Cold weather jacket

woodsguy · 10-20-2012, 04:32 AM

I've been out of the street bike scene for a long, long time. Got the 650 and now we're starting to have cold mornings. What works best? A leather jacket with a liner or some of the new materials?

**kurt** · 10-20-2012, 05:14 AM

I use a Darien textile jacket with either the fleece liner or an electric liner. The jacket itself is just a wind shell, I like a couple of layers so I can adjust accordingly as the day warms.

DFW_Warrior · 10-20-2012, 05:41 AM

I prefer textile these days, and do the same thing Kurt does with regards to layers.

Texfire · 10-20-2012, 07:55 AM

I've got Olympia jacket and pants, both with liners. I'll carry an extra underarmor long sleeve and some silk glove liners for when the temps drop. It's rare that it gets cold enough that those are not sufficient.

KenH · 10-20-2012, 08:48 AM

The Olympia liners are sweet. If someone marketed similar pants and jackets to be worn independently of gear they would find a ready market.

If your bike can handle the electrical load, heated grips and gear is the way to go.

This time of year just don a good motorcycle rain suit over your existing gear to block the wind. As the weather cools add a wicking layer under your gear and 100% polyester fleece or quilted insulating layers between your gear and the rainsuit. That's what I do and I've ridden down to 0*F on a naked motorcycle comfortably without electricity.

Hippo Hands and similar products are awesome. Ugly, but awesome. I have them on Tdub. I rode most of last winter on Tdub and never used her new grip heaters.

**leekellerking** · 10-20-2012, 08:58 AM

I wear a First Gear Kilimanjaro. It is good to 30 deg F with the liner and layering. Of course, my hands and feet get cold.

And it is absolutely waterproof. I picked it up on NewEnough.com (now MotorcycleGear.com) for a major discount, too.

**Dave.TX** · 10-20-2012, 09:14 AM

I picked up a Joe Rocket jacket from motorcyclegear.com last year, on clearance, for less than half price. Waterproof and very warm with the liner. It's a textile touring jacket, very we'll made. layering is key especially when temps can range 30-40 degrees difference from morning to afternoon. Hand guards in front of your grips are another trick to keep cold winds off your hands.

dukey33 · 10-20-2012, 06:42 PM

Textile is warmer than leather.
I have three jackets; leather, textile and summer mesh. When the mercury drops below 40F, I grab the textile.

xcaliber · 10-20-2012, 07:46 PM

Leather is good but really heavy. I use a textile plus pull the liner and you can wear it in the summer,

Jack Giesecke · 10-20-2012, 10:15 PM

I really like my Tourmaster, got it on sale from newenough.com some time back. It's still in great shape. If it's really cold, I have an electric vest to go under it. But, it rarely gets THAT cold that I'm going to be riding now days. I mean, it has to be near freezing before I can turn the vest on and not cook.

Pull the liner and it works up to mid 70s, but it's really too warm for summer wear.

tshelfer · 10-20-2012, 11:50 PM

I much prefer textile. I'm wearing a Tourmaster Saber Series 2 jacket. Comfortable, flexible in use, modestly priced at under $100, and keeps my torso and arms warm way beyond what my fingers and toes will endure.

In cool (50ish) weather, I occasionally wear a plain old leather bomber jacket.

woodsguy · 10-21-2012, 06:10 AM

Thanks guys, some good hints! I'm shopping now!!!!

**Morgan Buchanan** · 10-21-2012, 06:46 AM

Greening liners. No substitute.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk because Tapatalk is cool.

fastraveller · 10-25-2012, 11:49 PM

I have one of the original First Gear Scout leather jackets. It's exceptionally well designed and constructed. I bought it in 1995-96 and it's still in fabulous condition. It has kept me warm in very cold riding (35 deg) and the level of protection is excellent. I can ride comfortably in temps around 85-90 if the liner is out and the vents are fully open. However, the weight of the jacket is pretty heavy and I really would prefer one of the newer (better) Textile Jackets for that reason. I think the weight contributes to getting tired a lot sooner than I otherwise might with a lighter jacket. Decent textiles didn't start to appear on the market until a year or so after I bought the Scout. I've tried to sell it in the past with no luck so I decided to keep it. Now that I'm riding a cruiser style bike, the Scout really looks right on that bike anyway.

I would definitely recommend one the the better textile jackets that allows you to remove 2-3 layers when needed.

Davo

FJRMike · 10-26-2012, 07:17 AM

Leather used to be the standard but Textile is the way to go these days.

Textile is waterproof - get a leather jacket wet and it's game over on a cold ride.

**Texas T** · 10-26-2012, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leekellerking

I wear a First Gear Kilimanjaro. It is good to 30 deg F with the liner and layering.

My layers depending upon how cold / wet it is...
LD Comfort long sleeve turtleneck
Gerbing electric jacket liner
Sweatshirt
Kilimanjaro textile jacket
Rain jacket - forget the brand - lots of fishermen use it - bought it at Walmart

Although the Kili is waterproof, adding the rain jacket to the outside absolutely cuts down on the air infiltration

The sweatshirt over the Gerbing helps to keep the heat closer to my body.

The lowest I've ridden in has been 25 degrees and it kept me very comfortable.

Don't forget about heated grips / gloves.

cheez · 10-26-2012, 11:51 AM

I've worn my PokerRun textile jacket with liner down to 23degF without issue. That was coupled with thermal underwear, jeans and a hoodie, but no issues other than my feet being a bit cold due to only two layers of socks.

KenH · 10-27-2012, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheez

I've worn my PokerRun textile jacket with liner down to 23degF without issue. That was coupled with thermal underwear, jeans and a hoodie, but no issues other than my feet being a bit cold due to only two layers of socks.

Get a pair of those chemical handwarmers from Walmart--the smallest ones. Place them under each set of toes. Toasty!

bmcdonau · 10-27-2012, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenH

Get a pair of those chemical handwarmers from Walmart--the smallest ones. Place them under each set of toes. Toasty!

We have electric gear and I still keep those in the trunk.

mle52 · 10-27-2012, 03:00 PM

BMG discovery jacket has been great, best textile ive bought

10-20-2012, 04:32 AM	#1
woodsguy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huntsville Posts: 1,068	Cold weather jacket I've been out of the street bike scene for a long, long time. Got the 650 and now we're starting to have cold mornings. What works best? A leather jacket with a liner or some of the new materials? __________________ Pops TORCS #70 2011 KTM 350 XC-F 2010 KTM 530 XC-W=e-start! 2012 BMW 650 Sertao

10-20-2012, 05:14 AM	#2
kurt Administrator Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Park, Texas Posts: 17,302	Re: Cold weather jacket I use a Darien textile jacket with either the fleece liner or an electric liner. The jacket itself is just a wind shell, I like a couple of layers so I can adjust accordingly as the day warms. __________________ 100 million gun owners didn't kill anyone last week.

10-20-2012, 05:41 AM	#3
DFW_Warrior Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Arlington, TX Posts: 11,852	Re: Cold weather jacket I prefer textile these days, and do the same thing Kurt does with regards to layers. __________________ Bill ('04 DL1000)('00 KLR)('05 YZ250) We'll never know our full potential unless we push ourselves to find it. It's this self discovery that inevitably takes us to the wildest places on Earth.

10-20-2012, 07:55 AM	#4
Texfire Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 1,576	I've got Olympia jacket and pants, both with liners. I'll carry an extra underarmor long sleeve and some silk glove liners for when the temps drop. It's rare that it gets cold enough that those are not sufficient. __________________ Josh Honda VLX 650 DLX (Sold) BMW K75RT (Sold) Suzuki DL650 (Really Nervous) Tiger 1050

10-20-2012, 08:48 AM	#5
KenH Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lost in space Posts: 10,407	Re: Cold weather jacket The Olympia liners are sweet. If someone marketed similar pants and jackets to be worn independently of gear they would find a ready market. If your bike can handle the electrical load, heated grips and gear is the way to go. This time of year just don a good motorcycle rain suit over your existing gear to block the wind. As the weather cools add a wicking layer under your gear and 100% polyester fleece or quilted insulating layers between your gear and the rainsuit. That's what I do and I've ridden down to 0*F on a naked motorcycle comfortably without electricity. Hippo Hands and similar products are awesome. Ugly, but awesome. I have them on Tdub. I rode most of last winter on Tdub and never used her new grip heaters. __________________ It only takes 12 horsepower to ride around the world. The rest is just wheelspin. A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone. "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law" because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." - Thomas Jefferson

10-20-2012, 08:58 AM	#6
leekellerking Biker Barrister Forum Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sugar Land, Texas Posts: 3,436	Re: Cold weather jacket I wear a First Gear Kilimanjaro. It is good to 30 deg F with the liner and layering. Of course, my hands and feet get cold. And it is absolutely waterproof. I picked it up on NewEnough.com (now MotorcycleGear.com) for a major discount, too. __________________ Champion Member, American Motorcyclist Association Member, National Rifle Association Member, State Bar of Texas ================================= 2001 Yamaha VStar 650 -- Vera (Sold to fix wife's jeep) 1982 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk -- Silvy (sold 2012) 1982 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk-- Bikey (Sold, 2011) 1970ish Kawasaki H1 500 (Long gone, but not forgotten)

10-20-2012, 09:14 AM	#7
Dave.TX Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Elgin, TX Posts: 672	Re: Cold weather jacket I picked up a Joe Rocket jacket from motorcyclegear.com last year, on clearance, for less than half price. Waterproof and very warm with the liner. It's a textile touring jacket, very we'll made. layering is key especially when temps can range 30-40 degrees difference from morning to afternoon. Hand guards in front of your grips are another trick to keep cold winds off your hands. __________________ 2008 BMW K1200GT 2008 Yamaha FZ6 1989 Honda TRX250R 4 wheeler(for the desert) 1986 Honda 200X 3 wheeler (for the desert)

10-20-2012, 06:42 PM	#8
dukey33 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Seabrook, TX Posts: 3,570	Re: Cold weather jacket Textile is warmer than leather. I have three jackets; leather, textile and summer mesh. When the mercury drops below 40F, I grab the textile. __________________ Dave ------------------------------------- -Shadow ACE Tourer, low & slow -K1200 LT, motor(rad)home

10-20-2012, 07:46 PM	#9
xcaliber Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: CYPRESS,TEXAS Posts: 265	Re: Cold weather jacket Leather is good but really heavy. I use a textile plus pull the liner and you can wear it in the summer, __________________ It's all just part of the adventure

10-20-2012, 10:15 PM	#10
Jack Giesecke Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The end of the road between Sodom and Gomorrah Posts: 11,269	Re: Cold weather jacket I really like my Tourmaster, got it on sale from newenough.com some time back. It's still in great shape. If it's really cold, I have an electric vest to go under it. But, it rarely gets THAT cold that I'm going to be riding now days. I mean, it has to be near freezing before I can turn the vest on and not cook. Pull the liner and it works up to mid 70s, but it's really too warm for summer wear. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" Ben Franklin

10-20-2012, 11:50 PM	#11
tshelfer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Arlington Posts: 4,930	Re: Cold weather jacket I much prefer textile. I'm wearing a Tourmaster Saber Series 2 jacket. Comfortable, flexible in use, modestly priced at under $100, and keeps my torso and arms warm way beyond what my fingers and toes will endure. In cool (50ish) weather, I occasionally wear a plain old leather bomber jacket. __________________ Tim in Arlington '05 Suzuki V-Strom 650 Preach the gospel. And if necessary, use words - Francis of Assisi

10-21-2012, 06:10 AM	#12
woodsguy Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Huntsville Posts: 1,068	Re: Cold weather jacket Thanks guys, some good hints! I'm shopping now!!!! __________________ Pops TORCS #70 2011 KTM 350 XC-F 2010 KTM 530 XC-W=e-start! 2012 BMW 650 Sertao

10-21-2012, 06:46 AM	#13
Morgan Buchanan Forum Supporter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Lewisville Posts: 4,639	Greening liners. No substitute. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk because Tapatalk is cool. __________________ 2010 Kawasaki Concours 1400 2004 Honda VTX 1800C, 2001 Kawasaki ZX-11, 2003 Honda VTX 1800C, 1991 Kawasaki ZX-11, 1988 Honda Hurricane 1000, 1985 Yamaha FZ750, 1981 Kawasaki KZ750, 1979 Suzuki GS750 COG#: 9384

10-25-2012, 11:49 PM	#14
fastraveller Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 286	Re: Cold weather jacket I have one of the original First Gear Scout leather jackets. It's exceptionally well designed and constructed. I bought it in 1995-96 and it's still in fabulous condition. It has kept me warm in very cold riding (35 deg) and the level of protection is excellent. I can ride comfortably in temps around 85-90 if the liner is out and the vents are fully open. However, the weight of the jacket is pretty heavy and I really would prefer one of the newer (better) Textile Jackets for that reason. I think the weight contributes to getting tired a lot sooner than I otherwise might with a lighter jacket. Decent textiles didn't start to appear on the market until a year or so after I bought the Scout. I've tried to sell it in the past with no luck so I decided to keep it. Now that I'm riding a cruiser style bike, the Scout really looks right on that bike anyway. I would definitely recommend one the the better textile jackets that allows you to remove 2-3 layers when needed. Davo

10-26-2012, 07:17 AM	#15
FJRMike Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha Arkansas USA Posts: 2,210	Re: Cold weather jacket Leather used to be the standard but Textile is the way to go these days. Textile is waterproof - get a leather jacket wet and it's game over on a cold ride. __________________ MGM - '05 FJR Pilot, CBR 954rr Racer, WR250R DS Jockey I wanna ride....

10-26-2012, 11:51 AM	#17
cheez Join Date: May 2010 Location: Grapevine, TX Posts: 1,445	Re: Cold weather jacket I've worn my PokerRun textile jacket with liner down to 23degF without issue. That was coupled with thermal underwear, jeans and a hoodie, but no issues other than my feet being a bit cold due to only two layers of socks.

10-27-2012, 03:00 PM	#20
mle52 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: slaton, tx Posts: 7	Re: Cold weather jacket BMG discovery jacket has been great, best textile ive bought

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