I noticed that Dainese gets a lot of love here, but I've seen almost no info on RS Taichi. In my search for good leather, these guys have come up, but very little information is available on the RS Taichi stuff. Does anybody here have a first hand comparison of the two?
Well, I think it's simply that they don't have much presence in the US, and the majority of the active folks on here are US based.
A quick scan of google lead me to only a couple place in the US selling their wears - way less than Dianese.
Sport Bike Track gear is one
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=RS+Taichi+ (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=RS+Taichi+)|+RS+Taichi+Suits+|+Gloves+|+Jackets
- and in one of their videos they mention that, until recently, there had not been the supply chain in place for Taichi to really have a retail presence in the US. But that's changed and SBTG has a lot of their stuff listed, and as always videos to go with.
I didn't find any side by side comparisions between the two brands. But SBTG does videos that run you through the suits. They also have one 'Why buy RS Taichi"
RS Taichi Leather Suits and Apparel from Sportbiketrackgear.com (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4FvAOt9lDM&feature=player_embedded#normal)
Thanks for posting that video, was new to me though I have seen some of the others. I'm mostly curious because of all the first hand use I've heard of RS Taichi, people have said that once they use them, they don't plan on going to another brand again. I've heard the same thing about Dainese.
The big difference being that a Dainese Delmar retails for $899 and the RS Taichi GMX retails for around $524. If they are of similar quality, that makes a real good argument for the RS Taichi, especially now that it is apparently becoming more available in the states.
Would be interesting to get them side by side and see where the differences are and if there's really almost $400 worth of additional value in a Del Mar. But the Del Mar is their top of the line, and has all the new bleeding edge stuff, which always has a premium price point. Just look at cell phones for examples of that. If you wait a touch the new shiny you see in their top of the line stuff works down into the more reasonably prices Dianese models
Right, the GMX from RS Taichi is also, so far as I understand, their top of the line jacket. I've seen some very brief comparisons on some other forums from the two, but nothing real substantial. From what I can tell the GMX rivals the Delmar in just about every aspect, but is only available perfed. Maybe someone who likes to collect jackets will buy one and give us a good comparison...*cough*DoubleEagle*cough* [laugh] [beer]
Sorry , I'm Dainese all the way.
I love every piece of leather that I have procured from them and never had one item w, even a stitch out of sequence.
Once I find something that I really like I tend to stay w, it.
I do have some brand new Icon leather Jackets that I bought before I knew of Dainese ....surprisingly they are made very good.
Their armor is not up to Dainese and their leather is more like full grain cow hide , not as soft.
I tend to have a Champagne taste and Dainese is Champagne to me.
Dolph :)
I'll never buy a suit other than RS-Taichi.
I've been down in mine 4 times and it has some scuffs, but there isn't a single broken stitch.
Quote from: ducpainter on June 30, 2010, 01:14:06 AM
I'll never buy a suit other than RS-Taichi.
I've been down in mine 4 times and it has some scuffs, but there isn't a single broken stitch.
Would you include their jackets/pants in the same category as their suits? Have you ever compared them to Dainese at all or believe that there is any real value in the substantially more expensive Dainese stuff?
RS Taichi for me all the way! Don't get me wrong, Dainese makes quality gear also but I prefer RS Taichi for the price-value (relative to Dainese) and very limited availability on this side of the pond.
My GMX Motion jacket is fantastic - great fit, high quality construction, tons of flex panels for free movement, lots of air flow, knox armor and awesome looking. I dont have a comparison to the Delmar but I have compared the GMX Motion to the Santa Monica which is lower in the Dainese line. For movement, nothing Ive tried on touches the GMX Motion. But I have to say the Dainese leather feels better - thinner and softer due to proprietary Dainese leather treatment. Everything else is on par.
Perforated is the way to go for those hot summer days. I also have the Signature jacket for cooler days or when I dont feel like sporting the racer look.
Quote from: xarlo on June 30, 2010, 02:51:10 AM
Would you include their jackets/pants in the same category as their suits? Have you ever compared them to Dainese at all or believe that there is any real value in the substantially more expensive Dainese stuff?
I honestly can't say as I haven't worn their other stuff. My suit is the bottom of the line NXL-068.
I ride the track more than the street and because I'm limited in the amount of gear I'm willing to buy I own a one piece.
My suit has no hump. I don't like them. I will buy the bottom of the line suit again.
I don't like the fact that most of the jackets they offer have the hump.
In my mind their product is better than the Dainese because it provides all the protection with quality materials for less money.
In my mind that is true value.
Quote from: ducpainter on June 30, 2010, 01:15:45 PM
I honestly can't say as I haven't worn their other stuff. My suit is the bottom of the line NXL-068.
I ride the track more than the street and because I'm limited in the amount of gear I'm willing to buy I own a one piece.
My suit has no hump. I don't like them. I will buy the bottom of the line suit again.
I don't like the fact that most of the jackets they offer have the hump.
In my mind their product is better than the Dainese because it provides all the protection with quality materials for less money.
In my mind that is true value.
Have you ever compared piece to piece or should I say ...suit to suit in person ...Dainese to Taichi Nate ?...or are you more of a value customer ?
I question Knox armor compared to Dainese and I have had both .
I feel that the Dainese is more structurally complex as a composite vs the one piece Knox foam based.
Dolph :)
Quote from: DoubleEagle on June 30, 2010, 05:37:26 PM
Have you ever compared piece to piece or should I say ...suit to suit in person ...Dainese to Taichi Nate ?...or are you more of a value customer ?
I question Knox armor compared to Dainese and I have had both .
I feel that the Dainese is more structurally complex as a composite vs the one piece Knox foam based.
Dolph :)
Only by looks Dolph, and as we both know, appearances can be deceiving.
My Taichi does not have Knox armor. It does have a foam back protector, but the rest is all hard armor. I'm not aware that has changed in the new suits.
The Taichi products meet a standard for performance. That is not to say the Dainese wouldn't meet that standard also, but how do you know?
Just because Rossi wears them doesn't mean the suits you and I could buy are made to the same standards.
I guess I am a value purchaser. I think Termis and new Ducatis are way overpriced too. ;)
Quote from: ducpainter on July 01, 2010, 02:05:31 AM
I guess I am a value purchaser. I think Termis and new Ducatis are way overpriced too. ;)
You and I could be great friends :D
Quote from: ducpainter on July 01, 2010, 02:05:31 AM
Only by looks Dolph, and as we both know, appearances can be deceiving.
My Taichi does not have Knox armor. It does have a foam back protector, but the rest is all hard armor. I'm not aware that has changed in the new suits.
The Taichi products meet a standard for performance. That is not to say the Dainese wouldn't meet that standard also, but how do you know?
Just because Rossi wears them doesn't mean the suits you and I could buy are made to the same standards.
I guess I am a value purchaser. I think Termis and new Ducatis are way overpriced too. ;)
Nate, who knows leather better than the Italians.
I have so many pairs of Hiking / Trekking boots that I wear in the Winter as everyday footwear and believe me the best by far are the hand crafted boots from Italy. Made by second and third generation craftsman who are located near the Dolomite Mountains in Italy.
Scarpa, La Sportiva, Zamberlan, Kayland, AKU, Lowa ( mostly Germany ), Asolo, Gronell,and Garmont.
I just don't think the Japanese have a way w, leather like the Italians.
Same goes for Dress leather goods. Ralph Lauren, Bruno Magli, Brunello Cucinelli , Armani, Erminegildo Zegna, Luciano Barbera, Isia, etc. All known for their world class fashion and work in leather.
No Japanese names come to mind.
Alpinestars is Italian but I can order a Jacket in my size from any number of Dealers here in the States and they will be in stock.
Dainese , if I want a leather Jacket I may get lucky to be able to find a model in my size some where in the States. Usually they are sold out as soon as they get them in stock.
Dainese is perceived to be the " Best " and I concur. They are expensive ......but the best always is.
p.s. They don't have the best Gloves , Held does. They do have the softest.
Dolph :)
From doing research other places, it sounds like most people that have made the comparison think these two brands are of equal quality. I gotta admit though, I like the Dainese style better, it is a little more understated. And shockingly enough, I think the Italian made leathers look better with the Italian made bikes. The Japanese stuff would look better on a Japanese bike... I guess this means all is right with the world... or at least part of it. [moto]
Quote from: DoubleEagle on July 01, 2010, 10:25:34 PM
Nate, who knows leather better than the Italians.
<snip>
Dolph :)
The Corinthians...everyone knows that. ;D
You continue with your dainese...
I'll stick with RS-Taichi...
Quote from: ducpainter on July 02, 2010, 01:42:31 AM
The Corinthians...everyone knows that. ;D
You continue with your dainese...
I'll stick with RS-Taichi...
Agreed.
Dolph :)
I just picked up a pair of RS-Taichi gloves. I was looking for something that offered a lot of ventilation (my a* race gauntlets are just too damn hot for this time of year), without sacrificing hard knuckle protection, etc.
i found these guys over at SBTG:
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=5923 (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=5923)
(http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/images/InitialSet/velocity_mesh_black_Taichi_gloves_400.jpg)
At only $53.99, i think they were a steal. The comfort level on them is through the roof. I love the looks too.
Did have to wait for them to have them shipped in though, but i'm not sure from where... methinks japan i guess.
The sizing is slightly smaller than my A* gloves, but they fit perfect.