Rukka Gear, who rides with it here in NZ?

[Digitdion]

Seems to me that this gear is made for a climate like ours. We get a bit of everything. Shame about the price, however the exchange rate has helped out a bit on that one.

[Bassmatt]

Seems to me that this gear is made for a climate like ours. We get a bit of everything. Shame about the price, however the exchange rate has helped out a bit on that one.

My thoughts exactly. I havent seen any in the flesh but it looks very nice in photos. Ill be looking at it for sure when it's time to renew.

[Maha]

I have a pair of Rukka winter gloves, got them in from FC-Moto...Gremlin has Rukka gear.

[Gremlin]

Yep, I have an Armas suit. Innotesco is the importer for Australia-NZ. I bought from Qmoto who were agents (but not sure if they still are) as I had to make sure of sizing.

The Rukka names are a little hard to get around, trying to figure out exactly what each suit is designed for etc, but there is everything from air suits for hot climates to non-ventilated suits for freezing weather. The Armas suit is definitely for colder weather, I usually only pull it out for winter rides, or long distance trips. Too expensive to trash in adventure riding, and also not flexible enough for when it gets hot and slow going. I use Rev'it for that sort of stuff but it's not waterproof on the outside (and therefore vents in hot weather).

For what it does well, it's never let water in, even after 20 odd hours. The jacket has a dual cuff, your gloves going between the layers. Basically the weakness is the holes where your arms, head and torse have to go through. Seal them up properly and water isn't getting in. It's also fantastically warm and I had a tumble at 100kph, granted it was long grass, but had a bit of stiffness, no bruising etc. The primary zip on the jacket has no teeth, using the Gore lock-out system, basically two strips of plastic forced together... really cool tech.

Definitely the max performance money no object solution, I love it, but make sure you get something that suits your needs. No suit is perfect, ie, great venting in summer but fully waterproof in torrential rain.

With the price, I don't think anyone stocks it, it's simply too expensive, but Rukka as a brand is probably top 5 in the world. Rev'it, A* etc don't feature.

[Brian d marge]

Mine is late eighties early nineties, a few times ( or more !!) down the road as a London Dr and its STILL going strong and STILL surprisingly waterproof ( a very good buy I thinks )

Stephen

[Idubbs]

I got the cheapest in the range called an Athos a couple of years ago. Only wear it on wet winter days and for long distance riding. new age Gortex guarantees it's waterproof and it hasn't been proven wrong yet. As Gremlin says, these jackets don't vent well, plus the ziplock zip can sometimes get a little fiddley...... No regrets though. Check out this site

http://biker-land.de/Motorcycle-Clot...sting_count=48

[Digitdion]

I was in the market to get some new bike gear. The revit stuff I had ( whilst being good value gear) just did not last very well. And got wet when it pissed down. Yeah it was versatile with the removable rain liner, but that also comes at a cost.

I had been researching the web for quite a while. I narrowed it down to Klim Badlands pro or the Rukka Armas. Both pricey, both full gore tex bling, but fit very different( slightly different target for both sets of gear). In the end I went for the badlands Pro because of the venting.

I was heading to the Uk for 2 weeks then off to the states for a month to get married , and do a month long road trip.( but alas not on a bike bugger, next time).

I talked to a rep and after measuring me self up, I made the order. And would pick it up in the states from my mates place.

While in the Uk , I had a spare day so went to Newcastle to look at bike shops. Gee, the Ducati shop rocked! The selection of bikes and all the Dianese stuff. I went to the dealer that had Rukka. Was great to see it first hand, and most importantly try it on for size. I was very impressed!

When I arrived in the states, the Klim gear was there. Quality was very good, but not as good as Rukka. And the sizing was terrible. To cut a long story short the sizing did not make sense , and I was not confident I could sort it easily as I was about to set off on the marriage road trip. I decided to send it back. Then I ordered the Rukka Armas from biker-land in Germany. Lucky I had been to Newcastle to try it on.

No regrets at all. Yes it does not vent that well. I knew that would be the case. But it's hard to tick all the boxes. I wanted good weather protection. I have not been disappointed at all. Pissing down up the west coast, no worries, pissing down and cold to dunedin , no worries. Me, dry as! A very well designed piece of kit.

It's a shame that our wee little country, economically can not sustain bike shops with high quality gear, stocked to the hilt. But I understand why. It's the cold hard economic facts.

I do suggest that if you have the budget, and are that way inclined to spend a lot on great gear, to go the whole hog and go high end. Most gear in most bike shops when it comes to actually performing like they claim, it's all marketing BS.

But of course then you have the issue of being able to try it on before you buy!

[Gremlin]

Touratech also now has a range, again, another pricey suit, but you get what you pay for.

I would be very doubtful of any manufacturer saying their suit was truly waterproof but also able to vent in high temperatures, as they're complete polar opposites. I've found a Rev'it suit (with two removable liners) is a decent all round suit, and for waterproof, throw a regular rain jacket over the top. Invariably it won't breathe (thinking goretext next time, but don't think I can justify the cost) so the outside of the Rev'it jacket gets wet from the rain jacket, but at least you're dry from the rain.

Short of carrying two suits (and who wants the space loss or weight) I've found it the most acceptable solution. Ridden in plenty of long lasting rain, stayed mostly dry, and ridden in 50+ with the mesh outer of the suit.

[Dodgy]

I saw this stuf while at the MotoGP in Oz last year. It looks pretty impressive (as is the price) and makes some bold claims. Before I leap in, is there anyone who has tried this gear? I am looking at the Armas 2 piece to replace my Technic gear.

[iYRe]

looks nice, i guess I wont be buying any on my budget of 0$ :s

[Digitdion]

I saw this stuf while at the MotoGP in Oz last year. It looks pretty impressive (as is the price) and makes some bold claims. Before I leap in, is there anyone who has tried this gear? I am looking at the Armas 2 piece to replace my Technic gear.

I has the Armas jacket and pants. Quality gear all round. Ridden in all weather. The only issue with this setup is its hot weather performance. The two vents on the shoulders actually work well as they billow open when riding. I have just been for a 4 day blast around the South Island. Was about 28 degrees riding thru Christchurch in 50 zones. Was getting a bit warm. I have gore tex leather boots and was wearing my summer gloves. But in 100 zones all good. If riding in 30 degree plus a lot I would try another jacket. Otherwise the Rukka Armas is worth every cent for its quality protection and performance and the detail.

[Dodgy]

Cool, thanks. I have ordered the Armas jacket and pants form Oz so will post what I think of them in due course.

[Digitdion]

Cool, thanks. I have ordered the Armas jacket and pants form Oz so will post what I think of them in due course.

Have you got the Rukka gear yet?

[Dodgy]

No, not yet. I have paid a deposit and the gear is waiting for me when I am in Aus next month to pick it up. I will let you know what i think of it when I get it (just in time for the Brassy!)

[Dodgy]

So, the gear has arrived, and it is of brilliant quality and construction. As it should be for the arm and leg that I paid for it.

I was going to write up a user report, except that the gear will not fit me. When I was in Aus last year, I tried the gear on (in front of the seller) and determined what my size was. I should have purchased it there and then, life would have been much easier. Fast forward six months and I purchase it from the same person via email. "What size are you" is the question? "52 I say". Measurements are asked for, gear paid for and sent. I receive a 50 jacket and 48 pants. No way in hell that I can fit into the 48 pants and the 50 jacket is too tight across the shoulders.

Emails get exchanged. All sorts of blame apportioned to IT issues as an attempt to make up for tardy customer service. End result is that my gear will not be available until July, when the Finns have got around to making my size (after all, my size is very unusual and bespoke haha).

I am not going to go into a full rant until my gear has been exchanged for the correct size. It is a shame, as the gear looks to be wonderful.

If you are seriously considering this gear and live nearby, let me know and have a look. As far as I know it is not available in New Zealand shops. If you want to buy some (and are not sizes 50 and 48), the likes of FC-Moto could be an excellent place from which to buy this great gear.