Jacket recommendations?

[matthelliwell]

Well I got caught in the rain yesterday and discovered my Belfstaff jacket is no longer waterproof. As it was never windproof either, I should probably be looking at getting a new jacket before I go up to the Peak District in August where it is bound to rain. Of course, I can't find quite what I want so I'm looking for ideas.

Requirements are:
1. Wind and waterproof (which rules out leathers)
2. Easily washed (ditto)
3. Decent snuggly lining

And now the tricky bits
4. Hi visibility. I've seen a few bright yellow ones around but I want something that meets some standard, like EN 471, rather than looks like it is probably ok
5. Provides some reasonable level of abrasion resistence. Most of them have CE armour but all of the jackets so far are labelled "not personal protective wear" or some such similar phrase. Can you get ones that meet a CE standard?

Any clues gratefully received.

[Razzledazzle]

Have you seen the RoadCrafter suit post?

http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5467&highlight=roadcrafter

http://www.aerostich.com/files/images/misc/roadcrafer-hi-viz.jpg

[squirrelciv]

Sorry matey, but I really think what you want hasn't been made :cry:

It's been my experience that nothing out there can do all the jobs well, as everything is a compromise. Sure, people will tell you this one will do this and that one will do that, but I've found you spend a lot of money for kit that will let you down in one respect or another.

The route I've chosen is to buy kit to do specific jobs, so my jacket/trousers are good for a spill, have room for fleesy clothes underneath, and I can stuff waterproofs on over the top, which also keep out the wind. (Oh and if you want HiViz slip a waistcoat on :D )Added bonus is it's a lot cheeper than an all singing all dancing suit and can be kept that way. Cool in the summer, warm and dry in the winter. Laughing :D
Downside is it isn't particularly flash (but neither am I) and you have to carry the waterproof elements around with you 'just in case'.

Just a thought :wink:

[matthelliwell]

Sorry matey, but I really think what you want hasn't been made :cry: That's my conclusion too, I was just hoping I would be wrong.

The route I've chosen is to buy kit to do specific jobs, so my jacket/trousers are good for a spill, have room for fleesy clothes underneath, and I can stuff waterproofs on over the top, which also keep out the wind. That's what I used to do but I've got fed up of it. I'd live without the hi viz bit if I could get a textile jacket that had actually qualified as PPE.

(Oh and if you want HiViz slip a waistcoat on :D )Added bonus is it's a lot cheeper than an all singing all dancing suit and can be kept that way. Cool in the summer, warm and dry in the winter. Laughing :D
Downside is it isn't particularly flash (but neither am I) and you have to carry the waterproof elements around with you 'just in case'.


Too many time I haven't bothered to stop to put my waterproofs on, convinced the torrential downpour if just a passing shower, and have got soaked. Everytime I'm surprised that I do this, hence at least a waterproof jacket to wear most of the time is a sensible idea for me.

[matthelliwell]

Have you seen the RoadCrafter suit post?
Yup saw that. Putting aside any independent tests about its crashworthyness, their web site says:

"The easy entry zipper system will stay leak-free for about 30 to 90 minutes in a steady rain on an unfaired motorcycle"

so I think I'll be giving that a miss.

[iswoolley]

You might have a couple of mutually exclusive requirements there. Most waterproof stuff is made out of fancy fabrics, that probably don't react too well to washing detergents. Personally I've never washed a jacket, I kinda thought riding in the rain did the job for you! :wink:

I've used an enduro jacket (Sinisalo from Finland) for the last couple of years, and whilst it too has succumbed and now lets water through, it was cheaper than an equivalent road-oriented jacket, and probably stayed waterproof for as long.

Any idea what gear bike coppers wear? I'd have thought their gear would meet any relevant safety standards...

[Maverick]

I have a Hein Gericke Tuareg jacket that's been fine and stood up pretty well in the rain and cold the last few months. Going to stick it on ebay since I bought the roadcrafter suit unless you interested having a look at it.

I want £60 for it and size is think XL.

http://www.maverick-evolution.150m.com/2005/plains_offroad/html2/richie_sbo_04_std.jpg

Jacket comes without green screen, bike or stud of a model 8)

[Austin]

I agree with everyone so far, ie its all a compromise. I normally wear:

- a Spyke nylon/cordura/lined/membrane/CE armoured jacket
- Weise leather trousers with CE armour in hips and knees.
- On very hot days I wear a leather jacket
- In winter I add some all singing all dancing Belstaff cordura overtrousers.
- I always carry some cheap nylon overtrousers under the seat.
- I am getting some Hood Kevlar jeans and some knitted kevlar gloves for birthday (next week :D ] for hot weather

All opportunistic purchases at fifty per cent or more discount at one time or another [OK not the hood jeans]

So far [1 vear and 16 thousand miles] these in one combo or another have been waterprrof, windproof, and warm, and I feel very secure. I do 46 miles each way up/down the M6 to work and in winter is Jacket is OK with the liner in and just a shirt underneath. Belstaff cordura trousers over the leather jeans keep legs and feet toastie if a bit bulky.

[Rubberchicken]

I have a Hein Gericke Tuareg jacket that's been fine and stood up pretty well in the rain and cold the last few months.
I second that.

It's also an excellent summer jacket with the zips open and the liner removed. 30+ degrees no problem at all, as long as you keep moving. ;-)

[matthelliwell]

I have a Hein Gericke Tuareg jacket that's been fine and stood up pretty well in the rain and cold the last few months. Going to stick it on ebay since I bought the roadcrafter suit unless you interested having a look at it.

I want £60 for it and size is think XL.

Hmmm, bit on the large side for me I think.

[matthelliwell]

I have a Hein Gericke Tuareg jacket that's been fine and stood up pretty well in the rain and cold the last few months.
I second that.

It's also an excellent summer jacket with the zips open and the liner removed. 30+ degrees no problem at all, as long as you keep moving. ;-)
Well there's a Hein Gericke shop near me so I might go and give them a peruse when I'm back from my hols. Thanks for the recommendation. Perhaps a some nice retro-reflective sticker to go with it
https://www.cyberglow.co.uk/reflective.htm I wonder what I can spell out with those letters.


So if you see a caravan being towed by a Peugot Partner Combi blocking the road next week, that'll be me :P

[John]

The only CE rated textile suit is the Halvarssons Safety Suit from Jofama (http://www.jofama.se/motorcycle_wear/). It's a big, heavy, expensive mofo. It certainly offers better protection than other suits. I tried one and didn't find it comfortable, but some people swear by them.

There's a lot of confusion about CE marking and bike gear. Basically, in the EU if something is sold as a protective item it must meet certain standards. That's why you'll see "CE" armour in "non-CE" clothing. Until some other manufacturers produce textile suits that meet the standards and are CE marked, you have to make your own judgement about the merits of the various options.

If you're interested, then have a read of what a guy called Paul Varnsverry has to say on uk.rec.motorcycles (http://groups.google.com/groups/search?q=varnsverry&) or look at his web site www.pva-ppe.org.uk

Things to look out for are 500 denier Cordura as a minimum, double stitching (peferably protected by a layer of fabric), additional material on vulnerable parts (eg 1000+ denier Cordura, or one of the Kevlar mixes like Keprotec), adjustable "armour" so you can get the position right (ideally also exceeding the CE requirements).

I'd also look for "soft armour" like T-Pro or Hiprotec as it actually absorbs impact forces, rather than just spreading them over a larger area. It's also easy to get protectors that exceed the basic CE requirements (eg Hiprotec Sport or the higher rated T-Pro gear).

As you might guess, I spent quite a lot of time and effort looking at all this before I bought my gear. In the end I chose the Hein Gericke Master IV which meets all my requirements. It was expensive, but I'm very happy with it. I believe that it offers above average of protection; it is waterproof, breathable and comes with a very warm removable liner; other nice touches are arm vents for hot days and a built in Camelback pocket.

It is all black, so for visibilty I started out with a cheap hi viz jaclet on top, but it really sucked. I've replaced it with an Icon Mil Spec Vest (http://www.xrv.org.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5015) which I think is actually quite cool.

[Rubberchicken]

[Hein Gericke Tuareg jacket]
Well there's a Hein Gericke shop near me so I might go and give them a peruse when I'm back from my hols. Thanks for the recommendation.
The bad part is that I just remembered this particular model's been discontinued... :oops:

[matthelliwell]

The only CE rated textile suit is the Halvarssons Safety Suit from Jofama (http://www.jofama.se/motorcycle_wear/). It's a big, heavy, expensive mofo. It certainly offers better protection than other suits. I tried one and didn't find it comfortable, but some people swear by them.

That's very interesting. They do a CE jacket as well for 500 pounds. More than I wanted to spend but might be worth it. Now if only I could find a stockist closer than Newcastle http://customlids.co.uk/textiles/halvarssons/halvarssons.htm

Scott Leathers also do a CE textile jacket but there supply seems to be being taken up by the police :cry:

As you say, some sort of additional reflective stuff would take care of any visibility issues.

[John]

That's very interesting. They do a CE jacket as well for 500 pounds. More than I wanted to spend but might be worth it. Now if only I could find a stockist closer than Newcastle
That jacket, with matching trousers, is what makes up the "Safety Suit".

If you're interested I'd suggest that you go and see Graham at GLF Acessories www.glfacc.demon.co.uk -- rather closer than Newcastle, and an extremely helpful man!

Scott do indeed make a CE jacket, but the old bill are apparently still using leather trousers. I believe that the Halvarsson's suit may be used by some forces soon.

[matthelliwell]

That's very interesting. They do a CE jacket as well for 500 pounds. More than I wanted to spend but might be worth it. Now if only I could find a stockist closer than Newcastle
That jacket, with matching trousers, is what makes up the "Safety Suit".

If you're interested I'd suggest that you go and see Graham at GLF Acessories www.glfacc.demon.co.uk -- rather closer than Newcastle, and an extremely helpful man!


Well I've just come back from talking to Graham. You're right, he is a very helpful man. I am now the proud owner of a Halvarssons jacket. :D

It doesn't feel any bulkier or heavier than my leaking Belstaff jacket. I'll have to see what it's like pootling off road around the Peak District next weekend. (For those that don't frequent advrider http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=120717&page=11 , we're having a meet up next weekend if anybody wants to join in)

The only downside is the price which was twice as much as I wanted to spend. OTOH I didn't overheat in it riding back today and I'm hoping its going to last longer than my Belstaff jacket without leaking. And if the outer does get damaged or leak at least I can just buy a new outer without forking out for a whole new jacket.

It's remarkably how easy it was to convince myself that I should spend 500 pounds on a coat.

[africajim]

Ok, my tuppence, I've worn a SIDI red and black cordura jacket for almost 10yrs now! It gets washed every couple of months in the washing machine and has remained waterproof over all these years!

It cost me £120 and has never let me down in a decade. The outside now seems to hold water (the cordura gets wet on the surface and doesn't run the water the same) but it never comes through the jacket.

I don't know what I'd replace it with, I've looked but just can't find anything so comfy!

[icenian]

If anyone is interested in the Halvarssons Safety Jacket, but doesn't want to spend 500 quid, you can get it for 370 pounds from these people:
http://www.biker-land.de (http://www.biker-land.de/)

They speak english, are very helpful, accept Paypal and deliver very fast. I just bought a Rukka ATech jacket from them so I can vouch for them.

I'd also recommend you take a look at the Rukka ATech jacket. It's more "normal" than the Halvarssons, but it has Kevlar reinforced fabric that's claimed to work as well as leather. They're selling the Atech for 330 quid, but you'll have to be fast!

[MacP]

If anyone is interested in the Halvarssons Safety Jacket, but doesn't want to spend 500 quid, you can get it for 370 pounds from these people:
http://www.biker-land.de (http://www.biker-land.de/)

They speak english, are very helpful, accept Paypal and deliver very fast. I just bought a Rukka ATech jacket from them so I can vouch for them.

I'd also recommend you take a look at the Rukka ATech jacket. It's more "normal" than the Halvarssons, but it has Kevlar reinforced fabric that's claimed to work as well as leather. They're selling the Atech for 330 quid, but you'll have to be fast!

I agree on the Rukka - Top quality stuff - Jackets and Trousers.