I know, I know, a very subjective topic, however, with the way the Aussie dollar is now the price for a Aerostich Darien two (2) piece ensemble is dollar for dollar the same (give or take a shackle or three)as 'Beemers' Savanna ensemble. Now, no smart comments on "gee, how can he afford it?"

Now the question I will put to you goodly cast of thousands what would be the suit of choice? Now this will really get the fur flying.

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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

[This message has been edited by Macca (edited 04 June 2002).]

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

Both my wife and I have the BMW Savanna suits
We have had them for over a year and we like them a lot. We have friends who have Aerostitch suits and they like them.
To the point, The Aerostitch has its liners built in and are heavier. They are water proof for a while. If you go through several long heavy storms they will start to leak. I have been told that they are "hot" in the summer, but you can put ice in the big pockets and that will help keep you cool.
The Savanna has a separate removable Gore-Tex liner. In cool weather we leave the liners in. In the rain with the liners in they are totally water proof. You Must! put the liners in for rain protection. The water will go through the suit with out them. It is Not! a good idea to put water repellants on the outside suit they will block some of the air from going through the suit in the heat. The BMW Airflow suit would be better in consistent heat but the Savanna is better for varying conditions.
With the Savanna you are still carrying rain gear. You have to take your suit off to put the liners in but you can ride with the liners in, in weather under 75f - 25c
If you try on the Savanna put them on over your regular clothes with the liner in the suit. This will allow for room underneath the suit. They have no insulation and in cold weather you will want thermal underwear.
I could go on, but I won't
I hope this helps, John

Thanks for the quick reply John, you make some good points for me to take into consideration, ie the temperature thingy, being in Oz and some of the travels I'm doing as a 'shake-down' for the RTW will be across a couple of deserts so body temp and cooling there-of will be of importance.

I am leaning towards the Savanna, if anything because the ease of supply, as against Aerostich's having no agency in Australia makes for the logistics of purchasing/frieght etcand then if it doesnt fit right the hassle of sending back, you get the picture.

Just one for the info file, how does the Savanna price compare to the Darien?


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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

Have you looked at BMW's Rallye suit? It's waterproof, has plenty of zips for ventilation (including on the thighs) and has a back pouch for a CamelBak. There's another clear back window for a race number or, more usefully, your pillion can read a map from it.

It also takes a liner if needed; the jacket and trousers can zip together and it looks better than the Savannah.

It has built in protection but I presume the others do too.

I'll be testing it out on my UAE-UK trip next month.

G'day Stephano, to be honest I have tried to keep my selection down to two, could be now three? as it's like the child in the lollie shop - all that selection and not knowing what to choose from.

My main criteria is quality and something thats not going to fall apart once the going gets a bit arduous, hence what IMO I've stuck to either BMW or Aerostich.

I will check out the Rallye, Now which one do I choose? Cheers.

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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

Hi

I have a Darien. Great so far and no water leaked in yet! Dislike the unlined collar and the outside pockets aren't waterproof. The material is thick (good for protection, not so good for keeping cool), but stiff. The vents do let air circulate though.

I don't like the way all these cordura type jackets become waterlogged after prolonged heavy rain. Maybe combining protection/comfort with waterproofing isn't really necessary? Why not consider a good comfortable vented leather or enduro jacket and buy a good quality waterproof oversuit?

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Sean

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Sean

Hey, Macca,
My regular riding buddy is flying into Perth at the start of July to do the Canning Stock Route (up to Broom, is it?).

She's also bought the BMW Rallye jacket for that trip. Perhaps you could take a look at hers. Any pointers for the CSR trip?

Oh, and the Rallye is cheaper than the Savannah, at least in Dubai.

Cheers, Stephan

Stephano, give my email details to your travelling buddy, I'll be back in Perth after the 25th June and will assist, I've got some information about CSR, also I can check out the clothing



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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

Hi there,
I have both a Darien suit and a Savannah jacket.

The Darien is pretty warm and definitely works well in a downpour, but is very hot even when just wearing a T-shirt underneath and with the vents open. It is also extremely stiff, makes you feel a bit like the Michelin Man, and the stiff collar makes it difficult to turn your head and is irritating in the whiskers on my neck. I find too that the heated fleece vest (I got the one with heatred sleeves) doesn't get very hot compared to my Widder sleeveless vest.

The Savannah fits like a glove and is VERY comfortable to wear and is very cool even in extreme heat. I wear my fleece vest from my Darien Suit underneath when it gets a bit chilly, but there's no way this jacket can keep me warm when the weather gets a little damp or drops below about 50.

I'd have a hard time recommending either as an all-around solution, I'm not impressed with the Darien but keep it for the cold and rain. I LOVE everything about the Savannah, only it's just not suitable for cold foggy mornings, etc - at least with the Aerostitch fleece underneath. The BMW liners may be a different story.

I keep hearing that Rukka is the best all-around solution - I'd check into that.

Wright

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Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

Cheers wbagwell, I originally thought of Rukka as they have a good reputation (via this website), however, when I looked at their website (Rukka) once again Australia doesn't have a agent or distributor (similar story for Aerostich). I could of gone through the process of shopping over the web, having done it before. It's just the logistics of if the suit doesn't quite fit then having to return it, etc you get the picture.

Anyroad, with my travels at the moment doing a couple of Aussie deserts as a shake down to the 'big one'. So, it looks like with you comments and the others the Savanna will probably be the suit of choice, however, you've make me do a re-think.


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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

Both my wife and I ride in the winter with the Savanna suits. This spring we went out for a weekend and it was 32f (0c).
The Savanna with the Gore-Tex liners in.
Thermal pants, cotten long sleeve shirt,
fleece. We were not warm but we were not cold either. The Gore-Tex liners are an important feature not only for rain protection but as a added wind breaker.
When you buy the suit be SURE to try it on OVER you cold weather gear - with the liner in.

I have a BMW Rallye jacket and a BMW Kalahari suit (much like a Savannah). The Rallye isn't waterproof - I add an oversuit if it rains.

I very much prefer the Rallye, in any weather.

In the heat it's cooler because its got far more vents than the Kalahari. And it has Camelbak fittings - could be very useful.

In changeable weather I find the Kalahari very impractical. You have to remove jacket, trousers and boots completely and fiddle about half naked on the roadside for ages in order to get the liners in or out. Much easier just to put an oversuit on or off. Plus, the top layer of the Kalahari is very absorbent. So while the liner is keeping you dry the suit is getting heavy and saturated with mud and water. Gets filthy and takes ages to dry. I'd rather keep the suit dry and let the waterproofs deal with the rain and mud.

In the cold I don't think there's much to choose between them.

In an accident I think the Rallye would protect you a touch better because it's made of an exceptionally heavy-duty fabric.

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If a thing is worth doing, it\'s worth doing to extremes.

Well guys (& gals) I see it's a subjective topic as I first stated, but anywho, I've gotten some excellent information. Maybe a bit too much if you know what I mean - too much selection now.

I must remain focused on my original selection, with maybe a little peek at the other recommendations

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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i

I hope that you find what you are looking for.
You do know, don't you, that Real Bikers wear black leathers - Haro leathers.
And they use Rukka rainsuits.
I think if you search this website you may find something like that.
(It pays to advertise)
John

I like your sense of humour John - leathers, yeah right, nah, just joking. I'm not into leathers and I mean that in the right context


Gee, I dont know about you but some of the leathers here in Oz are made for those para-military guys who dig the Nazi dress sense, not my scene I'm afraid, I'm just a new age guy right into the 'Gortex' thing.


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Macca
Without adventure life is in full decay.

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Macca & Lynda
Tiger955i