Trouble choosing a Jacket.

[Ikasawak]

Is it just me, or do all motorcycle jackets with shoulder armor make you look like a gridiron player?
I'm a slim build 5ft 6" and having trouble finding a jacket that fits nice and snug, all the ones I've tried so far looks hilarious on me. (huge shoulders, slim waist and skinny legs)
Only use my bike for commuting to work, anyone got any suggestions?
Im looking for leather or textile with removable inner lining, must have sholder, elbow and back protection. Vents would be nice too.
Im willing to spend up to $600.

[Nelso]

Buy a leather jacket that can zip to leather pants so you can get the pants later on; and buy a proper back protector and take out the foam crap they put in all of the jackets. My textile jackets both look huge compared to my leather one but I rarely wear them so it's not much of an issue.

[ttc]

Go for the italian brands ie alpinestar, they're a slimmer fit

[dilligaf]

being slim beats the donut effect

[6maniac]

Geez, dilli ........ your avatar doesn't do you justice !

[dilligaf]

[6maniac]

[tim]

Is it just me, or do all motorcycle jackets with shoulder armor make you look like a gridiron player?
I'm a slim build 5ft 6" and having trouble finding a jacket that fits nice and snug, all the ones I've tried so far looks hilarious on me. (huge shoulders, slim waist and skinny legs)
Only use my bike for commuting to work, anyone got any suggestions?
Im looking for leather or textile with removable inner lining, must have sholder, elbow and back protection. Vents would be nice too.
Im willing to spend up to $600.

It's for commuting exclusively right....... sooooooo .....

For $600 I'd be buying 2 jackets!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
(1st Jacket)
Summer Textile

I've had a bit of a look around, and the RST "Ventilator" is the one I'd go for NOW for the coming summer!

I'm a slim fit and it fits me well and looks good I think.

A good textile jacket will keep you dry and comfy and cool/warm whatever required after a week of rain

But as people will tell you the protection isn't AS good as leather.... but being comfortable is important to your safety too because if you're uncomfortable/cold/sweaty/hot it might get in the way of your concentration.

I've worn the Winter Equivalent (RST Pro) for almost a year now and it's been perfect! Crash tested (high drop and long-ish slide) at 60km/hr, armour did its job, and the external stitching and material held together, just melted a bit

I've got a Dianese back protector in the jacket. I don't notice it's there at all.
----------------------------------------------------------------
(2nd Jacket)
Leather Jacket now, or wait until winter and get a winter textile.

If leather, it'd be for weekend rides and when the weather's not too hot or wet so you have better protection.

Or save your money and get a good big winter textile jacket for next winter.



Oh yeah I'm saying this to everyone now, for commuting buy some motorcross knee/shin protectors and wear them under ALL of the pants you commute in.... trust me, if/when you have an off it'll save you A LOT of pain

[Ratmick]

Being short and wide I'm fooked anyway. I have three jackets, a summer Spidi mesh for 27+ days, a leather Alpinestars for all day and a goretex textile Tiger Angels with matching bottoms for wet days.

I have to get pants custom made, I'm 5'5" and have thighs like a Christmas turkey .

Mick

[Nelso]

Tim, have you ridden in a leather jacket yet? I have a mesh jacket that never gets worn unless I'm staying in 60 zones and it's 35+ degrees. Why, because my leathers have ventilation in them and aren't that bad to ride in on hot days but offer so much more protection.

[tim]

Tim, have you ridden in a leather jacket yet? I have a mesh jacket that never gets worn unless I'm staying in 60 zones and it's 35+ degrees. Why, because my leathers have ventilation in them and aren't that bad to ride in on hot days but offer so much more protection.

Yeah as part of my Alpinestars 2 Piece Suit.

I did wear my mates Dianese leather Jacket commuting last summer and I sweated my ass off! (Thick leather, no ventilation)

As for my leather Jacket I've only gone through winter with it. It's got 3 small pockets which are hard to use, sits high on my waist (worried it will ride-up in an off and lets rain in my pants, but I'm tall and skinny so it happens)

It's c-c-cold on winter nights coming home, didn't last long.

My 3quarters length Textile jacket is a solid piece of gear. Much warmer than leather to commute, plenty of easy pockets, ventilation slots, slot for back protector.

BBUUUUUUUTTTTTT it's almost too hot in summer, so I'll probably be wearing my leather jacket all summer anyways with you Nelso , and maybe looking at a ventilated jacket to commute

I was influenced a lot by Sam in my purchase.
She said
"do you wanna be dry on day 2 of heavy rain?"
I said
"yes"
She said
"then you need this"

[dave#3]

I've got a set of Collins leathers which are punched - in winter they're pretty cold, in summer they're pretty hot and I hate wearing anything else - textile jackets make me feel very nervous these days, as do dragin jeans.

[Ikasawak]

Thanks guys for your advice,
I ended up purchasing a blue Alpinestar Octain Jacket, fits nicely.
You can check out a review here http://fliiby.com/file/360842/e99wty3pyl.html
Bought it from Helmet Warehouse for $499, I think I saved myself $200, it was the last one they had.

Thanks again

[merovingian]

If you are commuting you should still consider 2 jackets, I have 4 and could still go a second leather one I reckon

I commute 110-140 km per day in all weather and being prepared and setup so you dont carry a heap of crap around all the time is great.
My gear kit includes:

Jackets X 4
~ Shift SS Water Proof - wear this mostly
~ Shift Avenger - Summer or guaranteed good weather
~ DRY Rider climate control (rubbish in the wet, but with all the liners out its basically body armour and mesh, I wore this on the 40+ days last year)
~ Joe Rocket GPX (2 Pc Suit) - Mostly for weekend missions and track days when i get more time

Pants
~ Draggin Camo - Wear these most days
~ Draggin Cargos - Tan colour good for Fridays as its casual clothes in the office and you can leave them on
~ Joe Rocket GPX (attached to the jacket)
~ RJAY Waterproof over pants (always packed in my tank bag so i'm never caught out)

Gloves X 4
~ Super Thick Water Proof
~ Thin Water Proof
~ Thin Non Water Proof
~ Summer/Vented

I basically plan my jacket on the days forecast (in Melbourne this can be interesting) and carry waterproof pants and when its not DSL a clear visor for the ride home.