Leather jacket recommendations anyone?

Been riding in my summer jacket and on the weekend froze my tits off. So this
week I figure I should get myself a leather one for winter. Any suggestions on
brands, prices and features to look for would be appreciated. I'm in Perth if
that helps narrow the search down.

 

Especially by that dodgy prick that sells them on ebay. ; ) I'm currently
looking at a Joe Rocket one but have no idea what I should be looking for.
Complete newbie here. I even ride a 250 with a big Loser plate on the back.

Fraser

 

Leather while excellent in preventing abrasions has poor insulation
capabilities.

If it's warmth your after a thermal type jacket with some amour may be
well worth considering.

However if you want the best protection against the dreaded gravel rash buy
a slightly larger
jacket so you can comfortably wear a woollen skivvy or light jumper
underneath.
A flannelette shirt, or at the very least a vest, over the top of the jacket
also assists in keeping the chill
off the leather and thus giving your body a better chance of retaining some
warmth


Capt. A. L.

 

My boys are happy with theirs.

Boxer

 

Thanks for the reply. Can't see myself riding in the freezing cold or in the
rain. Mainly just take my bike for weekend blasts with friends. I have to
cart a bit of shit around for work so commutining isn't an option for me. My
friend has a fabric Dainese winter jacket that looks the business but I am
thinking that leather might be better if I throw my bike down the road.

Fraser

 

I had a Rivet jacket that had zippable vents to allow airflow in
summer, and a winter liner for extra warmth that could be removed in
summer. Was a damn nice jacket (which I sold before moving overseas,
dammit, now that I am back here for going back to the UK in a year).

Best jacket I have owned in 25 years of riding.

 

There are a few leather jackets with liners but if you want to insulate
against the cold get a textile jacket. Leather isn't that good at
insulation.

justAL

 

What size are you?
Got somthing you might be interested in.

===================================

 

If you're planning to throw your bike down the road forget the jacket,
buy a cheaper bike.

Nev..
'04 CBR1100XX

 

Ha ! Nice one Nev.

 

In aus.motorcycles on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:47:52 +0800

Leather won't protect against rain. I know this isn't a real problem
in Perth, but you have been warned.

See http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/11.html for a rundown on
things to look for in bike gear, and
http://www.stallionleathers.co.uk/advice.htm has some helpful things
too.

The biggie for me is fit, a jacket that binds in riding position is
a bad thing. (Note that if you have a bike with a riding position of
arms well forward a good jacket will be uncomfortable *off* the bike.
So don't buy it for fit off the bike.)

Check that when all the fastenings are done up that the sleeves can't
ride up your arms. If the arms have zips at the wrist they also
either need the bits that zip together to have a strap over the zip,
or else a gusset so that if the zip blows there's a) some sort of
protection over the skin and b) something to help stop the seams
ripping. Check also that the fit around the waist and hips is tight
enough that it won't ride up much at all if you tug. That's so as
much of you is covered as possible if you are sliding.

Check the jacket in riding position with your helmet on. Some shoulder
armour can stop you turning your head properly. If the jacket is
otherwise fine, then just remove the shoulder armour. Check the fit
over your arm is good. I have been sliced open by armour because the
fit over the elbow was too loose and the armour moved a large amount.
(loose fit is a problem with jackets that have removable liners.)

Speaking of armour, ask if it is CE approved. That's the Euro
standard, which is the only standard currently in use.

Check that the back drops low enough to cover your lower back in
riding position. Your kidneys can get cold in the mornings. Check
also that you can get to the pockets - I have met jackets where the
pockets were too high for me to get to easily.

If you want it for cool weather, then check wearing the thickest
jumper you will be using. You are probably best off buying a thermal
or light wool jumper to wear under it rather than sizing the jacket
for a thick one you only wear sometimes.

Zebee

 

I think a jacket that is perfect for Hobart may not be perfect for Perth
Kev. What to wear in summer is a real problem for me too. I have a dry-rider
with a zip-out liner which works well for autumn-winter-spring, but is
stifling in summer at 40º. Then I mostly wear the open-face Nolan and a
denim jacket. The rozzers here wear short-sleeved blue shirts in summer.
Right now were in a 10º in the morning and 30º in the afternoon cycle. I'm
wearing summer gloves with the heaters on, cause winter gloves are too damn
hot in the avo.

Theo

 

Maybe they just don't complain.

Beer? Sure!

justAL

 

42" Chest. I'm about 5'10". My email works.

Fraser

 

Not planning it but you never know.

Fraser

 

Great advice. Thanks.

Fraser

 

My RST summer jacket has been perfect for the last few months. It is basically
2 layers of mesh. At night I stick the plastic liner on under it and keeps the
wind out. But with days getting cooler I think I need something thicker with a
zip out liner.

Fraser

 

<snip>

So, Fraser... How often do you tug?

---
Bob Milutinovic
Cognicom - "Australia's Web Presence Specialists"
http://www.cognicom.tk/
telephone (0417) 45-77-66
facsimile (02) 9824-2240

 

Kiddies area then

 

Too often. Hence the glasses I wear.

Fraser