I bought Rukka Allroad jacket this year and stitching inside one pocket was broken when new. After 1 week of use stitching at the end of sleeve broke loose from rubbing against glove. The thread used there is very thin compared to rest of the suit, so I'm pretty sure this will happen to other sleeve as well.
The suit itself is generally very well made and very expensive but on some reason things like that still happen. :confused1:

It appears to be the case that most clothing on sale in the Western world is made in China. It does not matter what its purpose is - fashion, bike riding, climbing, whatever - the big and cheap factories are based there.

For what it is worth, one can read the threads in here that describe experiences with Chinese manufactured motorbikes.

So, I guess it does not matter what the designer label is, the source of the manufactured goods should be taken into account - does Hein Gericke manuf in Germany nowadays? I'm off to check the labels on my riding clothes!!

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Dave

ah, but Aerostich riding gear is made in the USA, in Duluth, MN. i have had
FIVE jackets and a few less pants (don't like the one piece; they leak at crotch) and have been utterly happy with them -- and their service.

z

Sorry to hear about your bad experience with BMW clothing. My only piece of BMW kit is the Santiargo Boot.
I've used these for around 1000 miles now and in all weathers. I honestly rate them. Waterproof, Comfy to walk in and give a good sense of being solid safe boots.
I hope you get some joy from BMW head office.

regards

Shaun

I am sorry to say, but I hate those guys who buy a BMW GS 1200 ADV full equipe and also buy the whole BMW gear at the same time. I can see a lot of them near the mall, but I didn´t find them on the road. Ups, yes, I remember I found 15 of them in Uzbekistan, they were on the Kudu Expedition leash and even had a 4x4 following them in case they burn a small lamp. Ok, all of them were wearing the most expensive BMW stuff while I was riding almost nude. I was crazy after riding the Aral Sea and they were still fresh living they lifetime adventure with nannie.

I tried a lot of gear and what I can say is BMW makes good expensive motorcycles and sells bad expensive gear and the italians sells bad bikes and makes good gear. Save your money and buy BMW to ride and Dainesse and Alpine Star to wear.

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www.miquelsilvestre.com

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

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Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

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 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.

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.

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-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)

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.

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This old world keeps spinning round, it`s a wonder tall trees ain`t laying down.

Well my Rallye 2 suit has taken a hell of a battering over the last two years and is still just fine, if completely filthy (Red suit - bad move!). I can't vouch for the Santiago suit, but is it really designed for living in day after day for months? I don't know.

The boots story sounds dire. This shouldn't have hapenned. However, I've never had a pair of boots, or gloves that stay watertight for long. I'm sure that waterproof boots and gloves don't exist (aside from wellies and Marigolds!).

Currently using Bullson boots. They stayed watertight for about a week after I first bought them, but are otherwise a good tough boot. Shopping bags keep the water away from my socks if riding in the wet.

All this breathable but waterproof fabric stuff is just nonsense. If it can 'breath' it can let water in eventually. I've never had truly waterproof gloves in 25 years of riding. Putting workshop/surgical latex gloves on first for wet riding makes life a bit more comfortable.

I find that the Rallye suit is not best when it's completely freeing cold (under about 2 degrees C wind chill). Too many zip vents which let the chill in when closed. But overall, I'd recommend one to anyone.

Craig

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www.motorcycleoutreach.org
www.globebusters.com

I like surgical gloves too, but I squeeze them on the OUTSIDE! Keeps your leather gloves dry.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Anyone got any comments on the Rev It Cayenne / Cayenne Pro?

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I've always felt BMW gear was over priced. My freind has just replaced his inordinately expensive Rallye Jacket. Bought at roughly the same time as my £120 Hein Gericke Tuareg, his jacket has done roughly a quarter of the miles in much less tough conditions. My Tuareg is still going strong (although it is permanently filthy now!)

For waterproofing I wear (underneath the Tuareg) a North Face Goretex Paclite hikers jacket which I got in a sale for £100. It works perfectly and keeps me dry as a bone. This has the advantage that I have a nice looking waterproof when I get off the bike.

If you want to look like Ewan, great. Otherwise spend your money more wisely, grasshopper!

Matt

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http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com

http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/

*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!