Which jacket would you buy

[Keith S]

I have been looking into buying a new riding jacket and this is the short list. I have an older Teknic jacket, which has been a great jacket, but I'm looking for ventilation and I want it to be waterproof.

 

Let the debate begin

 

Keith

 

 

Teknic Monsoon Gore-Tex Jacket

 

http://store.dsrpowersports.com/mogoja.html

 

Outer shell of Gortex approved 600D Cordura

Gortex "Z" liner system

Surpasses all waterproof Gortex approval tests

3/4-length jacket

KNOX KFP1 CE approved armor in shoulders and elbows

KNOX TP2 CE approved back armor

Gortex approved chest, forearm, and rear climate control vents

Pre curved arms with 15 degree forward rotation

3.5 oz Polyfil insulated removable liner

Zipper to fit optional zip out 410gm. fleece jacket

2 Hand warmer pockets with Goretex approved closures

2 Upper chest pockets with Goretex approved closures

1 Rear "cargo" pocket with Goretex approved closure

Tri-fold storm flap entry system with Goretex approved closure

Multi-position snap adjusters on upper and lower arm to allow adjustable fit

Genuine Scotchlite 3M reflective

Airmesh lined collar

Peach Taslan throat insert

Chill Stopper II: A zip-off outer collar lined with Fleece

Hook'n'loop adjustable waist belt system

Elastic cuffs with Hook'n'loop adjustment

Hook'n'loop adjustable waist jacket system

Hook'n'loop adjustable waist jacket hem

Genuine YKK zippers

50" of ventilation zippers

Reflective Teknic T pod for nighttime visibility

8" Ykk connecting zipper

Belt loop jacket to jeans connector

 

 

Firstgear Kilimanjaro 4.0 Jacket

 

http://store.dsrpowersports.com/ki40ja.html

 

100% waterproof 330 Denier Hypertex

Sheltex membrane for breathability

3 port Torso Vent System (TVS)

Removable, fully-sleeved, wearable, liner/jacket

Cargo under sleeve and rear vents

CE approved Evolution armor to protect shoulders and elbows

EVA foam back pad

1 year limited manufacturer's warranty

 

 

Fieldsheer 2007 Highland Jacket

 

http://store.dsrpowersports.com/20hija.html

 

-660 Denier Nylon Taslan waterproof and breathable outer shell.

-No membrane direct taping technology.

-Anatomically fitted for the riding position.

-Removable CE approved armor in back, shoulders and elbows.

-Ballistic nylon overlay in protective areas for maximum abrasion resistance.

-Removable Thermo Pilot Liner that can be worn separately as a jacket.

-Ram Air ventilation system, zero membrane airflow interference.

-2 front vents and 1 large back vent.

-Reflective Phoslite for high visibility, spot reflective high abrasive material in back.

-Velcro adjustable micro fiber collar with padding.

-4 step unique adjustable sleeve volume control, in upper and lower sleeves, keeps the armor snug for small and large arms with or without the liner zipped in.

-Gusseted Velcro adjustable wrist cuff.

-FS storm flap system on main zipper.

-Pockets included: 2 zipped front hand warmer, 3 upper chest plus 1 mobile phone, 2 lower cargo, 1 zipped map, 1 inside Velcro, 1 mobile phone.

[bakerzdosen]

Well, if the Spidi Netway & Armada, and Rev'it! Cayenne are out (all probably $100+ more)... My vote is for the Kilimanjaro. Lots of really good reports about them.

 

With that said, the Teknic looks really good. It doesn't look like it ventilates overly well, but it looks like it's pretty serious about keeping the water out.

 

I've just never heard anyone say anything bad about their Kili.

[Eschelon1]

For the money I'd go with the Kili. I already have 4 jackets, but everytime I go into the dealer I try one on...

 

Belstaff also makes a nice jacket like that, almost bought one of those at the Beemer Bash last year. There're hard to find though, they don't have any stocking dealers, if you want to try one on, you have to hope the show up at a rally or cycle show near you.

 

[Keith S]

With that said, the Teknic looks really good. It doesn't look like it ventilates overly well, but it looks like it's pretty serious about keeping the water out.

 

I've just never heard anyone say anything bad about their Kili.

 

I thought the same thing about the Teknic jacket. Gore-Tex is not conducive with airflow but they state that there is over 50" of ventilation.

 

Keith

[Keith S]

For the money I'd go with the Kili. I already have 4 jackets, but everytime I go into the dealer I try one on...

------------------------------------------------------------

Hmmmmm I am detecting a trend here

[Mike05]

To add to the choices, take a look at the Olympia AST Touring Jacket.

 

I've had one for about a year; the (yellow) outer shell is waterproof & breatheable, removeable inner liner/spare jacket and extremely well ventilated. Decent armor too.

[Keith S]

Took a look, that is a pretty impressive jacket. Does it have a vent on the back?

[ScottT]

How much ventilation do you want? I just got an Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech Jacket II. Being in Texas I need all the air I can get. While the jacket itself is not waterproof, the liner that comes with it is. At any rate, now that I've had this Olympia jacket for a month I highly recommend their stuff. It's intelligently designed and well made. For cooler wet stuff I rely on my Aerostich.

[EffBee]

Cordura trumps Hypertex and/or Taslan. All the rest is window dressing.

[Keith S]

How much ventilation do you want? I just got an Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech Jacket II. Being in Texas I need all the air I can get. While the jacket itself is not waterproof, the liner that comes with it is. At any rate, now that I've had this Olympia jacket for a month I highly recommend their stuff. It's intelligently designed and well made. For cooler wet stuff I rely on my Aerostich.

 

Scott

I live in Calgary Alberta, it is very common to drive to work with the heat on and drive home with AC. This makes it tough to pick the right gear.

 

Keith

[Keith S]

Cordura trumps Hypertex and/or Taslan. All the rest is window dressing.

 

Eff

Just did a web search on "Cordura trumps Hypertex" and came up with squat.

[Kinsley]

I had a Tecknic Monsoon jacket that I wore for 3 years with no problems. When I went to replace it, I found out Tecknic has changed the design and material they use and neither are as good as before IMHO. The venting has been reduced to meet the Goretex guidelines and the material seems shiney and somehow less durable.

 

I would look into the Olympia suits as others have mentioned.

 

It's really hard to find a waterproof jacket with venting and breathability. I personally did not want to do the liner thing, but nothing out there currently suited my needs, so I went with a BMW suit and plan to use a one piece rain suit when needed. I'll use the liner more for warmth and wind blocking.

 

If you look at gear for sale on this and other forums, you'll see alot of First Gear Kilamanjaro jackets as well as Aerostich Roadcrafter and Darien suits. I'm not saying, I'm just saying

 

Good luck.

[Mike05]

Yup, huge vent in the back, (large storage pocket too) plus, if you look closely, you can see the outline of the vents that run the length of both arms.

[casticus]

I have a Kilimanjaro (sp?) and I love it. That being said once it is above 75 degrees in the morning and over 85 in the afternoon (the commute) I start wearing mesh and carrying a rainsuit for rain/wind protection. I have toured in mesh and between a heated vest and raingear been comfortable from 50 degrees to as comfortable you can be when it is 99 degrees on a motorcycle.

 

My SO wears the Olympia mesh stuff with the waterproof/windproof lining and carries a rain suit for extreme rain.

 

Let me know if this helps you or if you have more questions.

[Whip]

I have a Kilimanjaro. It's about three years old now. I like it for a couple resons and don't like it for others.

 

Pros

It looks and feels pretty good.

The inside liner/jacket is handy when traveling, you can use it after riding to go out to dinner or walk around in the evening.

 

The string that hangs from the top right chest pocket works great to keep your keys on if you have a quick release system on your ring.

 

It does not look like it a motorcyle jacket. I've used it in the winter in Colorado for sking/falling and hiking(very short distances).

 

Cons

Most of the pockets are hard to use, that velcro stuff is strong and takes too much time to open. You need both hands to open one of the pockets because the velcro keeps locking while your trying to open the zipper.

 

The vents are even harder to open, the front flaps are stupid, you have to stop again and use both hands to open them and them secure them so they stay open. I don't quite under stand this BS.

 

I would say that though they claim it to be waterproof. I think upon closer inspection you'll find it absorbs the water and then the inside liner keeps it from getting to your skin. The jacket retains large abouts of water which makes it quite heavy and takes a long time to drip dry.

 

I did have one low speed, low side with the jacket on. It did fine as far as protection goes, but I would say it is not a great protection jacket. The jacket is made to fit rather loose. This means the protection inserts will not always stay in their proper place in a get off.

 

I would prolly not get another one.

 

Whip

[sundaeman]

Another Olympia AST vote here.

 

Had it for a month and been comfy in it from 27-80F so far.

[Crazy_Canuck]

I really like my Olympia Bushwacker jacket. It has a removeable waterproof\insulated liner. Take the liner out and you have a full mesh jacket that ventilates well. I have not tested it in a heavy rain yet though.

[Mike05]

oops!! Correction! Make that two vents in the back of the Olympia ASP Jacket.

[Huzband]

I bought the Kili last fall, & love it.

[Lets_Play_Two]

How much ventilation do you want? I just got an Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech Jacket II. Being in Texas I need all the air I can get. While the jacket itself is not waterproof, the liner that comes with it is. At any rate, now that I've had this Olympia jacket for a month I highly recommend their stuff. It's intelligently designed and well made. For cooler wet stuff I rely on my Aerostich.

 

I agree with this. I have the Airglide 2 and my girlfriend has the AST. And these jackets are less expensive than most (plus I get 15% off at my BMW dealer). They are very versatile with the liner which can also be worn separately. I think the AST compares favorably with my Savanna at much less than 1/3 the price when you consider the liner.

[onedae]

In evaluating all these jackets, just remember you usually get what you pay for. Specifically as to the abrasion resistance of most of these jackets, you won't have the same protection as you might with some of the pricier brands. I used to balk at the price of BMW gear, for example, but after seeing the results on 500 denier and less cordura of a few get-offs, I will only buy the higher rated abrasion resistance clothes. Road rash is nasty stuff!!

[Bheckel169]

+1 on the AST Olympia Jacket in NEON YELLOW!

[markgoodrich]

How much ventilation do you want? I just got an Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech Jacket II. Being in Texas I need all the air I can get. While the jacket itself is not waterproof, the liner that comes with it is. At any rate, now that I've had this Olympia jacket for a month I highly recommend their stuff. It's intelligently designed and well made. For cooler wet stuff I rely on my Aerostich.

 

Scott

I live in Calgary Alberta, it is very common to drive to work with the heat on and drive home with AC. This makes it tough to pick the right gear.

 

Keith

 

DANG!!! My RT has the heated seats and grips, but I didn't know about AC!!! Can it be added by the dealer, or is it a factory-installed option? I never could get the durn AC to work on my old Goldwing. Sure would help in the Texas heat.

[paulcbrowne]

I have a Kilimanjaro that I often wear on local trips if it looks like rain and it's not going over 75. I am uncomfotable its level of protection and prefer my BMW Santiago especially if I'm going on a trip. With a Mountain Hard Wear windstopper fleece for a liner and a set of Frogg Toggs, that's my all-weather choice. The Santiago vents extremely well. Nice, high lined collar for cooler weather. Great pockets and vents -- not like fighting the K's velcro mentioned elsewhere.

[flyingreg]

I have noticed as of late that the use of and encouragement to use the search function has dwindled in response to various "requests" for advice. It wasn't that long ago that a person was advised to try the search function, when common questions of this type came up.

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I know many of you don't mind answering the same question for the umteenth time, nor do I. But, there is a wealth of information available for the asking simply by applying your skills to a search for said knowledge.

 

As for some information, try this THREAD HERE .

 

Unless, of course, you are just trolling...

[Keith S]

I have noticed as of late that the use of and encouragement to use the search function has dwindled in response to various "requests" for advice. It wasn't that long ago that a person was advised to try the search function, when common questions of this type came up.

 

Now, don't get me wrong, I know many of you don't mind answering the same question for the umteenth time, nor do I. But, there is a wealth of information available for the asking simply by applying your skills to a search for said knowledge.

 

As for some information, try this THREAD HERE .

 

Unless, of course, you are just trolling...

 

Fly

I am well aware of how to do a search on this forum. My question was VERY specific! I had researched what I thought was the best jacket for me and wanted to get opinions on what people thought was best of the three from their experience. If you can show me this EXACT thread then I will buy you dinner. I have censored what I had typed here…….

[Keith S]

How much ventilation do you want? I just got an Olympia Airglide 2 Mesh Tech Jacket II. Being in Texas I need all the air I can get. While the jacket itself is not waterproof, the liner that comes with it is. At any rate, now that I've had this Olympia jacket for a month I highly recommend their stuff. It's intelligently designed and well made. For cooler wet stuff I rely on my Aerostich.

 

Scott

I live in Calgary Alberta, it is very common to drive to work with the heat on and drive home with AC. This makes it tough to pick the right gear.

 

Keith

 

DANG!!! My RT has the heated seats and grips, but I didn't know about AC!!! Can it be added by the dealer, or is it a factory-installed option? I never could get the durn AC to work on my old Goldwing. Sure would help in the Texas heat.