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Budget Textiles for Road and Off Road use. Budget Textiles for Road and Off Road use.
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Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia




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  #1  
Old 8 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by N1ckR View Post
I've had Hein Gericke's Tourag jacket and trousers for 3 winters now. First winter they were 100% water proof, 2nd winter a good coat of Nikwax and they stayed water proof, but this year I've Nik waxed twice and they start to leak after a few weeks (I do 30 miles daily). Can't complain as I have covered a lot of miles on them.

Cheers Nick.

HG are having their sale right now according to their blurb.

Before you buy some more kit you might want to check with HG about the full procedures for gortex maintenance, assuming that the Toureg stuff that you have is using gortex (they have that sheltex material as well, but it does not seem to be as waterproof) - if the local shop staff don't know what they are talking about it is worth checking with the head office - in summary, gortex leaks when the pores are dirty, but it is re-newed by the correct washing procedures.

If this doesn't float your boat, then I also use the non-waterproof version of the toureg jacket with a "Held" (another german manuf) brand of waterproof over jacket which works just fine. The Held jacket is fully waterproof and windproof with a high collar, belt around the waist to stop it blowing around in the wind etc, just like Bolla describes - just a few quid on ebay (where else!!?).
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Old 8 Jan 2008
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Frank Thomas "Aqua"
I wear a Frank Thomas "Aqua" year round..... it has Armour in Shoulders, Elbows and Back... a Removeable lightweight 'Bomber' type Jacket liner and keeps out ALL the worst weather.++=
I have worn this Jacket through Snow, Sleet, Rain and High Winds and although maybe not 'Toasty' warm haven't been to Death!

In Summer it is a little Too Hot! but I don't care, it has Armour and love the thing.
It retailed @ about 249 quid but I got it for 99.99 at a sale when Carnells in Milton Keynes were shutting Down a few years ago... It is Orange/Grey & Black Size XXL ( Im not a small guy) .. no one else seemed interested in it, so I bought it! I have worn it for about 5 years now. Best Jacket I have ever owned by far!

Martyn
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  #3  
Old 9 Jan 2008
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Most of the stuff...
....for my motorcycle riding I got from this company in Germany:

www.louis.de - Motorrad & Freizeit

They got some pretty good deals and for me, even including the postage to Japan, it is still much cheaper than the stuff they sell over here! Maybe you want to check it out!?!

Greetings from the "land-of-the-not-always-rising-sun",

Klaus
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Old 9 Jan 2008
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i also do have Frank Thomas and I am quite happy with them. They are fine in the rain (also in the hard rain) and wind and freezing cold.

I bought them for 20 pounds each (coat+trauser) in BMF show on 2005. I also have a summer coat from Frank Thomas which keeps me cool in the summer time.

all of them have armors, pads, inner linings etc....
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  #5  
Old 9 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
HG are having their sale right now according to their blurb.

Before you buy some more kit you might want to check with HG about the full procedures for gortex maintenance, assuming that the Toureg stuff that you have is using gortex (they have that sheltex material as well, but it does not seem to be as waterproof) - if the local shop staff don't know what they are talking about it is worth checking with the head office - in summary, gortex leaks when the pores are dirty, but it is re-newed by the correct washing procedures.

If this doesn't float your boat, then I also use the non-waterproof version of the toureg jacket with a "Held" (another german manuf) brand of waterproof over jacket which works just fine. The Held jacket is fully waterproof and windproof with a high collar, belt around the waist to stop it blowing around in the wind etc, just like Bolla describes - just a few quid on ebay (where else!!?).
Mines shelltex, not goretex. Will have a look at the held stuff
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Old 10 Jan 2008
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Originally Posted by N1ckR View Post
Mines shelltex, not goretex. Will have a look at the held stuff

Well, it might be worth asking HG about how to care for that, but I suspect they will point you to the Nikwax that you have already used.

The Held jacket I have is bright red - I figured if it was raining enough to put that on, then it was probably poor visibility as well.
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  #7  
Old 10 Jan 2008
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Welkom bij Evolutionmotorsport

Been using these previosly. Check the 3-in-1 concept textiles, one of the best price/quality kits you can find.
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  #8  
Old 10 Jan 2008
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Thanks for the suggestions so far.

I have spotted the Akito Desert Jacket Akito Desert Texile Waterproof Jacket - Bici Motorcycles, Clothing and Accessories. Alpinestars, Arlen Ness, Berik, Bering, Husqvarna, Gasgas and matching trousers.
Seems a good spec, 3 layer, extra vents - more suited to off road use than others. Also I know Akito stuff holds up well in a crash as my colleague had a lowside and broke his ankle and 2 fingers and the jacket did not bust any seams and no spots of excess wear.
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  #9  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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Not good experience Akito..
Kitted our family out with Akito jackets - all but one has busted a zip.

They're not as breathable as more expensive jackets - bad enough to make a difference!

Lots of gaps for wind to enter - collar, cuffs.

Waterproofing is good - however, thats probably why its so bad for evaporation and breathing.


PERSONALLY - I'd rather buy a GOOD QUALITY, USED suit from ebay. There are a LOT of people with too much money, who become bikers for a season, kit out on the good stuff, and then flog it for next to nothing on ebay.
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  #10  
Old 6 Feb 2008
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While we're on the subject can anyone recommend anything without armour, but with good waterproof/windproof ability?

We don't need the armour as we're in (shhh) buggies, but aside from that bike stuff seems to suit best.
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