Topic: New generic leather jacket or used name-brand textile?

[Cannibal]

Weighing options for a new jacket. I really only want to spend about $100. I can find some lightly used Joe Rocket Ballistic and Meteor jackets for that price, or new leather jackets from leatherup.com. I'm new to motorcycles, so I have no experience with either one.

I plan on riding (for the most part) 4 seasons. The textile jackets advertise waterproof. I can't find anything on the leather ones.

Looking for input please.

Thanks,
Steve

[cleveland]

I have a thick leather jacket that I have used for a few years now, but it sucks in the summer.  Lately I have been looking into a mesh jacket for summer.   

[Cannibal]

It doesn't get super hot here, but did just reach 90*F on Sat, which is pretty rare, and only lasts maybe a week at a time. Today it was like 65 and overcast. I'm thinking the leather one would suit me well, but I'm just not sure on the quality. The Rocker textiles should have good quality, but I'm not sure on the protection. Ya, it would be nice to get both, but my wife is already on my case about how much I've spent building up this bike.

[nickjtc]

Leather (with armour), if motorcycle specific, is the best in an accident, but is hot and not water resistant.
Textile (with armour) is crap in an accident (the sliding part), but is cooler and more water resistant.

You pays your money......

Try the local pawn shops or thrift stores for possible good deals.

[strangedaze39]

I was wondering this tonight as well, on my way home shivering with a sweater on at 70 degrees

FYI leather is waterproof.

[troppo]

You can get a oily/waxy treatment that conditions leather and waterproofs the seams, its the seams that arent waterproof

[Cannibal]

You can get a oily/waxy treatment that conditions leather and waterproofs the seams, its the seams that arent waterproof

That's what I thought about the seams. Some (more expensive ones) advertise waterproof, some don't so I figured there must be an extra step done to ensure a waterproof jacket. I didn't realize there was something you could treat the seams with, so that's good to know.

[snarferer]

I picked up a sweet denim motorcycle jacket for less than 100 bucks.  It has a lot of armor and is all mesh on the inside (with a removable quilted lining for the colder days)  Its fairly thick denim, so I think (hope) that rash resistance is better than a random textile.  I really liked the look of it, it was affordable, and breathes really well.  Only downside is it sucks in the wet.
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=29&cat=25

I forgot where I found it, but it was 115 at a local honda shop, and anywhere from 80-100 bucks online.

[Cannibal]

I picked up a sweet denim motorcycle jacket for less than 100 bucks.  It has a lot of armor and is all mesh on the inside (with a removable quilted lining for the colder days)  Its fairly thick denim, so I think (hope) that rash resistance is better than a random textile.  I really liked the look of it, it was affordable, and breathes really well.  Only downside is it sucks in the wet.
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=29&cat=25

I forgot where I found it, but it was 115 at a local honda shop, and anywhere from 80-100 bucks online.

That looks like a pretty nice jacket, I'll have to keep that one in mind when I start looking for a summer jacket.

[scondon]

  If you want a "year round" jacket that will keep you dry in the rain and not be too hot in the Summer then I'd suggest a waterproof textile with removable liner. The zipper is where the water gets in so regardless of whether you buy leather or textile you will want a jacket with a good flap over the zipper.

    If you're patient you can get a good used leather w/ armor, vents for Summer AND a decent wet weather jacket w/ armor,vents for under $100 on Ebay. If you plan on riding for years to come then it is good to have choices when gearing up.

[detdrbuzzard]

i have a relivity cheap leather jacket made by shardan's that cost me $159, a joe rocket phoenix 4.0 jacket that i got for $99 and a old wilsons brand leather jacket that was given to me by a friend who outgrew it. the phoenix jacket has been better than i expected in the warm weather we've been having and the water proof liner works too but its not a year round jacket