Cool Jackets

[burbin1978]

Hey guys what's up? I'm looking into buying a cool jacket. I mean cool in the absolutely most literal sense of the word. I live in South Texas and it is freaking hot!! Not to mention I am a pretty profuse sweater. I don't wear any jacket at the moment, but would really like something I can wear in case of a fall or crash, but won't cause me to arrive at my destination entirely sweat soaked. Can any of you recommend anything that fits my needs? Thanks.

[patrick_777]

Look into mesh jackets.

I wear a Firstgear Tex 3 jacket that I bought at the local Cycle Gear store here in Tulsa. They had it on sale for just over $80. I think they discontinued that particular jacket now, but Firstgear replaced it with the Control Mesh. They have a good selection of minimally-priced armored jackets that are pretty sturdy. I ride nearly every day here in midday heat and very seldom have any sweat issues other than on my head (from the FF helmet). It also comes with a zip-out liner that rolls up tiny and makes it warmer if you find the need.

The problem a lot of people have with mesh jackets is a real lack of abrasion resistance. Honestly, a good vented leather or textile jacket will be better for this, but when you're faced with either suffocating or not wearing your jacket, most people will go with the latter, and at least some armor protection is better than none at all. I have no problem wearing a mesh jacket, and combined with a pair of meshed or perforated gloves, it keeps me pretty cool, even in midday traffic.

Check out the jackets at NewEnough.com or Cyclegear.com and then go try some on at a store or a dealership. Fit is everything, and most of the street jackets are alpha-sized. You really have to try them on and get them just right. I hear NewEnough has a great return policy on stuff if it doesn't fit though. I'll probably buy online near the end of the summer when I'm looking for an autumn and winter jacket.

There are a lot of good gear stores online if you're comfortable buying fitted clothes without trying them on.

NewEnough.com
Cyclegear.com
motorcycle-superstore.com
DennisKirk.com
MotorcycleGiant.com
BikeBandit.com

[JIBTEXHNKA]

i've been meaning to ask this and now seems like a good time:

has anyone bought from/heard anything about http://nakedleatherbiker.com/?

they have a whole bunch of leather jackets for CHEAP. almost too cheap. scarily cheap.

anyone have anything good or bad to say about them? i don't really like the jacket i have now. it'll be great when it gets cold and rainy, but it's summer. the weather here isn't incredibly hot so leather is do-able.

[patrick_777]

That hot pink vest and chaps outfit would look fabulous(th) on you JIB!

Actually, I've dug through their site a little bit this month, and decided that unless I heard a definitive review of them, I'd stay away. I don't think I want teeth or a hoof blended in the shoulder of my new leather jacket.

The price is reaonable, but I totally wouldn't trust a dramatic drop in price from retail, unless it was an advertised sale and the regular price is displayed as well.

[jonathan180iq]

If you buy this one, you'll be cool. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[burbin1978]

That IS a cool jacket. I just don't think I can pull that off. At least not an a GZ250. Maybe on a chopper with an american flag paint job, a'la Easy Rider.=)
Plus, I do live in Texas and I'm not one to play into stereotypes.

[patrick_777]

That's more of a "California"-look, if you know what I mean.

[burbin1978]

Yeah, I think I do. ; )

[burbin1978]

I think I might go for a full body deal like this instead.

[Moedad]

Originally Posted by patrick_777

That's more of a "California"-look, if you know what I mean.

HEY!