BMW, in the little booklet that comes with the EG, recommends washing with "BMW Motorrad functional detergent", p/n 83 19 2 408 161. And then spraying it with "BMW Motorrad waterproofing agent, p/n 83 19 2 408 162. What's interesting to me is that the Nikwax site specifically says don't use a "detergent" but instead use a soap product before spraying with their own waterproofing agent.
Except the waterproofing agent is not available in Canada. According to my dealer, Cdn environmental protection prevents the import. What is a suitable alternative? My dealer couldn't recommend one thanks brian
NikWax Tech wash will do the trick in one step. I have never used anything else on any of my BMW gear including my ComfortShell and my EnduroGuard.
Nikwax Tech Wash instructions say that you must re-waterproof after washing, with Nikwash TX.Direct, after the garment is fully dry. This implies that, while Tech Wash is gentle to the waterproofing agent, it likely still removes some of it and thus, the fabric needs to be resealed to be fully waterproof again.
The Nik products seem to be highly recommended and are easily available on Amazon.com and elsewhere. However, in my case, the BMW rep suggested I use only the BMW products if I wanted to remain "eligible" for their warranty consideration - so I did just that but have not yet ridden the jacket in rain. This was in response to my complaint that the jacket was not waterproof.
The inconsistency of waterproofness or water resistance of this suit is amazing to me. Some, like myself so far, are bone dry in deluges, while others are soaked in a drizzle..
I can tell you that all my buddies here in Spain are absolutly happy with waterproofness. Even those living in north Spain, where only see the sun on tv.
You complained that its not waterproof but have not ridden in rain? NikWax products are fine. The key is that you use a non-detergent cleaner. The TX Direct essentially replenishes the efficiency of a fabrics DWR coating after cleaning, thats why they (Nikwax) recommend it.
After I complained, BMW told me to "maintain" the EG using their two products, which I have now done. No rain here so I don't know yet whether their products worked - I hope so and am optimistic.
Just make sure you’re using the Nikwax spray on DWR, not their wash-in one. The latter is meant for hard shell jackets that don’t have a moisture wicking inner layer like motorcycle jackets do - you don’t want the mesh that’s supposed to be wicking sweat away to be water repellant . I’m assuming the BMW branded spray-on DWR product uses hydrofluorocarbons, which are extremely toxic (so spray outside!), hence why it’s not available in Canada. Nikwax and a couple others do not. Just a note, DWR has nothing to do with waterproofness really, the membrane sandwiched between the face and inner fabrics handles that. However, the pores which are meant to expel moisture vapor from inside the jacket (the “breathes” part of waterproof/breathable membranes) can’t do so if the face fabric is wetted out. Some non-membrane products rely entirely on a DWR coating, hence the “water repellant” statement you see on some garments. Oh hey, happy 1k posts to this thread.
My dealer sold me this 8 oz bottle and it is a waterproofing agent.. Part # 83 19 2 359 102 It is a pump sprayer and it is made in the US. It works quite well.
I made the mistake of trying this jacket on at my dealer yesterday. Size 54 fit me perfectly, only would like to try a tall size on. I’m admittedly “the princess and the pea” when it comes to good fitting gear and this jacket was the best fitting coat I’ve ever tried on. Now I’m lusting after one, despite the downfalls I’ve read here. Damnit. Lol.
It isn't all bad. Mine has been dry and performs as advertised. Is it a perfect suit? No, but no one suit can do it all although the EG comes darn close without looking like you just came from Mongolia.. There is always a compromise just like with motorcycles. That's why you really need more then one... I just picked up a new Rally suit, as I missed my old one a lot and I got 20% off curtesy of the Mothership for buying a new GSA.. So I have a blue/gray Power Ranger suit again too....
The Euro market jackets with their numerical sizing tend to get much better fits then the US style S/M/L/etc. One of the biggest benefits to this jacket compared to something like the Badlands.
My suit is dry and fits well. My only complaint is the wrap around zipper on the jacket (size 56) doesn't match the pants (size 54). The center line of the jacket is off by about 2.5 inches from the CL of the pants. Barely noticeable after it is in for a while. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
being 6'5" and relatively thin, except for the keg I have for a six pack, nothing else fit me this well. It's heavy for sure