Motorcycle jacket fit - don't want to pass up a deal

[fuzzybabybunny]

I met a local tailor who is selling his brand new Alpinestars leather jacket for $120. Leather, dual layer (can zip off inside insulation), and pretty heavy. He said he bought it for $300 from Honda.

The thing fits me ok, but the arms feel really long? The sleeves come up halfway to my palms. I know that in the forward riding position the sleeves will come up a bit, but even extending my airs out the sleeves are long.

Another thing is that it doesn't look very vented and I think I may roast in it. What do the vents on leather jackets look like? This one just had tiny 2mm holes in certain spots. Is that what vents are supposed to look like?

Hell of a deal though.

 

[Zenmervolt]

When I'm standing with my arms at my sides and the cuffs unzipped, the sleeves on my motorcycle jacket come down to my first knuckle. If I zip the jacket and put my arms straight out so they're parallel to the ground, the sleeves still come to just past the base of my thumb.

What you've described sounds correct for the sleeve length.

My jacket isn't vented, so if I get miserable, I usually open the zipper about an inch or so and keep the collar snapped shut. Above about 35 mph, it really doesn't take large openings to get airflow through the jacket. When you're sitting still, it doesn't matter how big the vents are, you'll get hot if the weather's on the warm side.

ZV

 

[jaha2000]

Sounds about right to me.

 

[Kelvrick]

For rides with the temperature up, I used to wear one of those underarmour type compression shirts.

Vent wise, it will depend on the specific jacket model, some have more perforated leather than others, some have more zip vents than others.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just an FYI, a properly fitting motorcycle jacket should be very snug to your body. Way tighter than any regular jacket. When you start getting into leathers you should barely be able to get into those.

 

[SViper]

I have a mesh jacket with a zip-on windproof/waterproof liner with a zip-in insulating liner. It lets the wind flow right through, which is really handy in 100+ degree weather in Austin.

 

[roguerower]

My jacket is a textile one that has a removable inner layer. When I remove the liner the arms get a little baggy but that was fixed by the straps that tightened it up. The chest area is still tight and requires me to stand straight up to zip it all the way up. I also like it because it has armor in all the right places (shoulders, elbows, back, chest).

Any way you look at it, a proper jacket is gonna feel excruciatingly hot when sitting at a standstill during the heat of the day. Out yesterday for 7 hours I was comfy the entire ride until I started heading back into San Antonio. Once I hit traffic I started to cook. Fact of life.

Pics of the jacket in question?

 

[angry hampster]

That's the way my Firstgear jacket fits. Yes, a good leather jacket will be hot. It's worth it though.

 

[Throckmorton]

Since when do you need a bike jacket for a Honda Fit?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

It sounds like a TZ-1, look up the pics.

If so, it's only wearable below about 80f IMO. I have one, it has great protection but is horrible in hot weather.


You need to sit on a bike (or do a fake squat with your arms out) and make sure all the armor lines up. Most brands have 'adjustable' armor that is a PITA to get setup correctly but worth it for your safety.

 

[hanoverphist]

i have a very heavy deerskin leather jacket for riding. no vents tho, its pretty close to water tight. the sleeves should be at least at your thumb knuckle when all zipped up and extended arms, otherwise they will be too short. if i wear my jacket in anything over 70 degrees im drowning in sweat, which is pretty much all year long here in az.

another cool thing about having a very heavy jacket, is the ability to knock people to the ground with one swing

 

[JulesMaximus]

i have a very heavy deerskin leather jacket for riding. no vents tho, its pretty close to water tight. the sleeves should be at least at your thumb knuckle when all zipped up and extended arms, otherwise they will be too short. if i wear my jacket in anything over 70 degrees im drowning in sweat, which is pretty much all year long here in az.

another cool thing about having a very heavy jacket, is the ability to knock people to the ground with one swing

The elbow and shoulder armor help with that too. I'm particularly fond of carbon or metal plates in the knuckles of my gloves too. Great for smashing idiot motorists in the face with.

 

[Throckmorton]

BTW fuzzybabybunny, how could a motorcycle fit with your cutesy persona??

 

[hanoverphist]

The elbow and shoulder armor help with that too. I'm particularly fond of carbon or metal plates in the knuckles of my gloves too. Great for smashing idiot motorists in the face with.

i used to have a pair of leather gloves with lead knuckles, but they were illegal so i stopped wearing them when i got married and she settled me down.

 

[Kabob]

Just an FYI, a properly fitting motorcycle jacket should be very snug to your body. Way tighter than any regular jacket. When you start getting into leathers you should barely be able to get into those.

Agreed. When I first started riding I thought I needed between a 46 & 48 US, turned out I needed a 44. Loose leather will bunch up when sliding and rub/burn you from the inside...it sucks.

And don't jump just because it's an amazing deal, there are other such deals to be had if you just look around. I got a vented Alpinestars Stunt jacket off of Ebay that was like new for maybe $115 a few years ago. Great jacket, wish the shoulder armor had been padded though.