Looking for a clothing shop near me - Maidstone, Kent

[jimimak]

Ive been riding a MT-125 for quite a while - regularly commuting to canary wharf from Maidstone and have some ok'ish Richa gear - the jackets the Airstream 2, and matching trousers. They're plenty warm enough for the commute when its dry - especially with a Keis heated jacket when its really cold but most of the time the thermal jacket is more than enough. I also have cheap Oxford flouro rain jacket I wear over the top when I commute - not only to be seen but also to act as an additional waterproof/windproof layer but also to take the worst of the crap off the road when it rains - the over jackets easier to wash or I guess replace when I need to.

 

Ive now passed my full license and have bought a new CBR650R and plan on using it to occasionally commute and of course for fun.

 

Next on my list is to get some new decent gear to go with it. Was thinking of a vented 2-piece leather suit for when it gets warmer, but struggling to find anything that fits so looking for some help. Im a fairly big chap - 6'2 and 17st - more athletic than lardy and I have really long arms and I'm really struggling to find anything to fit properly. To be honest I only know of a couple of local shops - J & S and Laguna - both in Maidstone. To be fair they've been really helpful and have a lot of stock, but being on the bigger end of the spectrum there isnt much to try on in stock. They have offered to get more sizes in, but havent yet taken them up on their offer as I dont want to mess them about.

 

Can anyone recommend any other larger well stocked shops in or near Kent/London that might stock clothing for the larger gent.

 

Also, someone mentioned not to get a 2-piece suit if I wanted to do a track-day - ive looked at a few which seem to have a zip most of the way round - all bar 6 inches at the very front - but the info on the track day sites just say it needs a full zip - does that literally mean a it needs a zip all the way round without any gap ?  ...if so are there any 2 piece suits like that ?  

 

Failing that - are there any options for getting some custom made leathers as I can see me having a nightmare finding something to fit properly.

 

And one final thing, is it worth upgrading the Richa gear - its not Gortex and I notice if it does rain, although I stay dry I still get a little chilly - at least without the additional waterproof jacket. I think its because the water soaks into the fabric. The water doesnt go through but I guess the wind-chill cools the water down thats absorbed into the fabric. Would going the whole hog and buying Rukka Gortex gear really make a difference compared to the Richa stuff ?  ....or would I get just as good a result by re-proofing the Richa gear with Nikwax or something similar - ive had the Richa gear for quite a while now - so it could be the water repellent needs renewing like you need to on any waterproof jacket.

Edited January 5, 2022 by jimimak
typo

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

Sorry, can't help with most of your questions, but in terms of keeping warm just two comments.

 

First I find the base layers have more to do with staying warm than the outer layer. On really cold days I wear a sailing base layer designed to fit under a wetsuit. It is very thin but it does an  excellent job of trapping a layer of air next to the skin.

 

Second, I've never had much joy with waterproofing treatments. My textiles aren't 100% waterproof these days and do allow some cooling due to airflow. On wet / cold days I just put an Oxford waterproof jacket over the top. The extra layer works well, it's cheap, it takes most of the grime, and it keeps me dry. 

[Fish]

Get your backside into J&S in Maidstone. The guys in there will look after you properly, not selling anything that isn't right for the job. They'll work to your budget and the aftersales is top notch too.

[Guest]

Not Kent but Hideout in Essex do custom leathers.

Good base layers are a must, avoid synthetics, I recommend Woolpower from my years of working outside in every weather. If you intend to commute then rukka or similar goretex laminate is good but spendy. I prefer waterproof over clothing. I just use goretex hiking stuff so I can use on and off the bike but I don't regularly ride in crap weather.  A friend of mine commuted every day, wore two piece leathers and a waterproof oversuit for wet weather. I think that's more practical and better value.

[daveinlim]

Ive always found j&s to be great. Whenever I've been in the staff are all knowledgeable and helpful without being pushy for a sale.

 

For my commute I have the Oxford Harrington jacket and trousers with are laminate so they don't take on water like other fabric might. 

 

Infinity motorcycles is another, smaller company. Again, lots of choice and great people too but I think they are in Clapham.