I bought a Santiago jacket because I wanted a warm weather jacket that wasn't BLACK and also it didn't scream " look at me ,I'm a BEEMER MAN !"
[in other words -it was styled conservatively and could be worn in casual situations when off the bike ]

It certainly is a warm weather jacket , at any temperature below 20c ,it's bloody cold even with the bmw liner ,mainly due to the full length arm zippers which have no backing strip .
The material is good and it's not stiff like some jackets , the pockets are a little awkward and I'm anticipating the pocket zippers to pack in soon .
If I'm expecting to go a long distance ,I always take my heated jacket liner with me because this jacket is so damn cold .

My Belstaff [ BMG ] jacket cost less than half the price of the Santiago and is a much more versatile jacket ,quality of material and manufacture is on a par with the Santiago .

I still haven't found the perfect jacket ,but for me it would have to have a waterproof outer shell[ like the Belstaff ] ,four simple outside pockets with flap tops , two zippered inner pockets , soft material [like the Santiago ] ,no bloody velcro , a liner that can be worn as a casual jacket , conservative styling that didn't make me look like an out of work circus clown and not have the makers name plastered all over it .

Not too much to ask for - is it ?:confused1:

PS I wish Barbour would make a modern bike jacket .

About gear: Belstaff stinks. All the posh people in Spain wear vintange fashion from them just to walk into the mall. They never will ride a bike but they think they are cool wearing like Lawrence. And probably they are. I am getting old. I prefer bike gear for riding bikes. And posh gear for poshing posh girls?

About to generalize. As Motorreiter said, the people who do that stink. I include myself in the stinky mud. I am always stinking and hating that kind of people who buy bikes just to go to the mall. I am wrong. I should love them because they feed the second hand market with the bike s I ride to Hell. I am sure if you pick one of those guys and talk to him, sure is going to be a good father or a better mate. But, who in the hell wants to waste time knowing people who ride to the mall? I do not, but I am the wrong guy who likes to ride crazy and almost nude (or nude at all).

[quote=Miquel-Silvestre;264527]About gear: Belstaff stinks.


Oh Really !:nono::nono:
Maybe the fashion Belstaff stuff stinks ,but what serious rider is going to wear that anyway ?

Look at Motorcycle Jacket | Scooter Jacket for the real motorcycle jackets .:mchappy:

I still love the look of the old Belstaffs, especially the TrialMaster. But I don't like the waxed cotton material. There was a version made with nylon or something, but I found the price was ridiculous, and without ventilation, it wasnt realistic, cos the material didnt breathe. I saw one in a boot sale recently and would have bought it, but the guy wanted stupid money.

I wish Belstaff (now Italian owned I think) would cash in on a good name before it's too late. But they'll have to abandon the mad money thats asked for bike jackets.:eek3:They should be shot for the prices they ask for waxed cotton.

I think they sponsored our two BMW stars on the Wrong Way Down, and I resent paying for a jacket whose manufacturer paid rich people to advertise it. We all pay that in the end, and I don't like it.:nono:

Hi all
First post on this site so please be gentle.
There has been a number of opinions regarding the most suitable make and style of clothing most suited for all round riding. I would like you honest opinion on which you feel warrants my money Rukka or Hein Gerricke. I am looking to purchase a jacket and trouser for all year use including initially commuting through the winter in the UK.

I am looking at spending approx £800 on the lot. I have bought cheap in the past and found it ok for the cafe run, but not for everyday use. The price is a lot more than I would like to spend, but I am interested in buy something that will last for years and therefore will hopefully get my monies worth.
Thanks in advance
Welshstrome

2 years later...
 

Wow! I did not expect so many posts. I put this thread on when I was on the road and felt really angry about the gear but also, mainly, at BMW attitude.

When we came back (in May 2008), I sent the boots to BMW and they admitted they were faulty. I got a refund and got myself Altberg boots.
As for the suits: zips are not improved but at home and using my trusted sewing machine I fixed few seems and "waxed" the zips so that they do not come stuck.

I still use the jacket, I like the vents and the fact the gore-tex liner is removable. It makes it a very good light summer jacket. ANd the gore-tex liner is totally waterproof, I never got wet with it. So hat off for that.

One thing I want to stress is that being a woman, when I came to look for a MC adventure suit, the choice was EXTREMELY limited. First, most makers can't make trousers than fit women's shapes. Hein Gericke is good, but in the Women's range they seem obsessed with black leather. Sorry chaps but I'm not into bonding gear! Especially when it comes to a 1 year MC trip! The Touareg suit for example, is very good, but comes only in men sizes.

BMW did most of their suits in Men and Women sizes, so I went for it, because, unlike most other ranges, it fitted! Not because I am a "fashion victim" and like to show off in an expensive (but discounted!) suit, but because it was the only suit I found fitted me and was adapted to all weathers.

I do have Hein gericke gear (among others, and in leather of course!) , but it was not suitable to an overland trip like my santiago suit. None of my gear at the time was. Most was adapted to the british weather. I would have died of heat in Brazil with those suits!

SO will I use that BMW suit again for my next big adventure? Maybe the jacket, if I don't have more trouble with the zips.

Unless HG decide to make a good women suit like Touareg or something like that. Or unless I find something nice that fit and I like and will buy because I want it!
In any case, enjoy your rides guys! x

I don't mean to necro-bump this thread, but after reading every post in it I really want to see how the complaint letter to BMW was concluded.

Maria: you mentioned they admitted the boots were faulty, and you kept the jacket. But what about your complaint towards the dealership you had to deal with? And how was the whole complaint process handled? Who did you contact and what were they like to deal with?

Thanks!

I replied earlier in this thread about the quality of my RP3 suit and after 80K miles it is still going strong!! A few more bumps and drops with the bike, and the only thing wrong is that the blue color is fading a bit but I live in South Florida and the sun is brutal on any clothing. I am still dismayed at the OP's (Maria) bad experience and am interested what BMW had to say about her experience....

I also have an issue with BMW linings,also the zip on my Boulder jacket broke after 3 mths,and BMW said they no longer accepted returns and i must get it repaired myself.My Santiago suit is just fine after 31000 miles.
The quality is no longer there in the new gear and i would not buy any more.

Hi LEgo,

I did not contact them to complain about incompetent work on my bike in South america or at Vines in Guilford. I sold my bike, AListair sold his and got ourselves 2 new bikes. Obviously not BMWs! We won't buy any again. That simple. They lost 2 good customers.

During our trip we were in contact with a guy in the uk who was processing complaints but I did not keep his email, and it was 2 years ago.

I have a BMW Santiago suit (not the boots) and I love it. I am not an overland traveler like a lot of you. I admit it is not the perfect suit but I have yet to find one that is. I like a lot of the same qualities that Dodger noted previously. It is a cool suit and below 40F I need a heated jacket. Also the tab snaps on the pants liners ripped but I have have since repaired them myself. The suit is not perfect but it is the closest I have found and it is very versatile.

jealous. ...
 

I have been writing for 30 years on and on and many type of suit jackets and suits . BMW suit has being absolutely the best suit I ever owned in all kind of the weather even into a hundred degrees heat outside is absolutely worth the money , its expensive maybe should be a little cheaper but there's a lot of people saying something bad about it just because they can afford one, if they could , they would love it just like everybody else they have one pretty much I enjoyed them very much.
In fact, I am about to buy a new one, around $1, 500 last one is 3 years old, still great shap. Hey, my wife spend almost that much every year in hair and make up! Why shouldn't I treat myself to something nice !!!
Cheers!

Seriously?
I did 3 years with a 150€ jacket so why should I pay ten times the price just to have the BMW logo on it... And yes, I could afford it, but I don't want to. The diffence in price is one month of traveling.
Don't generalize please... not everybody loves this or hates that.

Interesting thread. Although I don't do globetrotting on a grand scale, I do get about a bit in Europe on my 650 twin Beemer, and have been so impressed with it, thought that perhaps their riding gear might be good as well. It would appear all is not well.

I have looked at their stuff in the local dealer showroom. Having been in the rag trade some years ago, i'm pretty good at examining products in terms of quality assessment, and although the material used should perform, the construction of the garments I looked at appears built to a price and not a quality, which surprised me. They are (IMHO) far too complex design wise. The more zips and pockets, the more press studs etc, in other words the more holes you put into the material the greater the chance of water ingress and stress deterioration. Can't comment about boots, the only ones I've found that do a reasonable job are some cheap ''pro rider'' boots I bought on line.

I've had my Rukka jacket for over 10 years now, and although a bit grubby is still in as good condition as it was when new. It's a very simple design with minimal seams, all the zips and press stud work, the material is excellent, and the build quality is faultless. It's also still waterproof (Goretex). They are not expensive when you amortize the initial cost over such a long period of use.

I buy most of my clothing slightly used as there is plenty on ebay and I have been using BMW gear for the last few years. I have a Rallye Pro 2 suit for the Summer and I doubt there is a cooler jacket for hot climes.
For the Winter I have a Steetguard 2 suit.
I think both suits are brilliant but I could never justify paying the full cost, although I could afford it.