FG/HG Comparo?

[Killtimer]

I like FG stuff. It fits me well and I like the quality/price balance. I know that FG and HG (Hein Gericke) are related and I've got a few hundred "Ralph Bucks" (inside Alberta reference) laying around so here's the question. Has anyone compared the two, FG Kili Air that's been discussed here, with the HG Timbuktu Air fit wise? I like a few of the features of the HG, and they're about the same price so I'm thinking of going this route. I'm betting they'll be equal in quality but comments on that are welcome too. Yes I've looked at the competition and I'm not interested..... it's between these two. ACL..... you've got both.... any comments?

[texxter]

Steve,
I bought a Timbuktu Air after considering both the FG Kili Air and the Timbuktu Air. I choose the Timbuktu for these reasons:

Better padding materials (CE-Approved Turtle Armor on the HG vs. Temperfoam material on the FG)
Better pricing ($199 (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=HG2000-01/02)vs. $229 (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/search_results.asp?txtsearchParamTxt=kilimanjaro&txtsearchParamCat=ALL&iLevel=1&txtsearchParamMan=ALL&txtsearchParamVen=ALL&txtFromSearch=fromSearch&txtsearchParamType=ALL)or $225 (http://www.newenough.com/hein_gericke_timbuktu_air_jacket_page.htm))
Looks - Kili Air design is a bit too busy for me, I like the simplicity of the Timbuktu
Hydration pocket system for 20 oz. botta-bladder (sold separately)I think both jackets are very good, but the Timbuktu seemed like a better value.

[Killtimer]

texxter

One of the reasons I'm leaning to the Timbuktu is that it appears to have water proof outer pockets while the Kili has mesh. Can you confirm this?

[texxter]

texxter

One of the reasons I'm leaning to the Timbuktu is that it appears to have water proof outer pockets while the Kili has mesh. Can you confirm this?

Steve, can't confirm which of the jackets has better performance when it comes to rain, in general, but the Timbuktu has solid pockets, not mesh, whereas the Kili Air has mesh material pockets. Chances are that even the Timbuktu pockets may not be completely waterproof, but I don't have data. For sure the stuff in your Kili Air pockets will get soaked in a downpour.

Good point.

[BrianB]

Steve,
I bought a Kili Air last summer. I can't compare to the Timbuktu, but the Kili is a great jacket, I would expect that the Timbuktu would be as well. I have only ridden through light showers with the Kili and yes, the outer pockets will get wet, but I stayed dry and warm with the liner in. The Kili seems to fit a bit big. I am at about the bottom end of the scale on the First Gear chart for a Large, which is what I ordered, but I think I might have fit in a medium/tall better. I think this jacket will become my main jacket for year round riding. Cool in 40C. summer heat, warm enough with vest, in late fall and with an outer rain shell over it would be just fine for any frog strangler.
In the end you make your choices, you live with the results:)

Brian

[Killtimer]

Thanks Guys,

I ordered the Timbuktu, mainly on the pocket issue. Now I wait. ;)

[Austin city limits]

ACL..... you've got both.... any comments?

Me??? I am tight lipped and rarely post but,,, just this once,,, for you... ;)

I think Texxter hit it 100%... I would have written the EXACT same thing as he,,, but,,, uuuhhh,,, just used more coma's and periods doing it... :D

I think I was the one that gave Texxter the heads up on the Hein Gericke last year... Glad he likes his as much as I like mine... :cool:

I think the Hein Gericke looks more like a Classic BMW jacket where the Firstgear looks like a great jacket but unless you get the all Black,,, a shade as Texxter hit it out again,,, "Busy"...

The Pockets??? Man,,, I don't keep anything in them much... And it is 17 degrees and late so I am not walking out to the shed tonight but I will put that on my list to look at...

Ok,,, why do I own 2,,, almost identical Air Jackets??? I am insane... AND,,, I bought the Firstgear off a guy who had received a Jacket with his bike when he bought it new... (((Got Helmet Gloves And Jacket as a Promotional thingy))) He wore it,,, 5 times and sold it to me... Someday,,, when they quit making Jackets completely,,, I won't look so crazy!!! :rolleyes:

[Putt]

Ok....
Who is this that is impersonating Terry???


Putt...


Me??? I am tight lipped and rarely post but,,, just this once,,, for you... ;)

:rolleyes:

[texxter]

I think I was the one that gave Texxter the heads up on the Hein Gericke last year... Glad he likes his as much as I like mine... :cool:

Yes, Terry, you did, and I am so glad you did! I love my Timbuktu and Cargo pants! Thank you, thank you, thank you! :bow1:

[Austin city limits]

I also have the Cargo Pants but just got them... They are going to replace my Hein Gericke Mesh-Tex pants which,,, I uuummm,,, have 2 pair...

AND,,, I rarely if ever buy stuff that is not on "Super Duper Price Mark-Down" or off friends,,, or off e-bay but paid the going rate at motorcyclecloseouts,,, which made them "Just" a good buy...

So,,, I HOPE THEY ARE GOOD!!!;)

[Eclipse327]

I'm getting a pair of Firstgear HT airs. I got one set in and they were 38 reg and I need 38 short, New enough is taking them back no prob. I just sent an e-mail to firstgear and they said the 06's are coming out in March. I asked what the dif was and they said the major dif is the manufacturer and a new zipper. They said the zipper has been a big problem in the past. Anyone else hear of this.:04biker: :04biker:

[Killtimer]

I've got a pair of the HT Air pants if that's what you're reffering to. Haven't had any zipper problems myself, but then I haven't worn them that much. Did they say which zipper it was? Outer shell or liner?

I heard from a dealer that the rights to FG in North America have changed hands twice in the last year. Now owned by Tucker Rocky.

[sherob]

IIRC, I thought the big gripe was the belt snap connection for those :confused:

[Eclipse327]

No, they didn't say which zipper was the problem.

[Fireball18]

I've had a pair of the HT mesh pants for 3 years now and the only problem I've had is that the black mesh material has developed a purplish tint due to exposure to the sunlight. No zipper problems.

I also recently bought a Kili Air jacket. I've only had the occasion to use it a couple of times, but so far I'm pleased with it. The quality is good, as is the fit. It seems to be warm, but the weather here has been cold, so I can't attest to its hot temp performance. I'm not sure just how busy it is, other than the color scheme. I reserve my FG Mesh Tex jacket for when it gets really hot out.