few questions about riding jackets

[hppants]

went to the honda shop and tried on a few jackets.  I have a few questions:

1.  What does it mean when the armour is "C.E. Rated"
2.  One of the Joe Rocket Jackets I tried on fit great, but it felt like the elbow armour was positioned a little low - I'm not sure, the armour was bent at my elbow, but there was more material below my elbow (toward my wrist) than above it.  How is that stuff supposed to wear?
3.  Is appears that the mesh jackets are more expensive than the textile or even the leather jackets.  It's real hot down here in south Louisiana - how hot is the textile jacket v/s the mesh in general?
4.  Every jacket I tried on had some kind of adjustment on the sleeve - what does that do?

The kid at the honda shop didn't know squat.  I've got more looking to do, but I'd like to spend around $100.00.  I definitely want shoulder, elbow, and spine armour.  The more ventilation the better.  And if it somehow matched my bike - the red Joe Rocket mesh jacket was $170.00, but looked so cool with my bike - it's a little too expensive for me to jump on it now.

I'm going to also look at gloves this weekend.  Any thoughts - I'm listening.

[Old_Rider_54]

C.E. refers to a European rating for safety.   If it is not CE rated, you really don't know how well it will work when it has to!   You definitely want CE armour.

I have two Joe Rocket jackets - a textile jacket: Ballistic 7.0 for cooler weather and a mesh jacket: Honda CBR.  The JR brand seems to fit me as well as, or better than any other brand I've tried on.  The elbow pads on both jackets extend quite a ways towards your wrist, so this is normal.

In hot weather, the textile is miserable since it is pretty much waterproof, it does a great job of blocking the wind.  It only took a couple of rides at 80 degrees to decide on a mesh jacket for summer.   If you do some shopping on-line you should be able to find some good deals - newenough.com has a great return policy, so if you don't like it, you're not stuck with it.

The mesh CBR jacket that I have really breathes!  When the temp drops into the 70s, it can even feel too cold, especially at night.  When you pick one up, you should be able to see right through it.

The sleeve adjustments allow you to get the jacket on easily, then snug up the arms when you're ready to ride.   Snug is good - pads that move out of place when you're sliding or rolling on blacktop is not good - so snug them up.

Pricing - I'm cheap so I figure out what I want and then wait for the deal I want.   Ended up getting the textile jacket on ebay for 1/2 of the dealer price - used, but just like new.  I got the CBR on clearance from newenough.com for $50 !!!  Way less than 1/2 price!

A decent set of summer gloves will run you $40 - $50


Good luck!

[Burgi]

1. CE armor is supposed to have been lab tested and meets certain impact ratings. I believe there are different levels of CE armor.
2. Armor should fit properly. It won't protect your elbow if it's down on your forearm. If it is a hard armor (vs a soft foam) it may actually do more damage to your arm if you land on it wrong. Imagine your arm slamming down on the edge of the armor.  
3. In my experience textile jackets are much warmer than mesh. I can't take the heat of a textile jacket in summer, it would have to have some incredible venting to pass air through it. A full mesh jacket will pass air through everywhere. I find it is cooler than wearing no jacket since it also keeps the sun from beating down on my skin. If heat is a concern also keep color in mind, black will absorb sun and can be wicked hot.
4. Sleeve adjustments should allow you to keep the jacket tighter on your arm, keeping the armor in the correct place. For some reason few women's jackets offer this feature.   OK, I know that isn't your problem, I just don't get it, it is a great  feature.

**If you are looking for a jacket with a pretty long season you might try the Tour Master Intake Air Series 2 Jacket. My husband has one and it goes year round in a warmer climate, might save you needing 2 jackets if it doesn't get to cold where you are. It is a mesh jacket with 2 liners (one for wind/rain and one thermal). He loves it.

[ROJ]

The elbow armor in JR jackets is meant to protect your elbow/forearm in an accident, as when you land on your elbow, the next this to hit is generally your forearm (there are exceptions though). The straps on the arms should be as tight as you can get them, so when you grab the armor and try to shift it, it doens't move very much, armor that moves off the area its supposed to protect isn't going to help on the second hit. I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego, that is mesh, but has a solid covering over it that is removable, a well as a removable inner rain liner. Its a great 3 season jacket. The new ones don't have as much colour on them as mine does, but they are still nice jackets.

[hppants]

Ok - so I finally found someone at a bike shop who knew something.  I've decided I'm getting a mesh jacket, preferably with a removable liner, CE armor, and adjustable sleeves and waist.

Of course I like a very expensive one - Joe Rocket's Honda Licensed unit (model no. 0810 I think).  $170.00 on the net or at the shop - same price.  go figure.

But I also found a Field Shear High Flow II on close out for 1/2 the price of the JR unit.  Anybody have one of these?

Anybody have any problems buying from the following sites:
Motorcycle-superstore.com    Leatherup.com   jackets4bikes.com

Any other suggestions?  As always - thanks.

[Burgi]

Don't suppose it is this one?
http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/honda_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html
I've purchased from Motorcycle-superstore.com and Leatherup.com with no problems.

[skramer360]

Don't suppose it is this one?
http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/honda_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html
I've purchased from Motorcycle-superstore.com and Leatherup.com with no problems.

+1 on that. I bought a jacket from Leatherup and my helmet from Motorcycle-superstore. Both shipped quick and were reasonable.

[Custom82Hawk]

Adjustments are just that, adjustments.  Only thing I can say about a jacket though, is leather is awesome.  I was wearing a non-motorycle leather jacket in my 50+ mph accident and while I still broke my shoulderblade, the leather didn't tear, and I didn't get any roadrash where the jacket covered.  So honestly, I kinda wonder about these padded cloth mesh "motorcycle jackets".  Cause while my jacket is pretty scratched in some places, I think it gives it character.  I mean, it almost died with me after all, and that's why I still wear it.  But one of those motorcycle jackets would probably have been obliterated in the accident and I really don't know what they would've done for me to be honest.  I think I still would've broken my shoulderblade but would have thrown $120 for my jacket away.  Granted, I have a padded mesh jacket I wear on really hot days (which we get a lot of here in texas), but I still think that the padding is more of a "peace of mind" type of thing than any actual protection.  Maybe somebody who's actually tested one during an accident can vouch for them?

On a side note, my cat peed on my mesh jacket one day and I had to wear my leather savior while it washed.  Because it wasn't a motorcycle jacket, it had no straps on the wrists and I caught a bee doing 70 mph.  Not fun.  I think I'll get velcro straps to put around my wrists if I have to wear it again.

[hppants]

Burgi - you are AWESOME!!

That is exactly the jacket I tried on this afternoon, priced at $170.00.  Tried on Black, but wanted blue or red - would have had to order from the Honda shop anyway.

Bought the blue jacket with matching Joe Rocket gloves on newenough.com, everything shipped for $88.00!!!

I am pumped!

You guys (and girls) are great.

[gammer]

Mesh is a good way to go.
I purchased my jacket off of my brother in law (Joe Rocket Ballistic). I like it because its good for the warm summer months and the cool spring/fall riding months. It has armor on inside (elbows, shoulders, kidney). It also has vent pockets that I unzip when its warm which allow cooler air to flow through the jacket (front to back). It also has a fairly big pouch built into the lower back that I've used several times for carrying things like a water bottle, DVD's, etc. It came with a inner shell vest for extra warmth.

[hppants]

My Joe Rocket mesh jacket arrived yesterday with my J/R Mojo 2 gloves.  The blue on my jacket doesn't match my bike, but for $50.00, it will definitely work.  My 14 year old says I look "trick" - I think that's a compiment.  I'll post a picture when I get a chance.  Thank ya'll for turning me on to Newenough.com.

My gloves are size XXL, the largest available in that model.  Once they are on, they fit, well, like a glove.  But it's a pain in the rear to pull the glove over the widest part of my hand.  Do you think over time, they will stretch out?

[gammer]

Do you think over time, they will stretch out?

Yeah...gloves are kinda like jeans; they conform to you.

My 14 year old says I look "trick"

[Burgi]

Yeah, $50 on a good jacket can't be beat. I'm not a fan of being all "matchey" so I wouldn't sweat it.
Curious...do you plan to take the patches off? They seem to make a big deal of them coming off on the New Enough site so wondered if they looked that bad?
Again, I don't care about matching so they wouldn't bother me but I guess other they do other people?

[hppants]

IMO, the patches are cool.  They are staying.  After all, we Honda people "gotta represent" - got that one from my 14 year old too :)

[JordanA]

Check out the Tourmaster Draft Air Jacket (Summer mesh jacket with a removable rain liner AND a padded thermal liner for the winter).  

It's CE rated and all that jazz, and it's fairly inexpensive too.  Comes in lots of colors, including red.  Check out Amazon.com for them.

edit: I really wanted one of these, and regret not getting one since it is a fairly good all season jacket (except the dead of winter).  However, i got a great deal on a pair of Joe Rocket mesh jackets and had to go that route.

[happycommuter]

Protective gear is designed to fit when you are in a seated riding position.  Walking around, the armor will droop too low, and that's fine as long as things are where they should be when you're in a semi-fetal position like you will be when you hit the pavement.
Nicer shops will actually allow you to run out front and sit on your bike while trying gear on.  Otherwise you're left to squat and imagine.  I always would walk over to a display bike and grab a grip, squeeze a lever when trying on gloves.