After a spill in my textile jacket (and it destroyed itself) I want to upgrade to leather. In textile I was between a medium and a large, but in leather it seems like I'm a XL or 58 euro. I'm 6'1 about 190 (broad shoulders and size 34 in jeans) and every jacket I've tried on feels real tight around the shoulders and not alot of range of motion in the arms, but the waist is to big. Anyone know a jacket brand made for my build? A few posts said something about buying a tight fit and letting it strech to you. How tight is tight/can i get some more info on this (since jackets aren't exactly cheap).

When I went to try some jackets on icon's motorhead jacket seamed to fit great in the store (XL), but the no colar doesn't seem right to me. Anyone have an opinion on collars?

The padding in the elbows of some of the jackets felt like 1/4" plastic (mostly the alpinestars), is there a way to tell if a jacket has the solid chuncks of armor like this or something more flexible w/o trying it on?

thanks in advance and sorry for all the questions.

 

When you by a leather Jacket/Suit/ 2Piece they should be really snug in the shop when you try them on. Leather stretches to fit your contours so if its baggy when you try it on it`ll be baggier 3 months down the line. I hate baggy leathers so i buy mine super tight and they always go comfortable when you ride, take about 2 weeks riding every day 2 and from work (20 miles) for me 2 break them in.
Go with what fits you comfortable I can understand why you wouldn`t feel right when you try then on.

As for Armour/Padding Most jackets/suits should have removable armour, so you could always have a look what it is in the shop. A note i`ve learned from a few annoying jackets is check how the armur pockets are closed, I had a jacket with velcro closing the opening for the armour and the velcro itched my arm like mad. I didn`t realise when i tried it on in the shop because i had a long sleave T on, but if I wear a short sleaved T its very Annoying.

 

are used leathers a no no then, or do they recontour to their new owner?

 

used leather is fine, as long as the owner didn't totally stretch it out. if he/she has similar build then it'd be ideal. most people buy leathers that's way too big anyway just because they like it like that...a definite no no.

if you plan on tracking or hard canyon riding, i wouldn't go with icon. they don't have anything as far as pants.
there's also a big debate regarding the protection of their leathers.

 

my bike is my daily driver, nothing to fast or dangerous, but if I'm gonna spend $200-$300 on a jacket it better last. What brands do you have in mind? I was gonna go with an Icon daytona , but if their's something wrong with them I'd like to know.

 

Thers no particular brand to go for, Use your eyes and look for quality and a style you like. Seems should be at least double stitched if not treble stitched to prevent the likleyhood of them `bursting` in an off. Consider what leather there made from if its a new one, Cow hide is most popular and cheaper, but kangeroo hide lasts better with abrasion so Jackets etc can be made thinner and lighter = More comfort Usually.

 

yeth...lithen to anubith...
but altho conthider thith...

if a jacket ith well made and made for the track, then you definitely can't go wrong...so try and get thomething geared for the track.

icon thtuff ith geared for "thtreet"...whatever that meanth...tho i thay get thomething hardcore, more for track.
astars, JR, Spidi, Dainese, etc...all good thuff...

T

 

man i've heard of people talking with a lisp, but never typing with one! lol

 

[sm=bs.gif][sm=bounceybounce.gif][sm=bustedsign.gif][sm=happy046.gif][sm=happybounce.gif] you crack me up ............mang.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-D...QQcmdZViewItem

This popped up when I typed i dianese. Is it a known brand or imitation. If it's not B.S. then it sounds like a good jacket. Double kevlar seams, CE armor, and 1.5mm leather.