Looking for helmet and touring jacket

[Workrider]

Hi.
I'm looking for a good helmet and touring style jacket (BMW style if possible).

Budget:

Helmet, $90 and down. Sport bike style.

Jacket, $85 and down.


What websites should I check out? Do and of you guys have any helmets or jeckets you like that fit within my budget? I'm all ears!

To give you and idea of what I'm looking for, these I like so far:

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/textile_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/jett_series_2_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html
 
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=3301412XXS&store=&catId=&productId=prod661532&leafCatId=&mmyId=
 
 http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/street+jackets+40-70+percent+off/fieldsheer_air+tour+mesh+jacket


http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport/mesh+motorcycle+jackets/fieldsheer_moto+morph+jacket

I saw some jackets with 'Honda' on it, but I don't know what site they were on. I'm down for that.



Thank you very much! :-)

[coffee_brake]

Ebay or better yet Craigslist, get a jacket with few miles or a couple seasons on it, that hasn't been crashed, wash and wear.

Helmets are such a personal thing that it's hard to recommend one. Your head shape's going to be different from others; what fits you comfortably is likely misery for somebody else.
There's not much for it, but to go where you can try on a whole bunch of styles, even if you have to order a similar model online for cheaper.

You might also ask for a discount on the floor model, I did and got a Scorpion EXO-1000 in my size for just $130!
I've also gotten some UGLY helmets that fit, for cheap, and painted 'em up myself. I just tape off the DOT sticker and the internals, and have fun.

[Burgi]

You've listed a mix of textile vs mesh and touring vs street style jackets. You might want to go try some gear on to determine what your preference is. Also seriously consider what temps you will be riding in. It is nearly impossible to get one "do it all" jacket but if funds are limited you will want the biggest range.

[Workrider]

I tried scorpian helmets and i couldn't find one that fit. The HJCs fit nice. My fav was the SHOEI ones. Now THOSE are helmets. Haha. Found the gloves i want. Now for a jacket. Has anyone used the HONDA CBR jackets? I've seen those and really like them but don't know how good they'll be for everyday in the pain and such.

[Workrider]

I'll be riding everyday (85 miles each way) during this summer and am liking leather alot, but want to know what would be best for heat.

Textile?
Leather?
Mesh?

[cmyers]

for heat alone, nothing 

For heat and a little protection Mesh

For heat and good protection....well that is a tall order, but a friend of mine swears by his Fieldsheer Corsair jackets, and my father just picked up one from motorcyclesuperstore.com...http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/16469/ITEM/Fieldsheer-Corsair-Sport-Jacket.aspx

[Burgi]

I like mesh and light colors. I ride in a hot, dry, sunny climate.
For better protection some mesh jackets have textile in key slide areas.
It also depends how much (and fast) you are moving and how much you sit in traffic as to how comfortable you will stay.

[cmyers]

For better protection some mesh jackets have textile in key slide areas.
It also depends how much (and fast) you are moving and how much you sit in traffic as to how comfortable you will stay.

+1 to both things Burgi.

I doesnt matter how good the air flows through a jacket if you arent moving the air isnt going to flow. During the hottest moments of the summer regardless of what jacket I am wearing I will unzip it to about half

[Hawks_Nest]

Agree with Burgi and cmyers.
Mesh jackets do jobs somewhat until certain temperature.  Howerver, during extremely hot days (+100) your body is bombarded with hot air through the mesh openings.  

It seems to me leather does a good job for both cold and hot days. It blocks the air so it insulates. During hot days, if your leather jacket has decent vents around shoulder and back, the circulating air draws heat out of your body through evaporation process.  When it is really hot, I soak my shirt with water (just wring out excess water) and wear it under leather jacket. It works at least about an hour.  You can also achieve this by wearing a wet bandana around your neck.


BTW, Happy Birthday, workrider!!!

[ariwhiteboy]

I wear a Joe Rocket Reactor 2.0, it's nice cool mesh with leather in all the impact areas.  I don't know if they make it or anything comparable to it anymore, but I found mine on eBay for $50.  Best of luck with the search! 

[fishball]

Out of your original choices the FieldSheer Air Tour Mesh Jacket screams BMW style to me.

Ebay or better yet Craigslist, get a jacket with few miles or a couple seasons on it, that hasn't been crashed, wash and wear.

I've found some of my best deals that way.

Helmets are such a personal thing that it's hard to recommend one. Your head shape's going to be different from others; what fits you comfortably is likely misery for somebody else.
There's not much for it, but to go where you can try on a whole bunch of styles, even if you have to order a similar model online for cheaper.

So true.  Just try on as many as you can.  If you get a chance try on a SparX helmet to see if it fits your head shape.  I've yet to find a helmet as inexpensive, light and comfortable than my S-07 model.

[mattrowe19]

Great deal on a great HJC helmet. I have it and love it.
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=3301403S&store=&catId=&productId=prod661532&leafCatId=&mmyId=

I'd recommend getting the breath box for cool mornings. It really helps to keep the face shield from fogging up.