Goretex Textile Kit
Discussion
Well, I'm back in the world of the bike commuter, after a break of some 10 years (and actually quite enjoying it, I can be in the office at my desk far quicker than I can even hit the outskirts of London by train). I'm thinking of getting some new kit. I currently have full leathers in 2 or 3 varieties, and some Hein Gericke goretex textile kit, which I have been wearing. For some reason the HG kit is way too big for me (I must have been fat and/or delusional when I bought it!) and I don't like it, although it's good quality and in good condition.
Using the leathers at present but they haven't got much ventilation when it's hot and they're not waterproof when it rains.
So, I think I need some new textiles, but of the style which is fitted like leathers, not the huge travel-the-world stuff. Any suggestions on makes, sellers and bargains?
Using the leathers at present but they haven't got much ventilation when it's hot and they're not waterproof when it rains.
So, I think I need some new textiles, but of the style which is fitted like leathers, not the huge travel-the-world stuff. Any suggestions on makes, sellers and bargains?
Depends what you'd like to spend. Rukka, Klim, etc are all good brands, but you'll need to check both the fit and the ventilation on offer as this can vary massively. It's fairly easy to drop £1500 on a decent Goretex jacket and slacks if you're not careful (Proshell, rather than the internally applied stuff).
Check out Halvarssons; well thought out kit giving you 90% of Scandi Rukka quality for 50% of the price.
http://www.motolegends.com/brands/halvarssons?filt...
SS7
http://www.motolegends.com/brands/halvarssons?filt...
SS7
There's two main types. Performance Shell or Pro Shell.
Performance shell is just the Goretex membrane sewn into the jacket between the inner and outer layer. It will keep you dry but the outer material isn't waterproof and will soak up water making the jacket colder to wear in the rain.
Pro Shell is the Goretex Membrane laminated to the outer material. This stops the jacket soaking up the water making it warmer but it will also dry out quicker. Mine is usually dry in less than an hour. It's also more breathable making you less sweaty when it's warmer.
I've got pro shell and wouldn't have anything else now for commuting, it's brilliant.
Performance shell is just the Goretex membrane sewn into the jacket between the inner and outer layer. It will keep you dry but the outer material isn't waterproof and will soak up water making the jacket colder to wear in the rain.
Pro Shell is the Goretex Membrane laminated to the outer material. This stops the jacket soaking up the water making it warmer but it will also dry out quicker. Mine is usually dry in less than an hour. It's also more breathable making you less sweaty when it's warmer.
I've got pro shell and wouldn't have anything else now for commuting, it's brilliant.
CAPP0 said:
Hmm, not sure I want to spend Rukka money, although I know it is said to be good kit. There seem to be plenty of Goretex jackets around in the £300-£400 bracket although from what you say above does that mean they are made by an inferior process? I'm not well up on that.
Some of the more expensive brands can be had for substantially cheaper on the continent...Rukka:
http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?ViewObj...
I bought a Rukka suit from them a while ago and it turned up after around 2-3 weeks. Also paid cash on delivery and was charged the exchange rate as per xe.com. Top service.
As said, bonded Gore-Tex is the way to go, especially for the jacket (I don't find the trousers so important - still gore tex, but I'll put up with the material over my shins still being wet at home time).
I'd recommend looking hard for a bargain somewhere - my Bering Austral jacket, for example, is often to be found at a cut price due to the brand being not very well known over here.
I'd recommend looking hard for a bargain somewhere - my Bering Austral jacket, for example, is often to be found at a cut price due to the brand being not very well known over here.
Golgarth said:
I can highly recommend fc moto, even been there on the bike while touring (they posted my old kit home for me). Cracking place and very helpful.
Ive always had great service from them too. Often what is popular in UK market is not the same in Germany, so the deals are better for some things e.g have picked up 2 end of line Shark carbon helmets in the last 5 years for £200-300 off UK price. You get a 20-30% deal, a weak Euro and some items are nearly 50% off. Certainly before I make a major purchase i check there for a price first...Some UK websites will price match FC-moto (and other Euro sites) now, but only on in stock non sale stuff.....
Resurrecting this…
With the above comments about pro shell in mind, I ordered some Alpinestars Tech Road kit from fcmoto. The trousers turned u but were too small; I had a right song & dance trying to exchange them, firstly by email and eventually by phone, which cost me £12 for the call, and another £15 to return them. The jacket never materialised, they finally said they had no stock, which was also the answer to every alternative pair of trousers I requested (about 4 different ones). So I gave up with fcmoto.
Ordered the jacket from sportbikeshop, called them first to discuss sizing as they insisted on labelling everything s/m/l/xl rather than 54/56/58, which would have been helpful as I have AS leathers and know what Euro size I need. Jacket turned up, quel surpris it's too small. And they don't have the next size up available.
So, ordered another jacket from Infinity, and ordered the trousers from somewhere in Spain called motocard. The trousers in Spain were some £70 less than the UK and the UK stores wouldn't price match. However it took 3 weeks to get them.
And in the end, it's all going back! The trousers, well, they fit but the knee armour is shin armour. I'm 6'4 so it's not like I'm trying to wear trouser too long for me, and the position of the knee armour isn't adjustable. The jacket does feel like a nice piece of kit, but I note that it has no ventilation at all, so, on rainy but warm days, it's not going to be any good.
So: please help me choose an alternative! I've paid £450 for the jacket and £300 for the trousers, so there's a budget indication. I just don't know what to order next in that approximate price range. Rukka is just too exxy, it'll be double that.
Or is there anywhere I can reasonably get to from Kent where I can try a decent selection of pro-shell kit on?
With the above comments about pro shell in mind, I ordered some Alpinestars Tech Road kit from fcmoto. The trousers turned u but were too small; I had a right song & dance trying to exchange them, firstly by email and eventually by phone, which cost me £12 for the call, and another £15 to return them. The jacket never materialised, they finally said they had no stock, which was also the answer to every alternative pair of trousers I requested (about 4 different ones). So I gave up with fcmoto.
Ordered the jacket from sportbikeshop, called them first to discuss sizing as they insisted on labelling everything s/m/l/xl rather than 54/56/58, which would have been helpful as I have AS leathers and know what Euro size I need. Jacket turned up, quel surpris it's too small. And they don't have the next size up available.
So, ordered another jacket from Infinity, and ordered the trousers from somewhere in Spain called motocard. The trousers in Spain were some £70 less than the UK and the UK stores wouldn't price match. However it took 3 weeks to get them.
And in the end, it's all going back! The trousers, well, they fit but the knee armour is shin armour. I'm 6'4 so it's not like I'm trying to wear trouser too long for me, and the position of the knee armour isn't adjustable. The jacket does feel like a nice piece of kit, but I note that it has no ventilation at all, so, on rainy but warm days, it's not going to be any good.
So: please help me choose an alternative! I've paid £450 for the jacket and £300 for the trousers, so there's a budget indication. I just don't know what to order next in that approximate price range. Rukka is just too exxy, it'll be double that.
Or is there anywhere I can reasonably get to from Kent where I can try a decent selection of pro-shell kit on?
Is Leatherhead too far from you? There is a getgeared there.
Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
Pop into your local BMW Motorrad dealer. Their StreetGuard suit is very good, and it comes in a huge range of sizing - in short/tall/fat/skinny size variations. The detailing and features are ahead of the other brands. It isn't Goretex, but it is their own brand waterproof membrane.
Alternatively, I can highly recommend Dainese. The Carver jacket/suit is their best seller in the UK, particularly for English weather. I have the D-Explorer suit which is probably the best all round suit I've used in everything from snowy/winter commuting to Spanish summer sun.
Alternatively, I can highly recommend Dainese. The Carver jacket/suit is their best seller in the UK, particularly for English weather. I have the D-Explorer suit which is probably the best all round suit I've used in everything from snowy/winter commuting to Spanish summer sun.
SAS Tom said:
Is Leatherhead too far from you? There is a getgeared there.
Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
Leatherhead is a bit of a trek, maybe 90 mins each way, but I might have to do it. Do you sell kit then Tom?Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
The two AS jackets I have here are definitely euro-sized. Both were purchased from UK sellers, one's a 56 and the other a 58. On the strength of that I'd say I'm a 57! The 56 fits, but it's a little snug at the chest. The 58 is roomy but it's the one I would keep if I were staying with the AS kit, but I think I read somewhere that AS comes up a little small anyway? In normal clothes I'm a 44-46 (I have jackets in both sizes and they all fit me, just depends where they are from).
I was looking at Dane kit earlier, it looks good but I wasn't 100% convinced that it is pro-shell? I'll look up the rev'it now, thanks.
CAPP0 said:
SAS Tom said:
Is Leatherhead too far from you? There is a getgeared there.
Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
Leatherhead is a bit of a trek, maybe 90 mins each way, but I might have to do it. Do you sell kit then Tom?Personally I'd go for the rev'it Poseidon or Dane Torben. Most likely I'd go for the Rev'it as I have an Everest suit that is going strong after 2 years and 40 odd thousand miles. The Poseidon has some large vents on the front and the sleeves so I would expect it to be very good in a range of temperatures. The Dane stuff is very nice though and has decent features that you don't get on all of these jackets like cuffs inside the sleeve and an extra part to the collar so you don't need a neck warmer.
The reason sportsbikeshop didn't use euro sizes on the alpinestars is because alpinestars don't do that they use S/M/L etc. What Euro size are you and I'll give you an idea of sizes between the brands we do.
The two AS jackets I have here are definitely euro-sized. Both were purchased from UK sellers, one's a 56 and the other a 58. On the strength of that I'd say I'm a 57! The 56 fits, but it's a little snug at the chest. The 58 is roomy but it's the one I would keep if I were staying with the AS kit, but I think I read somewhere that AS comes up a little small anyway? In normal clothes I'm a 44-46 (I have jackets in both sizes and they all fit me, just depends where they are from).
I was looking at Dane kit earlier, it looks good but I wasn't 100% convinced that it is pro-shell? I'll look up the rev'it now, thanks.
As you said Alpinestars comes up a bit small so I'd probably go for 3XL in their stuff and 2XL in the others. Dainese tends to come up a bit small if you look at their stuff as well. Alpinestars trousers come up long in the leg, we do more short leg trousers than regular. Also they use a lot of Velcro on they're jackets and it doesn't tend to last that well. Their thermal liners are the best I know of though. Noticeably warmer than other brands back to back.
The Dane jacket I mentioned before is pro shell and so is the osted.
That's all been really useful Tom, thanks. Just realised I was confusing Leatherhead with Farnborough (Infinity?) and actually LH is only about 40 mins from me, so I can take a trip there more easily.
I've had mixed experiences with the mail order process, some very good, some not, I may post up my thoughts at some point (NB Getgeared not part of the process!)
I've had mixed experiences with the mail order process, some very good, some not, I may post up my thoughts at some point (NB Getgeared not part of the process!)
Another thumbs up for Rukka Armas. Did a Scotland tour earlier this year and rode through torrential rain, sleet, ice etc. Kept me 100% bone dry (apart from bottom of my belly, water must have been pushed up between top of trousers and bottom of jacket) and whilst not warm I wasn't suffering from the cold. Tough as old boots, comfortable, 6 year warranty etc. Not cheap but I'm expecting it to last a long time. Just be careful, there are two types. The garments are the same but the armour has been updated recently. Lots of places still have the old stock at the new prices. The new armour is D30. I upgraded my back protector to a Rukka specific Forcefield item.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff