All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Table of contents

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

23 pictures

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

1/23
Evolution in joint protectors: Bering (above) with a small protective surface and weak damping; easy hero (below) still according to the old norm, but with top scores; heavy rukka according to the latest standard and with low residual strength (left).

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
Jahn

2/23

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

3/23
If you want maximum comfort in summer, but don’t want to do without effective rain protection, you should pay attention to a removable climate membrane when buying a textile suit.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

4/23
Bering California; MOTORRAD verdict: good.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

5/23
Hero Montero Salerno; MOTORCYCLE rating: good (MOTORCYCLE purchase tip).

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

6/23
Lindstrands Qattara / TT; MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

7/23
Windy thing: good for the driver who can protect himself well. You wouldn’t want to miss out on Rukka’s detachable storm collar in wet and cold weather.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

8/23
Full coverage: do front closures have to be complicated to leak tight? Rukka proves the opposite with a waterproof zipper.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

9/23
Dense and well thought out: With Vanucci, it is clear at a glance whether you can pack sensitive items in the outer pockets. The test confirms it.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

10/23
There is a catch that is convincing: At Stadler, the collar can be attached without fluttering for better air supply. A pleasant detail.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
Lohse

11/23
Put your suit on, get on your motorcycle: in the assessment, the practical impression during the test drives plays an important role.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

12/23
Joint protectors.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

13/23
Back protectors.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

14/23
Final exam: where does the Velcro on the sleeve go? Rev’it does it right and covers the zipper so that it stays closed.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

15/23
Open – never again: some ventilation openings can be conveniently opened and closed while driving. At Lindstrands? A game of patience.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

16/23
Ritsch, ratsch, on the ball: Forget about width adjusters with stubborn snaps or fiddly buckles. Held scores here with comfortable Velcro.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

17/23
Until one of the collars bursts: Stop, not with Held! With a strong magnetic fastener, the jacket is easily and securely closed. Exemplary.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

18/23
Sliding: Some zipper sliders are still so small that they can hardly be operated with gloves. Bering proves that there is another way.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

19/23
Vanucci Ventus IV; MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

20/23
Stadler Voyager GTX / Cargo GTX; MOTORRAD verdict: very good (MOTORRAD test winner).

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

21/23
Rukka Paijanne; MOTORRAD verdict: good.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

22/23
Revit Neptune GTX: MOTORRAD verdict: good.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test
mps photo studio

23/23
Freedom of design for back protectors: The models by Louis (center) and Stadler (left) are real full-size protectors. Rukka (right), on the other hand, uses a comparatively narrow and heavy centralback protector.

clothing

Station wagons, jackets & pants

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

All-weather textile suits in the test
7 station wagons between 800 and 1400 euros

Cozy warmth on cold days, a fresh breeze in the sweltering heat, comfort when storm and rain knock on your visor: MOTORRAD tested seven textile suits for between 800 and 1400 euros to find out which suit is best for coping with the change in weather.

Jorg Lohse

07/28/2014

There is no such thing as bad weather, at most there is wrong clothing. A truism, of course, but one that has been with motorcyclists for what feels like 111 years. On the other hand, it is also a saying that is massively threatened with extinction. Because the clothing industry of the motorcycle scene is well on the way to putting the “wrong clothes” factor on the hanger. The times when you had to wriggle under the highway bridges in the spray of the passing traffic in unruly rain skins: at best, material for romanticizing round table discussions.

Buy complete article

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Buying tip for year-round textile suits (MOTORRAD 17/2014)
Hero Montesero / Salerno

8 pages) as PDF

€ 2.00

Buy now

Modern functional fabrics have long been standard equipment for motorcyclists of all stripes. Industry experts estimate that three out of four driving suits that are sold over the counter in Germany are made of textile. Where there is so much success, competition and competition are of course great. Which in turn saves the budget. If you want to wrap yourself in all-weather synthetic goods, you can buy it for little money. Solid driving suits with a wind- and waterproof climate membrane are available for less than 300 euros. The so-called middle class is particularly close. Numerous station wagons are offered between 500 and 750 euros at a good price-performance ratio, as our test of the corresponding hardware in MOTORRAD 7/2014 has shown.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Station wagons, jackets & pants


6 textile suits in the test


Motorcycle suits from 700 to 2,200 euros


read more

What for the money?

But that is far from the end of the story. If you want, you can dig a lot deeper into your pocket. Which is why we are specifically targeting the upper class in the textile business in this test: station wagons at a price for which you can get a well-maintained youngtimer motorcycle in good condition. The cheapest copies of our compilation cost almost 800 euros, the most expensive jump easily a few hundred over the 1000-euro barrier. What is there for the money?

If you first look at the nameplates sewn into the fabric, disillusionment spreads. The material mix of polyamide, nylon, polyester & Co reads the same with the deluxe goods as with the 299 euro offer from the trusted motorcycle discounter. From the point of view of added value, too, the critical consumer wrinkles his forehead. Six of the seven test samples come from Asian production facilities. Only the family business Stadler is still halfway committed to its home location. The standard sizes are still manufactured in Europe in our own production facility in Croatia, special made-to-measure products (by the way, a unique feature of textile suits) are still made at the headquarters in Aidenbach, Bavaria.

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Station wagons, jackets & pants


10 all-weather textile suits up to 750 euros in the test


There is a station wagon for all weather conditions?


read more

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Station wagons, jackets & pants


Product test: upper-class textile suits in comparison


The top ten upper-class textile suits


read more

All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test

Station wagons, jackets & pants


Six high-end textile suits in the MOTORRAD product test


Six high-end textile suits in the MOTORRAD product test


read more

Comprehensive protector equipment is by no means standard

Do they all now offer more functions and features than the half-price competing models? At least this question can be answered with a decided “yes and no”. Let’s start with negligence. For example, anyone who probes the test field under the thesis “More money, also more security” will winced with some specimens. Comprehensive protector equipment is by no means standard even in the upper class of textiles. The French brand Bering, whose model California boasts an exemplary full-size back protector with good cushioning, is disappointing with the joint protectors used. Not only that some of these are installed in sizes that are much too small. Even with the extremely high residual force values, it is a long way from today’s standards. On the drop test bench, the shoulder protector disappointed with an average residual force of just under 36 kilonewtons – according to the official standard, a maximum of 35 is allowed!

Other participants in the test convince with quite respectable values ​​in this category, but save on modern back protection. If you reach into the back pocket at Held, Lindstrands or Rev’it, you will crumple a thin alibi pillow that can do almost nothing to counter a hard impact on asphalt. Louis lays with his Vanucci Ventus IV at least comes with a properly certified back protection, but also indicates that the price increases by a further 21.99 euros. Small consolation: After all, the hip protectors in the pants are not subject to an extra charge. All-inclusive is only offered by the two most expensive providers in the test. Rukka and Stadler boast first-class cushioning protectors on all parts of the body that are at high risk. The bottom line, however, is that it is still annoying that the premium sector is still being cooked on the back burner. Because purely in terms of procurement costs, the all-round carefree package would already be feasible for a handful of euros.

Protection on cold, wet days as well as in scorching heat

Let’s stick with safety, but switch from the passive to the active side: What is being done to make the driver feel comfortable and at ease? Because one thing is clear: Anyone who is cold or soaked will cramp up and make the same driving mistakes that threaten a driver who simmers in his own juice in midsummer and quickly loses concentration and attention.

The access grid for this test was defined as it was for the mid-range offers in issue 7/2014: The station wagons should provide protection on cold, wet days as well as in the scorching heat of summer, where a completely removable climate membrane guarantees maximum air flow. Desirable, but not a must: As a third layer, a zipped thermal lining covers the early and late days of the season or even trims the suit for year-round use. In this price range, the field almost without exception belongs to the top dogs in the membrane industry – the synonym for all-weather protection, as it were. Five of the seven brands trust in the know-how of Gore-Tex. Louis equips the Vanucci set with the Sympatex membrane, and Lindstrands processes the rather unknown brand Dryway.

Technically, the providers differ fundamentally. While the “inventor” Gore-Tex relies on a microporous structure of its membrane film through which sweat can evaporate in water vapor molecules, Sympatex want & Co achieve the same process through the molecular chains of the polyester used as the material. Conversely, the water droplets, which are 700 times larger than the steam molecule, should not have any surface to attack. So much in two sentences about the theoretical superstructure of so-called breathability. But what does that say in practice?

All of them can cope with a massive rush of water

Our test is unequivocal. All jackets and trousers, whether equipped with Gore-Tex, Sympatex or Dryway, are up to a massive rush of water as in the simulation of a powerful thunderstorm. However, weak points caused by the design are neuralgic: How does the suit seal at the transitions? Does water seep over the helmet into a collar that is cut too low or too wide? Does moisture penetrate the glove / sleeve interface? Or can the rain make its way into the interior through a negligently built front labyrinth? To resolve it: there was no real problem child. None of the station wagons attracted attention due to poor workmanship or problematic designs.

The residual moisture found on some sleeves or collar ends can still be tolerated in this hardcore test by bombarding the high-pressure jet with the finest spray mist. However, it must also be taken into account that the test samples are literally filled with water-repellent finish when they are as good as new. However, depending on the intensity of use, the water-repellent properties of the outer fabric are increasingly worn off, which is why, in addition to regular washing to maintain the famous Dittsche effect (“That’s pearls again”), it is important to refresh the impregnation.

A gladly made mistake: Cotton products under the station wagon

Speaking of pearls: of course, depending on the weather, sweat continues to trickle into the suits. The assumption that the textile S-Class is equipped with an air conditioning system due to the misleading word “breathable” would be fatal. Sweating is one of the elementary properties of the skin. But you can use clever tricks to ensure that you don’t stew in your own juice even in the heat of midsummer and that as much cooling air as possible brushes over your skin. But that is not enough with the station wagons alone. Often seen and gladly made mistakes: Cotton products such as T-shirts or even jeans that are worn under the suit. Cotton absorbs sweat and greatly inhibits the evaporation process. A functional underwear set that does not absorb moisture or transports it away from the body quickly helps as a basis for your own dress code against the damp climate. On hot, humid days it is anyway: Get rid of the climate membrane, because without a certain pressure gradient between the inside and outside air, functionality comes to a complete standstill.

And where does the upper class product stand out from the cheaper chasers? A question that is difficult to answer with a comparison like this. Some of the details in this test field are simply easier to grasp, whether it is, for example, the closing of solid zippers or the full closing of snaps or magnetic closures. It’s like the famous door flaps on two cars. Both close, but one rattles, the other makes it pop, arousing confidence. And from experience we know that products equipped with Gore-Tex in particular have a very long life cycle and that warranty claims are still handled very accommodatingly even after years. The higher investment can therefore pay off over the years.

Buy right: all-weather suits


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Buy right: all-weather suits.

Climatic correct tightening values

If you want maximum comfort in summer, but don’t want to do without effective rain protection, you should pay attention to a removable climate membrane when buying a textile suit.

collar: High degree, tight-fitting, but without pressing. And the closure should be easy to close, even when wearing gloves. The best thing to do is to try out the seat with your own helmet.

sleeve: Same as with the collar. It is essential to try out with your own gloves whether the gauntlets can be pulled under the sleeves. Here, too, it is important to have the tightest possible finish without pressure points.

ventilation: Are there easily accessible inlets, or does a large mesh fabric provide cooling circulation? Some models also have collars or front strips with a special ventilation function.

Bags: What will be taken? For some, a quickly accessible document compartment in the chest area (“Napoleon pocket”) is sufficient, for others 100 percent waterproof outer pockets are indispensable. Must be answered individually.

Waterproof inner jacket: Every cubic centimeter of storage space counts on a motorcycle vacation. Ideally, the climate insert can be packed into a sufficiently large back pocket when it is removed and, on top of that, used as a separate leisure or rain jacket.

Connection jacket / pants: Also try out in a sitting position to see whether the waistband is high and there is sufficient overlap in the back. The (all-round!) Zipper can be conveniently closed for this?

Protectors: It is essential to check the fit on the motorcycle. Assume driving posture, check coverage and stop. In case of pressure: some knee protectors can also be adjusted in height.

Leg end: Ideally, it can be opened wide to get the boot shaft under the trousers and is long enough so that it stays that way while driving. Must fit tightly.

Bering California


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Bering California.

Reference information: Shark Helme Germany, Tel. 0 41 08/45 80 00, www.shark-helme.com;
Price: Jacket / pants / total price 599.90 / 439.90 / 1039.80 euros;
Extras in the test: no;
Sizes: S to 4XL;
To dye: Black, gray / black;
Weight (in size L): 5.2 kilograms;
Materials: Outer fabric made of nylon / PU (Cordura), lining made of polyester / nylon, removable thermal lining made of polyester;
Climate membrane: Gore-Tex;
Country of Manufacture: China

Plus: Full seat; cuddly soft thermal lining warms pleasantly on very cold days; well-placed ventilation inlets can be opened and closed without any problems while driving, efficiency is still acceptable on warm days; Front labyrinth can be closed easily and safely; Protectors positioned without pressure and precisely; Back protector as standard; wide reflectors with a high signal effect; waterproof outside pockets.

Minus: Rain protection is reduced by the ingress of splash water on the collar and poor cuffs; disturbing drafts on the back (transition jacket / pants); Some protectors are too small, attenuation values ​​are sometimes marginal; very dirt-prone fabrics; Pressure points from high hip belt.

Conclusion: Bering’s touring suit scores with a comfortable fit, proper equipment and solid workmanship. With a thermal lining, the combination can also be used all year round. There is a lot of catching up to do with the protectors.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Hero Montero / Salerno


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Hero Montero / Salerno.

Reference information: Held, Tel. 0 83 21/6 64 60, www.held.de;
Price:
Jacket / pants / total price (men’s size) 499.95 / 379.95 / 879.90 euros;
Extras in the test:
no;
Sizes:
S to 3XL (in black to 5XL) plus women’s, short and long sizes (trousers);
To dye:
Black, Black / Red, Black / White, Black / Blue, Black / Pink, Black / Kiwi;
Weight (in size L):
4.6 kilograms;
Materials:
Outer fabric made of polyamide (Cordura), lining made of polyester (Coolmax), removable thermal lining (jacket) made of polyester;
Climate membrane
: Gore-Tex;
Country of Manufacture
: Vietnam

plus: Crisp, sporty seat, stays in top shape even at high freeway speeds; can be fine-trimmed very well with wide width adjusters; draft-free overlapping of jacket and trousers; The front labyrinth including the collar with a strong magnetic fastener can be closed with great ease; first class rain protection; quickly accessible ventilation zips with a very high air flow; tidy bag offer with extra mobile phone compartment and cable duct inside.

minus: Few protectors; Pants without thermal lining; Outside pockets are partly not waterproof.

Conclusion: All-weather combination for speedy drivers at an attractive price. The hero suit is appealing because of its comfort (keyword leotard) and well thought-out details: the Gore-Tex inlay can also be slipped over the outside. Wish? More protectors!

MOTORRAD verdict: good (MOTORCYCLE purchase tip)

Lindstrands Qattara / TT


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Lindstrands Qattara / TT.

Reference information: Jofama, Tel. (Sweden) 00 46-2 80/5 55 55, www.jofama.se;
price: Jacket / pants / total price 449.00 / 349.00 / 798.00 euros;
Extras in the test: no;
Sizes: 48 to 64;
To dye: Black, graphite;
Weight (in size 52): 4.9 kilograms;
materials: Outer fabric made of polyamide / PU, lining made of polyester / polyamide;
Climate membrane: Dryway;
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam

plus: Very good rain protection; waterproof outside pockets.

minus: Very baggy, not very supple seat; rusty fabric with a plastic appearance; Overall, the suit is very susceptible to wind, flutters when driving on the motorway, jacket slides up when wagging around bends, hip belt placed very high, permanently presses on the rib cage; Protectors press uncomfortably (especially on the hips and knees); overall confusing and nested structure with awkwardly designed air inlets (annoying bulge formation when closing); Zippers are partly not secured, slide open again while driving or when closing the Velcro fasteners on the sleeves; Width adjuster awkward to use; no thermal lining.

Conclusion: The Swedish brand Lindstrands mainly relies on excellent rain protection. So the station wagon can still convince, but in practice a bad fit, lack of protection against the cold and cumbersome details are annoying.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Rev’it Neptune GTX


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Rev’it Neptune GTX.

Reference information: Rev’it, Tel. (Netherlands) 00 31/4 12/69 67 40, www.revit.eu;
price: Jacket / pants / total price 449.99 / 349.99 / 799.98 euros;
Extras in the test: no;
Sizes: M to XZL plus short and long sizes (pants only);
To dye: Black silver;
Weight (in size 52): 4.4 kilograms;
materials: Outer fabric made of polyester, lining made of polyester / polyamide, removable thermal lining made of polyester;
Climate membrane: Gore-Tex;
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam

plus: Smooth, comfortable fit; great fit, very light wearing comfort; stays in top shape even at high speeds; pleasantly lined; close-fitting collar with a soft finish; Easily accessible and sensibly placed ventilation inlets with wide zip sliders.

minus: Without thermal lining, uncomfortable cold spots on zips in the chest area; thicker glove cuffs hit the Gore-Tex inlay (risk of soaking); Trouser legs are short and can slip over the boot shaft when driving actively; Width adjusters with buckles (hips, waistband) difficult to grip; Outside pockets partly with impractical mesh lining; little protectors.

Conclusion: The Rev’it combination looks like a crack & Back, but when you slip in, you feel comfortable. We especially like the skin-friendly lining. With the protectors, however, only a minimal standard is offered.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Rukka Paijanne


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Rukka Paijanne.

Reference information: Rukka, Tel. 0 40/5 51 10 55, www.rukka.de;
price: Jacket / pants / total price 699.00 / 549.00 / 1248.00 euros;
Extras in the test: no;
Sizes: Men 46 to 62 (in black up to 66) plus short and long sizes (pants only);
To dye: Black, sand / black, neon yellow / black;
Weight (in size 52): 5.8 kilograms;
Materials: Outer fabric made of polyamide / nylon (Cordura), lining made of polyester / polyamide / nylon;
Climate membrane: Gore-Tex;
Country of Manufacture: China

plus: A snug fit, stays in shape without fluttering even at high speeds; extensive protector set with excellent damping values; Front fastener impressively easy to close; can be excellent against wind and
Seal rain (storm collar, sleeves, legs).

minus: High weight, very difficult to carry; The lattice structure of the protectors begins to squeeze uncomfortably on long journeys; Gore-Tex insert with temperature-regulating Outlast equipment provides poor protection even on moderately cold days (below 15 degrees); Outside pockets with weak magnetic closures can open and are not waterproof (except for the back compartment).

Conclusion: The Rukka suit offers excellent protection not only against wind and rain. With the complete protector equipment and sensible reinforcements, it also fits in terms of passive safety. But there is a lack of comfort.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Stadler Voyager GTX / Cargo GTX


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Stadler Voyager GTX / Cargo GTX.

Reference information: Stadler, Tel. 0 85 43/9 62 00, www.stadler-bekleidung.de;
price: Jacket / pants / total price 839.00 / 549.00 / 1388.00 euros;
Extras in the test: no;
Sizes: Men 48 to 62 plus women and intermediate sizes (men only);
To dye: Gray / black, black / neon yellow;
Weight (in size 52): 5.4 kilograms;
materials: Outer fabric made of polyamide (Cordura), lining made of polyamide, removable thermal lining made of polyester;
Climate membrane: Gore-Tex;
Country of Manufacture: Croatia / Germany

plus: Jacket and trousers with a sporty, close-fitting but supple fit; stays in top shape even at high speeds; easy-to-use zippers, can also be gripped perfectly with gloves; complete protector equipment with full-size back protector and first-class damping values; wide, top placed reflectors with high radiance; close-fitting collar with a soft finish; extremely well ventilated due to the high proportion of mesh in the jacket and pants in midsummer; well insulating thermal lining.

minus: Zips on the sleeves poorly secured; Pants without waterproof pockets.

Conclusion: When the temperatures are not falling into the ice cellar, the Stadler suit is perfect for classic seasonal drivers. Due to the high proportion of mesh, the air cooling is also set to “permanently on” with thermal and gore inlays.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good (MOTORRAD test winner)

Vanucci Ventus IV


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Vanucci Ventus IV.

Reference information: Detlev Louis, Tel. 0 40/73 41 93 60, www.louis.de;
price: Jacket / pants / total price (standard men’s size) 509.95 / 409.95 / 919.90 euros;
Extras in the test: “Super-Shield” back protector 21.99 euros;
Sizes: Men 48 to 58 (black / anthracite also in 46 and 60 to 64) plus women and intermediate sizes;
To dye: Men black / anthracite, neon yellow / black, gray / black / blue, women light gray / purple, anthracite / purple, neon yellow / black
Weight (in size 52): 5.5 kilograms;
Materials: Outer fabric made of polyamide (Cordura), lining made of polyamide / polyester, removable thermal lining made of polyamide / polyester (Primaloft);
Climate membrane: Sympatex;
Country of Manufacture: Vietnam

plus: Except for the back protector (costs extra) complete protector equipment with good damping values; comfortably warming thermal lining.

minus: Zippers are sometimes very fiddly, difficult to grip with gloves; Pocket volume very tight; tight sleeves insufficiently sealed against moisture, soak up in heavy rain; Front labyrinth very cumbersome to handle.

Conclusion: Shopmulti Louis wants to play in the upper class with the Ventus IV of his house brand Vanucci. In practice, however, the problem is with poor fit, inadequate moisture protection and, above all, not really well thought-out details.

MOTORRAD verdict: satisfactory

Protectors put to the test


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Freedom of design for back protectors: The models by Louis (center) and Stadler (left) are real full-size protectors. Rukka (right), on the other hand, uses a comparatively narrow and heavy centralback protector.

Revised standards, stricter limit values. There is a lot going on with the protectors. But not all providers are up to date.

For protector suppliers one thing is clear: Since July 2014, the protectors have to meet the latest standards if they want to receive the necessary CE label. A revision of the standard was overdue. After all, the original version for the certification of joint protectors is based on standards that are almost two decades old. Numerous MOTORCYCLE tests have shown that much more is technically possible. During the test procedure, a five-kilo weight falls on the protector, and an anvil below measures the damping capacity. The European standard EN 1621-1 originally provided for an average residual force value of 35 kilonewtons (kN), which was averaged from five individual blows. Special feature: None of the individual blows that are distributed over the precisely defined protective area may exceed 50 kN. Even after the amendment, protector builders are allowed to put bone protectors with these high values ​​on the market, but a new label (recognizable by the number 1) must indicate this.

In the future, however, there will be more and more providers who meet level 2 with their joint protectors and in some cases remain well below the maximum permitted 20 kN. There was a similar development with back protectors, for which two protection classes (9 and 18 kN) apply according to the EN 1621-2 standard. Back protectors of the less cushioning class 1 are almost no longer offered. According to the revised standard, there is now the option of building a slimmed-down “centralback” version that only covers the spine in addition to the “full-size” version.


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Evolution in joint protectors: Bering (above) with a small protective surface and weak damping; easy hero (below) still according to the old norm, but with top scores; heavy rukka according to the latest standard and with low residual strength (left).

 
Joints
Joints
Joints
Joints
torso
Protectors-
Furnishing
shoulder
elbow
knee
hips
the back
Bering
series series series optionally available series
hero
series series series optionally available optionally available
Lindstrands
series series series optionally available optionally available
Rev’it
series series series optionally available     optionally available
Rukka
series series series series Series*
Stadler
series series series series Series**
Stadler
series series series series optionally available***

* Centralback (Level 2); ** full size (level 2); *** in the test equipped with full size (level 2).


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Joint protectors.


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


mps photo studio

Back protectors.

Essential building blocks of modern textile suits

Polyamide (PA) Classic outer fabric of textile suits. Also known as nylon. Is very elastic and has a high tear and abrasion resistance with low weight. However, the strength decreases when exposed to UV radiation. A noble version of PA is Cordura (brand name of DuPont), which is even better suited for motorcycle suits due to its higher abrasion resistance.

Polyurethane (PU) Applies as the basis for waterproof coatings. That is why it is often used for outer fabrics.

Polyester (PES) Is a particularly light, water-repellent fabric and dries quickly. Therefore ideal for use as a lining. Can also be produced as a hollow fiber, which is used with better insulation values ​​in the thermal inlay.

This is how MOTORRAD tests


All-weather motorcycle textile suits in the test


Lohse

Put your suit on, get on your motorcycle: in the assessment, the practical impression during the test drives plays an important role.

On a large test lap through the Jagsttal (between Wurzburg and Heilbronn), all candidates had to face the classic requirements of a motorcycle tour.

With the naked Yamaha MT-07 from the MOTORRAD long-term test fleet, we drove over the pot level A 81 to assess the driving behavior in different speed ranges. Afterwards, brisk curve swing on country roads of various categories was on the program. The testers quickly noticed the advantages and disadvantages of the individual combinations. Second important practical test: behavior in the rain. It is not made to order, and not always with the same, comparable intensity. The use of a high-pressure cleaner has therefore proven its worth, which does not make the suits easy with plenty of flavor and the finest atomization. Blotting paper inlays at neuralgic transitions as well as in all outer pockets help to track down critical points in terms of moisture protection.

The removed protectors were then checked in the Sas-Tec laboratory (www.sas-tec.de) based on the currently applicable standards (EN 1621-1 and 1621-2). It was also examined whether the CE-compliant protectors were used in the sizes that match the size of the suit.

In a final joint appraisal, the MOTORRAD service editors once again scrutinized each station wagon in detail, assessing the quality, workmanship and equipment.

Final evaluation and conclusion

Fit / comfort Weather protection security Equipment / processing total MOTORRAD verdict Price in euro**
maximum number of points 30th 30th 20th 20th 100
Stadler Voyager GTX / Cargo GTX 26th 25th 20th 16 87 very good 1,388.00
Hero Montero / Salerno 26th 25th 14th 18th 83 Good 879.90
Rukka Paijanne 22nd 25th 18th 17th 82 Good 1248.00
Rev’it Neptune GTX 26th 22nd 12th 18th 78 Good 799.98
Bering California 20th 22nd 13th 15th 70 Good 1039.80
Vanucci Ventus IV 18th 21 16 14th 69 satisfying 919.90
Lindstrands Qattara / TT 12th 20th 15th 12th 59 satisfying 798.00

* 100 to 85 points = very good; 84 to 70 points = good; 69 to 55 points = satisfactory; 54 to 40 points = sufficient; 39 to 0 points = unsatisfactory
** Prices refer to a combination (jacket and trousers) in standard men’s size

Conclusion: A test that moves at a high level. Not only because of the prices that are called for the textile suits. Also because of the claims. In this price region you can definitely expect a premium package. Basically, no station wagon disappoints. All providers have done a good job in terms of moisture protection. However, there is some catching up to do in terms of safety equipment. The bottom line is that there are two recommendations: the expensive but all-round carefree package from Stadler and, as an inexpensive alternative, the hero suit. Vanucci fails because of impractical details just on “good”, only Lindstrand’s old-school solution cannot keep up in the high-end sector.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *