Apparel

Hey guys: Looking for your input on favorite cool weather riding clothes, particularly your favorite sport touring style leather jacket. So far I like the Cortech Impulse II leather jacket and the Z1R Dart leather jacket. Kind of interested in retro twin racing stripe sleeves but haven't found what I am looking for yet. :blink:

I have a Cortech 3/4 textile jacket that keeps my upper body cozy down into the 30's. :fing02:

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 07 December 2009 - 12:11 PM, said:

I have a Cortech 3/4 textile jacket that keeps my upper body cozy down into the 30's. :fing02:

Mine is mesh, so it only keeps me warm down into the 40's. Below that, I put on my heated liner. When it gets warmer, I take out the wind/rain liner and stay nice and comfy in the heat, as long as I'm moving.

I am more or less in the same climate as you. I wear a Technic leather perforated for the heat and below about 40 degrees, I use a Joe Rocket Blaster 4 solid leather jacket. It has textile inner arms for flex and seems really well made. I like it. Check out newenough.com. They have some screaming deals on all kinds of jackets right now!
JB

Until well below freezing, my Teknic freeway jacket with the liner in and the aforementioned and joked about argle sweater underneath. If it is over 40, you will prolly have to take the liner out, as it really works.
http://www.superbiketoystore.com/sport/images/uploads/teknic_freeway_tex_jkt_2009.jpg

Single digits, I put a winter road mantainence worker's jacket over top of the Teknic. (got it from a really fat guy)

I prefer my Motoport/Cycleport Kevlar gear over other stuff, has a nice warm liner which can be removed depending on the weather.

My Cortech came with a quilted liner, but I don't like it. It's too bulky. I prefer the heated liner.

I'm 6'5" tall and on the thin side so motorcycle apparel is a big hassle for me. For a jacket I've currently got the Scorpion Commander Textile jacket, like this one here;

http://www.newenough...cle_jacket.html

I love the thing. Zip in liner for cold, and a separate zip in liner for rain. Warm down to below freezing with both liners installed and a daily commute. When I bought mine only black was available in the long/tall config, which I think is a real shame, but everyone operates that way usually for the talls always in black if available.

Gloves, I'm using some cold weather gloves from Rev-It, they're they only brand that does long fingered gloves that fit my hands without being baggy or having the fingers too short. I have to get their XXL sizes but I love their stuff, actually all three pair of my gloves are Rev-It.

For cold weather pants for commuting I would use Tour Master "rain" overpants just to keep the wind off. They're passable for the task but some mornings my knees would be freezing. I don't know of a better solution. I've a pair of Rev-It pants in a long size that are still a good two inches shorter than I would like, coming up above boots when riding the VFR. I may have some kind of cuff added to them if I can find a shop I trust to do the work.

Something I've found here is trying to save money is usually a bad idea, I've come home with crap the couple times I tried to save a buck. Only place it seems to work is helmets.

My linkThis what I have for a leather jacket. It has a zip in fleece liner and we all know about Vanson quality.

Plus I like the way it goes with my RWB. I've ridden on more then one sub 32F morning and it's always kept me warm (subjective I know).

For textile I have the JR Alter Ego 2 jacket and pants, I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Water proof enough, and a ton of venting for the warmer weather.

This was a great pick-up earlier this year...the Honda Superhawk jacket by Joe Rocket:

http://www.cyclegear.com/images/streetapparel/jr_hnda_shwk_lthr_jkt_bkgn_MD.jpg

Holy cow! I'm about 6'-4" and 230 lbs with a 34" sleeve and the size 46 fits me perfectly. This is really a 3-season jacket as extreme cold will penetrate the textile areas somewhat unless you layer up underneath. Conversely, with the textile vent panels zipped off to access the mesh areas in the warmer months, the added airflow doesn't seem to help much above 85 degrees. In higher temps you'll want to trade the Super Hawk for some all-mesh protection.

However, in between those extremes is a very useful, well-made, protective, comfortable and sharp-looking piece of street motorcycle gear. It's understated w/o being too boy-racerish. You might like it.

[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 08 December 2009 - 08:52 PM, said:

My linkThis what I have for a leather jacket. It has a zip in fleece liner and we all know about Vanson quality.

Plus I like the way it goes with my RWB. I've ridden on more then one sub 32F morning and it's always kept me warm (subjective I know).

For textile I have the JR Alter Ego 2 jacket and pants, I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Water proof enough, and a ton of venting for the warmer weather.


Pick my new 07 RWB up in 6 days. So, thanks for pointing out your Vanson jacket. Very nice. Especially the way it coordinates with RWB. Did you do any better than that 599.00 price?

[image: View Post]dendron, on 08 December 2009 - 10:34 PM, said:

This was a great pick-up earlier this year...the Honda Superhawk jacket by Joe Rocket:

http://www.cyclegear.com/images/streetapparel/jr_hnda_shwk_lthr_jkt_bkgn_MD.jpg

Holy cow! I'm about 6'-4" and 230 lbs with a 34" sleeve and the size 46 fits me perfectly. This is really a 3-season jacket as extreme cold will penetrate the textile areas somewhat unless you layer up underneath. Conversely, with the textile vent panels zipped off to access the mesh areas in the warmer months, the added airflow doesn't seem to help much above 85 degrees. In higher temps you'll want to trade the Super Hawk for some all-mesh protection.

However, in between those extremes is a very useful, well-made, protective, comfortable and sharp-looking piece of street motorcycle gear. It's understated w/o being too boy-racerish. You might like it.

Exactly! No boy anything for this grey ghost. Understated is always better in my book. That way I won't get tired of something as quick. Good suggestion. Its in the running. Thanks! :fing02:

OLYMPIA PHANTOM 1pc Suit...."year-round"..... :fing02: ...in "Skuuter-Viz" of course... :goofy:

[image: View Post]captjamo, on 09 December 2009 - 03:03 AM, said:

[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 08 December 2009 - 08:52 PM, said:

My linkThis what I have for a leather jacket. It has a zip in fleece liner and we all know about Vanson quality.

Plus I like the way it goes with my RWB. I've ridden on more then one sub 32F morning and it's always kept me warm (subjective I know).

For textile I have the JR Alter Ego 2 jacket and pants, I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Water proof enough, and a ton of venting for the warmer weather.


Pick my new 07 RWB up in 6 days. So, thanks for pointing out your Vanson jacket. Very nice. Especially the way it coordinates with RWB. Did you do any better than that 599.00 price?


As a matter of fact I did get it for about 150 bucks cheaper. BUT, I was in the actual store/factory in Fall River Mass. I'm 5'7" 170LBs, and I got the size 46. Very stiff! You have to wear for a bit to break it in but it's super comfy now. Give them a call and a sob story and see if they will drop the price at all, your never know.

For cold weather I take my JR Meteor jacket w/liner, Tourmaster pants, Tourmaster winter gloves, and AF neck gator. I ridden to work in the teens with this combo and was fine.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1201637699/gallery_9137_2250_102139.jpg

Action

[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 09 December 2009 - 07:01 AM, said:

[image: View Post]captjamo, on 09 December 2009 - 03:03 AM, said:

[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 08 December 2009 - 08:52 PM, said:

My linkThis what I have for a leather jacket. It has a zip in fleece liner and we all know about Vanson quality.

Plus I like the way it goes with my RWB. I've ridden on more then one sub 32F morning and it's always kept me warm (subjective I know).

For textile I have the JR Alter Ego 2 jacket and pants, I am very pleased with the fit and finish. Water proof enough, and a ton of venting for the warmer weather.


Pick my new 07 RWB up in 6 days. So, thanks for pointing out your Vanson jacket. Very nice. Especially the way it coordinates with RWB. Did you do any better than that 599.00 price?


As a matter of fact I did get it for about 150 bucks cheaper. BUT, I was in the actual store/factory in Fall River Mass. I'm 5'7" 170LBs, and I got the size 46. Very stiff! You have to wear for a bit to break it in but it's super comfy now. Give them a call and a sob story and see if they will drop the price at all, your never know.

Oh I plan to. Thanks :fing02:

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/public/style_images/light/snapback.png' alt='View Post' />skuuter trash, on 09 December 2009 - 03:33 AM, said:

OLYMPIA PHANTOM 1pc Suit...."year-round".....
Skuut, I've got one and really like it! Wore it all the way out to South Dakota in the high heat, and lived to tell about it. Had to put my rain suit on over it when it rained, though, but no biggie. Question for you: What do you wear under it in very cold weather to keep you warm and toastie?

[image: View Post]Action, on 09 December 2009 - 09:30 AM, said:

For cold weather I take my JR Meteor jacket w/liner, Tourmaster pants, Tourmaster winter gloves, and AF neck gator. I ridden to work in the teens with this combo and was fine.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1201637699/gallery_9137_2250_102139.jpg

Action

Looks like there could be a good helmet hobbit lurking among all that gear! :goofy:

Mine is neither leather nor "sport-touring" but it is a classic brand (Belstaff) and very warm.
http://www.britishmotorcyclegear.com/prodimages/jackets/challenger_blue.jpg

I have the Belstaff Challenger and couldn't be happier. I'm 6'2" and 170lbs. The Large fits quite well when I get the numerous adjustment straps just right.

Couple that jacket with a pair of Olympia UltraTour pants, Diadora boots, TM gloves, UnderArmor cold gear shirt, similar style underpants, and I'm toasty well down into the 30's.

And a handy dandy link to BMG

there is a very nice retro one on grandprixlegends.com. They have a two stripe leather mid season that is very cool, i have it myself. I like the retro look when on short summer rides. They are UK based but do ship internationally. They have some good stuff all round actually for the retro look. I also have the IXON Diablo and the IXON pants for summer riding good ventilation and deep pockets. Alpinestars boots 3/4 ridge. Red Route and Dragin Jeans as well go very well with the retro leather jacket. Plenty of gear for me as i ride everyday no matter the weather.

Happy shopping and good riding.