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Summer Jacket -- Joe Rocket or First Gear

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leekellerking

leekellerking

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First Name
Lee
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King
I am soon to be in the market for a new mesh, summer jacket as the zipper on the right sleeve of my Joe Rocket Phoenix 4 gave out and (I hope) I am getting a refund from New Enough.

My question is this -- should I go with a Joe Rocket 5 or a First Gear Mesh Tex jacket (to match my First Gear pants)? Or should I go with Door Number 3?

The Mesh Tex and Phoenix 5 are the same price (and free shipping) at New Enough, BTW.

Any suggestions or comments? (I know you have them! :lol2: ).


Lee
 
I had a First Gear mesh jacket - I don't recall the model. I was quite upset when the paramedics cut it off me, as it was "still good" (or so I insisted in my state of shock). i was quite pleased with it.

In general, I have noticed that the First Gear jackets are less... "gaudy"... than the Joe Rocket ones - I'm not a fan of giant freaking brand emblems.
 
I have a First Gear mid-weight jacket (good for down to 25 with liner, up to 80 without) that I wear 3 months a year. It's a very good jacket.
 
I gave up on Joe Rocket gear. I have had a couple jackets and a couple pairs of gloves that just didn't last very long. I have a Cortech jacket that is constructed very well and my wife's Olympia gear seems to be built very nicely.
 
If you get the First Gear, you can zip them to your pants. Also, I don't know if you have long monkey arms like me but First Gear also comes in Tall sizes. (No offense to Spank or any of the other monkeys lurking)

I'm with mjacks, I don't think Joe Rocket lasts as long as the other stuff. I have a pair of gloves that have ripped so I have decided I'm done with JR.
 
I've had good results from my Joe Rocket gear. My leather Stingray and mesh Reactor jackets have held up well through 7 years of daily commuting and many weekend cruises. Only this past year has one of the sleeve seams on the Reactor started pulling and it's actually the material and not the stitch coming apart.

In contrast, I had a pair of Olympia summer gloves that started coming apart a couple of months after I started using them. In short order, the leather wore through and they were done with less than 12 months use.
 
I have owned a couple of Joe rocket jackets, pants and gloves. Between my wife and I the only gear we seem to have quality issues with is the Joe Rocket stuff.** I can destroy a pair of thier gloves in a summer usually.

I recommend tourmaster and Alpinestars for better quality. Alpinestars are usually pretty trendy like Joe Rockeet and my only complaint is they tend to use plastic zippers which worries me, even though one has never broke on me. When my favorite jacket goes I will be going with tourmaster but they are a little less stylish. I'm old I have no one to impress.

**Disclaimer: My favorite Jacket that I wear 90% of the time is a Ballistic 3.0 3/4 length. It has had a few problems but I just really like the design.
 
Wes said:
I have owned a couple of Joe rocket jackets, pants and gloves. Between my wife and I the only gear we seem to have quality issues with is the Joe Rocket stuff.** I can destroy a pair of thier gloves in a summer usually.

I recommend tourmaster and Alpinestars for better quality. Alpinestars are usually pretty trendy like Joe Rockeet and my only complaint is they tend to use plastic zippers which worries me, even though one has never broke on me. When my favorite jacket goes I will be going with tourmaster but they are a little less stylish. I'm old I have no one to impress.

**Disclaimer: My favorite Jacket that I wear 90% of the time is a Ballistic 3.0 3/4 length. It has had a few problems but I just really like the design.
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Yea, it was the stupid plastic zipper that gave way.

Lee
 
leekellerking said:
Yea, it was the stupid plastic zipper that gave way.

Lee
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Not to derail you but I had a Phoenix and I just never liked the mesh jackets much. I was always cold and just never felt safe. The tourmaster Transition II jackets have lost of vents and a snap to hold the collar open. (What I'm looking at next) Between all that you stay pretty comfy without giving up any safety. Just my two cents.

It's funny after I typed the post I went to see if I even still had the pheonix and I still do. I never wear it and really thought I sold it already.
 
dukey33 said:
I've had good results from my Joe Rocket gear. My leather Stingray and mesh Reactor jackets have held up well through 7 years of daily commuting and many weekend cruises. Only this past year has one of the sleeve seams on the Reactor started pulling and it's actually the material and not the stitch coming apart.

In contrast, I had a pair of Olympia summer gloves that started coming apart a couple of months after I started using them. In short order, the leather wore through and they were done with less than 12 months use.
Click to expand...

I remember reading that Joe Rocket's quality has decreased over time and maybe you got it when they were still doing good work. :shrug: Could be that their higher priced stuff is still good and they cut corners on the lower end items.

Either way, I am much better at spotting quality stuff now than when I started riding.
 
Wes said:
Not to derail you but I had a Phoenix and I just never liked the mesh jackets much. I was always cold and just never felt safe. The tourmaster Transition II jackets have lost of vents and a snap to hold the collar open. (What I'm looking at next) Between all that you stay pretty comfy without giving up any safety. Just my two cents.

It's funny after I typed the post I went to see if I even still had the pheonix and I still do. I never wear it and really thought I sold it already.
Click to expand...

I considered a non-mesh jacket, but after riding last August in my JR Phoenix, I'm not sure I could make it in anything that flowed less air.

Lee
 
I have the joe rocket jacket and have not had a bit of trouble. Used it everyday all last summer. i have even washed a couple of times. Zipper, seems and fit are perfect.
 
I have a Phoenix jacket that I wear year round. No problems with quality or lasting long, great ventilation in the summer. Cooler weather I'll use the liner and a windstopper fleece to stay warm. I'm on my second one. The first one lasted 4 years of constant use both street and dirt. The sleeve cuffs started to fray a littel but no other issues. I still use it for dual sport riding.
 
I just picked up an Alpinestars T-RC-1 Air-Flo jacket. I've only ridden in it once so far, but it was almost like not wearing a jacket at all - very nice!

330518_blue_l.jpg
 
I hope to buy the new jacket this weekend and I have a NEW question or two.

Has anyone had any experience with the Joe Rocket Reactor II leather & mesh jacket?

Default.jpg


I wonder if it is as cool (temperature wise, not "cool" wise) as the all mesh Phoenix 5 jacket?

New Enough has it for $159.99, compared to $134.99 for the Phoenix 5.

Discussion? Comments?


Lee


leekellerking said:
I am soon to be in the market for a new mesh, summer jacket as the zipper on the right sleeve of my Joe Rocket Phoenix 4 gave out and (I hope) I am getting a refund from New Enough.

My question is this -- should I go with a Joe Rocket 5 or a First Gear Mesh Tex jacket (to match my First Gear pants)? Or should I go with Door Number 3?

The Mesh Tex and Phoenix 5 are the same price (and free shipping) at New Enough, BTW.

Any suggestions or comments? (I know you have them! :lol2: ).


Lee
Click to expand...
 
In Texas heat your gonna sweat. Period. This fact established, I opt for perfed leather. Crashes better. ;-)
 
Loyd said:
In Texas heat your gonna sweat. Period. This fact established, I opt for perfed leather. Crashes better. ;-)
Click to expand...

Except that I noticed this morning that I need a new front tire, soon. :doh:

I will probably go with the Phoenix 5 and a new front tire. I was happy with the Phoenix 4, except for the blown zipper. And that was probably partially my fault.

Lee
 
My 2cents on the Phoenix vs Reactor is the leather on the sleeves and shoulders of the Reactor can help it survive a pavement inspection incident better than the all textile Phoenix can. It makes it more than a "single-use" piece of safety equipment.
(this assumes the Reactor II is similar to the Reactor I have with perf'ed leather on the sleeves and shoulders)
 
I would go with the reactor if it's comfortable and your style. It would just be a little safer. Once again this is just my two cents.
 
Wes said:
I would go with the reactor if it's comfortable and your style. It would just be a little safer. Once again this is just my two cents.
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Well, I wish they made it in hi-viz yellow, but it more-or-less my style. However, as mentioned above, I may go with the Phoenix 5 because I need a new tire. :-(

And I want the absolute most air flow for this comming (like in a week or so) summer.


I'll have to ask the wife. :eek2:


Lee
 
leekellerking said:
Except that I noticed this morning that I need a new front tire, soon. :doh:

I will probably go with the Phoenix 5 and a new front tire. I was happy with the Phoenix 4, except for the blown zipper. And that was probably partially my fault.

Lee
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got a set of pilot powers in the garage. :)
 
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