Just thought I'd pick your brains a little more..

I'm new to biking and there's a shitload of brands/gear out there - want to make sure I'm getting good stuff FOR cheap and not just cheap stuff.

I've narrowed my choices down to the following perforated/very well vented leather jackets that are bieng offered for discount prices:

1.) Cortech (by Tourmaster) Impulse II Leather Jacket
http://www.kneedraggers.com/image_storage/f/42/f42cf440f04f9fe6471574ae64690199_rough.jpg?height=520&width=580

2.) Joe Rocket Blaster 4.0 Perf
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/14804/small/black.jpg?1206287282

The Cortech seems to have ample CE armor while the Joe Rocket has foam pads that need to be replaced but are Cortech's good quality? I know Tourmasters is legit but haven't heard much about Cortech. I also like the JR because I tend to run hot and the JR is fully perforated

I'd love to get a quality Kawi Green leather jacket for under $250, but haven't had much luck..

IE: Teknic Chicane Leather Jacket (fully Perf. w/ Knox armor for only $150
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/17065/small/this_ChicaneJktGrnBlk_factory.jpg?1217276724

... but I've heard mixed things about Teknic gear.

I'm always open to suggestions... if I could get a Dainese leather for ~$300ish, I'd be willing to shell out for that.

The reason I'm limiting my jacket budget is because I'll be wearing (a thin mesh) airbag vest over it and those guys are $$$

... as always, I appreciate your input. Thanks in advance.

Cortech is the upscale Tourmaster, like Audi to VW....

Tourmaster/Cortech is a great company.
I have some leather pants from them and they are great.

Just still waiting on my matching jacket to arrive :frown:

I would personally recommend them over Joe Rocket and Teknic anyday.

Cortech is the upscale Tourmaster, like Audi to VW....

oh whoa.. i had no idea

if anything, i thought it was the other way around

Did you see my post (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11558) about the power trip leather jacket on newenough.com? 79.99+ shipping. My hubby loves his. Regular 300.00

new enough is a great site. i'd buy a lot more from them if they weren't based in my home state. paying taxes kinda ruins any discounts they have :(

Even though I purchased one, also, the armor is not CE rated. Since I haven't received mine, does it have foam in the shoulders and elbows?

Thanks

Did you see my post (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=11558) about the power trip leather jacket on newenough.com? 79.99+ shipping. My hubby loves his. Regular 300.00

The Teknic Chicane rocks! It's my favorite jacket :) those closeout prices are really nice, makes me want to buy an extra one :thumbup:

He put his armor from his icon in his and to tell you the truth I am not sure if it has it in the shoulders I am pretty sure about the elbows though.

"At the elbow there is an adjuster to customize the fit and help the armor stay in position. The leather used is thick, but soft, and this jacket feels comfortable right from the start. The jacket has a full set of dual density foam armor including a back pad." from the site.

I wear a First which is pretty heavy leather with no armour. My pants are Icon ballistic nylon with knee armour. I think there are pockets for hip armour. The jacket has a zip in liner and was under $200. I will probably get a Cortech jacket in nylon with the appropriate armour. When I last rode in 1982, nobody wore armour. Most people rode in leather jackets, jeans, and boots-- available in shoe stores. The sport has changed a lot, and I am playing catch up.

If you are interested in a great leather jacket, check out this $299 Pilot Pro Perforated Leather Jacket for $79 at:
http://www.cheapcycleparts.com/CloseoutDetails/6/11/253/1620/0/628/17946/Default.aspx

It is actually a Kawasaki accessory jacket: http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/enthusiasts/catalog_items.asp?catalog=1983&levelcode=3367

As the ad says at Cheapcycle, it does run very small (be sure to look at the sizing chart on the Kawasaki accessory ad at Powersports) and realize that there are no returns/exchanges on this one from Cheapcycle.

I bought one and it is unbelievable. The leather is top quality; soft, comfortable and substantial. A snug,form fitting jacket.

Yeah It's great the GUYS get all these wonderful deals. Figures!:rolleyes:

I see closeouts on women's stuff at Newenough quite a bit. :)

Buy most of my stuff from them... on sale or not.

I meant specifically a leather jacket. Wonder if that one would fit a girl in xsmall? Who knows.

Call up newenough and ask them. They are very helpful and could most likely tell you if they have any experience with cross dressing. :D

Seriously...call them and ask. :)

Call up newenough and ask them. They are very helpful and could most likely tell you if they have any experience with cross dressing. :D

Seriously...call them and ask. :)

Same here. We've used them for awhile now. They're family owned so they're very friendly, you can call them up and ask them anything. But they're still professional too, without being uptight. And if you ever need to do a return they're very reasonable, no restocking fees or anything, just shipping.

One time (at band camp...:lol:) I was curious about a helmet model that they had a great price for and I wanted to know the date of manufacture. The lady went into the warehouse, pulled one down and looked at the label inside of the helmet. She was very cheerful and helpful throughout the phone conversation, even though I made it clear to her that I was just checking, not buying.

Yeah It's great the GUYS get all these wonderful deals. Figures!:rolleyes:

check out the closeout section of http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok

they had a good amount of women's gear on sale

this is out-of-the-blue, but i found a relatively good deal for a new Dainese Laguna Seca leather jacket (perforated):

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e344/Motowheelscom/Dainese/2008%20collection/dainese_lagunaseca_jkt_blk_sm.jpg

It costs about a $150 more than the jackets I listed in my original post but I can reduce my helmet budget from $400 --> $250-$300 ... that shoudl still be plenty enough to get a great fitting / safe helmet

this is out-of-the-blue, but i found a relatively good deal for a new Dainese Laguna Seca leather jacket (perforated):

It costs about a $150 more than the jackets I listed in my original post but I can reduce my helmet budget from $400 --> $250-$300 ... that shoudl still be plenty enough to get a great fitting / safe helmet

I just got this jacket too (the white version)... and i bought a Dainese back protector for it too, but come to find out i had gotten the wrong one and i had to do an exchange. So if you get a Dainese BP, make sure it's the Shield Air G Back Protector. I got the "G2", since my Laguna Seca jacket is a size 54.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=5&L3=&L4=&item=DAI_1875935_G

http://www.cyclegear.com/images/protectivegear/dainese_shield_air_g1_MD.jpg

Ps- look into closeout Shark helmets... there are great deals to be had on those. I just got a new RSX model stupid cheap. My budget was $280ish for a helmet. I had to have a Shark because of the safety combined with lighter weight.

~G

I just got this jacket too (the white version)... and i bought a Dainese back protector for it too, but come to find out i had gotten the wrong one and i had to do an exchange. So if you get a Dainese BP, make sure it's the Shield Air G Back Protector. I got the "G2", since my Laguna Seca jacket is a size 54.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=5&L3=&L4=&item=DAI_1875935_G

http://www.cyclegear.com/images/protectivegear/dainese_shield_air_g1_MD.jpg

Ps- look into closeout Shark helmets... there are great deals to be had on those. I just got a new RSX model stupid cheap. My budget was $280ish for a helmet. I had to have a Shark because of the safety combined with lighter weight.

~G

I'm actually getting the green Shark RSI, to match my future green 250R hotness :D

How do you like your jacket? Does the elbow armor extend down your forearms? How's the shoulder armor?

Runs true to size?

Thanks

When I was jacket shopping, I tried on a couple of Icon jackets because those were more in my price range. Then I tried on an Alpinestars, which felt better, and the Laguna Seca was the last one I tried. It was the most comfortable and had the best overall feel, quality wise (soft supple leather compared to hard stiff leather on the Icon).

Luckily Cycle Gear had put the L.S. on sale over the holidays, so it crept into my price range. The armor is all great…elbow/forearm and shoulder, and the size is spot on for me. They had a 600 CBR in the store, so I sized it by positioning myself on a sport bike (standing, it’s a little goofy in the arms, but it fits perfect in the riding position.)

I had to have a white perf. jacket, so that’s why I took it home… BUT… I do have some minor complaints about the Laguna Seca. There isn’t a zipper to attach it to a pair of riding pants. That sux! I figured I could rig something up though. My second complaint is that there’s no quilted liner, nor the option to install one. I can live without that… because I bought this to be a summer jacket. If I was shopping for a black jacket, I would’ve passed on the Laguna for missing the pants zipper & liner. At the store, there were other Dainese jackets (in black) that had everything, but again, I was shopping for white.

On that Shark RSI... try one on if you can. I'm a medium (58"), and per the advise on sportbiketrackgear.com, they said the RSI line was off in size. The reviewer said he wore a medium in everything, except the RSI, which ran big, so a size Small is what fit his medium head. I found this to be exactly true. I'm a Med. in the RSX and a Small in the RSI.

~G

Thanks Greg! I'm placing my order today...

I am 5'6" 145-150lb (I fluctuate alot) and will be ordering the jacket in a 38/48 ... I really hope it fits.

I'm having trouble locating a local shop that carries Shark gear... needa try it on before splurging on it; I'll keep the +1 sizing in mind.

How tight is the jacket around the midsection? Think it's possible to squeeze in a hoodie in there for colder weather?

PM'd..

Just a quick note...steer clear from Joe Rocket stuff. Some might like their designs, but they don't hold up well (or at all) in a crash environment.

You can find plenty of great leathers used on Craigslist, too, depending on how much time you have to purchase.

Just a quick note...steer clear from Joe Rocket stuff. Some might like their designs, but they don't hold up well (or at all) in a crash environment.

I'm not entirely in agreement with you on this one. They're older stuff may not have been great, but the more recent lines are pretty well-constructed. I can sadly say that I crash tested my Joe Rocket Cleo gear, and it saved me from much worse injuries, and it suffered only a small tear on the the lower part of the knee at the bottom edge of the armor - still very wearable - and I don't worry about it holding up at all after that

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DQskVeNT-_s/SXIGFjrprgI/AAAAAAAAAMU/lhK0GLmeM9s/s400/100_3326.JPG

I'm not entirely in agreement with you on this one. They're older stuff may not have been great, but the more recent lines are pretty well-constructed. I can sadly say that I crash tested my Joe Rocket Cleo gear, and it saved me from much worse injuries, and it suffered only a small tear on the the lower part of the knee at the bottom edge of the armor - still very wearable - and I don't worry about it holding up at all after that

I like JR jackets mostly because they fit me so well. All fabric bike gear should be considered sacrificial in a crash. Leather can generally be used again after a crash but most non-leather stuff rips and tears. Still, the fabric clothing is much more comfortable than leather which, IMO, is either too hot or too cold. Plus, it normally comes in all black which helps you to be even less visible.

Tim

I picked up a really nice Shott's leather cafe jacket off Ebay for about 70.00.It's brown leather with a zip out liner..Quality is out of this world! It was made in NewYork in the 60's.Best of all it's broken in to perfection.However it's still has a nice and thick hide.

Some of the new styles are great.However don't overlook the well made older stuff out there.My shoulder holster even fits great under it.:thumbup:

A good reputation takes years to earn. A bad one take a minute or so. Perhaps they have upped the QC on the JR stuff, but I know far too many people that have had problems with their gear falling apart upon impact. I am a bit more on the protective side when it come to gear and will gladly spend more for gear than a bike or a mod.

It seems to me that even some of the finest gear is only so-so and you can certainly get good gear for a low price. But, I am more the type that will search for a bargain reputable brand than anything else. At the same time, comfort and safety go hand in hand, so if you have something that is comfortable and has protected you in the past, then go for it.

I wear so much gear, I can hardly breathe. :)

Shift SR-1 Jacket (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/save+$100+or+more/shift_sr-1+competition+grade+leather+jacket)

I wanted to get this one, because I've heard good reviews for it. Do any of you guys have this? What are your thoughts? This looks like a steal for $200...

This Shift Jacket is on closeout for $150

http://www.newenough.com/image/path/8270/small/green.jpg?1203996830

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/bargain_basement/shift/streetfighter_hybrid_leather_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html