Review YOUR textiles

[BlackStallion]

I thought i'd post this thread, so people can give their opinions on some textile gear out there. It doesn't matter if it's gear which cost you an arm and a leg, or cheap textiles which cost a packet of crisps.

Be good to hear peoples thoughts, since it's in the new bikers section, those new to biking could look here for some advice

I'm currently enjoying riding in textiles at the moment, it feels a lot comfier, and they've kept me nice and toasty throughout many bitterly cold mornings and nights.

So are the textiles you're wearing actually waterproof?

Are they warm?

Are they protective enough in a fall?

Good for the money or not?

Looking forward to the replies guys

[dextersaurus]

Wll i bought a nice akito jacket when i first bought my bike. was warm and wasn't restrictive, waterproof WITH THE LINER IN, and seriosuly well made, it survived all my little crashes till i was pwned by a people carrier, and some of the stitching ripped.

I got that for £40. down from £130. Go clearance

I also bought a pair of textile trousers from Aldi, they were VERY good. armour in them, and that wierd rubbery stuff between the legs so you don't slide around on the seat.

Waterproof, warm, went over or under my boots depending on the weather no problem, and also managed to survive a few crashes till the pwning.

I did manage to rip a hole in the knee after KD'ing, which slightly changed the waterproof abilities, but still fantastic for £30.

In THIS thread, you can see the kit, and the damage that was caused....

heres some pics though.

https://i624.photobucket.com/albums/tt325/duncdmc/me1.jpg?t=1260706642

that's the jacket, trousers kind of looked like these

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/product_images/richa_textile_pants_monsoon.jpg

Dunc

[BlackStallion]

Wish i'd got myself some of those trosuers from Aldi, i haven't had any luck with textile trousers

I used to have a pair of Buffalo Imola textile trousers, which i got free off a friend, and they're like 50 - 60 quid on eBay. I thought they were shit, and that's the only word to describe them, full stop.

They were comfy, and fairly warm, but not as toasty as i thought they would be, the thermal lining only stopped at the knees and covered the thighs. They were no where near 100% waterproof, i'd say 1% water "repellant" but not "proof". It only took 10 minutes of riding in heavy rain and my legs were piss wet right through.

So stay clear of those.

The best textile jacket i've ever had, which i gave to a mate last week, was a Weise Torque jacket. I got it off eBay for £29.99 in a clearance sale, with only Xtra Small left, which is one size below what i wear now, but i thought fuck it, had a good write up, so gave it a go. I have to say, they've lasted me 7 - 8 months, and are still like new, been through all weather conditions, i wore it during an hour and a half trip to my girlfriends house, 1 hour of that journey was in horrible rain, it was lashing it down, and i was bone dry when i got my girls house.

It had YKK zippers which were bulletproof, never got stuck, or broke or anything. It was really nice and toasty too, the thermal lining was good quality. Waking up on the cold bitterly mornings and heading to college wasn't a problem, the Weise jacket kept me extremely warm. Shame it doesn't fit me anymore, because i just can't fault it. Atleast my mate now has a good jacket with all the armour and protection against all the elements

I currently have an RSR textile jacket, which i got off (you guessed it ) eBay. Really warm, and a nice fit, good quality lining too, nice design, got mine secondhand for £40, it's a good quality jacket, but it hasn't seen the rain yet, so i'll update the topic when it does.

Got a pair of Akito Desert textile trousers on there way to me, should receive them next week. Don;t no what they're like, but heard really good stuff about them, and MCN gave them 10/10.

Lets see some more posts though guys, i'm sure there's PLENTY of riders out there with textile gear

Cheers for the reply dunc

[BlackStallion]

Anyone going to post something about their textiles? Come on guys, chop chop

[defblade]

Bought a set of Akito Dessert textiles when I started. Not cheap, not too expensive.

Trousers OK in a shower, but leaked in proper rain (yes, with the "waterproof" liner in). Bought a pair of Tech 7 cheap but proper w/p over trousers. No probs since. The wtaerproof liner is back in the Akitos as it helps with the wind chill.

The jacket was nice on nice days, plenty of airflow. Sadly, more rainy days than good ones this year The liner worked fine as far as waterproof went, but was sweaty-sticky (being on the inside) and the coat itself soaked up loads of water, got heavy, wind-chilly and took more than overnight to dry out.

Took to wearing my old gore-tex pedal-bike jacket over the Akito (without the liner in) and that was much better (putting the waterproofing on the outside seems much better to me).

Then I found a half-price Bering proper gore-tex bike jacket at a show and it fitted.... so I've been wearing that since It's very very good at keeping me 100% dry, but still not sweaty; I've taken to wearing a jumper under as the (removable) lining is starting to struggle down the front since it turned cold. Also, it's cut veeerrrryyyy long in the body (and I'm speaking as a 6' 4" bloke whose height is in his back rather than legs) so I tuck the front under itself to stop the (quite stiff) fabric pushing up and giving me space for breasts. I'm not sure who it is supposed to fit, if it's a bit long for me, but I guess that's why it was on the sale rack!

Spada waterproof gloves, also half price (£20 IIRC), have done what they said so far, Sidi black rain evo boots are slightly sweaty on long wearing, but do keep my feet dry.

The Akito jacket is waiting for summer, for days that are so sunny and warm I'm certain it won't rain on the way home either. I expect to wear it 4 or 5 days next year






I asked (might have been on here, can't remember) shortly after starting riding, how hardcore it's reasonable to be when you've got a car handy.

Riding home the other night, warm and dry, in the dark through hail and heavy rain, I realised it's mostly a question of having the right kit. As usual.
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[DanHam]

I have some Richa pants, a jacket and some boots. I use the jacket now but not the trousers. Actually I used the for the first time in a few months the other night, I didn't feel safe in them after wearing the leathers, and they were tight around my balls while riding the VFR which was a major discomfort.

The pants have a bit of padding on the knee and some like on your arse, thats it. That have like a little hole here and there. I used to wear pants underneath them too, if it rained I would get wet so now they weren't water proof.

The jacket is water proof to a certain extent, it wasn't in the pissing rain about 4-5 weeks ago, I got to my destination, the hoody I was wearing underneath was drenched! But it seems to hold up pretty well agains your average showers.

The boots, they weren't water proof, the trousers came down over them, that area was dry, but where my feet were would get soaked, they weren't warm either my feet would get freezing. Now I have some SMX + A*s, no they're not water proof, but they are a damn sight more protective and look better.

My richa gloves, well I think they are water proof if you pull your jacket down over them, they aren't if you pull them over your jacket, if you do that they do a better job of keeping the water in rather than out LOL. They aren't very warm either, but then I'm yet to find a glove that is, even my winter goretex £80 A* gloves aren't warm, which is why I have some heated grips coming in the next 2-3 days. As for what I do to keep my hands warm at the minute are stop after when my hands get cold, leave my bike running and put the gloves on my end can, it doesn't get all that hot, and maybe warms your hands for like a minute afterwards

Maybe I could make my textiles more waterproof by putting some of that Nikwax on them, but then I shouldn't have to as apparently they come from the manufacturer as 'waterproof'.

Prices by the way were, £63 for boots. £36 for gloves. £90 for jacket. And £81 for the pants. These are discounted prices by the way.
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Previous - 2004 Aprilia RS50 - 2006 Honda CBR 125 R
A2 Passed - 12/11/09
Current - 1992 Honda VFR 400 R

[Kimmington]

I wear Tuzo gloves, Jacket and trousers... They are all waterproof. I went out the other weekend in horizontal rain.. It did leak on one seam and the inevitable crotch seam. A quick blast with waterproofing spray and I am now as snug as a bug -and more importantly dry. I wear thermal leggings and shirt underneath.

My boots are also dry and warm and are Bullson which is also from Hein Gericke.... they were about £60.00 in a sale. I have just bought another pair on fleabay for £20.00.. (my first pair were bought in desperation as my other boots spectacularly came apart while riding- boring story)

The Jacket and Trousers are women's and cost £110.00 - They are my winter ones with full armour and liners. Fitted so it doesn't flap around and let drafts in.

My summer kit is fully armoured and ancient. Something like MQP or something. I got it from Hein Gericke about 10 years ago -or longer. Still waterproof but not warm enough for winter.
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Make love not war.... and if you can do that on a bike then all the better.

[ClaireBear]

I have got a richa jacket- the storm version I think (? lol) its blue and black, looks quite smart

I have taken out the winter lining/fleece basically because I was getting boiling hot in it during the summer. Will put it back in soon because Im noticing my arms are getting a bit chilly after a while.

In small showers it keeps me dry, but on a half hour ride which was tipping down throughout, the front of my jumper was soaked! I dont ride with it zipped up to my trousers though so I expect that will help.

For £100 ish I am pleased with it. It feels quite protective if I were to fall off- touch wood I havent yet.

Also got textile trousers which are very good, but cant remember the make at the moment lol

[Kickstart]

Hi

Current jacket is a Spidi one. Brilliant, but getting old now and letting water in occasionally. If I could find another the same then I would buy it (only ones I have seen are shorter).

Have some HG trousers which are good. Waterproof, but the zip broke (the zip still works, but the bit the catch goes onto broke off). Apart from the pathetically weak zip I would buy another set.

Last jacket I had was an unknown make and worked pretty well (still have it floating around). Last trousers I had were some Akito Python ones, which were complete garbage.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[supZ]

dainese lione jacket and dainese trousers (forget model but they are of similar design to jacket.)

cost me a little over £300 inc. back protector insert (the uprated one - there were 2 types/levels)

had em a year now and cant fault them one bit.

been in torrential downpours and never let me down
not a single stitch out of place
all zips are good and strong
inners are warm and cosy - i survived riding all through feb this year with just a t-shirt or 2 underneath (when we had the biggest snowfall of like 18 years)
waterproof inner pockets - nb. outer ones arnt as i found out.. my packet of chewing gum never stood a chance ;(

not crashed in it but armours good and solid but comfortable so hopefully if the worst happens it'll give me some protection

only minus id say is the loop strap on the neckline digs into my neck when done up, but its not been done it up since the first week of buying it so its never been an issue
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CBR954RR - Daily toy
CBR600RR - Trackbike

[Kal]

Why only textiles?

Feel the love, feel the leather man!
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[DanHam]

[Kal]

Not sure that a 1 peice would be so great, but I have worn a leather jacket since my early twenties, in winter I just bang a fleece under it. Job done.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[nstrug]

I have Spada Lunar jacket and Duo-Tech trousers. Cost £85 for the jacket and £80 for the trousers new on ebay.

The jacket has full elbow and shoulder CE protection, along with soft back protection and a pocket for a full back protector. There is a full removable insulated lining. Plenty of pockets and som really good features such as soft (alcantara?) trimming on the cuffs and collar to stop chafing. It is *fully* waterproof and has a zip, velcro and poppers to help prevent water ingress.

The trousers are to a similar standard and have CE knee and hip protectors built in. they also have a reremovable insulated lining and have a clever feature where they can be internally shortened to wear with tall boots.

Both the jacket and trousers have full length and short zip so they will also zip on to Hein Gericke and Frank Thomas gear.

I've had them for 3-4 weeks now and ridden in absolutely foul weather (albeit only at 125 speeds) and remained perfectly dry.

Nick

[metalangel]

Targa Turbo jacket. Armour pads in shoulders, elbows and back. Nice removable liner which does the job in winter, a few vents, looks smart and is comfortable. Decent pockets (the dedicated phone pocket is good), keeps the rain out very well.

Richa Monsoon pants. Armour in knees. Removable liner (never used it) and fit well over normal everyday pants. Pockets largely decorative. Again, warm and keep the weather out.

I was wearing these when I had my off. I stood back up and walked over to my bike. Right shoulder of jacket destroyed by friction but the only mark to me was a tiny hole in my t-shirt. Right knee (which I landed on) had a bit of tarmac in it as well, after the material wore through. But nothing was broken, all my skin was still on, so yes, they did the job.

I liked them so much I bought identical ones to replace 'em. They're reasonably priced as gear goes, the jacket is about £100 and the pants about £90.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[tsmith]

[dextersaurus]

^^ what he said.

i can comment on the protection in the crash.

fantastic

For the price, they did very well.... I'll definately be buying another set once i get another bike

Dunc

[BlackStallion]

[Clique]

Well, I've been wearing a set of Hein Gericke Craig II trousers and jacket since the weather turned pretty shitty a few months back. I chose this set because I liked the way they look (I'm a vain bastard), plus after trying them on you could feel that they were well made.

https://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/images/prodpics/HGCRAIGII2.jpg Jacket

https://www.testberichte.de/imgs/p_imgs/Hein+Gericke+Craig+2-115-115016.jpg Trousers

Now, I'd say that they fairly waterproof, they've only ever leaked on me after riding for 2 and a half hours at motorway speeds in really heavy rain.... which later turned to hailstones!. The jacket didn't leak however the trousers did around the crotch.

Are they warm. I reckon so, I've never felt cold while wearing them, I've got my occasional weekend blitz of 50 odd miles the A27. Has been pretty cold and wet lately, and have yet to feel cold. Gloves are another matter, but I'll get onto that. The lining for the jacket is very good! and is held securely in place by 2 button tags on each arm, a further 4 more on the body, and is then zipped into the body. Means it stays put when its fitted!

I haven't come off yet although I can say that I've put a back protected into the jacket, there are shoulder pads and elbow pads. In the trousers there are the hiprotec knee pads fitted into an existing pocket.

[BlackStallion]

Been in the hurrendous snow this morning, used my Akito Desert trousers, and they're bloody brilliant!

Very comfortable, breathable and extremely warm, whack a pair of trousers on underneath and you'd singe your leg hairs! (exaggeration, but nice and toasty)

I admit it wasn't rain, but my legs were bone dry. The quality of the trousers is brilliant, the duel stitching and waterproof welded seams are nicely done, and the quality of the material is a lot better than these cheap £20 textiles you can buy today. No offence to your legend pair of Aldi trousers dunc

The thermal lining is not to thick, but provides the warmth you need. Alongside that, there's waterproof lining, which is like the sort of material you get with cheap rain suits, nothing special, but that's only lining, so on top of the thermal lining AND the cordura textile layer, it's great

The poppers and zips all function properly and aren't lose, they work perfectly. I'd have to say, for nearly £70, i think they're a bargain, they're gonna last me a long time, and i'll be wearing them all throughout the winter and next year

My RSR jacket kept me bone dry to, today was the first time it's ever seen, even damp weather. Yet to see it's performance in the rain though.

[Ditto]

Use a Hein Gericke jacket and Akito Python trousers and find both really good.

Warm and waterproof

Rode 100 miles in terrencial rain last month and both (to my suprise) kept me completly dry. No luck with the gloves which I had to wring out when I got home and my hands were ice cubes the whole journey as a result. Only part that got wet was my front where the rain had come through the zip, so can see how bad it was!

And they kept me warm aswell, not toasty, just about right. Could have been a bit better.

Not crashed yet fortunatley so can't give any info on that.

Only thing i would say is that the knee protectors on the trousers are really low down so the trousers have to be hoisted right up above my waist. Fine with my boots but not so good when walking around, then having to pull them up to get on the bike. Might remove them actually...

[dextersaurus]

Remember that if you come off, and you bend your knee, the armour will come up a bit.

Kneel on the ground, and the bit touching the ground should be where the armour is.

if it isn't, then yeah. if it is, then it's all good.

Dunc

[Ditto]

Yea, well its easier to tell just by getting on the bike. You can feel that the armour isnt where its supposed to be when you sit on the seat with your feet on the pegs. It doesnt wrap round my knee unless i pull them up is what i mean.

[27cows]

Bought a Snowdonia Extreme jacket for £18. Completely waterproof and windproof. Numerous pockets. Great value for money I wear a cheapo market stall bomber jacket under it. Keeps the cold out and provides a bit of padding, just in case I do go for a burton.

Got a pair of black unbranded waterproof trousers which I've had a couple of years and which still keep the wet out, despite lots of use and the fact that they only cost seven quid

I've got a one piece waterproof somewhere. OH bought it for me - was quite expensive, I think. Does a good job but I only normally wear if it's completely shedding it down.

I am probably one of the very few long time riders who has never owned a leather jacket

[deanoet]

My textiles are Richa
Not sure what the model of them is though

Zip together jacket and trousers, removable thermal lining on the trousers and jacket which is handy.

Done me proud. Got them when I got my CG in mid 2007 and they are still going strong now
Few nicks and small tears which doesnt do much for the waterproofing but still nice and warm, even in this weather with the liners in

I do fair distance on it. Wed night i did 1.5 hours with no stops in this cold and i had on a fleece, jacket and t-shirt over the top with the trousers on. No thermals underneath and I was toasty warm. The liner wasnt even in the coat, just the trousers


Complaints:
Even from new the jacket let water in through the zip at the front. Only if it was heavy persistant rain when new, but now they let water in in a moderate shower (only at the front zip).
The trousers were totally water proof. They now let water in . I am not sure if this is the jacket leaking down, or if the trousers leak

Velcro on the neck of the jacket is weak, so at high speeds (legal(ish) motorway speeds) it sometimes undoes itself which means you get a cold neck. It is also scratchy moving your head around. Not so bad in winter as balaclava sorts that, but in the summer can get irritating

The velcro on the outside pockets is tearing away so stuff in them gets wet if it rains. (easily fixed if i could be arsed sewing)



Sounds very negative, that doesnt it. I dont have any thing to compare them with, as first set, but they have lasted my over 2 years, with all year round, nearly daily use and abuse. Even in this winter these minor faults arent enough to make me think of replacing them. In fact all faults could be solved by a rain suit in the rain.

Would defo consider buying another set.

£100 for the jacket
£100 for the trousers
Less a bit of Honda discount for buying bike from them (10% or so i think)
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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