Any input is helpful. I have a great Shoei full face but also considering a modular for those rides with friends where you want to stop and talk along the way. Also looking for advice on a good perforated leather jacket.
Current considerations: Shoei Multitech Scorpion EXO-900 (if it fits)
I just ordered a Scorpion Stinger perforated leather jacket from www.kneedraggers.com. Several retailers have it for similar. With the free shipping KD was the cheapest, and I have been very happy with the customer service.
$133 with free shipping for the black/blue. They retail for about $400. The black and white are still around retail, but the black/blue and black/red are on clearance. It gets great reviews everywhere I have seen. www.sportbiketrackgear.com has a nice 9 minute youtube video of it.
If thats not your taste look around, there are a lot of nice jackets on clearance at the various online retailers.
I have an ICON Daytona leather jacket. Sunday I lowsided in it, and came out of it with a very minor abrasion (about the size of a quarter) on my elbow, and a sore rib. After cleaning, the jacket has not a mark except a scuff less than 1/4 inch square. See my thread "So Bummed" for photos.
I would buy the jacket again in a heartbeat. List is $380, but I got mine off craigslist brand new for $200.
I also have a Scorpion EXO 700 helmet, but after reading the thread on helmets,I'm not so sure I will replace it with another Scorpion. Although the cheaper EXO 400 did well, the 700 (I paid $220 or so) was the single worst performer tested.
I own an Icon Accelerant perf and have no complaints at all. Its a very well made jacket. I don't have anything to compare it to as it is the first jacket I have owned, but I would not hesitate to buy it again.
I have the scorpion 1000 helmet and love it. It had the flip down dark visor where I dont have to wear sunglassess and the pump up cheek pads are nice to fit the helmet the way you like it. It was great for me during the winter blocking out the cold air.
I have a Fieldsheer Razor perf leather jacket that I'm wearing even in now when it's been 80-95*F lately here in MD (humid)! The perforations are just enough to keep me cool enough, though sometimes I had a thinner perf leather ... sitting in traffic sucks, though.
I have the Scorpion EXO-1000 and I love it. It's going to be hard to go to a helmet WITHOUT a flip-down sun visor ... beyond cool.
I was thinking about the Shark. It looks great, but the review I read from webBikeWorld wasn't real convincing. I want to try one on though to decide for myself. Can't find a dealer close by though.
Thanks Jdugger. That's interesting. I'm in textile (Buell switchback) now but was thinking of trying a light mesh due to the afternoon heat. Been having second thoughts because of possible loss of protection in the mesh though. Perf leather best of both worlds? Further comments please?
Whistler, that's why I am looking for a perf. The ability to get leather and stay cool. I have a mesh, it's fine and has armor, but in anything more than a low speed incident you may come up short. My Joe Rocket leather is great, but too hot. Better suited for spring and fall.
The Fieldsheer Razor looks great. Will check that one out as well.
During lunch checked out the local shop. Here's what I found. For reference, I fit a Large Shoei almost perfectly.
- Nolan, ouch, moved on. - Scorpion EXO900, see above. A lot of pressure up front. - Shark EvoLine 2, surprisingly they have them, medium fit ok, but a little pressure in the front. Felt a little cheap to me. Face shield was a pain to get open and didn't really like the locking assembly. - HJC Symax 2, fit pretty well, but didn't like the finish or the fussy visor assembly. Felt cheap.
It may be down to the Shoei Multitech due to fit.
What really surprised me was the Shark full face helmets fit better than any helmet I've tried. Absolutely perfect. Fit and finish were top rate. When in the market again will be getting the Shark without hesitation. May get one just because I like it so much.
Tried on jackets too.
- Alpinestars Stage Perf Jacket - fits very well and light weight. Armor was easy to bend and not too stiff. Leather was a bit thinner than my regular jacket and thus will probably be good for summer. Had a zip out liner so getting the jacket a little snug is in order. I usually wear a 48 but 46 should be great. - Icon Accelerant in large. VERY nice jacket, but a little heavy for summer. Leather was good quality and soft. Armor was a bit stiff. - SHIFT Vertex Jacket- fits a little small, tried on an XL. About the same as the Icon. Nice jacket but a little heavy. Not enough perforation either.
Sorry for the lengthy report. Hopefully it will help others looking though.
I have the Scorpion EXO-1000 and love it. Always had issues with finding a helmet that fit me head snug and didn't make me eat the inside of my cheeks. The 1000 solved that. The flip down visor.... eh, could be darker, but still a nice item.
I have the Buell Switchback and a Joe Rocket Mesh for those hot Carolina days over 95. Love them both, the mesh is much cooler. I haven't crashed either.
I am in my fourth summer riding in a Teknic Chicane jacket. I cannot speak for its crashworthiness, because I have been lucky so far, but I love it. It is fully perforated and I bought it in silver and white with black trim to reflect as much sunlight and heat as possible. It is still miserably hot at 80 degrees plus in traffic, just like any other leather will be, but I just keep telling myself how much easier sweat washes off than rash.
One thing that almost no one considers is the color of your summer jacket. Black may"look" cool, but it definitely is not. Black absorbs a lot more heat than light colors. The two most important things I look for in my summer jacket is that it must be fully perforated and it must be white.
I have the icon. I went down in it Wednesday as some might know doing about 60 over the handel bars and came out pretty much fine. I do have road rash on my lower back were it must have pulled up. I havent seen it since the accident I don't know where it ended up. I have the icon domain 2 helmet with the spoiler. my head is fine it was a good fit though And that's what matters the most
I got a pretty sturdy mesh jacket with removable CE armor and a rain/wind removable liner from Cyclegear for $89.00. Seems pretty good quality and the money is definitely right. Fits great, I like it. First Gear? Any opinions?
Two things I forgot, +1 on the Icon Daytona jacket. I have one for cooler weather. It doesn't see light of day when the temp is over 70, but it is an awesome jacket.
The other is another endorsement for Newenough. I got the Teknic jacket from them on clearance for $125. Always great service and the clearance items are usually great deals if it's available in your size.
I second motoport.com. The only way to go IMHO. Having crashed in both Leathers and Motoport Kevlar, I will never go back to leathers. Plus they cool better than leather and with he liners are warmer when you need it and lighter too.
I wear Vanson. I have both a full perf and a solid . The solid has been down once and besides a bit of a scuff is unharmed. The full perf I wear in Dallas. It's good as long as you stay moving. Anything longer than a traffic light is a bit to warm.
Akuma helmets. I had an accident in February, and went down at freeway speeds, smacking the back of my head on the pavement. Other than a concussion (not uncommon in that situation, no matter what helmet you are wearing)I was fine. My Akuma saved my life. Flash forward, a couple of months, and I send an email, to Akuma, to tell them about my accident, and thank them for the quality construction, of their helmets. I get an email from the president of the company, that same day, offering to give me a new helmet FOR FREE! Needless to say I took him up on his offer. Plus, their customer service is top notch.
Lots going on in this thread. I'm looking for a jacket that offers great protection that can be worn in 90+ degrees. Any advice much appreciated. Thanks
As far as helmet goes, check out the 2010 Bell Vortex. It's the cheapest Snell2010-approved helmet. I actually have last year's Snell2005/DOT-approved Bell Star, and if the Vortex has close to the same ventilation then it will be a winner for summer. I have somewhat of a helmet fetish and own the following: Shoei X-11, Arai RX-7 Corsair, AGV GP-Tech, Shark RSR2, Shark RSX, Dainese Airstream, AGV K-3, and the Bell Star is clearly the best venting helmet of them all. I live in Florida and right now the heat index is 107F with the humidity (97F actual) and the Star is all I wear. Below is also a video review from Sportbiketrackgear, whose reviews I actually trust.
Regarding jackets, with the ultra-high humidity here, all-mesh jackets flow the most air and are cooler than any perforated leather (which is my preference) IMHO. I prefer Teknic Mesh jackets as they come standard with all-Knox armor (about the best) and have very good adjustability for a snug fit, critical to keeping the armor in place during a crash.
I like the Motoport stuff... it's kevlar-blended (and therefore quite strong) and looks good, and is the best jacket I've had for 90F+ Texas heat.
It comes fully armored... even with chest protection. I would get their new quad armor for best impact protection and their "air mesh" kevlar for hot weather use.
Not cheap, but you get a custom fit and a jacket you will always reach for (unless you must have leather).
Following a crash, I sent in my jacket and pants for repair, which they handled for a small fee and got everything back to me quite promptly. Solid service.
I have the scorpion stinger perforated in phantom black. It is nice but it is a pretty thick jacket and not tolerable in severe heat(85+)unless you are on the highway. We have already seen 109 degrees over here so my mesh is seeing a lot of use. I wore the stinger with the liner in the winter and it worked great, even in the low 30s.If it doesn't get real hot where you live it makes a great all season jacket.