Need advice on riding boots and leather jacket.

[macdoesit]

The boots I have now no traction on concrete or pavement. almost laid bike down a few times from slipage. I also would like to purchase a nice leather jacket with collar and lots of zipper pockets. What do you sugest?
    Thank you.

[PAVALKER]

For boots I like Sears Diehard boots I think, textile and rubber with front laces and side zipper.

I prefer a nylon breathable or textile jacket.  Leather can be quite heavy IMO and not very comfortable when wet.  Oh and storage of a nylon or textile jacket is much smaller than a bulky leather one.  Again... this is in my opinion.....   YMMV.

[dubsider]

Red Wing Engineer boots are pretty tough to beat.

Since I ride year round, I have accumulated a few jackets..

Winter - Olympia made of heavy cordura and a liner I can ride down to 25* and nothing gets through it

Summer - First Gear mesh

Transitional seasons, spring and fall I have a leather and a denim Cortech

dont forget the rainsuit (Frogg Toggs)

[Madmike]

boots - redwing mc boot

jeans - diamond gusset

[ptgb]

For a jacket, bought one called "Bulletproof"... don't know anymore about it other than I like it. What is really funny about having a jacket named "Bulletproof" you will find a tag like this inside:

"Bullet Proof is a label and brand. It does not imply that this garment will protect user against gunfire or similar ordinances"


As for boots I have the Icon "Chukka"... https://www.denniskirk.com/3408276115.sku

They are really nice boots. Sturdy build, protection in all the right places. What I especially like is the mesh panels in them; makes them very cool in the summer.

[Jess from VA]

Motorcycle specific touring boots are hard to beat for protection, warmth, no air, and waterproof.  But they are not great to walk in, and have low soles/heels.  Great for cold and rain.

My favorite riding boots are swat style boots.  You can get waterproof or not, insulated or not, resoleable or not, hard or soft or steel toe, lacers or zips, .  They are all very comfortable out of the box, great for walking when off the bike, and they all have the best traction I've ever had in a boot.  I like 8" boots (best selection), but you can get 4.5" and 6" too.

I shop this site all the time for closeouts. (and got a pair of non waterproof lightweight summer boots for $35).    Closeouts should be checked but sizes are limited.  http://www.lapolicegear.com/?gclid=CMmj0v2UoKMCFRAdswodY1FjpA

http://www.lapolicegear.com/footwearboots.html

Few decent choices:
http://www.lapolicegear.com/5taat8wasizi.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/co88wasitabo.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/dastiisizip8.html (Danner is tops)
(shorty) http://www.lapolicegear.com/ro6mealbow.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/rocky-fort-hood-boots.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/bamegxsizipb.html
http://www.lapolicegear.com/magnum-5870-stealth-boot.html

For jackets, do yourself a favor and don't get a traditional collar, they flap around in the wind if not snapped down.  A tab collar is what you want, and not too high because if your head is on a swivel watching for danger it bothers your neck (and in the cold you wear a T-neck underneath).   You have to decide if you want full or vest liners, vents (leather without vents in the summer is murder), armor, many pockets, etc.

Like this:
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_vests/sport_leather_jackets/tour_master/coaster_ii_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/browse/view_product_images/236

I've got great leather, but really prefer textile for comfort and function.

[..]

Gortex or similar for boots so your feet can breathe on hot days and stay dry on wet days.


As to jackets..............................................  How thick is your wallet

http://www.vansonleathers.com/
http://www.revitusa.com/en-us/#/home


I've accumulated 5 jackets  and wear each dependant upon the weather/time of year.

I always have a waterproof jacket in my saddlebag and that does double duty to keep me warm if the weather turns or for use at higher altitude to keep the chill off.

Whatever the jacket get one with good armor in. Even a 2 mph spill on to an elbow can do damage.

Oh yeah, make sure the jacket is long enough so as to not leave a draft gap above your waist band.

[Wetrudgeon]

Red Wing offers a number of boot choices that work well for riding and are comfortable for "every day" (most we have purchased did require a short and somewhat uncomfortable break in period).  Many (not all) models are made in the USA, which we consider a plus.

Last year, we deviated from our usual Red Wings and purchased a pair of Harley Davidson FXRG lace ups w/the zippers.  Very comfortable and good traction, but we are quite disappointed in how they have held up.  After only one year, they are pretty thread bear.  We cannot recommend them based on our experience.  We think the Wings are the ticket.

The best motorcycle jackets we have seen or worn are made by Fox Creek Leather in Virginia.  Not cheap, but plenty good.  We have one that is going on 6 years old that shows virtually no wear, and we have not necessarily been gentle with it.  Only down sides are the relatively expensive purchase price and it is heavy.

We trudge on.

[rmrc51]

As far as leather jackets go, (or for that matter any leather products) I now only buy from Fox Creek;

http://www.foxcreekleather.com/

The quality of their products and customer service are fantastic!!!  

[MNBill]

+1 on Fox Creek, high quality.
Red Wing boots, steel toe

[F6BANGER]

The only Harley Davidson thing I own....I know, I know....dont give me grief...

These Harley Davidson motorcycle boots suck. After this happened, I called the store back and they said that my Harley Davidson Motorcycle boots AREN'T made to ride motorcycles.    This is after I went in looking for Motorcycle boots. Wouldnt give me my money back. I wish I had used a credit card. Live and learn.

I will say one thing about them, They are comfortable.

[Hoser]

I have used up 2 pair of Bates enforcer cop boots with the side zipper in 9 years and 90K miles,  and I wear them all the time, riding or not. at 100 bux a pair it is a bargain.  Very light and need I say, durable.  8 inches high, polish up nice.  The best, IMHO.   

[fudgie]

Cheap slip on biker boots by Survivors I bought at Wal mart in 2000. $40. Still have them today. Wore on the outsides from the twisties. Noticed last night had 2 holes in the middle of the uppers. I prob got 5 more yrs or more yet. If these boots could talk!

Leather jacket from a leather outlet. $300. Had it since 2000 also.

[Willow]

Woodwizard, see BF's response on the Classifieds board:  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,39937.msg376603.html#msg376603

[macdoesit]

Woodwizard, see BF's response on the Classifieds board:  http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,39937.msg376603.html#msg376603

Thank you for info, I'm between medium and large.

[Fritz The Cat]

I'm still looking for the Holy Grail in motorcycle boots. The closest I've come are these -

http://www.amazon.com/Vega-Motorcycle-Boots-Mens-Touring/dp/B000PJAJFM/

They are by far the most comfortable boot I've ever wore but the top foam rim is covered with that soft scrub material that will rub your leg raw if you don't wear high top socks. They also didn't last as long as I would have liked. The sole isn't replaceable so you have to throw them away when they wear out.

I absolutely cannot stand a stiff boot. I have a pair of Red Wings that I won't wear because they are as stiff as wooden shoes. People told me they would loosen up with time, I gave them plenty of time but they never loosened up even a little.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I wear HD side-zip riding boots. They had some weird rubber pads on the bottom of each boot made to fit over your foot-pegs. I didn't like the pads and ground them off. Boots are great now for all day riding, easy to take off and put on and have been waterproof for the 15,000 or 20,000 miles I've put on them. And, they're not too bad to walk around in either. I wear them a lot even when I'm not riding. These boots aren't advertised as waterproof, but so far they have been.

I've had a black Leatherking brand jacket almost as long as I've had the Valk. It has lots of zip open/close vents and a zip out liner. It's heavy but that's not a complaint, I like it.

[Fudd]

I really like my XElement engineer's Motorcycle boots, Model 1440.  They are very good looking boots and are tough as well.  The boot features a 13" cuff, which is nice for use on bikes with wide engines like the Valkyrie.  Can't beat the price either--$79.95.

 http://www.leatherup.com/c/Mens-Motorcycle-Boots/2/119.html

[Oss]

I got these german boots at americade back in 2003 got a 2nd pair in 2006

hochenheim greyhound sympatex, I can walk miles in them waterproof once walked into lake huron to dare chrome who didnt believe me they would stay dry, have fished in em, hiked in streams etc

In a real downpour on the way to IZ in Tennessee my boots stayed dry and Gman had to buy new boots

dang germans knew how to engineer stuff for sure

they have so many holes in the soles now that I cant fill em up with shoe goo fast enough

no longer made, if I could find someone to vulcanize a new sole I would be all over it like you know what

[The Anvil]

Someone needs to start making the Mad Max Alpinestars Hi Point boots again.

But failing that, these people make some nice stuff.

http://www.gasolinaboots.com/

[Bigwolf]

I really like my First Gear Scout jacket.  Good leather, great ventilation, lots of pockets and armor in shoulders and elbows.  Before buying my Valk, I laid a bike down with my nonventilated leather jacket tied on the back.  The scout is cool enough while moving but still hot when stopped.  Even so, it is never tied on the back and I have ridden with it on in 90+ weather.
http://www.revzilla.com/product/firstgear-scout-leather-jacket
  First Gear was a product of Hein Gericke for a while but I don't think that is the case now.  When I got mine out of the shipping box, I was dissapointed to find it was made in china.  I did not send it back but I was not happy about that.  At least Fox Creek is USA made.

Bigwolf

[DirtyDan]

i bought redwing square toe cowboy/engineer boots in 2010 for 100$

got like 28K miles on them and they are holding strong

dan

[rmrc51]

I'm still looking for the Holy Grail in motorcycle boots. The closest I've come are these -

http://www.amazon.com/Vega-Motorcycle-Boots-Mens-Touring/dp/B000PJAJFM/

They are by far the most comfortable boot I've ever wore but the top foam rim is covered with that soft scrub material that will rub your leg raw if you don't wear high top socks. They also didn't last as long as I would have liked. The sole isn't replaceable so you have to throw them away when they wear out.

I absolutely cannot stand a stiff boot. I have a pair of Red Wings that I won't wear because they are as stiff as wooden shoes. People told me they would loosen up with time, I gave them plenty of time but they never loosened up even a little.

+1

Those are the boots I have and like Fritz said, they are extremely comfortable!! 

[WDAN]

I have three pair of boots; none of which I wear now. Too clunky, big. heavy. ( I wear a size 12).
The best pair were made by Cruiserworks; comfy to walk in (for boots) waterproof. Downside is the rubber soles are the type rubber that leaves black scuff marks on every hard surface (bummer).
Been too lazy to get them re-soled I guess. I think they are out of business now.

I recently searched the internet for a good, attractive pair of basketball shoes since they are high topped, very comfy, light weight, and great for riding.
I ended up with a pair of black Reeboks. I like them a lot.