Shift Airborne Jacket Review
The summers in California can get pretty hot especially when you are riding a motorcycle. Some riders choose to ride around in shorts and a T-shirt instead of any protective motorcycle gear. Just a couple weeks ago a coworker of mine who regularly rides around in normal clothes crashed his motorcycle at around 40 mph. That medium speed crash has put him out of work for a month, broken a leg and given him some nasty road rash on his legs, chest and arms. To avoid a fate similar to his I always wear my gear even if it is hot out, and this SHIFT Airborne jacket has made that much more pleasant.
I've owned mesh jackets before so I sort of new what to expect when I got this in the mail. I was happily surprised when I opened the package and found that the jacket had hard armor in the shoulders and the elbows. My previous mesh jacket only had soft armor and I always felt a little nervous riding at over 65mph with it. Having the CE approved hard armor really increased my confidence in the jackets ability to protect me in case of a crash.
Features
Another difference between my old mesh jacket and my new jacket is the sizing. The FirstGear mesh jacket was my very first item of protection that I purchased besides a helmet, and at the time I didn't really know how it should fit. I ended up buying a medium when in reality I probably should have gotten a small. With this experience under my belt I didn't make the same mistake with the SHIFT jacket (I got the small) and I found that it fit me perfectly. It was tight in all the right places, but not so much so that it would prevent movement or increase fatigue. You really want motorcycle gear to be as close fitting as possible that way it doesn't move around when you are sliding across the pavement.
I ordered the white Airborne jacket to help reflect some of the heat that would have been be absorbed had I chosen a darker color. If white isn't your thing they also offer a version in black and a version in red as well. All the jackets come with reflective piping for added visibility when you are riding at night.
Hot days and cold nights
The added hard armor as well as the ballistic nylon panels prevent this jacket from having airflow as good as one with soft armor and no additional panels, but the added protection is a trade off I am willing to make. When it is really hot outside I have 2 or 3 jackets I can usually choose from, and 9 out of 10 times I will reach for the SHIFT jacket because it is safer, more comfortable, and it gives me peace of mind. The only thing that I don't like about this jacket is it's lack of a removable inner liner. This limits it to only hot days, and you have to hope that when the sun drops down that the temperature doesn't lower too much or you are in for a cold ride. I've solved this problem by keeping a sweatshirt with me if I expect to be out late, but this also negates the reflective piping that is nice to have at night. For only being $99 I think this jacket provides a lot of quality at a low price. It would be a great second jacket, or even a first if you plan on riding only during the summer, or in a place where it doesn't get too cold. Once again another great product from SHIFT!
Pros
- Fits well and looks great.
- Hard armor and Ballistic nylon panels offer great protection.
- Very inexpensive compared to the quality of jacket you receive.
Cons
- No removable windbreaking liner.
- Had a pocket for back protector, but you have to buy that separately.
Specifications
- Vented mesh main body fabric construction
- Articulated design for superior comfort
- Removable CE approved shoulder and elbow armor
- Ballistic nylon panels for additional protection
- Integrated back padding for additional protection
- Reflective piping for added visibility
- Integrated pocket for a back protector
- MSRP: $99.95
- Buy it now at the SHIFT Racing Store
Comments
Jacket
Great article, I've been looking for another jacket to supplement my Alpinestars leather jacket for the hot weather. For a hundred bucks you can't really beat that price, it would definitely be cheaper than a trip to the ER!
Wow this looks like an
Wow this looks like an awesome jacket, especially for the price. I think its just what someone that rides in 90+ temperature needs (like me). I think this might be my next purchase.
oh good. another review.
oh good. another review. but I'm still waiting for your review of that piece of luggage you bought!
This is where i spout
This is where i spout "Perforated leathers!" :-P
A nice looking jacket indeed. Are you sure about CE approved armor though? A lot of the inexpensive jackets will use hard armor but that's not CE approved.
---
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
---
AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
I got the specs direct from
I got the specs direct from the SHIFT racing website, so unless they are lying they are CE approved :D
I actually was looking for perforated leathers about 6 months ago but the only company I found that did them was Joe Rocket and frankly I'm not a big fan of theirs. Do you know anyone who makes some?
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
Hey Ben,
I was reading that extremely long and detailed review of the 250r and noticed your liking to the 650r in some of the comments. So, I'm asking your opinion. I'm 6'2" 170lbs. and the 250r is right on the verge of being too cramped, though still bearable. However, I'm probably going to be traveling about 200 miles (both to and from) twice, maybe 3 times a month (highway driving). It seems that the concensus is that the 250r is uncomfortable on the wrists after extended riding.
So, back to my question, would you think the 650r is a good beginner bike? I'm inexperienced (riding four-wheelers years ago, but nothing since), and plan on taking the safety course and investing in A-quality gear (head to toe). I'm level headed, and, if not for the long rides every month, would most likely get the 250r. Thanks for the advice :D
The 650r isn't a bad
The 650r isn't a bad beginner bike, but the 250 is a better beginner bike. Your going to have to take it a lot slower with the 650 and honestly you might not learn some of the things that you would learn if you had started on the 250, but I wouldn't say "don't get the 650" if thats what you want and if you are going to be doing a lot of highway riding.
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
May also consider
At 6'2", you may also want to take a look at the Versys if you are seriously looking at a 650R. It's based on the Ninja 650R frame and powerplant, but tuned for more low end power and a more liner torque curve. It's also a bit taller and set up for upright riding.
FWIW, I fall in the same category as you... big and tall with a long inseam. I only bring it up as I found the Versys to be quite comfortable for my build.
i would imagine just about
i would imagine just about everyone makes some perforated leathers. For jackets only, Dainese has perforated pelles. The Santa Monica has the pants zipper attachment, ce rated elbow/forearm armor, titanium shoulder armor, speed hump, and an inner liner for the cold. The Dellmar has the pants zipper attachment, neck protector, ce rated elbow/forearm armor, titanium shoulder armor, and speed hump. The laguna seca comes with or without the pants zipper attachment and ce rated elbow/forearm/shoulder armor. The laguna seca doesn't have the neck protector or speed hump. All the jackets have a pocket for a back protector.
Alpinestar's CR leather jacket also comes available perforated.
Frank Thomas has perforated leather jackets as well.
out of those three that i know of, I'd recommend either Dainese or Alpinestar. I recently (unfortunately) got to road test the Dellmar perforated jacket and the SF perforated pelle pants (zipper attached) blowing and lowsiding a hairpin turn around 40-50 mph and they both held up like a champ. No breaks in the leather or seams, just dirty. Even the zipper attachment, which is a weak point in the 2 piece system was unscathed. The Dainese full metal racer gloves and torque out air boots had the same success. I've heard similar stories with Alpinestars. I've heard Frank Thomas stuff protecting you, but being destroyed afterwards.
The question being, is Alpinestar or Dainese "beginner" priced? That's up to each individual. For me, the Dainese leathers were a worthwhile investment. Especially, the dellmar jacket since I landed on my front and the front of my helmet bounced off the ground, the neck protector kept my head from snapping all the way back to my back before skidding to a stop.
Edit: looks like the laguna seca jacket's being discontinued (no longer listed on Dainese's website) and replaced by the SF jacket. Not sure if the SF jacket comes perforated, but you may be able to get a killer deal for a laguna seca if it is discontinued.
---
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
---
AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
Dang! I didn't know you got
Dang! I didn't know you got into a crash? What happened? Are you and your bikes OK?
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
i'm fine. small fracture on
i'm fine. small fracture on the hand and the ring finger broken in 2 places. honky needs plastics replaced on the left upper fairing. Needs new front and rear fairings, shift lever, and brake lever. Other than cosmetics, honky runs fine.
---
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
---
AFM #998
If there's anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now...
as long as it's not
as long as it's not fraudulent advertising, then it is CE approved armor. Same with my $80 Teknic jacket!
one more textile jacket to think about
Another good one is the Vega Nitro. It has the zip-out liner (good for cool Spring/Autumn riding), CE-approved body heat-moldable plate in the elbows, shoulder and back, and an add-on pocket for additional or different back armor. It's got the reflective piping, too. I think most places sell the men's jackets for about $90.
I dunno anything personally about the SHIFT jacket reviewed here, but it sounds comparable to the Vega Nitro.
Convertible Jackets
What's your take on convertible jackets? I bought one of Joe Rocket's Alter Ego 2 jackets a while back, and it's very nice for Michigan's variable weather. Kept me from roasting when the humidity and the temperature hit the upper 90s, and kept me warm when the temp dropped that night.
What I lack is something to compare it to. Would a dedicated mesh jacket keep me cooler in the day? Do I loose some protection from the cold by having a convertible jacket?
It really depends on how
It really depends on how much of the jacket is made out of mesh. It looks like the Joe Rocket Ego 2 has some mesh panels, but from the pictures online I can't tell how many. When I first started riding I only had one jacket and I tried to make that jacket do it all, but now adays I have decided that having multiple jackets/pant/glove/helmet combos is what is best for me. I think that most riders should have at least a summer jacket and a winter jacket.
Personally my winter jacket is also a Shift jacket, but it is leather and keeps me pretty darn warm in the winter, especially when I put on the removable vest. The only thing it does poorly is resist rain, so because of that it is not the best winter jacket.
anyway, I digress and I'm not answering your question.
Yes a jacket with more mesh like this Shift jacket would keep you cooler, at least to a certain temperature. If it starts to get really hot (like 95+) you can actually be cooler if you have a jacket with not as good of airflow. Thats because if your jacket has too much airflow then the sweat is evaporated off your skin before it even gets a chance to form. It's sort of the same theory of why people wear multiple loose layers of clothing in the desert, it traps a cool layer of air in between you and the cloth. If you let all the wind get through then it is just like the worlds biggest hair dryer and you actually become hotter than you would with something with less mesh. Does that make sense?
For example, my First gear jacket has more airflow than my shift jacket, but that makes my shift jacket more comfortable at higher temperatures. Although anyway you slice it, riding around anytime it is over 95 degrees is hell, you are just trying to limit your suffering at that point.
Well I rambled quite a bit, I hope you got an answer out of all of that!
Ben
~Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
- Best Beginner Motorcycles Admin
on the topic of perforated
on the topic of perforated leather, i like the scorpion stuff. i pretty much like all of their gear. it has German manufactured CE rated armor, its soft but used in the Celtic race suits so its bound to be good plus Germans make quality things. check out their stinger jacket. its like $400 but looks great and is perforated, also it come with a liner for cold weather riding. A+
I just...
Checked it out and this jacket is now $70!