Advice on jackets

[johnnyp]

Hi all. I just started riding again after taking the last 10 years off. I sold most of my gear years ago, and have to buy a jacket and was wondering if I could get the advice of the experienced riders here. If anybody has a minute to offer their suggestions on jackets, I'd sure appreciate it.

In particular:

1. Is leather that much better? Is it worth the extra 100-200 bucks? What about getting rained on? Won't this ruin a leather jacket?

2. For textile jackets, is it extremely important that the jacket fit very snugly? I'm right between sizes and i'm tempted to go larger, but the elbow armor flops all over when I go up a size.

3. Best places to buy. I've checked newenuf and ebay. Any other cheap spots to try?

Thanks a lot for the advice and I apologize if this isn't the correct area on barf. I looked around, but couldn't see any other place where a general question like this would go.

John

[hotdog]

GOLD!!! :newbie

[hotdog]

btw, if you can afford leather, go with leather! having a 1.5mm of leather between the pavement and skin makes all the difference :thumbup

the cheapest leathers that i can think of are those made by Teknic. The prices are okay, but the quality isn't great that being compared to something like Alpinestars or Dainese.

[Outta Control]

1. Is leather that much better? Is it worth the extra 100-200 bucks? What about getting rained on? Won't this ruin a leather jacket?

Leather isn't any better or worse. It primarily depends on what you want out of it. Each has their good and bad points.

2. For textile jackets, is it extremely important that the jacket fit very snugly? I'm right between sizes and i'm tempted to go larger, but the elbow armor flops all over when I go up a size.

Not very snug at all. See if the jacket comes with a liner that you can remove. In some cases you wouldn't need the liner in this season.

3. Best places to buy. I've checked newenuf and ebay. Any other cheap spots to try?

You can try RoadRider MC and Cycle Gear.

[john_n]

California BMW in Mt. View has a display of different textile and leather materials after sliding down the road. They don't have the best prices, but you can see what holds up the best.

I don't recall their test parameters, but some of the textiles held up as well as the leathers under their test conditions. In the long haul though, leather can slide further, or withstand multple falls better than textiles.

[johnnyp]

I'm leaning towards a textile jacket only because they're significantly cheaper and because I expect that i'll get caught in the rain since i intend to use the bike for commuting as well as recreational riding.

Does anybody have experience with Joe Rocket? I'm thinking about a hard drive jacket. Thanks for all the advice!

[Flpstyl]

please post where you end up getting the jacket and price too... I'm in the market for a jacket too.

Thanks

[Red]

In my opinion leather is that much better! i've taken a fall w/leather and i was very lucky to just walk away with minor bruses no road rash at all....back in my squid days i just happend to test the road w/a textile jaket. and never again will my left arm be the same my skin got f-up even w/ the liner on the jaket. you will see what i'm talking about once you try the textile on. spend that extra $$$ on the leather it's well worth it. less hot too...and no it will not be ruin in the rain.
Try road rider they have a clearence going on some of the leathers, Cycle gear is always good too...good luck w/your purchase be safe!

[flynbmw]

If you buy a textile jacket, do not but a cheap one (see Red's post). Leather will take mutiple falls better than textile, but is not as versatile as a good textile jacket/suit. Don't be cheap with your riding gear, "road rash" hurts!!! Check Helimot for used leathers too.

[johnnyp]

I'm thinking it's worth a few extra bucks for leather. I don't want to regret it later over 100 bucks.

I'm finding leather jackets for around 300 bucks that are decent. I'll let you all know what I end up getting . Thanks!

[900CR]

You might want to look at a AeroStitch Suit. Having a nice leather jacket and wearing Levi's is really only half dressed. Not many people realize this, but cotton denim disintegrates as soon as it touches the pavement.

Since the impact usually happens on the upper torso and hands, riders think they'll be fine... Unfortuanetely, much of the rash from skidding along the road happens to your lower extremities... knees, hips, thighs and butt. These are very large areas of skin and take much longer to heal than you might think.

Buying just a jacket is like buying only one glove.

http://www.cmyoung.com/images/P1010049.JPG
http://www.cmyoung.com/images/06-21-03-nopain.JPG

[johnnyp]

ouch!

[TylerW]

Originally posted by johnnyp
2. For textile jackets, is it extremely important that the jacket fit very snugly? I'm right between sizes and i'm tempted to go larger, but the elbow armor flops all over when I go up a size.


If you're between sizes, I'd suggest buying something that comes in european sizing, IE Alpinestars, Gericke, Dainese, etc. Their sizing is a lot more granular, rather than having to go with something like "M" or "XL."

Why don't they do this kinda stuff for helmets?

[maxboxa]

:( :green :barf

i gotta buy some leather pants...

[johnnyp]

i'm leaning towards an alpinestars tz-1. i found it on the internet for 295. cheap for good leather!

[mmeacham]

I got The TZ-1 Jacket and race pants from Roadrider about two months ago. $265 each. They beat every internet price I have seen, and you can try them on.

I bought a textile jacket when I first got the bike. I never use it any more. I don't feel safe.

If you get um loose, the armor will rotate and a hole will appear near it and in you arm. I have seen pictures. They are mostly one fall stuff.

Get pants!! Jeans don't do squat. See the pics.

Ride safe

[Flpstyl]

where roadrider located

[Outta Control]

My response was based on johnnyp's desired riding style. Though whole hearted I agree leather has better abrasion quality. It does get uncomfortably hot. Especially now in the summer. I have placed my order for a set of Stadlers from of course Helimot. As you can already tell it is "bling bling" stuff and it is not leather. There are some good leather alternative jacket/pant out there. In fact I came across MotoPorts Kevlar set on sale for cheap ;) and plus I get a discount on Motoport stuff, but I too spend the extra mile for better stuff. And Kevlar comes with it own controversy but it does have its merit.

[maph]

Originally posted by johnnyp
Does anybody have experience with Joe Rocket? I'm thinking about a hard drive jacket. Thanks for all the advice!

I have a Joe Rocket Highside 2pc suit and I like it. It is not custom so it will have some things I will not like but for the most part the jacket is great.

The jacket does fit a little on the small side which makes it a little more snug than I am use to when I wear a back protector. But, it has decent ventilation for warmer days and is comfortable to wear for daily commuting.

and believe it or not the pants fit me pretty damn good. not too tight not too loose. Great for long weekend rides.

[mmeacham]

Originally posted by Flpstyl
where roadrider located

Here is their web page. It suck but will get you there.

http://www.roadridermca.com/

[PoPPer]

Totally agree with 900RR...Aerostitch suits are meant for multiple crashes. If you wear leather and crash, that suit/jacket is unuseable. However, my friend crashed in an Aerostitch and it's semi perfectly re-useable. Only show sign of scratches but no tears. So I ordered one, and in 2 days...I received it. It doesn't look as colorful as the other brands, but when you at the nasty pix...well...you get the picture. Jackets are Ok...I guess for short rides...but in mountains/tracks...I have confident in AeroStitch.

[johnnyp]

I hope I don't even crash once, but I suspect that if i do, it'll be my last. I took the advice that was offered by the fine folks here and decided on a alpinestars tz-1. It was about 60 bucks more expensive than the joe rocket hard drive i was looking at and the consensus is that leather is either better, or the standard.

I was also told repeatedly (at the store), that leather is cooler since it breathes? Not sure if i got duped or not, but in any case, I decided on leather.

I found a site online that offered this jacket for 295, and amazingly, i found a store in san francisco that offered the same for only 20 bucks more. I bought it at scuderia in downtown for 319. The people there helped me a lot by showing me other jackest too. I still decided on this one.

Thanks again for all your advice. It's nice to know that experienced riders still look out for newbies.

See you out there!

john

[Pinoy Rider]

Try www.motorcylecloseouts.com.

[RydTher]

another suggestion for a suit like an Aerostitch. Yes they cost a bunch, but if I had it to do over, I would have started with a 'Stitch. Protected top and bottom, wear over work clothes, since you mentioned commuting, and reasonably weatherproof.
I am leaving on a road trip a little over a week, and fortuneatly will be in Minnesota for a bit, so I am going to go to the riderwarehouse (aerostitch) and get measured for a suit. Currently I have 3 jackets and riding pants. Totalled together they cost more than the aerostitch, so going that way from the start would have been the way to go.
little long winded, but seriously consider the Aerostitch.

[V4]

I like the Alpinestar TZ-1 and Stunt jackets.....

Good stuff for the price.....the cut on the TZ-1 and Stunt jackets is more casual so it don't have the Ricky Racer look but still offer the shoulder/arm protection.....It does have a back protector but its a cheap foam BUT the jacket(s) itself does have a large enough pocket so you can easily put a better quality back protector if you wish.....

Has removable liner and well ventilated for hot days and has a zipper that can attach the Alpinestar pants......

Good amount of large useful sized pockets to carry necessary things for the real world and has 3-M reflective strips on the arm/back area......

[JoshH]

Does anybody have experience with Joe Rocket? I'm thinking about a hard drive jacket. Thanks for all the advice!

I have a 2 piece Joe Rocket Highside suit and I'm pleased with it. Sure it gets a little hot in the summer months but it's nice and warm riding in the winter. The quality seems pretty good too, no tears, no zipper problems or anything. I got mine at www.kneedraggers.com.

[GAMBLER]

Try cycle gear for leather pants, store brand around 150.00. They have padding in the knees and hips. My vote goes with leather. They hold up better in a spill. Don't forget gloves and boots. Ride safer.

[johnnyp]

I've got gloves, a jacket, and a helmet, but no pants or boots. I'm mainly going to be riding around town in SF, so i didn't want to go too overboard with riding gear since i think it'll be a little odd walking around in a riding suit or leather pants if i'm not sitting on a bike :laughing

Anyway, i'm probably going to make my next purchase a cheapo helmet so i can give rides to some lady friends.

See you guys out there and thanks again for all the advice! :cool

[TylerW]

Nice choice on the TZ-1. It has good venting right about the chest/shoulder that dumps in a good deal of air, especially if you take the lining out. Speaking of which, it also decently keps you warm at nighttime, but I can't claim anything about it's winter warmth, I got mine in april.

Noticing that the TZ-1 in blowing up among barfers though, so expect to see more than a few when you come out to meets/rides.

Originally posted by johnnyp
I hope I don't even crash once, but I suspect that if i do, it'll be my last. I took the advice that was offered by the fine folks here and decided on a alpinestars tz-1. It was about 60 bucks more expensive than the joe rocket hard drive i was looking at and the consensus is that leather is either better, or the standard.

I was also told repeatedly (at the store), that leather is cooler since it breathes? Not sure if i got duped or not, but in any case, I decided on leather.

I found a site online that offered this jacket for 295, and amazingly, i found a store in san francisco that offered the same for only 20 bucks more. I bought it at scuderia in downtown for 319. The people there helped me a lot by showing me other jackest too. I still decided on this one.

Thanks again for all your advice. It's nice to know that experienced riders still look out for newbies.

See you out there!

john

[johnnyp]

Riding around in SF is pretty crazy. I'm from Washington DC and riding out there is so different. I feel like a complete beginner trying to figure out how to get around sf, parking, lane splitting, etc.

Should be interesting....

[Silly Sod]

Originally posted by johnnyp
Hi all. I just started riding again after taking the last 10 years off. I sold most of my gear years ago, and have to buy a jacket and was wondering if I could get the advice of the experienced riders here. If anybody has a minute to offer their suggestions on jackets, I'd sure appreciate it.

In particular:

1. Is leather that much better? Is it worth the extra 100-200 bucks? What about getting rained on? Won't this ruin a leather jacket?

2. For textile jackets, is it extremely important that the jacket fit very snugly? I'm right between sizes and i'm tempted to go larger, but the elbow armor flops all over when I go up a size.

3. Best places to buy. I've checked newenuf and ebay. Any other cheap spots to try?
RoadRider...Websites..
Thanks a lot for the advice and I apologize if this isn't the correct area on barf. I looked around, but couldn't see any other place where a general question like this would go.

John


1. Leather is good. I haven't wiped in a textile
so perhaps I can't compare... What I can
say though is that having ridden through
rain storms that would get Noah on his boat...
and crashes that would make Sheene blanch...leather
holds up just fine.

2. Not only textile...any jacket you buy should be
snug...I've heard stories of people rotatin'
within their jacket while skippin' down the road.
DEFINITELY get a snug jack...no matter textile/leather.
I will add...don't get a SPIDI...whoever design's
these freakin' jackets puts on the whimpiest fookin
zippers I have ever come across...my fly
zipper is stronger than what they put on...
AGV makes a good jacket...Spidi makes a
good jacket, with many cool colours...but the zipper
sucks..and WILL BREAK!!! :mad

3. RoadRider, Websites, Santa Clara Cycles...
all cut some pretty good deals...

No worries John.... you did things perfectly!!!
=Silly Sod

[MelloGixxer]

Originally posted by Flpstyl
where roadrider located

Monterey Rd. off Tully.. If your on Tully go toward the Fair Grounds
then when you see Monterey Rd. turn left.. Go down two lights or
so and it will be on your right hand side on the corner.. I work
down the street and I frequent the place.

[tday01]

If you get leather, make sure you get a brand that has velcro or pop flaps over the zipper on the sleeve. I had a fieldsheer that didn't. When I went down, the zipper caught on the road and opened and ripped = arm rash.

Now I have a 1st gear with a flaps over all the zippers

[johnnyp]

yes! the tz1 i bought has a button that secures the zipper down.

:)

[ralphjones]

Hi Johnnyp!
please check our website http://www.motogearusa.com for high quality leather jackets.we are direct manufacturers of all of our products.we are located in fremont near to 880 and 680 freeways.
if you have any further questions contact either ralph at (408(-396-4455 or andrew at (510)-435-1941.

Thanks A Lot
ralph

[Baptistro]

:bump