riding jacket brand?

I own a Rocket honda racing textile and I love it. It is good on cold days and great on hot days. here is a link to one like mine but way cheaper.

Joe Rocket Mens Honda Supersport Jacket New Size XL | eBay


here is another to look at non name brand but made of leather and has armour.

Motorcycle Speed Racing Armor Leather Jacket 40 Green | eBay

 

Some things to look for are "double stitching" on critical seams. "CE" approved armor meaning the armor actually meets some kind of test standard. Multi layered jackets for all weather conditions. Almost every company makes jackets with or entirely colored in hi-vis green.

You definitely what to try the jacket on your bike with the rest of your gear. If the weather doesn't permit a test ride at least gear-up and sit on the bike. Check for things like the jackets collar interfering with moving head & helmet. Are the sleeves long enough in the riding position, as in not leaving your wrists exposed. Can you work the zippers while wearing gloves. Find what fits you on your bike.

Personally I've been using a Cortech GX Air jacket for the last 4-5 yrs. It's held up well, no complaints.

Look here for reviews on motorcycle gear & stuff, webBikeWorld.com

 

That green ebay jacket is a bit too Transformers for me, Friedley.

I don't care what anyone says, the JR Honda jacket looks great! My Frank Thomas was similar construction. Leather over textile and black/red/white. I loved it, but sold it to my co-worker when I changed bike colors.

Jose

 

now thats what im talking about! I think I still prefer the Hi-viz yellow color but that JR honda jacket for $85?!? i didnt like it at first glance but i have been looking at it along with a bunch of other jackets and its looking better and better. Thanks for the link!

 

I agree. Anyone who has to wear any more than two jackets of any kind unless it's really cold is just asking for it. Kudos on your wardrobe.

 

You gents should know by now i'm doggedly critical:crazy: of Chinese quality control and manufacturing standards cuz so much of my cheap-ass Harbor Freight shit broke the second or third time i tried to use it and colored my views perhaps unfairly. Their quality control is alot like the USPS slogan, if it fits in a box, ship it !!

I still haven't seen any well-made Chinese stuff since jade bowls from the late Ming Dynasty. Have you ??

 

Don we now our gay apparal.

 

(in my best arnold voice)Whachu talkin 'bout Billy!

Hey astranaughtwannabe. First. Change your handle. Far to long. At my age, I fell asleep before I finished typing that one, then almost forgot what I was going to say. Second, I have a particular make of jacket that I will not mention as I think their after market service sucks the big Kanhuna. Just don't expect any of them to be water proof. They may be water resistant but you "will" get wet in a down pour on the highway. Regardless of what they advertise. Once you have accepted that, then you can move onto other qualities. So happens I like the fit and feel of my un-named jacket. But I also liked the fit feel and warmth of a Joe Rocket textile that I had. I wore that out after tens of thousands of miles literally. And a friend of mine survived hitting a deer on the highway and flying off the bike and down an embankment about 30 feet deep wearing the exact same Joe Rocket Textile Jacket. Ballistic I think was the pastern but I could be wrong with that. I also have two leather pant and jacket sets that are JR as well.

I see you are from Colorado, so a three season jacket is what you would be looking for. You need to go and look at these in person. Check out the fit of the collar. That is big when it is cold out. Removable inner liner cannot be understated. Plenty of venting for the warmer weather. Good seal on the cuffs yet the ability to tuck gauntlets into sleeves when needed.

Personally I like the High Vis jackets. Visibility to all these cement heads cagers on their cell phones is vital. Being highly visible while off the bike walking around doesn't bother me. But I wore a highly visible uniform for well over 25 years so I am used to that. BTW, the markings on my bike reflect when light hits it too, so yeah. I do like high vis.

 

Sure the stuff looks good new, but how fast does it start to wear out ?

 

You are way out there Squirrelman.

HF has some GREAT stuff. You just have to know what you are getting yourself into. Hell, today I use d 3/4" ratchet to torque down a nut that needs 318 ft/lb. That is some SERIOUS use and abuse. A bunch of their tools even have lifetime warranties. Not only do their better lines of tools work well, you CAN find stores with solid employees and decent customer service. I chipped the fiberglass handle of a hammer and they exchanged it on the spot when I brought it in. Craftsman buys from the same factory for their consumer tools. Try and get Sears to replace anything. They stopped that level of service years ago.

Yes, some HF tools are VERY poor quality and basically disposable. I don't buy those, unless they are for some kind of experiment.

Jose

 

Back to the original post...

Firstly - I have no vested interest in Icon or any other brand of biker gear, but I know several bikers who are very positive about Icon gear.

In Europe, Icon is a well known brand and their gear is generally well made, with CE certified integral armour. If its not, (check the quality of the zips) and especially if its ridiculously cheap, then take care as it is most likely a fake.

Icon kit is designed by bikers for bikers so is a sensible mix of safety, style, practicality and affordability. I am not sure what they offer in the USA but over here they mainly sell textile kit, but also offer full leathers which are more expensive.

A quick Google search reveals several reviews of their gear - such as this website - ICON Jackets & Motorcycle Gear | SportbikeTrackGear.com

Hope that helps




Skimad

 

Yep.. There are tools and then there are tools. Some of the stuff from HR is just OK and some for 2 or 3 uses is fine. Just bought some punches for an experiment cutting sheet silicone for a dermatologist for cryosurgery. Worked fine.. Ya want the pricy stuff? SnapOn or Griots Garage. Then ya got some really specialized tools like the screwdrivers made just for Leitz optics or the really small jewelers tools..

What should really be considered is that everyone does not spend all hours of the day and night taking VFRs apart apart and putting them back together just for fun. Nice to be able to or have time to do all that shit but for some of those tricky procedures where a fuckup will cost much more in parts and labor, some things are better left to a pro.

 

Problem with those eyes, son? "I've never seen..." This is true. I have, in fact, never seen Vanson mentioned here. As to thrashing your $600 leather jacket in order to look 'tough' at biker bars for the chicas? Last time I checked a couple cocktails were cheaper, and they work on more than just biker scags.

 

I am going to jump into the jacket fray because it is something I have been thinking about. I have two jackets, a very nice Olympia Air Glide 3 (made in China) and a low end jacket called a Vega. Both are 2X, both have armor and jacket liners. The Olympia fits like a large (snug) and even with the liner in is not so good for the winter. I want to like the Air Glide 3 but I like my Vega better. It is warm in the winter, with added layers, comfortable, adjustable, features lots of zippered pockets and while I know it is China made, has been very durable. Oh. . .I also have my Bates leather jacket. (It was a loving gift from my child bride.) I can still zip it with the liner in but I would pass out if I tried to ride wearing it. This is my weight loss goal and I am getting there. This jacket is a blast from the past. No armor, no vents, it will last forever and it looks just right when I ride my Norton.

 

Naa, pretty much 2020 vision. Blowing up monitor images is just a keystroke away. A very handy app if some nannoprint is involved.

In fact it may be fact that you have never seen "Vanson" mentioned. Stick to that for as long as you wish but try not to get pissed off or make lame excuses like Bowser eating your browser, when Vanson pops up.

I don't even want to know about these other persons of interest you are trying to get sloshed.. As was once said in one of those tough biker bars." If they have no cocktails, let them drink Bud."

My "leather" jacket is a Hein Gericke "Paris Dakar" I paid a bit over $300.00 for it years ago. I have an Aerostitch too. It has a few spots on it and I just had the collar re-done. Hopefully this will satisfiy any need for those to be mentioned in future in case there are questions.

 

Great thread of information.. Randy you hit the nail on the head. all though I read no mention of Spidi. It is another great manufacture of bike riding apparel If you know the know in what you're looking for nothing wrong with Ebay but liked mentioned you best try it on on a bike in the riding tuc or to know for sure, nothing worse than to find out after the fact it rides up your back, pinches your abbs sleeves are totally useless. not to mention drafty necks. then, does it fit the pants?

 

Doesn't come anywhere near the abbs these days. There is a grown in buffer zone there now.

 

No Prob. wanabe....I have enjoyed mine for almost 3 years now and the only problem I have had is that the zipper broke and I had to have it replaced with a heavy duty zipper from a shoe repair shop.

 

I have two hi-vis colored jackets from Olympia Motorsports. The first one is three years old. I wear it year round. It has a waterproof liner that works pretty well as well as a quilted liner. The newer one is all mesh with a waterproof liner too- I bought last year b/c I was sick of sweating my ass off when it was over 100F. The origional jacket has panels that would open to mesh and I was pretty comfortable until it got really hot. I have been very happy with both. When I ride into work in the fall - spring it is often in the 30-40's but can be in the 70 -80 's when I go home . So the layers are nice b/c I am always prepared . The jackets also have reflective piping so you will be pretty visible at night. BUT... I think they are made in China but I have never had any issues with them. Hi-vis will show the dirt more than a black jacket does. I bought both jackets for my BMW which has more of an upright riding position but the jackets both have tabs that you can attach to you belt so your jacket won't ride up your back, Can't say enough good stuff about the company. I bought some pants this year too with a waterproof liner and had them out in the rain for 3 hours and remainded dry.

 

if I were you, I would invest in an Aerostich two piece suit! This way you can layer warmer clothes under it (lectric vest, lectric gloves, wind-triangle.)

I think tour-master should rename their company, "whore-master" then all the harley doodes will buy their swag too...