Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Mon, 22/08/2011 - 23:10
I have an older Rukka jacket/pants combo which are the best, most comfortable, most thought-out and usable gear I own. But the model I have isn't made anymore (not sure but I think it was called Athos) and by fall it'll be due for a change. (It's too warm for summer anyway.)
My dealer is trying to convince me to go for the Rukka SRO Edison. It's horribly expensive! And it would be a special order as even on the web I haven't found anyone who stocks it. It's supposed to be Rukka's absolutely best gear.
I just don't get it though... The less-expensive Armas model appears to have technically better fabric and more of it than the SRO Edison. My dealer is telling me that the protective pad inserts on the SRO are of such state-of-the-art quality and safety that nothing else even comes close. But I can't find any reviews or any information that really would make me believe that. If it's true, then I'd think they'd use the fabric construction of the Armas and the pads of the SRO.
It's a LOT of money! I mean a freakin' LOT of money!
Does anyone have experience or real information about the difference between these two models? I'm ready to spring for the Armas and would kick myself if the SRO is really better and "worth the money" over it. Hopefully it's not a purchase that you make more often than once ever 5 or more years.
Thanks!
Tue, 23/08/2011 - 15:06
#2
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Hi Eldor, I ordered my Rukka Armas jacket and trousers a couple of months ago from a website here in Deutschland, biker-land.de, but I wanted the longer leg C3 trouser so they in turn ordered it from Rukka in Finland.
Talk to Tina at Info@biker-land.de - she also speaks good English.
The prices are the best I found by far, at least €100 less for both jacket and trouser than louis.de, a discount retailer here.
Interesting fact that the UK prices for new Rukka gear are in GB pounds from UK sites far more than they are in €uros.
The Armas stuff is really good, if a bit hot in this sweltering weather we're having at the moment. And it's totally, completely waterproof.
P
Tue, 23/08/2011 - 16:35
#3
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Thanks very much, Pete! I've just sent Tina an email.
Where in the world are you? (Talking about sweltering weather you're having.)
I have good hot-weather gear (BMW Airflow 4 jacket and pants) and my older model Rukka gear is due for a change. The Armas will be for our fall and spring colder seasons here in Montreal Canada.
Cheers!
Tue, 23/08/2011 - 16:42
#4
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Also I thought that Armas was the top line from Rukka, I hadn't heard of Edison. It must have it's own lighting system, to be more expensive.
Ahem.
P
Tue, 23/08/2011 - 16:46
#5
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Where in the world are you? (Talking about sweltering weather you're having.)
We're in beautiful Bavaria, where the weather has been ordered to obey the seasons, so we have proper Winter, Spring and Autumn. It sometimes declares a revolutionary break-up in the Federation in Summer, as in 2 weeks ago, but it has been ordered back into line now and it's hot.
P
Tue, 23/08/2011 - 16:57
#6
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Also I thought that Armas was the top line from Rukka, I hadn't heard of Edison. It must have it's own lighting system, to be more expensive.
Ahem.
P
Ahem.
P
Good one!
What the SRO Edison has that no other model has, is a new kind of protective pad developed by Dupont. Supposed to be incredible, but gee, what a price!
It looks to me as if Rukka controls the pricing of their products very strictly... at least based on the prices on that link you gave me, they're not very much different from what I've already found. And that's with the removal of the VAT that happens once you create an account with them and log in. We'll see if Tina replies with any better news.
Bavaria. You're a lucky man! Gorgeous area. It's been many years since I was in that area but I have made it to Frankfurt a few times lately.
Cheers!
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 09:57
#7
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
I've worn Rukka for about the last ten years - starting with the original SRO suit in 2002.
It's all top quality, best of breed stuff and as you've found out, the price is matched to suit (the suit)!
I've got the Arma S now, and the SuperFabric is fantastic. One thing with it though, you need to be mindful of paintwork as the ceramic beeds will scuff it even if you brush lightly against a pannier, for example. I have to be v careful putting tension on the RT's panniers for that reason.
I've seen that Hein Gericke are advertising a similar product to Super Fabric, and I had a look at a jacket with it on - it's not the same, nowhere near as tough.
Although Rukka is about as watertight as a sharks bum, the new Lock-Out zip they're using has been a pita for me. You need to keep it lubricated using a special pen, and if you forget (or in my case they didnt know about it when I bought it) it can snag and damage the fastening permantely, requiring a repair back at Rukka/Goretex.
One real plus point for Rukka though is their warranty. They stick to it and keep you happy. As I said at the top, I bought the SRO, full price about ten years ago. Since then I've had three new suits, all sorted out under warranty claims or through fractional 'cost' only payments. Keeping a really good relationship with my friendly dealer paid off, which is something you cant do online unfortunately.
Mike
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 14:11
#8
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Thanks for your comments, Mike.
I'm still going back and forth on whether to go with the Armas or SRO Edison. I can get a pretty good deal on the Edison making it not much more expensive than the Armas. And that has me wondering if Rukka is about to replace it with something else.
You mention "Arma S"... do you mean the "Armas" or is that a different model?
What's your opinion about the SRO Edison versus the Armas?
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 16:19
#9
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Eldor
I had the same decision to make last Christmas, until I found Biker-Land Germany offering the updated SRO at a price between the two. I went for that one as it has chest armour and I was suspicious about the replacement technology for the zip.
+1 on Biker Land & Tina, they answered a number of questions and provided excellent customer support when a zip on the trousers broke (ironically). Their prices were alot better than anyone else and their after sales is good too.
Rukka is excellent quality & waterproof (very important in England as the weather obeys neither the seasons or men riding motorbikes?.
The 5 year guarantee is a bonus, if you order gloves as well I found they were too small and had to go up a size, perhaps should even have gone up two sizes. Until now I have been a bit of an e-bay kit tart, Aerostich one piece, Aerostich summer gear, KTM stuff - now I don't even look so for me it's probably saved me from spending ££ on alternative kit to compensate for the shortcomings of previous purchases (mainly not waterproof enough, uncomfortable, falling apart with use).
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 17:22
#10
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
According to the Rukka website, only the Armas is fully rated to the CE standard for Personal Protective Equipment. My guess is that the Edison's construction meets it, but hasn't been submitted for testing.
If you fancy asking Rukka a pointed question, then I'd enquire about that.
The Edison's protectors meet level 2 of the CE standard, whereas the Armas's are level 1. Roughly, level 1 corresponds to low speed offs, whereas level 2 is for high speed accidents. Given the choice I'd opt for the latter.
I got knocked off my bike a few weeks ago. I've got Forcefield Level 2 pads fitted, and I didn't feel a thing when my knee hit the ground at around 30 mph / 50 km/h. I was uninjured barring a small bruise.
That would swing me towards the Edison, though I'd want to check on the construction. The CE standard contains a load of things about abrasion resistance and seam strength. If the Edison has been downgraded in one of these areas then I'd buy an Armas and get a new set of pads for it.
Eldor, how are you getting along with the big K? You haven't posted much recently.
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 18:52
#11
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
According to the Rukka website, only the Armas is fully rated to the CE standard for Personal Protective Equipment. My guess is that the Edison's construction meets it, but hasn't been submitted for testing.
Where did you see that? I've searched the Rukka website and the only mention of the CE standards that their products meet are about the protectors used. The SRO Edison: "-APS air Protectors meet the requirements of CE Norm EN1621-1 and EN1621-2", while the Armas is only "- RVP air Protectors meet the requirements of CE Norm EN 1621-1".
In any case, I've just found out that the SRO Edison is being replaced next year. I've located a suit in my size at a pretty good price but now I've got to decide whether I want the Armas which isn't being replaced, or the Edison which is.
I got knocked off my bike a few weeks ago. I've got Forcefield Level 2 pads fitted, and I didn't feel a thing when my knee hit the ground at around 30 mph / 50 km/h. I was uninjured barring a small bruise.
Wow! You are lucky. Good thing you didn't get hurt. How about the bike?
Eldor, how are you getting along with the big K? You haven't posted much recently.
I LOVE my KGT!! I also have a Tiger 800 (road w/ABS). I use the Tiger for commuting and the BMW for longer trips. I've been hanging out more on dedicated BMW and Triumph boards lately. If you have any interest in reading my last trip report (with a fall of my own at the end) from a week ago, here's the link:
http://www.i-bmw.com/showthread.php?t=35841
Cheers!
Wed, 24/08/2011 - 19:15
#12
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
The Armas page on the Rukka website contains the CE approved logo, though I might be reading too much into it. None of the other garments show it.
Does it matter whether or not the garment will be for sale next year? If you prefer the Edison to the Armas then it might make sense to get it.
I agree that I was lucky in my accident. The bike took it well, and escaped without scratching. My wallet might not be, as the driver blames me for changing lanes and riding into her car.
I'll have to take a look at your trip. Glad you're enjoying the K.
Thu, 25/08/2011 - 17:27
#13
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
I would recommend you also look at Halvarssons kit. I bought some last year and have found it to be excellent all-weather gear that also has a certain amount of style (if that's important to you!).
Thu, 25/08/2011 - 17:56
#14
Re: Rukka SRO Edison vs. Armas?
Motoloco, I'm in Canada and as far as I know, Halvarssons are not available in North America. I'm not going to order something like this without having seen it first or more importantly having tried it on. I made that mistake once (buying Motoport clothing over the web) and I'm not going to do that again.
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