Need advice and opinions on jacket

[TinStar]

Since I'm gearing up to ride again, I could use some advice for a jacket from other Texas riders.

Specifically I'm looking for an enduro style, such as the Air Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro, Olympia AST or Darien.

The last Goretex riding jacket I owned was a Malcolm Smith Enduro and I got so hot in it riding offroad even in winter that I'm leary of getting a similar.

My intentions were to use my Marmot 2 layer goretex backpacking shell and rain pants as rain gear, putting the jacket over my riding jacket in bad weather. This still may be an option but I'm not sure it will fit over a riding jacket with pads, etc. plus the hood doesn't roll into the collar and the air sucks it out when riding.

So now I'm thinking maybe blow that off and just buy a rainproof jacket like one of the above. I'm sure the Kili, Darien and AST are good for rain and cold, but I'm afraid they'll be sweat bags here in Texas. The Air Kili sounds like maybe it will be cooler for riding here, but the thought of whatever is in the pockets getting soaked in a rain isn't appealing either.

I'd like to hear what some of you use and like or dislike. Have you found a setup that works well in Texas and also when you hit the mountains in Colorado or Montana?

Thanks!

Joseph

[bushwhacker]

i have the first gear trekker that i like. it is the model previous to the kilimanjaro. It is waterproof and will keep you reasosably warm into the 30's,

with the liner out and the vents open you can wear it up to the 70's as long as you are moving,

if you don't care about the latest model you can get the trekker here for $99 (the original msrp is about $300)

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=50-4143

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[The Bruce]

I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix about 80% of the time. It's mesh is larger so with the increased airflow I can wear it up to 100 even when riding behind the windshield on the LC. It's snug fitting and with the liner and a sweatshirt it's good down into the low 40's. I have a rain jacket and pants to wear over if it's raining. Adding the rain jacket layer provides even more temperature range.

[Kidder]

I like my Tourmaster Cortech 3/4.

[Ghost Rider]

The cheapest solution is to buy a Kayaking top big enough to fit over your riding gear. Bought a closeout rip-stop windproof/waterproof top for a fraction of the price of a high end rain suit. Neoprene cuffs and collar keep out the wet and cold. If it feels too warm, then I loosen the draw string at the bottom of the jacket and loosen the collar.

I also own a Kilimanjaro that has seen plenty of action this winter. It vents well and has a liner that can be removed. The various configurations of the Kili allow it to cover a wide spectrum of riding climates, but I have yet to find any jacket that is "comfortable" during the peak of summer in Texas. If it were not for my aversion the skin grafts, I would not even wear my mesh Joe Rocket jacket. However, let it be soggy when I start out and the shell of the Kili is the first "jacket" I'll grab.

Being from Colorado, the Kilimanjaro is almost a year round jacket. It vents well and is versatile. Riding and exploring above 7000 feet and the Kili is probably the only jacket I would need. Stuck on I-25 in glut of cagers on a summer afternoon, ANY jacket is too warm. If you can keep the air flowing through the vents the Kili is great.

[TinStar]

So you're tellin me there's no perfect jacket?!?!?!?! :mrgreen:

Bushwhacker - checked out the Trekker - they don't have my size:(

I'll check out the Phoenix and Cortech's also

Ghost - that's good to know - if my Marmot won't fit over a mesh then that sounds like a good solution

[bushwhacker]

So you're tellin me there's no perfect jacket?!?!?!?! :mrgreen:



I need three.

I have the Joe Rocket Phoenix for summer(good down to about 65 degrees in a pinch but more comfortable above 70).

the Joe Rocket Comet for cooler weather that is good down to about 45 degrees and when vented good to about 80 degrees. You can get it here for $79 plus tax & shipping.

http://www.newenough.com/joe_rocket_comet_jacket_page.htm

And as I said the Trekker, good between about low 30's and high 60's degrees.

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[rfwjr]

I really like my Tourmaster Transition jacket.

[1TallTXn]

For the summer I have a TourMaster Intake
For the winter I have a Belstaff Challenger

The AST was a very close runner up for a winter jacket, but the Belstaff fit just a tiny bit better.

I've yet to find a jacket that works year round here in TX. It just gets too darn hot in the summer.

I've had my Intake (rain liner and insulated liner) in temps down below 60 and you survive, but its just not quite happy. more then good enough to work for our spring and fall seasons though.

You might try looking at the Olympia Bushwacker (http://olympiamotosports.com/bushwacker/bushwacker.htm) as well. Looks to be comparable to the Air Kilimanjaro

[ysr612]

I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix about 80% of the time. It's mesh is larger so with the increased airflow I can wear it up to 100 even when riding behind the windshield on the LC. It's snug fitting and with the liner and a sweatshirt it's good down into the low 40's. I have a rain jacket and pants to wear over if it's raining. Adding the rain jacket layer provides even more temperature range.
I have the Air Kilimanjaro and the phoenix. The Air Kilimanjaro is much warmer now and in the summer so if I were to have just one it would be the phoenix. The build quality is better on the first gear I think. However each would hold up about as well in a get off it seems. Funny thing if I am going to travel more then a couple hundred miles in the summer I want either my motoport gp2 or the Joe Rocket hard drive because both are cooler over 40 mph.

[donroger1]

I have several jackets but get the best service from a Tourmaster Intake.
It has insulated liner, rain liner and mesh on top. So far it's been good for everything. :)

[Hairsmith]

Over twenty years ago when I stopped riding there was nothing but Leather or waxed cotton. When I stated riding again a couple of years ago I went back to a name that I knew from the bygone days. Belstaff, It is warm when it is cold and dry when it is wet. It also will give much better protection than the old waxed cotton I used to wear. I have NO regrets and have looked at the brands that others have mentioned, Aerostich is the only one that I feel is of as high a quality and gives the usability in the way of pockets and vent openings.
As much as I like the Belstaff and most of the aerostich products, the texas summer heat is hard to deal with in that kind of gear. But for warmth Gerbings heated gear under quality riding apparel will take me right into freezing temps. Put the Gerbings into the stuff sack and open the vents on the Belstaff and I am good into the 90's.
Right now I have two Belstaff jackets and two pair of Belstaff riding pants plus another pair of Hein Gericke ventilated pants. I also want a Aerostich Roadcrafter suite quite badly. Riding gear is just like motorcycles, I always want and have reason's why I need more !