I am thinking in investing in some Rukka gear. I have tried all sorts of other brand, non gore-tex gear, and it simply cannot cope with my 80 minute commute if it is absolutely lashing it down.
I am getting too old for this drying kit out every evening for the next day.
So, does anyone have experience of the Rukka stuff and can youo comment on how well it handles the extremes of cold and rain? It is a lot of money, £800 at least, so I'd like to feel comfortable that it genuinely works better than other kit.
Martin.
I dont use the Rukka range I have to admit my bike gear other than my leathers is pretty unimpressive.
The best waterproof/windproof gear I have ever used was Belstaff. Belstaff trousers and jacket, tartan quilt lined, waxed and totally 100% reliable.
The only down side was I looked like Steve McQueen on an escape and evasion exercise. ;D
I don't use Rukka, but my friend does and he swears by the brand.
I use Hein Gericke and I also swear by their range :) My current jacket is the Master V Gore-Tex and the corresponding pants. There's two version of the jacket: one with the old style zip and one with the new style. I hear the new style zip has a few problems. That said, my jacket is in for repairs on the old style zip.
My commute is over the Pennines and I've ridden through horrendous weather with this jacket, For single digit temps you will need a wind stopper or heated clothing underneath. With the extremes of rain, I've never had a leak. In fact, there's been occasions when I've parked up that I've realised how bad the weather is. You just can't feel it in this jacket.
There's also kit made by BMW that is comparable. I think Ride rated HG first and BMW second.
What issues are you having with your current gear?
EDIT: you can see the jacket I have here: http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/1/showroom/
Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. I went and looked at the HG stuff yesterday in their Cheltenham branch, and their top of the line stuff is spookily similar, almost identical I'd say, to the Rukka gear. The new closure system (posh zips that you are not allowed to call zips ;) ) is identical too.
I am fast coming round to the idea that you get what you pay for with the textile gear these days, nobody seems to have a bad word to say about the Gore-Tex stuff but the top of the range gear (HG and Rukka) is a lot of money - £750 for the jacket, £600 for the trousers.
Quote from: Norman Bates on November 13, 2010, 11:21:23 PMWhat issues are you having with your current gear?
I find that my gear is fine for 30 minutes in the worst of the rain, then the sleeves, neck and crotch soak through. Cold is OK is I simply wear more layers underneath, but I am fed up with how much the gear soaks up water in the worst of conditions.
I am struggling to justify £1350 though, my inner skinflint seems to prefer being wet than poor. ;D
Martin.
My textile gear is nothing special. Revit jacket & Spada trousers. Neither has ever let any water in that I can remember. Their weakness is more their ability to keep you warm over prolonged periods. However the longest recent journey I did on the bike was Scotland and back in a day, 14 hours in the saddle and no issues whatsoever.
However if like N B I was using the bike all year round and in all weathers I have to admit that I would be compelled to invest seriously in some quality clothing.
Quote from: MJJ_ZX6RR on November 14, 2010, 05:08:28 PM
I find that my gear is fine for 30 minutes in the worst of the rain, then the sleeves, neck and crotch soak through. Cold is OK is I simply wear more layers underneath, but I am fed up with how much the gear soaks up water in the worst of conditions.
I hate it when water leaks, especially it its cold as well. I had a look at some of the Rukka kit yesterday and it is very expensive, more so that the HG gear. But I am of the opinion you get what you pay for. I thought the HG jacket that I purchased when I first started riding was brilliant, but compared to my new one, it's no where near as good. The new jacket makes the water run off, which then means water can gather in your gloves if you have them on the outside of the jacket. I went out and bought some gloves that don't let the water through.
I'm of the opinion that if the bike is your main transport then you want the best gear that will keep you comfortable. I'd be viewing it as an investment!
You won't go wrong with Rukka or Hein Gericke. Rukka has the upperhand when it comes to quality when I consider I've had my Rukka clothing for going on eight years. Yes, they are due a change, but that is more to do with my growing waistline than the clothing. Although I tend to ride more in the summer, I've no doubt that Rukka would handle the winter climate successfully.
There is also Frank Thomas and Dianese clothing but my first consideration would be Rukka.
Martin .... for Gods' sake don't waste your money on anything else ... just buy the Rukka !
I spent £600 on a Rukka jacket 4 years ago and it has been just fantastic. I agree with the others ... " you get what you pay for " in this world and it's very true.
I commute most working days, shiftwork, and I have been through some awful winter rain, on a naked unfaired CB1300 and it hasn't let me down once. It has a 5 year guarentee so keep your reciept and take photos of you wearing it ( in case you ever had to claim for theft/damage ) so you can prove that you actually own it !
I am about to buy the Rukka Armadillo Trousers ... £599 ... as I am tired of putting on my leathers and then over trousers which keep most of the shit off but just will not keep me warm AND dry.
Honestly my friend, it really is worth just gritting your teeth and putting in your PIN number at the shop when you buy the stuff ... it IS a lot of money but it really is good stuff.
Ps ... their gloves look pretty good too ... £160 but I bet they are the business !
PS ... Mr Bates is spot on as usual. Think of it as an investment, if it keeps the weather at bay and you are doing decent mileage every day it will simply pay for itself.
Martin, what did you end up purchasing?
Quote from: Norman Bates on November 23, 2010, 11:37:55 PM
Martin, what did you end up purchasing?
Nothing yet, master of pro-crastination me ::) I am up at the NEC show on Tuesday, so will have a good look round there. I am convinced that the Rukka gear is worth investing in, but I am secretly hoping for a bit of end of season discounting going on.
Martin.
I am also off to the NEC now so I am going to have a look and see what tempts me. ;D
I have Hein Gerickes goretex (voyage IIRC) gear too, been through some of the worst storms you could imagine and kept me 100% dry
Hey MJJ ... did you get your Rukka stuff ?
I bought the Armadillo trousers about 2 weeks ago and got a decent new year discount .. paid £460 and as expected they have been brilliant. The recent rain and cold has been held at bay and they are light with a good fit. i am very pleased with them. Let us know what you get and update in the future when you have had a chance to use them !
Quote from: Lord Rusty on January 13, 2011, 09:34:53 AM
Hey MJJ ... did you get your Rukka stuff ?
Nope, still not bought anything ::) As December was so cold and snowy, there was almost no rain so I stayed nice and dry.
Thanks for the real world recommendations, it is great to hear. One day, these may even prise my wallet open .....
Martin.
Over a year later and I'm going to resurrect this thread.
Just been caught in an absolute downpour and normally my HG clothing would keep me totally dry. Today there was leakage at the right elbow and crotch region. Made the ride somewhat uncomfortable.
Maybe its time to upgrade to Rukka. However, the skintflint in me is also coming out ...
I have Rukka trousers and they are excellent except that the Finnish idea of the distance from knee to boot is somewhat longer than my own long bones. However, I think the real fault lies with me, I took the nearest available rather than waiting to find the perfect fit. The moral is......
I would really like to have the jacket.
Do you have Gortex lined boots?
Maybe you just need to upgrade your HG gear,
Quote from: Lonewolf on April 09, 2012, 04:26:49 PM
Maybe you just need to upgrade your HG gear,
and how long have you had your current HG gear, bearing in mind it gets used a lot.
I have to say that only once did HG gear leak on me which was on the way to catch the Hull Ferry en route to Assen, the weather was extreme, and coincidentally I too suffered a leakage in the nether regions...
Maybe its an age thing :mfr_lol:
If only the zips between manufactures werw compatible I could mix and match with an HG jacket and my Rukka trousers.
I'm a leg man :mfr_lol:
Quote from: Nok12rs on April 09, 2012, 04:39:23 PM
If only the zips between manufactures werw compatible I could mix and match with an HG jacket and my Rukka trousers.
I'm a leg man :mfr_lol:
Come on - the zips aren't even compatible with gear from the same manufacturer most of the time. :angry:
That I did not know :hammer:
But it simply strengthens my rant to hear it :censored: :censored:
Have a look at the Halvarsson stuff - very waterproof too!
Personal preference - any of the HG range.
My next boots will definitely be Halvarsson. I tried some on at the NEC and they felt brilliant and warm.
Have a set of Rev It gear, Cayenne jacket and Sand trousers excellent kit with good zips and layer system.
Also have a Rukka jacket that goes over my leathers as a back up. excellent kit.
Try and buy your new kit at the BMF or NEC shows, often have rukka gear at half price or similar, of course it's last years colours/styles but who cares?
Don't forget to check out Fleabay, bought some of my gear on there and it's been as "new" and cheap!
Rukka colours: Perennially black unless you want the safe but soon to dirty high glow strip. I raher black with a Sam Brown.
But good tips for getting best price.....I think I'm turning Yorkshire :yes:
Asif .. and others .. you know I am a massive Rukka fan ... just got back from work ... 1 1/2 hrs through the pouring rain .. I was going to do a thread, and will do later just on how damned good the Gtr is, but once again my R kit has proved that if you spend the £ you get what you pay for. I know some people may not be able to afford it ( they do 0% interest at the moment ) and some may just not want to spend huge money on bike kit and again I understand that... BUT ... my kit is now drip drying in the kitchen and I am bone dry .. the jacket is nearly 6 years old and the trousers only 12 / 18 months but I am warm and dry .. no leaks, damp patches or coldness ... so to me worth every penny. My boots are Altberg, waxed and Gortex lined and my gloves are R too. You know it makes sense. :rolleyes:
I bought a pair of Goretex Rukka gloves last year on the strength of Rusty's appraisal of Rukka gear and they are just totally brilliant. I currently have Hein Gericke Goretex Pro Shell jacket and trousers and they too have to date not let a drop of water in.
I've shelled out 1k for the Rukka Armas suit. Hopefully will be money well spent. The HG gear lasted 4 yrs - was hoping it would last more.
The Rukka has to last a decade.
BTW, this is where I ordered from: http://biker-land.de/index.php?language=en
id love rukka , when we win the lottery :cool:
ive had a HG jacket ( cruise 11) cost about £450 , five years ago, still keeping us dry, although it does get washed twice a year in the detergent and re waterproof kit that HG sell.
recently got some Spada adventure trousers from the MCN show for £55 ( half price promo ), so far keeping us dry but havent really been tested yet, Id like to get the jacket to match but dont know if I can trust the brand yet.
(http://images.esellerpro.com/2319/I/113/291/Adventure-Jacket-Black-White-1.jpg)
Spada is good gear mate :clap: gets the 3 day french thunderstorm thumbs up :banana: me and Smarty swear by Spada stuff, prices are good and qualitys good too
the prices for the spada are so cheap it kinda puts you off, im seeing this jacket for £80 - £130 , its not goretex , but its nice to know that someone has experience and approves !
I have a full Rukka Armax kit for work and it is very good. Other than it goes purple in the sun!! I personally wouldn't pay that much for it though. (Just short of £2000!!)
For my own use I have Halvarssons and would wear it in preference to the Rukka to be honest. Its been through countless heavy thunderstorms in the Alps and always kept me dry, been from 20 degs plus to freezing in the same day and kept me comfortable at both. Top kit and half the cost in my opinion
:agree:
Well, the Rukka arrived today and I've had a quick try. Fits perfect and can't wait to give it try tomorrow in the wet.
It's a lot lighter than the HG master suit. Need to get used to this new zip style as well.
I shall be re-testing the spada's tomorrow.... :hammer:
Glad it all arrived safely .... now you will want it to rain everyday just to keep warm and dry underneath your new kit ! :grin: :grin:
Make sure you got some silicon grease with your suit and use it on the zip regularly otherwise the zip will be really stiff and you'll snap the tab off it. I know cos I did!!
Chris