Klim Latitude Jacket & Pants - adv / touring shell

[soph9]

I would call KLiM about the price and if shipping is included. Or wait to buy this jacket with hopes they change the design. I think they have to now because of the common complaints. We shall see though.


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[ADVexplor]

Called them today out of curiosity on the upgrade, $80 and you're responsible for shipping both ways. Just FYI if you're interested in doing that.

[ADVexplor]

Originally Posted by OFA

I just bought the Latitude. Seems really nice and yes, the collar feels a little tall and stiff but I thought that would break in. I only got it yesterday so today was my first test ride.
Did I make a mistake with it? Or with Klim? First time with Klim and it was pushing $700 so call me silly but for that money I expected it to be really really good. Not a prototype for perfecting the next model.

No mistake, I think this is still the best value jackets compared to other mid-range jackets, collar issue or not. $700 seems steep though? Thats approaching Badlands Pro prices. I think the latitude is normally in the $5XX price range guess its more in Canada. The only other common non-Klim Gore-tex shell jackets I can think of off the top of my head is the Rukka Armas, Rev'it Everest GTX, Stadler Companero and i'm sure there is a few others but all of these jackets are in the $1000+ range, so at roughly half the price it seems to be a good value. Of course the the Latitude is Made in China though instead of the EU and doesn't have some of the exotic fabrics but you still get most of the function and convienence of a Gore-tex shell.

Perfecting the next generation is just the way it goes unfortunately. If I recall the Adventure Rally is on its third iteration now and I'm sure it keeps improving.

Ahh I forgot the Aerostich Darien/Roadcrafter would be similar priced and made in the USA which is a big plus for me, and I always hear great things about their stuff but I like more venting than those offer. The latitude has lots of vents :)

[soph9]

Originally Posted by ADVexplor

Called them today out of curiosity on the upgrade, $80 and you're responsible for shipping both ways. Just FYI if you're interested in doing that.

It's worth the mod we can attest to that. Will customers pay to have it done? Dunno. They tested the mod on our jackets and I'm sure others and it's safer, more comfortable and made the jackets much more fun to ride in. Once again I predict second generation will come out soon because there needs to be made other improvements too. Softer material on areas that we don't need the thick cordura. Round two late summer early fall. We think at least.


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[eddyturn]

Originally Posted by dryden_rider_54

$600 for a jacket and then $80 plus shipping to make it right sounds like a bit of a rip. if anyone is thinking of Klim just remember this "solution"

Perhaps Kawasaki and BMW should give you updates to your bikes as differences between models were made after your bought yours. That is just the way it is in most everything and KLIM should not be expected to make modifications to a garment that was made as it is because that is what they settled on and sold for the first year. There is nothing "wrong" with the jacket as some have said the collar height is not an issue with them. You buy the gear as is and if you don't like it, you sell it off and buy next year's version.

I had a cousin that worked for Ford some time ago who said to never buy a car in it's first year of production. Might be the same for bikes and clothing lines.

[OFA]

Thought I'd throw it in here as I see a whole threads on the jacket.

First good rain in my brand new Kilm Latitude and it LEAKS!!

Inner left arm. Can't believe it. Over $700 and it leaks?

Very dissapointed and concerned about the warranty process after reading about Klim charging other people to fix a collar problem. Not sure if the problem they had should have been warranty but some on the forum thought so. Anyway, I guess I'll see what happens from here.
I'll bet I have to mail it somewhere and wait a good long time for a repair. I think this should be an over the counter replacement as I just bought it.

[RevZilla]

Originally Posted by OFA

Thought I'd throw it in here as I see a whole threads on the jacket.

First good rain in my brand new Kilm Latitude and it LEAKS!!

Inner left arm. Can't believe it. Over $700 and it leaks?

Very dissapointed and concerned about the warranty process after reading about Klim charging other people to fix a collar problem. Not sure if the problem they had should have been warranty but some on the forum thought so. Anyway, I guess I'll see what happens from here.
I'll bet I have to mail it somewhere and wait a good long time for a repair. I think this should be an over the counter replacement as I just bought it.

Hi OFA,
The waterproofing is guaranteed for life from Gore-Tex. Did you purchase the jacket from us? I would encourage you to get in touch with the retailer that sold you the jacket and get a replacement to you asap. This is the first I've heard of any Gore-Tex pro shell leaking, so it's definitely worth investigating. Please let us know if the jacket was purchased at RevZilla.
Cheers,
Ali
TeamZilla

[L84TOFF]

Originally Posted by OFA

Thought I'd throw it in here as I see a whole threads on the jacket.

First good rain in my brand new Kilm Latitude and it LEAKS!!

Inner left arm. Can't believe it. Over $700 and it leaks?

Very dissapointed and concerned about the warranty process after reading about Klim charging other people to fix a collar problem. Not sure if the problem they had should have been warranty but some on the forum thought so. Anyway, I guess I'll see what happens from here.
I'll bet I have to mail it somewhere and wait a good long time for a repair. I think this should be an over the counter replacement as I just bought it.

Just make sure it's not user induced. What I mean is I've had jackets do this because water got through under the sleeve from my soaking glove to my shirt and traveled up my arm. Not saying you don't have a leaky jacket but don't want you to go through all the trouble of replacing it only to find out the next one does the same thing.

[OFA]

No I didn't purchase it at Revzilla but certainly appreciate that level of customer service. Wow.
No the leak was in the middle of the sleeve and dry from there to the cuff. I'm contacting the company I bought it from today. I'll let you all know how it goes.

[OFA]

May Have to Ship Jacket to Klim to be "Tested"
I called the dealer and they said it may have to be shipped to Klim for "testing", then be repaired and shipped back to me.
If that is the case then I have no jacket for a least a few weeks.

Leak Tested in My Shop - Fail!
I tested it at my shop and video taped it so I could send it to Klim. After just a few minutes of running a light spray of water on the arm it began to leak.

Others Experiencing Leaks Too
Apparently I am not the first one to have this problem, the dealer was already dealing with at least one other similar complaint in the same area of the jacket. Production problem?

Keeping Perspective
We have to keep things in perspective though, mistakes happen and thats life - but the real issue here is how a manufacture handles the problem. It can be an opportunity to shine or really dive bomb in my mind.

[soph9]

OFA not sure if you are in BC or ON right now but if BC and close to the border it is easier to ship from the US to KLIM. WE have done this for my Traverse zipper to be replaced due wear and tear and also to have our collars modified. Even with the collars being trimmed the turn around was not that bad. As for the zipper I had my jacket back within 2 weeks. They are good to get the gear back ASAP.

[OFA]

Originally Posted by soph9

OFA not sure if you are in BC or ON right now but if BC and close to the border it is easier to ship from the US to KLIM. WE have done this for my Traverse zipper to be replaced due wear and tear and also to have our collars modified. Even with the collars being trimmed the turn around was not that bad. As for the zipper I had my jacket back within 2 weeks. They are good to get the gear back ASAP.

Thanks for the tip. Klim Canada has made a replacement available for me at the dealer. Apparently it is not the normal procedure though, normally requiring the jacket to be returned for testing before they will do anything even though the jacket is two weeks old. Hopefully the new jacket will be water tight and this will be the end of it for me. The dealer - Spunky's Motorsports has, as always, been very good to deal with.

[dryden_rider_54]

Rode for 2 hours in driving rain today. Had one little leak but it was because I left one of the leg vents open a tad. Liking the Latitude more every day as I cruise the wet and cold days in the mountains. Even the collar has become more of a blessing as it snugs up into my c3 helmet and I am as warm and dry as toast

[tjay]

Hi

I recently purchased a pair of latitude pants quite happy with them,though with some of the issues that I have read re:collar issues & stiffness of the materials I held off on the jacket as the nearest & only dealer in Australia is 1000km away,so not able to just pop over & try a jacket on to judge for myself.

I sent the klim dealer a number of emails regarding the issues I had read about,sadly my concerns where not addressed at this time.
I then sent klim a few emails & to there credit they where very helpful,this is what they had to say about a new release klim latitude.

(Unofficial Press Release)
KLIM will be receiving an updated shipment of the Latitude product line the first week of July 2012. This inventory replenishment is the result of an excellent marketplace reception to the these great motorcycle garments. At KLIM we are constantly striving for excellence and are committed to providing our customers with uncompromised quality, this latest shipment provided an opportunity to make a small running-change in the Latitude line. Some of the panels in the main body material have been modified from our proprietary 840D Cordura® to a 2-layer performance Misano fabric. Both materials have their own unique benefits: Our 840D Cordura® is extremely abrasion resistant and durable; the Misano has lighter-weight and more flexible properties. The 840D accomplishes KLIM's goal of providing extreme protection from the elements (why we originally made the entire jacket out of this material). By incorporating the Misano fabric we have made the jacket and pant a bit lighter and given some more flexibility in the main body of the garments while the 840D remains our premium abrasion resistance fabric in the high-impact areas.

This decision was made because we had an opportunity to make a few refinements and we wanted to offer those refinements to our customers sooner than later. We feel this change is not large enough to justify an entirely new garment, but rather to incorporate as a running-change to the Latitude line, as mentioned before – both styles of jackets are uniquely beneficial and therefore we do not perceive one to be "better" than the other; it really depends on what the rider wants out of their garment, we believe the lighter weight option will appeal to a broader market of riders and further distinguish the Latitude's place in our motorcycle offering. We have altered the Latitude part numbers so we can easily identify the material differences in the two jackets.

Soph9 seems you may have well been proved correct.

As I am in Australia I was eager to know if anyone in the coming weeks who may live near klim, may let me know what the updated jackets are like compared to the latitude mark1.

[ScottyD]

Gday tjay.

I sort of live near the dealer here in Oz, and am planning to head down there next month to try on their gear (as well as some other kit). I'll definitely be trying on the Lattitude and Badlands outfits, and can certainly pass on any opinions/observations that result. Is there anything specific you'd want me to suss out?

Originally Posted by tjay

Hi

I recently purchased a pair of latitude pants quite happy with them,though with some of the issues that I have read re:collar issues & stiffness of the materials I held off on the jacket as the nearest & only dealer in Australia is 1000km away,so not able to just pop over & try a jacket on to judge for myself.

I sent the klim dealer a number of emails regarding the issues I had read about,sadly my concerns where not addressed at this time.
I then sent klim a few emails & to there credit they where very helpful,this is what they had to say about a new release klim latitude.

(Unofficial Press Release)
KLIM will be receiving an updated shipment of the Latitude product line the first week of July 2012. This inventory replenishment is the result of an excellent marketplace reception to the these great motorcycle garments. At KLIM we are constantly striving for excellence and are committed to providing our customers with uncompromised quality, this latest shipment provided an opportunity to make a small running-change in the Latitude line. Some of the panels in the main body material have been modified from our proprietary 840D Cordura® to a 2-layer performance Misano fabric. Both materials have their own unique benefits: Our 840D Cordura® is extremely abrasion resistant and durable; the Misano has lighter-weight and more flexible properties. The 840D accomplishes KLIM's goal of providing extreme protection from the elements (why we originally made the entire jacket out of this material). By incorporating the Misano fabric we have made the jacket and pant a bit lighter and given some more flexibility in the main body of the garments while the 840D remains our premium abrasion resistance fabric in the high-impact areas.

This decision was made because we had an opportunity to make a few refinements and we wanted to offer those refinements to our customers sooner than later. We feel this change is not large enough to justify an entirely new garment, but rather to incorporate as a running-change to the Latitude line, as mentioned before – both styles of jackets are uniquely beneficial and therefore we do not perceive one to be "better" than the other; it really depends on what the rider wants out of their garment, we believe the lighter weight option will appeal to a broader market of riders and further distinguish the Latitude's place in our motorcycle offering. We have altered the Latitude part numbers so we can easily identify the material differences in the two jackets.

Soph9 seems you may have well been proved correct.

As I am in Australia I was eager to know if anyone in the coming weeks who may live near klim, may let me know what the updated jackets are like compared to the latitude mark1.