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3 Nov 2007
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Registered Users
HUBB regular
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 31
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My wife and I did tons of research before buying our riding gear and came up with what we think is the best stuff out there. It easily exceeds Aerostitch beacuse of rain worthiness and hot weather riding.
MotoPort
It is made in the USA, has the strongest seams I have ever seen and the outer mesh shell is made with Kevlar. We have ridden in the cold, rain and heat and the clothing performs perfectly. It is a triple layer system. Outer Kevlar lined mesh contains the new soft padding that hardens on impact and is lined, so you can ride in just the shell in the heat. Inside that is a fantastic rain suit that breathes, then the third, optional piece is the long sleeved quilted liner (top only) We are in the Utra II suits.
Our boots are Sidi Canyons. They have also performed well, kept our feet dry in all-day rain.
Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots @ Extreme Supply!
Steep
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3 Nov 2007
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: the Netherlands
Posts: 138
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Jep the famous "german build quality" is no longer there.
even the germans themselfs say so.
i prever italian "quality" these day's, fiat build the machines the germans used in the eighties to build bikes and cars.
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I’m not afraid to go fast, it’s the crash and burn part that sucks. 
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4 Nov 2007
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KneticNrg
My wife and I did tons of research before buying our riding gear and came up with what we think is the best stuff out there. It easily exceeds Aerostitch beacuse of rain worthiness and hot weather riding.
MotoPort
It is made in the USA, has the strongest seams I have ever seen and the outer mesh shell is made with Kevlar. We have ridden in the cold, rain and heat and the clothing performs perfectly. It is a triple layer system. Outer Kevlar lined mesh contains the new soft padding that hardens on impact and is lined, so you can ride in just the shell in the heat. Inside that is a fantastic rain suit that breathes, then the third, optional piece is the long sleeved quilted liner (top only) We are in the Utra II suits.
Our boots are Sidi Canyons. They have also performed well, kept our feet dry in all-day rain.
Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex Boots @ Extreme Supply!
Steep |
I two have the Airmesh Ultra 2 Jacket (winter liner & water proof liner) and find it to be the perfect compromise. They are expensive for Australians to buy as our dollar is RS to the green back, but it is worth every cent.
I have ridden in snow in North America and 40oC heat in outback Australia all without drama. I recently purchased a pair of Kevlar jeans for Motoport, the only downside is that the Kevlar mesh is that abrasive that it is damaging the paint on both sides of the tank.
Please note that ordering from a supplier in another country does not always run smoothly as you can't just walk up the road to return clothing. I will be sure to make my requirements a lot clearer next time. I forgive you Wayne.
It is good gear and all made in the States to order not China.
Most of the stuff available locally is Cordura crap made in China. I had a Dririder jacket that lasted all of 2 weeks and 5000km before most of the important stitching and zips gave way. It was returned to place of purchase and a full refund given.
It seems that if the Chinese used a better thread that most of us would find the overall quality bearable.
Glen
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 Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC
Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Last edited by loxsmith; 30 Nov 2007 at 05:05.
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30 Nov 2007
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Registered Users
New on the HUBB
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 16
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Sorry to hear about your problems with your BMW gear. I too have seen a decline in quality of certain BMW articles (including bikes) but the Rally Pro 2 I have is fortunately not one of them. FWIW the jacket is from Kroatia and the pants from China. I had a get-off last year when I dropped my bike on me and the suit was fine. The seams are all good and so is the Gore-Tex liner. I have 45K miles on this suit and so far it is holding up very well.
I hope that BMW comes through for you as some dealers and regional managers for BMW are idiots. It is rare a dealer will stick his neck out as corporate BMW seems to think their poo doesn't smell. If enough customers complain I am sure the bosses in Munich have to wake up some day.
Unfortunately Germans are very stuborn and don't admit to mistakes easily. If their bottom line drops however they may change their tune somewhat.( I hope)
Good luck!!!
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30 Nov 2007
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Back in Asia
Posts: 322
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Exchange?
Hey Loxsmith,
How long has it been since you checked the exchange rates?? I am paid in US and now I am actually loosing money given that it is over 90 cents!
Therefore, buying gear direct from the US is cheap for us now if your paid in Oz$! Buy up big mate, we never knoow whats going to happen to it.
I have some BMW gear which is made in China, Portugal, etc and most is ok, but I do have several items that are rubbish, ie: gloves, helmets, visors. I had 2 x system3, 2 xSystem 4 helmments and the foam inside used to deterioate if not used for a time. BMW said that there was nothing wrong with it but then I see that the next model helmet came out with detachable washable lining! A coincidence???
Cheers
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3 Dec 2007
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Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
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Current Aussie - US Exchange Rates
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dingo
Hey Loxsmith,
How long has it been since you checked the exchange rates?? I am paid in US and now I am actually loosing money given that it is over 90 cents!
Therefore, buying gear direct from the US is cheap for us now if your paid in Oz$! Buy up big mate, we never knoow whats going to happen to it.
I have some BMW gear which is made in China, Portugal, etc and most is ok, but I do have several items that are rubbish, ie: gloves, helmets, visors. I had 2 x system3, 2 xSystem 4 helmments and the foam inside used to deterioate if not used for a time. BMW said that there was nothing wrong with it but then I see that the next model helmet came out with detachable washable lining! A coincidence???
Cheers
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Todays exchange rate is
1 Australian dollar is worth 88 US cents. I has, and always will be dearer for us to buy US products.
Mollydog and I both seem to agree that the Motoport gear is well worth it
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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC
Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
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3 Dec 2007
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Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loxsmith
Todays exchange rate is
1 Australian dollar is worth 88 US cents. I has, and always will be dearer for us to buy US products.
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"dearer' is a realitave term.
Many decades ago the exchange rate was $usd1.10 ... that is right the OZie dollar got one dollar and 10 cents 'merican.
------------------------ Whatever the exchange rate is (or inflation rate) .. the cost to someone is probably best expressed in how long they have to work to obtain the goods.. Is it 'cheaper' to make it yourself .. or buy it .. that is the first question. If you are going to buy it.. the next question is 'where from?"
---- The latest B&H catalog (USA photo firm) arrived here in Australia .. posted from Sir Lanka .. nice stamps!
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
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3 Dec 2007
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Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 992
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I thought the 'stitch Darien was via India, but I could be wrong.
I had one for a little over 120k? miles and loved it. Tough as dirt/nails/etc.
I have maybe 80k? on a 1st Gear Kili 4 and it's also been good.
Most name-brand gear is good nowadays and it gets down to what things you're most picky about. Isn't it good that we can now be picky?
I can remember riding in a fatigue jacket and multiple sweat shirts, not being able to afford a yellow rain slicker, and life was great. 
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5 Apr 2008
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner
"dearer' is a realitave term.
Many decades ago the exchange rate was $usd1.10 ... that is right the OZie dollar got one dollar and 10 cents 'merican.!
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Back when I first started riding overseas in '74 1 Aussie would buy close to 1 and a 1/2 US.
Garry from Oz.
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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Lots more comments here!
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
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