Rukka - worth the premium?
Discussion
Have just bought another bike (KTM Duke 390) after 15 years absence from biking (excluding a few track days).
I have a leather one piece but need something more road orientated.
A close friend recommends Rukka gear - but it seems to be pretty pricey compared to other stuff on the market.
My attitude in the past has always been to get the best kit I can afford. I'm planning to ride very defensively and will do my utmost to avoid coming off...but recognise that riding always carrys some risks.
Is Rukka gear worth the premium? Anyone know of where it can be bought at less painful prices? Other brands of similar quality but at more reasonable prices?
I have a leather one piece but need something more road orientated.
A close friend recommends Rukka gear - but it seems to be pretty pricey compared to other stuff on the market.
My attitude in the past has always been to get the best kit I can afford. I'm planning to ride very defensively and will do my utmost to avoid coming off...but recognise that riding always carrys some risks.
Is Rukka gear worth the premium? Anyone know of where it can be bought at less painful prices? Other brands of similar quality but at more reasonable prices?
Try Halvarssons; you get most of the quality at 50% of the price, and they have the same Scandi heritage:
http://www.motolegends.com/brands/halvarssons
Rukka do great stuff, but you really have to want the very best to be able to justify the prices.
SS7
http://www.motolegends.com/brands/halvarssons
Rukka do great stuff, but you really have to want the very best to be able to justify the prices.
SS7
At one time, their quality was significantly ahead of the rest. Nowadays, other brands have caught up, whilst charging alot less, and still offering a 2-3 year warranty (compared to Rukka's 5 year warranty).
I was looking at Rukka (Armas and Armaxis) this season as a replacement for my HG Master V suit. I decided on the Dainese offering which offered more features, breathability, and comfort compared to Rukka, at less than half the price of the Rukka. Combine with the warranty, and I'd still be quids in if I bought a brand new suit after 2 years when the standard warranty expired.
What turned me off Rukka, though, was the lack of breathability during the summer. It's a good 2-3 season suit though... not 4.
I was looking at Rukka (Armas and Armaxis) this season as a replacement for my HG Master V suit. I decided on the Dainese offering which offered more features, breathability, and comfort compared to Rukka, at less than half the price of the Rukka. Combine with the warranty, and I'd still be quids in if I bought a brand new suit after 2 years when the standard warranty expired.
What turned me off Rukka, though, was the lack of breathability during the summer. It's a good 2-3 season suit though... not 4.
Or check out Biker-Land.de which have all the Rukka gear a lot cheaper than UK prices. Although, I think I read some people have had issues ordering from there recently.
Personally, I picked up cheap Rukka gear second hand off ebay. Be patient, don't go crazy on bidding, ideally buy out of season (summer) and you can definitely steal some bargains from the dreams of ex-bikers. Rukka gear lasts forever and so much is sold from fair weather riders who have left the occasional hobby - grown out of it, forced out by expectant wives or just strapped for cash. Few actually wear the gear out. A quick NikWax Tech/Soft Shell wash and maybe some new Level 2 Forcefield armour to replace the broken mesh armour and it's like new again.
TBH the same goes for almost all the top biker gear brands.
Personally, I picked up cheap Rukka gear second hand off ebay. Be patient, don't go crazy on bidding, ideally buy out of season (summer) and you can definitely steal some bargains from the dreams of ex-bikers. Rukka gear lasts forever and so much is sold from fair weather riders who have left the occasional hobby - grown out of it, forced out by expectant wives or just strapped for cash. Few actually wear the gear out. A quick NikWax Tech/Soft Shell wash and maybe some new Level 2 Forcefield armour to replace the broken mesh armour and it's like new again.
TBH the same goes for almost all the top biker gear brands.
Don't really think it's worth it myself. The majority of decent manufacturers make a comparable suit for much less. Rukka is just one of those names that people have to have. Most pro shell goretex kit is really well made anyway due to being top of the range.
It's decent stuff no doubt but it's up to twice the price for comparable stuff with no actual advantage.
It's decent stuff no doubt but it's up to twice the price for comparable stuff with no actual advantage.
Halvarassons sounds interesting but not sure where to find that near Cambridge (wouldn't buy something I hadn't tried on - which is the problem with ordering online).
Cambridge seems a crap place for bikes (at least those with an engine). I had to go to Suffolk to test ride a Honda and Essex to ride a KTM as no dealers here.
Cambridge seems a crap place for bikes (at least those with an engine). I had to go to Suffolk to test ride a Honda and Essex to ride a KTM as no dealers here.
I've got Halvarsons now, after my HG jacket finally gave up. Feels like good quality, so far so waterproof, I'm impressed (yet to test its crashability mind). As for Rukka, I was out for the day last autumn in my HG gear, my mate in his Rukka. After several hours in horrendous weather both kit failed and let in water. Rukka might take a bit longer to fail but it will still fail at some point.. you're paying for that time frame IMO, HG/Halvarssons will do a decent job, Rukka *may* last a bit longer.
Schnellmann said:
Halvarassons sounds interesting but not sure where to find that near Cambridge (wouldn't buy something I hadn't tried on - which is the problem with ordering online).
Cambridge seems a crap place for bikes (at least those with an engine). I had to go to Suffolk to test ride a Honda and Essex to ride a KTM as no dealers here.
http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/ near Saffron Walden..Cambridge seems a crap place for bikes (at least those with an engine). I had to go to Suffolk to test ride a Honda and Essex to ride a KTM as no dealers here.
Did you go to jim aim for the KTM?
BigHeartedTone said:
ThanksYes, Jim Aim
I always try and buy the best. I like to “buy once and get it right”...... I don’t buy cheap and have to replace every five minutes. That said I have to say it how it is. I bought a Rukka Learher gortex Merlin Jacket. I paid nearly 1400 quid. Yes, that’s right 1400 quid. I got “sucked in” all the hype, plenty of people screaming Rukka. Well, I find it heavy, very very heavy.Main zip failed twice, replaced no hassle but a pain. Not very comfortable and need plenty of layers in the winter. Too be frank it’s 2018, there are many firms offering kit as good if not better for significantly lower prices.
I’m just about to buy a Dane Nimbus Jacket 800 odd quid
Dane Lyngby trousers 500 quid.
Still total up to 1300 quid. But, after checking it all out I feel it is every bit as good as Rukka textile kit and saves me quite a few pound notes.
It’s far too easy to get sucked in and spend money we don’t need to. I wanted “Laminated Gortex” not layeredGortex. After that, price, warranty, comfort and fit. You’ll find a few out there. I’ve gone with Dane.
I’m just about to buy a Dane Nimbus Jacket 800 odd quid
Dane Lyngby trousers 500 quid.
Still total up to 1300 quid. But, after checking it all out I feel it is every bit as good as Rukka textile kit and saves me quite a few pound notes.
It’s far too easy to get sucked in and spend money we don’t need to. I wanted “Laminated Gortex” not layeredGortex. After that, price, warranty, comfort and fit. You’ll find a few out there. I’ve gone with Dane.
Tonyc123 said:
I always try and buy the best. I like to “buy once and get it right”...... I don’t buy cheap and have to replace every five minutes. That said I have to say it how it is. I bought a Rukka Learher gortex Merlin Jacket. I paid nearly 1400 quid. Yes, that’s right 1400 quid. I got “sucked in” all the hype, plenty of people screaming Rukka. Well, I find it heavy, very very heavy.Main zip failed twice, replaced no hassle but a pain. Not very comfortable and need plenty of layers in the winter. Too be frank it’s 2018, there are many firms offering kit as good if not better for significantly lower prices.
I’m just about to buy a Dane Nimbus Jacket 800 odd quid
Dane Lyngby trousers 500 quid.
Still total up to 1300 quid. But, after checking it all out I feel it is every bit as good as Rukka textile kit and saves me quite a few pound notes.
It’s far too easy to get sucked in and spend money we don’t need to. I wanted “Laminated Gortex” not layeredGortex. After that, price, warranty, comfort and fit. You’ll find a few out there. I’ve gone with Dane.
From what I have seen the Dane stuff is very good, West Sussex Fire and Rescue supplied the guys that ride their fire bikes with it. A few guys I ride with wear it and no problems with wet/cold during Euro trips.I’m just about to buy a Dane Nimbus Jacket 800 odd quid
Dane Lyngby trousers 500 quid.
Still total up to 1300 quid. But, after checking it all out I feel it is every bit as good as Rukka textile kit and saves me quite a few pound notes.
It’s far too easy to get sucked in and spend money we don’t need to. I wanted “Laminated Gortex” not layeredGortex. After that, price, warranty, comfort and fit. You’ll find a few out there. I’ve gone with Dane.
The Alpinestars Adventure Gore-Tex stuff looks good for the money but the only drawback with it is because the waterproof Gore-Tex is built into a removable liner, the actual jacket gets saturated with water, even if you're dry inside.
This was my experience: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I’m pretty sure all Goretex Pro stuff is made directly by Goretex at there factory to manufacturers own specifications.
I got the dainese cyclone jacket and pants and have been v impressed, really comfy, bone dry, warm and it’s it’s reasonably light, also came with all armour including level 2 back protector
Rukka stuff is good but they know how to charge for it.
I got the dainese cyclone jacket and pants and have been v impressed, really comfy, bone dry, warm and it’s it’s reasonably light, also came with all armour including level 2 back protector
Rukka stuff is good but they know how to charge for it.
Andybow said:
I’m pretty sure all Goretex Pro stuff is made directly by Goretex at there factory to manufacturers own specifications.
I got the dainese cyclone jacket and pants and have been v impressed, really comfy, bone dry, warm and it’s it’s reasonably light, also came with all armour including level 2 back protector
Rukka stuff is good but they know how to charge for it.
But then they offer you a 6 year warranty with it & I've never known any quibble over claims (even getting a brand new replacement for a colour faded (though otherwise fine) five year old+ suit).I got the dainese cyclone jacket and pants and have been v impressed, really comfy, bone dry, warm and it’s it’s reasonably light, also came with all armour including level 2 back protector
Rukka stuff is good but they know how to charge for it.
All of my gear except my gloves is Alpinestars.
When it came to gloves though I could not find anything even remotely as comfortable as a pair of Rukkas. That said after 6 months of use the palm was very worn down, all the rubbery grip parts on the palm had completely faded off and despite being goretex my hands always felt damp after riding in the rain. At the 6 month mark they were nicked after some srotes broke into my locked top box and so I needed to replace them. I went to the shop to buy something else and despite my issues I couldn't find anything as comfortable so forked out another £160 and bought the same pair of gloves. 6 months since then they've done exactly the same as the old pair but I still haven't seen anything I would replace them with.
When it came to gloves though I could not find anything even remotely as comfortable as a pair of Rukkas. That said after 6 months of use the palm was very worn down, all the rubbery grip parts on the palm had completely faded off and despite being goretex my hands always felt damp after riding in the rain. At the 6 month mark they were nicked after some srotes broke into my locked top box and so I needed to replace them. I went to the shop to buy something else and despite my issues I couldn't find anything as comfortable so forked out another £160 and bought the same pair of gloves. 6 months since then they've done exactly the same as the old pair but I still haven't seen anything I would replace them with.
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