Need leather jacket recommendation for bike riding.

[JOERM]

I want to buy a leather jacket for warm or hot weather bike riding and would like to know if someone here would have a suggestion. There are a billion choices out there and they are expensive to buy and hope it is what I want. Even if you could tell me what NOT to buy would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.

Joe

 

[zercool]

If you want a warm- or hot-weather jacket, get synthetic. I rode with my leathers in warm weather, and it's just unbearable.

 

[Senior Citizen]

Originally posted by JOERM:
Even if you could tell me what NOT to buy would be welcomed. Thanks in advance.
Joe

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

DON'T buy a spandex one!

SC

 

[Bassamatic]

Joe, It gets hot in Missouri but I still wear my leathers. Don't notice it while moving but if I stop, it warms up real quick and I peel it off. Fact is nothing protects you like leather so I just put up with it. I wear Dickie pants, the once with reinforced front legs, and they work out real well.

Right now I am looking for some good motorcycle boots, my cowboy boots just ain't working out like I thought.

I want the 8-10 inch with the side zips. I'm cheap so I don't want to put much more that a bill into them.

For good buys on leather check out www.leatherup.com

 

[Rikkn]

Joe, go to BELLISSIMOTO.com , from main page, on left click on PROTECTIVE GEAR, if something there interests you, or you need recommendations, call Randall at 702-285-1101, tell him you are a S&W Forum member, he will help you out and give you a good deal ( if he doesn't, I'll cancel the internet service !!

.

 

[JOERM]

Thanks guys, I'll check it out. The nylon jacket I have now is fine in cold rainy weather but not so good in hot weather. It has protection pads on the shoulders and elbows which is good.

I want a black leather jacket to match my leather pants.

Thanks for letting me know what not to get because spandex was on the top of my list before the leather idea popped up.

 

[m657]

Langlitz Leathers http://www.langlitz.com/

I wore my goat skin leathers thru tens of thousands of miles of desert heat, coastal rain, and just plain joyous days in supreme comfort regardless of weather, sun, cold, etc.

Western cut pants with leg zippers undone, worn over sports shorts, made a wonderful style of air conditioning if I left the arm zippers undone on the Columbia River style Classic jacket. It was an unexpected pleasure at first to find how well the supple buttery-compliant goat skin works vs the old stiff cowhide.

Maybe synthetic has something better now, haven't tried 'em.

 

[scooter123]

I have a Heine Gericke Scout that I use for riding. It cost a bit more than a new J frame now costs but it's a great riding jacket. The lining is removable for warm weather riding and it is fully vented. Yeah, you can get broiled in it in stop and go traffic but by opening the vents and the front zipper a bit you can cool down quickly once moving. I should also note that my bike is water cooled and it can be a broiler in stop and go traffic even if I am wearing a T Shirt, which I no longer do. I'm old enough now that I wear my leathers even when it's a bit warm.

IMO, when it comes to riding leathers, you get what you pay for. I started out with cheap outerwear and it was either to hot or too cold. Quality leathers designed for, and by, riders have ventelation and lining features that the cheaper stuff doesn't. My Hein Gerricke has proven to be comfortable in temperatures ranging from the mid 20's to about 85 degrees. For me the rather high price was worth it's adaptability. In addition after 9 years of riding and bug splats it still looks pretty good. While it no longer looks brand new it's fra from looking trashed so it's been a very good value.

PS, just looked at the Hein Gerricke USA web site. It seems that they have moved down market and no longer make the Scout. If and when I ever find I actually need a new riding jacket I may have to do some shopping around.

 

[29aholic]

Originally posted by zercool:
If you want a warm- or hot-weather jacket, get synthetic. I rode with my leathers in warm weather, and it's just unbearable.

+1
I have a ballistic nylon Bellstaff I wear in the summer. It is typhoon proof (trust me I know), but has vents that you can open when it's hot. It has the armor padding in it, which I removed, and a removable liner for colder weather.

I have an older HD brand leather jacket with the built in kidney plate, but it is hotter than hell

 

[feralmerril]

Zercool has it right. I havent rode for a long time, but I almost lived on them for a number of years. They only look impressive, nice if you slide on the pavement though. Cold in winter and you smell like a horse. I went through a number, still have one. I had a regular police issue and I bet it weighed 30 pounds. If you really use them for rideing you need the sleeves about 4"s longer than you would guess. I once bought cheap a imitation police cheap plastic one and I was comfortable rideing in winter snow or frezzing rain. Sweat like a evangelist. In my experience the cheapest was the best. My cop leather one had a built in holster for my snub. That was cool.

 

[Snapping Twig]

I'm wearing Tourmaster.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/tm/ct/

Excellent armor, ventilation, waterproof - what's not to like?

 

[E Z MUNNY]

What size are you? I have a custom made Vanson black leather jacket that is about a size 40 that I could give a pretty good deal on since I quit riding bikes several years ago. It is just about like new.

 

[JOERM]

Originally posted by E Z MUNNY:
What size are you? I have a custom made Vanson black leather jacket that is about a size 40 that I could give a pretty good deal on since I quit riding bikes several years ago. It is just about like new.

I don't know what size 40 is but I'm 6' 4" and 265 lbs. My arms are kind of long. Normally I'd wear a XXXL jacket. What is size 40?

Joe

 

[feralmerril]

Sounds like yer out of luck, joerm. You are something like me and need a 52 or so.

 

[Rikkn]

Vanson makes a great jacket, but a 40 is wayyyyy to small for you Joe. Best bet is to shop for size, then order off the net. I had a Vanson custom made back in 1978, still works and looks great.

 

[Muley Gil]

Try Fox Creek Leather in Independence, Virginia.

www.foxcreekleather.com

 

[m657]

Joerm:

If you're at all interested in goatskin, my Langlitz were built for me when I was 5'11" & 260...Jacket was 52-54....and we could trade for some of them spare S&Ws you've tucked away...

 

[feralmerril]

Hey, I think I got a old collarless one stored in the garage that is even bigger than me, and I am 6 ft 1" and close to 3 spins on the scale. Whatcha got?

 

[JOERM]

Originally posted by feralmerril:
Hey, I think I got a old collarless one stored in the garage that is even bigger than me, and I am 6 ft 1" and close to 3 spins on the scale. Whatcha got?

I hope I never get past 1 spin!

Again, thanks for all the input, I'll spend some time on the net this weekend checking all the leads out.

Joe

 

[JOERM]

Originally posted by m657:
Joerm:

If you're at all interested in goatskin, my Langlitz were built for me when I was 5'11" & 260...Jacket was 52-54....and we could trade for some of them spare S&Ws you've tucked away...

I may take you up on your offer after I check Langlitz website. Not too many S&W's tucked away these days though. Oh wait, I forgot about the one behind the...and the one on top of the...and the one next to the...oh crap! I forgot about the one in the wood shed!

I'll get back to you soon and if you are serious what sort of dollar figure are you thinking here?