Gear Question

[Entoptic]

I recently had a tear occur on my nice Dainese leather jacket. It was coming cause the jacket has been through 5 seasons of everyday riding. I needed a new jacket asap and wanted something that had good air flow, think summer jacket. I opted for the Dainese Air Frame.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-air-frame-textile-jacket

I have a back protector in it now but the jacket feels like I am wearing a t-shirt while riding. I come from the leather or GTFO camp and this is my first none leather jacket which makes me nervous. I don't race my bike at all but I do commute on the freeway with it and hit up the twisties on the weekend. The gentleman that helped me said it would survive one crash but thats it and I am ok with that. Honestly it feels like a strong wind is going to rip it apart. I am worried that this thing is going to fail and my nipples are going to be ground off. Has anyone had experience with their mesh/textile product line and if so what did you think of it? Safety is my concern and if that means buying a new jacket then so be it.

This is the jacket I will be purchasing in a few months for non summer days.

http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-speed-naked-pelle.html?gender=2&cat=12

That jacket makes me feel much safer.

 

[Gary856]

I was wearing a Frank Thomas (Cycle Gear brand) mesh jacket when I had my first and only low side at speed - around 30-40 mph. It was my first ever group ride during a 100 deg+ day. I remember looking at all the riders before the ride and thinking, "I can't believe all these people are in full leather on this hot day." Well luckily I didn't get scraped up too badly, but more protection would've been nicer.

A textile mesh jacket mainly gives some protection in low speed dumps with padding in the joint areas. Still better than no gear on a very hot day (over 90F). When it's below 85F, a perforated leather jacket is generally cool enough as long as you're moving.

 

[ZCrow]

It's all personal choice and luck of the dice really. Personally, whether it is 50* or 100* plus I sport perf leather. In a low speed crash it might not matter but on the weekend canyon ride or on the highway it would.

I've been in 3 crashes at speed and never lost an inch of skin and have all my parts (well mostly, surgical steel in one collar bone).

One, note on the Speed Naked, I checked out that jacket, tried it for a week and returned it because the leather felt too thin and the armor too light.

If you are lean (no beer gut) and are looking for a versatile jacket, you might consider the RS Tachi GMX Motion. Costs less than the Dainese, is cooler in the heat and has a removable wind blocking liner for colder days. Scuderia West carries them in The Bay.

 

[Entoptic]

Very cool info. I am worried about this jacket being able to take the hit on the freeway. I have only been in one crash at 70mph and I was in full leathers which was a blessing. I just want to ensure that I won't get road rash.

 

[fmtgsxr]

Very cool info. I am worried about this jacket being able to take the hit on the freeway. I have only been in one crash at 70mph and I was in full leathers which was a blessing. I just want to ensure that I won't get road rash.

Nothing is guaranteed in life. If you think wearing Dainese would decrease your chances of getting road rash and increase your safety and you can afford it..get it!

I've personally crashed in $120 Teknic leather jacket and it has held up for me.. it all depends on crash, speed and just your luck!

Good luck with your new purchase gear bud.

 

[WWWobble]

I recently had a tear occur on my nice Dainese leather jacket. It was coming cause the jacket has been through 5 seasons of everyday riding. I needed a new jacket asap and wanted something that had good air flow, think summer jacket. I opted for the Dainese Air Frame.

Do you find the Boomerang Fabric (love that description) mesh jacket to be much cooler riding in really hot weather than your old Dainese leather one? I guess I'm assuming here the D. leather jacket had venting... ?? or have you had the mesh jacket long enough to tell.

WWWobble

 

[Sharky]

I am a fan of textile stuff for commuting, but not so sure about those mesh jobs.

 

[jimboFosho]

I ride in both leather and textile. That said, a lot if cheaper textile stuff is pretty worthless in anything with any speed. Ballistic nylon is not a good material for abrasion. At the very least I would want Cordura or super fabric if I wasn't going to go leather and the armor and placement of the armor can make or break the protection of a lot of textile gear. I have been meaning to write a review for the agv telluride pants to give a realistic(crash tested) perspective on what you get out of them...it's not a lot. I also have an older gen tourmaster epic jacket that has already crashed once and hardly looks worse for the wear. The thing is built like a tank(and the weight reflects that..)

 

[Entoptic]

Do you find the Boomerang Fabric (love that description) mesh jacket to be much cooler riding in really hot weather than your old Dainese leather one? I guess I'm assuming here the D. leather jacket had venting... ?? or have you had the mesh jacket long enough to tell.

WWWobble

Ok so a quick review. It's not the best review because I rode with this jacket once to work and then decided I am going to return it for a perf leather jacket. The cooling on it is AMAZING. I literally feel like I am wearing a t-shirt and the flow is fantastic but it gives me the "oh shit" feeling. It is also kinda scratchy but I am sure over time someone could get used to it. My old leather jacket (which will be up for free sometime soon on barf) has perforations all over it and the airflow was good but nothing like the jacket I plan on returning. After my one and only ride with it and my fears set in I went on youtube and looked up mesh jacket/textile jacket crash reviews and I will never own anything but leather/cordura. The injuries to the skin were enough for me to realize that it isn't for me.

 

[Entoptic]

Nothing is guaranteed in life. If you think wearing Dainese would decrease your chances of getting road rash and increase your safety and you can afford it..get it!

I've personally crashed in $120 Teknic leather jacket and it has held up for me.. it all depends on crash, speed and just your luck!

Good luck with your new purchase gear bud.

Very true! The reason I choose Dainese is because of the fit and feel. They do a really good job taking bulky armor/leather and transforming it into clothing that you can wear anywhere and feel comfortable.

 

[IAmA M0t0r Ridεr]

I crashed a couple of times using the same Spidi Mesh (cordura) jacket. No road rash, and I slid once for a while. Helmet destroyed. Armor was good on that one.

I don't know about the Dainese Air-Frame, but I like it, and I want one. I have AlpineStar perf, and it's useless in traffic, or when the weather is over 90F.