Gear question

[jimbyjimb]

Hey dudes,

I have a Frank Thomas Ti leather jacket I bought when I got my XS. I bought it because it was cheap for a new leather coat with armor at the time (150.00). I am ready to move into something nicer, more comfortable.

I'm trying to decide between leather, textile, or non-motorcycle specific leather, IE Eddie Bauer.

I like the idea of textile since it's lightweight and breathable and has better water resistance but all of the jackets I tried on felt kind of weenie. Firstgear, Fieldsheer, Icon, whatever. name brand stuff. The leather from Alpinestars and Icon is no joke, and well vented. The cut is much better and no doubt they're better brands than Frank Thomas.

I want to get an idea of what people like and why, and thoughts on what to use. Specifically my favorite option right now is the Eddie Bauer leather bomber jacket. It has no CE armor obviously, but I'm kind of beginning to wonder if the CE armor is as big a deal as I've built it up to be in my mind for a guy who rides between 1500-3000 miles a year. Plus a good jacket I could wear regularly not on the bike would be nice also.

I've always been peeved about dudes who rock the motorcycle jacket without the motorcycle, and I hate having a coat I only wear on occasion. Something more universal would be nice.

[jwhughes3]

Well I have two cents today so I will throw it in the pot...

I have three jackets:
1. Armored First Gear
2. Leather retro MC (brown) from LeatherUp.com
3. DuluthTrading Firehose Canvas (like a tougher brown denim)

The Firehose material is tough and abrasion resistant - It is non MC specific and my summer jacket as it has no extra linings or padding. The link is slightly different than my discontinued one, but is more MC design and less expensive. DuluthTrading gear is TOUGH.

Leather retro I like, has padded lumber section that is also a little longer to cover backside when leaned over (can't have ladies being offended). It has zipper vents and such, but construction wise doesn't feel like will last a lifetime (and was only $100 so I got what I paid for) but I like it when cooler with extra zip in lining.

First Gear feels safest for accidents obviously, is red, white and black (which matches norhing but I got it used very cheap). I like visibility but it clashes with my fluorescent yellow vest. I wear it least, but it too has a zip in winter lining.

I wear the Firehose jacket the most, its warm in Texas most of the year. If it felt better like it wasnt gonna rip I like retro leather second.

First Gear is safest, but I feel like a zipsplat rider wearing it. It is now backup.

Hope this helps you.

John

[CatatonicBug]

I actually have 2 Frank Thomas XTi jackets - a mesh one for summer and a non-mesh, removable-liner one for cold weather. I also have the mesh pants that zip to the jacket for when I decide to add that layer of protection. I don't see Frank Thomas as any less quality than any other name-brand riding jacket. The integrated rain fly in the mesh jacket works great and has kept me dry in a virtual monsoon. I wear one of them almost every single day, year-round, and they have lasted me for almost 4 years without any sign of falling apart.

I look at it this way - my jacket is just like my helmet. It is specific to riding, and has a purpose. It is a utility tool, not a fashion statement. I have several other jackets for when I am not riding, and each one has a purpose as well - a yellow rain slicker, a windbreaker, a thick one for snow, a nice car coat for a fancy dinnner, and a few others. The armor is there to protect me if I need it, and I think it is a very important part of the equation. It's just like my boots. I have riding boots that I wear when I am riding. I am actually wearing them right now, sitting at the office, because I rode today, and it's a casual day, and they look decent under jeans. I would not wear my riding boots to mow the lawn though, and I would not wear tennis shoes when I ride. Each tool has a purpose.

IMO, the mesh jacket is the only way to go in the summer. I can wear it no matter how hot the weather is (it was 108ºF last week), and I stay dry and comfortable. The mesh allows air to flow and keeps the sun off at the same time, allowing my body to actually benefit from the controlled evaporative effects of natural sweat. In the winter, with the liner in the non-mesh jacket, along with my Hippo Hands, I am comfortable no matter how cold it gets (got down to 5ºF 2 winters ago). Though I have not ridden with a leather riding jacket myself, most people I talk to about them say that they are unbearable in warmer weather - even when "well-vented".

In the end, it's your choice, and riding with any jacket is better than none at all, but if you are looking to make an investment in comfort and protection, I suggest that you stick with the tools designed for the job.

[Poprock]

If you want to wear street clothes on a MC, look at the Bohn armor suits. They go on under what ever else you wear, have more armor than most riding outfits. They come in 2 weights, regular and mesh for hot conditions. It would make your favorite leather coat (if it's heavy leather) as safe as a MC specific jacket. Bohn has an armored shirt and armored pants. Don't own 'em yet, but my fabric gear is wearing out after 8 years, and I'm thinking about it as an alternative. Check out their ads in any MC mag, and look at their web site.
Some street leather has been "aged" in such a way that the leather will tear on just about anything. I have a gorgeous one of those, but it tears on any sharp edged thing it encounters. My other leather is 1.2 mm, drum died, heavy weight stuff I really like to ride in, except it has no armor. A Bohn shirt would cure that.
I have a Fieldsheer mesh jacket for hot weather, use it for trips east of the coast range. Works well, controls evap, makes shade, like CB said.

[jimbyjimb]

I'm kind of leaning toward an alpinestars bionic jacket and just toss whatever over the top.

My XTi has also held up ok, but it has tiny pockets, threads coming loose everywhere, and really isn't that comfortable. It is a budget brand and fits like one. The neck rubs, the liner gave out in a month, and the stitching in the wrists is starting to really let go. It's been a great jacket but it's time to move on.

I've tried on several new Dainese jackets and am too cheap to drop coin like that, but that is a real motorcycle jacket if I've ever worn one. The few I've worn fit like a glove compared to anything else. I might drive up to oak harbor and check out a Dainese some guy claimed he never wore and is selling for half off of a new one.

I like the idea of a Firstgear but I can't get over the thin and insubstantial feel of the textile. Maybe I'm mental. I tried on several textiles yesterday and couldn't agree with any but one which was a Fieldsheer and was identical to my XTi in fit and weight, so there was no point.

Sometimes there is just no winning.

[jimbyjimb]

Thanks poprock!

I'll look into Bohn!

[fredintoon]

- - - my favorite option right now is the Eddie Bauer leather bomber jacket. - - -

Hi Jim,
the Eddie Bauer jacket is OK for social occasions but for riding you need all the armor you can buy.
You may think you look like a pillock wearing bike armor into a posh cafe but you won't look as much of a pillock as the guy in the ER getting gravel tweezered out of his road rash because he fell off while wearing a dress jacket.

[jimbyjimb]

Haha, thanks Fred.

I bought this:

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...ryker_rig.html

I figure I can wear this and then do my own thing. I'll go by the REI bargain cave to find a good windproof outer-layer.

I used to ride wool shirt/wool sweater/zip-up wool sweater/shell/leather jacket in the cold. Now I'll do wool shirt/icon armor/sweater/sweater/shell and then I can take my time looking at used leather jackets. That way I can cheaply and easily swap between textile/leather if so desired. It also leaves nice hot weather options open. Yesterday was a real killer.

[fredintoon]

Haha, thanks Fred.
I bought this:
[url]http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/armor

Hi Jim,
nice and doubtless effective to protect what it covers, but what about a lower half?
Dunno about you but certain parts of my body that I'd hate to get road rash are located below the waist.

[jimbyjimb]

I have Alpinestars textile riding pants w/knee/shin. Or if it's real hot, like yesterday I just go jeans.

Was in a 45mph t-bone and jeans were just fine.

[STEPPENWOLF]

I wear these..
http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/pro...l.php?prod=BGL
Not convinced they are that great.......
And I have a jacket
http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Moto...d-A/42543.html

The problem is I think when I have my all my gear on is I am indestructable.
My riding doesn't change,I am a very safe rider I think,well we all think that but you get a feeling of convidence that I can do no wrong.

[CatatonicBug]

Haha, thanks Fred.

I bought this:

Put a cape on, and you can be Batman!

[natemoen]

I have a Firstgear Rush Mesh jacket. I love it! I have wore it in temps down in the 40's to over 100. Works great! Also have firstgear armored gloves, I say they are a must!

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/Mesh/CS...eshJacket.html

I have kind of been looking at these lately.

http://www.highvelocitygear.com/index.html

[T99Ford]

Ha, after burning up my full armored textile Joe Rocket jacket on Sunday, I'm actually shopping full leather race suits now...the Rockrt jacks held up beautifully though!

[jimbyjimb]

Put a cape on, and you can be Batman!

Hey hush it down dude! Bale is bailing and I'm in the running! Don't spoil it!