A few months back I decided that my off-road riding gear could do with updating as the old stuff was tatty at best. I popped down to Hein Gericke and bought some new stuff - and very nice it is too. However, as a marketing/branding exercise they have plastered the word "Tuareg" all over it in bright orange. I thought nothing of it at the time.

Now, it's probably a dumb question, but is having this word "Tuareg" in big letters on both jacket and trousers likely to cause offence to anybody in North Africa if I wear my new gear whilst riding in that part of the world?

Andy

Hi,

I think its quite a good question. I have a Hein Gericke 'Tuareg' suit of a couple of years vintage (in a sort of sand colour) which also has the T word plastered all over it - though not in bright orange. I've worn it while riding in Africa a couple of times (in those areas in which Tuareg peoples live)and have never experienced any comments about it. I guess though that most Tuaregs will read in Tamachet (sp??) or Arabic, both of which have different alphabets. Hope this is some reassurance. Good luck.

I wore a tuareg jacket to Morocco and the locals just thought it was amusing and called me a British Tuareg so I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi,
Have also decided to sling the old leathers to the back of the wardrobe and tried on the 'Tuareg' kit at the weekend.Ideal for planned trip to Morocco, you're right...but why, oh why,does it need the naff logos everywhere???(Hein Gericke..There's no need)
I would have bought it but for that...
So, any other Tips as to similar quality clothing available in the UK?..without the logos!

Personally I really like Rukka - they have a superb new suit with excellent ventilation.
Hard to find in the UK, and not cheap, but very good.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

If you don't mind splashing a bit for high quality stuff, take a look at the BMW line. There are a couple of enduro-type suits that are tops and look quite "understated". They're the best if you happen to be a big dude like me. Rukka is way cool and mucho expensive, too, and so are a couple jackets from Spidi you can check on their site (www.spidi.it, I believe)

Roberto.

I have had a very simple idea to solve this problem: Simply buy a small quantity of the 3M scotchlite reflective that Aerostitch use on their suits and sew it over the logos.

Only problem now is where to buy the stuff from....

Andy

Andy,

Are you sure that sewing won't destroy your waterproofing? I'm not familiar with the construction details of the Tuareg suit, but if it's waterproofing is in the outer shell, you don't want to sew anything on it!

That's one of the advantages of the Rukka and BMW suits, (their designs are very similar) the outer shell isn't waterproof at all, so you can sew anything on it or modify it if you wish.

The waterproofing is all in the replaceable and washable Goretex inner liner. Which of course you don't have to wear, so if it's really hot you have a ventilated non-waterproof nylon outer shell only, which is as cool as you are going to get without air-conditioning. Now there's a thought...

The disadvantages of the jackets where the waaterproofing is in the outer shell is that the shell and it's waterproofing is subject to all the daily abuse, and is bound to fail bit by bit. Also, they are much hotter.

Don't let anybody tell you that Goretex is breathable therefore no problem - it's breathability is extremely limited. In really hot weather, if you're working at all, the difference between Goretex and waterproof coated nylon is like the difference between a shower and a bath - either way you're soaked.

FWIW, I used to run a backpackers store, sold tons of Goretex, had some of it come back, and have been using it for everything for twenty-odd years.

Just riding in the rain, Goretex is great, works well, and is noticeably better than coated nylon. But it's not perfect.

Seems like I got off the initial thread here, but hope that helps a little on the riding gear choice subject!

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Interesting stuff, it's funny how complex things can get when you scratch the surface.

I'm contemplating buying an Aerostitch Darien for general use in the UK and an overland trip to Aus via India later this year. Can anyone give some reassurance that this is a good idea, or would the BMW kit be a better alternative? I do take Grant's point about the removable Goretex liners.



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Sean

Grant,

The outer shell of the Hein Gericke Tuareg 2 piece suit (and most of their other products too I think) is non-waterproof Goretex. Waterproofing is achieved by removeable "Shelltex" linings (which are also very warm). So I should be OK sewing things onto the outer shell (all I need to do is find a modest supply of the 3M Scotchlite reflective cloth - any ideas anybody?).

Good ventilation is available on my 2 piece suit courtesy several zips on sleeves, under arms, across back, in legs etc. Obviously they only work when you are moving to achieve the necessary airfow though.

Andy

Andy, sounds like it should work well. Sew away! You should also be able to just unsew the logos, no?

Only one other comment from the pedant in me - not supposed to be any such thing as non-waterproof Goretex. What the shell is more likely to be is Cordura, a non-waterproof, very tough nylon commonly used for backpacks and riding gear in various weights. It can be waterproofed by coating the inside of it, and that is commonly done, or by using the separate Goretex liner. Note that the Goretex membrane itself is extremely fragile, and is always coated onto some type of nylon.

For the cloth, look in the yellow pages for Sporting goods manufacturers, there's usually loads of them doing team sports clothing, and they often use the reflective cloth. They should be willing to sell you a little if you go around to the back door.

Grant

Grant,

Yes of course I meant its made from Cordura, not Gore-Tex, thanks for correcting my error. I can see the label even as I type!

I may even avoid sewing too, because Aerostitch offer a glue for doing such jobs. If I can't get it from them, I'm sure I can get it from somewhere in UK. I could probably un-pick the logos too as you suggest - although it would be a huge task and I rather like the idea of improving my survival prospects (however slightly) with some additional reflective tape.

Thanks for the suggestion about where to get the tape from BTW, I'll follow it up.

Andy

You can buy black Permanent Markers very cheaply... Judicious colouring should make the bright orange turn into a more muted tone?Just a thought.

I bought the cheaper (£50!) Tuareg jacket about 5/6 years ago in a kind of lovely nylon type finish but it kept me warm and dry until a couple of years ago when sure enough, it began to fail. I didn't notice the logo on the back when I bought it but noticed it on someone else - and it did look daft. And I certainly wouldn't recommend buying a predominantly white jacket either, especially for all year round riding

As a devotee of Hein Gericke gear, I replaced it with an all seasons jacket (£199) this has all the bits you'd expect like removable breathable liner, pockets all over the place (but only the breast ones stay dry) and even a detachable bum bag. But what sets it apart, what makes this jacket so good is the removable neck warmer that provides a complete windproof and waterproof seal around your neck. I tuck mine into my BMW 4 helmet and it really is the biz. Then in the summer you just unzip it or if you want a bit of protection, just pull it right down. I've only worn it in England but riding all year it's taken all weathers in it's stride. I also bought one a size bigger than I needed so it is actually quite a loose fit but it's SO comfy on my R1100GS.