Frank Thomas goes bust !

[Teejayexc]

http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/cgi-bin/ft_news.pl?id=791

[Dave20046]

And motrax ;)

Not good news really I know for those who've lost jobs but the group of companies get slated so often I'm not really surprised.
I did think Raven were affiliated with Frank thomas too though?

[speedplay]

"Motrax Motorcycle Accessories Limited"


I know someone on here will be please to see that...

[arcdef]

Shows what a state the industry is in, even if they produce cheap/poor quality kit, there is always a market for it, and i always see plenty of people wearing it!

[hardhat_harry]

Wonder if they will send their stands off cheap I could do with another one

[Dave20046]

"Motrax Motorcycle Accessories Limited"


I know someone on here will be please to see that...

I wonder if he'll buy all their remaining 'repair-o-pegs" on the cheap :razz:

[speedplay]

I wonder if he'll buy all their remaining 'repair-o-pegs" on the cheap :razz:

I wonder where it leaves the patent...

[andrewsmith]

"Motrax Motorcycle Accessories Limited"


I know someone on here will be please to see that...

I know several!

[davepreston]

with any luck it was a nice lawsuit for stealing intilectual copyright and having to pay a big check to someone that did it

[xXBADGERXx]

Didn`t they also do textiles for "Lewis Leathers" ..... on the plus side there may be some cheap BKS stuff knocking around soon for all you Prancing Dandies

[timwilky]

No wonder they went under.

Poor quality, overpriced and dodgy practices.

I think this is one company most will be glad to see the back of.

[xXBADGERXx]

I had something from them years ago , so far back I cannot remember what it was .... All I remember was it got tossed into a bin with a vow to never buy from them again , and that was back in the early 90`s

[kellyjo]

Its a shame, their stuff may not have been the best but at least they catered for us 'curvy' ladies, where many of the better brands dont.

[G]

They are in administration, not liquidation.

Somebody will probably buy the business, it's has good stockist (helfrauds & most bike shops) and well enough known brands.

[mcgrimes]

My dads gonna be upset, its the only brand of biking clothes he'll get!

[AndyBrad]

love my ft jacket and trousers. took 7 pairs to get some that were right but excellent for fat arsed monkeys like myself :) hope i can get a cheep jacket now :) feeel sorry for those working for them tho

[Lozzo]

No wonder they went under.

Poor quality, overpriced and dodgy practices.

I think this is one company most will be glad to see the back of.


A very big +1 on that.

[yorkie_chris]

Nice to see a company get results to match it's integrity and values :)

[-Ralph-]

Oxford products won't be happy either, they are the UK distributor for Motrax.

Shame to see BKS affected though.

[Lozzo]

Its a shame, their stuff may not have been the best but at least they catered for us 'curvy' ladies, where many of the better brands dont.

They didn't specifically cater for curvy ladies, that was just bad patterning and design on the factory's part and the products were branded slightly differently to appeal to curvier ladies. FT couldn't give a damn about their customers as long as they sold products, and that came from one of their old reps who happens to be an old friend of mine and my housemate.

They stole designs and features from everyone, their reps were instructed to buy any kit they saw that might be of interest to the design teams so it could be copied in some way or another - that's how FT worked. It came as no surprise to me that Motrax thieved the fixer-peg design, they've done it lots of times before.

Of their higher management - in 20 years of working in the wholesale side of the bike trade, I had never come across more obnoxious people than the people at the top of the FT group. Peter Laugton, Simon Throw and others were the ultimate w**kers as far as I and many others were concerned.

I hope they go down for good, and stay down too. Motorcycling will be so much better off without them.

[SoulKiss]

Said Stuff

Isn't it true that their returns heap was visible from space? :)

[Lozzo]

Oxford products won't be happy either, they are the UK distributor for Motrax.

Shame to see BKS affected though.

Why?

BKS off the peg leathers are the same sh!te that FT have been churning out for years, just with different badging. All of it is made in the far east in the same factories and FT were simply trying to trade on a respected name, just like they did with Lewis Leathers a few years ago.

The previous owner of BKS has taken his money and run, leaving FT to screw it all up and devalue the name. The only BKS worth buying recently was the made to measure stuff, and the quality of that started to decline as soon as FT bought them out.

I think you'll find Oxford Products are nothing to do with Motax and distribute their own line of accessories in the UK and abroad. Some may look the same, some may even be the same, but Oxford were never the Motrax distributor in UK. Motrax had their own reps working for them, as do Oxford. Both distributed their accessories from two totally different and unconnected warehouses in Oxford and Irthlingborough.

[Lozzo]

Isn't it true that their returns heap was visible from space? :)

It's been said that only two man made items were visible by the naked eye from the moon - The Great Wall of China and the FT returns and seconds marquees at the BMF show

[Lozzo]

My dads gonna be upset, its the only brand of biking clothes he'll get!

Your dad should stop being a pikey and look at other better respected brands. FT stuff was crap.

[-Ralph-]

Oxford were never the Motrax distributor in UK

My source is one of the current directors of Oxprod, you are wrong, and I also note that you are speaking in the past tense. They also distribute HJC and Shuberth

[-Ralph-]

Your dad should stop being a pikey

:toss: No need for that. Nobody has insulted your family.

[Lozzo]

Oxford will only distribute Motrax goods when they have bought them off a dealer as a part of a stocking plan. When a dealer decides to kick Motrax out and put Oxford in, Oxford will buy any existing Motrax stuff from that dealer and then flog it off at cost to whoever wants it. Oxford have never 'distributed' Motrax products officially, they just dump old Motrax stock to get their own on the shelves.

I've just spoken to a friend who works in a bike shop who recently kicked Motrax out and he gave me this information. I could have phoned an acquaintance who is (was?) a Motrax rep, but his phone isn't switched on right now... I wonder why. Another of my old colleagues is a current Oxford rep, as soon as I get his mobile number I'll give him a call too. I think you may have your wires crossed as Oxford and Motrax have been at each others throats since god was a teenager and would never do business with each other in this way. They are the two main competitors in this market and in direct fierce competition.

HJC helmets have been distributed by Oxford for many years, in fact Oxford brought the brand into the UK. Schuberth were originally distributed by Tran-Am, not Motrax, and only recently got taken on by Oxford. Motrax were distributors of Caberg and Arashi helmets.

[Lozzo]

:toss: No need for that. Nobody has insulted your family.

Why not?

FT gear is pikey and if someone would only buy FT gear then there's something distinctly pikey about them.

If one of my family bought pikey gear I'd call them a pikey too.

[yorkie_chris]

I call someone a pikey if they're wearing trainers, stop being tho thenthetive ducky

[G]

Lol :rolleyes: usual story here then in the last few posts.

[Lozzo]

Lol :rolleyes: usual story here then in the last few posts.

You mean me knowing what I'm on about through having been involved with that industry for 20 odd years and someone else not... Yeah, I can see that too.

[Biker Biggles]

:toss: No need for that. Nobody has insulted your family.

:joker:No one insulted Lozzo's family?

Bl00dy Maltese----Pikeys of the Med IMO.:elephant:

[Lozzo]

:joker:No one insulted Lozzo's family?

Bl00dy Maltese----Pikeys of the Med IMO.:elephant:

Haha :lol: Though this may be true of my own family, I think Zunkus might get offended by that statement. Having met some of them, I can say they are totally and utterly non-pikey.

[-Ralph-]

:-({|==;:smt035:-dd=D>:smt098:smt033\\:D/

:smt039

[Lozzo]

:-({|==;:smt035:-dd=D>:smt098:smt033\\:D/

:smt039

The most sensible thing Ralph has ever posted

[Teejayexc]

Oh dear, from such a simple post :-(

[-Ralph-]

He just can't help wading into threads cannons blazing, throwing insults and arguing with everything. It's all very well calling each other pikey's when it's in good humour and the recipient knows that, but Lozzo neither knows nor cares how McGrimes is going to feel about it. Would he have said it to McGrimes face? If McGrimes happens to be built like a s**t brickhouse, I bet he wouldn't.

And when he posts stuff like this he just shows himself to have absolutely zero credibility. What does he think he is? Some kind of Mafioso?

My old housemate and I decided that if we ever caught anyone trying to nick our bikes, the police would never find his body. We figured no body = no crime.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Seriously, will you two put each other on ignore and get bloody over it. You are both behaving like a pair of kids and to be honest, it makes you both look like idiots when we all know that neither of you are.

GROW UP!

[-Ralph-]

Seriously, will you two put each other on ignore and get bloody over it. You are both behaving like a pair of kids and to be honest, it makes you both look like idiots when we all know that neither of you are.

GROW UP!

Can you talk to me like that to my face please? With your uniform on? Don't forget the suspender belt ;)

[fizzwheel]

Guys thats enough.

If you have differences to settle then do it via PM and no more bickering on the open forum, or use the ignore function.

If theres a post on the forum you dont like, then hit the report post button and let a moderator deal with, dont start ripping each other a new a*sehole in public.

[Lozzo]

When anyone is wrong I will pull them up on it, be it Ralph or anyone else. If you cast your mind back it was me who called Dangerous Dave out on his bullsh1t. I'm not afraid to speak my mind within the rules and guidelines of the forum (I've never had a warning or a ban) and don't give a crap who it is to, be they a brick sh1thouse or someone my own size. I don't kiss ar5e like some, and I'm proud to be able to hold my head high in the knowledge that I'm no sycophant. If some people don't like me I don't care, there are plenty who do - I have no time for ar5e lickers anyway.

When I know I am right I will argue the toss, maybe Ralph should ensure his facts are correct before he wades into any discussion with me. Better still he ought to put me back on ignore, which is where I though I was until today.

[-Ralph-]

There's nothing to sort out by PM Fizz, everyone knows what I think of Lozzo and I'm not afraid to say it. You won't find an thread where it was me who came in cannons blazing and not Lozzo. He does it all the time, and to other people not just me, I'm not the common denominator here. I don't see why I should shut up and put up when he starts being an rrsss TBH.

[fizzwheel]

So you both put each other on ignore and get over it then.

[andrewsmith]

how to argue like matt yokes spring to mind after reading this from when i posted last night

[sinbad]

Not a surprise to me given the quality of the boots I was foolish enough to buy a few years back.

[toxic]

I wear a FT leather jacket and I also like dags.

[toxic]

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2011/January/jan2811-frank-thomas-in-administration/

[Jordy]

Your dad should stop being a pikey and look at other better respected brands. FT stuff was crap.

I disagree with this, I have some FT textile trousers £80 they cost me new and they're really good, like sleeping bags around your legs! I came off in them (35mph) without a scrape and they remained intact. Can't comment on their leathers or anything else though.

[Bluefish]

When anyone is wrong I will pull them up on it, be it Ralph or anyone else. If you cast your mind back it was me who called Dangerous Dave out on his bullsh1t. I'm not afraid to speak my mind within the rules and guidelines of the forum (I've never had a warning or a ban) and don't give a crap who it is to, be they a brick sh1thouse or someone my own size. I don't kiss ar5e like some, and I'm proud to be able to hold my head high in the knowledge that I'm no sycophant. If some people don't like me I don't care, there are plenty who do - I have no time for ar5e lickers anyway.

When I know I am right I will argue the toss, maybe Ralph should ensure his facts are correct before he wades into any discussion with me. Better still he ought to put me back on ignore, which is where I though I was until today.

you two need your heads banging together that's what my mum used to say to me and my bro, lol.
As to FT, how sad, so sad, bye bye.

[slark01]

I disagree with this, I have some FT textile trousers £80 they cost me new and they're really good, like sleeping bags around your legs! I came off in them (35mph) without a scrape and they remained intact. Can't comment on their leathers or anything else though.
+1
I have a textile trousers and coat that are brilliant. Has kept me warm and dry is some horrible weather. Also i'm not a pikey either, due to the fact i'm not an Irish traveller, gypsy or a person of low social class.

Ste.

[Lozzo]

As to FT, how sad, so sad, bye bye.

I only feel sad for a few people who were employed by them who might now find themselves unemployed. The management could all go to hell for all I care, and that's the general opinion of virtually everyone in the bike trade I've spoken to in recent times.

If FT went under completely they won't be missed by the trade, that's for sure

[Dave20046]

I'm looking forward to the "Is lozzo a w*nker? " poll.




:D



Someone mentioned Lewis leathers, that might have been who I was thinking of when I mentioned Raven (either that or Lewis and Raven are the same company)

[punyXpress]

Methinks the administrators will have a job selling FT as a going concern judging by the tone of this thread.
Oxford Products will be delighted, bit I'll shed a tear - a crocodile tear.

[SoulKiss]

I'm looking forward to the "Is lozzo a w*nker? " poll.


Don't need a poll - he is :)

Also having met him on a number of occasions I know that he's not just some guy hiding behind a keyboard.

What you DO get different in real life is that he's a genuine guy that just happens to not hide his real thoughts on things behing fake politeness.

So yeah, I doubt that there are few people who know him who haven't thought that he's a self abuser at some point, but most of them would consider him a good friend.

[speedplay]

Don't need a poll - he is :)

Also having met him on a number of occasions I know that he's not just some guy hiding behind a keyboard.

What you DO get different in real life is that he's a genuine guy that just happens to not hide his real thoughts on things behing fake politeness.

So yeah, I doubt that there are few people who know him who haven't thought that he's a self abuser at some point, but most of them would consider him a good friend.


SK on the other hand....



;)

[The Idle Biker]

I don't give a monkies about the fashionistas who say FT gear is crap, it ain't.
I grant you you it's not the best but it's value for money, and it does the job.
It doesn't look too bad, it's safe, and if FT upsets a few upmarket brands in the trade - tough luck.
I don't wear Levi 501's, Jack Wills hoodies or Armani underwear and I still look the business in my Asda trackie. My vote goes to the value for money and common sense party.
My Grandad was rumoured to be a pikey, but he never hung around for long.

PS: I like the exchanges between Ralph and Lozzo. It's funny.

[speedplay]

I still look the business in my Asda trackie.


http://www.neonsumo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/oh-really.jpg

[yorkie_chris]

I don't give a monkies about the fashionistas who say FT gear is crap, it ain't.
I grant you you it's not the best but it's value for money, and it does the job.

Got to disagree on all counts.

Take some "race" gloves they were selling. I would not race to the chippie in them, on foot.
The build quality was crap, stitching falling out before I had worn them.

Funny actually the halvarssons I bought instead looked better after a 40mph tumble than the FT ones did in the shop. And they were cheaper!

So fail on quality, QC, price. Value for money? Fackin give over, I'd be better wearing a set of welding gauntlets that cost a fiver.


Call me fashionista? You seen my bike, my kit? :smt082

[The Idle Biker]

Stop falling off your bike, jeez, you'll scuff your Dainese.
(I only

[speedplay]

Stop falling off your bike, jeez, you'll scuff your Dainese.
(I only


Wrong again ;)

If your going to have a dig, at least do the research first! lol
;)

[yorkie_chris]

Stop falling off your bike, jeez, you'll scuff your Dainese.
(I only

Dainese is as bad as FT! That's got the full on fashionista price tag same as all the other wop sh*t with the same quality as the FT!

I'm anxiously awaiting some proof of the FT quality kit you've had. Would you like some pics of my kit, none of which cost much more than that have been down the road 6 or 7 times apiece and had many thousands miles wear?

[The Idle Biker]

Dig? Not me Guv. Been out on the bike all day in my FT jacket, and was nice and toastie up top. Didn't manage to throw the bike down the road so haven't tested it yet. I'll leave the road tests to you guys. My expensive Armani knickers failed totally to keep the jewels warm. So yet again, over priced fails to win me over.

[slark01]

I disagree with Lozzo on one thing ( calling soneone that they don't know, a pikey ), other than that he has his opinion on a particular subject which should be respected. I personally don't think he is a w*nk*r, just a person that lets you know what he is thinking at that moment. Good or bad!
Like I have said before, I have a jacket and trousers that has shown to be useful and after 3 years, still in perfect working order.
Must highlight that even so they work brilliantly, they do have small ( funny ) issues. An example is that the trouser left leg is made so the the metal plate on the knee is pointing left rather than straight on.

Wishing everyone well.

Ste.

[speedplay]

Dig? Not me Guv. Been out on the bike all day in my FT jacket, and was nice and toastie up top. Didn't manage to throw the bike down the road so haven't tested it yet. I'll leave the road tests to you guys. My expensive Armani knickers failed totally to keep the jewels warm. So yet again, over priced fails to win me over.



You missed the point.

You will never know how good or bad kit is until you really need it and by that point, its too late once you have found out its crap.

If you are happy in your FT kit thats good for you.
I'm happy in my "expensive" (berik) kit that the Northamptonshire police ran me off the road in.
Intensive care and no loss of skin, tested, proven to save body parts and happy to use them again :)

Who cares if its not to everyones tastes?

I mean, some people even like the yellow curvy....

[slark01]

You missed the point.

Who cares if its not to everyones tastes?

I mean, some people even like the yellow curvy....
http://www.blackstreetbbw.com/CurvyBrightYellowCollegeTub.jpg
Lol :D

Ste.

[speedplay]

http://www.blackstreetbbw.com/CurvyBrightYellowCollegeTub.jpg
Lol :D

Ste.


I rest my case....:rolleyes:

[The Idle Biker]

:scratch:I got some FT body armour too, to make up for the limitations in the jacket. Going to bed now, in FT jimmie jams, to think of babe in the yellow t-shirt. Safe riding y'all.

[G]

Opinions are like ********s... Everyone has one.

My old badly fitting 7 year old dainese leathers held together fine when I slid on my **** at 80mph+ so I can vouch for them doing there job despite lots of people bitching them

[missyburd]

. My expensive Armani knickers failed totally to keep the jewels warm..
I think the only mention of Armani in this thread should be relating to the handbags that are being thrown about left right and centre :rolleyes:


As far as my experience of FT kit goes, bought a pair of summer gloves t'other year, stitching went within a month of wear...and that was when I was just riding pillion, not impressed! I also happen to own a pair of FT boots which although I admit have lasted me three years and are like a pair of slippers, the stitching on the zips fell apart within a few wears again! So clearly, based on my post alone, the answer to all FT's problems is better machinists :p

[wyrdness]

Some Frank Thomas stuff is really shonky, but I'm still wearing a pair of FT leather trousers that I bought in the 90's, have ridden tens of thousands of miles in and have been thrown down the road several times. I reckon that they've still got many years of life in them yet.

[yorkie_chris]

the answer to all FT's problems is better machinists :p

You can't buy a machinist in a chinese sweatshop for a bowl of rice a day :-P

[speedplay]

You can't buy a machinist in a chinese sweatshop for a bowl of rice a day :-P


2 bowls...?

[missyburd]

2 bowls...?
of rice crispies? just for something a bit different?

[speedplay]

of rice crispies? just for something a bit different?


And the threat to beat their children too...

[Lozzo]

Got to disagree on all counts.

Take some "race" gloves they were selling. I would not race to the chippie in them, on foot.
The build quality was crap, stitching falling out before I had worn them.

Funny actually the halvarssons I bought instead looked better after a 40mph tumble than the FT ones did in the shop. And they were cheaper!

So fail on quality, QC, price. Value for money? Fackin give over, I'd be better wearing a set of welding gauntlets that cost a fiver.


Call me fashionista? You seen my bike, my kit? :smt082

+1 on all of that.

[Lozzo]

Don't need a poll - he is :)

You're too kind :D

Also having met him on a number of occasions I know that he's not just some guy hiding behind a keyboard.

What you DO get different in real life is that he's a genuine guy that just happens to not hide his real thoughts on things behing fake politeness.

You forgot to mention hung like a horse as well, ffs get it right next time.

So yeah, I doubt that there are few people who know him who haven't thought that he's a self abuser at some point, but most of them would consider him a good friend.

Cheque's in the post, cheers bud ;)

[drew883]

Can i just say lozzo talks ****e, having worked in the motorcycle trade for 20 years , you cant say motrax stuff is crap and oxford good , its both made in the same sweat shops in china , its only the packaging thats changed. the same goes for the clothing BKS cothing made along side alpinestars , i could go on and on
lets just feel for the people who will be out of work

[Swin]

I have some FT Aquaboots for the winter - essentially they're just wellies shaped to look a bit bike boot-ish :) but they do the job and cost about 40 quid when I get them 5 years or so ago.

I have no intention of having a crash to see how well they perform, but they do seem pretty sturdy, heel protection, nice thick soles, and a reinforced bit on each toe for where the gear lever goes...

I suppose it could be a good time to order another pair just in case they go off the market completely!

[Lozzo]

Can i just say lozzo talks ****e, having worked in the motorcycle trade for 20 years , you cant say motrax stuff is crap and oxford good , its both made in the same sweat shops in china , its only the packaging thats changed. the same goes for the clothing BKS cothing made along side alpinestars , i could go on and on
lets just feel for the people who will be out of work

Kindly point out where I have ever said Motrax products are crap and Oxford good? I've slated Motrax (basically FT) management and even pointed out that Oxford and Motrax sell identical products, so your statement holds no water.

FT and BKS clothing is made in far eastern factories that are also used by Alpinestars and Dainese amongst others, which isn't a good thing as they are all made to the same low standards - this is fact and well known in the bike clothing trade. The customer doesn't know this because they think A/stars and Dainese are Italian made as they are Italian companies and they also are led to believe that BKS is still the same high quality gear that was available from the factory in Cornwall.

You probably could go on and on... spouting more ill-informed b0ll0cks, but I'm glad you've stopped.

[speedplay]

FT and BKS clothing is made in far eastern factories that are also used by Alpinestars and Dainese amongst others, which isn't a good thing as they are all made to the same low standards - this is fact and well known in the bike clothing trade. The customer doesn't know this because they think A/stars and Dainese are Italian made as they are Italian companies and they also are led to believe that BKS is still the same high quality gear that was available from the factory in Cornwall.



Apart from the made in china tag sewn into the back ;)

[Lozzo]

Apart from the made in china tag sewn into the back ;)

That must be a fairly recent thing, virtually none of the clothing I've ever looked at when I was selling the stuff had anything informing the customer where it was made. A/stars and Dainese certainly never used to after they shifted production from Romania and other eastern European factories to China and Pakistan.

You must be a rare creature, no-one I know ever looks at the labels unless it's to see what size they're trying on.

[speedplay]

You must be a rare creature, no-one I know ever looks at the labels unless it's to see what size they're trying on.

Mine was next to the size tag...

But I know a lot of stuff doesnt have the country of manufacture in it.

The A* boots that fell apart on me had to be sent to italy for their waranty people to inspect before anything would be done with them.
Odd really for a boot they had never seen before as it had come from Vietnam:rolleyes:

[Lozzo]

Funnily enough, A/stars boots and gloves are normally very good quality, but their clothing is crap. I have a pair of A/star MX boots that I have abused on and off for about 7 years and they have held up well, and a few years ago I had some GP Plus or Pro (Can't remember which, but they had the carbon on the knuckles not the hard plastic) gloves that were fantastic until some low-life stole them. I fell off a couple of times in those gloves and they weren't even scuffed that badly.

[metalmonkey]

Funnily enough, A/stars boots and gloves are normally very good quality, but their clothing is crap. I have a pair of A/star MX boots that I have abused on and off for about 7 years and they have held up well, and a few years ago I had some GP Plus or Pro (Can't remember which, but they had the carbon on the knuckles not the hard plastic) gloves that were fantastic until some low-life stole them. I fell off a couple of times in those gloves and they weren't even scuffed that badly.

Yup I have a A/S boots, x2 gloves and x2 jackect textile and mesh and they have all been really good quality so far, I haven't crashed in them I don't want too but I have been happy with them. I dislike my jackect for two reason;

1 Around the neck, the collar isn't high enough.
2 Can't adjust the arms, no straps there which I would fins useful

I have washed my jackect twice with tech wash its still fine, and water proof. The rest of my gear Hein Gerkie and Draggin.

[speedplay]

I've got 2 pairs of smx+ boots and they are fine although the smx5 I had, the sole ejected itself after 5k :(

[Specialone]

Jeez can't believe ive missed this thread ;)

Haven't owned any ft stuff so can't comment on it, have got alpinestars leathers though which I have had 2 years nearly and apart from a little stitching on a badge they are still top notch, I would also be reasonably confident they would hold up to a ar5e slide should the need arise.

[Lozzo]

Jeez can't believe ive missed this thread ;)

Haven't owned any ft stuff so can't comment on it, have got alpinestars leathers though which I have had 2 years nearly and apart from a little stitching on a badge they are still top notch, I would also be reasonably confident they would hold up to a ar5e slide should the need arise.

Let's hope you never have to find out

[Reeder]

http://graphics.tomrue.net/images/group-hug.jpg

Time for a group hug

[Lozzo]

Time for a group hug

Sod off ya bloody hippy

[dizzyblonde]

I think I bought some FT gloves when I first got into motosickles. I may as well have bought some sort of seive!

These days I much prefer to buy Halvarssons especially if they are bargains, as they can be expensive. Pete has always had Wolf gear until I persuaded him to go textile last year at the NEC and he picked Rukka troosers and jacket for half the price of what they should have been. I must admit I've always advocated Halvarssons as the dogs dangles, but Rukka are better still.
Some may say that the likes of Dianese are superb, but I've only ever known the suits to be shoddy, and only those at the real high end of their products to actually be of any use as protection. . . ie they don't split at the seams or unstitch when put under pressure.

To be perfectly fair, you can get crap or good stuff from whatever brand you choose, theres always those items that were sewn up and QC'd on a Friday afternoon by a blind dwarf!

I'm sure there are many that are satisfied with their budget FT clothing, and perhaps its all they can afford, but for me I won't loose sleep if they fold, as I save up the pennies and buy bike gear that actually works.
Halvarssons jacket and gloves, crash tested by moi, not a scratch...lives for another two (not that I'd like to do that) also my budget Richa monsoon pants were surprisingly unscathed. Wouldn't even like to feel safe in FT clothing at a 5mph roll!

[andrewsmith]

echoing Db, my gloves and textiles are halvarssons and have been down the road and not a mark.

Dianese leathers aint good in an off, my old boss came off a gpz 9 about 6 yr ago and they disintergrated.

The only leather ive seen multiple off were berlins race leathers (a/stars) with road rash and 1 small hole in the elbow after 3 big offs

[dizzyblonde]

oh yeah forgot about the A* boots. I have the proper naff looking 'Roam' and 'Ridge II' boots, they say 'water resistant' but flipping heck they pretty much keep a tidal wave out. I've used and abused the Roam ones for a few years now, and they are like a lovely pair of dry slippers. Shame they aren't readily available anymore, as they are really cheap by a lot of folks standards for good quality, reliably waterproof boots.

[Swin]

I have a Halvarsson leather jacket for the summer, and also some winter gloves of theirs, stumbled across them in a local bike shop - best gear I've ever bought.

[sinbad]

I have a Halvarsson leather jacket for the summer, and also some winter gloves of theirs, stumbled across them in a local bike shop - best gear I've ever bought.

Me too. Don't buy a lot of gear, but their gloves are great.

[danf1234]

I have got a full set of FT leathers. I prefer to use textiles, but the leathers have always been fine for me.

No I don't like dags, and I don't live in a caravan.

[thedonal]

A shame for jobs lost (can't comment on the management!!)- but I'll not bat an eyelid re Frank Thomas kit.

First pair of gloves were FT- fell apart in 3 months. J&S swapped them, even thought they'd normally send them back to get checked first. Only thing I liked with those gloves were the roo-leather palms. Very grippy indeed.

Didn't try any of their other stuff though- was just put off by something simple like, oh....bad stitching? :D

Motrax- well, design theft aside, my local Honda dealer (where I go for accessories so I can avoid J&S) fell out with their rep a couple of years ago. Their shelves are full of Oxford stuff now.

I did get a Motrax bike cover- it's pretty good. Can't really comment on their other stuff. I did used to use Whizzo Wheel cleaner though (Yoshimoto brand- all but disappeared some time ago, I think was owned by Motrax)- that stuff was great. I've since discovered GT85 though- so no biggie!!

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

Does this mean BKS will be going down too? as FT own BKS now.

[SUPERSTARDJ01]

Just read it, D'oh.

[DavieSV]

Yay!! :smt041

and

Boo!! :toss:

So I am now very low down the list of people wanting dollar...

[G]

I heard it was all down to you Davie ;) you single handidly brough them to their knee... they simply couldn't afford to pay you off so went bust...

(or I could have just completely made that up)