Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[Sunnyside_up!]

hi guys ...
i am about to order a riding jacket for myself... ive shortlisted on Speed and Strength's Twist of fate ..
It has removable lining with CE approved elbow , shoulder and back protector.

here is the size chart.... http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...IZE-CHART.ASPX
my chest is 43" [if add a gap of +2"]] and sleeves 26" ....
which size should i order .... i guess size M would be good. ??

please suggest a colour too ... my pick would be black because i have a black bike. since this is my first riding jacket ... so i am still a novice in riding jacket deptt. ... i need some serious help ... regarding size...
HELP NEEDED ...!!

This is my personal view (and I could be wrong) but you should buy a jacket as close to your actual size as possible.

I bought my first jacket one size larger in the traditional thought that " a little loose = more comfort". While that might be true, I soon realized that the armors will not stay in place if the garment is loose. Improperly placed guards defeat the purpose of the armor, SO....

[lijok]

^+1 and more importantly, it could be more dangerous also... just think of a fall and the armor moving around due to the loose fit!!

[lijok]

OH!
thanks a lot man!
i had totally forgot about ORAZO and the fact that Lijo owns one!
i will check it out!again thanks for reminding!

you even forgot me asking everyone to step on it saying it wont hurt n all... ?? hehe..
I own an Orazo Picus boots. Its pretty comfy, an inch thick sole with superb grip, a steel toe (which I guess will protect you even if a small car goes over it ) and reasonable water resistance. IMHO for 3k bucks its a good buy.

[smoker n doper]

Dude even I am planning to order 1 for myself. the same one . How are you planning to get it shipped in india . Please let me know. thnx

my family member is coming from the US after two weeks !!

This is my personal view (and I could be wrong) but you should buy a jacket as close to your actual size as possible.

I bought my first jacket one size larger in the traditional thought that " a little loose = more comfort". While that might be true, I soon realized that the armors will not stay in place if the garment is loose. Improperly placed guards defeat the purpose of the armor, SO....

thanks for the info bro.

[smoker n doper]

Textile or Mesh

can anyone tell me the difference between a TEXTILE JACKET and a MESH JACKET.. ? ive googled it .. what i found is textile jackets provide better protection but are very difficult to use in hot weather.

my second query :
which is a better buy among the two ??
as i am about to buy a jacket i need to finalise on one ... i live in lucknow which remains hot throughout the year now.

Please suggest.

[antz.bin]

can anyone tell me the difference between a TEXTILE JACKET and a MESH JACKET.. ? ive googled it .. what i found is textile jackets provide better protection but are very difficult to use in hot weather.

my second query :
which is a better buy among the two ??
as i am about to buy a jacket i need to finalise on one ... i live in lucknow which remains hot throughout the year now.

Please suggest.

Considering how the climate was in November last year.. I wont recommend a mesh jacket for the winters. I happen to have both so commenting. I tried using my DSG Maze in LKO that time.. even with the liner during daytime... it was waay too cold (for me at least).

For current weather and further till February, A Textile jacket is good for Pune (Moderate cold) weather. But for summers, they can become unbearably hot and can even lead to severe fluid loss (as sweat).

So.. suggestion (What I do.): If city commuting is the main use of the jacket + bike, buy a Mesh jacket.

Reason: You will get to your destination before the cold gets to you

Try:
1. Cramster Breezer, its good, its cheap, it has a waterproof inner liner which actually works.
2. DSG Maze has a thermolite(thermal) liner and is better looking but is useless when it rains.

If Touring is your requirement, you will be better off with a textile jacket no matter what the weather (hot or cold, ALL Jackets are useless in Wet weather). There are many Good textile jackets available from DSG, Cramster, RJays Alpinestars etc. Take a pick, buy the one which looks the best

[Sunnyside_up!]

can anyone tell me the difference between a TEXTILE JACKET and a MESH JACKET.. ? ive googled it .. what i found is textile jackets provide better protection but are very difficult to use in hot weather.

my second query :
which is a better buy among the two ??
as i am about to buy a jacket i need to finalise on one ... i live in lucknow which remains hot throughout the year now.

Please suggest.

Simple.

Hot weather - Mesh Jacket.

Cold Weather - Textile Jacket with thermal liner.

Some Mesh Jackets have thermal and waterproof liners but I'm not convinced that they can actually keep you warm. Where do you plan to do your shopping? In India or abroad?

I have a Cramster Breezer Mesh 2.0 which I use extensively, since I live in Chennai, where the climate is ALWAYS hot. There are some very nice options if you're buying abroad. The S&S option discussed a few posts back is a good choice.

I also have a Tourmaster Transition textile jacket which was a gift from abroad which I am unable to use in Chennai. It's so hot that I feel drained of energy within about 1/2 an hour of wearing it. I'm sure it would make a good touring jacket in colder climates with it's waterproof lining but totally useless in my city.

[smoker n doper]

Considering how the climate was in November last year.. I wont recommend a mesh jacket for the winters. I happen to have both so commenting. I tried using my DSG Maze in LKO that time.. even with the liner during daytime... it was waay too cold (for me at least).

For current weather and further till February, A Textile jacket is good for Pune (Moderate cold) weather. But for summers, they can become unbearably hot and can even lead to severe fluid loss (as sweat).

So.. suggestion (What I do.): If city commuting is the main use of the jacket + bike, buy a Mesh jacket.

Reason: You will get to your destination before the cold gets to you

Try:
1. Cramster Breezer, its good, its cheap, it has a waterproof inner liner which actually works.
2. DSG Maze has a thermolite(thermal) liner and is better looking but is useless when it rains.

If Touring is your requirement, you will be better off with a textile jacket no matter what the weather (hot or cold, ALL Jackets are useless in Wet weather). There are many Good textile jackets available from DSG, Cramster, RJays Alpinestars etc. Take a pick, buy the one which looks the best

thanks anant ... i would be using it in on my tours only... so i guess i am better off with a Textile one.

Simple.

Hot weather - Mesh Jacket.

Cold Weather - Textile Jacket with thermal liner.

Some Mesh Jackets have thermal and waterproof liners but I'm not convinced that they can actually keep you warm. Where do you plan to do your shopping? In India or abroad?

I have a Cramster Breezer Mesh 2.0 which I use extensively, since I live in Chennai, where the climate is ALWAYS hot. There are some very nice options if you're buying abroad. The S&S option discussed a few posts back is a good choice.

I also have a Tourmaster Transition textile jacket which was a gift from abroad which I am unable to use in Chennai. It's so hot that I feel drained of energy within about 1/2 an hour of wearing it. I'm sure it would make a good touring jacket in colder climates with it's waterproof lining but totally useless in my city.

i am also getting a gift from abroad....
Textile should be my pik as i wont be using it MUCH inside city as lucknow is very hot during summers...
i need a touring jacket ... so i guess Textile is the one.
and this is the one which i have zeroed on...
thanks for clearing my doubt.

[animeher]

I would say get a touring MESH jacket with thermal waterproof liner. This is combining best of everything. My jacket's liner is so heat protective, I sometimes use it as a standalone sweater even! Such jacket literally serves you all around the year.

We say that on touring even in heat, textile jackets are good. But at each stop, no matter how short, it gets uncomfortable. Only on good speeds are you comfortable in it.

[RanjithMN]

Mesh is a type of textile jacket that is heavily vented for use in Summer.

[smoker n doper]

thanks for the input ...guys
but which has better safety feature ??? because ive heard that textile jackets are more tougher than the mesh ones ? is that true ??

P.S - ill be using my jacket during tours.... not within the city !!

[srik]

Bought a DSG for around 5K in Bangalore

I have bought a DSG around 5K in Bangalore, it feels comfortable. But, I have one doubt, the Shopkeeper has suggested to go for the tight one, but I have choosen a jacket which is little comfortable. He said there will be "drag" and might not protect as the protectors are not tightly held in their place during a fall. Though I felt comfortable in a slightly larger size, his comments are worrying me. any suggestions?

[Sunnyside_up!]

thanks for the input ...guys
but which has better safety feature ??? because ive heard that textile jackets are more tougher than the mesh ones ? is that true ??

P.S - ill be using my jacket during tours.... not within the city !!

Buddy,

Sorry to say this but that's not very smart. You should wear all your gear all the time. Saying that you will use your jacket only for touring is like saying that you intend to take a dive only outside the city...

See? Sounds silly, doesn't it? I never go out on my bike without my gear on - even for short rides. I sometimes don't put on my boots and knee-pads when in the city and even then I feel that I'm tempting fate. But helmet, jacket and gloves, always on. In order to lessen the risk of knee/butt scrapes, I'm now getting myself a pair of kevlar lined jeans from Draggin' Jeans. At least that way, only my feet will be exposed if I'm not fully kitted.

Imagine taking a dive and injuring yourself in the city when you have all the safety gear hanging in a cupboard at home. That would make you feel pretty dumb, wouldn't it?

[nin]

Buddy,

Sorry to say this but that's not very smart. You should wear all your gear all the time. Saying that you will use your jacket only for touring is like saying that you intend to take a dive only outside the city...

See? Sounds silly, doesn't it? I never go out on my bike without my gear on - even for short rides. I sometimes don't put on my boots and knee-pads when in the city and even then I feel that I'm tempting fate. But helmet, jacket and gloves, always on. In order to lessen the risk of knee/butt scrapes, I'm now getting myself a pair of kevlar lined jeans from Draggin' Jeans. At least that way, only my feet will be exposed if I'm not fully kitted.

Imagine taking a dive and injuring yourself in the city when you have all the safety gear hanging in a cupboard at home. That would make you feel pretty dumb, wouldn't it?

^^+1 to that !!

[smoker n doper]

Buddy,

Sorry to say this but that's not very smart. You should wear all your gear all the time. Saying that you will use your jacket only for touring is like saying that you intend to take a dive only outside the city...

See? Sounds silly, doesn't it? I never go out on my bike without my gear on - even for short rides. I sometimes don't put on my boots and knee-pads when in the city and even then I feel that I'm tempting fate. But helmet, jacket and gloves, always on. In order to lessen the risk of knee/butt scrapes, I'm now getting myself a pair of kevlar lined jeans from Draggin' Jeans. At least that way, only my feet will be exposed if I'm not fully kitted.

Imagine taking a dive and injuring yourself in the city when you have all the safety gear hanging in a cupboard at home. That would make you feel pretty dumb, wouldn't it?

^^+1 to that !!

i dont want to act like a hypocrite here albeit to be honest i ride within the city with a good quality helmet plus gloves and boots always on.
i always pair it up with a jacket (not armourmed though)coz i dont have one.. but then thats why i am buying a riding jacket for myself NOW.
and within city limits i meant around 8 to 10kms ride thats it (yes lucknow is not a big city) and to top it all i ride sane.
i know i am little wrong on my part .... but to be honest i wrote that "i will be riding without jacket" because a bunch of people were suggesting me a Mesh jacket whereas my mind got stuck to Textile one.... so i wanted to see some replies suggesting me a Textile jacket .
anways chuck it ..
coz when i will have a jacket to wear ill never leave a chance to flaunt it...
just waiting to lay my hands on it now ...