The Klim Adventure Rally Air Suit finally 'competitively' priced

Discussion in 'Equipment' started by AdamChandler, Jun 23, 2020.

  1. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    Looks like this suit is on the way out and will not be replaced given the repeated price drops without any replacement version. This is akin to an Adventure Rally Suit versions 2 (not the more recent version 3 which is also very long in the tooth) with an internal harness, but an older D3O (not the Ergo as seen in the latest Badlands Pro suit) and has stretch areas, lots of mesh and is still very heavy.

    MSRP WAS:
    Jacket - $1299
    Pants - $900

    Total cost was $2199 initially which everyone agreed was WAY overpriced for a mesh suit with Klim offering a $350 GoreTex over-shell for people who did come into rain.

    Pricing is now (direct from Klim):
    Jacket - $779.99
    Pants - $539.99

    Revzilla (fulfilled by Klim)
    Jacket - $899
    Pants - $629

    ----

    I'd still say for mesh it's overpriced but some people out there have applied for Klim's VIP program (government/First Responders) and get I think it was 25-30% off which makes this a much better deal keeping in mind that it's built to the quality of the very over-built tank-like Klim Adventure Rally jacket but with mesh to allow for much better comfort in high heat riding. So anyone in the southern states who does long distance touring (thinking California, Texas, Florida, Arkansas) would probably benefit from this jacket.

    I just ordered one given Klim's return policy to see how it goes for me. but I'm a weirdo who has a lot of Klim gear. I expect as these sell out, sizes will become super limited and it will eventually sell out.
    #1
  2. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    Got my suit in. Great fit. Looking forward to my first ride in it. Given that no one replied to this thread, I'm going to imagine people disagree that it's finally competitively priced :p but what I can say is this is built unlike no other mesh suit. It's Klim's overbuilt Adventure rally with the GoreTex ripped out but more importantly it has the most padding of any Klim suit I own, about 30% more super fabric, sturdier harness / kidney belt system, fits closer to European fit than most of Klim's gear, stretches in all of the right places which is nice and despite being mesh is still just as heavy as every premium Klim suit I own which is kind of crazy but partially for all of the reasons I listed in addition to this ballistic nylon which is so sharp it feels like it'll cut you Basically everything silver breathes, everything black is either leather or super fabric. The chest pads are huge 2-layer pads and it even had top of the thigh pads, It feels so good wearing It around the house.


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  3. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    Overall I'm quite pleased out of the box. Going to take it out for a ride in the next few days primarily slow-moving off road on my dual sport in the heat and report back how it compares to my jersey setup and mesh middle of the road gear which breathes well but offers next to no protection.
    #3
  4. cblais19

    cblais19 Long timer

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    I think nobody is very impressed, because what Klim did was take Motoport's basic concept & roughly similar mesh, and then make it uglier somehow & jack the price up further. With these discounts, you're right about on part with a motoport mesh suit - which uses even more mesh (no superfabric, which as you should know from your crash has dubious abrasion qualities) and is "custom" fitted for you.

    I'm far from a Motoport fan, but this is one case where I'll give them the nod over another direct competitor suit.
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  5. Valentino

    Valentino Been here awhile

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    The suit looks good – if pricy – but didn’t it come with socks?

    Also, you may look the part, but a guy like you should have a taller bike. Instead of wasting your money on Klim gear, couldn't you have upgraded that blue bike? :D
    #5
  6. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    I'll have to order a Motoport and compare. Looking at their site and adding the add-ons that make it closer to what Klim offers makes their jacket $945. This was $1299 and is now $899 so I think it's very comparable in pricing. In addition, their jacket doesn't come with hydration pack built in, internal harness, chest protectors or D3O or ceramic plating welded to the jacket. I think Motoport which at the base price is within $200 of this jacket's current price is an inferior jacket when you crash. That's just based on the site description.

    So I think I need to try both side by side (after I look at their return policy) and see. What I think is Klim's pricing doomed this mesh suit to fail and they're just clearing stock. I never would have bought one at $1300 for a jacket but at its current pricing (which was the point of the thread), I think this is now competitively priced if you look at the functionality. But I am planning on crashing in it where most people may never go down.

    It's a good time to remind people that Klim does 30% off to first responders, government employees, military so if you work in those roles (federal employees number in the millions), take that $899 and and it's really $650.

    All of my bikes are tall. My Beta, K75 and GSA are all raised 2" taller than stock. Even the K75's seat heigh unladen is now 33" from the ground. No one I know can flat foot it. I actually did a lot to make that bike fit me. Handlebars, pegs, seat and shocks. it's a perfect fit now!
    #6
  7. levain

    levain STILL Jim Williams Supporter

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    The thing Motoport has over pretty much everyone, with a few exceptions, is the lack of seams. No matter how good the seam strength is, it's still a point of weakness. Even the dumbed down new CE standard acknowledges this.
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  8. cblais19

    cblais19 Long timer

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    I’m not sure the super fabric is a good thing from an abrasion standpoint, so I don’t count that as a point in the Klim suit’s favor. Plus having mesh at the knees is a huge bonus for airflow. Internal hydration bladder pockets add weight, and don’t spread the weight of the water as good as a quad-lock style one (which you can choose to leave off).

    D3O is stupid heavy, and even the very best of it only matches the other top soft armors out there - and customized SasTec offerings (BMW NP) offer greater coverage. You NEED that internal harness in a Klim adventure jacket because the materials & armor weigh so freaking much.

    Motoport does have chest armor, they’re quite proud of having offered it for decades. I think their base armor is crap, and the objective tests of the “quad” stuff don’t seem amazing either, but they do have the highest amount of armor coverage by area.

    Now if you want to talk high end designer mesh gear, Dainese has a new jacket/pant combo using some sort of fancy fabric they’ve developed that’s 100% mesh. $1500 for the suit.
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  9. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    Crap you mean I could have spent more on my suit? Okay, gotta return this one :p

    all good points and very valid.
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  10. STLR

    STLR Been here awhile

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    Adam, I bought this suit on a whim and used it for a couple of seasons. There is no doubt that it is a well thought out and protective suit, but the weight was the final straw that sent it to a new home. The internal harness does help it carry better, but then significantly restricts air flow.
    Klim is finally heading in the right direction with the Baja S4.
    I'm like you though, and have admitted my indiscretions in the past. I AM A GEAR WHORE!
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  11. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    I think the Baja S4 IS the right direction for this concept and the price (while still expensive) is certainly more appropriate. When I talked to a person at Klim they were definitely pushing me toward buying the Baja suit instead. When I told them where I lived and our average July-August temps and that I'm doing more touring, they said this is probably more suited for my needs especially when we do enduro bikes off road, I have the Dakar suit OR Jersey for those days that we're not moving much air and it's 80F .
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  12. cblais19

    cblais19 Long timer

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    The Baja S4 is IMO the most compelling product Klim has made in years. Replace the D3O with a better armor, and you've got probably the best all-around mesh suit on the market. I'm still planning to pick up a pair of the pants at some point; perfect blend of comfort and protection.
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  13. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    Which is why it's my understanding that the Klim Adventure Rally Air was a blip in time never to be repeated because consumers rightfully refused to pay $1300 for a mesh jacket that weighs the same (from my arm scale test) as the non-air Rally and Klim realized that people want lightweight, affordable and breathable.
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  14. cblais19

    cblais19 Long timer

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    Agreed! Now if you're truly on a tour of the whole US in hot summer conditions and mixed surfaces and expect to crash a bunch at speed, a hard core jacket like the Rally Air / Motoport makes sense since you don't have time to wait for a warranty replacement :p.
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  15. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    I feel personally targeted by this statement

    :p

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  16. cblais19

    cblais19 Long timer

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    :evil
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  17. STLR

    STLR Been here awhile

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    I agree 100%, but would like to see a provision for chest armor. That is the only thing I prefer about the Rukka Airventur.
    I've been using the Baja S4 pants as a commuter overpant this summer. They fit easily over a pair of jeans. You will not be disappointed as they are one of the best moto items I've ever used.
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  18. STLR

    STLR Been here awhile

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    That sounds interesting IF the European manufacturers could finally make pants that fit my American frame. I think I've read the same frustration from you in the past. With an athletic build, I've always struggled with any I've tried.
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  19. DBS125

    DBS125 Adventurer

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    Adam,

    How are you liking the outfit? Have you had an opportunity to use it for an extended period of miles/hours yet?

    I live in the Deep South with HIGH levels of humidity yet still wear a Helite Vest which, while safe, blocks airflow and adds weight to my current set up.

    I’m very willing to offset weight for safety and find the KLIM Rally Air to fit that. I’m trying to determine if other suits that weigh less still offer similar protection.

    I’m intrigued to learn more about how this is performing for you.
    #19
  20. AdamChandler

    AdamChandler Ascending n00b

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    I don't think I can recommend this jacket for anyone south of the mason Dixon line. It's very heavy and breathability is minimal unless you're on the interstate. I'm not going to return it but I feel like anything above 85F temps and this thing will also be too hot for day rides specially if you're going to be riding around in the woods maneuvering through clay and muck it'd get miserable pretty fast in this jacket.

    Others are right that the Baja suit is a much better buy than this for hot weather riding. I have done about 200 miles total in the jacket so far and while it is better breathing than the Badlands (duh) and safer than my other jackets (Dakar, Induction, Blade, Rally), it doesn't move enough air. They really emphasized safety over airflow here such as lining the entire back of your arm up to shoulder blade with Carbon ceramic that doesn't breathe so while the arms & inside of arms is mesh, the air has nowhere to go so arms don't really get much air flow. The kidney belt and chest protector are also really thick so the chest mesh you can feel some wind but not a lot.
    #20