Dainese Delmar Leather jacket Review

[ChiDuc]

Where are you in SE Ohio?  I'm an Ohio U grad, originally from Cleveland - go Bobcats!   

Done much riding in the jacket the last couple (warmer) days?  I'm pretty set on this jacket, but I'm having a hard time deciding between the perf and non-perf version for Chicago (buying both is out of the question right now).  It gets hot and humid up here in the summer, but it doesn't last that long.  I'm torn between sticking with the non-perf version and toughing it out from late-June through early-August, or going with the perf and some sort of windbreaker over-jacket for cooler weather.

I bought a Dainese Newsan w, Bubble lining back in late October and have found that since it's not perfed it is much warmer than the perfed Delmar that I initally bought which stands to reason .

I will probably get one of the Ducati Corse leather Jackets by Dainese.

It comes w, the bubble lining .

I haven't  ridden since the middle of Nov. since the weather here just sunk into Winter w, highs in the 30s and then the 20s  w, either rain or snow .

I'm pretty bummed about going from the 70s to the 30s overnight and that's the way it's been .

The only time it warms up is when it blows 20-30 mph and rains and then the cold front comes through that night .

Now it's just way to cold for me to even think about riding .

High today was in the teens w, 30 mph winds, wind chill factor -10.   Dolph     

[DoubleEagle]

Where are you in SE Ohio?  I'm an Ohio U grad, originally from Cleveland - go Bobcats!   

Done much riding in the jacket the last couple (warmer) days?  I'm pretty set on this jacket, but I'm having a hard time deciding between the perf and non-perf version for Chicago (buying both is out of the question right now).  It gets hot and humid up here in the summer, but it doesn't last that long.  I'm torn between sticking with the non-perf version and toughing it out from late-June through early-August, or going with the perf and some sort of windbreaker over-jacket for cooler weather.

I'm about 1/2 hour NW of Athens. about 10 minutes off Rt. 33. I haven't ridden since Nov.14. Wear the wind breaker under the Jacket if you get a perfed  one.

Do you tend to be warm blooded or in other words how does the heat of Summer affect you and your riding ?  Does the heat bother you ?

ChiDuc, for me , I take some medications that makes me heat intolerant .So when it gets above 70 degrees just standing in the Sun I get heat illness.

If I'm riding above 35 mph I can stand 80 degrees if I have a perfed leather Jacket & perfed leather Pants. . The non-perfed Delmar seems to flow enough air when moving above 35 mph that even though it's black it's ok for me even at 80 degrees.

The perfed one wasn't available when I bought my Delmar but my best riding time is when the temps are in the 60s which would be Spring and late Fall when I wouldn't need a perfed Jacket.

When ever it gets into the higher 80s and 90s , I can't ride since I won't ride without full leathers and a Safety Jacket under my leather Jacket , Full Face Helmet and  Racing Boots & Gloves. 

I need to ride in the hills and the Wayne National Forest where traffic is usually sparce and I can ride at a pretty fast pace so as to get caught up in slow traffic in the heat.

Riding through the little towns even  Nelsonville or Logan on a day when it is above 75 with the heat that my " R " emits will cause me great concern quickly .

Once I break a sweat that's when I know I'm in trouble. From July to Sept. if the weather is " Hot " I may not ride for 10 days until a cool Front comes through .

I go to Athens from time to time and it's not an easy town to ride around in, especially when it is hot.

I prefer to stick to RT. 56 and 93 , 328 and 664 on either side of RT. 33 , out to Lake Hope , over toward the Caves and the State parks , 180 , even 13 and any and all the roads that criss cross the area.      Dolph       

[ChiDuc]

I'm about 1/2 hour NW of Athens. about 10 minutes off Rt. 33. I haven't ridden since Nov.14. Wear the wind breaker under the Jacket if you get a perfed  one.

I know just about exactly where you are.  As far as windbreaker, I was thinking along the lines of underarmour or similar, though I see in earlier posts that's not the best option.

Do you tend to be warm blooded or in other words how does the heat of Summer affect you and your riding ?  Does the heat bother you ?

Truth be told, this will be my first time doing any significant riding of any description.  I'm relatively new to the sport.  In general, though, I can stand heat for a moderate length of time, but when I get hot, I'm done.  There's not much middle-ground.

If I'm riding above 35 mph I can stand 80 degrees if I have a perfed leather Jacket & perfed leather Pants. . The non-perfed Delmar seems to flow enough air when moving above 35 mph that even though it's black it's ok for me even at 80 degrees.

The perfed one wasn't available when I bought my Delmar but my best riding time is when the temps are in the 60s which would be Spring and late Fall when I wouldn't need a perfed Jacket.

Where does the jacket flow most of the air?  Chest vents?  Does the stretch fabric let much air through?  The summers up here aren't as hot and muggy as what you get down there.  It rarely gets much above 80 here, though there is humidity to contend with.  How does the 3D liner in the jacket handle high-humidity?

I'm leaning towards a white, non-perf'd jacket right now.  Seems like it might be a good compromise.

I prefer to stick to RT. 56 and 93 , 328 and 664 on either side of RT. 33 , out to Lake Hope , over toward the Caves and the State parks , 180 , even 13 and any and all the roads that criss cross the area.

I really miss it down there, and try to go back whenever I can.  As a matter of fact, I'm heading down this weekend with some friends here: http://www.hockinghills.com/ez/ezthird-cabin.htm.  While our first time at this particular cabin, we rent a cabin in the Hills every year and it's always a great time.

If anyone reading this is looking for a great riding destination, I heartily recommend Southeast Ohio/Western West Virginia.  Rent a cabin, hang out for a weekend... you won't be disappointed.

[DoubleEagle]

I know just about exactly where you are.  As far as windbreaker, I was thinking along the lines of underarmour or similar, though I see in earlier posts that's not the best option.

Truth be told, this will be my first time doing any significant riding of any description.  I'm relatively new to the sport.  In general, though, I can stand heat for a moderate length of time, but when I get hot, I'm done.  There's not much middle-ground.

Where does the jacket flow most of the air?  Chest vents?  Does the stretch fabric let much air through?  The summers up here aren't as hot and muggy as what you get down there.  It rarely gets much above 80 here, though there is humidity to contend with.  How does the 3D liner in the jacket handle high-humidity?

I'm leaning towards a white, non-perf'd jacket right now.  Seems like it might be a good compromise.

I really miss it down there, and try to go back whenever I can.  As a matter of fact, I'm heading down this weekend with some friends here: http://www.hockinghills.com/ez/ezthird-cabin.htm.  While our first time at this particular cabin, we rent a cabin in the Hills every year and it's always a great time.

If anyone reading this is looking for a great riding destination, I heartily recommend Southeast Ohio/Western West Virginia.  Rent a cabin, hang out for a weekend... you won't be disappointed.

ChiDuc, as best as I can remember the 1st day I wore my Delmar I was sweating from getting geared up . It was in the upper 60s outside.

I had an Under Armor Long sleeve T-neck on and when I got on the road I could feel the cooling from the sweat evaporating . It felt like Air Conditioning, (I got a chill) .

It felt like the air was flowing all around my Torso. With the zippered air vents in the upper chest area , a fair amount of air would enter or I should say be pulled in since the back vents create a good flow thru system.

The Jacket has a zipper vent on each side of the back of the Jacket so the faster you go the more the air gets pulled through the Jacket.

I haven't gotten over into Western W.Va. . I find that there are so many great rides within a 50 mile radius of home .

I usually ride 100-150 miles as fast as I can get away with. I have to stop about every 30-40 miles to drink water and stretch since I have been riding the " R " almost exclusively this last season after I recuperated from my crash.

I like to think of myself as the " Prince of the Hocking Hills."  Not the King , just the Prince. With a broken Rib that won't ever heal , Osteo Arthritis of both knees and hips , lookin' at 60 this Summer ,  I won't  ever be  the " King ." 

Although I dislike Ohio in the Winter, and the Heat of Summer, ( if I didn't know better) I'd say that the Hocking Hills are truly " Heaven "  in Spring and Fall.     Dolph     

[ChiDuc]

Thanks for the info!  Yours is the unperforated jacket, correct?  I'm leaning in that direction.  Since I can have only one jacket right now, I'd rather have one that extends the riding season a bit, rather than one that may shorten it.