Motorcycle Gear- home made/ British manufactured?
Motorcycle Gear- home made/ British manufactured?
Author
Discussion

Daniel T

Original Poster:

79 posts

130 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
Dear PH.

i really want to support and keep my money at home so looking for British manufactured/ brand.

i previously had Merlin but seriously not impressed with the life span of the product.

my jacket pockets both have holes and the waterproof backing has perished.

the trousers let in water through the seems of my crotch.

under 2 years of use.

so now i want to find another brand

PS not looking for custom / big budget (£500+)

an recommendations welcomed. and thank you all.

PIGINAWIG

2,339 posts

187 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
You'll get 2nd hand for your budget.

hiccy18

3,682 posts

89 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
Scott Leathers do a range of leather and textile with sensible pricing and a good reputation. I've (literally) just purchased a couple of sets of gloves and some textile trousers and, having just travelled home from Barnard Castle, it's the first time in years (ever?) that I haven't had pins and needles in my hands, so I'm impressed.

Adding link: https://www.scottleathers.co.uk/

Edited by hiccy18 on Friday 2nd September 08:54

RizzoTheRat

27,857 posts

214 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
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Altberg for boots, although they're more touring than sporty.

walkke74

6 posts

196 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
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Try these https://www.bikersparadise.co.uk/
I bought a M/C 3/4 Leather Touring Jacket many years ago still in immaculate condition albeit a bit tight now.

  • ** Just seen they are in the froes of closing down due to cost of living energy costs unfortunately*** but are still trading until the stock they have got is sold


Edited by walkke74 on Thursday 1st September 16:51

BlackG7R

716 posts

203 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all

RST ??

A British brand, certainly designed / developed here, not sure where it is actually manufactured.

Just got one of their Pro Series Adventure X jackets, will probably add the trousers at some point as well.

No telling how long it will last, but I'm impressed with the quality so far.

SteveKTMer

1,199 posts

53 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
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bogie

16,871 posts

294 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
https://www.planet-knox.com/

another British brand, although how much of it is made here is anyones guess

Cakey_

219 posts

48 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
I'd 2nd RST I've got a waterproof jacket and trousers of theirs. On my 30 minute commute its always kept me warm, dry and comfortable and still looks good at nearly 2 years old.
Just bought My mrs a pair of RST leather gloves from one of the big retailers that offered free returns and again absolutely faultless and far superior quality to my cheap Frank Thomas gloves wich were a similar price point.
I'm sold on RST as a brand, yes it's one of the cheaper brands and might not be tye most fashionable but in my experience it wears well and is honestly priced fir what your getting.

Salted_Peanut

1,788 posts

76 months

Thursday 1st September 2022
quotequote all
AFAIK, Knox and RST are made overseas.

Scott Leathers (as mentioned above) are British-made and excellent quality.

Hideout is also made in Britain and exceptional quality. Off-the-shelf (not made to measure) Hideout trousers start around the same money as Alpinestars and Dainese. While the new gear isn’t cheap, eBay often has lightly-used clobber at bargain prices.


airsafari87

3,203 posts

204 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
AM are also based in Barny along with Scott and do custom leathers. They are better quality than Scott as well.

bogie

16,871 posts

294 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
At the top end also BKS leathers, but they are up there with Hideout in the premium end of the market

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/

The best British made and VFM has to be Scott Leathers

Depending on what you are after, try ebay, ive had some bargains over the years.

https://essexbikerscentre.co.uk/ always stock a range of cleaned used kit


Salted_Peanut

1,788 posts

76 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Hideout's summer sale started in August. There's nothing to lose by asking them (hideout@btconnect.com) which sale items aren't sold out yet.

bogie said:
At the top end also BKS leathers, but they are up there with Hideout in the premium end of the market

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/
Like Hideout, I’ve seen lightly-used BKS leathers on eBay at bargain prices. However, it needs careful scrutiny on eBay to tell BKS (top quality, made in Devon) from BKS (crap sold by J&S).

black-k1

12,646 posts

251 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Salted_Peanut said:
Hideout's summer sale started in August. There's nothing to lose by asking them (hideout@btconnect.com) which sale items aren't sold out yet.

bogie said:
At the top end also BKS leathers, but they are up there with Hideout in the premium end of the market

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/
Like Hideout, I’ve seen lightly-used BKS leathers on eBay at bargain prices. However, it needs careful scrutiny on eBay to tell BKS (top quality, made in Devon) from BKS (crap sold by J&S).
Often the best second hand BKS Made To Measure deals are the ex plod suits. £2,500 (new) of suit for as little as £100 is a real bargain. The ex plod suits are easy to spot - all black two piece full zip together and with a rectangle of stiching holes on the jacket where the police badge used to be.

Daniel T

Original Poster:

79 posts

130 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Thank you all.
so in conclusion

we only have Scott leathers and BKS whom are British manufacturers.




Salted_Peanut

1,788 posts

76 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
We have Hideout Leather, BKS (Devon, not J&S), AM and Scott Leathers who manufacture in Britain.

Hideout Leather is made in Essex, BKS in Devon, and AM and Scott Leathers are made in County Durham.

Edited by Salted_Peanut on Friday 2nd September 13:15

hiccy18

3,682 posts

89 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Sounds to me like you want a weeks riding holiday in the North Pennines, result! biggrin

MesoForm

9,690 posts

297 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Was going to suggest Hood Jeans but it seems they’ve shifted their manufacture to China, still designed and sent out from Norfolk.

horsemeatscandal

2,195 posts

126 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
I buy Knox gear, partly because they're about as local as it gets for me. I've just checked a couple of bits; one made in China and the other in Pakistan*

  • specifically it says IRP which I had to Google, sneaky buggers.

Stevemr

783 posts

178 months

Friday 2nd September 2022
quotequote all
Bought jacket and jeans from Scott last year, blown away with quality and value for money.
Made on the premises.