Good/ best all weather gear?
Discussion
These guys textile kit, excellent (I use it) and great value for money.
http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/
Boots would only ever use Daytona Gore Tex now. On my third pair, only boot I've found that is properly waterproof and in usable condition for the longest amount of time with daily all weather all season use. In the summer I use non waterproof vented non lined gloves and frank thomas gore tex waterproof winter gloves. Still not found perfect gloves yet in 11 years of riding and had loads.
http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/
Boots would only ever use Daytona Gore Tex now. On my third pair, only boot I've found that is properly waterproof and in usable condition for the longest amount of time with daily all weather all season use. In the summer I use non waterproof vented non lined gloves and frank thomas gore tex waterproof winter gloves. Still not found perfect gloves yet in 11 years of riding and had loads.
First question... When are you going!?
When I have ridden though the S of France and Italy in July, August, September it has always been roasting and to be honest I've just ridden in leather jacket and jeans on the basis that I would rather ride safely and not roast / dehydrate! Boots - I wear desert boots and gloves just really think deer skin cruise type gloves. But, having said that going over the alps will still be cool but not for that long.
If you are going in the winter its a totally different story. I've ridden the areas you are talking about in December and whilst its normally nice and sunny, and much quieter than summer, and can be really cold. In that situation I use BMW kit, Rallye suit, but also where an underlayer suit and fleece etc. That works well. Boots, dead easy - Altberg, best boots I've ever had - no stupid plastic 'armour' just leather that doesnt leak and you can walk around all day. Gloves, I have never found winter gloves that are truly warm but I use HG panthians which are OK but in the mountains I just use sking gloves - no armour etc but at least my hands stay warm!!!
As rule I'm not bothered about 'safety' etc in what I wear, if I'm bibbling around I'm not taht bothered about coming off etc; its much more important to where stuff appropriate to the weather conditions. I've seen guys in full leather / heavy textiles nearly out of it in the summer cos their kit has dehydrated them...
When I have ridden though the S of France and Italy in July, August, September it has always been roasting and to be honest I've just ridden in leather jacket and jeans on the basis that I would rather ride safely and not roast / dehydrate! Boots - I wear desert boots and gloves just really think deer skin cruise type gloves. But, having said that going over the alps will still be cool but not for that long.
If you are going in the winter its a totally different story. I've ridden the areas you are talking about in December and whilst its normally nice and sunny, and much quieter than summer, and can be really cold. In that situation I use BMW kit, Rallye suit, but also where an underlayer suit and fleece etc. That works well. Boots, dead easy - Altberg, best boots I've ever had - no stupid plastic 'armour' just leather that doesnt leak and you can walk around all day. Gloves, I have never found winter gloves that are truly warm but I use HG panthians which are OK but in the mountains I just use sking gloves - no armour etc but at least my hands stay warm!!!
As rule I'm not bothered about 'safety' etc in what I wear, if I'm bibbling around I'm not taht bothered about coming off etc; its much more important to where stuff appropriate to the weather conditions. I've seen guys in full leather / heavy textiles nearly out of it in the summer cos their kit has dehydrated them...
sjtscott said:
These guys textile kit, excellent (I use it) and great value for money.
http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/
Boots would only ever use Daytona Gore Tex now. On my third pair, only boot I've found that is properly waterproof and in usable condition for the longest amount of time with daily all weather all season use. In the summer I use non waterproof vented non lined gloves and frank thomas gore tex waterproof winter gloves. Still not found perfect gloves yet in 11 years of riding and had loads.
seconded my testile stuff from them is very good but really u need winter and summer gear if riding all year roundhttp://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/
Boots would only ever use Daytona Gore Tex now. On my third pair, only boot I've found that is properly waterproof and in usable condition for the longest amount of time with daily all weather all season use. In the summer I use non waterproof vented non lined gloves and frank thomas gore tex waterproof winter gloves. Still not found perfect gloves yet in 11 years of riding and had loads.
Chilli said:
andy tims said:
y2blade said:
rukka
Certainly the best, but if you want the best it costs.I've got Rukka kit, and yeah expensive, but it's every bit as good as you've heard, if not better and it replaces a BMW Rally suit I thought was quite good... till I tried the Rukka... and well... would never go back.
Don't forget you get a real on issues 5 year warranty and they lend you replacement while if it's away. Although can't see anything on mine that might give in it's that well put together.
But yeah it is expensive....
Don't forget you get a real on issues 5 year warranty and they lend you replacement while if it's away. Although can't see anything on mine that might give in it's that well put together.
But yeah it is expensive....
fatboy18 said:
Best wet weather gear ive found is a CAR 
Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car 
A true answer from a non-londoner Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car However waterproof kit is a must for us daily london commuters.If you were to try my route to work in a car staying in the dry you'd have to get up really early to make the normal start time - even better it will cost you £8 to keep dry and oh and there's prob a 72 hour tube strike gonna start tonight which will mean London will be at gridlock for the next few days. You don't even notice rain after a while you just automatically adjust your riding to the conditions.
sjtscott said:
fatboy18 said:
Best wet weather gear ive found is a CAR Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car
A true answer from a non-londoner Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car However waterproof kit is a must for us daily london commuters.If you were to try my route to work in a car staying in the dry you'd have to get up really early to make the normal start time - even better it will cost you £8 to keep dry and oh and there's prob a 72 hour tube strike gonna start tonight which will mean London will be at gridlock for the next few days. You don't even notice rain after a while you just automatically adjust your riding to the conditions.
Dont like taking the 'Fatboy' out in the rain too mutch bloody chrome to clean 
fatboy18 said:
sjtscott said:
fatboy18 said:
Best wet weather gear ive found is a CAR Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car
A true answer from a non-londoner Just look out of the bedroom window in the morning, if it looks like rain, leave bike in garage and take car However waterproof kit is a must for us daily london commuters.If you were to try my route to work in a car staying in the dry you'd have to get up really early to make the normal start time - even better it will cost you £8 to keep dry and oh and there's prob a 72 hour tube strike gonna start tonight which will mean London will be at gridlock for the next few days. You don't even notice rain after a while you just automatically adjust your riding to the conditions.
Dont like taking the 'Fatboy' out in the rain too mutch bloody chrome to clean 
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