Shopping for good quality textile gear on a budget

[Alex Wong]

Looking for some textile gear thats not gonna break my bank as im still hoping to have enough cash to upgrade bikes after this.

I have a 1tonne terminator leather jacket(but no pants, definately want some pants) but have tried on a few textile jackets and they're so much warmer and maneuverable, not to mention waterproof.

So far 1tonne and rst have reasonable rates, dont think quasimoto do any textiles, any ideas of other NZ companies or of similar standard?

This all comes from riding from Whangarei to Auckland and back. Ugh, so cold.

[1tonne]

Depending on your budget, check out this jacket. It is awesome. You will not find beeter value for money in NZ.
http://www.1tonne.co.nz/index.php?page=listingDetails&prodid=81&sco=&categoryid=2
You will be impress. Cheers.

[The End]

I recently purchased a jacket from www.motomail.co.nz and it is great for the daily commute.

Here is the jacket http://www.cassons.com.au/IN_Product.asp?pid=00000011M700000000PP

Motomail has a ton of gear, both leather and textile so have a look around :)

Here is another site I found: http://www.mrmotorcycles.co.nz/index.php?cPath=60

[george formby]

I am going to put some textile pants on trade me when I can be bothered. Can't remember the brand but I have hardly worn them, legs kept riding up over my boots...

32" waist, 32"/34" leg, something like that.

Come with a winter liner & armour. If your interested PM me.

During a particularly epic wet ride I did get wet plums eventually. A common problem unless you spend a fortune or use over trews.

[Alex Wong]

Cheers, dont think thats my size but thanks for the offer guv'.

Both of those sites are good quite aye, another site i found was Forbes and Davies motorcyles. http://www.forbesanddavies.co.nz/
Got quite a good range, found them mentioned in the jan edition of kiwirider

[Ratti]

'good quality' and ' budget' are mutually exclusive.

Pay more for quality or pay less and get less.

It's that simple. I have too much cheap gear bought to me when it falls apart. Have to tell the owner I won't fix it and to go and buy good stuff.

How much is your skin worth?

[redhat]

I've got an Alpinestars t-stunt textile jacket that I am looking to part with if you're interested. Bought it in America last year, has a removable liner that is really warm, elbow/shoulder pads etc all the usual. Came off my bike doing 90k and it held up really great. Still in good condition just has some slight scratched markings on the back and a little on the front. Size on jacket shows L but I am about a 40-42 on my other jacket bought here in NZ.

[hayd3n]

www.lincrabikewear.co.nz cheapest and best youll find by far
ive had pants and gloves from them for 2+ years and still looking fantastic


Buy a Combo - Jacket, Pants, Gloves for special price of $300.00

[wysper]

'good quality' and ' budget' are mutually exclusive.

Pay more for quality or pay less and get less.

It's that simple. I have too much cheap gear bought to me when it falls apart. Have to tell the owner I won't fix it and to go and buy good stuff.

How much is your skin worth?

Hey Ratti

So do you have any brands you would recommend? Outside the top priced really expensive ones?

I have Qmoto leathers at the moment - which I will sell soon because of a change in bike style. So I am in the market for some textiles too.

[Ratti]

Nothing particularly springs to mind. It really depends on what fits your body and what your needs are.

I use tecnic and mobig textile gear.
Top dollar really does get you a top quality product on the whole. Suggest you spend time in your local bikes shops trying on gear. If you buy new from a shop you get a warranty with it. If you find something you like, it might be worth keeping an eye on TM for the same gear. Can often pick up virtually unused stuff for a reasonable price. I'm happy to advise what questions to ask if you wan to pm me

cheers

[GrayWolf]

'good quality' and ' budget' are mutually exclusive.
Pay more for quality or pay less and get less.
I have too much cheap gear bought to me when it falls apart. Have to tell the owner I won't fix it and to go and buy good stuff.


Looking for some textile gear thats not gonna break my bank as im still hoping to have enough cash to upgrade bikes after this.
I have a 1tonne terminator leather jacket(but no pants, definately want some pants) but have tried on a few textile jackets and they're so much warmer and maneuverable, not to mention waterproof.

Totlay agree with Ratti Alex. read a few of the testing reports and advice on gear selection on the web.... Cordura is pretty damn good but not as resistant to abrasion as good quality leather, crap leather is just that. One of the great unthought of checks on your gear is,, does it conform to test criteria? Look closely at most jackets, they all quote CE approved and tested armour, BUT check how many actualy state the cordura they are using is also 'tested' and approved. Very few. Double front zips? not only give better rain resistance, they are a MUST for the best protection, a single zip jacket can easily be ripped open on initial impact. Cheapo cordura jackets/trousers are NOT waterproof. Also check the stiching, is it double stitched? is the seam prominant (easily abraded away) or is the seam almost a 'smooth' join? more panels and seams? = more chance of a seam tearing open, make sure the areas of highest abrasion are double layered or at least have better quality cordura. Expensive jackets/trousers like the technic corsaire have leather over the cordura....
So NO, cheap and quality do not mix.... so I would even advise scouring trademe for a good s/hand revit, technic, spidi etc.......

[george formby]

Totlay agree with Ratti Alex. read a few of the testing reports and advice on gear selection on the web.... Cordura is pretty damn good but not as resistant to abrasion as good quality leather, crap leather is just that. One of the great unthought of checks on your gear is,, does it conform to test criteria? Look closely at most jackets, they all quote CE approved and tested armour, BUT check how many actualy state the cordura they are using is also 'tested' and approved. Very few. Double front zips? not only give better rain resistance, they are a MUST for the best protection, a single zip jacket can easily be ripped open on initial impact. Cheapo cordura jackets/trousers are NOT waterproof. Also check the stiching, is it double stitched? is the seam prominant (easily abraded away) or is the seam almost a 'smooth' join? more panels and seams? = more chance of a seam tearing open, make sure the areas of highest abrasion are double layered or at least have better quality cordura. Expensive jackets/trousers like the technic corsaire have leather over the cordura....
So NO, cheap and quality do not mix.... so I would even advise scouring trademe for a good s/hand revit, technic, spidi etc.......

Good call on Trademe, I have some crackin, top line second hand gear off the site & it is still in great nick.

[steve_t]

Just to repeat what's been said in previous threads, just be aware that Cordura is a brand name of a fabric made by DuPont. Other nylon fabrics being called Cordura may not actually be Cordura. Whatever the textile fabric is, you're best to have at least 500D and preferably at least 600D fabric to provide a reasonable resistance to abrasion.

[Ratti]

Just to repeat what's been said in previous threads, just be aware that Cordura is a brand name of a fabric made by DuPont. Other nylon fabrics being called Cordura may not actually be Cordura. Whatever the textile fabric is, you're best to have at least 500D and preferably at least 600D fabric to provide a reasonable resistance to abrasion.

I'd up those numbers to 1000d.
500 is ok for back packs and thats about it

[GrayWolf]

I have a 1tonne terminator leather jacket(but no pants, definately want some pants) but have tried on a few textile jackets and they're so much warmer and maneuverable, not to mention waterproof.

ALex, just a thought, you DO use proper leather conditioner/waterproofer on you jacket, dont you? :scooter:

[DrunkenMistake]

What size jacket are you? I have a Revit jacket and liner, cant remember which make but it stung me something like $500 - $600 at a bike shop about a year ago, been a bloody good jacket.

[Mikeonabike]

Hi guys,

I'm new to the sport, only just got my license and next on the list is to sort out what safety gear I need, while I'm looking for a bike of course. Ideally I'll end up on a dual sport bike, I have my eye on a couple of KLX250s at the moment, so fingers crossed.
Anyway, I went for a trip to the local bike shop (http://www.tssredbaron.com/) today and tried on some helmets, gloves, jackets and pants. I'm only new and don't really know where I'm heading with riding, aiming for a mix of touring, commuting and some off road, want to keep my skin but don't want to go out and buy really expensive kit that is way to flash for my needs.
Anyone willing to offer a bit of an experienced opinion on the following gear?
Helmet (http://www.ls2helmets.co.nz/helmet/glossblackred)
Jacket (http://www.rst-moto.com/index.php/products-details/moto_rst_paragon_ii_textile_jacket/)
Pants (http://www.rst-moto.com/index.php/products-details/moto_rst_paragon_ii_textile_jean/)
Warm Weather Gloves (http://www.five-gloves.com/index2.php5?page=gants&categorie=5&sous_categorie=260)
Colder Weather Gloves (http://www.five-gloves.com/index2.php5?page=gants&categorie=14&sous_categorie=225)

Would be awesome to hear your thoughts.

Is this gear too cheap to be useful?
Ok for someone that plans to be doing the kind of riding I'm talking about?
Do you have better suggestions?

One thing that is a bit of a problem is that there is so much kit out there it's hard to know what to look for, what's better etc etc. Then of course is the trying it on to see what fits, not so many options in Welly for trying on lots of different kit.

The gear I've mentioned seemed to fit pretty well, comfortable, looked pretty rugged and safe, but I really don't know, it's still cheapish kind of kit isn't it?

Cheers
Mike

[DrunkenMistake]

The helmet im not too sure on, I havnt had experiance with those tyres, I have herd stories of them riding back due to the shape when you get to 100km/h but your legally aloud to do that speed .. so meh
The Jacket looks sweet, I wish I had something similar with the neck thing, looks warm and snug,
The 'Warmer weather' Gloves, forget it, get 'all season' leather gloves, they are basicly summer gloves, I have some that I use all seasons, but if you are a softy when it comes to your hands then they arnt ideal for winter, I would recomend some Astars like these http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/helmets-clothing-footwear/gloves/auction-387510409.htm I started off with them and they were great, really warm, water proof and comfy, they will do you for winter and summer, but during summer they will cause your hands to sweat, but its bearable
Hope this helps man.