[27471]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

Finally First Post Sukas. I been trying for 2 yrs. Anyway I have a teknik (however you spell it) mesh with CE armor that I can ride across the mojave desert in 115 degree heat and not drop dead. It works pretty well and it seems tough enough to survive a crash, though I am sure it would be totally ripped up and good for nothing afterwards. The neoprene collar and snap sleeves are a nice touch

 

[longride]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I have a Vanson Cobra Mk2 vented leather jacket. It works great in the heat with the interior zip down panels, and looks great. I also got the armor to go with it. Bought it 3 years ago and thought the price was high, and then I looked at what it costs now. Yikes!Vanson has the best quality leathers I have ever worn. Good investment if you are going to ride many years.

 

[2968]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I own the Mark 2 Challenger--got it on Ebay (brand new with tags) for less than 1/2 price. I actually use this as my winter jacket. The venting is not sufficient for NC summers and is a little difficult to use (the folding flap is not the greatest design). It's an excellent choice when commuting to work at 40 degrees and returning home in 80 degrees--works great in the NC winter/spring.

During summer I swear by Vanson's Mark 2 CSRV, which is fully perforated leather. Vanson's stuff is expensive, but made to last. I think it's money well spent, especially if you can find a deal.

 

[bikervince]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I also have the Challenger. I also got it for about half price ($300) at an end-of-season clearance. It's a great jacket, extremely well-made and good looking. Having the zip-down front panels really makes it more comfortable in warm weather, up to about 80 degrees before it becomes too hot. And of course if you're not moving, it gets hot very quickly. For the real warm stuff I have a PowerTrip San Jose jacket (about $120). It is a nylon mesh jacket with back,elbow and shoulder armour and a zip-out vest lining. It works very well on the hot summer days here in New England (both of them!) While you are moving, the air flows right through it as if you aren't wearing it. Of course you do notice it as soon as you stop, but they're all like that. And, being nylon, it is a probably a one-crash item, just like your helmet. Have a crash with it, then throw it away and get another.

BikerVince

 

[bikervince]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

Didn't know "" was for BOLD. Sorry 'bout that. That oughta teach me to use the "Preview" button next time.

 

[bikervince]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

OK, I give up. Nuthin' but plain text for me from here on out. I promise.

 

[33225]

Challenger = Avenger

I have a Vanson Avenger, which is an older version of the Challenger, before they added the sleeve vents. I had it made to measure about 7 years ago and it still looks good despite about 35,000 miles and one minor wreck. I don't use it as an around town hot weather jacket, the venting isn't nearly as good as a textile mesh jacket and the close fit means my business clothes look like h#ll after my 24 mile commute.

The Avenger is my jacket of choice any time I leave town or go on Sunday morning sports blasts with temps between full August heat and about 45 degrees with the streamliner vest zipped in (the heated handgrips and my VFR's fairing help quite a bit also). For mid-summer roadtrips in central Texas it works great with an evaporative vest underneath. The weakness is the lack of arm vents. This was fixed in the Challenger design. The adjustable vent design really works. Closed at night or early in the morning and open for the afternoons heat.

The biggest selling point at the time I bought this jacket was the ability to have the jacket made to measure to suit my freakish phsyique. Only later did I come to realize that this is one of the best built pieces of equipment I've ever had the pleasure of owning. (it would be insufficient or downright insulting to call this a piece of clothing or apparel. )

Yes, I paid through the nose for the jacket with all the custom work. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I have considered going back and getting a fully perfed Vanson for summer wear, such as the Hurricane, but opted not to. The fit is still so close that my business clothes would suffer more than necessary.

I've also crashed in a First Gear textile mesh jacket. I hit the ground lowside at about 35 miles per hour, and suffered no abbrasion to my upper body and only minor bruising. The jacket looked like it had been through a ribbon blender. For less than a quarter the price of my Vanson I got one wreck out of the Firstgear. Had I been going any faster the story might have been significantly more gruesome.

Summary? For play get the Vanson. For commuting stick with the textile mesh. Someone out there makes a jacket with a textile mesh body and combination textile mesh and perfed leather sleeves. That looks like the best bet for normally sized people. It doesn't come in size:freakish that I've seen.

 

[Fenton]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I've got a mesh Honda Racing w/CE armor. Comfy, very cool in the summer. I wouldn't use it under 65-70 degrees. It does not give a great deal of confidence due to the fact you can read a news paper through it.(really) But it is better than going leather vest only.

I also have a Road Gear perf leather with a liner. I looked at every leather jacket I could find. This thing is built well and is quite warm with the liner in

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I just wait until it cools down enough to use my electric vest.

I survived Italy! Damn I'm tired.

 

[longride]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

Glad you are back, ya bum!

 

[48454]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I have a joe rocket pheonix three, quite cool in the summer with the armor and liner removed, (it still has significant forearm shulder and back padding) seems fine @ 95 degrees or so, gets a little hot in trafic, but i think that has more to do with the 215 degree indicated engine blowing hot air on me. with the liner and all the armor in it seems to be fine to about 50 and sun does not seem to be a problem.

 

[uway]

I use Tourmaster's GX Air (double mesh)

Louisiana summer's are about as hot as it gets outside of a desert, and this jacket keeps me (somewhat) cool and protected. No matter what jacket you wear, you are going to sweat when stopped. I've found, however, that once you get moving, sweat just makes the jacket that much cooler as the air hits it. I recommend it without reservation. It ain't leather, but I'll be damned if ANY leather jacket would be tolerable in this kind of heat.

 

[mscuddy]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I got me an aircrew jacket down at the Supply Seargant that has a place u can stic a .38 in.

Ain't no ***** jacket. Steve McQueen wore one. Don't make fun of my old KZ or you just might find Mr. +P.

Yo.

 

[1747]

Re: I use Tourmaster's GX Air (double mesh)

ah, Natchitoches in July... nothing like it really. U almost need fins and snorkel too it is sooo humid down there no wonder u need the drive-thru daiqiri bars. Good place to have a car with good a/c u axe me.

 

[sarnali]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

I just wear my JR Ballistic unzipped, and without the liner and open the vents, or I just wear a shirt and hope I don't fall down....

Probably not as much protection as a regular flow-through jacket.

 

[uway]

WHAT?!

are you telling me the rest of the world doesn't have drive-thru daquiri shops?

haha, losers!

Johnny B, aren't you the guy who raves about Buells? If so, thanks. Your articles are one of the main reasons I got the Firebolt I've been so happy with. It is kinda slow, though, aint it?

 

[macmanjim]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

$750 for a jacket....I know they're supposed to be the best, but it's like, feed the kids or get a vanson...

 

[1747]

Re: WHAT?!

yes i love the Buells. Glad you like it, someday the world will catch up. I bet Motorcyclist names it MOTY this year or is that out already?

 

[Buzglyd]

Re: WHAT?!

Well they're pretty good at naming bikes that are not yet available to the general public as MOTY so maybe the new Beull will be the one.

 

[sportbikebandit]

Re: Latest ''flow through'' street jackets

You are alot help I saw a guy go down here in the parking lot the other day wearing a tee-shirt and skull cup helmet, fingerless gloves. It was slow moving thing on a Harley Road King. He scraped his elbow and hands up lots of blood. Someone said he had only been riding a few months and this was his first bike... He looked 50 something... To be honest the King looks like it could be a handful for me to handle in slow situations. I don't think I would ride one without a good pair of gloves, helmet and leather jacket.