Some advice on winter kit

[NewMon]

For all my biking 'career', I've only ever ridden in leathers. During the winter I will layer up under the leathers and wear a one piece waterproof when needed. Thing is, I hate the waterproofs and I've decided it is about time I got some proper winter kit. The choice seems mind-boggling so I thought I'd ask some experts here for any advice before trogging off to the dealerships.

All I know at the moment is that Rukka have been recommended but the nearest dealer is a bit of a trek away.

[Nickj]

Rukkas do seem to be pretty good, pretty expensive too. I've heard good things about Halversons too.
I've stuck with textiles (other than the vented leathers that haven't been out more than once due to the inclement weather) and really just buy whatever the best going offer is, the current Akito stuff's been warm enough to survive two winters and kept the wet out till recently.
Good gloves and boots are the key, your body you can just layer and be warm.
Buy as good as you need

[retskcid]

Each to their own but I do suffer in the winter (my 12.5 stone frame doesn't keep me warm!). I have ridden every day to work, all year round, for over ten years. Tries all sorts to keep warm.

I wear t/shirt, thermals, top and bottom, and thick socks. Leather pants - unless its p*ssing down (then I wear either waterproofs over the top or textile pants). I wear a heated jacket under the thermal top. Then a Rukka winter jacket on top (the best gear lasts for years - had the Rukka nearly ten years). Two neck warmers, and a pair of two fingered Pathan(?) gloves - for £30 they are the best.

The heated jacket (I use Gerbing now) is key for winter warmth, you can't beat them.

I hope that helps!

Rich

[NewMon]

[QUOTE=retskcid;275699] (my 12.5 stone frame doesn't keep me warm!).

Rich[/QUOTE

Heh! That is exactly the same weight as me. And I am .5 stone too heavy! I hear what you are saying about the heated bits. I'll do more research immediately.

[craigie]

Like Nickj says, hands and feet are the first things to really try and keep warm, I've yet to find great gloves but I've found that windproof socks actually do work and it makes a big difference when your feet aren't freezing. Rukka is out of my league but if you can afford it is probably worth it, cheaper stuff I've bought even with Goretex doesn't really last then you have to buy more.

[NewMon]

Yeah, I have some decent Alpinestars waterproof boots and a wide variety of socks and thermal undies etc. Never tried windproof socks though as my boots have mostly been windproof. Like you I haven't been able to ever find warm gloves for the winter so I reckon on heated handlebar grips. After the feet and hands, the next most important part is the core. So heated vest sounds great. Not sure the budget will stretch to that and I have to decide on a winter hack yet (That's not for a Monster forum though).

I agree with you that you do seem to get what you pay for on the jackets and Trousers.
That's where the majority of the cash will have to go. Should've bought it all at the start of the warm weather. Doh.

[craigie]

If you are getting a winter hack then bar muffs are supposed to be excellent if hideously ugly but if on a hack then shouldn't matter too much. A mate swears by his, on one bike he had heated grips and muffs but crashed because his hands were so toasty he wasn't really thinking the road would be icy and popped off his bike so now he only has the muffs.

[NewMon]

Blimey! I think the kind of bike I'm contemplating won't even have winter muffs available.

[craigie]

Would that be a bike with no handlebars?

[NewMon]

Ah. yes, I got that wrong. I was thinking of handguards. Blame the grape juice!

[Arbeia]

frank thomas do some good gear. altho if u want warmth and water proofing u dont need to spend thru the teeth. some thermal long johns and tshirt under your leathers and some cheap light water proofs from camping shop will be good as anything.

[NewMon]

Arbeia, I agree entirely. Thing is, that has been my approach since day 1 (it rained on day 1) but I hate the water proof suit thing. Never had a good one. Feel like a prat wearing it. So, I can see myself spending thru the teeth for a two piece suit which is warm and waterproof and armoured. For the bad weather only. I'll check the Frank Thomas gear though my experience with their stuff was poor - but that was back in the 90's. Hopefully, they've got better.

[SEAGUL]

hey newmon, i am by no means an expert as I have only been riding for a year but i commuted all the way through last winter and I have some wolf racing textiles with thermal lining and that kept me nice and toasty, kept the wind and rain out very well, saying that though my commute is only 30 mins so dont know how well it would hold out if your planning to spend longer journeys in the bad weather but i honestly cant fault my kit and for the jacket and pants cost about the 300 mark. still to find some decent winter gloves though (currently halvarssons).

i use gaerne boots too and they seem to stand up to winter abuse well.

[NewMon]

Hey Seagul, that is excellent. Just what I'm after - some hands-on and some names. I'll check out Wolf and Halvarssons. Are Halvarssons the gloves that recently got CE approval? The only ones to meet the CE std for gloves apparently. Although I expect not the same 'model' because the CE ones weren't waterproof.

[retskcid]

Gloves - I have tried them all, and you will not get better (warmer) winter gloves than these (unless you go heated which I find unecessary).

http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/6_144/products_id/3688

imho.

Have you got leather pants? Just wear thermals under them. Get a winter jacket and a jacket liner http://www.hideout-leather.co.uk/folders/heated_clothing/jacket_liner_clothing_gerbing/

http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=15820

(carfeul though, as Gerbing seem to be in decline?)

with two pairs of socks and the Pathan gloves you'll be like toast.


Rich

[singletrack]

Rukka stuff is great but be careful. The "cheaper" (£400 for a jacket!) Rukka stuff isn't waterproof on the top layer - the goretex is underneath. So it takes ages ( make that days) to dry out on the surface. If you get soaked on the way into work, it will still be wet on your way home. It will keep you dry, but you are likely to be colder and more uncomfortable.

Having said that, it is very good and comes with a 5 year guarantee, which most stuff doesn't have.

[SEAGUL]

hey newmon, just thought id post up some links for the kit i was talking about before if you wanted to have a look.

What I can recommend;
-Textile pants
http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/item2325.htm

-Jacket
http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/item2314.htm

-Boots
http://www.reddogmotorcycles.co.uk/productview.ink?id=4646&pcode=75GRWB&pcategory=Clothing&manufacturer=Gaerne&subcategory=Boots

As well as being waterproof and warm in the winter I have also have an off wearing this kit when travelling at 35-40. hit the ground fairly hard with my foot under the bike. All the kit stood up well, only injury was a stiff ankle for a couple of days. A few scuffs on my kit here and there but no actual damage and I still wear it now.

Cant recommend

Gloves
http://www.grandprixlegends.com/MotoLegendsSite/pages/product/product.asp?ctgry=M_TechnicalWear_I_Halvarssons_Gl oves(MotoLegends)&prod=HAL028%28GPL_BaseCatalog%29&ctlg=MotoLegends

In the description it says these gloves are water and windproof, I have found them to be neither, I don’t know how they compare to other winter gloves as these are the only ones I have had but I cannot recommend them.

[steeevvvooo]

I bought Hein Gericke gear about a year ago when I first started to commute on a bike. Think the jacket and pants cost about £600 for the pair, but I can’t seem to see them in this years catalogue so can’t confirm.

They’re gortex, and have never let in water yet (although the water beading surface coating has work of, so I need to get some spray or something and re-apply it). They zip together to make a 1 piece, have armour at the back, shoulders, elbows, knees, hips, lumbar etc etc. They also have a removable lining for when it’s really cold, although I took mine out and have never bothered to zip it back in since! Storm cuffs also stop the water running up your arms!

They’re also pretty good in the summer believe it or not! I’ve got vents on the cuffs/forearms, as well as on the back, and full length thigh vents, so as long as I don’t stop, I stay pretty cool! :mand:

[NewMon]

Great stuff chaps. Thank you. I'm off to a local Hein Gericke now for a look see.

Well, I popped into my 'local' hein Gericke. I like the Pathan gloves a lot and will probably get some soon. As for the textile jackets and trousers, none of them look very good to me. I mean in a 'fashion' sense - I am sure they're pretty good technically. I like the Wolf stuff better (and the prices) and am trying to find a local stockist. I'll also go across to Cannock where a Rukka dealer is.

[steeevvvooo]

Just got an e-mail from Hein Gericke, their "PADDOCK GTX JACKET" is now £129 reduced from £219.

not sure what it's like, but £130 for a Gortex jacket is pretty good!!!

[NewMon]

Very interesting! I've had a look on their website and it doesn't look too bad. I didn't see that the other day in the shop.

[NewMon]

Rukka stuff is great but be careful. The "cheaper" (£400 for a jacket!) Rukka stuff isn't waterproof on the top layer - the goretex is underneath. So it takes ages ( make that days) to dry out on the surface. If you get soaked on the way into work, it will still be wet on your way home. It will keep you dry, but you are likely to be colder and more uncomfortable.

Having said that, it is very good and comes with a 5 year guarantee, which most stuff doesn't have.

A quick update. I had this explained to me the other day. Apparently, the top layer of the gore-tex lined suits has a water repellent coating which is not perfect but gets worse as the material gets dirty. So when the water logging gets bad, clean the suit - apparently, you need a special detergent for gore-tex.

I am looking at Hein Gericke Gore-Tex suits mainly because they do short leg and arm sizes which Rukka and others do not do.

[NewMon]

Just got an e-mail from Hein Gericke, their "PADDOCK GTX JACKET" is now £129 reduced from £219.

not sure what it's like, but £130 for a Gortex jacket is pretty good!!!

It is a very good price and not a bad jacket. I looked the other day. It is, however, more of a summer jacket (especially good for our summers, being waterproof). Not really warm enough for what I have in mind. Thanks for the tip though.

[Mr Cake]

I use a great set of warm and waterproof Ford Escort for those parky winter months.

Novelty 'Cars' Cake (special offer at The ASDA)

[NewMon]

Update for anyone interested.

I was all set on the Hein Gericke Cruise(!) jacket and trousers but they tempted me with 12 months interest free credit and lured me with lots of technical words and I went and bought a Master V suit. It is very nice (bloody well should be) and I can't wait to try it in some inclement weather. Typically, today was glorious so I did a load of miles to get used to the suit.

I can't bear to put any kind of luggage system on the Monster - it's too beautiful for that, so I also got a Kriega backpack which is excellent and solves the luggage problem nicely

[retskcid]

Update for anyone interested.

I was all set on the Hein Gericke Cruise(!) jacket and trousers but they tempted me with 12 months interest free credit and lured me with lots of technical words and I went and bought a Master V suit. It is very nice (bloody well should be) and I can't wait to try it in some inclement weather. Typically, today was glorious so I did a load of miles to get used to the suit.

I can't bear to put any kind of luggage system on the Monster - it's too beautiful for that, so I also got a Kriega backpack which is excellent and solves the luggage problem nicely

I'm interested as my very old Rukka will need replacing soon. You are into Rukka money for that suit. And having tried gortex/textile pants in many past winters I really can't see the point of them. If you wear leather pants with thermals you will not get cold legs. And you can wear cheap water proofs if its raining, although I rarely bother. That would save you £350.

Interesting thread here:
http://www.nibikers.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=2660

No conclusion unfortunately.

I wish you good luck with it but I dont see the advantage over Rukka for the same price, and you'll still need heated kit underneath.

I'll be interested in your thoughts on it as you wear it.....

Rich

[NewMon]

I think the advantage for me over Rukka is twofold. Firstly, the nearest Rukka dealer is much further away than the local Hein Gericke and only had a very small range of kit. Secondly, Rukka don't appear to do short arm and leg lengths. Hein Gericke have specific short sizes that fitted me pretty well. As you know, you can't adjust this stuff. The prices seem about the same and the Hein Gericke Master suit is top of the textile suit test in RIDE mag etc.

I hear what you are saying about leather trousers with a waterproof over - For me, the advantages of the textile trousers are that I don't need to stop and put on water proofs if it rains and I can wear regular clothes underneath the textile if I need to.

A lot of Gore Tex and similar jackets have a separate fabric outer layer and inner gore tex layer. These are essentially separate which is why the outer layer can retain water when it is dirty. This can also add to the bulk. The Master V kit has these two layers bonded together and the outer layer is a kevlar composite which is advertised as being very tough. For me, this means the kit is less bulky and lighter which, as I am smallish, is a benefit.