[kuhlka]

So far I've had the Triumph Cafe jacket as seen in some of my photos and its been great, although its stiffened up and wrinkled a bit from all the rain/dry rain/dry I've been in and out of over the past 2 years. I DO NOT recommend that jacket for any kind of rain riding as the two front pockets AND inside pocket let water in via the zipper. I've ruined two cell phones from that and plan to carry at least one ziplock with me wherever I go should it happen again.

I also have the Hein Gericke Timbuktu Air jacket, which is AWESOME in the rain. Totally waterproof and comfy, although their XL is a bit too big and their L is a bit too small in the shoulders for me. I have a L Urban jacket that looks almost the same (urban camo arms) and is way tight in the shoulders unless I take the liner out. Otherwise, I love Hein Gericke jackets. I'd say my only complaint is that the liner's zipper often gets caught when trying to zip the jacket up. The little flap that covers the zipper is too close and gets jammed.

I recently bought a Shift jacket and it has been great. Can't remember the model, but I think its called the Split or something because it is half leather half textile. The jacket is all black but it breathes great in the neck and wrists so I stay nice and cool when I'm out jetting on the sunny days.

 

[Guest]

I've had a couple of Joe Rocket and wasn't too impressed. I still have a JR textile 3/4 Ballistic that lives in the closet because it isn't worth my while to sell it for the $60 it's worth on Ebay.

I currently use a Triumph Redline jacket. They were discontinued in the USA (but not anywhere else in the world) so I got it cheap from US dealer ($200US vs almost $600CDN at my dealer). There is no liner, which is fine because I use a Dentik windproof/waterproof jacket underneath (one of the best $130 I ever had spent on me--Xmas present) It is totally windproof--no more drafts. Draftiness was what I hated about textile jackets.

 

[Guest]

I've had a Triumph Vented Raptor. Great armor but the ventilation wasn't so good. It was a bit large so I sold it. I've got two Vansons, perf leather and nylon mesh. The leather is awesome but they are STIFF when new. The mesh is also great when the temps get above 90 here in FL.

 

[slack_cat]

I have 2 Vanson jackets and a Marsee jacket. I liked the Marsee a lot because it was very versatile but after I bought the Vanson jackets I do not wear it any more. The Vanson leather feels very protective. I have the Vanson Mark2 and a fully perforated Mark 2. The fully perf one works really well in the NC spring and summer. They are expensive so I bought both of mine off of eBay and would do it again.

 

[AlaskaS3]

I love my jacket. It fits excellent, good ventilation, and feels thick enough to protect well through anything.

 

[KarmaPunk]

I love anything Alpinestars!

 

[dfib]

I just picked up an Icon Tarmac mesh jacket (for close to 1/2 off) - It is soooo nice to be comfortable (read - not sweating like only a fat man can) while riding - between then new jacket and the fieldsheer mesh pants I picked up a month ago I should be good to ride all summer long! ;D In comfort no less!

 

[Catahoulabulldog]

I have a JR textile atomic... its light, and comfortable. I usually wear my teknic perforted leather its very cool being completely vented, and of course the full armor and nothing protects like leather.. I switch between the ICON leg armor and Jeans, and alpinestars cargo pants.. and of course I run the alpinstars smx boots comfortable, but warm.. I do like the A*'s stuff in general...

 

[BUCKET]

Anyone tried the IXON leather jackets and pants,wondering what the fit was like of the shelf for someone like me,5ft8inches 90kg(short and stocky)
Bucket ???

 

[dfib]

I just picked up an Icon Tarmac mesh jacket (for close to 1/2 off) - It is soooo nice to be comfortable (read - not sweating like only a fat man can) while riding - between then new jacket and the fieldsheer mesh pants I picked up a month ago I should be good to ride all summer long! ;D In comfort no less!

It appears that this textile gear holds up well in low/med speed crashes!
Neither jacket or pants had significant tears.... I popped the snap on the collar of the jacket, but it was always a little tight anyway.

 

[milq]

Just got to check out the new TourMaster "Flex" ($199.99 USD)
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=35&cat=3

It has 2 removable liners, one is quilted (full sleeve) and the other is a waterproof liner that fits between the quilted and the outside of jacket (or you can take it out altogether)

The outside has zips that travel up the sleeves and all around.......so you can zip off about half of the exterior cordura and it is mesh underneath. (There is a pocket to stow this in as well)

It also has adjusters on sleeves and waist to take up slack when you remove the linings, microfiber lining at neck/throat and sleeve cuffs. The usual shoulder/elbow armour as well as an extra long tail with some padding.

VERY slick item, it would replace two or three jackets easily. I saw it in a magazine and sought one out at a honda dealer near here, the mag gave it good reviews and my initial impression was such that I immediately asked for one that would fit me as the XL was too small. Sadly XXL and XXXL are not expected to ship until Feb. in any color.

The shop was cool, they gave me a $20 discount since I had to wait so long for it and ordered both a 2X and 3X to cure any fitment problems!

 

[BillT]

I wear the Triumph 'Rochester' mesh jacket most of the time. Tourmaster 'Draft' mesh jacket is my backup. Cold weather riding, I use my Frank Thomas 'Strike-2' perforated leather jacket (50F is 'cold' weather in SoFla) ;D ;D

Sizes are consistent - 50, 48, 50 ;D

 

[BigRedandRiding]

I can't recommend Vanson's Leather enough. I also can't afford to pay full price for them since they are mega-expensive and many vendors have a limited selection of size/styles.

So, that said, I highly recommend any East Coast riders to consider a trip to the factory in Fall River, MA. Aside from the fact that it's cool to see tons of cool gear in this old facorty building, you MUST check out their "MAKE ME AN OFFER racks.

They have dozens of jackets that you can get for something like half price. They are old styles, returns, returns of custom orders, slightly cosmetically damaged, etc. They look comepletely brand new, and if there's a logo or something you don't want on the jacket they'll change it at the store while you wait - for free. Bonus - if you go during their Spring or Fall Open House, they have a small but cool event in the parking lot.

It's on the coast near Rhode Island & north of Connecticut and even though I'm in NJ, it was well worth the trip. (I scored 2 jackets for myself and 1 for my wife - only wish I had bought gloves, too).

 

[limebone]

+1 on the Vanson, I've got a Fieldsheer leather jacket for cool weather and a Vanson fully perforated for warmer riding. Not that the Fieldsheer is bad, just that the Vanson is GREAT!!!

 

[briank]

I love my jacket. It fits excellent, good ventilation, and feels thick enough to protect well through anything.

hey alaska i have the shift streetfighter jacket what model is that?

 

[Spidey]

I use the Tourmaster/Cortech "Breeze" jacket in the Summers. All mesh and nice armor. Gets good airflow for those hot-ass Texas Summers. In Winter I wear my Joe Rocket leather "Sonic" jacket. It has a zip-out liner, zipper vents in the arms and back. I've went down once on my Duc in that jacket and it worked like a charm. Not a scratch on me, other than some minor rug-burn type shit and a broken hand, but the jacket worked well. Has padded armor which was pretty effective.

 

[Andhedrew]

I have a Vanson Cobra perforated leather jacket that I used last year. VERY heavy and very hot in the summer but it does give and awesome feeling of protection.

I've recently purchased the Triumph Tornado II and Rochester Mesh jackets. The Tornado fits like a glove and works well against the wind but is not ventilated. Haven't had nice enough weather to try out the Rochester but I like the fit and feeling though I could have lived without the big "Triumph" logo acrossed the back. I am very impressed with the quality of both of these jackets after having tried on a number of others (Icon, Joe Rocket, Teknic, etc.).

Oh, I am a true suit-size 40 and the Triumph 40 jackets fit me perfectly. I bring this up because I've read in other forums that Triumph jackets run small. I think some guys are under the illusion that their highschool size pertains to their current sizes. ;D My Vanson is a 42 and is a bit baggy so I believe that Vansons probably run true too.

 

[crashmasterd]

I have two Triumph jackets, and both have run small. One stupidly so. I wear a 42 regular in most brands.

My first Triumph jacket I really really like. I can't remember what they called it, but I've had it for over 10 years and except for crash damage it's still in great shape. It's a size 46! (Euro 56) and fits me perfectly. I still wear it all the time, and I got the greatest comment from a cute 25 year old girl the other day. A classmate who I wasn't hitting on.

"I really like your jacket, particularly how you've distressed it!"

"Sweetheart, that isn't distressed. I got all that wear out of it the honest way- by riding and crashing in it."

"OOOooooh."

Recently I bought a Triumph Westborne jacket. It's a size 44 and fits pretty good. The 42 fit me better in the arms, but the shoulders were just too narrow. After riding some in the size 44 I've determined that the arms fit fine. They're just a little long so they don't slide up when you're riding. So far I really like this jacket too. Looks good and feels very protective. Must get some back armor for it though.

 

[Bichomalo]

:afro: Tour Master mesh jacket Cheap and good I put the Triumph Patches on it So it's a Tour Master Triumph Mesh jacket for half the price
:hal:

 

[Roulettetriple]

Alpinestars SMK...great quality and fits perfect. The sizes run really small though. I also wear a 42, but had to get the 46 (56)