Tear & Abrasion Strength of Clothing

[Still lost]

Jeans dissolve on contact with asphalt. I had to lay my bike down and I really would have liked to ride out the skid but my highway peg caught on the pavement and the bike started to pinwheel so we parted company. Chaps leave one part of the anatamy uncovered and my jeans lasted until contact with the pavement and not an instant longer. No I won't show THAT scar.

[Seadog1967]

I wouldn't rule out some of the jackets made in Asia or Pakistan. My "budget" jacket was $99 and comparing it to some of the $300 or so jackets I find it's of the same quality leather and stitching. Cheri-Ann and her husband have the same jackets from the same place and are quite satisfied also.
Not saying that all jackets from that area of the world are top notch but they should be considered on a jacket by jacket comparison. You're paying for the big names.
Just my discounted two cents.

[RichLockyer]

I absolutely agree, but when buying online, you have no way of knowing how good it is unless you know someone who already has one.

[rod2625]

Bump.

[Nibby]

OK, I'm an idiot. Went and bought a Joe Rocket BEFORE reading what the smart folks i.e. experience had to say. Now, I've got the jacket for a little while. One little question: this jacket has all the armor. All this talk speaks to the shred factor of the mesh, but won't I get a little more protection from the armor, assuming it doesn't get rubbed away by the road?

[RichLockyer]

The armour will protect your elbows and shoulders from the primary impact.

Depending on how the armour is held in place, it won't do any good during the slide when there's nothing left to hold it to your elbow.

[Cranky CJ]

Some things are great to buy online some arent. When we both got leather riding jacketts this spring we were looking online but wanted to touch it and feel it. Try it on for size. Ended up at a leather shop a couple towns away. The Classic cut MC jacketts we got had a good "feel" to them, and we got them to fit. For us, they are more protection from the elements than the pavement, since we ride in Tshirts in hot weather. I still think leather cut out the wind as good or better than anything I'v ever worn. A jackett I ride in a lot is my old Air Force issue leather A2 jackett. Goat skin but it still works well.

[sisooktom]

To each his/her own. I've read from several folks on here that went down and had nothing but praise for their mesh jackets. As someone said, most of them have non-perforated Cordura in the areas most likely to bear the brunt of a slide. My Fieldsheer High Temp is VERY substantial 1000 denier material that I would put up against most leather in a test. It is also definitely not the lightest mesh jacket out there (probably weighs 10 pounds or so). I agree there are certainly mesh products out there that aren't as tough, but here in the NC summer, you can either wear a T-shirt, a mesh jacket, or you can stay home. The heat and humidity are simply too oppressive even for perforated leather. Between those 3 options, I'll go with the mesh everytime. Keeps you from getting sunburned too

[DammitMike]

Originally Posted by Nibby

OK, I'm an idiot. Went and bought a Joe Rocket BEFORE reading what the smart folks i.e. experience had to say. Now, I've got the jacket for a little while. One little question: this jacket has all the armor. All this talk speaks to the shred factor of the mesh, but won't I get a little more protection from the armor, assuming it doesn't get rubbed away by the road?

I wouldn't go kicking yourself just yet, Joe Rocket makes reputable gear, I have heard a lot of praise about how well their mesh gear has held up in crashes. Also, many current Joe Rocket jackets have elastic adjustments on the inside of the forearm and elbow of the jacket to help keep the armor tight against your skin. Tightening those down so that the armor fits snug should help prevent the armor from shifting in a crash.

[Seadog1967]

Probably should of asked before ordering. I just ordered the
Tour Master Draft Air Mesh Jacket. Good price from Newenough.com
My leather was just tooo toooo hot. Never had a mesh jacket and some say will do a good job if you go down. Tried riding around neighborhood with just t-shirt but felt umm naked. Didn't like it. Was cool though LOL

[Nibby]

Pretty happy so far with the Joe Rocket jacket. Live in Oregon and it's been in the mid 90's the last few. With just the mesh (no liner) feels not too bad as long as traffic is moving.

Dammitmike (bet your wife gave you that nick name heh heh), right you are on the adjustments. Cinch those babies up and it actually feels safer. Thanks a ton!!

[DammitMike]

Originally Posted by Nibby

Pretty happy so far with the Joe Rocket jacket. Live in Oregon and it's been in the mid 90's the last few. With just the mesh (no liner) feels not too bad as long as traffic is moving.

Dammitmike (bet your wife gave you that nick name heh heh), right you are on the adjustments. Cinch those babies up and it actually feels safer. Thanks a ton!!

Haha, still in college so no wife just yet, but I hear it so much that it might as well be printed on my drivers license Glad to hear you're liking the jacket so far.