Leather Jacket suggestions?

[Blooze]

Since it's starting to cool down a little I was contemplating picking up a leather jacket with a zip out liner. My FG Mesh jacket with the windbreaker liner is OK with a sweatshirt underneath to about 50 degrees. After a good 15 miles at highway speed at lower temps it gets a bit chilly. Prolly look at getting some chaps or some sort of overpants as well. Actually looked at some black duck-overalls today. We used to wear coveralls working in all sorts of weather back in SW KS and hardly ever were cold or wet.

Anyways, I looked around town and the bike shops only carry River Road jackets which seem kinda cheaply made, ones with big Harley logos on them, and the local "leathers" shop has some decent heavy leather jackets with liners for around $150, but they are the typical biker jacket with 4 bazillion zippers on the front (what's with that anyway??). $200 will be my max for a jacket at this point, FWIW.

Any suggestions pro or con for different jackets I would surely appreciate

[stefano]

Only leather jacket I have experience with is the only one I've owned, but it's a little out of your price range - I payed 330 euros for it (around 475 US with the current exchange rate) over a year ago.

However might I suggest that you don't "skimp" if you're going for leather. As you've seen, you can find low-cost leather jackets out there but the poor quality is evident and you don't want to take any risks if you're going to go down. My jacket (Dainese) has shoulder and elbow protectors, and those DEFINITELY come in handy in the event of a fall... trust me, I know

It doesn't keep you excessively hot in the summer, and is good for temps in the low 50s with just the liner and a thin sweater underneath. You can probably ride in the 30s if you wanted to with a heavy sweater.

The build quality is superb and... Dainese gear just looks great

Here is mine:



Good luck making your choice.

[daemon]

make sure to get one with real armor. the river road ones do not have this.
try contacting Welcome to FMC and see about getting a catalog from them.
also New Enough Motorcycle Apparel sells motorcycle jackets, pants and suits, boots, gloves, helmets, etc :: New Enough Motorcycle Apparel will have a few jackets that are in closeout.
as said....don't try to skimp on the price if at all possible

[pitchinguy]

If you're lookin a little more traditional, take a look at Fox Creek Leather at: Men's Motorcycle Jackets, Vests, and Chaps - Fox Creek Leather

I have their nickle braided vest & it's definitely top of the line 2nd to none! Gonna pick up one of their jackets this winter for sure! I've seen several & I don't think you're gonna beat them on quality. They're a little $$ but worth it cuz their fit & warranties are the best out there.

[PainlessWolf]

A mid range suggestion (price) thats worked very well for me over the years is the Airforce 'A' flight jacket. The new ones are goatskin instead of horse or cow and are lighter in feel than the older ones. Wind protection is still great and if extra padding is needed, variations are manufactured by Cooper that have an extra inside pocket and a zip out liner.
Painless Black Wolf...Old School is always cool.
...Here for the Dawn...

2005 Drifter 800

[geepster]

I have a Tour Master armoured mesh jacket that has a zip out wind breaker liner as well as a quilted zip out liner. When it's cold, I wear both liners, which it's designed to do. Plenty warm enough. When it's hot, no liner at all and I'm not hot. It's a great jacket that cost me about $125 (I'm guessing on that, I don't remember the exact price) at "Competition Accessories" in Springfield, Ohio. I wish I had a decent pic for you but the one I have on this machine is not very good.

[Blooze]

The FG Mesh Tex II is what I have right now. I like it a lot, but I'm not gonna get more than a sweatshirt underneath it as it fits snug as is.

I'm quite aware of New Enough Picked up my HJC CL-SP helmet there. Had to return the first one as it was a little big, but they had the new one to me in a couple days and it was absolutely no hassle to deal with them. They have good stuff if you happen to need what they have on hand.

I'm not sure I want another textile jacket at this point, but will keep them in consideration. And I know it's not about looks necessarily (heck, I don't see many cruiser riders wearing a mesh jacket in the summer around here!), but most of the leather on New Enough looks like what I would see most sportbike riders wearing. Good looking, quality stuff for sure, but I think I'm looking for jsut some plain black leather. I also know that with leather you get what you pay for, but I've only so much budget and am going to need to get something relatively soon (as well as some cold weather gloves and something for the legs).

Thanks for all the responses and I'll check out some of this tonight when I get off work.

[KraZ440]

I've heard good things about Langlitz leathers (http://www.langlitz.com/). I don't have one myself, so take this with a grain of salt, but friends of mine do and they believe they are the best thing out there. They make custom leather clothing with a 100% satisfaction guarantee (if you don't like it, they'll make you a new one, even if you were the one that screwed up). They're not cheap (I know you are on a budget), but if the reports I've read of 45 year old jackets still looking and working almost like new are true, you probably won't need to buy another one in your lifetime.

[CycleDude]

I have a harley jacket and love it, although it leaks oil......

[CycleDude]

Seriously, I love my HD jacket. Got it at a HD dealer about 5-6 years ago now for about $350. The damn thing is about 5 or 6lbs. It's really heavy - but that's good.

I bought it because I was not happy with the quality leather jackets that were available in the leather stores, like Wilsons, etc. I saw my jacket and fell in love with it, with no aspirations of motorcycling at the time.

Now my friends bust my hump about an HD jacket on a metric bike, but it's all in fun.

[Blooze]

Originally Posted by CycleDude

Seriously, I love my HD jacket. Got it at a HD dealer about 5-6 years ago now for about $350. The damn thing is about 5 or 6lbs. It's really heavy - but that's good.

I bought it because I was not happy with the quality leather jackets that were available in the leather stores, like Wilsons, etc. I saw my jacket and fell in love with it, with no aspirations of motorcycling at the time.

Now my friends bust my hump about an HD jacket on a metric bike, but it's all in fun.

My Dad bought his leather jacket at the local HD store a couple years ago for about $100. It was 75% off at the time. Thing feels like it weighs about 20 pounds and has a thick quilted zip out liner. It's a very well built, thick leather jacket. It also has no HD emblems or insignias on it at all. Now if I could just find a deal like that!!

[RampRat]

Got mine from Biker-Wear - Men's Wear after several people here recommended em & best of all the price was right. It's actually a rather heavy jacket but the liner is really thin, but does provide a little more warmth.

[Blooze]

I like the looks of this jacket:

Road Rash Apparel LLC :: Leather Jackets :: Mens :: Premium Vented Racer

But never having seen one like it in person and tried this style on, who knows.

Really still open to all suggestions and styles. This one kinda caught my eye as well:

Tour Master Magnum Leather Motorcycle Jacket :: New Enough Motorcycle Apparel

[SpectreMan1]

Here is a suggestion, I have been looking at their boots but they carry these Vanson jackets and pants and are a top quality brand. Let me know what you think. http://www.boot.com/bvSportJacket.htm

(hopefully the link works)

[RichLockyer]

Not cheap, but it doesn't get any better:
Fox Creek Leather - Motorcycle Jackets, Chaps, Vests, & Gloves

I've got the Classic-II and will never ride with anything else.
My previous Classic (not Fox Creek) is now relegated to fishing and desert trips where I just need a jacket... not a riding jacket.

You really do "get what you pay for"... unless you pay more than $100 for a "cheap" imported jacket.

[Notch]

I went with Fox Creek Leather also... a V1.8. I believe they have updated it now, has pockets for optional armor if you want. Great jacket, great quality, and they will custom size one for you, which is a plus when you can't find an off the shelf jacket to fit correctly... Spend the extra bucks now and get one you won't have to replace!

[Blooze]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Not cheap, but it doesn't get any better:
Fox Creek Leather - Motorcycle Jackets, Chaps, Vests, & Gloves

I've got the Classic-II and will never ride with anything else.
My previous Classic (not Fox Creek) is now relegated to fishing and desert trips where I just need a jacket... not a riding jacket.

You really do "get what you pay for"... unless you pay more than $100 for a "cheap" imported jacket.

I've looked at the classic II, and that is one of the only "classic" style jackets I really like, but my budget is just not going to allow that this year anyway. I've gotta get something if I want to keep riding for too much longer. It's either that or park the bike all winter, and we have many days in the winter that are in the 40's. I might just get a $150 cheapo to get me through this year and get a better one later.

[RichLockyer]

That is exactly what I did... well... kinda.

I've been wearing the classic style jacket for 10 years before I even thought seriously of buying a bike, but I did buy a new one when I lost weight and continued to use it until I bought the FC.

$80 at the mall... Pakistani, very heavy, but very light compared to the FC.

I like the zippered vents on the Classic-II and zip-out liner, though I only use the liner on the coldest of days.

On the cheaper one, go a little large so you'll have room for a fleece layer under it AND so the sleeves will be long enough to stay under the cuffs of your gauntlets when your arms are extended in front of you. I bought the 44-Long, and it looks kinda funny because I can retract my hands completely within the sleeves when standing (by making a fist), but this allows the sleeves to ride at my wrist bone when my hands are on the bars.

[Blooze]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

That is exactly what I did... well... kinda.

I've been wearing the classic style jacket for 10 years before I even thought seriously of buying a bike, but I did buy a new one when I lost weight and continued to use it until I bought the FC.

$80 at the mall... Pakistani, very heavy, but very light compared to the FC.

I like the zippered vents on the Classic-II and zip-out liner, though I only use the liner on the coldest of days.

On the cheaper one, go a little large so you'll have room for a fleece layer under it AND so the sleeves will be long enough to stay under the cuffs of your gauntlets when your arms are extended in front of you. I bought the 44-Long, and it looks kinda funny because I can retract my hands completely within the sleeves when standing (by making a fist), but this allows the sleeves to ride at my wrist bone when my hands are on the bars.

Good advice. Hadn't thought about that.

The reason my budget is so limited, beside two kids sucking me dry , is that I need to get some warmer gloves and something for the legs. I've got some leather gloves with 40g thinsulate in them I've tried and they work pretty well, but gauntlets are gonna be a must later. As far as legs go it might be worthwhile to get a set of crashbar chaps.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

Blooze, I would recommend to you Joe Rocket Gear. I have their Phoenix 4.0 Mesh jacket for summer riding and it is definitely not for cold riding below 50°. I have their 'Super Ego' leather jacket and the quality is top notch. Joe Rocket apparel fits me perfectly.