Advice on jackets

johnnyp

johnnyp

Well-known member
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
 
H

hotdog

Well-known member
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

Outta Control

Renegade Drone Pilot
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

john_n

Well-known member
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

johnnyp

Well-known member
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

Flpstyl

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

Thanks
 
Red

Red

Well-known member
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

flynbmw

Well-known member
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

johnnyp

Well-known member
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

900CR

Banned
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.

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06-21-03-nopain.JPG
 
T

TylerW

Agitator
johnnyp said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
johnnyp

johnnyp

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

mmeacham

Well-known member
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
 
Outta Control

Outta Control

Renegade Drone Pilot
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

maph

Well-known member
johnnyp said:
Does anybody have experience with Joe Rocket? I'm thinking about a hard drive jacket. Thanks for all the advice!
Click to expand...

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.
 
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