I am looking into buying some more gear for safety, and its getting colder out...

I have never had a "Motorcycle" Jacket on any of my 10 bikes in the past.

I currently have just a Shoei X-11 helmet, and a pair of gloves.

First up I would like to buy a jacket, I have tried a couple on and feel like I am being hung on a clothesline. Is there a comfortable jacket out there? Should I be looking at leather?

I would like to get something not too pricey, comfy, and will help me in a crash. Yet not look like I belong on a race track, something subtle

FWIW I ride a 06 CBR F4i blue.

 

Oh yeah... if it helps.. I am about 190 pounds 5 foot 9 and 33 yrs old.

Not sure why age would matter, but I am no kid... Not into logos, stickers etc..

 

Large size is what you would need, get a popular brand they are more refined (joe rocket,agv,icon,.......), Some will say textile jacket's are eqiavilant to leather some will not . I like textile because it dosent seem to get ashot in the summer.

I recently took a chance & bought a "non brand" name to save some dough & the zipper broke off (only after 2-month's of use)& the jacket is useless now.

 

I've a red/black leather armoredJoe Rocket jacket, with CBR and Honda plastered all over it! I heard that you don't want (any) gear to be loose or baggy in a crash. Also heard that you should get something you like, so you'll be more inclined to wear it. It has a removable liner for added insulation and I love it. Pax,G.

 

I am 5 11 and weight 195 an age of 30 so close enough. I like my ICON TIMAX

 

It's normal for leather jackets to feel real stiff at first. It is leather so it will break-in eventually. Get it and over the course it will just fit like a glove and not limit your mobility

 

Thanks for the input guys..

Bought a Joe Rocket Black Leather Super Hawk jacket today. Costly, but I likedthe fit, looks and features, has removeavle patches for ventalation in the warmer weather, removable linstulated liner, removable armor,pocket for ipod, and not too many patches, just joe rocket and honda..

Rode with it today in the chilly weather, very happy so far

 

I special ordered one of those during the summer and the first thirty seconds I put it on and tried to adjust the bicep snap to cinch it up alittle and the snap broke off. I returned it and got an Alpinestars TZ-1, it was pretty cool on the hot days with thevest removedand is comfortable on the cool/cold days with the vest in. I didn't want "loud" logos on my jacket, and there are just a few on the chest, shoulders, and lower sleeves (just the alpinestars logos). It was stiff at first and broke in after a week of wear. It was very protective in my wreck and is still usable. Alpinestars have a lifetime warranty and if you do wreck, you can get them to replace torn/scuffed leather panelsfor only the cost of the leather. The only complaint I have heard about it (from my faggy roommate bitchingabout itsince he is in the same boat as you and is looking for cool/cold weather gear)is how heavy it is, I never really noticed since I've worn leather jackets since I was in high school.

On a side note, I don't mean to ruffle any feathers by posting this, but I stopped at the new honda house that just opened near my parents' as I was coming to visitand asked the salesman if theyhad any other brands besides alpinestars like Joe Rocket or ICON and he said, "Why would you want to go with Joe Rocket or ICON after wearing Alpinestars? That would be a serious downgrade in quality and protectionsince theydon't haveCE approved armor and you have direct experience with Alpinestars..."
FWIW.

 

Hmmmm...

Seems the armor is CE approved

http://www.joerocket.com/productH.cfm?products_id=1688

Seems like you got a bad jacket maybe?

We will see how it hold up I guess.