Leathers: Perf or non?

[Wolf]

Getting a leather jacket but can't decide on perforated or non-perf.

These past few weekend mornings have been pretty cool up on the hill, so the extra wind protection would be nice.

But then I think of summer and the heat.

Just doing weekend riding in the south bay. Opinions?

 

[ocoas]

My pref jacket that came with a liner. Works for both extremes.
When it’s really cold a sweatshirt, then liner, then jacket.

 

[Wolf]

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-sp-1-airflow-jacket

No liner with this one, but I guess I could wear the liner from my AStars textile jacket under it.

Finally dug the liner out of the back of my closet last weekend and it makes a huge difference in the chilly mornings.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I prefer non-perforated, with a removable liner, and zipper vents in front that you can open to let a little more air through when it gets warm.

 

[cjymiller]

Perf is probably your better bet. I find that the OEM liners are a hassle with their little zips and their finnicky snaps. I just layer with a puffy or other jacket underneath, so much easier/faster to get on and off at a stop.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I find that the OEM liners are a hassle with their little zips and their finnicky snaps.

In a given year my liner gets added once, when it gets cold enough, then gets removed once, when it gets hot enough. So what if it took me an extra two or three minutes to install the thing or to remove it. I only ever deal with it twice per year. I installed the liners in my two jackets just last week, if anybody is interested.

 

[InsuranceGuy]

I use a sleeveless jacket and a wind breaker of some sort. Easy to roll and carry.

 

[dravnx]

sleeveless jacket=vest

 

[ZCrow]

Always perforated. You can always wear a cheap windbreaker under perforated leather but there is nothing you can do with none perforated when it gets warm or hot.

There are very few none perforated jackets that still offer decent vents but zippers are structural compromises, so the less the better.

Plus perf just looks cooler. :teeth

 

[budman]

I like perf too. Although I spoiled myself and got both.

If I am travelling where it can get cold I have a rain coat I can slip over my textile jacket which has all the vents and bling for most weather conditions.

It rolls up small and really kills the wind. Plus it works for rain!

 

[Climber]

In San Jose, you probably want Perf.
In Clovis/Fresno venting is essential, we had quite a few 100+ days.

 

[ejv]

I've run my perf jacket with liner down into the 30s. Im not riding ever if it's colder than that. This seems to be a no brainer.

 

[Blankpage]

There’s no one jacket for all temperatures, you need at least two.
Else you’re dealing with removing liners and other annoyances

 

[cal scott]

In a given year my liner gets added once, when it gets cold enough, then gets removed once, when it gets hot enough.

In the Bay Area, particularly if you are commuting, that is just not realistic. The daily temperature swing can easily be 30+ degrees with nights dipping to 40s and day time temps hitting the 70s.

Layering with a secondary garment of your choosing gives much more flexibility over an integrated liner that zips/snaps into the jacket. Easy to throw it under your jacket on a cold morning and then into your bag once the daytime temps hit.

 

[Blankpage]

Jacket either fits right with a liner or without

 

[davidji]

In the Bay Area, particularly if you are commuting, that is just not realistic. The daily temperature swing can easily be 30+ degrees with nights dipping to 40s and day time temps hitting the 70s.

when I was commuting I'd see temperature swings as high as 24F over a single leg of the commute (the morning ride in to work). Perforated leather wouldn't be ideal for that unless you stopped to change layers

OP isn't commuting, but weekend rides starting in the morning will see big swings as well. Or rides between hot inland valleys and cold coastal climates. Or hot day into cool evening.

Perforated leather may sort of handle extreme temps, but it's not the best in between. Though has been pointed out you can wear a windbreaker under it instead of quilted liner.

I have perforated leather, plain leather, leather with zipper vents (which I wear more than the others). Though I mostly wear textile. Easier to be comfortable--unless you crash.

 

[Gary856]

Perf leather with a wind breaker for more flexibility.

BTW I used to wear a mesh jacket only once or twice over the summer when the temp was over 90. However, over the last 10 years it seems to have gotten warmer in the South Bay, my heat tolerance has gotten lower, and my confidence in not crashing has gotten higher, so I've been wearing a mesh jacket almost the whole time this past summer.

 

[RVFRick]

I prefer perforated for the airflow. But when it gets cold, I put my rain jacket on the outside. I'm too fat to put a liner on the inside. LOL!

 

[NoTraffic]

After having a variety of jackets, if I had to have one leather jacket it would be perforated, esp. if you're a weekend warrior. Just throw on a wool sweater on chillier days.

For year round commute hooli: Gore-tex textile for fall/winter/rain. Perf. Leather for weekend canyons. Non-perf. leather for date nights. 1 piecer for trackdays.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Just throw on a wool sweater on chillier days.

I refuse to wear a sweater. Ever. :x