Riding Gear

[MrOzz]

Anyone have any recomendations on a jacket?

I was looking at a EXL MJ131 MOTORCYCLE LEATHER CE ARMOR JACKET

I found it on e-bay.


Not to bad of a price, but cheap in price sometimes means cheap in quality. Reason I was looking at this, it has features I'm looking for. Its leather has a zip out liner, and its vented.

Cant drop $400.00 on a jacket right now. To much work to do on the bike.

So let me know if you have ever seen the EXL brand and what you think of it. If not what would you recomend.

Thanks again everyone,

Ozz

[Ken Talbot]

I think a lot depends on the type of riding you do.

- I have a very heavy weight, full leather jacket with no vents, that is great for cold and cool weather riding. It is the kind of jacket you could slide a long ways in during an unintended get-off, and you could do it more than one time.
- I also have a Joe Rocket Ballistic series jacket with armour, venting, and a removeable liner. This is good for cool weather riding, and for warm weather riding with the liner removed and the vents open. This jacket would be good for only one get-off event.
- Finally, I have a Joe Rocket Phonix mesh jacket that has armour. It is good for warm weather riding, and is absolutely indispensible for hot weather riding. Like the Ballistic, it should be good for one get-off sliding event.

I don't know the EXL brand, but it looks like it would offer less slide protection than a full heavy weight leather jacket, and more than a Joe Rocket Ballistic type. It also looks like it would work nicely for cool or warm weather riding. I don't think it would be suitable for hot weather riding.

HTH...

[psycoreefer]

Check out leatherup.com. I got my jacket from them and I'm very happy with it for the price. I got the Mens speedster with the zip - out liner. Its quite heavy and has heavy duty metal zippers, vents, removable vest-type liner, and plenty of pockets for me. I wear it through the entire riding season here in MI without a problem. Warm enough for fall rides and cool enough for the summer as long as you don't get stuck in a traffic jam. I think it cost me about 50 bucks on sale. I'd order one size larger then you think you need as they seem to run a bit small, however they allow one free size exchange so if you get the wrong size its not a disaster.

After all that I would recommend staying away from their saddle bags. B.I.L. got them and they were junk, but then again leather saddle bags for 50.00 what did he expect.

[fredintoon]

My insurance paid big bucks for a Hein Gericke Safari jacket. Heavy bastard, the leather is not perhaps bullet proof but plenty thick, hip length, removable lining, zippered vents. I'd never pay that kind of money myself but I do love the coat.
Try looking in pawnshops.

[xsilerating]

Hey Ozz...

Check out...

MotoDirect-USA

I bought the EXL MJ-109 with CE armor and zip out lining.

Quality is very good, service is great. I was primarily looking for a mesh jacket to use when riding during the hot summer months and, would take me through the warmer fall days.

With the liner out, it is very light, comfortable and airy and, has good protective padding in 'all the right places'! With the liner in, it is not only quite warm but, also 100% waterproof. It is actually warm enough that, I'm sure you could wear it all winter. Cost was $69.95 USD

I've bought a few items from these guys and I have been extremely satisfied. I had a problem with the first jacket they sent and, when returned, they paid the full shot! Overall, the quality of the products will meet or exceed comparable items that sell for much, much more at motorcycle dealers, etc.

Sorry to sound like an ad for them but, while rare for me to do so, I HIGHLY recommend them .

[MrOzz]

Originally posted by xsilerating
Hey Ozz...

Check out...

MotoDirect-USA

I bought the EXL MJ-109 with CE armor and zip out lining...

xsilerating,

How is thier sizing? I know sometimes you want to order a size larger.

Thanks for the info.

[xsilerating]

Sizing?

Good Question.

I would suggest that you order one size larger than you would 'normally' wear.

That was one of the problems I had with the first one they sent out, it was tight around the chest even though my measurements were well within their guidelines. However, I don't find that unusual. Generally, anything I've bought or tried on that has leather in its make-up (biker leather jacket, chaps, vest), I've had to go one or two sizes more than usual.

[Montreux_Blue]

I have one of the EXL mesh jackets with ce pads and it compares pretty good with a friends Joe Rocket jacket.

[psycoreefer]

you could also check out newenough.com, I've never purchased anything from them but I've heard good things from other people. They don't have "amazing" prices but they do have good discounts on name-brand stuff.

[e.z.nightrider]

I just bought a Fieldsheer Nevada (all-weather) jacket from an e-bay store waterproof mesh with padding, removable CE armor and removable fleece liner that can be used as a lightweight jacket. High quality material and stitching, very comfortable while riding and size 5X. Yes you need to order one size larger, and for about $100 IMHO it was a good buy.

Ed Z.

P.S. leatherup was also a good source but never had my size in stock.

[SanDiegoMike]

Jafrum.com has great prices on all sorts of riding gear as well...