Whilst browsing the newenough website, I noticed several jackets I visually liked. I'm looking at buying either a leather or textile jacket and I was wondering which of the mentioned makers you all thought made the best product. I've heard that Joe Rocket has bad stitching and I've heard nothing at all about Teknic.

What do you all think? Straight up quality/safety wise.

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2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX500R (Sold)
2006 Suzuki SV650S (Stolen 4/08, recovered 12/08, sold 3/09)
2004 Suzuki SV650S (Sold)

Being bikeless SUCKS!!!

Calvin Klein...hahah just kidding.

For street textile I'd go with Icon. They're philosophy is that they come from the streets so they'll design gear for the streets. The only thing I could recommend for Joe Rocket is their mesh Rio jacket. For a leather jacket I've heard Vanson is the best.

There is a reason why Alpinestars leathers are worn by the majority of motorcycle racers.

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But you'd be a bit biased considering your avatar.

Yeah, but if he's biased because the product really is just that dandy...then who am I to question the bias?

However if he's on the payroll or something...somewhat different story.

I'm guessing option #1 though.

Question:

Alpinestar leather jackets have leather a thickness of 1.1mm on their more expensive jackets (although not much more expensive) and 1.2-1.4mm on their less expensive jackets. Why do they have less leather on their pricier equipment? Joe Rocket leather is generally 1.2-1.4 (not sure why there's a range on them).

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2000 Kawasaki Ninja EX500R (Sold)
2006 Suzuki SV650S (Stolen 4/08, recovered 12/08, sold 3/09)
2004 Suzuki SV650S (Sold)

Being bikeless SUCKS!!!

I am biased because Alpinestars are a major reason I still have my right foot.

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not to mention that they look the best, btw hows your foot doing man, you able to ride again yet?



JWF

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Not dead, dont quit

There are only 10 types of people out there, people who understand binary and those who dont.





JWF

I've heard nothing but good stuff about Alpinestars. Have heard good/bad reviews about Joe Rocket (sorry, but I won't buy them simply because I don't want to have a name like Joe Rocket on my jacket). Heard some good stuff about Vanson.

Only thing I've owned is a Teknic. I can tell you that it stood up to 10 years and still looks great. It's also quite a thick leather and a heavy peice of cow as well. I've never heard anyone complain about it. Though they are a bit pricey. . .

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Wherever you may roam
May you own your road.

I haven't been disappointed with any of my jackets yet. All are textile but the Icon has leather sleeves. I have a Brosh CoolMax jacket which I use mostly for winter here in Texas, though it is well vented and not bad at all with the quilted liner (full, not just a vest) removed and all vents open when at speed. It is one well-made piece of gear. I also have a Teknic mesh jacket that is extremely comfortable in hot weather (even in slower traffic) and seems to wear well. My newest is my Icon Strongarm jacket and is a mid-season jacket (also with a zip-out quilted vest) but I have yet to wear it in the Texas heat. To be honest, nothing much fares well in Texas heat but you can determine the worst quickly. I have an evaporative cooling vest for the hottest months. Oh yeah, one oddity: the Icon Strongarm jacket has a St. Christopher medal sewn into the inside breast pocket - from the factory. I'm not Catholic but I'll take any protection I can get.

I have heard nothing but praise for both Alpinstars and Vanson Leathers and haven't heard much one way or the other about Joe Rocket.

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Mechanically Inclined Amateur

Its called endoresment