Shopping for good quality textile gear on a budget

**Alex Wong** · 8th April 2011, 18:42

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** · 9th April 2011, 09:05

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?pa...=&categoryid=2
You will be impress. Cheers.

**The End** · 9th April 2011, 15:21

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...11M700000000PP

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** · 9th April 2011, 16:15

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** · 13th April 2011, 08:11

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** · 13th April 2011, 19:39

'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** · 23rd April 2011, 09:18

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** · 23rd April 2011, 10:48

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** · 23rd April 2011, 13:21

Originally Posted by 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?

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** · 26th April 2011, 20:41

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** · 14th May 2011, 14:26

Originally Posted by Ratti

'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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 14th May 2011, 16:22

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

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** · 14th May 2011, 16:55

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** · 15th May 2011, 15:19

Originally Posted by 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.

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

**GrayWolf** · 16th May 2011, 21:52

Originally Posted by Alex Wong

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?