Mesh (or convertable) Jacket recommendations

[CraigF]

I've been waiting 6 weeks for a jacket I ordered at a local store to come in.  I'm taking the MSF class on Thursday and Friday this week and expected to have the jacket for the class.  Since a jacket or long sleeve shirt is required for the class, and because I'd prefer to wear a jacket and not some random shirt out of my closet, I think I need to go shopping at the local stores tomorrow.

Can anyone recommend a mesh jacket good for summer riding?  Something with a removable liner would be nice so I can get 3 seasons out of it would be good, too.  Target price is $200 or less, and I'd prefer no extreme colors or branding all over it.


Sorry for the short notice with this thread--hopefully enough people see it within the next 20 hours or so to give me something to look for tomorrow evening.

[happycommuter]

I've got the First Gear Mesh-Tex jacket.  Very cool.  Crashed once, fuzzed up the shoulder a bit.  Optional CE armor available, but I like the perforated foam.  Available in other colors.

I wore a paper-thin long-sleeve madras shirt for one of my courses (it was hot).  But then I was pretty confident I wouldn't drop the tiny GN125.

[JWBrockman]

New Enough has a great deal going right now on a Teknic Mesh jacket:

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/teknic/supervent_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

This one comes with the CE armor for $25 less than the Firstgear. A little less attractive though. They also have matching Teknic mesh gloves for $21 or so. I've been thinking of getting some of each for hot days, I get pretty toasty in my Joe Rocket ballistic textile jacket and gloves (which were also purchased at New Enough, great place to buy from).

[DesignFlaw06]

I've got the First Gear Mesh-Tex jacket.  Very cool.  Crashed once, fuzzed up the shoulder a bit.  Optional CE armor available, but I like the perforated foam.  Available in other colors.

I wore a paper-thin long-sleeve madras shirt for one of my courses (it was hot).  But then I was pretty confident I wouldn't drop the tiny GN125.

I second the First Gear Mesh Tex. For me, they're one one of the few that make an XLT size motorcycle jacket. I have the gloves and the pants from them as well. Gloves are fine, but the pants are something to be desired. I need something that slips over shorts and shoes easier. These pants I think are simply meant to be all that is worn instead of over something.

Good luck with the class. You're already taking steps in the right direction by looking at proper gear.

Tim

[detdrbuzzard]

i wear a joe rocket Phoenix 4.0 for the summer and have a leather for early spring and fall

[CraigF]

Thanks guys, I've looked at quite a few jackets online and so far the one that looks good to me is the FirstGear Control.  NewEnough doesn't have my size and says it's been discontinued.  I'm going to see if anyone locally has it.   

The Mesh Tex 3.0 is my next choice--unless I find something else in the store I haven't seen online (which is bound to happen).

I may just go ahead and wear something else for the class and not rush into buying something locally. 

For comparison, the jacket I've been waiting on is the Corazzo Speedway Mesh (in brown).   I am a little concerned that the thin mesh strip won't be enough venting, though. 

[Hondo]

Take a look at the TourMaster Flex 2 jacket.

I love mine in all 4 seasons-

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=248&cat=3

[ROJ]

I wear a Joe Rocket Alter Ego, the original model. The new model doens't have as much colour as the old one, but they are great jackets. The innner liner (wind/rain breaker) comes out, and part of the outside come soff to reveal mesh underneath. Its a great 3 season jacket. It is quite a bit more expensive than the other ones suggested though.

Check it out here
http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/convertible_textile_mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/alter_ego_2_textile_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

[CraigF]

I went to the local BMW shop and I tried on the FirstGear Mesh Tex and it fit pretty well.   Then I tried on the Olympia Airglide--it's a much better jacket, but it was also $90 more. 

Decisions, decisions.

[xxxbotchlaxxx]

my jacket is xelements and cost 70 bucks or so

[MrF]

I've got a Joe Rocket jacket, but I can't seem to find the model name on it anywhere.  IIRC, I paid about $150 for it. 

I don't think you can really go wrong with any decent mesh jacket.  It's cooler riding with the jacket than in a t-shirt. (And safer too!)  Like ROJ said, a zip out liner will make it a nice 3-season jacket, or a year-round jacket if you live in God's deep-fryer like I do (I think the low last winter was in the 40's).

[CraigF]

I still haven't purchased a jacket.  I wore a hooded sweatshirt today for day 1 of my MSF class.  I sweated my butt off.

I won't make it to a store before tomorrow, so I guess I'll wear the sweatshirt again--though I'm tempted to wear just a long sleeve shirt (or maybe a hockey jersey). 

[xxxbotchlaxxx]

I took my jacket off and wore just a long sleeve t, the thinnest I could find.  you never break 15 mph in a fairly smooth parking lot.  I was fine the rest of the class because it was getting hot those days.

[ROJ]

even in my motorcycle course I wore my full gear setup, just took the liner and outer cover off my jacket and I was perfectly comfortable, even on the hotest day. But we were required to wear full gear for our course, couldn't even be dress leather, it had to be the real motorcycle stuff. Our instructors told us that if they didn't make it mandatroy, some people wouldn't buy it and never see the need to get it after the course. But as happycommuter said, definately get one before taclking traffic.

[CraigF]

I finished my class today.  :)

After class I went to the Honda dealer to pick up the parts I ordered, and I tried on nearly every mesh jacket they had.  The different brands fit so differently, and most didn't fit me well at all.

I'm 6'3" 192lbs.   It seems FirstGear jackets in Large Tall fit the best.  Joe Rocket Tall sizes must be fore REALLY tall people, as they were way to long.  Tourmaster jackets seemed short, too.  XL fit me OK, though.

I also stopped at Cycle Gear.  They didn't have much at all in the lower price tier.  A motoboss mesh in Large Tall fit OK, but it was very Power Ranger-like. 

*sigh*   I'm just having a hard time finding something I like the look of and fits me well.

[CraigF]

Oooh, I might have made a decision. (Note, I said "might"  )

Tour Master Intake Air 2 is available in Large Tall.  It'd likely fit better than the XL.

Since NewEnough isn't open on weekends I can think about it until Monday morning and not slow down shipping. 

[MrF]

Congrats on finishing the course!  And finding a jacket you like.

[CraigF]

I decided to get a full mesh jacket for now--the Firstgear Mesh Tex 3.0 for $90 from New Enough.  I also ordered a Teknic Sevilla textile w/vents for my wife.  We couldn't find a mesh that she liked.  Hopefully it has enough airflow for her.

I'm tempted to get a blue/white/black Joe Rocket Blaster 3.0 leather jacket for cooler weather. It's $190 from NewEnough. 

[DesignFlaw06]

I decided to get a full mesh jacket for now--the Firstgear Mesh Tex 3.0 for $90 from New Enough.  I also ordered a Teknic Sevilla textile w/vents for my wife.  We couldn't find a mesh that she liked.  Hopefully it has enough airflow for her.

I'm tempted to get a blue/white/black Joe Rocket Blaster 3.0 leather jacket for cooler weather. It's $190 from NewEnough. 

Make sure we get a review! 

[CraigF]

My order from NewEnough arrived today.  My Large Tall Mesh Tex 3 fits pretty good.  It actually might be a tad long--it poofs out a bit in the stomach when sitting. 

I'm having different thoughts now--do I want to keep this $90 full mesh (with liner) jacket and get a different jacket for cold days?  Or do I want a convertable jacket-- perhaps something like the Joe Rocket Alter Ego 2.0?

There are so many options--I know I can second guess my decision all day long.

(btw, those are rhetorical questions, but feel free to chime in with opinions.)

[CraigF]

I stopped by the local BMW motorcycle dealer and they had selection of Olympia jackets at 50% off.

I ended up picking up a Olympia Patton for only $125 + tax.  I'm going to check it out closer at home, but it fits well, mesh under the arms and sides of torso should keep the air flowing.  The 3/4 length helps deal with my height (I'm 6'3" 195lbs).   

It's a little more "adventure" than I was looking for, but Olympia seems to make quality apparel and I couldn't pass up the deal.