Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Clothing Suggestions Wanted

I currently wear an old leather jacket and jeans but the jacket's too hot in the summer and would probably shred on impact. ditto the shredding for the jeans. I have some long trips in mind for next year so I'm goint to invest in something more solid.

I had thought of an all-in-one like the joe rocket alter ego or something similar but reviews are uneven - especially for protection.

Any recommendations for good solid protection all over that won't kill me in 90 degree weather? I wouldn't say money is no object but I am quite prepared to spend what it takes.

By the way, anyone in the market for gear should check out newenough.com. Excellent selection and pricing.

Bill
I bought a Triumph Raptor this summer for about $130 and love it. Armor in the shoulders, elbows and padding in back. Great investment for hot Texas riding. Fits the body snug and NO buffing in the wind. Excellent flow thru characteristics and lots of colors to choose from.

If you want the hard pads, check out the Triumph jackets. There's a vented Raptor for warm weather but it wouldn't be good for winter. I personally wear a vented (zipper) racing jacket with zip out lining. It's not too hot in summer and warm in winter. Really good ones are available from Chilhowee, Fox Creek, and others but they do not have the armor.

I've been wanting one of the Triumph Evolution II textile jackets (has removable liner). Don't know if anyone has one, and I've only seen pictures online and in the catalog.

Triumph gear is of very good quality, though you do have to pay for it.

If you are most comfortable in jeans while you ride, you could always get a pair of Draggin Jeans. They are denim lined with kevlar. They also make a denim jacket as well.
http://www.dragginjeans.com/Jeans.htm

The Duluth Trading Company also has a couple jean jackets that part of the denim material is kevlar.
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens_outerwear/86068.aspx
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/mens_outerwear/85352.aspx

Soren

O K. I got to test mine out a couple weeks ago, so here's my take.
I own three jackets: First Gear Mesh Tex, Joe Rocket Phoenix, and Bikers Dream Naked Leather Racer.
I was wearing the First Gear and a pair of Draggin' Jeans when I went down in gravel-over-asphalt (a-hole in an SUV) at about twenty mph. Tore the right rear pocket off the jeans and bruised my butt, Kevlar saved me from rash and probably imbedation of rocks. Landed on my right elbow. The armor worked superbly, no damage to my elbow at all-not even a bruise. The ballistic nylon just got scuffed a little.
If you're gonna play, wear protection.

Frank Thomas Force Ten jacket works for me. I like the snug fit. It's just a little long in the body though and tends to scrunch up under my neck. Velcro adjustable waist, cuffs and neck. Mesh pocket and cell phone pocket inside. Due to its waterproof/windproof construction the outside pockets are hard to get into (impossible with gloves on) but a little leather lacing attached to the pull might fix that.
* Hypertec and Ballistic combination
* Aquapore waterproof, breathable lining
* Detachable lining
* CE armour fitted at shoulders and elbows
* Airflow ventilation system
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=FTL_FTW200-BLK-LSM_G
Good luck.
Rich

I know Triumph has a new dennim jacket with armor in the shoulders and elbows. It is a very comfortable jacket (I tried it on the other day). The only think I am not sure of is if the dennim material has any Kevlar like stuff in it.

Soren

I ordered a custom roo skin leather jacket from Walden Miller in South Australia. It was actually a stock jacket the modified abit to suit me. I don't really use cold weather stuff and thishas vents across the chest that were originally pockets but they were in a really weird place and would not have benn much use. The vents are good and roo skin is lighter and stronger than any other leather. It was interesting to here the Draggin jeans worked. I have been thinking of getting a pair. I always thought that kevlar was good for impacts but that efficient for scrapes. I will have another look now.