Product test: long-distance travel textile suits

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Product test: long-distance travel textile suits
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Station wagons, jackets & pants

Product test: long-distance travel textile suits

Product test: long-distance travel textile suits
Long-distance travel textile suits in the test

Fine drizzle in the German province, cold wind at the top of the pass at Alpencross, shimmering heat over southern European coastal roads. Anyone who travels far needs a suit that does not result in a personal climate catastrophe. MOTORRAD examined 13 textile suits between 500 and 700 euros for their travel qualities.

Jorg Lohse

04/15/2010

It’s the field in which everyone wants to get involved. Not exactly cheap, but certainly not too expensive. The widest possible benefit. Suitable for the Alps as well as for the North Cape. Just as suitable for cruising through Wanne-Eickel as for sightseeing in Rome. The suit for all occasions. If it were a motorcycle, it would be called the Suzuki Bandit. There is no magic formula for developers. Or is it??

Sure, there is the famous lowest common denominator that can be found in all textile suits in this test: A wind-, waterproof, breathable climate membrane is definitely part of the equipment package of the suit.

Even more? Hardly. Opinions are already divided when it comes to the protectors. Most rely on the standard equipment: shoulders, elbows and knees are provided with CE-compliant protective pads. Only a few have protection for their backs on board. On purpose? “Many customers”, explains the press spokesman for a manufacturer, “already have a back protector to strap on. So the added value would not be worth it.” There is also disagreement about the hips.

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Often provided with alibi foam cushions, the retrofitting usually has to be done by the customer himself. Viewed badly, the manufacturers of motorcycle clothing seem to take the point of view that a two-point belt in a car also serves its purpose. There only needs to be three-point solutions or even airbags if the customer persistently insists on them. Such thinking seems to be quite antiquated in 2010, 13 years after the introduction of the first protector standard.

There is also disagreement about the pairing of jacket and pants. A circumferential zipper has advantages. Not only that the jacket cannot slide up dangerously in the event of a fall. Advantages can already be felt in everyday use, as annoying draft pockets are effectively stuffed. In general, the long zipper is closed much faster than this short, usually extremely fiddly piece on the back.

Speaking of fumbling, decent bikers should really be able to do that. How else can it be explained that the zippers are provided with microscopic zippers that are hard to grasp even with the thinnest summer glove. Just a short note for the minutes of the product developers reading along here. After all, you have created an all-weather combination for which the appropriate gloves are usually a bit thicker. Illustrative examples of really well-made zippers can be found on suits from Dainese and Rev‘it. With everyone else, you get the feeling that you didn’t really agree on whether you want to be practical or win the world championship in filigree construction.

Fictional question from the readership: How many product developers have actually sat on a motorcycle before? Honest answer: I think you don’t even want to know! Of course, as a clever kilometer eater, you know that glove cuffs belong under the sleeves and trouser legs over the boots. This was basically possible in this test field. But with models where this procedure could only be mastered with a bang, one believes in a pure coincidence rather than that it was planned by the designer.

After all, it doesn’t matter where the soup goes: if your jacket and pants are already under water in the rain, it doesn’t matter anymore if gloves and boots follow suit. Let’s turn the page at this point and take up the positive aspects. Ideas that deserve to be part of the basic package of a solid touring suit one day (hopefully in the not too distant future). Such as the rubberized leg ends on the Vanucci station wagon. Literally adheres to the boot, the pant leg does not slide up, drafts and splash water are literally locked out. A good measure. Please do it! The same applies to the Stormcuff cuffs on the sleeves of the Dane suit. An effective labyrinth system to integrate glove cuffs. Which zipper goes where? Hein Gericke makes it easy for the front and colors what really belongs together. Sounds simple and is a great idea. Some others should warm up to this.

Overview: trips of the MOTORRAD action team

Just like for the wide, extremely eye-catching reflective stripes on the Rev‘it jacket and pants. It would be nice if this beam of light were picked up by other developers. The majority of motorcycle travelers are Minimax types who value multifunctionality. So the idea from Buse to design the thermal lining in the form of an independently wearable fleece jacket was clever. Saves luggage and is always practical – whether while having a snack on the top of the pass or strolling along the beach promenade in the evening. Last hit: the front closure of the Macna jacket. Cannot be shrunk in the wetness test, but can be easily removed if necessary and guarantees an ample supply of fresh air.

Finally, the tip remains when buying. Take not only time and patience to try on, but also helmet, gloves and boots with you (or use the assortment in the store) and see whether it fits without pinching. You are on the very safe side when your vehicle is parked in front of the shop and dry runs in the saddle provide the ultimate certainty: With this combination, the journey will actually be a success.

Conclusion:


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


Lohse

Jorg Lohse (40), test editor, on the test result

No question about it, most of the test candidates are of a high standard. It is all the more annoying that ultra-comfortable suits fail miserably in terms of moisture protection. It is less about the quality of the climate membrane used. As a rule, it is badly designed closures and cover strips that give way and spread more humid than happy mood. Only four of the 13 suits made it through. We urgently need to work on this lousy quota.

Alpinestars Scout Touring


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Alpinestars Scout Touring

providers: Alpinestars, Tel. 0039-0423 / 5286, www.alpinestars.com

price: Jacket 289.95 euros, pants 219.95 euros, set 509.90 euros

Sizes: Jacket S to 4XL, trousers S to 3XL

To dye: Black / Anthracite, Black / Beige, Black / White

Weight: 3.8 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
Overall very tight and inelastic. Presses on the collar and cuts into the armpits. The jacket and trousers slide far up during the journey and flutter from a speed of 130.

Security:
Shoulders, elbows and knees are equipped with CE protectors, the protection can be extended to the chest, back and hips. The broad reflective stripes on the trousers are largely overlapped by the jacket. Good: the all-round connection zip.

Weather protection:
The removable thermal lining warms very well on cold days. The ventilation zips, on the other hand, are only poorly effective. Glove cuffs and boots can be integrated well, but in the wetness test, abundant water seeps into the inside of the suit via the front fastener within a very short time.

Equipment and processing:
Qualitatively no weaknesses, although the pants have the charm of lined rain pants. Few features except for the thermal collar.

Conclusion:
Sporty cut combination without real highlights and without real comfort. Small extras such as the integrated thermal collar are annoying when you put them on due to their complicated handling. And the front closure gives up all too quickly in the wet test.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Buse STX Pro


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Buse STX Pro

providers: Buse, Tel. 02471/12690, www.buese.com

price: Jacket 299.95 euros, trousers 229.95 euros, set 529.90 euros

Sizes: 48 to 64, trousers available in short and long sizes

To dye: Black / anthracite, black / gray

Weight: 4.1 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Comfortable cut, but overall the suit could fit more figure-hugging. Particularly annoying: the jacket slides high up while driving.

Security:
CE protectors are designed to protect shoulders, elbows and knees, but do not cover them adequately and slip quickly. The back and hips can be retrofitted. Good: the very eye-catching reflector equipment and the all-round connection zipper.

Weather protection:
Thanks to the integrated fleece jacket, you are well equipped against cold winds in the Buse suit. The collar is also windproof. In terms of ventilation, however, nothing is offered. But the main weak point is the protection against rain. In the wetness test, the water makes its way through a badly placed front closure.

Equipment and processing:
The high-quality material mix of Cordura outer fabric and climate membrane from Sympatex are joined by practical details such as easily usable pockets in a waterproof design and the all-round successful, practical width adjustment.

Conclusion:
Solidly made touring suit, which is convincing in terms of equipment and design, but fails in the climate protocol: Severe failure in the wetness test, ventilation options for hot summer days are not even available.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Dainese 500 GT / D system


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Dainese 500 GT / D system

providers: Dainese, Tel. 089/35827270, www.dainese.de

price: Jacket 309 euros, pants 219 euros, set 528 euros

Sizes: Jacket 44 to 64, pants 44 to 60

To dye: Black, Black / Gray, Black / Blue, Black / Red, Black / Anthracite, Anthracite

Weight: 3.9 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Top. The combination is tightly tailored and sits absolutely comfortably without constricting at any point.

Security:
CE-standardized joint protectors with a precise, well-encompassing fit are provided on the shoulders, elbows and knees. A protector can be retrofitted on the back, but not on the thinly padded hip. Jacket and pants can be connected with a circumferential zipper. Rather poor: the signaling effect of the reflective logos.

Weather protection:
The wind protection is excellently solved up to the high and tightly closing collar. The insulating effect of the removable thermal lining is great. Air inlets are only available on the thighs – but with a good effect here. On the other hand, the moisture protection is inadequate: the poorly placed front closure cannot really stop rain.

Equipment and processing:
Simple structure, but the combination can shine in detail with functional extras (zippers, width adjusters) and a noble finish.

Conclusion:
Crisp, tight-fitting and at the same time absolutely comfortable touring suit with very good wind protection, excellently positioned protectors and the best workmanship. Anything but excellent: the miserable moisture protection.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Dane Halsted / Nyborg III


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Dane Halsted / Nyborg III

providers: Motoport, Tel. 04451/915200, www.motoport.de

price: Jacket 379 euros, pants 279 euros, set 658 euros

Sizes: Jacket 48 to 60 (men) and 36 to 46 (women), trousers 48 to 64 (men) and 36 to 48L (women) as well as short and long sizes

To dye: Black / gray, black / red, silver gray / black

Weight: 3.6 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Great, body-hugging cut. Absolutely comfortable to wear, does not constrict, does not pinch anywhere.

Security:
CE protectors made of anachronistic and stubborn material (hard foam) on shoulders, elbows and knees. An update is announced here. The back and hips can be retrofitted. Reflector equipment overall very poor, jacket and trousers can only be connected via an uncomfortable seat bridge or short zipper.

Weather protection:
Withstands the wetness test with flying colors. Not only does it hold absolutely tight, it also enables the waterproof integration of boots and glove cuffs. A special plus point here: the windproof sleeve cuffs. The removable thermal lining warms enough, what is missing is comfortable ventilation for hot summer days.

Equipment and processing:
Easily accessible pockets, practical width adjustment, everything in good quality.

Conclusion:
Sporty travel suit with high comfort padding. Can stand out convincingly, especially in bad weather conditions. In the chapter on safety, there is, however, potential for expansion with protectors, reflectors and couplings.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Halvarsson’s Proximo / Zen


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Halvarsson’s Proximo / Zen

providers: Jofama, Tel. 0171/7747771, www.jofama.se

price: Jacket 319 euros, pants 279 euros, set 598 euros

Sizes: Jacket 48 to 66, trousers 48 to 62 (men) and 36 to 46 (women) as well as short and long sizes

To dye: Black / Gray, Black / White / Red

Weight: 4.4 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Crisp and comfortable pants, but the jackets are annoyed by the wide cut with the particularly protruding shoulders.

Security:
Shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are fitted with well-enclosing CE protectors, the back can be retrofitted. Jacket and trousers can be linked with a circumferential zipper, the economical reflector equipment is not a particular highlight.

Weather protection:
The high-quality Outlast lining is comfortable to wear, but can offer little in terms of insulation. It’s especially drafty on the collar. The moisture protection is very poor: water ingress at the front fastener, and the sleeves and collar quickly become damp.

Equipment and processing:
Attractive details such as rubberized, non-slip zippers. That fits.

Conclusion:
Overall too casual-fitting touring suit. The jacket clearly lacks the firm, firm fit of the trousers. When driving in the rain or in cool temperatures, the Swedish station wagon does not offer enough reserves. Good design doesn’t help either.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Hein Gericke Journey II GTX


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Hein Gericke Journey II GTX

providers: Hein Gericke, Tel. 0180/5229522, www.hein-gericke.de

price: Jacket 329.95 euros, trousers 229.95 euros, set 559.90 euros

Sizes: Jacket 50 to 60, pants 48 to 58

colour: Black

Weight: 4.1 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Somewhat comfortable when slipping in, but on the motorcycle it pinches all corners and ends. Particularly annoying: tight collar and trouser legs that slide far up.

Security:
This is where the Gericke suit collects plus points: in addition to shoulders, elbows and knees, the back is also equipped with CE protectors, and the hips can be retrofitted. The positioning is okay overall. Jacket and pants can be connected with a circumferential zipper. The reflector equipment is very poor.

Weather protection:
The touring combination showed no weakness in the wet test. The bags also remain waterproof. The degree of insulation is high, but is diminished by a slightly drafty sleeve area. Ventilation openings on the arm and back prevent heat build-up in summer.

Equipment and processing:
Many standard solutions, few highlights. That certain something is missing.

Conclusion:
Simple touring suit that scores above all with its excellent weather protection and even comes with a standard back protector. The bottom line is that there is a lack of decent comfort and smart extras.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

IXS Montevideo / Caracas


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

IXS Montevideo / Caracas

providers: Hostettler, Tel. 07631/18040, www.ixs.de

price: Jacket 339.90 euros, pants 269.90 euros, set 609.80 euros

Sizes: S to 5XL, trousers available in short and long sizes

To dye: Black / gray, sand / black; Sand / red / black, sand / blue / black

Weight: 4.5 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
Okay The jacket fits well, the trousers are very tight at the waist. Getting dressed turns into a fiddly test of patience.

Security:
The standard program. CE protectors in shoulders, elbows and knees. Back and hip protection can be retrofitted. Plus points are the all-round connection zipper and the wide, eye-catching reflective inserts.

Weather protection:
Broadly positioned. Effective thermal lining for cold days, large air inlets for hot summer trips. The climate membrane is completely removable, which promotes air throughput in summer. Annoying: In the wetness test, moisture creeps up inside the sleeves.

Equipment and processing:
With 15 outside and five inside pockets, the recommendation for storage space junkies. But be careful: only a few are really waterproof. The numerous width adjusters sometimes lack practical relevance when it comes to handling. When it comes to finish, they are at a high level.

Conclusion:
Solid touring suit with a sporty fit. It can easily cope with all climate zones, but weakens slightly when it comes to moisture protection. The equipment leaves little to be desired, but could be more practical (width adjuster, front closure).

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Lindstrands Graffiti / GI


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Lindstrands Graffiti / GI

providers: Jofama, Tel. 0171/7747771, www.jofama.se

price: Jacket 299 euros, pants 269 euros, set 568 euros

Sizes: Jacket S to 3XL, trousers S to 2XL

colour: Black

Weight: 5.0 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
What hangs on your body like a wet sack when you put it on, then mutates into a wild flutter during the journey. The many width adjusters are of little help in getting the Lindstrands suit into shape.

Security:
Shoulders, elbows, hips and knees are equipped with CE protectors. But there is a problem with the stable seat. A back protector can be retrofitted. Jacket and trousers can be linked with a circumferential zipper. The very black station wagon would look good on more noticeable reflectors.

Weather protection:
The Outlast lining is comfortable to wear, but insulates too weakly – nothing for those who constantly freeze. On the other hand, the ventilation works very well. The moisture protection requires a meticulously closed front, with the slightest negligence there is a risk of water ingress.

Equipment and processing:
Practical pockets, handy zippers. The design is great.

Conclusion:
Plush touring suit, which can score with strong ventilation, especially in midsummer. Big drawbacks, however, are the too wide cut and the tendency to flutter at high speed. The detailed equipment, however, is very good.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Macna Geo / Ranger


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Macna Geo / Ranger

providers: Dieter Braun, Tel. 07322/22509, www.dieterbraun.de

price: Jacket 299 euros, pants 269.90 euros, set 558 euros

Sizes: S to 3XL, trousers available in long sizes

To dye: Black / gray / white, black / red / white, brown / white / beige, neon yellow / black / beige

Weight: 4.5 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
If only it weren’t for this awkward putting on: The front fastener proves to be extremely fiddly, to make matters worse, the magnetic button on the collar pops open again and again, and the bulging sleeves make it difficult to accommodate the glove cuffs. The fit is good, only the waistband could be higher.

Security:
Standard program. CE protection on shoulders, elbows and knees, back and hips can be retrofitted. The protectors enclose the joints well. Coupling is only possible with a short zip. Much better: eye-catching, reflective prints plus the option of retrofitting a safety vest.

Weather protection:
The broadband suit in the test: Warms well, holds absolutely tight in the wet test and can be converted into an airy summer suit with a removable climate membrane and removable front part.

Equipment and processing:
Lots of extras, well processed Great value for money.

Conclusion:
Except for the complicated handling when putting on and taking off, a successful combination. Can be used on cold days as well as in midsummer and can withstand rain showers without complaint.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

MOTORCYCLE buyer’s tip

Modeka Melville Pro / Quebece Pro


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Modeka Melville Pro / Quebece Pro

providers: Beckumer Leder-Bekleidungswerk, Tel. 02521/850322, www.modeka.de

price: Jacket 299.90 euros, pants 169.95 euros, set 469.85 euros

Sizes: XS to 4XL, pants available in short and long sizes

colour: Black

Weight: 4.9 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
Except for the bulky reinforcement in the seating area, it is a comfortable, tightly fitting combination. A special plus point: the easy to use width adjustment. The front can also be closed easily and quickly.

Security:
Shoulders, elbows and knees are equipped with protectors, but they are not optimally placed. The Alibi padding on the hips and back can be exchanged for solid CE protection. There is a long connection zip to connect jacket and trousers. The reflector performance is good average.

Weather protection:
Despite the thermal lining, annoying drafts can be felt all the time on the rump and in the hip area. Summer tourists are happy about what is annoying in winter: the ventilation ensures a pleasant indoor climate on hot days. In the wetness test, there were small failures on the left sleeve.

Equipment and processing:
Leather reinforcements, dirt-repellent fabric: a good package.

Conclusion:
The bottom line is that the cheapest combination in the test shows a good overall performance. Nevertheless, some fine tuning would be desirable. The protectors could be positioned more precisely and the overall insulation effect is too weak.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Polo Pharaoh III rally


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Polo Pharaoh III rally

providers: polo Express delivery, Tel. 0180/5225785, www.polo-motorrad.de

price: Jacket 299.95 euros, pants 249.95 euros, set 549.90 euros

Sizes: Jacket M to 3XL (men) and S to L (women). Pants in S to XXL (men)

colour: Black, Black / Red / White, Black / Blue / White

Weight: 5.4 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
Sits very clumsy, tight at the armpits and back and thick. The robust design is at the expense of comfort.

Security:
In addition to the usual shoulder, elbow and knee protectors, the Pharao III’s back is also equipped with CE-compliant protection, and the hips can be retrofitted. The seat is okay except for the uncomfortably squeezing elbow protectors. Jacket and trousers can only be connected via an uncomfortable seat bridge or short zipper. Good: the eye-catching reflex insert on the back.

Weather protection:
In the wetness test, the deep and protruding collar is noticeable, through which water seeps into the suit. The wind also paves its way at this point. Otherwise the station wagon is sufficiently insulated. Particularly pleasant: the soft cuffs. Very good ventilation function.

Equipment and processing:
Rubberized zippers, lots of pockets. Neatly processed.

Conclusion:
Lavishly stocked touring suit in globetrotter style. Not only does it look like heavy equipment, it is also correspondingly heavy to carry. Above all, it can score with its appearance and many practical details, but should improve on weather protection.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Rev’it sand


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Rev’it sand

providers: Rev’it, Tel. 0031-412 / 696740, www.revit.eu

price: Jacket 299.95 euros, pants 219.95 euros, set 519.90 euros

Sizes: S to XZL (corresponds to 4XL), trousers available in short and long sizes

colour: Black / Silver, Silver / Red, Silver / Black, Safari / Black

Weight: 4.0 kilograms (size L)

Fit and comfort:
Great cut: jacket and pants are tight, but in no way restrictive. Top marks in terms of comfort.

Security:
Shoulders, elbows and knees are protected by correctly and non-slip positioned protectors, hips and back can be retrofitted at an additional cost. Jacket and pants can be connected with a long zipper. The laminated reflective prints can be very conspicuous in poor visibility and darkness.

Weather protection:
Rain or sun? No problem for the Rev’it combination. The wetness test is mastered with flying colors. The removable thermal lining warms well on cold days, and in summer a comfortable interior climate can be created with the removable membrane jacket and large air inlets.

Equipment and processing:
A multitude of practical details, plus a first-class finish.

Conclusion:
Fashionable, sporty, versatile, functional. The Rev’it Sand shows a great performance in all categories. And best of all: at around 520 euros, the touring suit is available for all occasions at a particularly affordable price. It can be that simple.

MOTORRAD verdict: very good

MOTORCYCLE test winner

Vanucci HiRider


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

Vanucci HiRider

providers: Detlev Louis, Tel. 04073419360, www.louis.de

Price (men’s set): Jacket 359.95 euros, pants 309.95 euros, set 669.90 euros

Sizes: 48 to 58 (men) and 36 to 42 (women)

colour: Black

Weight: 4.0 kilograms (size 52)

Fit and comfort:
Sits crisp, sporty and at the same time absolutely comfortable. At most, there are small losses in comfort when putting them on (foot quickly gets caught in the lining).

Security:
Shoulders, elbows and knees are enclosed by precisely positioned CE protectors, and hips and back can also be fitted if required. Small drawback when pairing: While there are short and long zippers on the trousers, the jacket only has the short counterpart. To compensate, the very black combination was given eye-catching reflective prints.

Weather protection:
The thin Outlast lining feels very comfortable when worn with thin functional underwear and also provides sufficient insulation. The ventilation is noticeable, but does not reach the level of effectiveness of other suits in the test. During the wetness test, water penetrates through the front fastener.

Equipment and processing:
High-quality equipment is hidden under the simple structure.

Conclusion:
Ultra-stable touring suit made of a pleasantly grippy fabric. Can especially appeal to fast tourists due to the snappy fit. The overall good overall picture is clouded by the poor performance in the wetness test.

MOTORRAD verdict: good

A good travel combination has to do that


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


mps photo studio

With the right combination, Rainer is also happy.

Weather protection:
A waterproof fabric is part of the basic equipment. Particularly practical for hot summer days: when the climate membrane can be completely removed.

Ventilation:
Essential when touring hot beach boulevards. But it must be positioned in sensible places (especially shoulders, sleeves, thighs).

Insulation:
Indispensable when it comes to high passes. Smart: when a separately usable fleece jacket takes over the cold protection.

Width adjuster:
Without a thermal lining, the combination can quickly mutate into an annoying flutter man. Make sure that the width adjusters can be used in a practical manner and are easy to grip.

Arm and leg ends:
Gloves go under the sleeves, boots under the trouser legs. Here the station wagon should not only open wide, but also close just as tightly.

Collar:
If the collar is too low or too wide, wind and water will flow into the suit. A high collar constantly rubs against the helmet. Try on helmet and scarf.

Closures:
A cumbersome or too complex front labyrinth leads to negligence, and when it rains there is a risk of water ingress.

Connection zipper:
An all-round zipper on jacket and trousers is great, but often still in short supply in textile suits. Uncomfortable and impractical: short lengths or a seat bridge.

A look at the test protocol


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


Herder

Print from the front: Wetness test with a Karcher professional device.

Test laps on sun-drenched provincial roads as well as heavy artillery simulating driving in the rain: the textile suits of the upper middle class were put to the test. The criteria in detail:

Fit and comfort:
The testers set out on the Honda Transalp and Kawasaki Z 1000 and evaluated the combinations in two different sizes in practice: Are the arm and leg lengths sufficient, does the collar squeeze, does it tighten on the back, does it pinch when sitting? Does the suit hang like a wet sack on the body or does it follow all movements smoothly when swinging briskly?

Security:
How is accident protection going? The protectors (type, correct fit) were assessed as well as the connection options for jacket and trousers as well as reflective equipment.

Weather protection:
How well is the station wagon insulated and how well ventilated? For the wetness test, a heavy rain shower was simulated using a high pressure jet.

Processing and equipment:
What is the quality, what are the details (fasteners, pockets), what smart extras are offered?

Tips and Tricks


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


archive

In the long term, only the right care can help against bad weather.

The right textile combination care:
Washing is still one of the big taboo topics in biker circles. Whether that stems from the old days, when a habit only counted when it stood by itself? In the case of functional clothing, doing without it can quickly have damp consequences, because dirt and road dust really add to the wafer-thin and correspondingly sensitive climate membrane film. Basically: it is better to wash often and with little detergent than the other way around. A look at the label shows: Almost every suit can be washed in the washing machine – ideally with commercially available liquid mild detergents. Before doing this, however, all protectors must be removed. Fabric softeners attack the membrane and are taboo. It is better to use an extra rinse cycle. Should it be allowed according to the care instructions: Put the clean suit in the dryer, this refreshes the impregnation just like ironing. However, it is more effective to treat the outer fabric from time to time with a waterproofing spray.

Protector vest including back protection


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


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Protector vest from Dainese

Anyone who, as an old leather junkie, still reaches for the multifunctional textile suit at some point will be shocked to discover: Protectors are available, but they never stay in place during an uncontrolled departure! Indeed, there is a risk that the protectors can move too quickly and expose the joint, even with the most expensive textile suits. This is annoying, especially since the level of the built-in protectors was very high in this test. All the more annoying that the theoretically possible protective function fizzles out ineffectively in an emergency. In most cases, the elbow pads can still be fixed to some extent using the width adjusters, but this is usually not possible or only possible to a very limited extent with the shoulders and knees that are at risk. Therefore, at this point, the tip for very personal fine-tuning: get out of your jacket with the protectors. Instead, the grip on a tight-fitting protector vest including back protection that is comfortable to wear.

Functional underwear


Product test: long-distance travel textile suits


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X-Bionic Beaver Performed Shirt

The picture is commonplace: At the meeting point, you peel off your jacket, underneath you can see the completely sweaty T-shirt. Cotton is absolutely taboo if you want to take full advantage of the climate membranes built into textile jackets and trousers. In this test, the functional underwear Bikers Top Perform (for polo, set approx. 210 euros) proved its worth. On cold days, you can also slip on the X-Bionic Biber Performed Shirt (in specialist sports shops, from around 170 euros).

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