Alternatives to Rukka
Discussion
As I understand it all the Goretex stuff is made in the same factories anyway, so it's more down to your preferences with fit, styling and so on. All I'd say is that you want the Goretex Pro stuff that is bonded to the outer layer.
I tried on a bunch of them and found the Rev'it stuff was the best mix of features and fit for me.
Being a fussy b
d, lots of little things made the difference for me.
- I didn't want poppers as adjusters on the sleeves
- I wanted plenty of vents
- I didn't want to rely on a single waterproof zip without any kind of material covering it
- I preferred zips to velcro at the cuffs
Like I say, a bunch of little stuff like that helped to narrow the search. The Alpinestar stuff actually fitted me best but they didn't have a matching trouser at the time. Weird.
For reference, GetGeared at Leatherhead were great as was Sportsbike Shop.
I tried on a bunch of them and found the Rev'it stuff was the best mix of features and fit for me.
Being a fussy b
d, lots of little things made the difference for me. - I didn't want poppers as adjusters on the sleeves
- I wanted plenty of vents
- I didn't want to rely on a single waterproof zip without any kind of material covering it
- I preferred zips to velcro at the cuffs
Like I say, a bunch of little stuff like that helped to narrow the search. The Alpinestar stuff actually fitted me best but they didn't have a matching trouser at the time. Weird.
For reference, GetGeared at Leatherhead were great as was Sportsbike Shop.
black-k1 said:
I'd be tempted to look at the likes of BKS and Hideout. Their reputations are extremely important to them so you can expect an extremely high quality product that will also delver safety at a level the "off the peg" manufacturers can't even get close to. You'll pay a lot but you'll get the best.
^ this.• BKS SX100 textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
• Hideout Hi-Pro textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
Both are made-to-measure, making them considerably comfier than Rukka, Klim, etc. I’ve had Rukka and Hideout gear and tried on the BKS textiles. I wouldn’t buy Rukka again.
Salted_Peanut said:
black-k1 said:
I'd be tempted to look at the likes of BKS and Hideout. Their reputations are extremely important to them so you can expect an extremely high quality product that will also delver safety at a level the "off the peg" manufacturers can't even get close to. You'll pay a lot but you'll get the best.
^ this.• BKS SX100 textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
• Hideout Hi-Pro textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
Both are made-to-measure, making them considerably comfier than Rukka, Klim, etc. I’ve had Rukka and Hideout gear and tried on the BKS textiles. I wouldn’t buy Rukka again.
LosingGrip said:
Bit of a bump...
I've gone for Richa Atlantic GTX 2 trousers and jacket. Should get them in a week or so. I'm hoping for good things. I'm really impressed with the Richa gloves that I've got.
Got them today. Bit of a struggle getting into the jacket until I realised they had some straps around the waist ha. First impressions are good. Very warm with the thermals in. I've gone for Richa Atlantic GTX 2 trousers and jacket. Should get them in a week or so. I'm hoping for good things. I'm really impressed with the Richa gloves that I've got.
Will give them a go on Monday and see how they are riding.
Bob_Defly said:
Salted_Peanut said:
black-k1 said:
I'd be tempted to look at the likes of BKS and Hideout. Their reputations are extremely important to them so you can expect an extremely high quality product that will also delver safety at a level the "off the peg" manufacturers can't even get close to. You'll pay a lot but you'll get the best.
^ this.• BKS SX100 textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
• Hideout Hi-Pro textiles review: https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/prod...
Both are made-to-measure, making them considerably comfier than Rukka, Klim, etc. I’ve had Rukka and Hideout gear and tried on the BKS textiles. I wouldn’t buy Rukka again.
One day maybe.
Finally got to use them in the rain yesterday and they are perfect! No issues with any water getting in. Impressed at how quickly they dried as well. Stuck them in the bathroom over the bath and they were dry this morning.
On the subject of BKS...I got measured up today for some textiles for work. I'm very impressed with the service! I'd love to buy some when my Richa stuff wears out...but I can't afford them ha.
Bit of a wait due to demand but I should get them in February time.
On the subject of BKS...I got measured up today for some textiles for work. I'm very impressed with the service! I'd love to buy some when my Richa stuff wears out...but I can't afford them ha.
Bit of a wait due to demand but I should get them in February time.
While I agree about taking F9’s science with a pinch of Canadian salt, I wonder if there’s a salt grain of truth to his argument against Gore-Tex.LosingGrip said:
On the subject of BKS...I got measured up today for some textiles for work. I'm very impressed with the service! I'd love to buy some when my Richa stuff wears out...but I can't afford them ha.
Can’t you keep (or buy cheaply) the BKS textiles once they’re no longer needed for the job?ntoskrnl said:
Are you wearing waterproof layers over your Rukka gear?
That's an option, instead of replacing it all.
I bought my Rukka gear second hand from eBay 5 years ago, and with another thin waterproof layer over the top (Richa Rain Warrior trousers and jacket) I feel like I'd need to be riding literally all day in some seriously heavy rain to start getting damp (Gloves is another conversation..)
I came to this conclusion. Rather than spend 1k+ you can wear a jacket and pants that are comfortable 3 seasons+ for a fraction of the price and judt keep a Richa rain warrior and rolled up pants 'just incase' that are spot on. That's an option, instead of replacing it all.
I bought my Rukka gear second hand from eBay 5 years ago, and with another thin waterproof layer over the top (Richa Rain Warrior trousers and jacket) I feel like I'd need to be riding literally all day in some seriously heavy rain to start getting damp (Gloves is another conversation..)
Edited by ntoskrnl on Friday 28th July 04:47
I grew sick of realising that a Dainese goretex jacket was almost waterproof but loved its fit otherwise etc etc etc but rain warrior = less £££ needs to be spent anyway.
I have had a Rukka Navigator suit for nearly 8 years now, it has been 100% waterproof and I ride all year around (Blood Biking). But as others have said, not sure Rukka are as good as they used to be. I have a pair of BKS made to measure leather trousers, they were expensive but I wear them in preference to the textiles if it's not hissing down. They are very good. I would consider the BKS textiles when my Rukka expire.
Salted_Peanut said:
While I agree about taking F9’s science with a pinch of Canadian salt, I wonder if there’s a salt grain of truth to his argument against Gore-Tex.LosingGrip said:
On the subject of BKS...I got measured up today for some textiles for work. I'm very impressed with the service! I'd love to buy some when my Richa stuff wears out...but I can't afford them ha.
Can’t you keep (or buy cheaply) the BKS textiles once they’re no longer needed for the job?nordboy said:
I kept all my work old motorcycle gear once I'd got them replaced. I have a few BKS leather suits and a Rukka suit. My old BKS stuff is hand made for me anyway so wouldn't fit anyone else, my first suit doesn't even fit me anymore, It's shrunk somewhat. Work has never asked for my old kit back.
Unless you're a very strange shape your old suits will fit other people as well/badly as an off the peg suit. Neither your suit or the off the peg suit were made specifically for the other person. My youngest will now have my old BKS M2M suit that shrunk over the years. It's his Christmas present and is costing me £80 to have it adjusted to fit him despite him being a different build to me. It won't be a perfect fit but it'll be better than any off the peg suit.
black-k1 said:
Unless you're a very strange shape your old suits will fit other people as well/badly as an off the peg suit. Neither your suit or the off the peg suit were made specifically for the other person.
My youngest will now have my old BKS M2M suit that shrunk over the years. It's his Christmas present and is costing me £80 to have it adjusted to fit him despite him being a different build to me. It won't be a perfect fit but it'll be better than any off the peg suit.
Not really, if you buy off the peg then you have many choices of jackets and trousers of the same brand that you can mix and match in order to get the correct'ish fit, widths/ lengths etc. M2M are made to go together, unless you are very very similar size and shape to me then it would be very poorly fitting. For info, I have quite short legs and a long body, including long arms etc, so I probably am a 'strange' shape.My youngest will now have my old BKS M2M suit that shrunk over the years. It's his Christmas present and is costing me £80 to have it adjusted to fit him despite him being a different build to me. It won't be a perfect fit but it'll be better than any off the peg suit.
Irrelevant though as I've never been required to hand them back. The adjustment point is a fair one, I know BKS do adjustments to suits and that could potentially be far better than an off the peg.
Salted_Peanut said:
Can’t you keep (or buy cheaply) the BKS textiles once they’re no longer needed for the job?
I've got no idea if I'd be allowed to keep it. That being said a mate does ride in with his BKS leathers so I assume so! Won't be for a few years though that I'll need a replacement set though. typeo said:
If you are in the market for a BKS suit there is a bit of a wait. I recently decided to take the plunge and delivery isn't scheduled until March 2024.
Some police forces are block booking 20+ slots for textile suit manufacture six months in advance then sending their blokes to get measured a week or two before cutting commences. The lead time for leathers is a bit shorter as the manufacturing process is slightly less complex, no need to seal the seams etc.No thread on made to measure is complete without the obligatory Shobba cartoon on the subject...
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