Jackets...

[WillyD]

I guess this is a good place to ask this...

What are you guys wearing for jackets? I bought a jacket at Mid-Ohio and I paid $59.00....what I got was a $59.00 jacket...in short...I dont like it...

What I am looking for is something that is gonna be comfy and warm...The one I bought in Mid-Ohio is really neither of that...

What do you think is a good target price to look for??

Willy

[andytc]

picked it up in a sale

[zot]

I have a TourMaster works great...was around $180.

[WillyD]

looks good...

Do those jackets have zip out liners? are they full liners? How do they run compared to your normal jacket size? i would opt for at least one size bigger to give me more room with wearing a different shirt other than my summer "T" shirts....

[ZLFancyPaint]

Back in the 80's I had a leather jacket made by Sharold Leathers. They were located in Homewood, IL at the time.
I'm trying to find out if they are still in business.
I think not, but maybe used ones come up in local for-sale ads, craigslist, or ebay.
It was a great jacket. Could have a zip in liner, if you wanted.

That Frank Thomas above looks really nice. A good one is probably worth the investment,
cause if you like it & its comfy, you'll gladly wear it.
I've read that to break one in, mistreat it, don't hang it up, leave it lay on the floor,
beat it into submission, so-to-speak!

[andytc]

:razz:

[WillyD]

I am kinda partial to leather...

The one I got in mid-ohio is a cordura...It is not the cordura I dont like, it is wearing it...

It is stiff as a board and when I sit and ride, under the armpits it pulls and is tight...it is 3/4 length and what that means is that the back of the bottom of the jacket rides on the seat and it pushes the collar up high and creates and air gap on top of my shoulders..If I wear it with no helmet, I usually wear a ball cap backwards and the bill is constantly fighting with the collar and when I turn my head it gets caught and almost knocked off my head...The stiffness of it and the riding up and the big stiff collar sticking into me, makes it very uncomfortable...With the liner out of it and wearing a "T" shirt, the inside of it feels about like the outside of a rain coat...just sticky and uncomfortable...The 3/4 coat is not long enuff to sit on the bottom of it (would not wanna really) and that just makes it stick up even more. and on top of that, it is not warm...Wind feels like it comes right thru it..I am talkin 58 degrees going 5-10 mph in the mornings...I know when I get on the highway at 60mph I am gonna freeze...I do untill I get a little numb and then just deal with it..

Willy

[SandstoneSmitty]

. Hey WillyD.. During the late 70s and most of the 80s I wore a leather jacket. I grew out of it in the 90s and went to light coats. Now that I am riding more in the 00s I wasted more protection. I went to a few bike gear stores and the punk a$$ sales people would ask “What armor are you wearing now?”. Armor??? Then they would not talk to me. This would pi$$ me off and I would take the ZL and burn a circle in front of their door and scream away. (Texas-SS-Tornado – If you ever wondered who left that circle in front of that POS store on I-35 & Royal, now you know… LOL .. Never, never, go there – I digress).
. A friend recommends a place in Lewisville on I-35 & 3040. These guys were great. I walked out with a new Joe Rocket (JR) and a new Shoie, and gave a great discount on both.
. In Texas most of the riding it is 100f degrees in the shade. The JR mesh breaths during the summer and has a zip in liner for winter and wet riding. I still long for the pants, but funding is a problem. I was going to buy the matching pants for my last birthday (a little gift to myself), but I purchased front-end bearings for my truck instead.
Now I have my armor. I feel safer so I can drive faster…. HA!

[Jarney]

I'm just the opposite on jackets. I like the textiles better. Probably because I started off with them when dirt biking - they hold up extremely well. I just don't care for the way most leather jackets are cut and fit - waist, cuffs, neck. Anyway, here's what I've bought in the past.

I've had this first one for years and years. Wearguard Arctic Tundra jacket. It's amazingly warm with the liner in. The parka by itself is wearable through the summer without baking you - it has zippered vents. The liner can be worn as a seperate jacket also. Lots of pockets and adjustments, hood, etc. Very versatile set up for the money. Only bad thing is it's more of a "standard" jacket and not really "designed" for motorcycling as it has no armor. But an awesome jacket otherwise.

http://www.aramark-uniform.com/wgweb.dll#

[Jarney]

And like most I decided since my dirt bike days are pretty much done, I needed a little more protection so I bought this one this year. Fieldsheer Adventure Jacket, I was originally looking at the Hydro as it was/is currently much cheaper and basically the same jacket, but at the time they didn't have the color I wanted. It's pretty nice, haven't had it long enough to give a real good critique on it but I like it so far. Later.

Hydro
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/326/ITEM/Fieldsheer-Hydro-Tour-Jacket.aspx


Adventure
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/2350/ITEM/Fieldsheer-Adventure-Jacket.aspx

[need-for-speed]

Joe Rocket has a "CLASSIC" style leather jacket thats cafe style, my eliminator is red and the jacket i purchased is red, black and white. It seem to fit this bike being its a classic design, the jacket looks slightly used when new. it has a removeable liner, zipper vented arms and waiste area. Very very comfortable to wear. I've gotten alot of remarks and questions on where I got it from fellow bikers. They also make matching gloves! I topped it off with an Icon "Air Frame Style" helmet with matching colors and awesome graphics. The bike has an awesome look of its own, so you might as well look
awesome on it too!!!!!

[CHRIS]

can't say for sure if i like leather or the other fabric type better ! i have a few riding jackets that i wear at different times. the kawasaki jacket (joe rocket)($230.00) you saw me wearing at M/O i had just bought, & so far i love it ! my other jackets i like too ! one is a blk. ( teknic)($260.00) has zip in liner, & removeable armor . the leather (kobe)( used $100.00) jacket i got from lowlife is great for colder days, & the others, i just have'nt worn lately. the one's i have mentioned are the one's i wear most of the time, they all keep me warm, & protected.

a good jacket will run you $200---$300.00 CHRIS

[gds]

42 Short sizing.
Does anyone know of a jacket line that has more specific sizing like suit jackets. I take a 40S or 42S (the S(short) part being the most important).
Having armor and the material choice isn't as important to me as having a jacket that fits right. I would like a zipout liner, and would like to keep price under $250 if possible.
I have searched the internet and local shops and found some with the 42 sizing but not the 'short' part. Every jacket that fits my chest has arms that go past my fingertips.

Glenn

[NYC-ZL1000-RIDER]

Try New Enough, they have great fast service and all brand name ****! I myself have purchased 2 jackets, helmets, and a tank bag over the years. Get $10 bucks off your 2nd order with a pic and testimonial.



Also check out Road-Kill (roadkill13.com)when your in New Orleans, great biker shirts and such. Its my brothers store. Actually id call and buy the store shirt, its really cool skull and name Back and front) biker type shirt. Buy or die is the store motto...



http://www.newenough.com/

[lowlife]

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=251&cat=25

89.00 at the Kawi dealer no doubt. with armour and removable liner

I have a nice kawi jacket that came with crees ninja that I wear once in a while.

[lowlife]

Hey Chris y don't u post a pic of that obnoxious jacket i sold ya 555555.

[KawTipper]

Also check out Road-Kill (roadkill13.com)when your in New Orleans, great biker shirts and such. Its my brothers store. Actually id call and buy the store shirt, its really cool skull and name Back and front) biker type shirt. Buy or die is the store motto...

I'm going down there the begining of next month. If I remember I'll stop in.

[lowlife]

I'm going down there the begining of next month. If I remember I'll stop in.


Which should read " If I'm sober enough...I'll stop in"

[KawTipper]

Which should read " If I'm sober enough...I'll stop in"

This coming from a man who built a beer-bong for his motorcycle!:biggrin:

[WillyD]

Well all is not lost with the jacket I bought in MidOhio...Since it has a liner inside and it is the kind that basically can stand on it's own (not a zip in), I am able to use it as an under jacket to my leather I have now...This morning I left for work at 3:30 am and it was a chilly damp 45 degrees...I had a "T" shirt, long sleeve shirt, the liner and then the leather on...With all that on I am still comfy and dont feel overly stuffed (like the freakin michelin mad)...My ride to work is about 15 miles and 99% of it is highway at around 60 mph...I stayed pretty warm...I wore my lightweight gloves (mistake) and just jeans and boots on below...I need to get one of those things that goes around your neck and tucks up under the helmet and I think I am gonna get some chaps...A little warmer gloves and I think I would be set to go that distance in 35 degree weather...

Willy

[CHRIS]

Hey Chris y don't u post a pic of that obnoxious jacket i sold ya 555555.
here is your request Lowlife . i really do like this jacket!!!! very warm ! thanks again Lowlife ! CHRIS

[MachIV]

I`ve got the same jacket,only mine is blk/silver.

[Stormy]

hey willyD,

I had the same problem with my synthetic "cordura" type jacket, stiff as a board, I kid you not, hang it on the clothes line and hose it down with water, till it's soaked then let it totally dry out in the sun, and then wear it every opportunity you get it will soften up on it's own. The thing is buy the most expensive jacket you can afford, you usually get what you pay for, if it's cheap there's usually a good reason (unless you buy it from a clearence shop).

Mine is a RJays, "Voyager II", 3/4 length, triple lined coat, 1200 denier breathable, but waterproof nylon outer, thin nylon inner, then a removable "polyester" filled quilted liner, it has CE foam armour in the elbows, back and shoulders, a high collar, good sized pockets everywhere (7) including a zipped pocket specifically for a cell phone, double flap "stormproof" closure on the front with a zip, then "Velcro" hook and loop fastener tape on the first flap, then press studs on the second flap, an elastic band on the sleeves to stop them from puffing out when riding and blocking the view in the rear view mirrors and Velcro wrist band closures. It matches with similar material waterproof trousers. About $200.00 here in Oz.

http://www.rjays.com.au/home/products/textile-voyager-2-jacket.html# (http://www.rjays.com.au/home/products/textile-voyager-2-jacket.html)

[gosupes]

I have an Arlen Ness jacket that I wear in the warmer weather. Nicely vented with all the armor, reflective piping and good amount of pockets and pouches for storage. I picked it up on clearance sale from a web retailer for $90 (it was a discontinued style, I can't even find a web picture). I also recently purchased a new leather jacket made by Classic Leather Gear for about $220. I absolutely love this jacket. I had another more "classic" style of biker jacket, but it was cut more for the laid back cruiser style of riding, not for the more agressive style of the ZL's. Wasn't comfortable enough for long trips either. This new leather jacket is softer, with a banded collar instead the more common flip up style, lots of venting with plenty of room to move around. I have a hard time getting coats to fit well also, I run a 44S jacket size and this one fits great. Between that, chaps and good gauntlet style gloves, I'm pretty comfy riding in the chilly weather without any windscreen. My advice would be to really shop around. Most stores that I go into will let you wear the coat while you go sit on you bike to check for comfort. There seems to be some big price swings from different stores as well so visit a few before you buy.

[Hellion]

Ok time for my 2 cents, which I already showed my jacket to you willy when I was up there not too long ago.
I have a Scorpion brand of jacket that is called the Hat Trick and I love it! I have had many jackets in the past but for motorcycling porposes this has been my best to date.
It features 2 zip out liners it is a full four season jacket, the outer shell is very breathable and holds the armor the 1st zip in liner is the waterproof & wind proof and it really works great, you can also use this liner as a stand alone jacket. Also the zippers are offset from each other and have flaps that go over them so no air leaks around the zippers or water for that matter and believe me I have put it through the hard rain driving test! So far I have not had to use the thermal liner as I tend to stay warm enough since the windproof liner does exactly as it claims, the thermal liner is very warm and the one time I had it in I nearly sweat to death before I could get it back off! I would say it is for temps 32 degrees and below for certain! this jacket also features vents, elastic waist snap to fit enclosures so you dont get that annoying cold air up the back when your out riding!

http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D9C025BA44D11A3713BF0D546303C.asp?cat_id=FBF05A C4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pcs_key=C6A623C0A5AF4AC59830F349530A038C&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=Hat+Trick&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+ScorpionEXOWear%99&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+ScorpionEXOWear%99&sc_id=C78839AABCEA467B91D3230255D0F490

Now I also love my leather jackets but they dont always cover all the above mentioned annoyances, they are just confortable good protection on easy going rides. Plus I like the smell of leather. lol

[bob_z1]

I have crash tested my Vanson leather and can attest to it's durability

:thumbsup:

A good place to look online for gear is Newenough.com (http://www.newenough.com/)
check the closeouts for good deals.........

[lowlife]

http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?p=94292#post94292


I love this jacket!!! Denim with armour, zip out liner, 89.00 Can also get it in leather for a very reasonable price.!!!!

[Don Fonzarelli]

I'm using a 3=1 jacket from a brand called Evolution.
It has 3 layers, 2 of them which you can take out in the summer. Very handy and comfortable jacket.
The only minus are the zippers. Too small and vulnerable, for my type of hands :laughing7:

[lee(zl900)]

I kid you not, hang it on the clothes line and hose it down with water, till it's soaked then let it totally dry out in the sun,

could someone tell me what the meaning of this word is "SUN" something i have not seen or heard about for a while. **** i would love to live in nsw!