I should have purchased a jacket when I first started riding, but I put it off. Now that I have my new bike and the cold weather is right around the corner, I cannot put off buying one any longer. I do a lot of street riding primarily... but I would like a jacket that would keep me warm during the winter but yet not be too heavy for HOT South Carolina Summers. I also plan on doing some Mountain Riding in the spring.

Here are some of my choices. I like the Joe Rocket one... but then again you can never go wrong with alpinestars. Plus... not everyone and their uncle has an alpinestars jacket (no offense to you guys with jr's). Feedback is definetely appreciated


Joe Rocket 2005 Speedmaster Jacket




* 1.4mm Cowhide
* Molded plastic shoulder protector
* Plastic body armor and dual density spine pad
* Aerodynamic speed hump
* Removable insulated vest liner
* Variable Flow™ ventilation system
* Sure Fit™ adjustable waistband
* 360° plus 8" zipper for pant attachment
* Full Flex™ windproof sleeve panels
* Molded shoulder vents
$404.99

Alpinestars Stunt Leather Jacket





*1.1mm full-grain leather for excellent abrasion resistance
*pre curved sleeves for a perfect fit in the riding position
*removable quilted vest
*connection zipper allows attachment to alpinestars leather pants
*75° anatomically designed ragland construction
*CE certified protectors
*multiple main-seam construction for maximum tear resistance
*back protector pocket included in jacket with foam back pad for a secure fit
$324

Alpinestars TZ-1 Leather Jacket



*1.1mm full-grain leather for excellent abrasion resistance
*75 degree anatomically designed raglan construction with articulated shoulders for a full range of motion
*removable mesh liner
*die-cut ventilation
*race developed GP protectors with injection-molded shell & dual-density foam padding
multiple stitched main-seam construction for maximum tear resistance *ergonomically placed stretch Kevlar® panels for optimal flexibility / compartment for injection-molded GP back protector / 3M reflective logos for nighttime visibility
$287


I'm almost tempted to just buy the WHOLE suit though since it is detacheable and I will be getting a pair of pants sooner or later. Plus, I like the 2pc design more than the 1 pc.



$680

 

search n00b

I've thought about gear a lot lately. My conclusion is that any gear is better than NONE so get whatever you like.

check out http://www.newenough.com

edit - also, i really recommend trying **** on.

edit2- plan on buying a summer mesh type jacket and a winter heavier jacket. you'll be happy to have the flexibility.

 

I've been searching

Actually... I've been searching since lunch time earlier today... and these my top choices. I also saw the S-XP air flo is the BEST one for summer time... but it's also $650 and I don't think I'm going to like it during the winter, lol.

 

just go to your closest Cycle Gear and try stuff on. I just looked online and they have a few locations in NC.

you should just get the entire suit. imo. there is no reason not to. Once you get a full suit you'll feel naked and out of place on your bike without it.

 

take a look at the alpinestars gpu 2 piece; its like $650 or so. pretty decent deal....

 

I'll start looking to see if we have anywhere around Charleston, SC that stocks suits. Most likely I'll have to take a trip somewhere.

I figure the suit is going to be the best option as well... now I'm trying to decide if that's going to be too 'red' and how stupid I'll feel walking around places with a suit on. You can never go wrong with black....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'll start looking to see if we have anywhere around Charleston, SC that stocks suits. Most likely I'll have to take a trip somewhere.

I figure the suit is going to be the best option as well... now I'm trying to decide if that's going to be too 'red' and how stupid I'll feel walking around places with a suit on, lol.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It feels like its halloween year round with the looks you get from some people. little kids always think you are the coolest.

as for places that stock suits try http://www.cyclegear.com/stores/location_nc.cfm
and see if any of those locations is near you. they have a decent selection and can order anything you want. If you just want a suit they have a good clearance section, my roomate just picked up a nice joe rocket leather suit for under 200 bucks!!!

 

****! I was just in Raleigh on Sunday picking this new bike up. My luck, haha.

Thanks for the link... I'm checking it out now.

edit: damn... they even carry DAINESE

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">****! I was just in Raleigh on Sunday picking this new bike up. My luck, haha.

Thanks for the link... I'm checking it out now.

edit: damn... they even carry DAINESE </TD></TR></TABLE>

Hold out if you must buy from cyclegear; they have this occasional 20% off coupon that they put out.

 

Let us know what you get. I'm still looking though that TZ-1 suit for $680.00 is less than the Dainese Bora I was looking at (jacket only).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .Ash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Hold out if you must buy from cyclegear; they have this occasional 20% off coupon that they put out. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That would be very nice.... they are about $80 bucks more expensive than other sites, but they have a satisfaction guarantee so if I don't like the sizing I can return it for no cost and have another one sent to me.

I just signed up for their mailing list. It looks like they have a store in Greenville as well...

 

a local shop was selling tz-1 suits this week for 550 i beleive. http://WWW.MOTOSTRANO.COM Very good customer service. I've bought all my gear from them, and i personally go their. If u wanna know prices on the suits, Call them up and ask if they got the suits on sale. DO this: Call and tell them u got an email this past week on the full suit clearance. I called and they said the GPU suit is on sale for $500, and the tz-1 for $550. And then tell them u are a Barf member(bayarearidersforum.com) and u get 5% off as well

 

I'll give that a try... but it looks like they are all out of my size for the tz1's.

 

they had my size in the tz-1 but not the gpu. I like the gpu better But its best to call, cause they will personally go check the sales racks. They dont just sit at the desk and search the internet inventory.

 

this one . i really like how the material appears to be a flat color, rather then a glossy leather material. looks sharp, simple design and reasonably priced.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AzntaggeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

this one . i really like how the material appears to be a flat color, rather then a glossy leather material. looks sharp, simple design and reasonably priced. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Its a nice jacket for sure... though I just don't like the colar strap.
Here's mine:







I got mine from http://www.ridersinc.com/


Modified by 89civicdx at 12:32 AM 9/27/2005

 

How much air ventilates through the front? I'm a little worried that it may not be the best for winter...

Also, I wonder why the 2 pc design jacket is different from the regular one?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How much air ventilates through the front? I'm a little worried that it may not be the best for winter...</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm going to echo Falcon's call for getting 2 jackets.

I live in VA, and I have 2 jackets. One is a Joe Rocket Alter Ego that can go all through the year in 3 stages of "tune"...but I had to have a leather jacket for more spirited rides, so I bought an ICON Pursuit in white. Vents better than anything else since it's fully perforated.

Anything that is good in the summer (ventilation) is going to suck in the winter (ventilation), with the exception of something like my Alter Ego. Only drawback is, it's textile and most of us want the real thing.

 

I have a Joe Rocket Blaster perferated for the summer and A* stunt for the winter. I can;t complain about either of them. Both very comfortable and soft once you get them broken in. I would say just go with what you like as far as style because either brand offers excelent protection.

 

I have this frank thomas strike jacket. They're sold exclusively at cycle gear. If you can get a discount it's not a bad deal. I got mine for $140. Throw in a $60 dianese back insert and it's not that bad. Everything black in the front is perforated, and without the vest liner it breathes REALLY well during the summer. When it's colder out, i just put the best in and where something long sleeved. Has the option of zip-in pants. I bought them and returned them the next day, they were utterly terrible.

My friend has this jacket

the red isn't nearly as intense as that picture makes it look.
My friend has the red one with his red RR and it looks great. Pretty good quality, but i don't know if it has the pocket for a back insert. Also has the option of getting zip in pants.

My friend loved his A* TZ-1 jacket, and it's a great looking jacket.

 

I have the A* Ice jacket - plain simple and reliable. has two vents up front if need be, and one on the back.

also has the inner vest like on the stage jacket, and a place to put the spine protector. which I need to upgrade, cause the foam one I have doesn't seem very sturdy

 

While we're discussing gear - what do you commuters do for pants? When I get a bike, it'll be used mostly for commuting. I need to wear "nice" pants (khakis or suit pants) to work - are there any bike pants designed to wear over real clothes? Will it be too hot for summer?

 

What size A* Stunt were you looking for? I have a 46/56 black/grey for sale, used maybe 6 times

Brian

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Coach Crack Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">While we're discussing gear - what do you commuters do for pants? When I get a bike, it'll be used mostly for commuting. I need to wear "nice" pants (khakis or suit pants) to work - are there any bike pants designed to wear over real clothes? Will it be too hot for summer?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Rocket has quite a few lines of armored textile pants that are designed specifically for commuters to step in and out of fully dressed. It's obviously not like wearing a one piece leather suit but it's better than khaki pants.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yet not be too heavy for HOT South Carolina Summers.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then the Joe Rocket Speedmaster is a big HELLS NO.