For the past 5 months I've been using my Cortech GX-Air jacket and at first I really liked it. But now as my riding has progressed, I have become more aware of the not so good setup these have. Fits OK with the linings in, and not very well at all with them out. So I've been looking for a new leather jacket. Ones that have caught my eye have been the Alpinestars Stunt(vented) or stunt 2 and also the Teknic Violator. Got to try on the Violator at a local shop and the neck area felt like sand paper, so that's pretty much out of the question. So I went by the local Cycle Gear and one of the associates pointed me toward the Dainese Zen; a really nice jacket. At this point I'm torn between those. Can anyone give any input towards either or other recommendations? Basically, I’m looking for something nice, with pretty good quality, good protection that I can use as a 2-piece later and vented preferably to get the best use out of it down here in southern CA. Thanks.

 

I highly recommend checking out the Icon line up. I have nothing but great things to say about my merc hero icon leather. I went down wearing it and I know it saved my back and arms and still looks pretty good surprisingly. And I still wear it. I know several others that have other icon gear and love it too.

 

thanks, looking through their stuff now.

 

I have the exact same jacket, the Cortech GX-Air, and I've been riding with it from 90*F down to 25*F last week and just bought a Tourmaster Transition textile. I was debating leather vs. textile, went with a textile for warmth. Or at least I was under the impression textile was warmer, and worked fine in the snow I had to go through to get home wednesday

I don't have much to add about leathers, since I don't own one yet, but might look at it in the spring when things start coming back in stock, hard to find the right jacket when no stores are stocking things.

 

IMO what ever you do, don't skimp out on leathers. A dollar saved is a dollar paid some where else.

 

anyone ever tried this jacket?

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...10-143-13-46_G

And I totally understand the skimping out. I definitely want to make a good solid purchase that will last a while.

 

Sure why not, I'd buy that if was lookinginto jackets. I'm kinda partial to Alpinestar. They saved my *** a couple times and if I wasn't cut out of that jacket (TZ-1) I'd stillbe wearing it.[:@]

 

i agree totally with 04dublr ! i have a leather merc hero leather icon and love it ! it has a inner lining that can be taken out for warm weather. with it in it works really well in cold too. it looks awsome ! i get compliments everytime i wear it ! it breathes really nice to when the inner lining is taken out. its not to heavy , yet its very durable .. and as if it couldnt get any better. on the inside pocket next to your heat, it comes with a st. christopher medal to watch over you

i 100% give my vote to the icon line up. im about to get new gloves and helmet from them as well .

good luck !

 

if you plan on tracking sooner or later, then alpinestars is a great choice or any of the other companies who make street/track gear.

i had the alpinestars tz-1, stunt and now dyno. all were great jackets...and today probably still are.

you can just buy the astar track pants to connect up to any of the jackets with the zipper attachment and hit the canyons or the track.

 

i love my alpinestars jacket with all the pads and everything and the back protector its still very comfortable