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Riding Jackets....plz help.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:13 am
by northnewbie
As you all can tell I am still at this. I am practicing and riding lots and being safe (insert "head on swivel for cages" here).

Being that it's +30 Celcius here and my recycled leather coat is actually winter lined! What would you suggest in a riding jacket thats safe, solid and cool, but still on the cheaper side.

Any names, models, websites are welcomed and Canadian places would be great.

Thanks folks

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:45 am
by rapidblue
I bought an ALPINESTARS T-VENOM mesh jacket and I really like it. It's a mesh with armour in the shoulders, elbows and a pad in the back.

Lot's of pockets and a removable liner for hot day. It's warm with the liner in and the air flows pretty good withe the liner out.

I think I paid $250 CDN plus tax. I think it'a good deal for a nice jacket.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:41 pm
by CYLax
I picked up a Cortech GX-Air not too long ago. Mesh with a little leather on it, removable wind/water proof liner and a separate insulating liar. It's pretty well vented when you're riding...but like all jackets, it gets hot when you're not moving.

If I remember right, I paid ~$180

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:46 pm
by Gadjet
Joe Rocket Phoenix or Rio Mesh Jackets.

I think they can be had for under $200CAD, just have to shop around a bit.

I bought my Rio a couple years ago for $90US

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:49 pm
by spinner
I'll second that GX-Air. Very nice jacket. Has kevlar on shoulders, elbows, and back. They also make nice riding pants that attach to the bottom.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 2:53 pm
by 1will
i have a pair of mesh pants but i sometimes worry that the protection may be more psychological than anything else.

i say this because mesh is reported as having a tendency to melt from the abrasion incurred during a slide. whether this is limited to joe rocket's material or is something that mesh is universally subject to, i don't know. maybe it was even a fluke that it happened to this guy's phoenix.

check it out: (warning, a bit graphic)

http://www.r6messagenet.com/forums/show ... php?t=3469

just food for thought

OMG!

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:59 pm
by northnewbie
I knew that could happen but seeing it like that is ...well....an experience. I was not even thinking mesh....now I am glad.

I would prefer mostly leather, as I sure my wife would, as long as I can find air vents under arms etc...

Great info so far. Keep it coming friends.

Thx

Re: OMG!

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:31 pm
by Gadjet
northnewbie wrote:I knew that could happen but seeing it like that is ...well....an experience. I was not even thinking mesh....now I am glad.

I would prefer mostly leather, as I sure my wife would, as long as I can find air vents under arms etc...

Great info so far. Keep it coming friends.

Thx
Look into perforated leather jackets then.

I know that Joe Rocket makes perfed leather, as does Alpinestars and several other manufacturers.

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2006 5:32 pm
by dr_bar
That post is kinda misleading, it doesn't explain his crash, how far he slid or anything that might give you an idea just how the jacket performed. If he was travelling at high speeds and took a tumble, that jacket probably saved his life...


I have the Joe Rocket "Alter Ego" It is a multi purpose jacket, Three layers, a regular jacket with a zip off panel that exposes a full mesh jacket. There is a zip in water proof liner for those off days that you're riding inclement weather.

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2006 2:55 am
by bok
i have one of the joe rocket textile jackets and that worked well in 30+ degree days when i did my motorcycle course a while back (blacktop + summertime + low speeds + sitting on an engine).

You should check out some info on hot weather riding, sometimes having that air flow is a bad thing as it leads to heat exhaustion faster. Proficient Motorcycling covers hot weather riding fairly well and i am sure there are other sources as well.