The Devil Wears Tourmaster

[bajakirch]

Today I was running some errands and had a little time in between appointments. I decided to stop by the local Honda dealer to see if there were any post-Christmas deals yet.

As it turned out, most of the store's merchandise was turned over to snowmobile stuff, so not a lot to look at. I was on my way out the door when I heard my name called from across the showroom.

I don't recall if I've mentioned this before, but my former high school classmate ('friend' might be too strong a word, 'friendly acquaintance' is probably more appropriate) is part-owner of the Honda store. I haven't really tossed him a lot of business because...well, I just don't want to spend the kind of money I'd have to at a dealership. Plus, when I have seen him there -- being the good salesman he is -- he's always recommending bikes or gear from his store. So I've kind of avoided the place unless I've needed to stop by for a part sometimes. I know that I can be an impulse buyer, so I try to remove as much of the temptation as possible.

Well today, we got talking about gear. I mentioned my next significant purchase would probably be either riding pants or a mesh jacket for summertime. That was all the opening he needed, and before you knew it we were looking at Tourmaster jackets.

To shorten up the story considerably, he showed me what I believe was the Tourmaster Sonora Air Jacket. Removable insulated liner, removable waterproof liner, mesh outer with the Hi-Vis yellow. Price - $199, but he said he'd knock 20% off for me. That gets it down to about $160 for a jacket I could comfortably wear all season long.

To get this one to fly by the family accountant, I'd have to cash in all my Good-Husband tokens, and even then I don't know if I could make a good-enough case. So I thought I'd see what those in the know had to say about it.

Is my impulse control (or lack thereof) showing again?

[farmer52]

Price sounds good.  I like the Hi-Vis yellow.

I have a Tourmaster Flex 2 jacket and pants.  They each have three (3) layers (waterproof outer shell, mesh inner, and insulated liner).  I bought mine at Iron Pony in Columbus, OH on sale for $150.  The jacket is available in black, red, or gray.

I never could understand why the waterproof liner is under the mesh outer.  

[ariwhiteboy]

Not to play "devils advocate"  , but I got my Tourmaster Epic jacket for $199 from ebay and I love it.  I know it's nowhere near as cold here as it is there, but I regularly ride in 30* temps with nothing but a t-shirt under it.  With the liner removed and the vents open it's comfortable up to 80*, plus it rates pretty high on the water resistant scale. (I hesitate to call any MC gear water proof)  No matter what you decide to purchase keep us updated with   !

[bajakirch]

Tourmaster Epic

Bad link, goes to "insulated hose clamps".

[Option13]

Tourmaster Epic

Bad link, goes to "insulated hose clamps".

[Burgi]

Husband wears a Tour Master Intake Air. I believe it has the same liner system as the one you're looking at and it really covers a wide range of temps, it is the only jacket he has. He likes it so much that when he lost weight he bought another to replace the one he had.

[Option13]

For what it's worth, I love my Coaster II jacket from them. It's comfortable enough that I sometimes wear it even when I'm not riding, pads and all.

[ariwhiteboy]

Link Fixed...

[bajakirch]

Link Fixed...

Could have been worse -- it might have gone to naked hamster wrestling.

Floated the idea by SOQS and she was less-than-supportive. I think the gist of it was, "Would you rather I not pay the cable bill or the electric bill this month so you can buy your motorcycle jacket?" 
One of the many reasons I married her is because she helps keep me in check...but she can sure be a buzz-kill sometimes.

One glimmer of hope -- if I can find something of mine I can sell to cover (or even significantly offset) the cost of the jacket, I have a green light.

Anyone need some slightly used hunting or fishing gear?...

[fishball]

Baja I don't know what kind of build you have but I personally love FirstGear jackets because of the quality and the fit.  NewEnough had a great deal on the Rush jacket this last season, they may still have some left.  The back/spine armor isn't the best but the rest of the jacket is very high quality.  Just checked and they have some sizes left and the price is $39-49.  This is a summer only jacket, 65F and above.

http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/last_chance_bargains/first_gear/rush_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

[Soupskin]

I have the Air Intake jacket and Scarab gloves.  I also have the Venture Air and Overpants pants, all by Tourmaster/Cortech.

[draco_1967]

I have an Intake II, and love it. It's a mesh outer, with a waterproof liner and an insulated liner. I've worn it in 28* weather, and it keeps me very warm, also worn it without the liners in 90* weather.

[Laminar]

http://www.helmetshop.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=ST-4797

Sonora Air for $160. Same price you were quoted, but you don't have to pay shipping and you get the "right now" factor.

[Wahrsuul]

I have the Cortech GX Sport and GX Air as my primary summer/winter jackets.  I like the plastic over foam armor and the removable liner(s).  I've had the GX sport for about 5 years now and the GX Air for 3, and would recommend Cortch (by Tourmaster).  I also jst recently picked up a Tourmaster Synergy heated vest.  Seems good quality and works well so far.  Since my Widder gloves just gave out, I'm looking to get a set of Synergy gloves as well.

In my opinion, Cortech/Tourmaster makes some good stuff.  But look on New Enough, they usually have some killer deals.

[detdrbuzzard]

new enough has a tourmaster jacket on sale for about $125

[bajakirch]

Baja I don't know what kind of build you have but I personally love FirstGear jackets because of the quality and the fit.  NewEnough had a great deal on the Rush jacket this last season, they may still have some left.  The back/spine armor isn't the best but the rest of the jacket is very high quality.  Just checked and they have some sizes left and the price is $39-49.  This is a summer only jacket, 65F and above.

http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/last_chance_bargains/first_gear/rush_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

I finally got around to checking out that Firstgear Rush jacket. While I prefer the longer 3/4-length style, that's a hard deal to pass up. Unfortunately, nothing left in my size (which is probably why they're selling them for $40).

I saw the $125 Tourmaster jackets too. Tempting...very tempting. But the price will probably have to be in the double-digit range before I float another one by SOQS.

[green427]

Just got an email ad from Jafrum. They have a bunch of Tourmaster jackets on sale, not sure if their prices are good or not. I am avoiding the details since I am a bargain-gear hunter and have too many jackets already.

[detdrbuzzard]

new enough has a tourmaster jacket on sale for about $125

my mistake it's this one            http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/textile_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/rincon_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html