Motorcycle gear - who makes good nylon jackets?

Spark

Spark

HPIC - Hatas gonna Hate
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I was thinking about a Joe Rocket Ballistic 3.0 but now I'm hearing that they suck and fall apart.

Anyone have some recommendations?
 
Recently, I had the opportunity to test drive the new Kawasaki Eddie Lawson ZZR 1200 at the Willow Springs Racetrack just north of Palmdale, California when in that area on business just a few weeks ago. I rode during the weekend with a good friend who lives in the area.

Now before anybody "bombards" me with questions about motorcycle racing, I NEED to say that I ride only occasionally, will be 60 years old in a few years, and was VERY SCARED to ride past 90 at the Willow Springs closed track.

I wore the Joe Rocket product and thought it is a good idea but I felt that is is not sturdy enough to protect me from road rash in the event of a spill.

There are other products, however, that provide better protection. Some are made of various aramid fabrics similar to those used on tactical ballistic vests. These products can be VERY expensive, but what is your life worth? The concept applies to tactical ballistic vests, too. BTW, I wore my Second Chance Level II vest under the Joe Rocket and, yes, my Al Mar 2K was in my trouser pocket. ;)
 
If I'm not mistaken, leather is still king for abrasion resistance. What I've read indicates that none of the synthetics/fabrics comes close. They all come apart sooner than the old stand-by. But... Spark, you didn't ask about leather, is it even in the running? Or are you looking for something in addition to your leathers, or you don't like leather, or... :confused:
 
Ditto on Aerostitch products. Get one of their catalogs or check out the online store. Lots of good stuff.

Dean
 
I already have a leather motorcycle jacket. I want a nylon one now simply for looks and styling. Considering the fact that I wear "Double Extra Fat" sizes, naturally style is a plus...

Kevin
 
See if you can find any "old stock". Joe Rocket's used to be made in Canada up 'til last year, I believe. Then they moved off-shore.
I really like the old JR stuff. It's holding up nicely and is warm and waterproof.
 
I like the Tourmaster stuff, but I ride slow. I also love the BMW line of clothing and helmets. Ride safe!
 
Aerostich Darien or Roadcrafter. Motoport as a second choice.
 
The Aerostich is nice if you must have that style. I prefer leather. I have fallen off at speed with leathers, and only suffered a small rug burn when the sleeve rotated on impact.

Bates, Vanson and Z Custom leathers can custom make a jacket, 2 piece or full suit for you. Price is not too bad. Had a friend just out "putting around" fall off. He got 3rd degree burns on his forearm and shoulder...his leather jacket was hanging in the closet. He was only going about 45 when he fell.

He had to go to the hospital a couple of times a week to get his wounds scrubbed with a brush.:eek:

Even just putting around, you still have to watch out for the old lady in the 10 ton Buick or antfreeze in the lane.

Willow Springs is great fun. Did the Superbike school there.

Oh yeah...you can also get the jackets with "armor". Plastic plates in impact areas.

Good luck and have fun riding! :)
 
FWIW, I've recently gone back to a one-piece oversuit for when it's raining...means the leather's still there in the unlikely event etc etc.
 
Unfortunately my leathers were in the closet when the the truck hit me. Fortunately the First Gear ballistic nylon jacket wasn't. It also had hard armor built in (most leather doesn't) which was helpful as I landed on my elbows after flying across the intersection. The jacket didn't survive the accident although I did. It kind of acted like what you expect from a motorcycle helmet. One good crash and you throw it away and get another. While it was sacraficed in the process it did it's job. I should mention that I did not slide more than a dozen feet before coming to rest under a Toyota 4X4 truck waiting to make a turn so I can't attest to nylon's abrasion resistance at speed.

From what I know, sliding along the tarmac at high speed is still most enjoyable in real cowhide (the thick, hot kind).

Just My opinion as always.

jmx
 
I've been wearing a First Gear 'Kilimanjaro' jacket with excellent results. It has elbow, shoulder, and back padding, kevlar re-inforcement, velcro over zippers everything, and vents for warm weather riding. Excellent value, lightweight, and good protection.
 
The leathers I referred to above were actually my original Kiliminjaro. I still have it and was surprised to recently learn that they have replaced it with a synthetic model. The new one is probably better suited to all weather applications, but I love the old leather one. The original story was that it took the best parts of five whole hides to make one of those jackets. Original cost was over $700.00. From what I can tell, they kept the design the same for the most part. Does yours have the pop up Thinsulate neck warmer? I used to love that feature when going on early morning rides. I've tried to adopt it as just a casual jacket, but it's so heavy and the way the sleeves are designed (a little long and canted forward so when you grab the bars, they don't ride up) it's not that comfortable for wearing in a car. I can't bear to get rid of it, so one day I'll probably have to buy another bike to go with it.

jmx

PS The old model didn't have a built in back protector.
 
Like one of the posts above said

"What is your life worth?"

We know that hindsight is 20/20 so lets take a leaf out of that book!

Whats the jacket for? Protecting your joints so that they dont get 'cheese grated' away on the floor and you end up a cripple for the rest of your life!

If it costs $700 get it! You are telling me your life isnt worth it, how much would your insurance premiums go up the following year after you put in a claim for 100's of 1000's of $?

Life: You only get one!

Uncle Bob

"After a certain point, all dangers are equal"
 
I ride a Harley and prefer leather, for style, function and feel. With that said, I have a Aerostich Darien Jacket that is great ... when I'm not wearing leather.
 
Hi Spark-

Count me as another vote for Aerostich gear. If you're in the market for boots, their Combat Touring Boots (although expensive) are an absolute dream to wear.

Even though I ride a sportbike, my taste runs towards fairly traditional leathers. In 1999, I flew out to Portland, Oregon to get custom-fitted for some Langlitz Leathers, which are unbelievably nice. I was on their waiting list for about eleven months, so I wanted to ensure the fit was perfect.

Their "Columbia" jacket even comes with a leather-lined gun pocket. According to their literature, it is also appropriate for a softcover novel, "depending on what kind of day you'll be having..." When I arrived in Portland (beautiful, beautiful part of the world) for the fitting, I was treated like an old friend by Dave Hansen.

Hey, let me run. I may add a bit more to this message later.

~ Blue Jays ~
 
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