Looking to buy my first jacket, which one to get?

[RussellH]

I'd like to keep it under around $150 or so and would prefer leather to prevent road-rash. Here're a few in my range, what do you guys recommend?

http://www.bestbeginnermotorcycles.com/shift-airborne-jacket-review

http://shop.shiftracing.com/ecomm/ProductForward.do?forward=product.pagedef&proId=14297&cid=256&cname=Jackets&proNumber=70103&imgName=70103058F.jpg

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/teknic/inferno_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/teknic/chicane_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/power_trip/dtp_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

Also, today my friend rode my NH450 and said "man, the wind will beat you up on this bike once you start riding at above 50mph, there's no wind protection on this bike" - do you guys find that to be the case? how do you protect yourselves from the wind?

[detdrbuzzard]

first decide if you want a leather or mesh jacket. we don't do much freeway riding on the 450nh its more of my fun bike. take it out for a run through the twisties or two laneing for an hour to an hour and a half where speeds rarely go above 65mph. don't get me wrong you can run it on the freeway all day with no problems but i think its too small to be hanging a fairing big enough to be effective maybe a small efficient one

[happycommuter]

I've always ridden unfaired bikes, so I don't notice wind much.  People with giant touring bikes give me similar opinions as your friend.  Only one way to find out if it bugs you...

The main benefit of leather is that it is less sacrificial, meaning you can crash the garment and have it in usable shape afterward.  It's hot and takes forever to dry and is pricey, and tends to be dark colors.   Textile and mesh are fine for street use.  I've crashed mesh and it scuffed a bit.  I was fine.

Ballistic nylon and even mesh will do alot to prevent abrasion.  The jacket and armor must not shift on you, so a good fit is very important (I recommend trying things on).  Plenty of people go with armored mesh jackets and just toss sweatshirts underneath for cooler weather.  Bad for rain, but their choice.  I'd look for CE approved armor, which none of your choices seem to mention...but then again my Firstgear mesh jacket didn't have CE armor and it was fine.

With leather, the fewer seams the better, and the longer each stitch is, the better.  Also thicker is better.  Cheaper stuff is often patched together of thin pieces with fine stitching that acts as perforation.

Oh, and thank you for actually starting topics in the proper fora and not just piling everything in General Motorcycle Discussion.

[luckylindy]

  A small universal fit windshield would help with the windblast on your chest.  Once l got used to a shield I could not go back to shieldless.  This is a Slipstreamer Spitfire you can order from many online places that will tell you if if fits a 450.

[FAITHBIKER]

One place to check is www.jackets4bikes.com, I got mine there for 90 with free shipping.  It is not the patchwork leather as described above.  I went down (granted only about 5 mph), but I didn't even feel it where my jacket was covering me.  It's pretty thick too.  It does have CE approved armor too in the spine,shoulders and elbows.  These retail for much more and they are brand new.  Check it out.

[hang man]

check out the price on the blue one , they have a lot of good stuff on closeout sales
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=Close+Out+Center%3AJackets&searchpath=37620828&start=13&total=61

[RussellH]

Thanks guys, it was way too many choices and I wasn't sure what the difference was without being able to touch and feel them so I just ordered the $79 closeout jacket from cheapcycleparts.com, I got the EBC brake pads there too. I'll let you know how I like it when I get it.

[ZimStyle]

Heres the Jacket I bought. Once Again Stock Photos.





Heres the direct link.
http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Mens-Armored-Black-and-Grey-Cordura-With-Leather-Trim-Jackets/40027.html

Its tight on the shoulders, but feels pretty good. the front chest pocket is a vent so open for a nice Breeze.

[skramer360]

Heres the Jacket I bought. Once Again Stock Photos.



Its tight on the shoulders, but feels pretty good.

  I was looking at these and was wondering about size. I am a smallish guy (5-11 150lbs), but I have long arms. If you don't mind my asking, what size jacket did you buy and what size are you?

[bbrovold]

Damn the expense and get an Aerostich Darien. You get rain proof and protection all in one along with storage, etc. I love mine and have had it for quite a few year. Tried leather and it is good but my Darien is the most comfortable, especially on hot days.

[tellz50]

Can anyone provide any pro's / con's / general comments about the following products? I'm looking for a good summer riding jacket, one that has decent armor and more importantly keeps me cooler than wearing a leather jacket.

JOE ROCKET PHOENIX 5.0 JACKET (First Jacket)

POWER TRIP MOJAVE (Second Jacket)

[rjs5857]

I bought a Tourmaster Air Intake mesh jacket with CE armour.  Picked it up in excellent shape on Ebay.  It has 2 liners for warmth and rain.  It was fine at 32 degrees going to work.  I have a leather jacket that is too hot for summer. 

[Moedad]

I have a Mojave Power Trip that I bought from a member of another forum without seeing it first. It flows air GREAT, but the armor in the elbows moves around too easily. I seriously doubt it would be much, if any, protection in a crash. Any kind of slide would shift it and your elbow would be scraping the ground. The shoulder and back armor is better at staying in place. I still wear it on hot days. It's definitely better than a T-shirt.

[skramer360]

Well you need to get the blue one. It matches your bike. 

[tellz50]

Thanks for everyones comments!

[BlackLabel82]

This may be alittle late, but I have the PowerTrip Jet Black 2, very similar to the Mojave...great jacket all around!

[tellz50]

Thanks BlackLabel82. I actually purchased the Joe Rocket Phoenix 5 jacket (Black/Blue/Grey) about two weeks ago. So far it's been doing a great job keeping me cool on hot days.

[Red-Hawk]

I have a Agv Sport Textile Jacket with CE Armor with a Removeable Liner and Reflective Piping. $ 150.00 from Dennis Kirk.