Advice on Leather Jackets

[Yama Mama]

What do you all suggest as a really warm motorcycle jacket?

Ron has a Wilson Motorcycle jacket with Thinsulate lining that seems to work for him.

My leather jacket has a regular lining, and although I dress in layers, I seem to still get really cold. Especially if it is in the low 50's.

It seems that most of the jackets for ladies are just more for looks.

 

Hey, Fringe isn't really that warm!

[RPG]

Just get yourself a good quality electric vest and wear any leather jacket you want. My wife loves her electrified jacket liner.Toasty warm at the flip of a switch!!

[awsmsrv]

Just get yourself a good quality electric vest and wear any leather jacket you want. My wife loves her electrified jacket liner.Toasty warm at the flip of a switch!!

How about this? Sounds great!

 

http://www.jett.us.com/heat_vest_complete.htm

 

Here's a write-up on it, too.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/heated-vest/battery-heated-vest/

[Guest sargeb13]

I will observe that generally, you get what you pay for in leather jackets. Havving said that, I have found high end jackets with some big discounts on web stores like newenough and motorcyclecloseouts. The leather used in high end jackets is of a far, far superior quality than that used on the $100 jackets. Many folks I see with leather jackets are not properly fitted: the waist of the jacket must be tight (that's why there is a belt) to keet the jacket from riding up in a slide. As for warm, leather is a lously insulator (but a great wind blocker). If warm is the concern, look to a good quality textile jacket with a liner; some come with two or more liners or optional liners for different riding conditions. Lots of the new textiles give more protection than leather and are much lighter and cheaper. Also, many textiles are either waterproof or don't hold water, and a wet leather jacket is HEAVY and takes a LONG time to dry. I have some good leather jackets as well as textile, and I believe that good textile is warmer.

 

Hope that all helps.

 

Michael

[Tartan Terror]

How about this? Sounds great!

 

http://www.jett.us.com/heat_vest_complete.htm

 

Here's a write-up on it, too.

 

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/heated-vest/battery-heated-vest/

Hey I really like this idea. Great for sports events also and no draw on the bike power. Now I just need to find gloves!!

[Bvinson]

Those vests are worth a look. I just bought 2 Jackets from Cabelas that are on sale. They are waterproof, 200 gr. thinsulate and the reflective piping is great. Size runs a little large.

 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=HI0TX5VUDN2CMCWQNWRCCOAK0BW0GIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=Featured&id=0035638922689a&navCount=4&podId=0035638&parentId=cat21158&navAction=push&catalogCode=UF&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat21158&hasJS=true&_requestid=11332

[timk]

I have a Wilson also with Thinsulate. I layer under it, and have been as low as 26 degrees with little problems. It's been a great jacket, as it's over 20 years old, zippers still smoothe. I treat it yearly with some stuff that has been around for over 100 years.

[Black Ice]

My wife's leather jacket has a thinsulate liner and she finds it quite comfortable. It is a little pricey but as someone said, you do get what you pay for. Unfortunately, I can't give you a place to get it cause it's Canadian made for a chain up here.

However, I'm positive that you can get jackets for women in the US with thinsulate as we've seen them when we were looking. The problem is that buying off a website is really risky, especially when it comes to fit. My wife tried many jackets in many places before she found one that fit her properly. If you can find a make and model that fits well, then it may be worth looking for that one on the webb but otherwise you run the risk of disappointment.

I think that your best bet if you want leather, is to get a good electric vest, with or without sleeves depending on your needs. We have been out numerous times in below freezing temps and the jacket keeps the wind out but the vest puts the warmth inside

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

Gary B