Ducati Monster Forum

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-matrix-kevlar-jacket-2011 (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-matrix-kevlar-jacket-2011)

I like the looks of it, don't like that there's no pocket for a back plate. Any opinions?

at that price point i would get this instead:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-airwave-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-airwave-jacket)

I have the orig version, the Rev'it Air, and it's awesome.

I will spend more for a nicer jacket if you guys want to recommend one. The main thing is I want a clean look without all the logos and stuff, something that looks less like a sportbike jacket, which is why I was looking at that first one.

I just upgraded to a bmw jacket, from my el cheapo scorpion one(decent entry level jacket, but cold as balls to wear here at the moment in the pnw), this thing is sweet, although pricey. Has phase/nano technology? Think that when its cold the pores on the jacket tighten up ad when its hot they open up large(sure u can't see it), making it like a mesh(not that large of holes though, probably can't notice them), removable liner(not those dinky lil pieces of crap that do nothing). Anyways highly recommend their riding gear, comfy, looks good, i have a tiny lil button logo for bmw(so minimal logo :) and is tough as nails.

Only issue i have with it is the same for all jackets/clothing. In order to get my shoulders/back/arms so i can move them and reach the handle bars, i have to give on the fit of the coat in the midsection, its the same with me and a suit, its custom or the jacket is made for a person with a rather large gut and just looks bad on me.

Great gear!!  Now to find a decent pair of riding boots instead of my blundstones.

Steve

What kind of weather do you want the jacket for?  Summer? 3 season or 4?

summer/3season

How about this?

http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-barcellona.html?gender=2&cat=12 (http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbike/g-barcellona.html?gender=2&cat=12)

The looks are meh in my opinion but I'm worried more about protection. I really want opinions on which jackets are the best for safety, I can judge the style on my own.

If you're looking for safety and warm weather then perf leather is prob your best option.  In terms of protection, almost all the usual names are about the same level though you should look for CE lvl 2 rated armor.  And forcefield makes some of the best armor and they have the shapes to fit in rev'it and dainese gear for when you pick up a back protector.

I'm personally probably going to pick up this jacket soonish:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-alien-leather-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-alien-leather-jacket)

Not too sporty, but a nice balance I think.

I have the rev'it cr jacket which I get a lot of compliments on, it's got a bit of a retro look and look great in the white:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-cr-leather-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-cr-leather-jacket)

Actually... I think this might be the perfect one for you:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-ignition-2-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-ignition-2-jacket)

and here is another one that's the same idea:

http://www.revzilla.com/product/revit-ignition-leather-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/product/revit-ignition-leather-jacket)

It's a 3 season jacket, leather and mesh, not super sporty with blacked out logos.  A friend of mine has the orig version and likes it a lot.

I have the rev'it tarmac too, it flows a crapload of air, hard parts galore but i'm probably going to wind up selling it as I wound up buying a one piece and I was going to use it as a 2 piece for the track.  It's def very sporty looking but it's pretty much blacked out with little to no logos:

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-tarmac-leather-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-tarmac-leather-jacket)

thanks dude, appreciate the work  [beer]

I know many people ride in kevlar,textile and mesh jackets,and armor is most important,but once you are done with the initial impact you will probably be sliding and this is where a tight fitting leather comes into play.Those other jackets can get grabby and ride up,bunch up and expose skin.

do you recommend any specific brand or model? I want to try and order one this week

A lot of it's fit for you - that's the catch. Something that fits me, won't necessarily fit you well. Any comments on your build?

5'11", slim. wear a 30-31" waist.

Vanson and Alpinestars make good leather jackets.Whatever you get make sure they have a good return policy in case it doesn't fit.

If you are looking for something that offers protection and doesn't look like you are headed to the track this one looks good.

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=11205 (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=11205)

The leather isn't quite as heavy duty as some other jackets but it is still leather, it has ce protection in the elbows and shoulders with an available ce back protector.  The jacket looks different in the video than in the pictures so make sure you watch the video.

Jim

Sheep hide is usually pretty weak and at less than a mm thick won't provide much protection IMO...

Good to know.  I don't know much about leather.

Jim

Vanson, A*'s, Dainese, and Rev'it are all on par in terms of quality for leather jackets.  Keep in mind that A*'s also has a pretty broad line in terms of their leather gear so their lower end stuff might not be as good as their higher end gear.  Dainese leather is just $$ and in general all good quality... Revit is a bit cheaper but I havent had any issues with their qual either.

Never tried vanson, never liked the style, but they have a great rep.

I'm going to ask the woman at my local leather shop how much a custom leather jacket made from kangaroo hide,in black and tan panels, would cost.Roo is half the weight and twice as strong as cow.Illegal in some states and requires special strong needles.We'll see,might cost too much!

I want a jacket made from the rarest, most endangered animal

like a Manatee or something

I take it all back on the BMW coat the stitching is letting go in a few spots. Not overly impressed at the moment its going back for return. Sigh!  Sure its a one off but its depressing nonetheless, damn i really liked the jacket as well

. I seem to be having nothing but gear issues this uear with rhings falling apart. I'm on my third pair of gloves the stirching was letting go left right and centre on those aa well. This pair ia holding up longer then 2 wks. Then there is my diving gear issues, seems to be the year that all my stuff fails. Sorry lil rant there.

Steve

Ask your leather lady about stingray

Don't be sorry I want to hear people's experience as far as what's good and what's not, it's all relevant.

Fair enough, just urks me to spend that kind of coin on something and it falls apart. Grre, my el cheapo scorpion is standing up better. Granted its not major un stitching but bmw is quality gear and so far what I have seen is crappg stitchig, it should hild up better. Shame to as they do not have another in my size.

Anyways best if luck in your search I'm going to be doing the same now.

Steve

Yeah,sting ray is tough as hell.I'm not sure how supple it is.Most of the GP racers suits are kangaroo,lightweight and supple comfy.
A 'roo jacket with sting ray shoulders and elbow/forearms would be wicked!  [clap]

If you can get sized right, search ebay for Vanson, Fox Creek. I'm close to your size and got a 44 Cobra MK2  (perfed with interior zip panels) and fits like a dream. (5'11 ~165lbs).