What's the best jacket for a motorcyclist?

Status
Not open for further replies.
golok

golok

Joined
Oct 20, 2000
Messages
4,453
I always put on my army jacket (Nato style) whenever I get on my bike.
I have seen some bikers wearing those leather jackets with studs and rows of zips.

On the practical side, I would like to have something that doesn't prove too warm for the tropics. Afterall, Malaysia is near the Equator.

But the rain, wind and dust can be quite problem at times so I would like a jacket that can stand the strains and stresses of riding under the hot sun and if need be, under a heavy shower as well.

Any recommendations?
:)
 
Look into a cordura jacket.

I have a Joe Rocket jacket that is pretty nice. Can't remember what the name is, but it's got a liner that snaps in and out. The Ballistic it's called.

I'm in NW Washington and I think the weather is much cooler here.

Good Luck
 
Sorry, but on this topic I am prejudiced.

I wore a genuine Harley-Davidson horsehide jacket the entire +25 years that I rode hogs. It was beat, but nothing ever let go.
 
Although leather is "de rigeur", I recall reading that nylon and other synthetics "slid" better in case of a crash, causing less in the way of abrasions, contusions, and so forth.

I did not care to test the idea myself. In the summer, I always wore a drawsting-waist nylon windbreaker over my police uniform when I rode to work. I had a nice leather jacket as well, one of those that was not supposed to look like a "motorcycle" jacket.
 
Be careful with any synthetics that melt when heated.

A hi-tech mid-weight jacket from your local high end camping and backpacking store might prove to be what you need.
 
I use a standard issue CHP motorcycle jacket,made of horse hide,picked it up at Greenwood uniforms, in San berdoo calif. George
 
Originally posted by Ichabod Poser
Sorry, but on this topic I am prejudiced.

I wore a genuine Harley-Davidson horsehide jacket the entire +25 years that I rode hogs. It was beat, but nothing ever let go.
Click to expand...

And I'd be willing to bet that they don't make them that tough anymore.
 
They make a variety of motorcycling specific jackets. I've field tested the abrasion resistance of a couple of different designs from Firstgear. In a 40 mph get off on asphalt when a brain dead blonde just changed lanes over me, I slid in their leather and still have it 15 years later. It does have a bit more carecter now, but survived and still has lots of life left.

I also tried putting one of their nylon enduro jackets to the test whilst getting T boned by a van doing 50mhp. The Jacket was sacraficed in the event, but protected my upper body well. The hard armor really worked to save my elbows. Unfortunately there was no such protection for my lower half, but that's another story and I've mostly healed and can walk ok.

I haven't ridden much since that last major accident, but Firstgear used to be pretty top of the line.

Aerostich stuff has also always received top reviews, although I never did get one of their suits or jackets.

jmx
 
Originally posted by K Williams
I consider a Vanson leather(with armor) jacket to be the top of the line...

I have an 11 year old Vanson Highwayman Jacket(I think $500+; Harley style) and it's the heaviest leather I've seen.

It is as nice as when I bought it and will last forever.

As long as it's 40 degrees out; I can ride just with it and a T-shirt.

I also have the one piece chaps.

I can't say enough good about Vanson.

I just read where you said for the tropics. :o :D :o
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by jmxcpter
They make a variety of motorcycling specific jackets. I've field tested the abrasion resistance of a couple of different designs from Firstgear. In a 40 mph get off on asphalt when a brain dead blonde just changed lanes over me, I slid in their leather and still have it 15 years later. It does have a bit more carecter now, but survived and still has lots of life left.

jmx
Click to expand...

The same thing happened to me in November 2002. The guy made a lane change without looking or signalling. I went down on my left side tore up my bike(Kawi ZX-12R) and hurt my ankle.
 
Vanson by far! I have worn mine for a while now, and it will last close to forever. But you'll pay for the quality.
 
I like Langlitz motorcycle jackets. Have had mine forever and they wear like iron. Cannot beat Langlitz Leather.
 
Just my 2 cents and not trying to upset anyone but I NEVER ride without wearing a leather jacket (proper motorcycle one not fashion statement that has proper armour and stitching at vulnerable points - make is less important)jeans that are armoured if not leather, gloves and boots made to stand up in a crash. I've been down the road and it smarts, without protection I would have had more than a few injuries that needed attention. It still hurt for months.
Of course here in the UK the weather is a lot cooler and you don't over heat so much when covered in cow hide!
Cordura jackets that are armoured (needs to be CE marked over here to prove it will actually work if needed)will do.
I've only ever riden once in a T shirt to watch some bike racing close to home. Took it easy. On the way back I saw a bike get T boned across the road. He was wearing leathers. In a T-shirt.......?
I'm always defending bikes here against arguements that they are dangerous etc (you know the stuff). You take your chances and look out for the cages. But I would want to know that if I get tagged I'll at least have a chance of coming through in one piece and without the need for skin graphs etc.
Each to their own. Be safe, whatever.
 
I just remembered having the oddest experience with a "motorcycle" jacket. Way back when I started riding, a friend gave me a standard police-type motorcycle jacket, complete with the gunbelt loops and all. Pretty cool, actually. The odd thing was, the thing had weird aerodynamic properties. When I wore it, the bike would "weave" slowly back and forth. Thought it was the bike till it got warmer and I wore a lighter jacket- no weaving. Put the police jacket back on, and the weaving came back. Strange! Nothing uncontrollable, just a slow drifting back and forth across a few inches of road.

This was on a small-bore (350 class) bike; might not have affected something bigger.
 
20 year old thread.

But I have a berik jacket that is leather and mesh. So I us this massive rugged thing. But also let's some heat our.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top