Your favorite jacket and gloves?

[wsmac1150r]

I need to purchase a jacket and a pair of gloves and need advice from those who have been there, done that. I have been using a "bomber" jacket for the last month and I like the leather and tall collar, but it's not suitable for riding because it's too flappy.

What really narrows my choices is the fact that I am 6'3'' and have very long arms...so I need something that comes in Tall sizes.

For gloves, I have no idea...I just want something that is comfortable to use.

90% of my riding is in commuting to work and back...about 25 miles a day on twisty, country roads.

I would appreciate your suggestions...budget of $200-$300

[rdsmith3]

I do a lot of commuting, too, and have found that one jacket does not work for all seasons.

My favorite jacket is the First Gear Kilimanjaro. Like you, I need a tall size, which this comes in. (I am 6' 2.5" and about 180 and the large tall size fits me well.) It is comfortable, water proof, and has pretty good protection. Mine is four years old, and I have heard that the new ones have better venting. I would say that this jacket is good up to about 75 degrees. With the included fleece liner and/or a heated vest, I am good down to about 30 degrees. So you have a range of 40 to 50 degrees for this jacket, and it is waterproof. Mine seems to be very well made.

In the hot weather, I use a First Gear mesh jacket, which also comes in a tall size. I have a rain liner in case it rains, but the outside of the jacket still gets wet. Plus, rain liners are a pain because you have to take the jacket off, put the liner on, then put the jacket back on, hopefully not in the rain. But I like the jacket for hot weather.

For gloves, I like the Held Steve gloves. These gloves are incredibly comfortable, but they are pricey and will blow your budget.

What about boots? I have three pairs of motorcycle shoes. The best are a pair of Alpinestars boots. Very warm, very protective, and waterproof. In hot weather, I wear BMW street sneakers (which I got from a dealer going out of business for 30% off).

[frbank6]

I've been very happy with the FirstGear stuff I've bought and I noticed that a lot of their jackets come in long sizes. I went with leather, but I've wished I got the Kilamangaro textile jacket. I can recommend the newenough.com site as a source. They've always been very helpful and usually have good prices.

[ruddy]

+1 on First Gear jackets--both leather and mesh.

[Capt. Blackadder]

+2 on FirstGear jackets and pants. BMW's summer gloves with mesh have also worked great for me.

[rdsmith3]

BMW's summer gloves with mesh have also worked great for me.

Yes, I like those, too, for the summer. They have held up pretty well.

[hotzuk]

Well, with a $200-300 budget I can help with the gloves. I have the Held Steve something gloves and love them. I think they run about $100 for the pair. For my jacket. I use a Rukka APR3 jacket. It runs around $700 so that is a tad outside your budgeted amount. For the record, the Rukka APR3 is as comfortable as wearing your ten year old sweatshirt from day one. Once I got past the cost, I absolutely love the jacket.

Try http://www.newenough.com for jackets. They have some really good deals on their clearouts and they would contribute a buck or two to the site.

[R4R&R]

+3 on the Firstgear Kilimanjaro. I've been using that setup for the past 8 years now. You can find really good deals at http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com. Go with the Held gloves - they're worth it.

[sjbmw]

Ah, a topic I understand.. low budget!

First Gear Kilomanjaro Air. Love mine. Purchased 2 years ago, and if you take the liner out, it has more airflow, and is cooler that my FirstGear MeshTex. Liner in, it's a fine cold weather jacket. (I wear a gerbing Jacket liner underneath on freezing days.)

They don't make it anymore though, but it still can be had.

http://www.newenough.com/firstgear_kili ... t_page.htm
Here is a closeout for $243, if they have your size.

BMW Airflow gloves. Soft leather forever. Not for below 40 degress though. I think I paid $60 for them at a dealer open house.

http://www.sierrabmw.bigstep.com/item.h ... ID=1312579

$243 + $79 = $322 + shipping... a little over...but not a bad deal.

[wsmac1150r]

Hey! if I was low budget, I would have bought a Yamaha! Who sticks to a budget anyway?

The Kilmanjaro looks great, but I see two. The Air and the II Nylon. Can't tell which is "better".

The Held gloves look perfect.

As far as boots are concerned, besides the extra protection, are there other advantages?

[12bar1]

Another vote for the First Gear Kiliamanjaro Air and the MeshTex jackets. My KJ air is really comfortable in the hot weather and with the liner in is good down to about 40ºF. It also saved my hide a couple of months ago. For the money I think First Gear is some of the best on the market.

[wncbmw]

For an all around jacket (and pants) combo, I like my Olympia AST jacket and Ranger pants combo. Weather and crash protection, liner and reasonably priced. Like it well enough, I sold my Aerostich! See my review on this board!

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... hlight=ast

As for gloves, I just got the Held Steves and will join the chorus recommending them. Great fit and protection!

[hotzuk]

Well, protection is the key but I find that the motorcycle specific boots are generally more comfortable while riding. I would hope so since that is what they are designed to do right.

Once again, try the people at http://www.newenough.com. I have older Sidi Vertebra II cabon vented. LOVE THEM. Like weaing a pair of slippers. Very comfortable right out the box. I believe the replacement boot is the Verebra Corsa or something like that. You need to decide if you want the boots to vent or not. If so, they will not be waterproof. You can take care of that by picking up a pair of the emergency boot covers sold by our good friends at http://www.aerostich.com. If you don't mind a little space in the luggage and a cheaper price, go with the Treds that are sold at newenough.com.

Heck, I have a pair of the Treds that I am not using since I got my new Sidi Discovery boots. Make me an offer

[dsimon9]

I need to purchase a jacket and a pair of gloves and need advice from those who have been there, done that. I have been using a "bomber" jacket for the last month and I like the leather and tall collar, but it's not suitable for riding because it's too flappy.

What really narrows my choices is the fact that I am 6'3'' and have very long arms...so I need something that comes in Tall sizes.

For gloves, I have no idea...I just want something that is comfortable to use.

90% of my riding is in commuting to work and back...about 25 miles a day on twisty, country roads.

I would appreciate your suggestions...budget of $200-$300

I ended up having a leather jacket custom fitted. I just could not find a jacket, any jacket that fit me properly. The outfit is called Z Custom Leather. Here is their link:

http://www.zcustom.com/

I used different gloves depending on weather and "purpose" of ride. Among my collection I have Held, z-custom, and a pair of $30 gloves. Ironically, I find myself using the cheapos the most.

Dex

[Dr. Strangelove]

another take on this

a $2-300 budget is a little skinny for what you want, but at least look at Bohn body armor ( http://www.bohnarmor.com/ )

with much of their stuff you can use regular clothing over the armor.

also a good pair of heavy leather gardening gloves would be cheap and offer protection from the elements, bugs and some from concrete. If they are not warm enough you could use liners--what works great for liners are tuxedo gloves, yeah the stretchy white ones. You could probably harvest a used pair from a tux rental center.

also be sure to check out http://www.ibmwr.org/ for their used stuff, as well as ebay
of course, there is lots better stuff out there, but not in your budget.

hope this helps

John

[JCsman]

Let me jump on the First Gear bandwagon (and the Newenough.com site).

I use the leather mesh tech jacket. Doesn't flow as much air as my all mesh jacket, but clearly more substantial protection (leather at elbows, shoulders and better armor). I think I got it at closeout for $130. Normally $200.

I wear Olympia mesh gloves (very reasonably priced - $30 as I recall. They certainly are not race track quality, but keep my hands bearably cool here in Alabama.

Also I recommend the Air 2 mesh pants from First Gear. As long as I'm able to keep moving even the Alabama heat can't break my spirit. Plus they come in the stubby length my legs dictate (as well as human and NBA player length - OKshort/regular/tall). I think I found them at $110 on special.

[tor1150r]

Just came off a long road trip.
We encountered everything from hail to heavy rain, cold temps, hot temps and billowing dust.

I used a Ryhno jacket and pants, my wife used a Joe Rocket jacket and Rhyno pants. We remained bone dry and warm. Slight dampness in extended downpours, but even Aerostich users get damp in extreme rain.
Zip out liners for warm weather, decent venting.

I'd recommend Rhyno to anyone. And their stuff is priced right!

My only criteria for gloves are that they are comfortable - no seams in odd places. Cheap gloves never fit right either.

I used BMW gloves for 90% of our trip and found them durable, comfortable and they have adequate palm padding.

I have heard a lot about Held gloves (models 'Steve' and 'Summer Fresh). Both these models have had rave reviews. I would have used them if they were available in Canada. So definitely check them out.

[Gordium7]

I like my Tourmaster Intake jacket. At least for the spring through fall months. Its a mesh jacket design that has two layered removable liners (one waterproof, one insulated). So far, it has satisfied all my needs.

Don't know how long it will be comfortable into the cold Colorado winter (which starts in October... ), but with a good fleece vest and/or jacket layered underneath, it may be good for year round use.

It comes in every conceivable size.

Intake Jacket

[Panzerleder]

I agree with Dex on Z-Custom leathers. The new textiles are great if you are on a budget, but NOTHING can beat quality leathers when it comes to protecting your hide, and nothing can beat Z-Customs creations. I have one of their jackets and it is simply gorgeous. Their gloves also received top ratings in a motorcycle mag comparison test a few years ago.

I have a glove fetish, so I have too many pairs to count, but I favor deerskin and elkskin in summer, ski gloves in winter.

[wsmac1150r]

OK...I just ordered the Held Steve's for $114 at http://www.motorcycleleatherexchange.co ... loves.html

I saw a lot of good reviews on these gloves...I'm still looking at jackets...thanks!