winter jackets

[MustangGuy]

Many of us ride in the winter too. I'm in southern Cal so winter here is not like it is in a lot of places but still it gets cold riding in the mountains. This past year I hooked up with a riding group and we regularly ride up in the higher elevations. Before that, most of my riding was local and I rarely had to ride in temps much below 60. Soon it's going to be in the low 50's up where we ride and I'm trying to decide what I want I need to wear for a jacket. I have three mesh jackets with varying degrees of airflow. When I leave work at night in the winter and it's cold (by CA standards) - like 55, I have my "warmest" mesh jacket, and I throw on a long sleeve thermal shirt over my T-shirt, then a windbreaker over that, then the mesh jacket and I'm fine. I haven't done any long rides with temps that cold so I'm not sure if layering under a mesh jacket will be enough. I was thinking I might need a real winter jacket but I don't want something that's going to feel like a sauna if the temp goes to like 60, and I don't want to feel like the Michelin Tire Man either. Any advice?

 

[MustangGuy]

I also wanted to add that if I buy a textile jacket, I don't want to end up with something that's not much better than mesh. Thanks for any advice!

 

[ccdirtrider05]

here in colorado ive ridden where it is 50-60 in town but near freezing in the hills. i stay away from mesh unless its a sunny summer day. i think personally that textile jackets are great and zippered vents are the best. ive got a Joe Rocket textile that has zips in the front and back and arms. when its cold they are closed up and as needed can open them. inner layer zips to the shell so that too can be removed and kept in tank/tail bag. its also waterproof so snow/sleet doesnt affect. since mine isnt heated like some adventure/tour jackets i have to layer for really cold rides..

 

[go cytocis]

I ride down to -10C (~15F) and I have been getting a lot of winter utility from the Joe Rocket onesie I reviewed here

 

[Radioactive]

Check out the Scorpion Hat Trick. I have one and wear it in temperatures down to the low 50s. When it gets warm, just zip out 1 or 2 liners. They have a few on closeout here for $100

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/...+jacket+sale&gclid=COjc0PHJzroCFY6Y4AodbRcAyg

 

[MustangGuy]

Thanks for the suggestions! Not sure what brand or model I'm going to get yet, but I'll be looking at textile ones.

 

[Enemy Zero]

I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego. It has panels that zip on in the winter and zip off for the summer. It works really well for me. Vegas hits 30 lows and upper 40/lower 50 highs in the winter. I've had it for about 3 years now and it's been some of the best money I've spent on a jacket.


This is the newer version of my jacket. Looks easier to use and has a few more features.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/joe-rocket-alter-ego-30-jacket

 

[go cytocis]

I'll be looking at textile ones.

Good call! Leather's not great in the cold, wind, or road spray...

 

[Enemy Zero]

Went to try and edit my last post but here's the listing to the jacket that I have. Great deal for the money:

http://www.revzilla.com/product/joe-rocket-alter-ego-20-jacket

 

[ccdirtrider05]

a nice frigid 17 degree ride into work a few hours ago.. had to put ny anit-fog clear lens on my helmet..
hold my gloved hands next to the engine to keep them warm.. heated grips here i come. and maybe a windshield too
!

 

[go cytocis]

heated grips here i come

For almost 20 years I rode around without heated grips thinking that they were for *******. Then a couple years ago I tried them and I'll never go back. They've made motorcycling a year-round sport for me, even up here in Canada, and it's now one of the first mods I make to any bike.

 

[kd4gru]

We ride year round in N.Ga. 30's are common. Never liked bulky jackets of any material. What works for us is light to med. weight textile jacket w/ a Gerbin heated liner. The jacket is just to cut the wind, and the liner gives you all the warmth you can stand. When it not cold you have a good cool temp. Jacket. Also use the gerbin glove liners also.
We 1st tried this a couple of years ago when we road to Alaska. Did not need heavy cd weather gear till we got in northern Canada. Did not want to have to pack this gear for 3/4 of the trip( we were riding the whole trip) , space was tight for the month long ride. Decided to try this to save space. Worked great. After we got back we sold our heavy touring suits.
Today it is not uncommon to leave for a day ride I the low30's wearing just a tee shirt, light jacket w/ liner.

 

[MustangGuy]

Enemy- the Alter Ego 3.0 looks really nice. I have a Joe Rocket mesh that's two years old and I use it almost every day ... Still looks new.

Yeah guys, heated grips are the way to go! I put them on my Ninja - which is my daily rider. I haven't put them on the 'bolt though because she's the fun bike and only goes out on weekends or sometimes one day during the week for exercise. Her charging system is good but like an old muscle car, I'm not sure I want to tax it too much.

 

[MustangGuy]

Well, I ended up ordering an Icon Contra textile jacket from Revzilla. It fits great but still has room underneath to layer up. It's not a true winter jacket, but fine for southern Cal winters. I went on a four hour ride up in the mountains yesterday - 4K elevation - and the temps were in the mid 50's and probably low 50's on the last leg back. I had a thermal shirt and windbreaker on under the jacket plus the full sleeved quilted liner and I was fine. If there wasn't built in front ventilation, it would be even warmer. For colder climates, it would probably a good spring/fall jacket.