[treaux]

I might be passing through the UK next month and would like to know if I just had one day to go to a motorcycle clothing store, where should I go to see a large selection of merchandise. I do not have a travel itinerary yet, but I imagine I will transit Heathrow. Also, what are some of the better quality European brands? I would like to acquire some vintage styled leathers with modern day armor. I have seen brands on the internet like, Wolf, RST, Halvarssons, ProBiker, Hein Gericke, Hideout, Furygan, Belstaff, etc...but no one in my area carries them and I know nothing about any European brands except for the occasional review. I am not asking for detailed analysis, just a quick good or not good. Or, if there is a specific website that provides good reviews, that would also be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Phild28]

I'm not sure about stockists in the south of England as I live up North. But i've always found the higher end Heine Gerricke clothing very good quality. I suppose it depends what you're looking for really - there are lots of specialists over here for leathers - but not so many for Textiles.
For boots - non better than Altberg - Richmond , North Yorkshire.

You will find HG clothing in all the main centres.
If I think of more I will re-post
Phil

 

[treaux]

I heard HG has very good quality and has approximately 40 shops throughout the UK. I will probably go to them given the opportunity. Thanks for the info Phil.

 

[buck dogers]

+1 on Hein Gericke good quality and price , or there is also good old Lewis Leathers , they have been around for ever and do the more traditional bike gear as well
http://www.lewisleathers.com/
Or there is also Silvermans which is london based,plenty of traditional gear sold there also
http://www.silvermans.co.uk/Products/tabid/54/Department/MotorCycle/id/3/Default.aspx

 

[PAAS]

I use Dainese leathers - an Italian brand used by a lot of top road racers including Valentino Rossi. I've had them 7 years and have no complaints - fortunately I haven't slid down the road on them so far. I got them here in London - http://www.sondel.co.uk/shop/index.html They have one of the best ranges of bike gear I've seen in England. Their shop is just round the corner from Highbury & Islington tube station (I think you would call it the subway or metro). Take the Piccadilly line (dark blue on the map) from Heathrow to King's Cross and change to the Victoria line (light blue) for one stop to Highbury & Islington. It will take about an hour to get there. I don't know if they do tax free sales for visitors - something worth looking in to as we pay (currently) 15% sales tax. The Alpinestars brand is also well regarded. Hein Gericke is also good. The Hein Gericke Stockwell branch is probably the easiest to reach from Heathrow - Piccadilly line again to Green Park and Victoria line to Stockwell. Here's a tube map - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/standard-tube-map.pdf. Location of Hein Gericke - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?...&st=2&pc=sw9+9ae&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf Location of Sondel - http://www.streetmap.co.uk/idld.srf...searchp=s.srf&dn=797&ax=531578&ay=184793&lm=0 You could do both shops in half a day.

 

[Bobajobbob]

http://www.metropolismotorcycles.com/clothing-accs.html

http://www.grandprixlegends.com/motorcycle-gear

 

[Sofiaspin]

Lewis Leathers is a good suggestion as they have a shop in London.

Also try http://www.holden.co.uk/default.asp?mode=bike

and http://www.openfacehelmets.co.uk/Default.aspx

 

[PhilS]

Or you could do your shopping online and just hang out at the Ace Cafe for a couple of hours instead.

 

[treaux]

Thanks to you all. I greatly appreciate the assistance. I am trying to build in as much time as possible and Ace Cafe is definitely a stop. If this trip does not grant me enough time, I will be back...on a holiday. Thanks again.
Leif

 

[buck dogers]

If you do visit the Ace Cafe ,evenings or weekends are the best times ,during the day it`s just ordinary day to day traffic with very little bike action,still a biking icon regarding places to visit though. .