I followed the link at the top of this page (Rukka advert) to look at their range. Are their suits any good for overlanding in mixed conditions?

Kurt

Hi Kurt,
I have a Rukka "Outlast" suit, which is the top of the range and roughly £900. The jacket side pockets are too high to use easily and the trousers only have one tiny key pocket - so not enough pockets and they are really too small for overlanding. The whole suit is very comfortable but is not waterproof, despite what they claim, nor very warm during the winter months, and too warm even with the liners removed during the summer months.
I did an African trip recently and wore Held Airdura strike trousers with their Trophy jacket, both have been brilliant. Have a look at www.held-biker-fashion.de or ring the UK agent on 01283 820508 for a catalogue and pricelist.
Hope this helps,
Chris

[This message has been edited by Big C (edited 19 August 2002).]

Thanks ofr the advice Chris,

I cant beleive the rukka is £900! You'd expect a build in auto pilot for that money.

Kurt

I bought a Rukka AirFlow suit a couple of weeks ago and am very happy with it. This weekend, I rode from the states to Canada in 90-100 degree temperatures and was very comfortable. Further up in Ontario I ran into some rain and the temperature was about 60 degrees; after putting in the liners I was dry and warm.

The suit is exceedingly comfortable both on and off the bike; the pockets are well placed and plentiful. Working up a sweat off the bike on a hot day is no problem because the air circulation dries one out in minutes when riding. Although I haven't worn it in truly cold weather (it's summer after all), I'm confident that thermal underwear + an electric vest will make near freezing temperatures viable.

I haven't found anything about the suit I don't like - the liners are a bit fiddly, but all liners are. The prices are relatively high, but compare it to the BMW gear and it isn't too bad. Overall, I give the stuff 10 out of 10.

James.

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James Courtier

A comment on major sponsors on HU - WE pick them, and only because we believe they make great gear.

We have Rukka suits ourselves (in fact I've been using Rukka for over 20 happy years).

After a ride across Canada in three weeks this summer, experiencing torrential downpours, hail and 38C temperatures, I'd have to say that the Airflow suit is the best all-round suit I've ever had. That DOESN'T mean it's perfect - just the best compromise. Amazingly cool in the hottest weather, and easy to add warmth.

It's clearly not meant as a serious winter suit, it's a moderate to hot condition suit. It WILL work fine in cold weather but needs more layers under it than a suit that you might normally get, especially in the UK, where my biggest complaint in looking for a suit was that ALL the suits were way too hot, with minimal or no ventilation. Probably something to do with the average UK weather...

We found the Rukka Airflow suits to be absolutely watertight. An important note with ANY Gore-Tex is that it has to be kept CLEAN. If it's very dirty it WILL leak.

The big advantage of the liner design suits is that it is very easy to wash both the suit and the liner, (preferably separately, as all the zippers and velcro etc on the outer suit can be hard on a Gore-Tex liner in the wash) and of course you aren't wearing the Gore-Tex part all the time, in stinking hot weather and clogging the Gore-Tex pores with your sweat - which makes Gore-Tex leak.

Go to a camping store and get Gore-Tex clothing soap - e.g. Nikwax makes one - and rinse it at least TWICE to get ALL soap residue out. ANY soap residue will cause a leak. Gore-Tex liners are quite happy with frequent machine washing but need lots of rinsing, which is where most people go wrong.

If after washing properly it still leaks I'd take it back.

Flaws - I'd like to see more pockets myself, (in fact the later suits have two outer hip pockets where mine has the hip pads in them, making them unusable.) The jacket pockets could come down a little lower, and one or two on the legs would be nice.

Also I'd like a lighter colour option to keep down the heat from the sun. But that's about all that's wrong! Overall definitely a winner.


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant,
Just a note on color: We have a set of beige Dariens, and cannot keep them free of dirt and bug smears. Washing keeps them clean but they take on a darkish stained look after awhile, that never goes away. I may stay with black in the future.
Allen.

I despatched in London for several happy years in a Rukka R3000 jacket. It never got me wet, and was plenty cool enough up to about 35oC ambient.

I have had 3 or 4 accidents (mostly me falling off @ 30-40mph) and the jacket has been fine. After I had owned it for 2.5 years, the velcro started to pull at the collar. I phoned them up and within a week had a BRAND NEW JACKET! Unbelievable customer service.

The jacket is totally waterproof. No joke. And we know about rain in London! I would be absolutely confident that it would protect me, and am thinking of wearing it for the road section of my trip (MX gear and a light jacket is my other option - we are travelling in summer).

Can't comment on the value for money here in the UK - I got mine from the courier co. that I worked for. It was subsidised and I paid 130GBP.

Generally, I have been astounded by the build quality, attention to detail, overall performance, and customer service. 95% Buy one if you can afford it!

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Grant

You mentioned prefering a jacket with a lighter colour to help combat the heat. I'm presently looking for a bright yellow cordura jacket along the lines of the Aerostich Hi-Viz but at a fraction of it's cost. On the cover of 'Rider' magazine, Clement Salvadori is shown wearing a yellow jacket. Has anyone any idea as to it's make? Are there any other manufacturers making yellow jackets? I'd heard Dainese did but this is no longer shown on their website.

Hi Viz Jackets -

Try Hein Gericke - I was in one of their shops a couple of week ago and they had a range of bright Yellow biking jackets...

They seemed to be identical to the Cordura style jackets BUT in a you can't miss me way.

hope this helps.

Tony.

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!

May be of interest for UK residents, 'last years stock'is a good way to buy Rukka. I have a few year old model - £99 - Yes £99 ! (I like it except would prefer higher neck, and upper pockets are exremely stupid design !)
Bought clearance from M&P - the folk that took them over in York (UK) are selling off the newer version of mine (but NOT latest) for £199 if I rem' correctly. Were there this W/E. Shops called 'innovation' or something.

(Found it ! INFINITY MOTORCYCLES 01904 675 600 www.bits4bikers.co.uk - may have same offer at other branches)

[This message has been edited by Fritz (edited 20 May 2003).]

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