Riding jackets

[Beardo]

I enjoyed the riding boots thread, seeing the different preferences you guys have.

What do you wear for a riding jacket? I just use an unarmoured leather jacket. Has good vents in chest, arms and back, a must since I wear it no matter how hot it is. Thinking I should go to an armoured one since I commute to work daily in the city with terrible/texting drivers everywhere.  Looked recently locally, couldn't find one locally with chest, arm and back venting.  I bought an armoured textile jacket on sale last year but it has no chest or arm vents, is hotter than my leather jacket. Wore it once and never again.

I also prefer the bomber style vs the longer touring jackets. I don't like to sit on the bottom of the jacket.

Anyone made the switch to high-viz?

[old2soon]

Hi viz Fly Racing armored mesh in a BRIGHT yellow/green. Unarmored Hot Leathers leather jacket with a removable cold weather liner and chest arm and back zippered vents when it warms a bit. Happy with both of my jackets. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

A leather jacket will help you look cool and will minimize road rash in the event of a light get down but it is virtually useless in a hard collision.

Armored is the way to go if you want to be prepared for a real impact.  Honestly it's only useful in less than a fraction of a percent of your riding time but if it's needed it's very good to be had.

Eight years ago I was ejected some thirty or forty feet into the air and then landed flat on my back on the pavement.  I'm convinced that the reason there was no damage to my spine was the back pad in the Joe Rocket Phoenix.

I wear black so it's not high viz.  There are reflective strips on the Joe Rocket Comet so at night it provides some visibility.
 

[Beardo]

A leather jacket will help you look cool and will minimize road rash in the event of a light get down but it is virtually useless in a hard collision.

Armored is the way to go if you want to be prepared for a real impact.  Honestly it's only useful in less than a fraction of a percent of your riding time but if it's needed it's very good to be had.

Eight years ago I was ejected some thirty or forty feet into the air and then landed flat on my back on the pavement.  I'm convinced that the reason there was no damage to my spine was the back pad in the Joe Rocket Phoenix.

I wear black so it's not high viz.  There are reflective strips on the Joe Rocket Comet so at night it provides some visibility.
 

I googled that Joe Rocket Comet jacket. Looks really nice, exactly what I'm thinking of. Unfortunately I can't see any Canadian sellers. Could buy from the States but returning them is a pain if it doesn't fit.

[dinosnake]

Well, I currently own 7 riding jackets and have gone as far up as 9.  I only ride with armor, which saved me when I hit a turkey vulture once, and a few years later a deer.

Leather is common and the most easily accessible, and people like the style.  The only problem - for me, at least - with leather is its limited comfort temperature range: you commonly need different leather jackets for each type of season.  My SRS was an exception, as would be the Vanson Challenger, leather jackets with large, closable external vents.  Perf leather does not flow enough wind at street speeds and the liners of the perf leather jackets simply do not stay warm enough in cool weather - a double-fail.

I waited many years and have, several years ago, switched to hybrid leather/textile and all-textile jackets, SO much more comfortable in freedom of movement, lightness of complete jacket including the armor and much greater temperature flexibility.

I could easily get rid of 4 of my jackets and just stay with 2 all-textiles, summer and 3-season waterproof modular, plus the heavyweight leather, and be very happy.  But since I bought the jackets years ago I still have them and try to rotate them in occasionally, even though the 2 most recent purchases (all textile) are, by far, the most comfortable under the most conditions they were designed for.

The newest Rev'It GT-R is all white and it is not only absolutely beautiful (traffic has stopped to take pictures of it!) it helps keep me cool.  Gets dirty, as you can imagine, but at least its textile and I've already thrown it into the wash and it came out pretty clean.  I'm going to look into that special Cordura detergent next time and give it a try.

As a note, the only jacket I truly hated was the Alpinestars, hated it so much that I sold it 3 months later and to this day wonder who in the world likes and wears these things.

[baldo]

I have two Tourmaster jackets, one mesh the other for cold weather. Both armored and both hi-vis. Not very cool looking, but I feel like I have some decent protection....

[Beardo]

Well, I currently own 7 riding jackets and have gone as far up as 9.  I only ride with armor, which saved me when I hit a turkey vulture once, and a few years later a deer.

Leather is common and the most easily accessible, and people like the style.  The only problem - for me, at least - with leather is its limited comfort temperature range: you commonly need different leather jackets for each type of season.  My SRS was an exception, as would be the Vanson Challenger, leather jackets with large, closable external vents.  Perf leather does not flow enough wind at street speeds and the liners of the perf leather jackets simply do not stay warm enough in cool weather - a double-fail.

I waited many years and have, several years ago, switched to hybrid leather/textile and all-textile jackets, SO much more comfortable in freedom of movement, lightness of complete jacket including the armor and much greater temperature flexibility.

I could easily get rid of 4 of my jackets and just stay with 2 all-textiles, summer and 3-season waterproof modular, plus the heavyweight leather, and be very happy.  But since I bought the jackets years ago I still have them and try to rotate them in occasionally, even though the 2 most recent purchases (all textile) are, by far, the most comfortable under the most conditions they were designed for.

The newest Rev'It GT-R is all white and it is not only absolutely beautiful (traffic has stopped to take pictures of it!) it helps keep me cool.  Gets dirty, as you can imagine, but at least its textile and I've already thrown it into the wash and it came out pretty clean.  I'm going to look into that special Cordura detergent next time and give it a try.

As a note, the only jacket I truly hated was the Alpinestars, hated it so much that I sold it 3 months later and to this day wonder who in the world likes and wears these things.

I do like the leather/textile hybrid option.

Was thinking something like this one:

https://fortnine.ca/en/fxr-mc-x-3-leather-jacket

[dinosnake]

That looks really, really nice.  The textile will be super-flexible and much easier to wear than full leather, while the leather is over the wear areas in case of an accident.  I like the idea of the full panels over the mesh, from experience that's the best way, keep air off the mesh and then the mesh acts as an insulation layer due to the trapped air pockets.

Not exactly inexpensive but hopefully you get what you pay for.  The only thing you should be concerned about is cut: every brand has a body proportion that they usually stick to, it seems to run throughout their entire lines.  Joe Rocket and Icon are "square cut", for larger guys and works best with bellies; the European makes (Rev'It, Alpinestars, Daniese et al) are best with athletic / slim builds, not much room for tummies (Alpinestars are cut small in the body and short in the arms and if Alpinestars are short on me (kinda a 'runner's build' in my best years) who do they fit?!) and TourMaster and other mainstream brands split the difference. 

See if you can find out the fit on that FXR and if it matches your body style.

[Oldfishguy]

Joe Rocket armored.  The patch is my touch, sewen on professionally.  Cool in the summer, with included liner warm in the spring /fall.  I used Rev Zilla (online retailer) good return policy and good videos to help you determine fit.

[Beardo]

Not exactly inexpensive but hopefully you get what you pay for.  The only thing you should be concerned about is cut: every brand has a body proportion that they usually stick to, it seems to run throughout their entire lines.  Joe Rocket and Icon are "square cut", for larger guys and works best with bellies; the European makes (Rev'It, Alpinestars, Daniese et al) are best with athletic / slim builds, not much room for tummies (Alpinestars are cut small in the body and short in the arms and if Alpinestars are short on me (kinda a 'runner's build' in my best years) who do they fit?!) and TourMaster and other mainstream brands split the difference. 

See if you can find out the fit on that FXR and if it matches your body style.

That website is really good for returns. I've bought a small fortune worth of helmets, jackets, rain gear, tires, etc from them. It's kind of our go-to site for gear up here, you guys are lucky to have so many options. Returns are easy if it doesn't fit. They email you a packing slip and you throw it in the mail.

And the prices...yeah, you guys have much more competition down there, so your prices are much better.

[Jess from VA]

Regarding fit, I don't know what local stores you may have, but going to stores to try stuff on is a good idea.  Most stores are high price (like MSRP or worse), so I am just talking fit, not buying.  Once you discover the right jacket and fit, you go home and order on-line (saving sales tax, but adding shipping).  I especially have to visit stores to check my helmets for fit.

And remember that only doing try-ons, you are only looking for fit, even if they only have the dayglo orange and purple version of that particular jacket is irrelevant.  

Another thing I have found by visiting stores, is sales and closeouts which are advertised nowhere.... you have to show up.  Both pair of my bike specific boots, I got at 30-40% off.... I just lucked out visiting the stores at the right time, and finding great quality boots in my size (or a half size up).   I've also scored a couple pair of armored summer gloves at half off.  

This website does a very nice job of describing size and fit beyond mere stated sizing (which can vary quite a bit between manufacturers).
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/

For each item sold, they do a special discussion of sizing, as well as their two cents. (scroll down for each item you are looking at)
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_vests/textile_jackets/cortech_by_tour_master/gx_sport_4_jacket.html

IMHO textile multiseason, waterproof, well-vented, armored jackets are always the best bang for the buck, and more comfortable and packable.  My only bitch is that too many of them are too damn busy color/design-wise for my taste. (same deal with tennis shoes.... 5-6 bright colors in my jacket or tennies is too gay happy for me). And I'm also not a big fan of being a traveling billboard with their giant logo all over my jacket either.


  

[cookiedough]

yes,  www.motorcyclegear.com  is a very good website for closeout clothing, cycle accessories, etc.

I bought my 2 in 1 tourmaster jacket with armor and mesh inner lining for 99 bucks normal price 199, 1/2 off - GREAT jacket just use the mesh inside for warm weather riding still has the armor all over inside and then below 50 degrees use the windproof and waterproof exterior liner for very cold weather riding.  I can stay warm in both jackets zipped up together in 20 degree temps no problems, probably even 20 below zero but for ice fishing instead of cycle riding.  I am 5'10" and 280lbs. and glad I got XXL vs. just XL in my tourmaster armored jacket being pudgier in the gut. If say 6'2" or so and 280,  an XL might fit though being skinnier but taller.   Best to go one size bigger than too small in my eyes unless you plan on loosing say 30-40 lbs. or more.

Another good website and they have stores in more and more towns is www.cyclegear.com     I see right now their website has a couple closeout nice jackets for 99 bucks or so.  If they have a store near you, go try them on so you know they will fit. 

Nothing wrong with black jackets since most like mine have reflective night time strips on them very visible at night.   

[dinosnake]

Yeah, motorcyclegear.com is very good, I've been buying from them for well over a decade, when they were still "New Enough" (they're still saved with that name in my bookmarks!) and still selling used items.  They restarted selling used items about, what, a little over a year ago?  Great bunch of people there.

[3fan4life]

I have a light leather jacket for when it's "Chilly".


I have a Gerbings textile jacket with armour padding that I didn't think I would wear often when I bought it.

Turns out that I absolutely love it!

It works well even when temps dip into the teens.



I have a nice Joe Rocket with armour padding that I don't care much for because it severely limits my mobility.

[Oss]

Cant do better than this IMHO

hit-air jacket

    http://www.bikebone.com/hit-air-airbag-vests-jackets/

I have the mesh full CE armor and if I come off the bike in .25 (or less) seconds the air bag fully deploys inside the jacket  protects neck pelvis ribs and internal organs  I ride in and around NYC and it is dangerous, no doubt.

Lets say A woman on cell phone blows thru a stop sign on side road cuts me off and I hit her and then come over the bike I have protection.  It is not speed its the sudden deceleration and blunt force trauma that will do you in and has done in many of our brothers

Police depts around the world are using it and I think some of the crazy moto MC racers as well,  invented as a vest for a guy for his daughter who rode horses is the story I heard.

Got it at bikebone website  YMMV   I think I let Meathead try it on what did you think?

In the pic I am wearing it out by the eastern oregon washington border at Stonehenge monument  

[The emperor has no clothes]

Cant do better than this IMHO

hit-air jacket

    http://www.bikebone.com/hit-air-airbag-vests-jackets/

I have the mesh full CE armor and if I come off the bike in .25 (or less) seconds the air bag fully deploys inside the jacket  protects neck pelvis ribs and internal organs  I ride in and around NYC and it is dangerous, no doubt.

Lets say A woman on cell phone blows thru a stop sign on side road cuts me off and I hit her and then come over the bike I have protection.  It is not speed its the sudden deceleration and blunt force trauma that will do you in and has done in many of our brothers

Police depts around the world are using it and I think some of the crazy moto MC racers as well,  invented as a vest for a guy for his daughter who rode horses is the story I heard.

Got it at bikebone website  YMMV   I think I let Meathead try it on what did you think?

In the pic I am wearing it out by the eastern oregon washington border at Stonehenge monument  

No, must have been somebody else. You told me to get the "F" away from your gear. 

[baldo]

Cant do better than this IMHO

hit-air jacket

    http://www.bikebone.com/hit-air-airbag-vests-jackets/

I have the mesh full CE armor and if I come off the bike in .25 (or less) seconds the air bag fully deploys inside the jacket  protects neck pelvis ribs and internal organs  I ride in and around NYC and it is dangerous, no doubt.

Lets say A woman on cell phone blows thru a stop sign on side road cuts me off and I hit her and then come over the bike I have protection.  It is not speed its the sudden deceleration and blunt force trauma that will do you in and has done in many of our brothers

Police depts around the world are using it and I think some of the crazy moto MC racers as well,  invented as a vest for a guy for his daughter who rode horses is the story I heard.

Got it at bikebone website  YMMV   I think I let Meathead try it on what did you think?

In the pic I am wearing it out by the eastern oregon washington border at Stonehenge monument  

No, must have been somebody else. You told me to get the "F" away from your gear. 

And his squirrels....

[Crackerborn]

I am on the second Tour Master jacket (one of the air series no longer made) in the last 18 years. The first started to come apart at the seams after 12 years and was comfortable enough to sleep in. The current version will be replaced this coming spring. It is still dry and warm but baggy and stiff even after 6 years. I prefer textile over leather for both jackets and gloves since the fabric is both dryer and warmer or cooler (depending on conditions). I am not sure what I will be replacing the Tour Master with at this point. River Road has some nice options that I can trial fit at a local HD dealer. Even if I don't ride their brand, I appreciate the large clothing selection the dealers offer so I have a good idea what size I need to order.

[Misfit]

Aerostich makes the best riding jackets. 

[tonyfan70]

I have two. One is a Powertrip mesh textile. I have a feeling it's made by Joe Rocket as thats what the liner is. Just a waterproof liner, sort of like a windbreaker. With the liner out it does very little as far as keeping me warm, using the liner helps enough to notice but that's about it. Not complaining, works as it should and it's my warm/really warm jacket. It's black and grey with reflective piping that is really noticeable at night. I don't know the style name, it's about 10 years old which is old enough that the armour crumbled apart and needs replaced.

My other jacket was a gift from my sister. Her ex worked for Yamaha and got clothing and unbelieveable discounts. It's textile but not mesh. It's got the Star Motorcycles name and symbol on it, but I don't know who really makes it. It has good ventilation when I want, snaps on the inside waist for riding pants, thoughtful features like the main front zipper opening from the top or bottom like bibs and pocket/vent zippers that are closed when they are down which is easy for me to close one handed if I forget until Im moving. It's all black with bright reflective piping that's almost invisible in the daytime. It's got a insulated liner that works well enough that with a baselayer shirt on, I use this jacket when Im snowmobiling as well. It's got armour but it's a different kind than my other jacket. These have little nubs instead of being like a turtle shell. I cant say how well they work, I judged them to be mildly bothersome and took em out. Then I highsided on my sled and got tossed about 10 feet. Badly seperated my shoulder and broke a collarbone for the 4th or 5th time.

That was two winters ago and my collarbone is still two very seperate pieces. Even though the armour sometimes hurts on my shoulder, I have changed my mind and put it back in the jacket. Just in case...

Side note...I thought my mesh jacket was a little dingy so I carefully washed it by hand with Woolite. After turning the water black for the third wash/rinse,  I hung it on the line and remembered it was  black and silver... not black and grey!

[Hook#3287]

Cant do better than this IMHO

hit-air jacket

    http://www.bikebone.com/hit-air-airbag-vests-jackets/

I have the mesh full CE armor and if I come off the bike in .25 (or less) seconds the air bag fully deploys inside the jacket  protects neck pelvis ribs and internal organs  I ride in and around NYC and it is dangerous, no doubt.

Lets say A woman on cell phone blows thru a stop sign on side road cuts me off and I hit her and then come over the bike I have protection.  It is not speed its the sudden deceleration and blunt force trauma that will do you in and has done in many of our brothers

Police depts around the world are using it and I think some of the crazy moto MC racers as well,  invented as a vest for a guy for his daughter who rode horses is the story I heard.

Got it at bikebone website  YMMV   I think I let Meathead try it on what did you think?

In the pic I am wearing it out by the eastern oregon washington border at Stonehenge monument  

Evan, that's a real interesting concept for a safety jacket.

What powers it?  Those air gun cartridges?

The vest looks cool as a retrofit.

I've got 2 TourMasters, a heavy cold weather one and a lighter spring|fall one.

I got the cold weather one on a closeout from a web site that was brought to my attention by someone here.  Think I paid $50.00 for it.

The lighter one I got from a vender at Americade for $100.00.

Both excellent deals for quality jackets.

I've got 2 leather coats sitting in the closet.  Too cool to throw out though.  I believe one is buffalo, got it at a street vendor in NYC, of all places, while going to the bike show in 2000, also for $100.00.

[Oss]

Yes   You attach one end of the lanyard to a hard point, I use the backrest support of my russelldaylong, on the bmw I use the right side crash bar for the bags

On the right side of the jacket is a clip that you snap the end into like a seat belt sort of On the jacket on the right side is a receptacle that you simply screw the c02 cannister into. If pulled it activates a plunger that enables the co2 to enter the airbag   The co2 is larger than the one in my tire inflating kit  and bigger than the co2 in the air pistol. The jacket will not inflate if you forget to unhook as it takes  hard force to do the trick (like your body flying over the bike or fallin off, neither of which fortunately have happened to me since I bought the jacket)

I have forgotten to unhook at least a few hundred times  so I know this is true  

Like any habit, whether checking your six or looking thru a turn the more you do something the less effort it takes to do it right

If I had really cool leather jackets I would probably just get the hi viz vest but I like the mesh even when its really cold out and then I use the heated jacket line anyways

[Pappy!]

The cartridges sound like the ones used to inflate the Mustang Vests worn in boating. Larger and more expensive but obviously well worth it.

https://jet.com/product/detail/04e2db25439f40cbaf517266f8d74132?jcmp=pla:ggl:cwin_sporting_goods_a3:outdoor_recreation_boating_water_sports_a3_other:na:PLA_345660060_23686941660_pla-161671987260:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&ds_c=cwin_sporting_goods_a3&ds_cid=&ds_ag=outdoor_recreation_boating_water_sports_a3_other&product_id=04e2db25439f40cbaf517266f8d74132&product_partition_id=161671987260&gclid=CPGf_OfKgtACFQRZhgodO6cGRg&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Hook#3287]

Yeah, I can see my forgetting to unhook, glad they got that figured out.

Do you know if the cartridge is  proprietory or will the standard  air gun cartridge work?

[Hook#3287]

The cartridges sound like the ones used to inflate the Mustang Vests worn in boating. Larger and more expensive but obviously well worth it.

https://jet.com/product/detail/04e2db25439f40cbaf517266f8d74132?jcmp=pla:ggl:cwin_sporting_goods_a3:outdoor_recreation_boating_water_sports_a3_other:na:PLA_345660060_23686941660_pla-161671987260:na:na:na:2&code=PLA15&ds_c=cwin_sporting_goods_a3&ds_cid=&ds_ag=outdoor_recreation_boating_water_sports_a3_other&product_id=04e2db25439f40cbaf517266f8d74132&product_partition_id=161671987260&gclid=CPGf_OfKgtACFQRZhgodO6cGRg&gclsrc=aw.ds

Now I see, they do look larger.  Guess their like insurance, you never want to use it, but are glad you got it.

I carry several of the air gun ones with me for any road tire plugging I may have to do.