gore tex XCR that breathes better & has the membrane bonded to the outer fabric. personally, i would avoid the hanging "drop membrane" type construction if possible. i have found these to be not as waterproof & more liable to damage (no rukka experience of this type though).

rallye 2 has an inner liner, so the whole outer jacket gets soaked. not appealing to me, but they are a lot cooler when it is hot. almost goes without saying that the rukka looks cooler, the rallye's not known as the "twat suit" for nothing

when riding, should i encounter a shower, i really can't be arsed to stop, find the liner, strip, fit liners, re-dress and carry on only to reverse the process down the road. with the rukka, i just carry on, rain or shine. when it shines, i get hot though.
i have recently bought a savanna jacket, which is similar to the rallye in construction for when i think it won't rain. not used it much touring for obvious reasons i plan on using it for an upcoming corsica trip, but i'm taking an oversuit.

 

[Captain Pugwash]

Ref Rallye 2 Pro :

The only gripe is it's not the warmest jacket in deepest winter and needs an extra warm layer to be worn. On the up side it is the coolest summer jacket, ever

Not sure about deepest winter,but it's not even warm enough for late spring/early Summer !!!

When we were touring Germany at the end of May,a mate who was wearing his brand new Rallye 2 kit had to pop into the local Hein Gericke store to buy an oversuit to keep him warm !!


My current Dainese jacket will need replacing soon.

I recently tried on the new Dainese Goretex Neck jacket,but it didn't fit very well,with one size too small and thge next a bit big,esp with liner out.

I like the HG Cruise,but it seemed VERY fiddly to do up the poppers in the sleeves when installing the liner,and that was in the shop in nice conditions-what's it like to live with ?


Do you get the hang of installing and removing this liner quickly,as I've found on some trips that this can be a daily occurence with the European climate we now seem to get ?

 

[GS TRV]

Ref Rallye 2 Pro :




Not sure about deepest winter,but it's not even warm enough for late spring/early Summer !!!

QUOTE]

You're right there

I'm off to Sicilia in a week's time and I'm keeping the liner in

 

[Stujw70]

HG Cruise

[QUOTE) Manny Fagnet
I like the HG Cruise,but it seemed VERY fiddly to do up the poppers in the sleeves when installing the liner,and that was in the shop in nice conditions-what's it like to live with ?
Do you get the hang of installing and removing this liner quickly,as I've found on some trips that this can be a daily occurence with the European climate we now seem to get ?[/QUOTE]

I have had the HG Voyager and Cruise in the past and presently use Master 4 kit.

I have tended to just put the liner in for the winter months with it's lower temps and removed it once the weather turns. Rather than constantly fitting/ removing it. But i do agree it could be fiddly to keep on fitting & removing it but i would never actually take the liner with me in the warmer months because of the bulk, but would double up on a good warm top that i would most likely have for evening use. Most of the year with these jackets i just wear a t-shirt underneath whatever the outside temp.

I have however always carried one of these Alpinstars rain tops with me whenever i go away, no matter what jacket i have. Probably the best bit of kit i have for really and truly keeping the worst weather at bay: http://www.grandprixlegends.com/Mot...ends)/AST757(GPL_BaseCatalog)/MotoLegends.htm

Ps I have for sale a HG Cruise Jacket & trousers size 56, & a Hein Gericke Master 4 jacket size 'M' PM me if you want pics/ prices etc

Stu

 

[wilbjr21]

+1 for the Rallye 2.

It keeps you cool while your moving with the vents open. This is the most important thing with a jacket while touring on the continent - bar none.

If your cold in another season or place that's easily remedied. If its just a shower I don't bother with a liner or oversuit. If it's really wet then oversuit jacket is best.

 

[vfxmark]

I just took delivery of my third Aerostich Roadcrafter 2 piece suit. (First one in 1990...2nd one in 1996 (grew out of first one) growing out of second one and it is finally wearing out after a decade of nearly everyday use.)

I use mine for general commuting, touring, and etc... we do not get that much rain in southern california, though I have been through plenty of rain touring and used to live in much wetter NYC for four years of the first suit's life.

These suits are a bit warmer than some in the summer, although if you open all the vents, they do pretty well... you have to get used to choosing your inner layers properly.

They are VERY tough... I slid quite some distance on the track in suit number two... chewed up one knee ballistic patch and one elbow patch but did not grind it all the way down to the underlying suit. I also slid a long distance along a wet clay road with no damage to the suit at all. The mfr is wonderful about doing repairs quickly and inexpensively. They are also great about customising the suits. Order the best-guess suit... it takes a while for them to build it. Try it on.

If it need modification, they put you on the head of the list.

One of the nicest things about these suits is that the temperfoam pads conform to your body nicely but really do work.

I seriously looked at other options, but two factors brought me back to the 'stich:
1. Weak dollar made it a better deal
2. leg zipper configuration makes it easy to get in and out of without having to sit down or hop around like an idiot.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

Ref Rallye 2 Pro :
Do you get the hang of installing and removing this liner quickly,as I've found on some trips that this can be a daily occurence with the European climate we now seem to get ?

Dead easy and quick - don't bother zipping or press studding it in place, bung liner on then main jacket over the top and jobs a good'un

Andres

 

[daj]

My HG Rallye suit (in the sale - Holland) seems pretty good. Mind you, it still looks a bit NEW!!!!!!!

Works though.

 

[Neil W]

I was impressed with my HG Master IV jacket until the other week in Germany when it started to leak badly around the shoulders and upper arms. It is only 3 1/2 years old and hasn't had heavy use , unfortunately despite being a £300 quid jacket the HG reply was 'Well we only give a 2 year guarantee but if you bring it in with the reciept we'll send it away and see what GORETEX say.'
Now to try and find a reciept from 2004 !

 

[GADGET]

I have 2 `stiches (i peice), though did have a 2-piece previously. I also have a Streetguard. Both good suits but I prefer the `stich, they are so easy to put on/take off

 

[Deleted Member I]

So what did the guy buy in the end?

Tell us about it. Did you find something better?

 

[earthmover]

[I have however always carried one of these Alpinstars rain tops with me whenever i go away, no matter what jacket i have. Probably the best bit of kit i have for really and truly keeping the worst weather at bay: http://www.grandprixlegends.com/Mot...ends)/AST757(GPL_BaseCatalog)/MotoLegends.htm

Seconded!
I have one in my panniers. It gets used off the bike, as well as an extra layer for when it turns chilly, or for waterproofing leathers. My kids pinch it for rowing, or for DofE, or anything else they think they may get away with. Had to rescue it from my lad's rucksack when he went to Leeds. Does what it says on the tin.
Mark