I'm finally going to replace my 15 year old leather jacket (which was originally purple but dyed black about 100 times) with something more comfortable in warm weather. I find myself not riding in temps over 80F because I can't take the heat in that jacket, so it's time for something breathable.
My question is: Is it worth getting a "waterproof" textile jacket that sacrifices some breathability for dubious built-in waterproofing, or should I just get a nice, breathable, half mesh half textile jacket and a seperate rain coat?
I'd like to keep this expenditure under $200. I'll use this jacket almost daily for commuting and joy riding in 60 to 90 deg weather and my old jacket for temps below that. I'd love to find a nice quality textile sport jacket with a functional removable rain liner which cools enough up to the mid 90s, but alas, I can't seem to find one. We have the smartest forum members in the world here, so let me know what you think.
I wouldn't sacrifice the protection of leather. Get a good perforated leather jacket and a rain coat. MotorcycleGear.com still has some Cortech Latigo perforated jackets for $155. You can find several brands/styles around that $200 mark if you do your homework.
I have both, but to my mind you can't beat a really well made leather jacket, ditto for leather pants over armored water proof pants. If I'm going for a ride & the weather is already sh*tfull, then I wear the waterproof gear. What it really comes down to though, if you have carrying capacity, then getting a good set of over waterproof jacket & pants to go over your leathers is the way to go, they aren't expensive & easy to put on if it starts to rain (as long as your remember to pack them so their easy to get to). Leather, if you look after it will last for years (mine is 25 yo).
Unless you live in the Deep south , you really dont know what heat is. But I wore some leather palm gloves and knuckles the other day, most the glove is fabric, and the temp was only 82 degrees, and I could feel the heat retention in them, usually its only my full face helmet that gets un comfy above 83 degrees, but those gloves were really standing out. I even stopped to see if I had cooler gloves with me.
I had a friend who lived in oregon, he had some leather, but moved to virginia, and he had to ditch the leather via the summer heat. But there are a number of textiles that will offer protection without dieing in the heat, but even they are too hot for me, 6 months out of the year for me.
If it's heat you're worried about, DO NOT get anything with an integrated waterproofing, it has to be a removable layer. That said, I found out what 'hot' really meant when I rode around NC in July, sheesh! If the bike is not moving (i.e. traffic) I'm not convinced there is anything out there that will mitigate the heat load (105F + bike heat + sun load +++, throw in humidity for Florida et al...). I have a mesh Joe Rocket that has the usual armour, but the back of the arms and shoulders are in leather. While it is definitely cooler than my full leathers while rolling, once the traffic piles up...it gets ugly all over again. The good side is that once you start moving again, the time to cool down is shorter with the mesh.
OK, advice taken - I'll pick up a separate jacket to throw on for rainy days. I like that option much better anyway, it frees up my jacket options immeasurably and drops the price from "waterproof" jackets. I usually always have a tank bag or givi mono on, so I'll have room for a rain coat.
The leather suggestions though... I don't know, I have perforated leather pants and they are too hot for me. My current leather jacket is old, but good quality (from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away where things were made in the USA) and I just can't tolerate the heat anymore. Maybe I'm just a wuss to warm weather, we don't get too much around here, but I think even perforated leather might be too hot. Still searching, thanks for the suggestions.
I where the Joe rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket. has an innner liner for the times that you might get a little wet. http://www.motorcycl...5-0-Jacket.aspx and their 3.0 pants http://www.motorcycl...-3-0-Pants.aspx are a nice summer combination. If you know you'll be in for a wet ride Id also pick up what Monk suggested.
OK, advice taken - I'll pick up a separate jacket to throw on for rainy days. I like that option much better anyway, it frees up my jacket options immeasurably and drops the price from "waterproof" jackets. I usually always have a tank bag or givi mono on, so I'll have room for a rain coat.
The leather suggestions though... I don't know, I have perforated leather pants and they are too hot for me. My current leather jacket is old, but good quality (from a long time ago in a galaxy far far away where things were made in the USA) and I just can't tolerate the heat anymore. Maybe I'm just a wuss to warm weather, we don't get too much around here, but I think even perforated leather might be too hot. Still searching, thanks for the suggestions.
It's all what you get used to. I wear perforated leather, top to bottom. I often ride in temps near 100 with all that wet air the gets pumped up from the Gulf. When I first started wearing the leather, the weather was cooler, but I felt hot. I got used to it and don't have a problem now. Stay hydrated and don't ride in stop and go traffic for any extended time. Out of curiosity, what model perforated pants do you have?
My jacket has an inner liner. Sucks when it starts to rain and you have to take the jacket off and fiddle with the liner. I also found that water went through the mesh to the inner liner and then traveled right into my gloves. Yuck! I now have a separate rain jacket.
My question is: Is it worth getting a "waterproof" textile jacket that sacrifices some breathability for dubious built-in waterproofing, or should I just get a nice, breathable, half mesh half textile jacket and a seperate rain coat?
Problem with these is when it rains the waterproof liner is on the inside so the jacket gets soaked and becomes heavy and you get wet talking it on and off.. I've got one but never put the waterproof liner in and just got some good rain gear to put on over my normal riding wear.
+1 on that! Get the Frogg Toggs Horny Toadz two piece, with the jacket in Hi-Viz yellow. Get them big so they're easy to get on and off. The wife and I love ours.
A perferated jacket and a Roadgear Monsoon Xtreme rainsuit would be the ticket...Frogg Toggs are OK and mostly effective (My son has one) but they are not completely effective in long duration rain....
No rain today but 102F riding 25 miles home with my perf'd Vanson in stop and go lane-splitting traffic. I would have killed for a sudden rainstorm...The perf'd leather fits snug which doesn't allow much air flow. My 'stich jacket with the big vents is better in the really hot weather and zips up quickly to make it waterproof. FWIW..
End of thread · 17 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2014