Dainese Gear - Any thoughts?

[Noddy]

Hey - Just thinking about upgrading my winter gear.  
 
I've got a summer vented outfit and a leather 2 piece, but am lacking fall / winter / spring gear thats waterproof and warm enough for 5 degrees celcius (35 farinheight).
 
So, after looking at firstgear, belstaff, BMW gear, I'm wonderingabout the long term use of Dainese fabric gear.  Their armour is excellent, and the same as in their leathers, so the protection levels are great.  I just haven't heard anything about their usability for long tours or winter commuting.
 
Anyone out there have feedback?  Much appreciated.
 
D.

[Sock Puppet]

I have a Dainese Gore-Tex 3/4 length jacket that is a few years old.  I don't remember the model.  It has been an excellent jacket in every regard.  I would put it on par with Aerostitch.  I don't have experience with the new models.

[RexRider]

Expensive, but worth every penny.  I've got a Dainese Universe jacket (4 years old), winter gloves (5 years old), and DryLine pants (new) that have never leaked, always kept me warm, and can easily fit an electric liner, if needed.  You really do get what you pay for, when it comes to riding gear...  

[wiseguy]

Although I personally don't have any Dainese gear unless you count the Ducati jacket and pants but those are really good quality. I don't care for the fact that they don't include a back protector in any of the leather jackets (at least the ones I have seen) Of course I use their back protector with all my other stuff anyway. I am currently using BMW Phase 3 suit (jacket and pants) for year round commuting in Dallas Fort Worth; 25F to 110F. I prefer the BWM stuff simply for that fact that it has worked as advertised. It was expensive but the last set of motorcycle rider gear for me; sold everything else except the Duc/Dain gear. You can't go wrong with Daineese either based on the quality I see in my Ducati gear.

[The Doctor]

Dainese es molto bene.   Ees goodenufa for me, ees goodenufa for you.

[TalkingHead]

I had a Planet. Gore-Tex, comfy, warm (but I have a Gerbing too), and water-proof up to a point. I liked it, but sold it along with my Speed Triple. I still have th matching pants however, since they zip to my Dainese leather jackets. I like Dainese gear quite a bit. I've crashed in the Planet and it held up just fine. The planet has an integrated back protector as does my leather jacket. It's not huge, but it's better than nothing.

[Sickboy]

I have a Dainese 3/4 length textile winter jacket and it's lasted forever.
 
My summer jacket is First Gear and the quality isn't up to par with Dainese. Dainese also has superior reflectors.
 
Another First Gear neg is it came with a double zipper pull that was so finicky it I quit using it. I finally had the zipper replaced with a single pull style, which made my good deal not so good anymore.

[stewm_21]

I just picked up a pair of Dainese d-dry pants, zip out liner, quite comfortable on the bike, warm and wind proof to 5 C for at least 2 hours with no problem.  I haven't tried them in the rain.  I did find that they rode a little high on my boots (medium length Alpinstars) but I have a 34" inseam and all my pants ride high on the bike.

[license2ill]

All flash, no substance. Overrated, overpriced. Fashion. Shameful practices with regard to commitee actions in the development of the CE standards.

Consistently at the bottom in Ride magazine performance tests for leathers, down in the pack at the bottom for gloves. That's measurments of protective values compared in those evals.

http://www.ridetriangles.com/nav?page=ridetriangles.contentspage&view_resource=5431134

http://www.ridetriangles.com/nav?page=ridetriangles.contentspage&view_resource=5112505

Their back protctors use a questionable aluminum core material that appears to be engineered to pass CE, but may not work in less severe impacts. Only meet level 1 basic requirements anyway, which is highly inapporpriate. The levels were fought by them to get leniency with the inception of the standard, despite known medical advice that the force levels are too high. They've gone about that one with the wrong approach from every angle.

The use of hard inserts over their shoulder protectors in their suits is questionable. It may impede the ability of the CE protectors to be effective underneath. Protectors are tested individually, since they are fitted into non-confomring whole garments.

Dainese is a fashion marketing company, first and foremost. They've attempted to market with the ideas of safety, but the actual results of those marketing associations shows it for what it really is, a complete lack of substance.

[Rogue]

I take it you speak from actual, real world experience right?
 
You've actually owned Dianese gear, worn them while you ride a motorcycle?

[Noddy]

Licence2Ill, thanks for the input - I'll bear it in mind.
 
The rest of you - thanks a bunch good to hear from users, esp. since I'm looking at dropping $1k if I jump into this one.
 
I still haven't used the gear, but can confirm that the armour is impressive compaired to other fabric suits I've tried and owned.  Also for those who poo-poo the costs, here in Canada I would pay the same for a 'Stitch, twice as much for BMW kit.
 
Right now I have BMW overpants that are cold and have no hip armour, okay for my 20 minute commute, but no good for touring.  So a BMW is an option, but I'd still need another set of pants.  
 
As someone noted, you do get what you pay for - so far: Technics leathers = $1k; Vanson venting suit (fabric) = $500.  So, $1k for good all season (or cold season) gear with good armour is well worth it in my mind.  I just would hate to drop that cash and get fashion wear that doesn't function, so all your input is really appreciated.
 
D.

[Ken]

I take it you speak from actual, real world experience right?
 
You've actually owned Dianese gear, worn them while you ride a motorcycle?

I've never owned Dainese gear, but then again I've not owned a lot of different manufacturer's gear. But I sure give credence to the gear reviews in the absence of real world experience. What gives.

[Davy F.]

I bought the latest Gator Gore-Tex jacket and pants this year. Really nice kit at a good price. OK, Rukka would be better, but their prices are just silly. Anyway, the Gator has done me proud and it has performed well enough for me this year. I had a full days ride through Scotland at the start of September and the rain didn't let up all day. After almost 300 miles, the only water ingress was down the neck line. Not really the coats fault, I guess. The two lower pockets are fully waterproof (good job as that's where I carry my camera), but the upper chest pockets aren't which is a pity as they are so easy to use. The (Odessa) pants are more of the same (again, the pockets aren't fully waterproof, and I think they should be) and also zip into the jacket. The suit is so comfortable to wear and is adjustable enough for when the weather takes a turn for the better (lining can be zipped out and there's air vents in the sleeves too).
 
A good buy.

[Davy F.]

My jacket is the darker blue version and there's also red and black to choose from.

[Noddy]

Smeggy - thanks, I was looking at the Gator - 'cause it doesn't look too 'old - man', at least not when its on the model anyway.
 
Their site is crap for telling any differences between the pants, so thanks again.

[Davy F.]

I was looking at the Gator - 'cause it doesn't look too 'old - man'.

 
 
I'll take that as a compliment........