Hi guys. Looking at getting a new textile suit to go with the new DVT. Anyone know of any testing results, best guys, or personal recommendations? I've looked at Ride Magazine but can't see any recent tests. Looks like you can spend £100 to £2000, but just want the safest most waterproof at a decent price point.
Have a 1200s D|air on order and should be here end of July, Also interest if there are any new cheaper textile airbag Jackets coming out. £3000 for me and the wife is a hard pill to swallow. Regards Paul
I got the Ducati Tour 14 jacket and trousers, by Revitt, using my discount when I bought the bike. Just got back from a 2000 mile trip to Czech Republic and back, and they are 100% waterproof, hailstone proof, have zip-out liners in both, and the jacket has effective venting for when it warms up. They fit (me) well, and are smart, without going over the top on the logos. Highly recommended, and as they are 2014 designs the prices are coming down. Their sizes are somewhat small though, so a try on before buying online would be advisable. Jon.
Dainese D-Explorer. I've been using it every day since Nov 2014 and it's been absolutely brilliant. Used in snow, commuting, thunderstorms, and in 28C Spanish sun. I may get a second suit as it's just so good and versatile. Far better performance and value than the Rukka suits (which are too hot in hot weather).
Around 5 years ago this October I was about to embark with a mate on my first trip to Scotland. 2 days before we were set to leave the forecast was for biblical rain and I only had a draughty non goretex KTM suit or leathers. I correctly thought the trip was going to turn out a nightmare with my current gear so dropped into moto central whilst passing with work. A deal was struck and I left with a now obsolete not top of the range suit but it did cost £1050. The trip on the way to Scotland from Stourbridge was horrendous with waves of water coming of trucks etc. the suit was brilliant but did let in rain round the neck. The suit and newly purchased Pinloc were brilliant during a very wet but amazing first trip to the west coast of Scotland. 4 1/2 years after buying the still waterproof suit I noticed the black colour had faded on the shoulders and thighs to a sort of mauve colour. A quick search on the internet discovered of couple of people mentioning this and the fact it was a warranty issue caused by a coating rukka used for a short time. You used to get 5 year warranty with rukka which I believe is now 6 years. I now have a free replacement armaxion suit which has all the latest features including an excellent sleeve close out system and detachable neck thing which stops the rain running off your helmet down into the neck. Moto central are 'ok' but you can't argue with rukka quality and service. Prices are steep but you pay a lot for your bike and comfort and safety are important. There are deals to be had and I've had friends buy cheaper gear that's not been as good or lasted so you can argue it's a decent value long term purchase. I'm happy that's for sure.
Hi Penbroke Boy I'm not trying to push a sale, but I have an Alpinestars Gortext Frontier jacket and pants for sale if any use for you. It's in very good condition only used for when touring. The reason I'm letting it go coz I've put a few pounds on and don't fit to well now and to that I've had to buy a new suit. Jacket size: xl Pants size: short xl If you google said suit I'm sure you will all the info about it If you are interested pls pm me. Krumper
IMO there is nothing better than Dianese. I have the Ducati branded Dianese D Dry jacket and trousers and they have served me from -6 celcius to the torrential downpours of Le Man. I wear jeans and a good T shirt and have been dry, warm and cozy in autum, winter and spring and I have the Dianese Air jacket for summer. Andy
Cheers fellas. I currently have a Hein Gerike goretex suit that's been brilliant for many years, so definitely agree on it needing goretex. @Krumper thanks for the offer but I'm either M or L in most kit. @johnv interesting BMW kit, would never have thought of that. Have you got this? Any idea on price as the website doesn't seem to say.
I have the same suit and it's brilliant. use it all year round and now off to Italy in it. Love the way it can protect from the harshest of winter weather and then convert to an air jacket and trousers for the hottest of days. A complete suit is between £800-900. Also, Dainese race boots, they are fabric outers with loads of protection but as light as hell and really comfortable to walk around in. you don;t end up with the Sidi squeak that everyone at the TT seemed to be doing.
I have a pair of Streetguard 3 pants which are excellent, the knee protectors are very hard but I believe the more recent ones are softer and more comfortable. I can't remember how much they cost but they are not cheap ! I use a Hein Gericke gore tex jacket with has also been great. The BMW kit is very well made. If you have a dealership close to you drop in and take a look.
Agree with the cheap gear not worth it point. Get the best you can afford. Definitely Goretex. Laminated Goretex even better. Dainese etc have long warranties. Goretex is lifetime anyway for waterproofing. I use the Stradon and Lontan combo.
What about the Klim Badlands Pro? I only have the jacket, but it has very effective vents and is also totally waterproof. A very well thought out piece of kit.
Nice piece of kit. But not easily available here. Very technical. Sahara to Siberia. Enough pockets to carry cards, cash etc. Just don't look in the mirror...
Have a look at the Richa C-Change kit (Touring or Spirit). Jacket and trouser about a £1000 at list but deals around. Had a touring suit for 2 years now and would get another one. TOTALY Waterproof, all the CE Armour, and cool in summer. Uses nano technology material so it is light and comfortable. Water runs off doesn't soak in so it doesn't get heavy and drip for weeks after getting wet. Touring › Textile & Rainwear › Products › Richa Moto Fashion Trousers are fine but the jacket not the warmest in winter, I now use a cold killers jacket under it instead of the Richa internal jacket. On trips others have to stop and put on wet gear etc but I just sit and wait for them. Best kit I have had and truly all weather.
Eleven dealers in the UK, so not as accessible as some (Rukka have 77 dealers) but still obtainable. As for the looks, the Mutley is not exactly a looker
Would add a vote for Klim gear. Been using mine all year round and hasn't let me down yet. Water just runs off it (no soak). I went for the Overland set and has done me proud in all weathers. Jacket plus kevlar jeans in the summer months, open the vents and it's great. Winter use it as a layering system with a fleece or heated liner underneath
PB, have a look at Hideout made to measure textile kit, spoke to a woman on their stand and was well impressed, and she new what she was talking about, apparently it's their kit that's worn by the police. Her tip was if you buy a textile suite make sure the waterproof membrane is in the outer shell of the jacket, as that way your suite doesn't get waterlogged.
The thing to make sure is it has Goretex either underneath it or laminated into it, there are other manufacturers take on it but my experience is that it is still the best if you can afford it. A plus is that any garment made from it has a life long waterproof guarantee. A removable liner system is going to be cooler and more versatile, though the trade off is that you have to take it all off to add water proofing on demand. The layers above it will also become water logged. Laminated Goretex can have direct venting on more modern incarnations and do reasonably well at keeping cool. But ultimately it's not going to be as cool as a drop liner system. It does have the benefit that once it is on your set. So in essence it comes down to what compromise you can live with, the rest is how it looks and fits.
