Motorcycle jacket score (I think...)

[HardDrive]

I have been taking the 'gear up' message to heart, and working on getting proper riding gear in order. I was a bit stunned at how expensive the jackets were, but I figured that its not an item you want to go cheap on.

Last night on Craigslist this jacket pops up. 3/4 length, armor where it matters including spine. Lots of venting and a nice liner. Joe Rocket. $125 brand new. The guy had been selling the stuff over the internet, but the business fizzled, and this was the last he had of this model. Did I get a deal, or does this stuff get blown out at the end of every season?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

As long as it hasn't been laid down or whatever it's probably fine. In any case, it sounds like a decent deal and is better than wearing a sweatshirt or pullover or t-shirt (I see folks doing this daily).

[HardDrive]

Its new. Tags still on it.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Sounds like a good deal to me. Hot?

[VincentVega]

Looks like a good deal to me

Great source for info and reference pricing http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/all_types/joe_rocket/?page=2

[flatbutt]

I use leather less and less these days. The textiles are more versatile and comfortable. And yes $125 is a good price. JR is good gear.

[JavaBrewer]

It's an ok deal but more importantly it was local so you could try the jacket on. I made the mistake of going too big on my first jacket and the back would balloon with air at freeway speeds. Try to go with a smaller size if you can. I prefer a full leather jacket but what you have looks good. As Chris stated the Newenough site is pretty darn good. Check the closeouts tab for even better deals - though the common sizes (M-L) are generally not available.

[Shawn 357]

I sold a jacket just like that one to a friend. About a month after buying it from me he took a fall at freeway speed. I was bummed because I sold him the jacket for about half the price you paid so I was taking a loss on it but he couldn't spend more at the time. The jacket served it's purpose and I think that friend would have been happy even if he spent $3000 on it. I got mine new for $120.00 on the internet (I already had a similar jacket so I knew that it fit even though I didn't try it on) and I see them at around that same price every once in a while but I think you would have to go through a lot of hassle and waste a lot of time to find one $20 cheaper. Remember that they only work when you are using them
Happy riding,
Shawn

[vash]

i bought a kilimanjaro motorcycle jacket for myself and my wife. she loves it. i think i paid $325 or something. separate liner, so you can wash it. all the armor. those joe rocket jackets are nice. when they first came out, i felt that they were more for show, than for real protection. they just seem light. i think they got better with time.

careful, in a full pavement slide, you dont want the jacket sliding up on your body, exposing the soft pink skin.

[nostatic]

It is certainly better than nothing or a regular jacket. The JR stuff gets mixed reviews, and the older mesh stuff had a rep for not standing up very well. One issue is that you don't want materials that will melt on your jacket (like polyester). Cordura and Kevlar are much better, leather is still king in that regard.

I don't swing a leg over the bike without full gear. And that means FULL gear - jacket, pants, boots, gloves, helmet. You don't have to buy all the mega expensive stuff but these days I prefer to buy something that is really good and will last a long time. Since you're just getting (back) on the bike, you'll likely need to experiment with different gear to figure out what you need/want. I've distilled down to Shoei helmet, two different Rev'it jackets (leather/tex mix and a mesh, though the mesh will be retired soon), two different pants (A-stars over pants for commuting and Dainese textile vented pants for summer), Sidi boots, Rev'it and A-stars gloves (summer and for cooler). Next up is a Rev'it jacket/pants setup that will cover rain and cold weather. Probably another set of boots as well.

Don't scrimp on the boots, and wearing hiking boots is asking for trouble. I had "proper" textile motorcycle boots and they shredded. Now it is Sidi hard boots every day. ymmv.

Gear is a lot cheaper than skin grafts.

[serge944]

Yeah, MC gear is expensive. I paid $400 for my jacket.

At the minimum I wear a leather armored jacket, gauntlet gloves, and stiff carbon fiber boots. I skimp on pants and just wear jeans for my commutes. 1-piece leather suit when I go for a ride in the mountains.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by serge944

At the minimum I wear a leather armored jacket, gauntlet gloves, and stiff carbon fiber boots. I skimp on pants and just wear jeans for my commutes. 1-piece leather suit when I go for a ride in the mountains.

You do realize you're more likely to go down on your commute than in the mountains, right?

Don't make be break out the pictures of my knee...these pants aren't expensive and work great over clothes.

http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Alpinestars_AirFlo_Textile_Pants--521-ALP-AFTP.html