Riding Jacket??

[scottdog129]

I am in the market for a riding jacket. What would be a good all-weather, all year riding jacket on a budget? Perferably, I would want leather, but textile is okay too.

[Nadular]

I would say check out www.joerocket.com
I own a Reactor that has leather sleeves and textile body. I don't think they make them anymore, but look around. I found it suprisingly cool when it was pushing 90 degrees out (liner removed, all vents open) and good for short hops of 20 mins or less when it's in the 40's (with several layers of varying thickness underneath.)

I don't put the bike away during winter......

[inspiron]

A good leather jacket will be 1) more expensive, and 2) not waterproof.

Racing-quality leather provides the highest level of protection from road-rash. Protectors are needed to protect your bones, regardless of what the jacket is made of. The protectors cushion the impact, the material protects against the rash.

If you're looking for all-weather, then look for a good textile jacket with a waterproof (Gore-Tex, SimpaTex, etc.) liner, and a removable lining. In winter, you want the extra lining, and in summer, you'll definitely want to take it out.

I personally have 3 riding jackets ... 2 textile all-weather jackets, and one mesh jacket for the hot summer months. All three have CE-protectors, and I wear a spine-protector under the jackets.

I can't help you with specific brands ... over here, all we have is Dainese, IXS or Bullson.
HTH!

[Freakinout]

I've got an HJC Sport 2 leather jacket. I have owned a JR Nova (textile) as well. 2 of my friends have teknic leather jackets (no idea which model).

I can say the JR Nova was okay during the hot season, but it was never that comfortable to me.

I've had the HJC over a year and a half now, I love that jacket, its unbearable during the summer heat, but during the mornings and at night during the summer its great. Not sure how hot it gets in reno, so you might look for the ability to use vents (The HJC is lacking on vents)

[scottdog129]

I was looking at the Meteor line from Joe Rocket. Would that be suitable for all types of weather?

[KAOS]

Originally Posted by scottdog129

I was looking at the Meteor line from Joe Rocket. Would that be suitable for all types of weather?

i was looking at the Meteor jacket as well. i tried it on. i liked it. but for me i needed more ventilation. so i tried on the alter ego jacket. the alter ego jacket turns into a 'mesh' jacket from the arm pit area down front and back. so i went with the alter ego. i'm getting the black and red one.

now as for types of weather. my buddies mostly have Joe Rocket jackets and they ride with 'em all year round without any complaints. i don't know 1st hand though. not yet anyway!

[DragonKat]

check out www.newenough.com ..you can get some killer deals on riding jackets. Especially in their close out section. Leather is always the best way to go, but you can get some great textile jackets, for example, I have JR Blaster 2 leather that I wear, but it does get VERY hot in the summer months, so I normally wear my JR Phoenix textile/mesh jacket. Zip out lineing, armor onthe shoulders and back and extra padding on the elbows. great jacket, about 120.00 or so ... plus check out ebay!! I got mine for 60.00 !! brand new!

[Hardware]

I have the JR Phoenix jacket and pants - love them.

I also have the JR GPX 2-piece suit (leather) love it but it's too warm for high heat, humidity AND gridlock.

I have an older JR Ballistic jacket & pants as well, Goretex, only got wet in it once (in torrential rain). I highly recommend JR gear.

[Nexus242]

No one will be able to tell you if any jacket will keep you warm or cool enough since everybody reacts differenty to heat. For me I could be standing naked in a bucket of icewater under a shade tree at 12 noon and still be sweating my balls off in 95 degree temps while others are comfy and dry in jeans and a shirt standing in the sun. On the other extreme it's too cold to ride with temps under 55.

[scottdog129]

Thanks for all of your advice! I think I am going to take DragonKat's advice and go with the JR Atomic textile jacket married with the Ballistic 5.0 pants. They seem the best for the short jaunt to work in the cold morning and from work in the warm afternoon..

[Hardware]

Originally Posted by Nexus242

No one will be able to tell you if any jacket will keep you warm or cool enough since everybody reacts differenty to heat. For me I could be standing naked in a bucket of icewater under a shade tree at 12 noon and still be sweating my balls off in 95 degree temps...

You've created a mental picture that will haunt my dreams for all eternity. Thank you for that.

Most go jab myself in the temple with a gardening implement...

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by Hardware

You've created a mental picture that will haunt my dreams for all eternity. Thank you for that.

Most go jab myself in the temple with a gardening implement...

I'm telling you it sucks arse. I could be some place with sweat dripping off me like a waterfall and others are dry as sand. Hell I almost need to bring an extra shirt when I dance in a club for a few hours. It's very sad......

[scottdog129]

Originally Posted by Hardware

You've created a mental picture that will haunt my dreams for all eternity. Thank you for that.

Most go jab myself in the temple with a gardening implement...

HW, do me first, please!

[mikesvsix50]

I went with the "Teknic" Mesh Armored jacket and it's nice, and plenty of room for a sweater if it's cold. If I had the money I would have gone with the "Joe Rocket" 'Alter Ego'. It's a three layered jacket that runs about two-hundred bucks.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Hardware

You've created a mental picture that will haunt my dreams for all eternity. Thank you for that.

Most go jab myself in the temple with a gardening implement...

No me first !

[Hunter]

I went to look at the Alter Ego pants yesterday and they are a pain in the bum to put on.

[mikesvsix50]

How come, just crappy design?

[Nexus242]

Originally Posted by mikesvsix50

If I had the money I would have gone with the "Joe Rocket" 'Alter Ego'. It's a three layered jacket that runs about two-hundred bucks.

Humm in the current issuse of Motorcycle ESCAPE magazine (vol II, issue I) they rated 10 best summer jackets and the JR Alter Ego was one of them, list price $250, online price approx $205

[nurider]

I bought a JR Alter Ego back in Oct. Great concept, and that justifies (more or less) the cost. Protection is not CE, but is JR's version (they call it high density foam, and it's AMA approved). Not a huge issue.

There are some problems with the jacket, though. The arm holes should have some elastic - it can creep up your arms at speed. And like others have said elsewhere, there's always some doubt as to where the protection will actually end up in a fall - it can "float" around a bit - specially if you take the outer and inner layers off and ride in just the mesh.

I have it and use it. Like most things, the jacket will fit some better than others. Try it on in all its various levels of layering - then decide.

Incidentally, I got the Alter Ego pants last month (haven't had a chance to use them yet, though - thanks to the crappy weather. Best price was at Parts411.

[Buzter]

I would definitely go textile like a Joe Rocket. If you want it to be versatile it needs to be somewhat rain proof. I have a meteor 3.0 that I've had for 5 yrs and really like it. I have several jackets but that one is the most comfortable and versatile as far as weather and temperature. I've worn it in 35 degrees and 95 degrees, rain and shine. If I go on a trip and don't know for sure about weather I'll wear it instead of my armoured leather jacket. Newenough.com is awesome. I buy all my stuff from them. They are cool about returns and stuff.