please read this jacket thing is driving me nuts

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ehood87 · #1 Unread post by **ehood87** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:20 am

i am looking to buy a motorcycle jacket with hard armor any suggestions if possible please give me a list of all the brands and the model jackets that come with hard armor and ill look them up.

intotherain · Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:23 am

Top brands of jackets: Alpinestars, Icon, Joe Rocket, AGV, Spidi, Shift, Firstgear, Z1R, Arlen Ness, Thor, Moose, Speedrag, MotoGP, Gericke and Powrtrip.

Good luck!

ehood87 · #3 Unread post by **ehood87** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:25 am

they all come with hard armor? all there models too???

#4 Unread post by **Wrider** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 9:54 am

A good majority of them do anymore. I have a Tourmaster Flex, it's a textile jacket, great for sportbikes or whenever you're in the wind a lot (e.g. without a windshield.) It's got back padding, shoulder armor, elbow armor, and forearm armor. Friend tried to hit me one day with it on, I turned to him and laughed "Feel better now?" as he was cuddling his fist...

Wrider

Dichotomous · Thu Dec 28, 2006 10:24 am

dont forget tourmaster and its sportier division cortech. I've enjoyed my jacket and bags quite a bit

#6 Unread post by **Koss** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 6:04 pm

I think instead of listing every company and their specific models(Leather, textile, or mesh? Combination leather and textile? Perforated Leather? Vents?) that include hard armor (what kind of armor? CE? GP? Turtle shell? Double Density? To many different types) some websites where you can search would be better.

I like motorcycle-superstore, dennis kirk, and newenough. There are many others but those are the three that ive delt with personaly, and high a huge selection (esp. dennis kirk) with some excellent prices.

Shorts · #7 Unread post by **Shorts** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:11 pm

Koss wrote:I think instead of listing every company and their specific models(Leather, textile, or mesh? Combination leather and textile? Perforated Leather? Vents?) that include hard armor (what kind of armor? CE? GP? Turtle shell? Double Density? To many different types) some websites where you can search would be better.

I like motorcycle-superstore, dennis kirk, and newenough. There are many others but those are the three that ive delt with personaly, and high a huge selection (esp. dennis kirk) with some excellent prices.

I'm betting the OP doesn't understand the types - some edjumacation on them would help. Umm no, that person is not me.

#8 Unread post by **Koss** » Thu Dec 28, 2006 7:35 pm

Shorts wrote:
Koss wrote:I think instead of listing every company and their specific models(Leather, textile, or mesh? Combination leather and textile? Perforated Leather? Vents?) that include hard armor (what kind of armor? CE? GP? Turtle shell? Double Density? To many different types) some websites where you can search would be better.

I like motorcycle-superstore, dennis kirk, and newenough. There are many others but those are the three that ive delt with personaly, and high a huge selection (esp. dennis kirk) with some excellent prices.

I'm betting the OP doesn't understand the types - some edjumacation on them would help. Umm no, that person is not me.

Actually I threw all of those out there to start him on the quest... but I guess ill be that person today

Armor Types

Also, when it comes to the material used for moto gear, its generally agreed upon that leather provides the best abrasion protection(grinding, tearing, that sort... like you sliding over a street or concrete)

Next would be textile... and I as well as others believe that textile provides adequate protection for what most people would experience on your day to day riding. Not as good as leather, but good enough.

And then mesh, which is textile, but in a mesh form. This allows air to enter through the jacket and cool you off. Although, from what I hear... in temperatures that are actually above your body temperature... it would heat you up. I guess its a two way street... personally I think mesh feels nice in 100+ degree weather.

Both textile and mesh usually offers additional padding and armor compaired with your average leather jacket... its generally cheaper, and comes in more colors and fashionable styles. There is also hybred types, where the jacket has leather panels attached to a textile shell... or even textile shells that can be removed to expose what turns out to be a mesh jacket.

For sure, go with the best gear you can afford... I started out with a mesh jacket (I live in the desert, and tempertatures easily plummet 30+ degrees at night... in the mountain passes more) so I can later on add the weatherproof insulated and windproof liners. I just recently bought a jacket that is a hybrid of textile and leather, still with a removable liner for wind/water/cold.

But a helmet, jacket, gloves, pants, that are motorcycle specific. If you have a good sturdy pair of full length boots, then you can get away using those. Mid or half boots I wouldn't trust dressing in for a crash.

ehood87 · #9 Unread post by **ehood87** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 4:22 am

ok i decided on spidi i just have to decide leather or textile i am thinking leather the basic black looks good but my next question is will it still fit properly if you get it a little bigger to stick a fleece under it in case it gets too cold just with the liner? by the way what do you suggest for waterproofing with leather a waterproof overjacket or an umbrella?

Ian522 · #10 Unread post by **Ian522** » Sun Dec 31, 2006 5:59 am

ehood87 wrote:ok i decided on spidi i just have to decide leather or textile i am thinking leather the basic black looks good but my next question is will it still fit properly if you get it a little bigger to stick a fleece under it in case it gets too cold just with the liner? by the way what do you suggest for waterproofing with leather a waterproof overjacket or an umbrella?

Get a jacket with adjustable waist and arm straps so you can adjust how tight it fits to accomodate extra layers underneath. But you want the jacket to fit snug so the armor wont slide around. Id highly advise you to go to a store and try on the different sizes and brands of jackets, instead of taking a leap of faith and ordering one online and hoping it fits right.