Buying a new riding jacket

Hello all,

I have to get a new jacket for riding in Summer. Had a look around a bike shop, and there are a new type of textile jackets with body armour in the shoulders, elbows and back. Can even get something which matches the colours of my XJ900. Anyone tried a textile jacket? Any good? Or should I just go with the tried and trusted leather jacket?

 

I got an IXON vented textile jacket with armour and removable lining. It was about $200. I went from an old leather jacket to this one and I have to admit it was a bit un-nerving at first due to it being so light and, for want of a better word........airy 8O

But after a few rides in the heat I soon got used to the comfort level :wink:

I've also heard good things about the Dri-Rider Rally Cross jacket - it's a fully vented jacket with external armour and an optional drink bladder - but it's around $400.

Can't say I've had a chance to test the protective capability of the jacket as yet though..... :roll:

 

textile, all day.

 

I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket and the pants. The jacket is awesome. It has panels that zip off to make it very versatile. There have been many mornings that I have the whole jacket on and then take off some some panels to make the ride home comfortable once things have warmed up. Of course, that ain't in January...

Highly recommended IMHO.

 

I have a textile Tourmaster Transition 2 jacket. I love it, has a zip in liner for the cold. And it has shoulder, elbow and back armour, tons of pockets, vents, etc Haven't used it in summer yet. Lots of colours. $190 US online. I paid $250 CDN at the store.

 

So do I. Absolutely love it; with all the vents opened up it's quite comfortable in the summer. The only drawback is it takes a few minutes to properly close all the vents if you get caught in a downpour, but it IS completely waterproof.

They even come in "tall" sizes (but only in black.)

It's my first experience with a textile jacket, too; had leathers for the last 40+ years. I like the technological improvements.

 

I have two textile jackets one is a Joe Rocket (I forget which model), and the other a Tourmaster Intake Air Series 2, both are great in the summertime. The Tourmaster came with an inner lining that makes it waterproof and also came in handy when temperatures dipped in the fall. I recommend checking out e-bay. I found both of mine for close to half their original prices, and they were in great condition.

I think its one of the best investments you can make!

 

I have a Cortech Fusion (Tourmasters side brand)
Love it, zip out liner, for dead of summer still thinking of getting a Mesh jacket too, as sitting in traffic I roast as no air gets in the vents

 

I have a Cortech "Rider Blues" armored blue-jean jacket for my hot summertime fair-weather jacket. It's nice and cool but completely useless in the wet.

 

textile over leather all day. Although, over 70 degrees I go jacketless.

 

apparently you have never crashed.

once you have, it's ATGATT. (All The Gear All The Time.)

 

Can of worms has been opened.....

 

I would go to New Enough Closeouts.

They have a good selection of close out "stuff." Ship fast and have excellent customer service.

HTH.
Jim

 

Ditto on New Enough. They also have first line stuff. Excellent service.

 

I have a leather jacket in the closet that I almost never wear. I thought I would wear it when it got to cold for my tex but I rode in -6c weather last fall and never pulled out the leather
Shaun

 

True, I haven't. It's just how I'm confortable is all. I'm not saying anyone else should do it Fitz. Most of my riding is on back country roads. When I'm headed somewhere that traffic is involved, I grab the joe rocket and rock it. :roll:

 

Thank you all. Late reply as I'm using a borrowed computer at present. My land line phone has dropped out. and the telco is yet to come out and fix it. Probably the possums have chewed the wire off the pole. Lucky I have a mobile phone.

Some thoughts are like my own. The shop has Joe Rocket and Dri Rider brands, and what I was surprised with, is just how light the jackets are. The armour is called CE, and feels quite solid. I think I will get one in blue and white, so it will go with the XJ9 colours.

 

Dryriders are top quality but dearer, my son's still wearing my old dryrider, i've got an R-Jays Voyager2 jacket and matching pants which i wear in winter, warm and dry, zip out liners, and an R-Jays Octane summer jacket, fantastic, wear it on 40degC days and still keep cool (well as cool as you can be). Well priced and back-up service, Australian, and have a web site with all their products and prices. Tossing up between a Nolan and or an R-Jays flip front helmet next.

 

Santa went shopping for me, momma and our son. textile with leather, removable liner and armor for $80 a piece. Great winter, spring for Florida (40 - 80 degree) plan on mesh textile with armor for the summer. Hate to sound like a commercial but they have the best prices and gear I have found... and amazing... they have good service. Good luck... I agree with Fitz ATGAT....They made it affordable to gear the entire family

www.leatherup.com

 

Speaking strictly from my own experience, I would not recommend Joe Rocket gear. I have found their stuff to be way overpriced for the sub-par design, quality, and comfort it offers.
If you're looking for state-of-the-art apparel at a reasonable price, start here: http://www.olympiamotosports.com/home.htm
I've gone through a ton of riding gear over the last 30 years or so, but Olympia has really impressed me with their recent products. The quality is excellent, the functionality is unrivaled, and the price won't kill you.

 

I also have a tourmaster. It has 2 removable pieces. The quilted warmer and the windbreaker/rain guard. I love it. And the red has a tint in it that gives it a 900 color. I got it off ebay a couple of years ago for around $125. Not sure if it's still available though.

 

I have a textile jacket from Leatherup.com (very much agree with Vmax about the good prices and service)

I used mine last summer during 95 degree F with high humidity and felt no discomfort. It has liner to zipper in for cooler temps.

 

I got a Fieldsheer jacket last fall from Bike Bandit. It was only $120, but built very well. It is a touring model, with a longer design to cover up my backside. But, it is very comfortable and light. Doesn't flap in the wind. But, for summer riding, have you considered a mesh jacket? I know they have "mesh-tex" jackets that have waterproof liners you can zip in. Otherwise, they are durable and seem super cool for summer riding.

 

I'm sold with Teknic!!!!!!!!

 

i wear a teknic textile I love it

 

Just got home from a 5hr ride in 37degC heat. had on my R-Jays textile pants, no liner and jocks, textile jacket, no liner and t-shirt. Did get get sweaty but just open the top a fraction and the sweat evaporating soon cooled me down for a while. The only trouble with my summer textile jacket (and others i seen) is they are too short. As mention above the winter jacket is long at the back and so are the pants offering better protection in the event of biting the dust. I ridden the same trip with the same gear, liners in, in 10degC and pooring rain and been dry and warm. For riding to and from work the summer jacket is fine so i don't get sweaty in my work clothes.

 

Thats where the critters are at and they can sure make a mess of an unsuspecting biker. Even a raccoon or possom or vermicious kinid can wreck a bike for you real nice like.
I like AlpineStar but only because I got a great deal on the armored jacket. Can get warm but my shoulders, elbows, back and chest are guarded and it looks like a regular leather riding jacket. I wear gloves, and bionic leg gear too... oh and boots.
I used to ride in t-shirt and jeans before I realized how quickly something can happen and how little control some circumstances can leave you with.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_N1HIxT ... L&index=33
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XL5WUNLVf4

Those 2 videos convinced me to wear gear. I would rather break another bone than have any part of my body look like that.

Just imagine the road as being one really big, human sized belt sander.

 

Found it on Teknic site I really like it good all around jacket