• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • This forum is for placing reviews for parts, accessories, gear and service as it relates to your GS motorcycle. The key here is "GS Related". There is a bit of latitude here but we don't want to see a review on Maytag washers just because that's what you use to clean your riding jacket in.

    Keep your review as factual as possible and please refrain from personal attacks. Posted articles will be reviewed by the Editors and may be removed at their discretion.

    So let's make this a useful addition to the forum! A special pat on the back goes to Hap Call for coming up with this great idea.

    The views expressed in this forum are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of "The GSResources" or the editors.

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

Jacket Advice

cowboyup3371

cowboyup3371

Forum Guru
Past Site Supporter
The jacket I have now is a pretty nice one and has done me good for both warm and cold weather (as long as I layer up as needed) here in Colorado. However, I think I'd like to look for a new one.

My accident last year had me thinking about chest protection. I know nothing is absolutely protective and if it's really that big of a deal, I could always buy one of those protective vests like I have for the kids. However, I saw these two AlpineStars jackets and wondered if anyone had any experience with them? Does anyone know of other brands that include this feature as I'm not seeing anything so far in my limited searching.

I'm not looking to buy until after my move nor am I set on this store but I'm still trying to gather some ideas.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/17113/ITEM/Alpinestars-Royal-Drystar-Jacket.aspx

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...inestars-P1-Sport-Touring-Drystar-Jacket.aspx
 
Last edited:
Just a warning: Alpinestars seems to think that everyone who SHOULD be wearing their gear looks like and is built like a male model. I bought one of their jackets on a good deal from an eBay close out distributor and after talking to these people on the phone we decided that their largest jacket would fit me. I think it was a 4XL!! You've seen me, ima big guy but not that damn big. Anyway, it didn't fit. Their sizing (and Icon as well) is rather goofy.

If you want REAL overall protection, buy a "flack jacket" type armor jacket that you'd likely use in motocross and pull the armor in your jacket out and wear that underneath.

Or buy a set of Bohn Armor under armor and wear that under whatever you want. It's like wicking stretch material ala UnderArmor or Nike Dri-tech or whatever with a complete armor system built in. Chest, back shoulders, forearms, elbows, hip, thigh, tailbone, knee and shin armor. And you can wear it under anything.
 
Oh, also, just as another option: along with having to buy a new helmet this season, I pretty much have to buy all new gear as I've lost enough weight nothing fits me correctly anymore, and that's almost as bad as having no gear at all.
I've settled, when I do buy later this year, on a Joe Rocket Alter Ego 3.0 jacket. It's an " all seasons" jacket with a textile shell that zips off completely to reveal a mesh jacket, and has both a separate quilted and wind-proof liner. The store you listed above has them at 233 bucks IIRC. Armored, and you can buy a better back AND chest protector elsewhere if you so desire. I am tired of having different jackets for different times of the year, and this should be the solution.
 
I bought the Alter Ego in 2005. I like being able to go to mesh when I want, but the waterproof lining has something to be desired. It is the inner-most layer, so in the rain your jacket will be soaked. It is good down to about 45-50 degrees. Lower than that and you will want more layers than just a long sleeve shirt and undershirt. Thermals would probably be best for that.
The thing I disliked most about it was that it was too short for my long body. I lost the outer layer on the way back from Ohio, so I bought a Tourmaster Rincon long jacket ($99 shipped) to replace it. I will wear the Rincon for cooler weather (with a bright vest, the Rincon only comes in black) and keep the mesh part of the Alter Ego for warmer weather riding.
 
koolaid_kid said:
I bought the Alter Ego in 2005. I like being able to go to mesh when I want, but the waterproof lining has something to be desired. It is the inner-most layer, so in the rain your jacket will be soaked. It is good down to about 45-50 degrees. Lower than that and you will want more layers than just a long sleeve shirt and undershirt. Thermals would probably be best for that.
The thing I disliked most about it was that it was too short for my long body. I lost the outer layer on the way back from Ohio, so I bought a Tourmaster Rincon long jacket ($99 shipped) to replace it. I will wear the Rincon for cooler weather (with a bright vest, the Rincon only comes in black) and keep the mesh part of the Alter Ego for warmer weather riding.
Click to expand...

The Joe Rocket Ballistic 11.0 is a 3/4 jacket giving that extra length, especially on down the back. It's the jacket I want to buy next but I'll have to check out their inner layer like you said, need it to be warm as well. Good advice from everyone, thanks.
 
koolaid_kid said:
I bought the Alter Ego in 2005. I like being able to go to mesh when I want, but the waterproof lining has something to be desired. It is the inner-most layer, so in the rain your jacket will be soaked. It is good down to about 45-50 degrees. Lower than that and you will want more layers than just a long sleeve shirt and undershirt. Thermals would probably be best for that.
The thing I disliked most about it was that it was too short for my long body. I lost the outer layer on the way back from Ohio, so I bought a Tourmaster Rincon long jacket ($99 shipped) to replace it. I will wear the Rincon for cooler weather (with a bright vest, the Rincon only comes in black) and keep the mesh part of the Alter Ego for warmer weather riding.
Click to expand...

The inside rain liner on my jacket also drains into the crotch. I'm a firm believer that the weather gear should go on over the armor, and overlap the waist by quite a lot.
 
Dale, I think we have the same jacket and I was under the impression that what you are calling the rain liner is just a windbreaker.
 
azr said:
The Joe Rocket Ballistic 11.0 is a 3/4 jacket giving that extra length, especially on down the back. It's the jacket I want to buy next but I'll have to check out their inner layer like you said, need it to be warm as well. Good advice from everyone, thanks.
Click to expand...
Check out that Ricon also. I just went out and shoveled snow wearing it (29F, wind chill 19F). It was quite warm, and a lot less expensive than Joe Rocket stuff. It is also layered and waterproof, using an inner liner, with lots of pockets. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/16896/ITEM/Tour-Master-Rincon-Jacket.aspx
For rain, though, it is hard to beat FroggToggs or their equivalent.
 
I'm still wearing my 1980 Brooks. Maybe it's time to upgrade?
 
Me too

Me too

I`m still wearing my 1980 Hein Gericke V Pilot. LOL Try Tourmaster or Cortech. The prices are a lot better than a lot of the other guys and offer most of the same features. Here`s a link to check out and you can also find a local dealer.
http://www.helmethouse.com/

ChicagoBob said:
I'm still wearing my 1980 Brooks. Maybe it's time to upgrade?
Click to expand...
 
ddaniels said:
Dale, I think we have the same jacket and I was under the impression that what you are calling the rain liner is just a windbreaker.
Click to expand...

Nope, it is in fact impermeable to water. Water does run down the front of it just fine though. Perhaps we have slightly different models? I prefer proper rain gear, but it will do in a pinch. It's not like you don't have room to carry rain gear.

Where can I get one of those pizzas?
 
Last edited:
Thanks Dan. I'll check them out. After a first look though, I wonder how good their claim to replace any crashed jacket holds up?
 
Dogma said:
Where can I get one of those pizzas?
Click to expand...
At a pizza place near Quantico in Maryland. They had to cut slots in the door jam to be able to take it through the door without turning it sideways. Myself and another guy at work went to the FBI Hostage Response Team's training facility to look at their vehicles for air tranportability and they took us out to lunch at that place. 4 of us ate on it and there was still half left over to take back to their office. And it tasted really good too. I bet you could put away a good portion of it yourself. :p
 
cowboyup3371 said:
Thanks Dan. I'll check them out. After a first look though, I wonder how good their claim to replace any crashed jacket holds up?
Click to expand...

Read it again.. they claim they will replace any gear that they can't repair. They'll charge you for the repair. :)
 
Yea you are right (I read through the site more after I posted that). Sure hope they are as good as they say though; unfortunately I was turned off by the pricing - too rich for me right now.
 
First Gear makes quality products. They are sized a bit large if anything, too. I don't know about the chest armor though. Fieldsheer stuff is priced small. My brother's jacket is snug in the arms for him.
 
Some friends of mine just recently bought the Tourmaster Epic jackets and love them. Seems the word for today is high visibility now and here me with a closet full of black leather jackets sheessh. lol
 
I'm on my 3rd Toumaster jacket, now. My first was a 3/4 length Sabre (they are all armored pretty much the same) but this is my wet-nasty cold riding jacket.

Then I got the Range (denim armored), which looks good and not so much like a riding jacket. I don't use the "Brokeback Mountain" collar it came with, though... This garment is not so suited to wet, unless soaked jeans and jacket is the desired look.

I just picked up an Intake 2, mesh outer with armor, inner membrane liner for wind/rain, and a zip out quilted liner for cooler temps. Doubt I'll be getting much use from the cold-liner, as I have better coats for that...but the mesh was soomething I really wanted since there's not alot of cooling behind the Vetter fairing I use.

Other brands may offer good pricing and safety, but I'm sold on this brand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top