So I'm in the market for a new jacket and pants. I recently had a little run-in with a Ford F-250, read: he pulled out in front of me from a cross street, I slid the bike up under his rear end, and then proceeded to be drug some feet down the road before I released the bike and let him keep going with it! :huh No worries though, I came out of it without a scratch on me! ATGATT! Needless to say though my pants are trashed, and the parental units are just that much more worried about me when I ride so they've offered some financial assistance in acquiring a new jacket and pants. While we're not exactly dealing with an unlimited budget, it is a lot more flexible than if I were replacing these items on my own (and yes, the guy's insurance company is covering the cost for my damaged gear). So my question comes down to this- If you were in the market for a new jacket and pants today, and money was "not really" an issue, which would you get and why? Motoport? Rev-It? KLIM? etc.... Thanks, and I look forward to hearing your suggestions! P.S. While I realize that no 1 suit is perfect for all types of riding conditions, I am looking for one that is the most versatile. I am primarily a dual sport riding kind of guy, and I'm looking for a suit that I could use for long distance (and time duration) trips, such as the eventual RTW trip that I am planning for in 3 years down the road or so.
I have a near new Aerostich Roadcrafter Jacket (worn 4 times) with the upgraded back armor that I'd like to sell. Marked size 48, yellow w/Black trim. Retail on the combo is $527 plus the cost of the back protector. I'd like to get $400 for it. I also have a decent pair of (Fieldsheer or First gear, can't remember at the moment) WP, armored pants that can go with it. They too have limited use. There is nothing wrong with the jacket, It's just too snug to be comfortable on long trips.
If money was not part of the equation, KLIM Badlands Pro hands down winner...better in everyway than anything else. http://www.atomic-moto.com/Klim-Badlands-Pro-Jacket_p_367.html http://www.atomic-moto.com/Klim-Badlands-Pro-Pant_p_369.html
It depends on what you want to protect against. For abrasion resistance on the street I'd recommend leather. See http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734081 (old post of mine).
If I were to buy new with money not an object, I would probably get a Klim Adventure suit. I haven't fallen quite deep enough in the rabbit hole to justify that to myself... yet. What I do use and like: Klim are the only pants I've found that I liked. I have the Dakar and I've been thinking about getting a pair of the Mojave or Baja. You'll need some knee and/or hip armor of your own for the Dakar/Mojave/Baja as all they have are flimsy foam, if any. They're also not quite waterproof under anything more than a brief, light shower. I'm built like a toothpick and most jackets seem to hang off of me. Rev'it jackets are cut really slender (euro style?) and I find that it fits me much better (the straps around the elbow armor actually do something!). I have the Sand. The insulated and waterproof liners are also pretty slim, so putting them in doesn't make me feel like this like it did with my Fieldsheer jacket. It might get a bit chilly without more clothing in sub-freezing temps though.
If money were NO object, Klim Adventure, but realistically the Badlands would get a serious look. I have the Klim Dakar pants and can't say enough about the pant's fit. My only complaint is the small pockets for knee armor!! I'd want to see how the armor fits before committing to either one though.
Possibly passe in the land of "latest and greatest" but still one of the only with reputable third party certification for whole garment. If you "really" want protection, it's worth consideration. Also extremely practical as it adapts to most all conditions. Safety Suit
The Touratech Capanero would also be a good way to go. OBTW I have the KLIM Adventure Jacket and if anyone wants to trade me straight up for a Badlands jacket let me know :)
Have you used the Adventure? Do you really think the Badlands is better? Why? I have worn the Adventure but not the Badlands and I'm curious as to why you believe the Badlands is better.
Teiz motorsports Navigator.May be more pavement oriented, but venting is very good! http://store.teizms.com
I have been using the Adventure for the next 6 months.. it is great.. nothing wrong with it.. I just dont need all the bells and whistles. I will never use all the pockets on the back or the Leatt brace collar. So for me, the Badlands, with its better venting, I think, would be a better jacket. Only reason I dont sell the Adventure and buy the Badlands is the goofy water reservoir set up on the Badlands.
XC Rider, Did you make a decision yet? I am trying to find new gear as well and I have have tried on so many jackets weighing the pros and cons and I just can't decide. I tried on the Badlands the other day and it was quite heavy, the elbow padding did not budge and the collar dug into my neck for the 5 minutes I had it on. I tried on the Touratech Compenaro and it was super comfortable, easy to move in and well made but who wants two sets of gear to make a trip that seems to be the allure of Klim one suit that does everything. Its very frustrating. So did you bite the bullet yet?
I would say depends on your riding. The Klim suits are great but if you don't need the water reservoir, the Badlands would be a better option than the Adventure suit. It also depends, are you looking for 3 seasons, 2+ or attempting 4 (which is next to impossible depending upon climate). The top suits that I have tried are - -Rukka Armas (want to try Merlin, but have not) -Klim Badlands -Stadler Track Pro (though I didn't care for the styling).
If I wanted a new suit with no $$$ limits, I would stay away from anything that's Made in China like the Klim gear. Klim stuff is everywhere and popular, they have a great marketing hype department with plenty of pro racers they pay to wear their gear, nice guy dealers on ADV promoting, and a good price point, but I've seen the top of the line Klim suits in shops, while they look nice, when tried on and looked at side by side to the Rukka Armas, there's no comparison in quality fit, and detail. Not even close. Though honestly I have an athletic "euro " build and couldn't find a Klim that fit correctly. Klim makes great affordable dirt bike riding gear, but the OP is talking about wanting top of the line one suit does it all gear. Not trying to talk bad about another riders gear choice either, just giving my opinion based on my own experience. When riding I know without a doubt I have the highest level of safety with the Armas suit possible, with no compromises or made up marketing hype. The fact that this suit is CE approved for "Professional Use" to me means it sets the standards for safety and it's a fact, not an opinion. Out of all the various riding suits in the world, only a few are at that level of safety rating. With over 125,000 DS miles riding in my Rukka suit in every climate possible from 0ºF to 115ºF it's safe to say Rukka has proven itself over and over to me to be comfortable for the long haul and protect me when needed. A good info video about the Aramas: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un_CcHR18a4&feature=player_embedded http://www.rukka.com http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka/rukkafiles.nsf/pvid/20102121324478/$file/armas_tf_066-ausrstung_hochwertige.pdf "Rukka - 60 years of Experience For many years motorcyclists have associated Rukka with high quality textile protective apparel that combines practical functionality with comfort and a high degree of protection. This good reputation was not acquired without reason, for the well-known products of the Finnish company Rukka result from over 60 years of experience in the manufacture of weather-resistant leisure wear. The business was founded in 1950 in Kokkola on the west coast of Finland. Rukka first presented their Gore-Tex clothing for motorcyclists at the International Cycle and Motorbike Show IFMA in Cologne in 1986. Previously Rukka had made a name themselves with robust motorcycle rain suits that bore the signature of world-famous Road Racing Champion Barry Sheene. Rukka Gore-Tex motorcycling outfits have since become a concept that the motorcyclists rely on all over the world. " "Rukka - Best Brand 2011 Germany’s motorcyclists are united – no textile riding garments beat Rukka Over 27,000 readers of MOTORRAD, Europe’s biggest motorcycle magazine, chose Rukka as ‘Best Brand 2011’ in the ‘textile clothing’ category. The ‘Best Brand’ awards of MOTORRAD magazine are to the motorcycle and accessories industries what the ‘Oscars’ are to film and the ‘Grammies’ to the music scene. Year after year, Europe’s biggest motorcycle magazine polls its readers for the best brands of that market." I have had nothing but problems with all US Rukka distributors.... it's too bad because the Rukka gear is good..... the US dealers ARE NOT. Frank at adventure motor gear sucks and jerked me around on top of being very unprofessional during a recent warranty claim. He sucks, don't buy form him. As for the other guy who posts around here..... I called to get a quote for a new Rukka suit for my girl. After playing phone tag with him for a week, then finally talking with him, he took a week to get back to me with availability info. Seems like a part time job for both UA Rukka dealers. Sorry, but if someone was going to spend $3000 plus with me, I wouldn't ignore them for a week, while they figure out something else to buy. I will find overseas dealers who care for my business next to buy from next time.
+1. I turned buying and selling moto gear into a hobby. The Armas is the suit I won't be selling. Yep, it's expensive. Oh, and welcome back
I will second all the comments about the Rukka Arma-S. Stunning jacket and is the one I own. The only other one I willl put in the same category is the Stadler Track Pro. However I just prefer the Rukka Styling. . . The jacket and pants are both excellent and of the highest quality. I can't say it's the absolute best in protection as it is possible to get better/more protected but not in an off the shelf suit. If you want absolute best protection, I would say remove all the armor in the Rukka suit and wear the T-pro forcefield pants and armored shirt along with back protector and then put the Arma-s jacket/pants over top. .. However, very rarely are you going to go to that trouble, so the Rukka jacket is the best compromise. Stunning quality, stunning price. But you really do get what you pay for there. Even to the point that I'm thinking of getting a size up in pants and using it as an overpant in addition to my perfectly sized arma-s pant right now.
If you search my username you will see that in the last couple months I have sold the following..... BMW rallye II pro jacket Rukka Airvision jacket Aerostich Darien Jacket After recently trying out what I consider to be the best out there I ended up right back where I started. Motoport kevlar. There is nothing that comes close to offering the protection of the Motoport, NOT EVEN CLOSE!!! When you consider that a stretch kevlar jacket with the upgraded quad-armor (custom made to fit) is roughly the same cost as the BMW and Aerostich and half of the Rukka I can't believe anyone would wear anything else. Hey, it's your hide wear anything you want. But I see lots of people come through the ER where I work that made the wrong choice when buying protective gear.