Time for a new riding jacket - recommendations?

**smokier** · 04-15-2017, 06:49 AM

Greetings All,

My trusty FIRST GEAR riding jacket is showing signs of age and wear (6 ~ 7 years?). Before that had a JOE ROCKET for years.

Now, there are so many brands and choices it is hard to know where to start. I liked the padded cuff and collar of the First Gear over the non-padded cuff and collar of the Joe Rocket. The removable pads are now standard it seems. Not so with the original Joe Rocket..

Any-who, anybody got two cents worth of recommendations of a brand to pay extra attention to? Or a recommendation of a brand/model to avoid?
(And or where to get them? RevZila and Motorcycle-Superstore have pretty big selection.).

Thanks in advance.
Ride safe,
Smokier

gv550 · 04-15-2017, 09:40 AM

I like Olympia, had AirGlide3 for years and just replaced it with new AirGlide5. Outer shell is mesh so nice airflow on hot days, removable wind/water liner can be worn outside or zipped inside the shell, and a removable quilted liner zips inside both. Of course all the armor, top rate zippers and velcro, tough cordura fabric. USA company but made in China. Got mine at BikeBandit with a sale coupon and was drop shipped from Olympia within 2 days.
www.olympiamotosports.com

Loafer · 04-15-2017, 10:22 AM

You could look at these companies.
Jafrum.com
Leatherup.com
Competition Accessories

There are more companies, but I used these the most.

01Nomad1500 · 04-15-2017, 11:15 AM

Check ironpony.com. They run lots of special and seem to have good prices.

mbarr10 · 04-15-2017, 01:09 PM

https://www.amazon.com/Milano-Sport-...00XCAP7CG?th=1

I Like this one, Got the green and Black.

warrbucks222 · 04-15-2017, 04:36 PM

Try to find OSI. I have 2 mesh jackets. Best all around for spring, fall n summer protection. I ride every day, never without mesh armor. OSI pants too.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

**smokier** · 04-16-2017, 07:19 AM

Excellent comments guys. Thank you.

tukibandit · 04-16-2017, 10:08 AM

Ok.. QUESTION..
I always wear a leather.. I bought a 700 buck leather 10 years ago, still wear it.. it is most awesome and I wear it for protection..

'splain the better jacket to wear while dressing for the fall.. As I always want to be protected and comfortable.. I am ignorant on which jacket is the best all around on a bike in the summer.. So I ask.. :)

twowheeladdict · 04-16-2017, 10:28 AM

Are you looking for quality protection? Waterproof? Vented? Multiseason?

Motorcyclegear.com has a great clearance section.

Motorcyclecloseouts.com also has a great clearance section.

mbarr10 · 04-16-2017, 10:37 AM

Last year I got a BILT air jacket And Revit Air pants. On a Hot Day it is like riding in Shorts and a T-shirt. Better Abrasion resistance than Jeans on the pants plus CE armor. the jacket is almost as Abrasion resistant as thin Leather Plus CE Armor in the elbows and Back.

coolwazabi · 04-16-2017, 11:39 AM

motorcyclecloseouts.com

Gypsy Dragon · 04-17-2017, 02:02 PM

I Used to be a big fan of Tourmaster jackets, they had great bang for the buck, but I feel like they have goe downhill in quality enough in the past 10 years that I will no longer buy them. I have one now that is on its last legs, and once retired, I will be replacing it with and Icon, Joe Rocket, or other higher end jacket.

ZXryder · 04-18-2017, 11:50 AM

Some people don't like the Icon brand.. but I have been wearing a leather jacket(Motohead????) for over 10 years, the sleeves are meshed on the bottom and the vent system works well. I also wear their gloves and have lowsided with the gloves on and they really saved my hands.. still have them.. and use them for other than riding on the bike, still to this day wear Icon gloves. Motorcyclegear.com or Revzilla is where I usually buy from.. also competition accessories is a good site to check out.

TacomaJD · 04-25-2017, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZXryder

Some people don't like the Icon brand.. but I have been wearing a leather jacket(Motohead????) for over 10 years, the sleeves are meshed on the bottom and the vent system works well. I also wear their gloves and have lowsided with the gloves on and they really saved my hands.. still have them.. and use them for other than riding on the bike, still to this day wear Icon gloves. Motorcyclegear.com or Revzilla is where I usually buy from.. also competition accessories is a good site to check out.

I'm on my 2nd Motorhead, hard to beat those old jackets. Can still find deals on them used in great shape on ebay every now and then. I saw where they recently (and finally) came out with the Motorhead 2 jacket, but I haven't read up on it to see how it compares.

waldowales · 04-25-2017, 09:58 PM

I have a Vega armored mesh jacket, good for hot weather, and with the liner in, good for cool weather, and has a rain cover for those not so nice days. The Vega saved me from a lot of damage when I ran over a car two years ago. It got one little melted pucker from sliding on the road, but I kept all of my skin, although with a tear in the forearm. I still wear that jacket every time I ride.
When it gets cold enough that sane people put away their bikes for the winter, I get out my Top Gear racing leathers.

04-15-2017, 06:49 AM	#1
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Time for a new riding jacket - recommendations? Greetings All, My trusty FIRST GEAR riding jacket is showing signs of age and wear (6 ~ 7 years?). Before that had a JOE ROCKET for years. Now, there are so many brands and choices it is hard to know where to start. I liked the padded cuff and collar of the First Gear over the non-padded cuff and collar of the Joe Rocket. The removable pads are now standard it seems. Not so with the original Joe Rocket.. Any-who, anybody got two cents worth of recommendations of a brand to pay extra attention to? Or a recommendation of a brand/model to avoid? (And or where to get them? RevZila and Motorcycle-Superstore have pretty big selection.). Thanks in advance. Ride safe, Smokier __________________ You only get one, so "Make it the best day ever!" 2014 Victory Cross County Tour Blue Fire Gloss (BFG) "Cruella" Brides Ride: 2012 Victory Crossroads in Sunset Red "Ruby" Previous Vulcans: '15 Vaquero, '12 Vaquero, '10 1700 Nomad, '04 1500 Classic, '01 1500 Classic, '88 Vulcan 750 VROC # 10967 \| VBA # 3115 Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by smokier; 04-15-2017 at 06:53 AM.
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04-15-2017, 09:40 AM	#2
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	I like Olympia, had AirGlide3 for years and just replaced it with new AirGlide5. Outer shell is mesh so nice airflow on hot days, removable wind/water liner can be worn outside or zipped inside the shell, and a removable quilted liner zips inside both. Of course all the armor, top rate zippers and velcro, tough cordura fabric. USA company but made in China. Got mine at BikeBandit with a sale coupon and was drop shipped from Olympia within 2 days. www.olympiamotosports.com __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details. Last edited by gv550; 04-15-2017 at 09:43 AM.
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04-15-2017, 10:22 AM	#3
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	You could look at these companies. Jafrum.com Leatherup.com Competition Accessories There are more companies, but I used these the most. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email]
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04-15-2017, 01:09 PM	#5
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	https://www.amazon.com/Milano-Sport-...00XCAP7CG?th=1 I Like this one, Got the green and Black. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-16-2017, 10:08 AM	#8
tukibandit Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 64	Ok.. QUESTION.. I always wear a leather.. I bought a 700 buck leather 10 years ago, still wear it.. it is most awesome and I wear it for protection.. 'splain the better jacket to wear while dressing for the fall.. As I always want to be protected and comfortable.. I am ignorant on which jacket is the best all around on a bike in the summer.. So I ask.. :) __________________ 2016 Vaquero
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04-15-2017, 11:15 AM	#4
01Nomad1500 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Westrn Ohio Posts: 67	Check ironpony.com. They run lots of special and seem to have good prices.
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04-15-2017, 04:36 PM	#6
warrbucks222 Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 119	Try to find OSI. I have 2 mesh jackets. Best all around for spring, fall n summer protection. I ride every day, never without mesh armor. OSI pants too. Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
	0

04-16-2017, 07:19 AM	#7
smokier Join Date: May 2015 Location: DBQ Iowa Posts: 1,807	Excellent comments guys. Thank you.
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04-16-2017, 10:28 AM	#9
twowheeladdict Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 616	Are you looking for quality protection? Waterproof? Vented? Multiseason? Motorcyclegear.com has a great clearance section. Motorcyclecloseouts.com also has a great clearance section. __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager, 2007 Vulcan Mean Streak, 2009 Vulcan Nomad
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04-16-2017, 10:37 AM	#10
mbarr10 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 1,562	Last year I got a BILT air jacket And Revit Air pants. On a Hot Day it is like riding in Shorts and a T-shirt. Better Abrasion resistance than Jeans on the pants plus CE armor. the jacket is almost as Abrasion resistant as thin Leather Plus CE Armor in the elbows and Back. __________________ Please post back after you have solved any issues 2016 1700 Vaquero 10/4/2016 2007 1500 Classic W/ Reckless Fairing, 42,000 miles 2004 600 Honda Shadow 18,000 miles 1989 500 Honda CX Custom 55,000 miles 1973 400 Kawi Triple 5,000 miles
	0

04-16-2017, 11:39 AM	#11
coolwazabi Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 70	motorcyclecloseouts.com
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04-17-2017, 02:02 PM	#12
Gypsy Dragon Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Round Rock, Tx. Posts: 493	I Used to be a big fan of Tourmaster jackets, they had great bang for the buck, but I feel like they have goe downhill in quality enough in the past 10 years that I will no longer buy them. I have one now that is on its last legs, and once retired, I will be replacing it with and Icon, Joe Rocket, or other higher end jacket. __________________ 1997 KZ1000 Police 2003 Kawasaki Z1000 w/ 149k mi (sold) (un-sold!) 2013 Vaquero in Green (the fastest color) Thunder Mfg Prototype Hi Performance Kit Rev 2 109 cid Klockwerks Windshield Corbin Young Gun Throttle Mod Freedom Performance 2-1 Roarin Toyz Intake PCV with AutoTune Ivanized ECU
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04-18-2017, 11:50 AM	#13
ZXryder Jr. Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 14	Some people don't like the Icon brand.. but I have been wearing a leather jacket(Motohead????) for over 10 years, the sleeves are meshed on the bottom and the vent system works well. I also wear their gloves and have lowsided with the gloves on and they really saved my hands.. still have them.. and use them for other than riding on the bike, still to this day wear Icon gloves. Motorcyclegear.com or Revzilla is where I usually buy from.. also competition accessories is a good site to check out.
	0

04-25-2017, 09:58 PM	#15
waldowales Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 19	I have a Vega armored mesh jacket, good for hot weather, and with the liner in, good for cool weather, and has a rain cover for those not so nice days. The Vega saved me from a lot of damage when I ran over a car two years ago. It got one little melted pucker from sliding on the road, but I kept all of my skin, although with a tear in the forearm. I still wear that jacket every time I ride. When it gets cold enough that sane people put away their bikes for the winter, I get out my Top Gear racing leathers.
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