Riding Jackets

[kunosoura]

Greetings. Am within a month away from buying my first bike, and am slowly accumulating gear. I've got boots and gloves so far. I intend to buy a jacket online as selection is very slim at my local dealer. I read the "riding gear" thread started recently, but I have some questions concerning jackets specifically.

Do many of you wear the same jacket in the winter and summer (plus or minus a removable liner)?
Or do you own one for each?

I want leather, but am nervous about perforated leather in the cold, even with a liner.
On the other end of the spectrum, does perforated leather get too hot in the summer?
Should I just get a winter jacket now and then worry about a summer one when it gets hot?

I'm eyeballing some Alpinestars gear, as they seem to put out some quality stuff. Am I mistaken?

I plan to be riding this winter whenever possible, down to about 25-30ish Fahrenheit, which is really as cold as it gets here in my part of VA. Thanks in advance.

[Sev]

Perforated means its got a bunch of little holes in it to let air flow through. It should be colder in anyclimte, but the addition of a windbreaker underneath will make a huge difference as far as temps are concerned.

Personally I've got one that has a removable wind/water proof liner and I really like it, but I get very cold very easily.

[ninja79]

Perforated jacket is ok in hot weather. Not as comfortable as textile mesh, but protects better. At 40mph or so it becomes comfortable. At highway speeds you don't even feel like you're wearing anything.

My jacket has a detachable insulated liner/windbreaker. It makes a huge difference. You can also put a sweater underneath when it's really cold.

It is very easy to put on more clothes, but kinda hard to put on less clothes.

[Shorts]

I like having as thick leather vented jacket with a removeable liner. Its warm in the cold. It's also warm in the heat, so, remove the liner and unzip the front and rear vents. If you're riding you'll be comfortable. If you're stopped, it'll get warm.

[Kal]

I run with an old school Leather Bike jacket. Under that I wear a fleece and my body armour, especially during winter.

The biggest difference I found was wearing a necktube/necktor - which in winter goes from under my fleece to over my nose to form a decent seal with no flesh showing and also buying a pair of the two finger winter weaght gloves.

Just the addition of those two things changed my winter riding from uncomfortable to pleasant. Because I wasn't holding myself stiff against the cold and had better concentration in that gear than when I had been cold my riding became significantly safer.

[kunosoura]

Nice. Thank you all. Will let you know what I end up with.

[Flting Duck]

If you're going to be riding in sub-30 weather - give some serious consideration to getting an electric vest and either some heated grips or heated gloves - either or both will make a world of difference. (The best deal on heated grips is Symtec grips at http://www.casporttouring.com/store/mer ... _Code=SYMT

I have a Cortech GX textile jacket - with a heated vest and the proper layers, it keeps me nice and warm in the 30's. In the summer I can open the vents and ride in hot weather comfortably.

What works well for me underneath is to wear layers from North Face - both a base layer and a fleece layer. This stuff is great because if you are all sealed up, it provides great insulation. If you open the vents on your gear, it breathes well and also wicks/evaporates perspiration. Very versatile stuff.

[Lion_Lady]

I live just outside Baltimore and ride year round.

I've don't own any leather gear, except my gloves, and a pair of boots.

You'll find that if its warm enough for cold weather, you'll roast in it on hot days. Fortunately, there's 6 months between the worst of each, so you can get what you need for riding NOW and save up for a summer weight jacket for THEN.

I've got a Rev'It brand textile cold weather jacket which has both a rain liner and quilted thermal liner. On most cool days... down to about 45 or so, that is fine. But if I'm going to be doing highway speeds, or cooler temperatures, I add in the electric jacket liner.

Hubby has a Joe Rocket Ballistics jacket and overpanst that are fine for his daily commute. On really cold days, he adds an extra sweater (he doesn't have electrics yet - on his Xmas list for this year).

P

[Mintbread]

I
I've don't own any leather gear, except my gloves, and a pair of boots.

You'll find that if its warm enough for cold weather, you'll roast in it on hot days.

I beg to differ.

I don't own any textile gear and have never had a problem with overheating, even when I am covered in cow from top to bottom.
Australia gets rather warm ( /understatement ) and I have never considered textile or mesh gear as leather does the job perfectly, lasts longer and looks a million times better.

[sharpmagna]

I don't know how it is in Australia, but in the summer the heat is very humid at the same time. It can get quite stifling in 90*F weather even with a textile jacket. For the spring/fall/winter I have a Fieldsheer textile jacket with a liner that I can remove if I feel too hot. When it gets over 85* I switch to my Firstgear mesh jacket without the liner. I can use the mesh with the liner when it is around 70-80 *F.

With the fieldsheer with liner installed and two layers of clothes, I can ride comfortabley in the winter. You'll need to invest in some good insulated pants if you want to be comfortable.