Good touring gear?

[Hotbrakes]

I've done the miles and now I want to look the part.  I've got Joe Rocket Alter Ego, pretty much junk, Shift Streetfighter SS that would be scary to crash in (very thin material), various cotton based riding pants, Shift leather jackets (too hot), Shift Hybrid pants (great but too hot), a couple Alpinestar race suits, Cortech HRX jacket and pants(that don't fit) and the jacket is a bit big with too much going on.  I think that's about everything in my closet.  

What I'm looking for is a 3/4 length jacket, solid pants, or suit with good protection (CE), heavyduty, waterproofish (nothing truly is), and usable for whatever time of year I decide to get on the bike and not turn around for a few days.  I realize that this could be a costly gear purchase and I want to get it right.  Aerostich is a bit too simple looking, Teiz too busy, BMW stuff looks great but costs as much as some of the bikes I own.

Right now I'm lost.  The stealerships only stock junk street gear, BMW only has gear that requires a loan, and the internet has all kinds of weird 600, 400, denier, polyester, nylon, cordura crap.

So what gear takes everyone on their adventures that holds up to hot weather, cold weather, wet weather, crashing, etc.?

[Justin]

What I'm looking for is a 3/4 length jacket, solid pants, or suit with good protection (CE), heavyduty, waterproofish (nothing truly is), and usable for whatever time of year I decide to get on the bike and not turn around for a few days.  I realize that this could be a costly gear purchase and I want to get it right.  Aerostich is a bit too simple looking, Teiz too busy, BMW stuff looks great but costs as much as some of the bikes I own.

Firstgear all the way IMO if you want waterproof. Their gear is always top notch.  Olympia AST is another option if you want year round comfort. The jackets do seep in prolonged rain around the massive zippers - but those massive zippers also keep you cool in the hotter months, so it's a trade off.

[Kootenanny]

Perforated leather.  Carry raingear...

[Hotbrakes]

Perforated leather.  Carry raingear...

I've got thousands of miles in leathers, and am a big fan.  But when you're not on the bike as often occurs while touring (fuel, meals, chillaxing) it is brutal.  I want textile pajama like comfort.  If someone could take a flight suit and beef it up I would be in heaven.  Looks like a Teiz is in my cart and I think I'm gonna check out.  Ships in 48 hours...

[Hotbrakes]

At $274 shipped, the Teiz Lombard V3 was worth a shot.

Had I wanted to spend more money, the FirstGear TPG stuff looked really good with the new armor design.  I've always considered FirstGear products to be cheapo stuff.  But the price tag and specs say otherwise.

I forgot to mention that an old man gave me his Tourmaster Centurion (early model) one day while chatting at a gas station.  The suit fits well and is very warm, but not in any sense of the word waterproof, or even resistant really.  The protection doesn't instill very much confidence either.

[Justin]

Had I wanted to spend more money, the FirstGear TPG stuff looked really good with the new armor design.  I've always considered FirstGear products to be cheapo stuff.  But the price tag and specs say otherwise.

Anything I have ever had made by Firstgear has been superb. 95% of reviews I see seem to reflect that as well.

[Reddog*]

I like my Tourmaster TransII jacket and Centurian suit both have been very weather proof.





This is going to be like a oil thread.   IBTL

[1KPerDay]

Aerostich Darien is good stuff. Look into the Darien Light.

[ANZAC]

Another vote for First Gear products  

My Kilimanjaro jacket and Hypertech pants are awesome.  First Gear quality is excellent and well put together.

[ConPilot1]

Another vote for First Gear products  

My Kilimanjaro jacket and Hypertech pants are awesome.  First Gear quality is excellent and well put together.

A Kilimanjaro and Hypertech pants would be awesome in 95° Virginia summer heat.

[Chuck 500]

Ditto on Olympia gear.  I have the GT Air Transitions jacket and AST pants.  The combo works well and is very versatile.  I bought the suit in northern VA, Fairfax, and rode through one winter with it before moving to Texas.  The two stage liner in the jacket works well.  Below 40 or 45, add layers, thermals, sweater etc.  In the heat just open vents and panels.. Have yet to get wet in it in spite of some multi hour rain rides.  Has CE armor in back, shoulders, elbows, knees.

Olympia also has a Stealth one piece that my be what you are looking for.  Looks like a souped up flight suit.

And always

Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[Giaka]

I have a Transition II jacket and Kathmandu pants. Really like them both.  I would buy them both again in a heartbeat. Very comfy.  

[Kootenanny]

I've got thousands of miles in leathers, and am a big fan.  But when you're not on the bike as often occurs while touring (fuel, meals, chillaxing) it is brutal.  I want textile pajama like comfort.

I admit, leather is no fun standing around in the heat.  But perf leather works very well when moving, and that's the point, right?

I recently purchased a riding jacket made from hemp.  Interesting stuff...while it doesn't pass air like mesh, nor is it waterproof, it definitely breathes better than any of the synthetic textile gear I own and is the most comfortable jacket I've worn to date.  And although I don't want to put it to the test, I have confidence it'll protect me as well or better than any of my other textile gear.  If I could find some pants made of the same stuff, I'd buy them.

[jfusaro]

Another vote for first gear stuff. great selection and I have their rush mesh for the warm days and their tgp overpants and 3/4 length coat in yellow. great quality and fit is right on

[JReazor]

My First Gear TPG jacket is fantastic. It's the most waterproof garment I've ever worn. It is a sauna in the summer though. Definitely a 3 season deal.

Based on my experience with the Transition 2, I probably won't buy another TourMaster piece. It's overly bulky, the vents are terrible, it leaks like crazy, most of the pockets are in the wrong place and the zipper broke in less then 2 years. Fortunately, I got it cheap. I know a lot of people like the jacket. I wasn't impressed.

My favorite piece of gear right now is my Teiz Commute Suit. It's not perfect but it's pretty good for the price and it's waterproof enough with a coat of Nikwax. It is a little warm when the mercury climbs but that's to be expected.

[mugwump58]

Love my TPG pants. The jacket, meh.... yup great for rain but I find it too hot in the heat and too cold in the cold. The vents don't flow well, in my opinion. Even with their "underwear" I find it cold. I use issue poly pro and that works fine.I put on mesh when it's hot and my old Cotech Advanced Sport when it's not. Also I don't like their spine protector shape as it doesn't match up with aftermarket upgrades.

But that's just me. There are plenty of fans.

[DangerMoney]

Right now I'm lost.  The stealerships only stock junk street gear, BMW only has gear that requires a loan, and the internet has all kinds of weird 600, 400, denier, polyester, nylon, cordura crap.

So what gear takes everyone on their adventures that holds up to hot weather, cold weather, wet weather, crashing, etc.?

You get what you pay for. The BMW Rallye suits have the protection you're looking for. Look for a used one at

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54


I picked up a month-old, mint condition Rallye jacket from one guy (he bought the wrong size) and matching Rallye pants from another that were mint except for 2 or 3 spots the size of a pencil eraser. I  got each for 1/2 the of new. With the bad economy, folks are selling lots of stuff.

[chosemerveilleux]

A Kilimanjaro and Hypertech pants would be awesome in 95° Virginia summer heat.

LMFAO!

Last September I suffered like an abandoned dog riding through the tidewater region just north of Chesapeake/VA Beach.
It was 45 degrees in the morning when I left the day before from NJ, so I wore my Killi jacket and my Olympia Ranger 2 pants.  Didn't think it was going to be 50 degrees warmer in VA.  I was going through the water in my camelbak like candy and cake at a fat kid's birthday party.  That shit was brutal.

Firstgear and Olympia make very good gear, but the Killi and Ranger 2's are damn sure not warm weather kit.

Also, don't overlook the BMW gear.  Its great stuff, honestly worth the price (unlike Rev'it) and is relatively easy to find for a fantastic deal.  I picked up an Airflow 3 jacket a few weeks ago off the ADV Touring flea market.  It was NWT and I paid $215 shipped, more than 50% off MSRP.  Same thing with my Venting Machine pants.  I got them off BMW of Daytona's Ebay page for $150, again more than 50% off their regular price.  They were NWT but were on closeout last year.  Good deals to be had if you keep an eye out for them.

[ray916mn]

Was at Aerostich earlier today picking up my repaired Roadcrafter. Tried on the new Transit suit. Can't get a proper fit in the pants (too long for me, even in a short), otherwise I might have bought a set even though I need another riding set up like I need a hole in the head. The feel, fit and finish is like nothing else I've ever tried on. The Vanson pro-perf jacket I happened to be wearing paled in comparison. Waterproof micro-perforated leather, which feels like super supple textile. Nice!

[Hotbrakes]

Thanks for the replies.  Just found a 'Stich on eBay for a good price and...got it.  We'll see which works better!

[1KPerDay]

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/textile_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/firstgear_kilimanjaro_5_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html

fyi

[ConPilot1]

You get what you pay for. The BMW Rallye suits have the protection you're looking for. Look for a used one at

http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54


I picked up a month-old, mint condition Rallye jacket from one guy (he bought the wrong size) and matching Rallye pants from another that were mint except for 2 or 3 spots the size of a pencil eraser. I  got each for 1/2 the of new. With the bad economy, folks are selling lots of stuff.

+1. I buy all my good stuff great condition 2nd hand or leftover NOS. Saves a ton of cash. I got into a full 2 pc. Motoport AMK suit for $460 bux.  
Just be patient and search the boards for people selling gear. There's ALWAYS gear on the move.  

[DangerMoney]

Another place to find used gear:

http://marketplace.ibmwr.org/

[kennywiz]

Any Olympia gear is great. I have an AST Airglide and the pants to match. Plus an older jacket I picked up in Ebay for $35.

Also keep a Tour master Transition2 in rotation. Another GREAT jacket! With the liner it's QUITE warm, and can provide decent venting on the 68-73 degree days or nights. Have a set of pants from them. Not certain the model but not as good as the jackets.

[chosemerveilleux]

Well, scratch off my previous unequivocal recommendation of Olympia's Ranger 2 pant.

I made a run down to Toms River on Tuesday, about 150 miles round trip from West Orange.  It was scheduled to rain all day, but I wasn't feeling taking my truck, so I donned my Killi 5.0 Jacket and my Ranger 2 Pants and made the ride.  Previously this combo proved impervious to to rain (with the exception of the occasional trickle over the collar, but what jacket without a hood doesn't do that?) but this time not so much.  My Killi was aces as usual, but my Ranger pants gave it all up at about mile 125.  It was like the damn levy broke, with water just pouring in at my crotch and lower leg areas.  It was like a cheap diaper on a baby, wet all the hell over, from the waist on down.

I got 2 years out of them to the damn day.  

I wasn't really thinking about replacing my pants yet;  Well, it was on my mind, as I like the new Klim Latitude suit, but the coin isn't in my pocket yet for that.  Guess I'm gonna be saving for some gore-tex pants to buy sooner rather than later.

[birdrunner]

Anything I have ever had made by Firstgear has been superb. 95% of reviews I see seem to reflect that as well.

+1000

I've crashed tested their leathers.
.... saved my life.

[Geno]

Check out the Rev'it Sand outfit.  Pricy, but worth it, IMHO.

[Jason F.]

I normally would have overlooked Joe Rocket stuff as lower tier or cheap gear but I have been absolutely pleased with my setup.

I have a Joe Rocket Ballistic 7.0 3/4 length jacket. It claims it is waterproof and I have tested it a couple times with good results. If I kept things zipped up I stayed dry save for a small leak around my collar and another small leak at my cuff. Both because I probably did not have them closed off well enough. It was an extended frog strangler sort of day at interstate speeds though. This jacket was purchased new but on sale at a local brick and mortar for just over $100. It has been great in temps down in to the upper 20's and up into the mid/upper 80's. It gets a bit warm in the 90's though if you have to stop at lights.

With that I have Joe Rocket Ballistic Dry Tech pants that zip to the above jacket. They also have proven to be very comfortable, warm, and dry. Again the only leaks I got were when I forgot to close a zipper on the side. I got these slightly used from a member here. Plenty of waist adjustment for fitting over various thickness base layers and full length zippers on the sides for easy removing/entry even with boots on.

I am a big guy and this stuff fits me well. at 6'2" and a bit over 250 it is often hard to find stuff that has the arm length, inseam length, and shoulder width to keep me covered and comfortable.

[Justin]

I normally would have overlooked Joe Rocket stuff as lower tier or cheap gear but I have been absolutely please with my setup.

I think people just assume that and think Joe Rocket is squid gear. The folks I know that use JR stuff always seem to be pretty happy with it.

[napper]

I'll speak up for Joe Rocket.  I crashed in a five-year-old JR textile jacket this past spring and after sliding down the road after a 35 + mph get-off, you could hardly tell the jacket had been in an accident.  Same accident, my First Gear HT textile overpants were pretty shredded put never broke through to expose skin.  As far as rain protection goes, I'm in Phoenix, it's not a consideration.  (I have Frogg Toggs for road trips.)

[sleazy rider]

Thanks for the replies.  Just found a 'Stich on eBay for a good price and...got it.  We'll see which works better!

You done good.  Mine's got about 60k miles on it now and it's holding up just fine.  Pull the pads out, wash it spring and fall, retreat with Nikwax spray on waterproofing when dry and ride in all types of weather.  

[SWriverstone]

You'll like the Stich suit. I like mine. I can't wear it above about 75F degrees...but for any riding 75 and below (a good part of the year), it's awesome. And contrary to what some folks say, it's pretty fast and easy to take off/put on. My 2-piece is very comfortable on the bike. No, it's not comfortable enough to lounge around in...but why on earth would anyone want to lounge around in your riding gear?   It's meant for riding--not lounging around.  

Scott

[ChrisZRX]

I just got a new Tourmaster Centurion on ebay for $217.00, delivered.  

[sfalexi]

 If someone could take a flight suit and beef it up I would be in heaven.

Might want to inquire about the Olympia Stealth suit.  It's pretty much a flight suit, beefed up.  Don't know about the fit and finish, but that's exactly what it looks like.

[Justin]

Might want to inquire about the Olympia Stealth suit.  It's pretty much a flight suit, beefed up.  Don't know about the fit and finish, but that's exactly what it looks like.

I tried one out, it seemed to be built pretty well. But it had no give at all in the back, so it was useless for a sportbike riding position. The only other complaint I had from trying it on was all the velcro. Opening the front zipper was like a workout there was so much velcro  

[Hotbrakes]

Finally getting around to an outcome.  

So I got the Teiz Lombard and a well used but good condition Roadcrafter.  Both have pros/cons but in the end, I'm wearing the Teiz and the Roadcrafter is already with it's new owner in Seattle.  The RC lacked ventilation for Virginia spring and fall.  

The Teiz vents well but is not waterproof.  Even after a healthy spray of waterproofing treatment it seeps a lot.  I need to try the wash in first, then spray it down.  The Teiz is warm too.  This morning I rode to work with the temp gauge indicating 24 degrees most of the way.  Underarmour, heated vest, and light jacket under the suit kept me toasty.  Only my feet and face were cold.

Thanks for all the suggestions on here.  Definitely a good place to see what works and what doesn't.