HarleyTechTalk

Since I have been eating so much popcorn while reading threads here, I have...ahem...outgrown my old leather jacket.

Does anyone have a favorite cool/cold weather jacket (40 is cold for Florida) that they could recommend? Not really interested in High Dollar (HD) made in china stealer jackets, please, and it certainly doesn't have to be 'biker uniform black leather'.

Thanks for any suggestions!!!

Try the fabrics, they are lighter and most are waterproof. I will never go back to leather.

That is what I was thinking, Deltafarmer. Is there any particular brand that seems to be better overall? A zip out liner would be great.

mine is a HD high dollar ,but it was reasonable when I bought it 7 or 8 years ago. It's still in excellent shape
it one of HD's FXRG riding jackets. better than leather IMHO, lighter, warmer, more waterproof, and comfortable.
it has the kevlar re-enforced elbows and shoulders. Unfortunately I went down while wearing this jacket, but I'm glad I was  I had no road rash at all, the jacket protected me well. my wife cleaned it up (machine washable) and like I said I'm still wearing it.
when its time I'll buy another one   

Check out "New Enough" online, especially they're closeout section. Just bought a nice leather riding jacket for alittle over $100. Good customer service also.

gOOseman

Fox Creek Leather.  American made and great customer service.  I bought a jacket from them last year and am very satisfied with the quality and fit.

www.foxcreekleather.com

I believe it's a Cortech.  Blue jean material, vented fore and aft, zip out liner, removeable shoulder and elbow pads.
My only complaint is the collar is too loose for cool weather (probably cause my belly is too big ) Cool/Cold I use a schampa dickie to make up for the loose collar.  Waterproof,  thats what rain gear is for.
Low

Black Carhart.  no hood..

I bought a Cortech  GX Sport that I wear all the time now.  Its waterproof and has a zip out liner, several vents and pockets inside and out.  Shop around and you should be able to get one for 139.00.  If you decide to get one contact me I might still have a 10% off code.
Mark

  I have been using a Tourmaster Intake Jacket for the past two years. The jacket is made of mesh with two zip out liners. One is wind and waterproof, the other is quilted. It also has armor should things go bad. I wear the jacket year round. Reasonably priced and versatile.

Some mountaineering jackets do really good, think REI type stuff. When its real cold, like in the teens, they do alot better than my motorcycling jackts.

Well you can say what you want about the NON leather stuff,, I have seen some of the ahhh highend stuff that looked like it went through a lawn mower after a crash,,, I have seen more leather jackets survive a slide down the road than the NON leather ones,, So leather is old school but I trust a good hunk of cow hide between mine and the tarmac,,Just MHO you understand

Skeets, I totally get it having been down a few times myself over the years, and swear by leather boots since a set saved my feet twice now. Even had half my face taken off by asphalt (it grew back-still ugly).

Just wanted to see if there was a non made in pakistan or china version out there that wasn't $500.

Memnar-I agree, since I am wearing a 98 Balloon Festival pilot jacket as my riding gear, and it's the warmest thing I have. (Dad used to live in ABQ)

Thanks for the suggestions and experience, everyone! Much appreciated.

I'm with Dakota on that - the irony being that mine is a Carhart knock off called...Dakota. I have lots of leather but only wear it when touring. The Carhart-types are longer and cover the crotch and ass better. The down side is that they're not rain proof. That's why I wear the leathers on the long road.

After some non high dollar stuff gave out after a couple of years I got the FXRG leather jacket and pants.  80K later, love this stuff.  Would not want to hit the road (literally) in the textile jacket. 

JMO

Black Carhart work jacket with a hooded sweatshirt underneath & bunched up around my neck.

Tour Master Transition  with removable liner. I never use the liner,just a light weight HD jacket when needed.

Harley Race jacket.  I have seen them cheap on Ebay.  This is the one with the orange stripe across both front & back.   I like having color on my jackets so cagers can see me.

Don't go cheap or non Harley.  My race jacket is going on 6 years and though it probably ain't made in the US, it still is a very good quality jacket.  I can wear it even if it is hot out (when I stop, I cook) and in cold weather it is perfect with an inner fleece liner or my Gerbing heated jacket.

Iv'e been using a textile jacket from Rooster Performance for 2.5 years so far. I paid 200 shipped. It has more to offer for less money than anything else out there in my opinion. All seasons ready and you won't need Gerbing.




I bought the Navigator Langletz.

Quote from: Black Jack on November 17, 2008, 06:44:12 AM
I'm with Dakota on that - the irony being that mine is a Carhart knock off called...Dakota. I have lots of leather but only wear it when touring. The Carhart-types are longer and cover the crotch and ass better. The down side is that they're not rain proof. That's why I wear the leathers on the long road.

I sprayed the shizznit outta mine with a can of 3M aerosol water repellant.

I wear a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket. Warm, some armor, and good in the rain.

 Mine is a Vintage Brooks, though I believe they are still making them right here in the USA.

               white stag 40 yr old lite ski jacket my uncle wore in the sixties , well made coat and comfortable.           

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http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/

The Teknik stuff looks pretty good feature and price wise-just wish they had elasticized cuffs.

I guess no one uses Langlitz, Bates or Stewart anymore.