| Author | Message | ||
     Rodclement |
Hello everyone! Well I am about to turn 40...wanna give myself a nice gift and thought that a nice, purpose built riding jacket would be a good treat! I currently use a Joe Rocket something that is great in warmth and protection but is more of a agressive rider than an all day tourer. I am looking for a comfortable, safe, waterproof, all weather jacket, that would last me a couple of years (at least) of daily use in my commute, and longer trips. So many options out there, from the bargain brands to the Klims, and First Gear top-of-the-line stuff... Ideas, suggestions? Thanks everyone! Rod | ||
| Rwven |
You'll get plenty of recommendations. I use the TourMaster Flex series convertible jacket and pants. It goes from a cold weather fully lined system to a hot weather mesh system. See it here: http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_v ests/textile_jackets/tour_master/flex_series_3_jac ket.html http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/pants/textile _pants/tour_master/flex_textile_mesh_motorcycle_pa nts.html | ||
| Kevinaye |
I purchased a Joe Rocket Alter Ego 3 from motorcyclegear.com. Good deal and good return policy if needed. Really liking it so far. A bit cold after an 8 hour day up north. An electric vest would fix that though. Have not seen rain yet, so I cannot comment on the waterproofness!!! | ||
| Kenm123t |
AEROSTICH ! not cheap but the way to go custom tailored or off the rack | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
I am right there with ya, Kenm123t on the Aerostitch. None in my closet currently, but jonesing for a Darien. | ||
| Buellerxt |
The BEST folks. Motoport. Which is the best of the best is opinion, no doubt, but I'm a true believer. Wearing good gear is the important thing though and all here are. Cool. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I love my Buell Bolt jacket. Joe Rocket-built, IIRC. Great vents, totally waterproof so far, and in the real cold weather it has room for my heated jacket liner. Nice relaxed fit, no parachuting, good range of movement, just as comfortable on my CR, or my drag-bar M2, as it is on my Uly. | ||
| Towpro |
While you were at Revzilla you should have tried on the Olympia Airglide. it's a layered jacket so you add the layers you need for the weather. Outer layer is mesh, nice in the summer, and it has the CE certified back, shoulder and elbow protection (that comes out for cleaning). Then there is a waterproof liner that zips in. (Which you can carry in the side case until you need it). Then inside that is an insulated liner that zips in. And it's built with brand name stuff like Cordura, Thermolite, 3m Scotchlite But you want to try one on first because any jacket with 3 layers will be tight with all layers installed compared to just wearing the outer mess shell. Plus you can throw it in the washer to clean it  . Mine is the Toxic color shown below. I think I am more visible with this color, but you can guess the local HD riders think it's a joke (so they don't wave to me).  (Message edited by towpro on November 03, 2011) | ||
| 2tracksam |
I've got a First Gear Kilimanjaro (sp?) that is awesome. Good protection, as reasonably waterproof as I expect riding year round in the Nortwet. Lots of pockets and okay ventilation. And has a removable liner I've worn to dinner when friends I dropped in on wanted to eat out at a nicer place than I typically frequent. | ||
| Rwcfrank |
Spidi Voyager http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/35776/ ITEM/Spidi-Voyager-H2-Jacket.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase _35776&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45 &zmap=35776 | ||
| Dtaylor |
Belstaff gear is top-drawer. Well constructed, warm, waterproof (to a point, depending on the jacket) and consistent in size. I'm 5'10", of medium build, and the Mediums all fit me perfectly. When you can find it, it is generally very inexpensive, since it's all old stock being sold off. I don't think they're making anything other than casual wear any more, except what they're kitting out Charley and Ewan with. I think their riding gear is now being produced and/or sold under the BMG label, but I've not seen that stuff here in Canada. I have a Belstaff Horizon, and after 5 years of near constant use is showing very little wear. A great all-rounder, good for everything but the warmest days:  For cooler weather I recently purchased a 3/4 length Trekker jacket:  For really warm weather, I have an Airstream:  The latter two jackets I purchased from the eBay store run by Roseburg Cycle in Oregon, with no problems: http://stores.ebay.ca/roseburg-cycle/_i.html?_nkw=belstaff&submit=Search&_sid=128624728 (Message edited by dtaylor on November 04, 2011) | ||
| Jomartijr |
The Aerostich Roadcrafter is the most used riding jacket in my closet. It's good for 48-85f range and can go lower with heated vest. Expensive but long wearing and durable. | ||
| Pontlee77 |
The best of the best is Rukka, but they are really expensive, I don't own any of them. | ||
| Fordhotline |
Rod, KATHMANDU TEXTILE JACKET. I have one and i believe for the money it can't be beat. The company really stands behind product. If cost not a problem go with the firstgear TPG or Areostich. Enjoy! | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Hard to beat the First Gear Kilimanjaro. I'm a BIG First Gear fan. I've got the HT2 Over Pants and the Kilimanjaro. It's a bit warm for summer but I have other jackets for that. I wear the pants and jacket all the way down to 20 degrees or so. Both are pretty water tight but not perfect. The really nice part is the support. I had a leg zipper slider head south, I called them to see if they had a repair kit (slider and stop). They didn't have a kit but said to send it in even though I had no idea of the purchase date. I got the RMA # and sent the pants in. They were back in less than a week COMPLETELY repaired. Not only did they fix the left leg zipper, they fixed the broken pull on the fly zipper AND replaced the slider on the right leg. Not only did the replace the sliders, the put my Aerostich pull tapes back on the new leg sliders! Total cost? Shipping, one way. Seems they have a 5 year warranty on workmanship and components. The HT II's came out less than 5 years ago so they were totally covered. I also have a pair of HT II Air pants I use in the summer. Great pants. I'm still searching for the perfect glove(s).. I've got lots of jackets (Joe Rocket, Vanson, Buell, Fast Company, etc..) but if I had to chose only one of them it would be the First Gear. Brad | ||
| Towpro |
When buying riding gear, one thing to test is does the zippers close without material getting jammed in the zipper? This problem causes me to hate my Joe Rocket setup. Just about every time I open or close the zippers on the pant sides or any of the pockets the water proof flap gets stuck under the zipper slide and it takes 2 hands to fix it. At one point the zipper in one of the legs came open on both sides of the slide. Joe rocket sent me a new zipper slide and a tailor near where I work was able to install the new slide, but it is a PITA when your either stuck in the pants or you can't get a pocket to open or close while riding. I don't have this problem with the Olympia jacket. | ||
| Calamari_kid |
I've settled on a First Gear Kenya after owning offerings from Joe Rocket, Tourmaster, Power Trip, and Fieldsheer. The Kenya was the best at rain proofiness out of the box, but still benefits from a Nickwax treatment for those all day in the rain rides. It's very comfortable with useful features. The Joe Rocket (Ballistic 3.0 iirc) was a good jacket, and I would probably still have it if I hadn't melted the cuff on a header. I sometimes miss the 3/4 cut in the depths of the Seattle winter, but it was never as rain resistant as the FG. If I ever decide to get another 3/4 jacket, the Killimanjaro will top the list of candidates. | ||
| Rodclement |
Here are my requirements: 3/4 lenght 4 season jacket waterproof plenty of pockets ce or higher protection breathable materials abrasion resistant So far the shortlist: First Gear Kilimanjaro http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/firstgear-kilim anjaro-jacket Olympia AST 2 http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-ast-2-j acket Klim Latitude http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/klim-latitude-j acket Spidi Voyager H2 http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/35776/ITEM/Spidi-Voyager-H2-Jacket.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_35776&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=35776 Rod (Message edited by rodclement on November 04, 2011) (Message edited by rodclement on November 04, 2011) | ||
| 7873jake |
Rod, check http://www.motorcyclegear.com/ periodically for deals. I've bought two complete sets of the First Gear mesh summer weight stuff and got them at over 60% off of the prices I found the same items for in other stores. I currently have the First Gear stuff (like it very well), a Tourmaster Transition II jacket and Caliber pants and they've held up well over the past year but I don't see them lasting the way my 'Stich Darien stuff did. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Towpro - I've found the same issue on my Fieldsheer pants. I've learned - stick out a thumb and use it as a "blocker" in front of the zipper, to push the flap out of the way while zipping. Or a fingernail. Whatever is easiest to get in front, kinda like a snowplow. Works every time | ||
| Calamari_kid |
Might want to check out the First Gear TPG Rainier too. I was getting a new tire spooned on this afternoon and they had them in the gear section of the shop. The d3o armor really reduces the bulk and weight and if it's as waterproof as my TPG pants then you'll be more than good there. Add in the kevlar reinforcement and this is edging the Kilimanjaro out of the top spot for me. | ||
| Rodclement |
Any toughts on the Scorpion Commander jacket? I tried one today at Cycle Gear and it fit great in xxl! I can buy them on-line on sale for $189 with free shipping! That is a great deal! Rod | ||
| Towpro |
I have been buying dirt gear for more years then I can remember. A couple years ago I bought my first pants by Klim. I bought the over the boot design. they are the best built paints I have ever owned. So I went out and bought a pair of the dirt bike (in the boot) pants. I bet there jackets are great stuff as well but a little pricy. | ||
| Blackdog |
First Gear Kilimanjaro. I love mine. It's waterproof, well made and comfortable. A true 3 season jacket. They are normally $300 but I heard there on sale for $150 now. Get the HiViz.  | ||
| Ourdee |
Alpine star, drystar. Warm at 32 degrees with the liner in. I've been in some big storms and never a drop inside. | ||
| Barkbuster |
You could try these guys http://store.teizms.com/ I got the v2 lombard last year and he has since upped his game with the Navigator 2pc and power shell 1pc.prices are up compared to my v2 but materials and engineering of features are better too. I also have a Tourmaster transition 2 jacket which is nice too but the venting on the teiz stuff works better.A huge thread about the evolution of the product here http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433219 going on 3 yrs! (Message edited by barkbuster on November 05, 2011) | ||
| Mark_weiss |
I picked up a Scorpion Commander [ http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D9C025BA44D11A3 713BF0D546303C.asp?cat_id=FBF05AC4DB8843C1B0FF7689 3F5540D5&pcs_key=0200830C4436409D906A8D9F9CF7A68E& retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp& nm=Commander+Jacket&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+X treme+Distance+Rider+Apparel+%3E+XDR+Jackets&path= Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Xtreme+Distance+Rider+Appar el+%3E+XDR+Jackets&sc_id=CE09FA48E68342789CC86EF96 906EBE0 ] last fall. It has been excellent. I've comfortably worn the jacket from 35F to 115F. Below 35 or so I have been happy to have an electric vest. Waterproof, well vented, versatile. Enough pockets for stuff but no so many that I lose everything. I liked the fact that the jacket was available in tall sizing. | ||
| Rodclement |
Thought I should update this thread since I started it! I went with the Scorpion Commander in high vis color. The main reasons are how well it fit me, the build quality, high viz and lastly how cheap it was at closeout prices...$186 for a full featured riding jacket! The high viz will be great for my daily commute! | ||
| Zane |
I second Rwven. I have a Tour Master, the Intake 2 model. It has 2 removable liners, 1 for warmth and one for rain. Fits good and doesn't seem to restrict movement as much as some of the others I tried. Under $175. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
No color will get dirtier faster! Mine looks slightly dirty, even when it's clean. Fortunately, the color is so bright that few can look at the jacket long enough to notice. I also like that I can keep the liner on, even without the jacket. It is too bad the liner does not have pockets, it could be a good piece of destination clothing all by itself. I added a 4" wide strip of retroreflective material across the back. |
