Is this too much?

[Zombie Master]

It looks very good, ZM. It doesn't have the ventilation of my leather, but up in your climate, it would probably be very nice. I'd like it around Tahoe, but, even with the claimed cooler performance, I like ventilation when I get off the hill and down into Sacramento and Reno. Mine has chest, arm, and back vents - big ones.

I'm much more worried about getting too hot than cold. Sacramento must just bake the shit out of you in the summer. I was there last year in January and it was very pleasant.

[enigmaT120]

The "waterproof" brags for the transit leathers sure sound tempting. I rode home in a down pour again yesterday, and my Olympia Phantom 1-piece again leaked a little. 50 miles of wind and rain. I guess it's probably 6 years old. If I'm going to get wet anyway I may as well ride my bicycle and get a workout, instead of getting wet and fat.

[Jeff in W.C.]

When I got off at 70 mph on pavement, my First Gear leather jacket got mior road rash, every seam held perfectly, and I still wear it today.

I have NEVER seen ANY textile jacket live through a 70 mph pavement crash and look even 1/4 as good.

Textiles have many advantages, and I have two of them (summer mesh and a bad weather Technics jacket). All the textile manufacturers try to claim they are near leather in protection, or superior to leather in protection. It's BS. The best textile jackets can give great protection, but, like a helmet, they sacrifice themselves in the process of protecting you. Racers need protection that can take a high speed get-off, and still hold up well enough for them to hop back on a bike and race - still protected. Racers are still all wearing leather.

There's a reason.

So, I wouldn't every consider paying more for a textile jacket because I wanted it to still be useful after a high-speed crash. It's like a helmet: weigh fit, protection, and price, and assume it will be thrown away if it ever does it's protection job.

There was a BMW jacket (i think it was a predessor to Ralley Pro 2) hanging in the former Marin BMW dealership that was worn while during a get off at freeway speeds (at least that's what the sign said). The jacket had no significant blemishes or tears from the get off. The owner of the jacket, as MS suggests, considered the jacket to be a single use item as he replaced it with a newer one after the get, which is why it was hanging in the dealership.

[Garnet]

Wearable armor will offer the best protection, as long as you are wearing it. Lots of my rides start out as a quick trip to the corner store, and then the sun is shining, and one thing leads to the next and I'm an hour from home, where my armor would be hanging. But that's just me.

A proper fitting jacket with one or two arm adjusters and a belt or crotch strap will keep everything in place pretty well. Pants are a different mater. I've not tried on any that keep the knee armor really snug. That does have me thinking about a knee brace/armor set up.

Why are there almost no leather/textile hybrid jackets out there? One would think that leather overlays on the "impact areas" would be much easier and more comfortable than some of the high tech fabrics that are "just as good as leather".

[Major Softie]

Why are there almost no leather/textile hybrid jackets out there? One would think that leather overlays on the "impact areas" would be much easier and more comfortable than some of the high tech fabrics that are "just as good as leather".

Excellent question. I don't know, but I was wondering the same thing as we were having this discussion. The only hybrids I know of are the mesh jackets that have perforated leather sleeves.

By the way, the Motorcycle Superstore (I think this is who used to be "AMS") is having a big jacket sale:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/12 ... 1172970654

[Ridercam]

With a fine bike like yours, you need a transit suit from Aerostich. Imagine how good you will feel in a 1600 dollar leather suit. it has a sliming effect, gets women to notice you and respect from Harley riders. will last 10 years. If you die before then, you can be buried in the nicest suit you own.

[Garnet]

With a fine bike like yours, you need a transit suit from Aerostich. Imagine how good you will feel in a 1600 dollar leather suit. it has a sliming effect, gets women to notice you and respect from Harley riders. will last 10 years. If you die before then, you can be buried in the nicest suit you own.

Well, my fine looking bike,



is now just a campfire story.

I now ride a two wheeled Honda Civic.



And for my R26 at the bottom, I have a full Belstaff outfit that not only makes me hot and sweaty but also leaks and has no crash worthiness.

[Major Softie]

With a fine bike like yours, you need a transit suit from Aerostich. Imagine how good you will feel in a 1600 dollar leather suit. it has a sliming effect, gets women to notice you and respect from Harley riders.

I'm certain that anything that had a "sliming effect" would certainly get women to notice me, but I really doubt it would be in a good way.

[Ridercam]

As the product says...ride fast. take chances.

All I know is every ride with a stop at Starbucks, one can find good curves, adventure, danger, disappointment all served in short, tall, grande and vente sizes. Moreover, a suit like that is more than waterproof, it is built to take more than single spill and protect against a miscalculated situation.

[Sibbo]

I've got an old Belstaff or the Australian version thereof that I wear sometimes, for nostalgia's sake. It leaks a little, smells like and old oil skin and I love it .

I'd like a leather version but the leather Belstaffs are beyond ridiculous in price !

Is there a First Gear version ?