Goretex

[banditrider]

Currently looking at new riding gear as my old Spidi gear is getting pretty tired. Have had plenty of conversations with sales guys giving the usual 100% waterproof claims but would actually like to find some gear that lives up to the claim.

The more you talk to people the more you here is that Goretex is the way to go - but man, it ain't cheap! What I'd like to hear is people's experience with using Goretex products: does it live up to it's rep? Does it last? Any issues?

BTW: waterproof for me means waterproof for hours at a time (like on the GC), not just your morning commute ;)

Currently looking at this Alpinstars stuff: http://www.alpinestars.com/Frontier_GoreTex_Jacket/pd/c/123/np/123/p/360300.html

[Hahn]

Currently looking at new riding gear as my old Spidi gear is getting pretty tired. Have had plenty of conversations with sales guys giving the usual 100% waterproof claims but would actually like to find some gear that lives up to the claim.

The more you talk to people the more you here is that Goretex is the way to go - but man, it ain't cheap! What I'd like to hear is people's experience with using Goretex products: does it live up to it's rep? Does it last? Any issues?

BTW: waterproof for me means waterproof for hours at a time (like on the GC), not just your morning commute ;)


I have a goretex rain coat and trousers and goretex boot liners (not motorcycling gear btw). It does live up to its claims. I can wade through rivers and my feet stay dry. Had quite a bit of use and no signs of wear either.
Good stuff, and breathable to.
But yes expensive, the Liners were over $100...

[Hitcher]

My winter jacket is a Teknic GoreTex. It has lasted six winters. Putting that another way, that's an average of about 2,500km a month for about 8 months a year. While its GoreTex is still working well, the outside cordura is getting shabby and I'm a bit smaller than I was when I bought it. I plan to buy a new winter jacket for this coming winter.

[pritch]

I got pissed off getting wet and finally bit the bullet and bought GoreTex. With one exception it has worked as advertised. I'm prepared to believe that the sole wetting was something I did, or didn't do. Time will tell.

As you say it isn't cheap and I will be an unhappy chappy if I get wet in future. Of course the guarantee has expired now so fingers crossed...

[Pussy]

Currently looking at new riding gear as my old Spidi gear is getting pretty tired. Have had plenty of conversations with sales guys giving the usual 100% waterproof claims but would actually like to find some gear that lives up to the claim.

The more you talk to people the more you here is that Goretex is the way to go - but man, it ain't cheap! What I'd like to hear is people's experience with using Goretex products: does it live up to it's rep? Does it last? Any issues?

BTW: waterproof for me means waterproof for hours at a time (like on the GC), not just your morning commute ;)

Currently looking at this Alpinstars stuff: http://www.alpinestars.com/Frontier_GoreTex_Jacket/pd/c/123/np/123/p/360300.html
In my opinion.... you are looking in the right place.
I have an Alpinestars sigma jacket.... it IS waterproof.. period!
There are great run-out deals on them at the moment, too. $400.00 retail, it's a bargain. Your search has ended! :niceone:

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

I've had the Alpinestar sigma drystar jacket and ST 5 drystar pants for about a year. Bone dry even in heavy rain.

The drystar jacket is slightly cheaper that the goretex one - couldn't work out if this was due to cost of branding or whether the goretex was more breatheable. I went with the drystar one and no complaints about waterproofing - never had even a drop of rain get through.

Which ever one you go for also factor in getting the additional back armour as the foam padding they come with is pointless.

[Pussy]

I've had the Alpinestar sigma drystar jacket and ST 5 drystar pants for about a year. Bone dry even in heavy rain.

The drystar jacket is slightly cheaper that the goretex one - couldn't work out if this was due to cost of branding or whether the goretex was more breatheable. I went with the drystar one and no complaints about waterproofing - never had even a drop of rain get through.

Which ever one you go for also factor in getting the additional back armour as the foam padding they come with is pointless.
Good call on the back protector! I have one of the Alpinestars hard protectors in mine.
The Drystar Sigma is also a nice cut... fits VERY well! Best jacket I have ever owned

[banditrider]

Thanks for the reply's so far.

I also looked at the drystar. One salesperson reckoned that there wasn't much in it between the drystar and the goretex and that it was just to do with branding that they couldn't call it goretex too - something like Alpinestars only had a licence to put it on one jacket??? Could be salesman blather...

[Pussy]

There is also VERY good back-up of the product in NZ by Brown Iwi... I mean Crown Kiwi..... :)

[Love my Bonnie]

I have TCX Goretex womens boots
Thay are wonderful, NEVER leaked. & I have riden in some fucken awful weather!!
My riding buddie has a pair of Goretex boots as well, he swears by them

[dogsnbikes]

My boots have seen me through a fair few miles and always keept my feet dry..........I even have goretex ski gear which has been subjected to all sorts of weather and has over 600 days use on the slopes,although they have started too leak over the last 2 years they are 15 years old,so I am happy with the life span

[banditrider]

Both my current pairs of boots (one pair 10 years old and pretty worn out) have never leaked - if only I can get jacket & pants as good...

[sidecar bob]

There is also VERY good back-up of the product in NZ by Brown Iwi... I mean Crown Kiwi..... :)

Thats the parent company of Destiny Suspension aint it? Run By Robert Tamaki.

[Pussy]

Thats the parent company of Destiny Suspension aint it? Run By Robert Tamaki.
Crown Kiwi Enterprises is the Alpinestars importer/distributor.... owned by Shayne King(i)

[pritch]

Thats the parent company of Destiny Suspension aint it? Run By Robert Tamaki.

Nice work SB, bling sent :-)

[sidecar bob]

Nice work SB, bling sent :-)

Note to self, stop taking the piss out of everyone before you get yourself in the shit properly. Hopefully R.T will see the funny side.

[Pussy]

Note to self, stop taking the piss out of everyone before you get yourself in the shit properly. Hopefully R.T will see the funny side.
Yep... it's about time you showed a little respect!


It's BISHOP Robert Tamaki.....

[cs363]

Yep... it's about time you showed a little respect!


It's BISHOP Robert Tamaki.....

Ah yes, the 'spiritual father' of suspension.

No doubt you are one of the 'spiritual sons' Pussy, though I haven't seen any of the Ohlins covenant rings in evidence as yet.

Might pay for anyone wanting to address Bishop Robert Taylor-Tamaki to read up on the rules, lest they feel the wrath: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10605956&pnum=0

[Hans]

Ah yes, the 'spiritual father' of suspension.

No doubt you are one of the 'spiritual sons' Pussy, though I haven't seen any of the Ohlins covenant rings in evidence as yet.

Might pay for anyone wanting to address Bishop Robert Taylor-Tamaki to read up on the rules, lest they feel the wrath: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10605956&pnum=0

Is this the sort of covenant ring that goes O o O o O o O o O o for about five minutes after one nearly wipes himself out?

[cs363]

Is this the sort of covenant ring that goes O o O o O o O o O o for about five minutes after one nearly wipes himself out?

No, that's the inferior suspension ring, quite different! You won't have any worries Hans - the Bishop has sorted your bikes suspenders!! :lol:

[hmmmnz]

i own a frank thomas jacket, its not goretex, but its water proof, it saw me through 3 winters in scotland, and 4 crashes so far,
i dont think you have to buy "goretex" to get a good water proof result, plenty of other manufactures use a good waterproof membrane in there jackets.

[duckonin]

i own a frank thomas jacket, its not goretex, but its water proof, it saw me through 3 winters in scotland, and 4 crashes so far,
i dont think you have to buy "goretex" to get a good water proof result, plenty of other manufactures use a good waterproof membrane in there jackets.

True enough..

[cs363]

i own a frank thomas jacket, its not goretex, but its water proof, it saw me through 3 winters in scotland, and 4 crashes so far,
i dont think you have to buy "goretex" to get a good water proof result, plenty of other manufactures use a good waterproof membrane in there jackets.

Yes, I have the Alpinestars Drystar gear and have ridden in some pretty horrendous rain storms without a drop of water getting through. beats the crap out of some of the crappy gear I used to have when I was younger.

[marine0089]

I have an Alpinestars sigma jacket.... it IS waterproof.. period!
There are great run-out deals on them at the moment, too. $400.00 retail, it's a bargain. Your search has ended! :niceone:

Where are they being sold for $400?

I'm in need of a proper waterproof jacket. Last winter I just used my summer one with a kathmandu rain coat overtop. Although I didn't get wet at all, my commute is only 20 minutes and in heavier rain i'm sure it would have given up the goods.

[Pussy]

Where are they being sold for $400?

I'm in need of a proper waterproof jacket. Last winter I just used my summer one with a kathmandu rain coat overtop. Although I didn't get wet at all, my commute is only 20 minutes and in heavier rain i'm sure it would have given up the goods.

New Plymouth Motorcycles have them for $400.00 (they were $600.00)
Any of the Alpinestars dealers should have them/be able to get them for that price.
They are a steal at $400.00

[marine0089]

New Plymouth Motorcycles have them for $400.00 (they were $600.00)
Any of the Alpinestars dealers should have them/be able to get them for that price.
They are a steal at $400.00

Cheers, will hit up Motomart in Lower Hutt and see if they have em.

[marine0089]

Just in case anyone wanted to know, Motomart DO stock Alpinestars Sigma (regular & stella) jackets and although they have a pricetag of $699 attached, you can get for $400.

I picked one up yesterday =)

Love the jacket already. Fits and looks great. Very well made and have no doubt it will keep the water out. The full arm inner liner is a nice touch although not needed in the summer.

[Pussy]

Just in case anyone wanted to know, Motomart DO stock Alpinestars Sigma (regular & stella) jackets and although they have a pricetag of $699 attached, you can get for $400.

I picked one up yesterday =)

Love the jacket already. Fits and looks great. Very well made and have no doubt it will keep the water out. The full arm inner liner is a nice touch although not needed in the summer.

You'll be rapt with it!
In this hotter weather, I would be inclined to remove the winter liner.
You will also be VERY pleased the first time you ride in the pissing rain... and you're dry!!

[LBD]

Currently looking at new riding gear as my old Spidi gear is getting pretty tired.
BTW: waterproof for me means waterproof for hours at a time (like on the GC), not just your morning commute ;)

The Spidi Admiral suit I used in the last wet GC...and the few wet days either side kept me 99.9 % dry....the other 0.1% dribbled off the back of my helmet down my neck....It gets the thumbs up from me.

[marine0089]

You'll be rapt with it!
In this hotter weather, I would be inclined to remove the winter liner.
You will also be VERY pleased the first time you ride in the pissing rain... and you're dry!!

Yip removing the liner was the firs thing I did. Really like the vents you can open in both arms and front. Actually helps a lot in the warmer weather.

Do you wear yours all year round?

[Pussy]

Yip removing the liner was the firs thing I did. Really like the vents you can open in both arms and front. Actually helps a lot in the warmer weather.

Do you wear yours all year round?

Certainly do!
Nice and warm in winter, too!

[KapitiLizard]

It's not just the Goretex material that makes a good jacket. You need to check out the zips they use, plus I would highly recommend buying a jacket that has a double main zip and weather flap. Water will sneak into all sorts of unwelcome places when it's being driven into you at 100+ kmph. My new jacket (Teknic Freeway) has been through some torrential rain and stayed 100% dry.... shame I couldn't say the same for the pants I have

[banditrider]

Finally got my hands on a set of Alpinestars last week. Major issues with there being none in the country and I believe lost orders etc etc (not quite sure what to believe here). Have only worn them once so far (with the liners out) and they are very comfortable. Heading off for the TT2000 and a South Island tour (6,000km or so) tomorrow so they should get a good testing out. I don't really care if it decides not to rain but if it does then I hoping for good things...

[NZsarge]

Finally got my hands on a set of Alpinestars last week. Major issues with there being none in the country and I believe lost orders etc etc (not quite sure what to believe here). Have only worn them once so far (with the liners out) and they are very comfortable. Heading off for the TT2000 and a South Island tour (6,000km or so) tomorrow so they should get a good testing out. I don't really care if it decides not to rain but if it does then I hoping for good things...

So how did the new gear go?

[banditrider]

So how did the new gear go?

Ok, a quick update as we just got back tonight. We only clocked up 5,072km but did get some really foul weather going out to Akaroa and then to Milford Sound (proper rain there). With the thermal liners out you "feel" a little wet but you're not it's just the cold. Liners in and i did not get wet through on top even the the sleeves were dripping wet. My pants seemed to perform pretty well but on the Milford day I got a little damp around the crotch - to be fair this was a lot of slow riding in seriously hard rain. Also, some of the moisture could have come from sitting on my wet sheepskin.

Overall, i'm pretty pleased and the gear is very comfortable (even more so after getting some Oxford suspenders to help keep the pants in the right place) and warm. It'll be interesting to see how it goes on a wet GC...

[KoroJ]

Would you like a nice yellow jacket to go over the top??