I am currently riding a Alpinestar textile mesh jacket. I am going to upgrade to a leather jacket this summer. There is a possibility I will buy the Ducati Fighter Textile Jacket bacause I love the looks, but I would rather have a leather that i can have for years and break in and show my kids how cool their dad really was.
One thing that bugs me is street bike jackets are flashy and IMO kind of make you look like a jerk. I'm not a track guy. I don't ride a crotch rocket (though id love an SBK), i'm more hooligan than anything.
can anyone recommend a nice leather jacket for me that isn't flashy, built well and safe? I like alpinestar, the ducati nero, but not really icon...
does anyone have experience with this Astar?
http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/helius_perforated_leather_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html (http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/helius_perforated_leather_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html)
the only thing that worries me is on the guy in the pictures, it looks like the arms are short.
thanks for your help, i got a month or two to figure this out, we still have snow...
Tourmaster Coaster?
http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/coaster_air_series_2_motorcycle_jacket.html (http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/leather_jackets_and_pants/tour_master/coaster_air_series_2_motorcycle_jacket.html)
A bit of a retro look - not flashy at all. I've got one and it's a good jacket, especially at the price.
Dianese makes a couple of more retro look jackets that might fit your bill.
I sure like my Vanson Leathers. I was just patient and watched e-bay and got real good buys on jacket and pants. They are tough, heavy, long lasting and have a great look ( at least I like 'em)
+1 on Vanson. I have a fully perforated Vanson that I absolutely adore: http://www.vansonleathers.com/dw/prod/jacket/csv2.html (http://www.vansonleathers.com/dw/prod/jacket/csv2.html) Found somebody willing to part with a brand new pair of matching pants on another board and now I have an extremely comfortable, relatively understated full suit.
I went from a one piece Alpinestars (too hot and inconvenient/unwieldy), to a textile suit (Stealth), back to leathers - this time two piece. In the winter I forgo the leather for my fieldsheer adventure jacket. The leather pants, though fully perforated, can even be worn in the winter with the proper accoutrements (long johns, jeans, and something wind blocking over).
And, WRT cost (they are pricey), I'd rather ride an SV wearing Vanson gear than a Duc wearing crappy stuff.
$.02
Me love my Vanson jackets. Both for the looks and the crashing. Dunno about their newer stuff in the last coupla years. The gear still looks good, but there have been complaints about decline in quality. I'm not sure how/if they got that worked out.
I was on the same boat and settled on a Ducati 80's jacket (the old black with white stripes version). It's a Dainese, with elbow and shoulder armor and space for a back protector. I mostly like the fact that it fits nice and close to my torso.
I have a VANSON the best, second to none
Quote from: M900 on March 01, 2010, 03:56:55 PM
I was on the same boat and settled on a Ducati 80's jacket (the old black with white stripes version). It's a Dainese, with elbow and shoulder armor and space for a back protector. I mostly like the fact that it fits nice and close to my torso.
Agreed. High quality, very slim fit.
Quote from: WarrenJ on March 01, 2010, 12:58:22 PM
I sure like my Vanson Leathers. I was just patient and watched e-bay and got real good buys on jacket and pants. They are tough, heavy, long lasting and have a great look ( at least I like 'em)
+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Vansons kick ass!!!!!
okay, so i think i found my contenders so far.
Ducati Fighter
(http://store.ducatiusa.com/dimg/d3ead9525f2b3e375475cfca9e12eb79.jpg)
Dainese Freddie Pelle (red? not a fan of the grey, not sure if red and white ill stay clean though)
(http://www.dainese.com/media/catalog/product/cache/209/front_image/450x560/8a02aedcaf38ad3a98187ab0a1dede95/1/5/1533610_L80_F.png)
alpinestar Helius
(http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0014/8868/Alpinestars_Helius_Leather_Jacket_zoom.jpg)
I'm digging the freddie pelle, and the helius right now. One thing is, dare i say, i might not always have a ducati...
what do you think of the jacket? i need to find an A-star dealer nearby that has this jacket
thanks guys!
Might take a look at Johnson also
http://www.johnsonleather.com/products.htm (http://www.johnsonleather.com/products.htm)
While the Fighter jacket looks cool - at least for me they are a no go. I've got a Dainese Santa Monica jacket that I picked up over the winter - that I cannot wait to ride. It fits excellently, moves well, and stretches in the right spots. I went to a local shot an treid on the Horizon - same as the Fighter, just sans the Ducati badging and it was stiffer and less easy to move in than the leather jacket, and didn't want to stretch at all to a ride like position.
I have/had Vanson stuff - and now I'm in the Dianese camp. The Vanson stuff was nice (and think!), but of jackets I've worn I prefer the Santa Monicas fit to the Vanson fit so far.
I don't like gear that has the Ducati branding all over it. Come to think of it, I don't like any kind of gear/apparel besotted with free advertising for a company, even one that makes stuff I buy. Though the two Ducati-branded jackets here are relatively subdued, I feel a higher percentage of Vanson gear is comparatively light on branding.
Quote from: Wonked on March 02, 2010, 08:08:56 AM
I don't like gear that has the Ducati branding all over it. Come to think of it, I don't like any kind of gear/apparel besotted with free advertising for a company, even one that makes stuff I buy. Though the two Ducati-branded jackets here are relatively subdued, I feel a higher percentage of Vanson gear is comparatively light on branding.
thats why im thinking that alpinstar jacket. the Dainese isn't bad, but there is a huge logo on the back, and that red and white is pretty flashy. the santa monica is nice, but $$$$$
buy my jacket! $50+shipping! Gear for sale!
okay enough of a plug. i really Dig Scorpions Stinger jacket. In white. ITs on sale for $163 @ sportbiketrackgear.com in red and blue.
Superior armor over alpinestars in my opinon. (unless they started using soft armor). i have their jacket pants and helmet. They also have great warranties and take care of their customers.
its pretty flashy though.
I have this and I love it. A* Dragster Jacket. It's a little on the pricey side, but I think it's worth every penny.
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2008_Alpinestars_Dragster_Leather_Jacket_Black_White.jpg)
By the way...How's it going? Are you still up there in K-Zoo? I'm loving it here in NC. Hope you're doing well.
Hey Dan, yeah doing good. Might be moving to Denver soon, wish us luck!
Quote from: He Man on March 02, 2010, 10:06:06 AM
okay enough of a plug. i really Dig Scorpions Stinger jacket. In white. ITs on sale for $163 @ sportbiketrackgear.com in red and blue.
its pretty flashy though.
no its not too too flashy, pretty cool.
im having a hard time findind a dealer that has the A-star Helius jacket in stock, or is willing to order it in so i can try one on. i think i have long arms....
I'm a big fan of Dainese, though its sometimes tough to find a jacket without a huge devil icon on the back. The fit is good. Vanson is good stuff if it fits, I went to the factory store and the person working there basically told me they don't make jackets for thin tall guys, I'd have to get a custom one, unless you want a big baggie thing which is not what you want on a motorcycle.
At the moment I'm kinda liking the Held Aras jacket, though the big stitched Held across the chest will get old quick. My current riding jacket is the Dainese Super 3 which is pretty anonymous but really well made.
6', 180 here. Vanson 44 fits me perfectly.
Quote from: Wonked on March 04, 2010, 10:44:28 AM
6', 180 here. Vanson 44 fits me perfectly.
thats pretty square in the normal build
add two inches and lose 15lbs and you are skinny and long armed...
Quote from: cutter on March 04, 2010, 10:53:02 AM
thats pretty square in the normal build
add two inches and lose 15lbs and you are skinny and long armed...
One man's normal is another man's tall. Just providing some sample numbers. :-)
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=5510 (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=5510)
nuff said
I like that Ducati jacket a lot, but I would remove the ducati patches if I got it. Looks too advertisement for me. At least with the a-stars, it's a symbol, not the brand spelled out so clearly. I have the sp-1 a-star jacket, very similar to the helio. I like it a lot and it has good protection.
Quote from: 696DCRider on March 04, 2010, 09:08:22 PM
I like that Ducati jacket a lot, but I would remove the ducati patches if I got it. Looks too advertisement for me. At least with the a-stars, it's a symbol, not the brand spelled out so clearly. I have the sp-1 a-star jacket, very similar to the helio. I like it a lot and it has good protection.
ill have to check that one out.
yeah some other people ere saying its too advertisey, but hey, your bike does the same thing right? and dainese makes that jacket too, with no logo on it.
but in the end, i think im going leather...
Here ya go and only $1200 :P
(http://www.rideicon.com/showImage.jsp?class_id=11301&image_type=fullsize&rank=100)
I suggest Dainese, Here's one of my favorates,
http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-lucky-pelle.html?gender=2&destinazione_uso=44&cat=12&subcat=13 (http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-lucky-pelle.html?gender=2&destinazione_uso=44&cat=12&subcat=13)
I have the cream and brown, not over the top, very casual, and high quality.
what about this:
(http://www.kneedraggers.com/image_storage/4/78/47810b5549ae3b4a830a223e7b5819fd_rough.jpg?height=520&width=580)
It's a Dainese, so the quality is there, Gore-tex leather, so you can wear it in the rain, the only badge is a small Dainese symbol on the shoulder, just adiff shade of black...
As for the price, it's only
1K...
i got a jacket from Himalaya leather
http://www.himalayaleather.com/products.php?cat=10 (http://www.himalayaleather.com/products.php?cat=10)
it was very inexpensive and broke in pretty quick but is still has a sturdy feel to it. i've been riding with it for under a year and it's standing up to the usual bug splatter and rain while allowing plenty of airflow in the summer months. not really a year round jacket with the perforated arms and stretchy armpit material, but it's working out great for the price.
(http://www.himalayaleather.com/popup/BL_234_BLK_RD.gif)
Quote from: Blackout on March 05, 2010, 07:29:11 AM
Here ya go and only $1200 :P
(http://www.rideicon.com/showImage.jsp?class_id=11301&image_type=fullsize&rank=100)
hahaha, yeah, this screams understatement... ;D
dainese laguna seca jacket? not so horribly expensive, although it has the logo front and back.
i was looking at the laguna seca, its nice, and it appears there is an all black one, if you look under the color options on their site, they show a nero / nero (black on black?)
Quote from: DucatiTorrey on March 06, 2010, 05:26:23 PM
i was looking at the laguna seca, its nice, and it appears there is an all black one, if you look under the color options on their site, they show a nero / nero (black on black?)
it seems motowheels have it on a great sale price. i bought one two months ago from the sf dainese store when i was there for a couple days (the black-white one), they also had a sale at that time. maybe the black-grey one is better if they do not have the black-black version. oh, and it is perforated, i am not sure that's a drawback or not for you.
the perf isn't too bad. ill check out motowheels
I think my next jacket will be a NJK Leathers custom. Starts at $450 and you can have it look like whatever you want.
http://www.njkleathers.com/jackets_leathers.php (http://www.njkleathers.com/jackets_leathers.php)
Quote from: Privateer on March 07, 2010, 07:05:55 PM
I think my next jacket will be a NJK Leathers custom. Starts at $450 and you can have it look like whatever you want.
http://www.njkleathers.com/jackets_leathers.php (http://www.njkleathers.com/jackets_leathers.php)
wow that is cool thanks for the link. Might very well be an option!
Summertime leather perforated, try: http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-air-pelle.html?gender=2&cat=12&subcat=13 (http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-air-pelle.html?gender=2&cat=12&subcat=13)
Its the Dainese Air Pelle. Of all the gear (DAINESE, Teknic, Olympia, H-D, Heine Gericke, Joe Rocket) that i currently own, the stuff I have the most confidence in is the Dainese. Everything else has had nagging quality / fit issues that leave me less than 100% satisfied.