In my View, Rukka the best, but by far the most expensive, and in general a little too hot in the hot summer. I have a Halvarssons suit that is very good and was a great price, keeps you cooler in the summer, and dry, but a different system as takes a while to dry out. I do tend to find you get what you pay for, just shop around, my rukka S was only £1500-00 complete, a huge discount
If you are looking at Rukka try Bikerland De in Germany. You can register for free which gives access to better deals. An example is the Rukka Armas, which retails at £1100 in the UK. Bikerland De are doing the 2015 version for 999 euros and the 2014 for 929 euros. That works out at £740 and £689 respectively. Even at the retail price of 1099 euros (£814), you would still make a saving on the UK rip off price.
If you're looking at new kit get a Goretex Pro shell - this is the one where the membrane is part of the outer shell - it stops the outer material soaking through - as with the older drop shells. You'll stay dry either way - but the beauty of Pro Shell is that the jacket etc doesn't get soaked and subsequently heavy, it also dries in a fraction of the time, so you aren't putting damp gear on the day after a wet ride. Once tried you really won't look back - doubters or objectors to these statements haven't tried it yet! Rukka, Dainese et al all have to comply to Goretex manufacturing guidelines and the waterproofing ability is underwritten by Goretex. I've had a couple of sets of faulty Dainese textile trousers replaced by returning to Gore for testing. I now use Rukka - which is awesome kit - but slightly too warm in the summer. Hope this helps?
Rukka Armas for me. Fantastic build quality and attention to detail, good fit, very waterproof, and laminated gore-tex so no soaking up of water. The detachable high neck collar is great for keeping the rain out up top. Their warranty and service is great. I had an earlier version of the jacket that had the "going pink in the sun" issue and they replaced it with the top end Armas. I previously had a BMW Streetguard that was very good, but also faded to pink. The Rukka is better, though more pricey.
Rukka Armas for me too. One of the main reasons I bought this was abrasion resistance. Can't say I looked at all manufactures but the Armas looks and feels far superior than anything else I looked at. I also uprated the armour to D30 and replaced back protector with a Forcefield Pro level 2. You feel like a tank but soon get used to it. I can't imagine how you could be better protected when wearing textiles
Having had 3 ProShell suits in the past (HG Master V, Rukka Armadillo, and Armas), I actually disagree - but only if you ever intend on touring to places like Spain or South of France in the summer when temps will be between 25-35C. ProShell is simply too hot and does not breathe enough. In those climates, you actually want as much venting as an air suit will give you. Dehydration or even heat stroke on 250 mile days across Spain is a serious issue. Rukka is good if you only tour in temperate climates where temps never go above 22-23C imho. The Dainese Lontan (ProShell) is no longer part of their range... Telling. Their top of the range suite is the far more versatile D-Explorer which uses a Goretex zip liner that otherwise stores in the back pocket of the jacket. If you're riding and it starts raining, then a quick stop and it zips straight in in less than 30 seconds. Without it, it is the only adventure jacket on the market that converts to a full air shell suit. It really is the best of all worlds.
I just purchased a new Dainese Jacket and pants and love them!! the D-Stormer D-Dry Jacket is great, take the liner out open all the vents and it is fantastic when riding on those hot days, nice and light too.
Rukka only 6 years warranty if purchased in UK. Only the armour in it is CE marked. Top of range has very poor vents for air flow in jacket. Klim Badlands suits have far better vent system but no liners, so layer up yourself. Have used both makes and Klim far better imho. Cheaper too. Spidi Ergo suit also good but no laminate waterproof bonded shell, a liner is used instead and the WHOLE suit is CE approved if I remember correctly. A full list of specs on all the textile suits worth buying is on advrider.com
I looked at Rukka but opted for an Italian manufacturer Clover. Not the cheapest out there but I've been seriously impressed with the performance (normal, hot, wet conditions etc) and quality. The layered approach works well imho.
Thanks for all your thoughts guys. No clear winner though which is a surprise Was thinking Rukka but it doesn't come out well in this (old) test http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ride Magazine/Product test pdfs/3.5 SPR08 Textile suits test.pdf @Biot have you got a link to the article you refer to on advrider.com? Cheers.
Couple of weeks before my extended 2014 Beijing stay got my new set of Klim Adventure Rally II gear (black jacket + pants), expensive but worth every $$$$ as very versatile and no need to carry extra rain gear, etc. along. Great ventilation and airflow with all them vents open and still finding pockets to stash gear, tools, electronics, food and beverage and honestly must state they (Klim ) hit the nail on the head, brilliant gear. Tested the ADV Rally set in a dry desert climate (Southern Hemisphere) for a few thousand k's as well and works very well as expected.... ps: had a look at the grey Klim Adventure Rally Air gear as well but somehow don't like the Star Wars "StormTrooper" look...
I'm currently using a Rev'it Defender GTX jacket (Goretex zip in liner) and Rev'it Poseidon GTX trousers (Goretex 3L ProShell). The jacket is the white/red version and the trousers are the white version. I agree with @Spareparts comment on overheating being a bigger problem when touring in Southern Europe, that's part of the reason why I went for a light colours. I was also hoping that not being black would make me more visible when on the bike, you obviously look a bit more of a prat when off the bike Definitely agree that Goretex is the way to go. I agree with @Spareparts that putting a drop liner into a jacket is no bother, just a mater of timing. Putting liners into trousers isn't so fast or convenient at the side of the road. The Defender jacket has loads of vents which work well. The Poseidon trousers also has good front vents and exhaust vents on the back of the legs. Just returned from a tour from Geneva to and around Sardinia, the last week it was between 29 C and 33 C air temperature. It was find when moving it wasn't pleasant in traffic but I didn't overheat. I stumbled on my existing combination having washed my previous white/red Defender suit with a long soak cycle - came out a bit pink, too pink for me to wear. I tried dying back to a grey / red but not good enough. When I ordered a replacement suit, I couldn't get Defender trousers anywhere so ended up with Poseidon. My new white/red kit is now looking a bit dirty and I will wash them with a bit more care this time. I've got some black die to try on my old suit, which I might end up using in the cooler months.
One issue with my Klim Badlands jacket. The pockets ARE NOT waterproof. Which is a bit odd. You are provided with a Goretex 'wallet' inside the right brest pocket! So put your phone in there. This was confirmed by a Klim rep I talked to at an adventure bike do in Suffolk a few weeks ago.
I thought the 'Stradon' was top of the range? Looks to be a (very smart looking) Pro Shell/Laminate type jacket. There are a couple of other options above the D-Explorer too according to the UK site.
Rukka. My kit is warm, comfy, and waterproof. When after 4 1/2 years my zip had a small bit missing they told me to take it to my dealer for return and repair under warranty, no quibbles at all. Furthermore, they offered me a loan jacket while mine was in for repair! Yes it's not cheap, but you get a proper back up service for any little niggles.
I have a badlands pro slim suit, bought it about 12 months ago. it is the first kit i have had you can ride year round. great vents make it cooler in summer. i bought mine from crescent suzuki in verwood. having had a ruck suit for best part of ten years i would say the slim is much better, but i haven't tried the latest rukka. don't buy cheap
