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?
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?
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.
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!)
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