Test: textile suits of the upper class

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Test: textile suits of the upper class
Dentges, Jahn, Zdrahal

clothing

Station wagons, jackets & pants

Test: textile suits of the upper class

Test: textile suits of the upper class
Textile Royal

Not in Her Majesty’s service and yet majestically good. Eight top agents from the textile motorcycle world show which jobs they can be used for. Their prices: also exclusive, but by no means top secret.

Thorsten Dentges

04/12/2007

If the world is not enough for you, if you have ever had a diamond fever or can easily snap 800 euros and more for motorcycle clothing with a gold finger, you have a special assignment and are looking for a trustworthy ally for perfect driving. He is only interested in the performance, not the money. Still interested in one of the representatives featured here? If so, please skip the price information or have a suitcase with counted notes ready.

How much a top product can cost is certainly debatable. The providers justify their less transparent prices often vaguely through high costs in development and production as well as through the use of exclusive materials. However, the fact that not every new invention actually represents an improvement, that small quantities can hardly be produced cheaply and that advertising and marketing costs vary widely from company to company often remain a secret. It is all the more important to take a close look at the value of these high-end station wagons and to spy on them critically.

What is indisputable about the tested station wagons is their good to very good workmanship and the predominantly exemplary equipment. Two trends can be observed in the latter in particular: versatility and specialization. Jack of all trades are the suits of Rukka and Stadler, where the available Air Vantage inner jacket (individually expensive for over 400 euros) enhances the not exactly cheap overall package. In the laboratory of the manufacturer W. L. Gore, the inflatable jacket with different levels of insulation with a climate membrane was developed for outdoor sports. A technical gimmick that the fictional inventor “Q” would prescribe to his secret agent James Bond. If the inner jacket with the integrated membrane is uncoupled and stowed away, the suits can be worn comfortably due to their modular structure even in high summer temperatures. Equipped with plenty of storage space and a warm collar, they are savvy helpers on tours in all seasons and in a wide variety of climatic zones. It is understandable that such an elaborate exhibition has its price.

Never say Never ?? The Swedish supplier Halvarssons also relies on versatility. He delivers his combination with two cover sets: one weatherproof with its own climate membrane based on Sympatex and one with air-permeable mesh fabric for hot summer days. A great concept, especially since the casual, protector-free outer layer is just as good for hiking or skiing. The softshell inner jacket from Spidi is also suitable for a life away from the motorcycle.

BMW and Hein Gericke dispense with an inner lining. You have a special assignment and only want to work in midsummer and in sports. The result: extremely light, comfortable suits that allow the body enough air to breathe and a lot of freedom of movement, but are designed to protect it from injuries as a bodyguard close to the body in the event of a fall. The easy Kushitani is more of an undercover agent. Inconspicuous, but equipped in a variety of ways. Although he scores in various disciplines, his specialty is mainly use in southern climes because of the breathable XCR membrane. And with the elegant Dainese suit you could even be seen in a casino. Not only does it go down well with Bond girls. Due to a few minor weaknesses and the annoying failures in the shock absorption test, however, it barely gets the license to be bought because the rest of the safety equipment (good protector fit, robust upper material) is okay.

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The all-rounder

It can hardly be more expensive, nor better. The jack-of-all-trades from Rukka and Stadler should accompany the buyer faithfully for years with 1a processing and not disappoint him in any motorcycle riding situation. Both station wagons do this pretty well. If you use it without an inner jacket, the airy outer material ensures excellent ventilation in midsummer, in the rain and at the pass, the inflatable, variably insulating Air Vantage inner jacket by W. L. Gore and a detachable thermal collar protect you from getting wet and hypothermic. Pants and jackets overlap perfectly in both suits and are coordinated with one another. Suspenders are part of the equipment of the Rukka. The Stadler has a modular vest with a large, almost backpack-like back pocket. The enormous storage space of the Stadler can only be used in dry weather due to the lack of waterproof outer pockets. Disadvantage of both all-rounders: They are often difficult to operate due to the many functions and layers.

Summer touring

Waterproof top products suitable for summer such as the Kushitani often have the particularly breathable Gore-XCR membrane. For the first time, BMW is relying on the new c_change membrane from textile specialist Schoeller, which adapts to changing climatic conditions. The comparatively stretchable membrane is applied to an also elastic, abrasion and tear-resistant upper material. The result: an extremely light and comfortable motorcycle suit without thermal lining (according to BMW, it is superfluous in midsummer anyway), which comes with full protectors and the best shock absorption values. However, the station wagon has a slight tendency to flutter, and some water ran into the collar in the MOTORCYCLE wetness test. In a cold state, the stiff, visco-elastic CE protectors, which only come to temperature when the body moves, then become softer and surround the joints very well. The solidly equipped Kushitani, which is more versatile due to its removable thermal lining, restricts the driver’s freedom of movement due to its moderate cut despite many width adjustment options and offers little storage space for utensils.

Instead of leather

So far, leather has been the first choice for sporty motorcyclists. Halvarssons has received a certificate from an independent testing institute for its carpet-like synthetic fabric called »Hi-Art« that has better abrasion values ​​than conventional motorcycle leather clothing. On behalf of the British authorities, the Swedes used it to tailor motorcycle police officers, according to their own statements, the only textile station wagon that fully complies with the strict European standards for professional drivers. However, moderate shock absorption values ​​and a back protector, which is subject to a surcharge, do not fit into the self-imposed safety concept. What is even worse, however, is that due to the extremely heavy »Hi-Art« material (combined weight: around 7.5 kilograms), the trousers in particular are not very comfortable to wear. Manufacturer Hein Gericke goes the opposite way with the PSX-XCR and basically »tunes« a leather suit that is weatherproof, but only slightly insulating, lightweight (less than four kilograms) by using leather and high-quality textile (very abrasion-resistant Armacor material, Gore-XCR membrane) mixes. Except for a too wide collar and a missing thermal lining, there’s nothing to complain about.

Fashionable chic

A practical textile combination can also have a function on the city boulevard or in front of the cafe: to look good. The Italian manufacturers in particular tailor clothing suitable for motorcycles with a certain fashionable chic that other manufacturers unfortunately sometimes lack. The Dainese with Gore-Tex membrane offers, thanks to its four large, attached front pockets ?? in line with the trend of modern-urban designs ?? Pleasantly large and easily accessible storage space for belongings such as cell phone, organizer or wallet and is completely waterproof. However, the shock absorption values ​​of two protectors were poor, and the price for the quite conventionally made station wagon is very high. Competitor Spidi also offers little original with the rock-solid trousers, while the light and extremely comfortable “First” top has a pleasantly fresh design and works very well on the motorcycle with good air conditioning and proper safety equipment. The easily removable, wind-protecting softshell jacket is also an excellent companion for city strolls and outdoor activities.

This is how MOTORRAD tests

Shock absorption test
Based on the CE standard 1621-1 / 2, MOTORRAD had the shock absorption values ​​of the correspondingly designated protectors checked by TuV Rheinland. The measured residual force as an average value must not exceed 35 kilonewtons (kN); a single impact must not exceed 50 kN. There were also deductions if the determined increase in force was too steep or if the recommended protector size was not used in accordance with the size of the suit.

Practical test
On a defined test lap in southern Provence with very different quality and curvy roads, speed routes and pass drives, differences in fit, comfort and air conditioning quickly become apparent. The testers assessed workmanship, equipment and their practical suitability after extensive inspection in a group discussion.

The tops and flops

A perfect fit of the protectors (BMW) is extremely important. At BMW, the protectors enclose the joints in an exemplary manner.

Suspenders (Halvarssons, Rukka, Spidi) may look a bit stuffy, but they ensure a better fit of the trousers, which are usually heavy.

Large outer pockets (Dainese) are more accessible and ideally waterproof.

Only large air inlets that are not underlaid by a membrane (BMW, Halvarssons, Rukka, Stadler) ensure good cooling in midsummer.

A detachable warm collar (Rukka, Stadler) is not a gimmick, but is part of the perfect equipment for all-rounders.

Upper class station wagons without full protectors (Dainese, Halvarssons, Kushitani, Rukka) or only for an extra charge.

Fiddly or non-existent coupling options for jacket and pants (BMW, Dainese).

Due to the cut, BMW and Spidi allow some water to penetrate, although the membranes are tight.

A collar that is cut too wide (BMW, Hein Gericke) means drafts on the neck. Very uncomfortable.

The glove cuffs are difficult to accommodate in the cuffs of the Kushitani.

Conclusion

It is hardly surprising that seven of the eight top agents do well to very well overall, since they were trained for difficult assignments. Except for the poorly cushioning hard shell protectors at Dainese, there are no disturbing defects to be found. However, some manufacturers should generally pay more attention to the safety equipment, because in this league you can expect a full range of protectors with brilliant shock absorption. And only the BMW station wagon meets this requirement. Even if you don’t have a dangerous mission to complete with the motorcycle you don’t live twice.

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