- This topic has 6 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 9 months ago by gitchy42.
Summer jackets: perf leather vs textile vs mesh
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July 18, 2010 at 5:21 pm #4115gamalostParticipant
Hi y’all – I’m a new rider looking for a summer jacket for down in Memphis, Tennessee. Took the safety class at Bumpus Harley here and got my license a few months back. Have been borrowing my brother-in-law’s back-up bike (a Honda Magna 750) for rides through the back roads of Arlington, TN — and just did my first big ride: a 4-day, 500+ mile trip down the Natchez Trace to Jackson, MS and back up to Memphis. Was a great trip and learned a ton
Anyway, in addition to borrowing my brother-in-law’s bike, I also borrowed his jacket — and now need to finally get one of my own. It gets unbearably hot and humid down here in the summer, so I’d like a jacket that will keep me cool — but also one that also offers real protection, in case I need it. I don’t want to go down and find out my jacket was more fashion then function.
I was first looking at the Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 (all mesh w/ CE rated protectors in shoulders and elbows, and a dual density spine pad — http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/236/103/Textile_Jackets/Phoenix_5.0_Jacket) but then came across their Reactor 2.0 jacket (http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/234/119/Leather_Jackets/Reactor_2.0_Jacket), which adds leather on the elbows and shoulders.
Vanson Leather’s Super Vent mesh jacket seems pretty cool too, but hard to tell if the extra $120 actually provides better protection… Vanson’s website is severely lacking, and I haven’t heard back from an email I sent to their sales department. (Though from what little info they do have on their site, the Super Vent does seem to have CE rated back protection instead of the dual-density spine pad included with the Joe Rocket — which sort of puts them in a similar price range.) http://www.vansonleathers.com/prod-Super_Vent-596.aspx
Also came across the Zodiac jacket, which I like the styling of — but it doesn’t seem to offer much more protection than a windbreaker…
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/belstaff/zodiac-jacket/And then there are the way-more-expensive perf or well-ventilated leather jackets from Vanson & Fox Creek, like…
http://www.vansonleathers.com/dw/prod/jacket/DRV2.html
and
http://www.foxcreekleather.com/products/1-vented-racing-jacket
and
http://www.foxcreekleather.com/products/966-summer-riding-jacketAnyway, any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Sort of thinking mesh with armor for the summer and then leather when it cools down in October…
Just don’t want to drop money on something that sucks, but more than happy to may more some something good that will last. And for what it is worth, I’m more of a cruiser rider — not gonna be doing any crazy speeds or popping wheelies on the freeway
Thanks in advance!
July 18, 2010 at 6:14 pm #27570Jeff in KentuckyParticipantI think it is best to try on several jackets. I chose the Olympia brand textile jacket- not as well known as a Vanson but a lot less expensive, and it fits me well. I am able to ride down to 40 degrees, with a couple of extra sweaters under it and the liner that came with it zipped inside. I put a thin rainjacket over it when it rains. It is supposed to be waterproof, but it leaks at the neckline and gets heavy with water.
If you have the money, a leather jacket is best for track days or for cooler street riding because it resists scraping on pavement better, but it costs more and is heavy, especially when wet or with a lot of waterproofing added to it. The top racers wear kangaroo leather because it is lighter than cow leather and strong. I used to wear a leather jacket, but I got tired of sweating so much in the summer.
July 18, 2010 at 7:08 pm #27575WeaponZeroParticipantIf you do lots of around town riding in hot weather, nothing less than mesh or else you fry. Perf leather depends on the kind of airflow you can only get from moving at a brisk pace to keep you cool. But around town, and in stop and go traffic, trust me, NOTHING LESS THAN MESH will vent sufficiently in summer heat.
July 19, 2010 at 3:35 am #27579an-evil-doerParticipantAnyone try that crazy expensive kevlar? I am curious how it works in the hot, hot weather as I will be riding in 105 plus degrees too.
July 19, 2010 at 4:38 am #27580ShamRock229Participant+1 on mesh for red light to red light commuting.
July 19, 2010 at 11:12 pm #27598gamalostParticipantThanks y’all — appreciate the comments. Cycle Gear here carries Joe Rocket, so will probably check out their inventory soon. Planning a trip to Seattle in August (by plane) and may hold off until then, just so I can explore the options a larger city may offer…
July 19, 2010 at 11:26 pm #27599gitchy42ParticipantI have a FieldSheer Corsair jacket that offers a decent protection, and good airflow. Two downsides however, it is black and it doesn’t breathe that well when you aren’t moving. However, it lets a LOT of airflow through the Carboflex fabric, not quite as much as a mesh jacket however. Also, it has an OK liner, not great for cold days or hard rain, but really good for cool days or light rain. Fieldsheer has come out with the Corsair 2, so you can find the original on closeout probably for a decent price.
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