| Author | Message | ||
     Iyaoyas |
What seems to be the best for the buck when it comes to riding jackets. I am looking to get a mesh jacket for summer and maybe a textile jacket for early spring and late fall. | ||
| Delta_one |
I just go this one and love it  tour master Sonora 3/4 length mesh with 2 removable liners | ||
| Drkside79 |
I have a tour master air intake 2 and it works very well here in Chicago. BTW if a jacket is good here it is good anywhere. We have crazy weather at times. | ||
| Drkside79 |
TourMaster Air intake 2 BTW it has 2 removable layers a quilted layer and a rain layer. About $150  | ||
| Delta_one |
I feel you drkside I'm just the other side of the lake from you. | ||
| Drkside79 |
lol Oh so you're one of the lucky bastards that gets 80% of our lake effect snow. Man is that crap a bitch. | ||
| Firebolt32 |
I've road tested the Buell Turbulent. There a few here and there. Saved the left side of my body when I was hit in Dec. | ||
| Iyaoyas |
how does anyone feel about Frank Thomas gear? It seems to be more reasonably priced than the Rocket stuff is. | ||
| Greg_e |
Tourmaster Flex 2 and Flex pants, so far only have cold weather experience, waiting for the warm to test the mesh part. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
The Frank Thomas gloves I got were not that great, I took them back they were so generic/sloppy in fit. Jackets may be better but I wasn't impressed with the brand at all. New Enough (dot com) has been recommended by many here as a good retailer for gear. I found a shop in ID that sells seconds from Joe Rocket and have been pleased with the gloves and jackets I've gotten from them. I tend to end up with that brand due to convenience I guess. My favorite jacket is a Fieldsheer Super Sport that's 10 or so years old, held up great in the crash test that put me from bike, to car hood, to road and on my feet again. Finish was scuffed on the arms but otherwise did fine. Second fav is my Joe Rocket Alter Ego, convertible textile/mesh jacket with rain liner that's good down to 55 or so without any fleece layering under it. | ||
| Iyaoyas |
How long does it take to remove the panels on the alter ego? Do they come off and go back on easily? I had counted on having to own a mesh jacket for summer and a textile jacket for early spring and late fall. Sounds like the alter ego may be that magic bullet. | ||
| Xbmacon |
I like the Hein Gericke gear. I have two jackets(one leather, one textile-(PSX)). Seems good quality for less money. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Only takes a minute to remove the panels, takes maybe two and a half to put them back on. They are held on primarily with zippers but have a couple velcro patches to help with placement. The rain liner also make the jacket warmer when it's cool, trapping in body heat and blocking the wind that does leak through the zippers at the panels. It also cones with a little mesh back-pack sort of bag you can stow the panels or liner in when you have to peel off layers, seemed cheesy at first but it's been useful for cool spring and fall riding or summer rides that take me into the mountains and cooler temps. I found the large is a bit loose on me (5'10" size 42 athletic) and wish I'd gotten a medium, but I found a seamstress who replaced the elastic on the sleeve adjusters with something a bit shorter and am happier with the jacket than ever. I always wished I'd gotten the Super Ego (leather) but I really like the color on the Alter Ego for visibility and heat issues in the summer, the Super is only available in black (with black mesh, the alter gets a silver mesh). With a fleece vest or jacket underneath these jackets are good for some cold weather riding, I pair it up with some rain over-pants for wet weather stuff when needed. Silicone spray makes the jacket hold up better in the rain, need to reapply after washing it. I thought Hein Gericke as Tavis suggested had some nice options in the past but have not found a local retailer so I could try them. | ||
| Iman501 |
this thread is conveinent. My parents said they would get me a new riding jacket for graduation.my price range is about $200 give or take a bit, so i'm just trying to get some good jackets to look at. I live in illinois, so i see all kinds of weather, and i'll ride down to about 35 degrees up to high 90's. So what i'm looking for is something that is going to keep me fairly cool in the summer, and offer at least some protection from the cold in the lower temps. I've been doing some looking around, not much tough so any input would be great! i found this one from a-star, and thought it was pretty cool http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/19721/ ITEM/Alpinestars-T-Stunt-Air-Jacket.aspx i just couldnt tell if it had the armor in the shoulders &/or elbows. I know its not a very good jacket for cold weather, but then again neither is the one i'm using now.... | ||
| Drkside79 |
Iman501 PM SENT | ||
| Iman501 |
drkside, wana try to resend it? i havent gotten it | ||
| 4cammer |
Look here : http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/textile_ jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/atomic_3_textile_moto rcycle_jacket.html Not a fan of man made fibers to save my hide though...unless it is maybe from MotoPort but that is some serious $$$. http://www.motoport.com/ | ||
| Greg_e |
Iman, Throw another $100-$150 on their and you could get the complete Flex2/Flex suit that I have. With the liners in 35 wasn't too bad (if I had winter gloves not bad at all). But as I said I have not tried in 45+ yet so I don't know what to tell you on the mesh portion (panels removed). http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/10310/ ITEM/Tour-Master-Flex-Series-2-Jacket.aspx http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/40/20397/ ITEM/Tour-Master-Flex-Pants.aspx If you don't need long sizes, Cortech has some really nice looking stuff and Bumpus can order it for you which might get a better price (they can probably get the Tourmaster stuff too). Tell the parents that a jacket is not enough protection. The full suit (as long as you are wearing it) offers protection to the knees and hips which cost way too much to fix if they get shattered. Good gloves (Cortech Adrenaline) and good motorcycle specific boots that come up over the ankle are also important (ankle and hand repairs are also very expensive). Some track day events will let you out on the track with a decent textile suit (some conditions still apply) but they will all require good ankle protection and gloves. | ||
| Greg_e |
Also do some searching on Joe Rocket before you by the stuff, way too many reports of stitching that rips out within a year for me to drop money on them. Still hoping my Tourmaster stuff lives longer since I need it to work for a couple years. | ||
| Marksm |
I've had a Tourmaster Intake jacket since 2007 when I got the Bike and it's holding up great. Works well from the lower 40's all the way up to the 90's. | ||
| Iman501 |
as far as gear that i have now, i've got a nice helmet (HJC) i've got a sweet pair of a-star riding boots thanks to delta_one!!!!! (thanks again!) i've got a pair of kevlar jeans, but they arent anything compared to real armour. and then just some heavy leather work gloves that arent very comfortable lol. My dad has a riding jacket with the armour in it, and i wear that most of the time (when he doesnt have it) but i'm not a fan of how his fits me, its a little big, and uncomfortable. i'll have to see about getting their 200, and adding some of my own (i'm sure family will give me some money for graduation) and putting it towards a full suite like u've sugested! | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I've had the alter ego for six or more years, not problems. My Icon gloves have held up poorly, the stitching started coming undone in the first season I had them. My sgt went down on the track and the stitching on the back of his A-stars suit blew up (A-stars makes good gear). His wife got a Fieldsheer suit, I don't think she's crash tested it. I had one years ago but sent it back knowing I wouldn't wear a full suit, that's when I got my leather jacket from them instead. Sometimes stitching gives up in a crash. Gear that is double or triple stitched will hold up better and leather has the best abrasion resistance out there. I really like the J.R. atomic gloves I melted on my rear header last spring. Their stuff always seemed trendy and too much fashion vs function to me, I remove most of the big flashy panels on the gear I get from them... but the brand keeps ending up in my riding gear due to fit, function, cost, and availability. Those ATGATT guys are cool, but I won't dress that way all the time (mostly due to the time it takes to gear up, but hey, leather pants in the grocery store? No thanks). So I believe we need to buy what we will wear, rather than having a full suit hanging in my garage that I'll never wear. For me that is helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket. | ||
| Littlebuggles |
There's a couple good reviews on jackets and other gear on the canyon chasers (dot net) website, including a textile jacket and a leather Icon as well. | ||
| Tbolt_pilot |
+1 on Tourmaster I tried on all the top brands and the Tourmaster Jett II was my pick. I ordered from motorcycle superstore after trying on. It should be here tomorrow. Tourmaster is priced well and fit good, nice collar fabric, has hard shell armour. | ||
| Iman501 |
so i've been going through newenough.com and motorcyclesuperstore.com for the past half hour or so, found a couple that seemed decent, most seem to have the same description and all seem to only include shoulder and elbow armour, and your stuck buying the back armour aftermarket. but this one seemed to stick out to me! i just really liked the simplicity to the design! and its a good price. I know its not a heavy duty coat by the looks of it, but what do some of you think? http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/28805/ ITEM/Alpinestars-T-Barcelona-Textile-Jacket.aspx | ||
| Delta_one |
Iman try this, leather where you need it textile where you don't. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/17951/ ITEM/Shift-Racing-Streetfighter-Hybrid-Jacket.aspx | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I followed your link and started browsing Ian. Check out this one in blue to match your bike and for better visibility. Belt loops to keep it down when wearing with your jeans, zippered should you get some riding pants too. Full sleeve (waterproof) liner and padding/armor in all the standard places. It's on sale in all sizes putting it into your price range. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/16469/ ITEM/Fieldsheer-Corsair-Sport-Jacket.aspx | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Nice choice Delta One! (Message edited by littlebuggles on March 17, 2010) | ||
| Delta_one |
I have this one and its the same idea as the streetfighter but the waterproof liner is not removable so its kinda hot in the summer and feels crunchy. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/20107/ ITEM/Teknic-Rage-Waterproof-Jacket.aspx | ||
| Jabaniz |
Icon may be a little overpriced, but every piece of gear from helmet, jeans, backpack, jacket, and gloves have been amazing! Ive had my jacket gloves and helmet since spring of 2006 and worn the hell out of em Mind you, I live in North Dakota too in a given summer day it can range from 40 in early morning to well over 90 in afternoon, not too mention fall and spring riding with rain/sleet/snow. Oh i forgot big ass bugs too! I have the leather Daytona black/white. Its a heavy leather jacket, it came with elbow, and back pads which i removed, it also came with a nice removable liner for cold days, Ive ridden in 40 degrees or less with it and maybe a long sleeve shirt underneath, The jacket also has plenty of zippable vents for hot days. Leather gives me the confidence for dealing with helicopter size bugs and should be good skin protection in case of an accident. Its also a snap to clean just a moist rag and wipe it off I also have some alpine stars motocross gear which has been pretty sweet, dont know if that helps or not (Message edited by Jabaniz on March 17, 2010) | ||
| Delta_one |
take your pick... http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=4062&post=1761408#POST1761408 |
