| Author | Message | ||
     Tstan7777 |
Anyone have a suggestion for a riding jacket? I don't know the first thing about all these jackets they have available. I live in se tx, so it's usually hot around here. I think I'd want one with a removable liner for that reason. What's the difference in textile and mesh? What are the pros/cons of them? Thanks. | ||
| Deadprez08 |
I have a power trip textile with the removable liner and CE armor. Works phenomenally in the summer- lots of air passes through the chest and forearms and in rainy weather (like now) the liner is solid and relatively warm. Textile and mesh, I believe, are used together, textile being the material? or category of material and mesh being the arrangement of the fibres. I'm in the CenTex so my weather's a lot like yours (less humid) and I'd definitely recommend textiles. And, honestly, if it has CE approved armor and (opt.) a space for a back protector, and you like the style, don't think that more $$ is better. (Mine was about $130 and I love it) ~Dunte | ||
| Dbird29 |
www.newenough.com Great prices and great reviews. | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I have a totally perforated leather H-D Jacket for the summer. I just picked up a solid Leather H-D jacket for the winter. Both accept elbow and shoulder armor. I tried a H-D textile jacket with "swithcback technology"... Worked great for hot weather with the zip off panels.... Was so-so for cold weather. Nothing beats leather for cutting the wind and I can't stand to be cold!!! | ||
| Marksm |
I really like my Tour master Intake jacket. With the liners out it is comfortable in the summer heat. I've only ridden in 40 degree weather so far and it keeps me warm enough. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have three jackets from NJK Leathers www.njkleathers.com I have the mesh Breeze, the Americana Leather, and the textile Spike. I like them all. The fit is fantastic and the quality is very good. You really can't beat the prices. Breeze  Americana  Spike  | ||
| Treadmarks |
Nice Jacket Fatty (Americana). I just bought a tourmaster transition II and it works great in light rain and hot weather. It has a removable cold weather liner and I bought and connected the heated liner for it as well. Now all I need is some cold weather to try it out.  | ||
| Psayton |
Vanson Pro-Perf Leather. I live near Dallas and that's what I use in the summer. Non perforated in the winter of course. It's hard to beat the quality of Vanson Leathers. | ||
| Bonjoxb12s |
+1 Psayton... just sold my Buell Vanson jacket. They make a VERY high quality jacket that's hard to beat. | ||
| Skully |
Jeremy - You are a nut! | ||
| Mr_gto |
Ill have to agree my NJK jacket kicks ass! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Alright Tim, you blew us off for Buelltoberfest. You comin' to March Badness or do I have to come up to Oak Ridge and look for you? | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I have a Joe Rocket and a Tourmaster textile jackets. The Tourmaster works well in the summer heat, even in Phoenix area. The Joe Rocket is a better fall jacket (with liner installed). Both from New Enough. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I'd just move. I lived in Houston for a while. Best people in the world. Great restaurants and bars. Weather is unbearable. I couldn't take it. | ||
| Jaimec |
If it's just a jacket you're interested in, and you're looking for versatility, this is the last word: http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Darien-Motorcy cle-Jacket-p-16376.html If you live in a cold climate spring for the electric liner and you'll have as good a four season jacket as there is, made in the USA and backed by a company that is proud to stand behind their products. I suddenly realized just how MUCH of my riding apparel comes from them, from my winter thermal long johns to my TWO Roadcrafter suits and now my Kanetsu AirVantage electric vest and Combat Lite boots. Court is another BIG fan of the company from Duluth. Remind him to tell you about it sometime... | ||
| Murraebueller |
Rukka- simply the best riding gear available on the planet. | ||
| Josh_ |
Rukka has a jacket (just a jacket) that lists at $1650.00!? And no it's not spun from gold thread. Don't worry tho, the matching pants are only $1160. | ||
| Spatten1 |
TWO Roadcrafter suits Damn, I thought I was a geek with one Roadcafter. Best suit ever, but not for Houston. | ||
| Murraebueller |
Compared to the Rukka I own, my Aerostitch suit is a Goretex bag. The Rukka is pricey but it is the best- who else has riding gear that has fabric that goes rigid on impact, armour that conforms to your body and the suit also maintains a constant body temperature regardless of what's going on outside? And it's fitted by your actual sizes instead of S,M,L,XL etc. Also has a monster warranty. If you spend over $350 a year for gear,ride all year in many different locations, it's worth the investment. And it's machine washable. And they make clothing that actually fits women as well. Just my opinion. | ||
| Jaimec |
Aerostich had Temperfoam (armor that stiffens on contact) looooooong before anyone else did... way back when I bought my second suit in 1989. I still have that suit (and it still fits) today, but a couple of years ago I bought a second suit because the first one is a little snug when I try to layer up in the winter. So I actually have purchased THREE suits, but I currently only own the two. The first was the original Roadcrafter which did not have sealed seams, neoprene (not Temperfoam) padding, and the elbow pads were simple oval patches instead of covering the entire forearm. I sold the first suit to a buddy of mine when I bought the second suit (which was called the Roadcrafter II). I spend around $500 for that Roadcrafter II in 1989. That means I spent about $28 a year for that suit. Not a bad deal. Can't think of any other suit that has ever lasted that long. Oh! One more thing! I crashed with the original Roadcrafter suit, and sent it back to Aerostich for repair. Andy Goldfine called me PERSONALLY to see if I was okay, and then after assuring himself that I was fine asked me my opinion on how the suit could be improved. Apparently he did this for everyone who sent back a suit for repair, and the feedback he got is what created the Roadcrafter II. I also met Andy at the 1989 BMW National Rally in York, PA. He gathered up everyone he saw with an Aerostich suit, bought us lunch and MANY beers, and took DOZENS of photographs of us. Those photos ended up in his catalog and for two years I could point myself out to my friends in his catalog. Finally, since "American Made" seems to mean a lot to Buell owners, Aerostich Roadcrafter suits are made right here in the good ol' U.S. of A. and have an American flag right on the label. You can even get an American flag sewn onto the the pocket when you take delivery, too. | ||
| Spatten1 |
The first was the original Roadcrafter which did not have sealed seams, Damn, they seal the seams now! I crashed with the original Roadcrafter suit I crashed my XB on the first ride in my 1996 Roadcrafter. It was only at about 30 mph or so. Don't even need repairs, just some fraying and black marks from the asphalt. It is a bit like a big nylon bag, but I love it. My riding group does point out every BMW rider that goes by in one. One buddy calls it a cosmanaut suit. If your into being cool, probably not your suit. If your into practical and safe, it fits the bill. When I lived in CA, you'd see the magazine guys wearing them when they were out riding and not taking photos. | ||
| Jaimec |
Absolutely! I've worn that suit through the winters here on Long Island, and while crossing the northern Nevada desert on I-80 in August. The Darien jacket (which was my original contribution to this thread) is better at being a rain jacket, and comes with a removable liner (that can be worn as a jacket by itself) so is probably even more versatile than the jacket from the Roadcrafter two-piece suit. And as I pointed out, if you opt for the electric liner, it is even BETTER for people who live in cold climates. One of the most functional jackets I've ever seen (which is why I bought one with an electric liner for my Sweetie). | ||
| Murraebueller |
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with Aerostitch- I own a Darien outfit and wear it whenever I need to wear street clothes underneath-like riding daily to work. I'm just saying the Rukka is significantly better for what we do and my first choice for any true recreational riding, whether street, dirt or track. And by the way, it's not just the armour that goes stiff on impact, but the entire fabric. The other thing is that when you buy all of the ancillary pieces for the Aerostitch that actually come with the Rukka, the price difference isn't as great. The other Rukka advantage is the CoolBlack and Outlast fabrics that will keep the clothing about 10 degrees cooler inside on a really hot day. The Aerostitch just doesn't do that. I'm just lucky enough to have both. That's the great thing about this forum- there are a large variety of opinions, and all of them are valid. Bottom line-and I'm guessing we all agree on this one- wear all the gear, all the time and buy the best you can afford that does the best job for you. The last thing you want to do is think while you're falling at 70 MPH " Geez, I wish I would have bought better gear !" Same goes for helmets, but that's a whole other thread. | ||
| Lamo |
Look at ride2die.com for the reason why you should not wear mesh and never ride without a lid | ||
| Lamo |
sorry forgot to mention this is gruesome be carefull out there | ||
| Metalstorm |
I second the Aerostich Roadcrafter. Mine's going on one year and has become like a second skin. It's a one piece so ATGATT is mandatory now since I cant wear the top without the bottom.  I like that it is a bit dorky looking. It cuts me some slack with the local law enforcement who are on constant look out for the weekend warriors who shred through here on rockets wearing full race leathers. There's been so many wrecks in the last 10 summers that the chps have pretty much zero tolerance now. When they see me in my stich they don't see a wannabe racer with intent to speed. They just see a guy on a motorcycle. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Good site Lamo. My wife likes that I am a gear Nazi. The mesh jacket I have is a little weird. It's more breathable than textile, but denser than mesh. I only wear it when it's between 95*F and 105*F here. It's the alternative to not riding at all. I recently started wearing a full race back protector all the time as well. People look at me funny when we stop to take a break or eat, but I don't care. I want as many abrasion resistant materials and hard bits between me and whatever I hit as I can get. Fit is also crucial. I see lots of Roadcrafter and Darien jackets worn very loosely. The armor only works when it's firmly positioned over the correct body part. Those elbow pads are worthless if they are in your armpits. I also make sure to have gauntlet gloves that are worn over the cuff and are secured by a large velcro tab. I rode with a guy who crashed with just those mechanic's gloves on. Not only did it rip his gloves to pieces, but it peeled the sleeves of his jacket back like a banana and gave him severe road rash on his forearms. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I'm also in the "gear nazi" camp. I have a Firstgear (Hein Gerrick's sister company) 2 piece perforated leathers which I LOVE. Fits like it was custom made for me. When it's too hot for the leathers I switch out to my fieldsheer mesh jacket, or my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. The JR jacket breathes better but I always err on the side of total overkill when it comes to gear. If it's just too hot for the leather pants I switch to the Joe rocket mesh pants zipped to one of the mesh jackets. All of this gear has CE armor. I upgraded elbows, shoulders, knees and spine protectors to meet my personal standards. Being on a fixed income right now my budget is very very tight so the fact I won't ride without good gear tells you a bit about my level of commitment to the ATGATT ethos. | ||
| Jaimec |
I have the Rev-It mesh jacket for the summer. It's more expensive than the First Gear or the Joe Rocket, but it also seems to have the best construction (though I do like the "cool vest" insert on the Joe Rocket). I realize mesh jackets aren't as safe as full on racing leather, but they are a HELLUVA lot better than no jacket at all. Criticisms I've heard are that they're only good for one crash. Hell, you can say the same thing about my helmet (which costs a helluva lot more). It only NEEDS to keep me intact for that one crash. Replacing the jacket is a lot cheaper than a skin graft and plastic surgery! |
