Which warm and dry winter combo - Help needed

[travelman]

Hi There Folks,

Wondering if I could get a little advice. I'm kitting out again for this winter. I've been reading the threads here about the various options and combos, theres alot to choose from. Hard to know which....

I ride all year round in the west of Ireland (more like wets of Ireland) it rains alot and it gets very cold and damp in winter. Presently I get very cold even with heated grips and phase change suit. My outer suit is Akito (maybe thats part of the problem).

I need a solution thats very warm and very dry (but without michelin man feeling and without having to stop roadside to put on waterproofs when it rains)

I reckon either Rukka armax suit with phase change underneath. (Is Rukka all that warm and waterproof - is it worth the money?)

OR

Cheap Akito suit with phase change suit and Gerbings heated jacket underneath? (Can you use Gerbings with phase change together or does that combo defeat the purpose i.e should phase change not be close to your skin)

Advice and experience badly needed here as it can get costly - thanks.

 

[shugie]

I can only comment that phase change is an alternative to heated kit, they don't work well together. Personally I'd go for the heated jacket every time.

 

[JPB]

Get yourself an Aerostich Darien jacket. Waterproof, warm in the winter, cool in the summer, comfortable and very protective. The only downside is they're not cheap, but you gets what you pays for. For winter riding trousers I use a pair Hein Gericke breathable waterproofs that have a nice quilted lining. Can't remember the model name, but H-G have several to choose from and their products are usually very functional and reasonably priced.

 

[travelman]

I think my cold problems may be coming from the fact my jacket isnt gortex, its a cheap akito, some folks are telling me that it doesn't matter what's underneath my jacket - thermals, phase change whatever - that if the wind is coming through I'll get cold. This makes sense cause my feet used to get cold then when I got a good pair of alpine stars with goretex lining it solved the problem.

I wonder if a master V for example with my thermals and my phase change suit underneath will cover me for really cold - (sub 5 deg C) long rides?

If the wind isn't coming through then maybe I'll be much warmer.......

Are these Rukka,s and Hein Gericke's really that much warmer, theyre alot of money?

 

[BSD]

Hein Gericke

You're welcome to try my kit out to see for yourself

 

[claw]

If you get the Cruise II GTX jacket at Hein Gerickes at the moment, they are giving away a free keis heated Jacket with every purchase.

I've got a Cruise II Jacket and i'm very impressed, got the matching trousers as well which also come with a detachable bib and brace thingy also just connects to the jacket with a full zip.

Had my first outing in it yesterday when it was p'ing down plus all the spray on the A1M and i kept nice and dry and toasty with the heated jacket on medium.

To get the hein Gericke offer just register and download the voucher

http://www.4theride.co.uk/newsletters/091106_newsletter.html

 

[travelman]

Wow that sounds good, I might just take a wander up there then and check it all out. I'm hearing really good things about the cruise II and the master V from other bikers.

Does the keis just plug into the power socket beside the handle bar then?

 

[wessie]

If you get the Cruise II GTX jacket at Hein Gerickes at the moment, they are giving away a free keis heated Jacket with every purchase.

I've got a Cruise II Jacket and i'm very impressed, got the matching trousers as well which also come with a detachable bib and brace thingy also just connects to the jacket with a full zip.

Had my first outing in it yesterday when it was p'ing down plus all the spray on the A1M and i kept nice and dry and toasty with the heated jacket on medium.

To get the hein Gericke offer just register and download the voucher

http://www.4theride.co.uk/newsletters/091106_newsletter.html

Rather annoying that, as I bought a Cruise II last week, 2 days before the offer was published. I did get 10% off, though. I haven't tried the jacket in rain yet. I'm sure the opportunity will present itself during my 30 mile commute to Cardiff.

 

[claw]

Does the keis just plug into the power socket beside the handle bar then?

It comes with a battery connector, or you can buy a socket adapter to connect direct to the accessory socket

Rather annoying that, as I bought a Cruise II last week, 2 days before the offer was published. I did get 10% off, though

Ha, thats nothing, i bought mine on Thursday, my better half was with me and bought me for Xmas the keis heated Jacket and accessory socket connector, the next day i check my emails and that offer was in my inbox

I did get the variable contoller free with the jacket though, perhaps they charge extra for that if you just get the jacket on the offer

 

[pedro]

Master 5

and a T shirt.

 

[The Nutter]

I bought HG Goretex jacket and trousers 6 winters ago for £450. They have NEVER leaked on me and have kept me very toasty. I did a 360 mile ride to Cornwall last friday in cold and wet weather. I was only wearing a t-shirt underneath and was very comfy. I'm looking at replacing soon as the coating has now worn off and although the kit still doesn't leak, it holds lots of water making the jacket heavy.I have retreated with nikwax and it has improved the performance but it still absorbs some. My only problem is that if I want a jacket with the excellent storm flap, then it's gonna cost a fair bit more than I spent last time round. That said, I did get 6winters out of the jacket and trousers so it works out cheaper than buying crap stuff that needs replacing every winter.

 

[Wapping]

Having tried just about the lot over the years, I have finally settled on:

Rukka

Rukka 'All seasons' gloves

Chilli heated waistcoat, with a Widder controller / extension lead

Daytona boots

Muffs (when the frosts come)

Not cheap but a five year no quibble guarantee on the Rukka gear. The Chilli waistcoat is at least 9 years old and the Widder controller three.

 

[Wingit]

I bought HG Goretex jacket and trousers 6 winters ago for £450. They have NEVER leaked on me and have kept me very toasty. I did a 360 mile ride to Cornwall last friday in cold and wet weather. I was only wearing a t-shirt underneath and was very comfy. I'm looking at replacing soon as the coating has now worn off and although the kit still doesn't leak, it holds lots of water making the jacket heavy.I have retreated with nikwax and it has improved the performance but it still absorbs some. My only problem is that if I want a jacket with the excellent storm flap, then it's gonna cost a fair bit more than I spent last time round. That said, I did get 6winters out of the jacket and trousers so it works out cheaper than buying crap stuff that needs replacing every winter.

I've used HG Gortex kit for a number of years. I have found that it is waterproof in most conditions but there were 2 or 3 days riding across Germany last year when it was raining hard and the suit did get a bit damp. Overall I think it is brilliant kit and I don't think you will be disappointed.

However, I have recently discovered the advantages of the type of suit where the waterproof liner zips out (I don't have that option on my old HG jacket).

Maybe this is the type of suit you are looking at? Anyway the advantages are that you can zip out a layer and your left with a well vented, breathable jacket in the summer. And in the winter you've got the waterproof liner. The problem with all these types of jacket is that the waterproof layer is on the inside so the outer jacket still gets soaked. Which is why it is a big advantage to be able to zip the layers apart because the jacket dries much quicker overnight. If it's lashing down I still wear a lightweight waterproof shell over the jacket even though the jacket itself is waterproof (this makes a huge difference to the warmth factor too).

Of course, you could go for the Darien jacket which, I think, has the waterproof layer on the outer layer which is a much more logical way of staying dry (and you can zip out the thermal lining in this jacket in the summer months too) I've not used a Darien but I'm told they are very good and the build quality is good. Like the other post states: 'you gets what you pay for'.

If you've not already bought a heated vest and don't mind a bit of DIY have a look at this: http://heat4jackets.com

Finally, the suit that I think fulfils the above requirements is the BMW Rallye 2 Pro 'twat' suit. There is a new style model coming out around February-ish. You might want to have a look at that too? I've just ordered the existing style suit purely because I prefer the design but I think they'll both do exactly the same job.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers Ken.

 

[Human]

Thinking to of investing in new winter gear.
HG stuff looks good value
BMW rallye 2 may be my 1st choice but £420 bit steep i think
Another option which looks good is the Rev it Cayenne pro

Any thoughts?

 

[Wingit]

Thinking to of investing in new winter gear.
HG stuff looks good value
BMW rallye 2 may be my 1st choice but £420 bit steep i think
Another option which looks good is the Rev it Cayenne pro

Any thoughts?

Some of the better dealerships will give you 10% discount if you ask nicely
I don't think the Rallye 2 is overly expensive when you consider it's not that much more expensive than the HG Toureg(?) (with the discount).
But I have to agree with you, I think the Cayenne is a nice bit of kit.
I just think the BMW kit lasts for quite a few years so you gets yer money's worth.

 

[travelman]

Thanks folks, its great to get advice cause there's just so much out there.

After exhaustive research and looking at lots of options I've narrowed it down to two - depending on trying them on and seeing how they fit and if they work.

For my requirements I reckon the Rukka suit - marco or the new version of same Athos, or the HG Cruise Jacket and Pants. I cant afford the more expensive XCR stuff where the waterproofing is on the outside. But even with waterproof lliners these suits come very highly reccomended by other bikers.

A friend recommends the trousers with the bib as the seal for wind up your back is great with those.

I already have a phase suit - so my ice breaker merino wool thermals, then the phase change suit then a good HG or Rukka over it - no michelin man and nice and warm and dry I hop.

If I'm still cold a heated jacket will replace phase change.

The Rukka is guaranteed for 5 years - anything goes wrong or it leaks they'll either fix it or replace it and I can get it for the same price as the HG suit. Its pricey but I've not heard one bad thing about the Rukkas

The only thing that will scupper my plan is if they don't fit me well. SO we'll see.

As much as i like the beemer rally jackets I've heard from lots of people that theyre not warm for cold winters, I even know one guy who wears waterproofs over it when it rains - I dont get paying 500 squids (600 yo yos) for a jacket then having to pay another 100 or 200 for a waterproof jacket over it? I'm not into stopping in rain and messing with over suits either.

So lets see.........

I've heard good things about revit too.....although I wonder are they better for warmer climes - Irish and Northern UK and Scottish winters do throw alot of water, damp and cold at you.

Has anyone experience of the Rukka Marco for warmth and rain?????

 

[ukaloon]

and a T shirt.

Same here.

I paid just under £800 for my HG Master V, a lot of money to me. I don't regret it in the least.
I've used it for two years now in heavy rain, 30 degree sun and minus temperatures.
I normally don't use the insulating liner, just Helly Hanson base layer top and legings.
I've only used my heated waist coat once and that was up a mountain in the snow and fog on an all day ride.
It has the 5 year guarantee, doesn't get waterlogged because it's made using Pro-shell laminate, is very light to wear, is very breathable in the heat, has the zip off neck warmer and the option of bib n braces or zip together.
I'm a bit prone to getting cold and this is the best motorcycle kit I've ever found.

 

[travelman]

Same here.

I paid just under £800 for my HG Master V, a lot of money to me. I don't regret it in the least.
I've used it for two years now in heavy rain, 30 degree sun and minus temperatures.
I normally don't use the insulating liner, just Helly Hanson base layer top and legings.
I've only used my heated waist coat once and that was up a mountain in the snow and fog on an all day ride.
It has the 5 year guarantee, doesn't get waterlogged because it's made using Pro-shell laminate, is very light to wear, is very breathable in the heat, has the zip off neck warmer and the option of bib n braces or zip together.
I'm a bit prone to getting cold and this is the best motorcycle kit I've ever found.

which one do you have master v or cruise II

 

[ukaloon]

which one do you have master v or cruise II

Master V. Khal Harris who writes for Bike rates it as best and I think RiDE may have labled it Best Buy too.
When I got mine the suit was £850, but I got a discount.

My one criticism would be I'd like the arms and legs to be 1" longer. I'm 6'3" and slim/medium build. I've never had a problem, but Id prefer more overlap with boots and gloves.

 

[Jacal]

Master V suit here as well BUT the trousers have only one pocket which I find bloody stupid....otherwise......probably the best suit out there!