Bike Jackets

[Spaldo]

Righto so ive hooked my self up a bike now i need some protective gear, so iam looking at bike Jackets, my questions are, do the wet weather jackets give you enough protection and do they breath enough or should i only be looking at leather for day to day riding, and brands i should be stearing towards and anything i should be staying away from, i was going to go kevlar Jeans and some decent boots, are armoured gloves the go or a bit of overkill for the street, any info feed back or shops to look at suggestions or food for thought would be great ...cheers Spaldo

[hoffy]

whatever your comfortable in mate, with an emphasis on protection..with gloves go the more protection, the the first things to get rashed, go with some nuckle protection with a decent sized cuff

textile jackets can be just as good as leather depending on brand, get a summer/winter variant in one is a good idea so you dont bake in summer

[StevieD]

You really need to go and try on gear yourself at the shops or wherever, as gear for one person isn't neccesarily the best for another person, I've got 2 leather jackets (Alpinestar and one from the markets), 1 x one peice suit for the track, Dri Rider wet weather jacket and pants, 1 pair of summer gloves 2 pairs of winter gloves (gets cold in Canberra so you gotta build up the cold protection) and 2 pairs of leather sports gloves, 1 pair of Dri Rider Wet Weather boots and a pair of Sidi boots.

I've got one pair of Sartso Kevlar jeans, thinking of getting another pair myself (one in the wash and wearing one).

I wear all the protection all the time, even if it's just going down the shops, a mate of mine came off going around a bend/corner hit some gravel at about 60-70km's, rear wheel decided to go a different direction and he slid about 20-25 metres and only came out with some gravel rash on his right hip as the jacket rode up but about from that, thats all the injuries he sustained, the Kevlar jeans held up very nicely, the Denim part was torn to shreds but the Kevlar wasn't even torn or ripped or a mark on it, the Sidi boots saved his ankle as the bike was on top of it and grinding it into the bitumen. Most of the gear he gets is the Icon brand.

But as I said at the start what suits one person may not suit another, hope some of this helps

Steve

[tim]

If you want the best protection but you'll be cold in winter and warm in sumer go for a GOOD leather jacket.

Like Hoff said If you want reasonable protection and to be comfortable all year round buy a GOOD all weather mesh ventilated jacket with rain and arm long thermal liner.

If you want to be hot in summer, autumn and spring, warm in winter, dry day after day after day of rain, and well protected all the time go for a GOOD winter/rain touring jacket.

After commuting for 2 years I've accumulated all 3. HTH.

[philbo]

mate the best place i found in WA so far was 5 star yamaha about 15 mins north of rocky. they had the most leather accesories out of all the shops i went to. i got a good deal and good service. if i wasnt a kwaka man i would buy a bike from them at the drop of a hat. the other bikeshops i went to struggled to have a leather jacket!

[09sydrd]

or shops to look at suggestions or food

mate ,i scored a full berik leather 1 piece suit and boots the other day , hanging on the wall for $999 and ended up walking out the door with it for $570 cash , and matching boots rrp of $299 for $150 cash last week from parramatta bikebiz .

Actions motorbikes have a sale on 2 piece berik suits and cheap berik leather jackets.

Also try BikeGearWearhouse as they have good price riding gear and mail order service. They have a 1 piece relica race green /white kawasaki suit for $499.

All these places have online shops and do mail order ect

[Spaldo]

Thanks alot for the feed back guys, ive been looking alot on line at what is available, and prices , bit affraid to by on line case the sizes are all out of wack being american or english so on so on, so ill head down the shops looking for what ive spoted on the web and try some stuff on and see if they cant match the prices, ill be looking at getting a good leather jacket like the look of the shift jackets, and probably also a all weather mesh ventilated jacket with rain and arm long thermal liner that Tim has suggested,and also kevlar pants and of course some boots i also like the sidi boots..

[-b-r-e-n-t-]

Dude I just got myself measured up at a local shop and then bought my leather jacket and pants from the States. Saved myself $400 buying from the states than if I bought the same stuff here Doubt many Aussie retailers would be able to price match..?

[Chitchats]

whatever your comfortable in mate, with an emphasis on protection..with gloves go the more protection, the the first things to get rashed, go with some nuckle protection with a decent sized cuff

textile jackets can be just as good as leather depending on brand, get a summer/winter variant in one is a good idea so you dont bake in summer

+1, dont skimp on gloves. I use a textile jacket (teknic) full armour with removable winter lining very good, i was given a leather but it is a cheapy no armour and its heavy and hot. And dont forget your legs, the kevlar jeans are good and affordable.

[bishboy]

I've got a couple of jackets I'm looking to sell, price is very negotiable

check them out here http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic ... 17&t=31726

[philbo]

got your bike spaldo?

[Spaldo]

Na not yet still waiting on the phone call..!! Iam away out bush working at the moment and wont be back in Perth till the 11th Feb so its no big deal ,although i would like to have it so its in the safety of my Lock up Garage... iam trying to organise someone to go pick it up, having a bit of trouble with that though...trust is the issue and i can trust most my mates will be stupid on it...

[philbo]

Yeah too easy. I'm out at sea through the weeks now just doing weekly runs and home on weekends

[mikeman]

Hey guys, this seems like a relevant place to ask:

I'm keen on the Alpinestars jackets. Namely the Indy, GP Pro and 1-R. The two last ones offering somewhat more protection than the first. However I really like the Indy one.

Is 1mm of protection enough and have people seen this jacket to be able to comment if it's more than adequate for normal speeds of 60km/h?

Thanks in advance.

[Strika]

Hey guys, this seems like a relevant place to ask:

I'm keen on the Alpinestars jackets. Namely the Indy, GP Pro and 1-R. The two last ones offering somewhat more protection than the first. However I really like the Indy one.

Is 1mm of protection enough and have people seen this jacket to be able to comment if it's more than adequate for normal speeds of 60km/h?

Thanks in advance.

I recently bought an Alpine Stars Indy jacket with matching Apex pants. The jacket is near top line stuff in terms of protection. However, I will warn you, they are not a warm jacket. The ventilation on them works extremely well and I find if it is not over 24 degrees, I am cold in it!