Bought wrong jacket?
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Novice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 21
Likes: 1
From: PA
I mostly only wear a T shirt!
To be honest, once you start riding you may find you need several jackets, heavy leather, lighter leather, rain gear, thinner mesh jacket ... It all depends on how much you ride, what your weather conditions are like, local slower roads or highway, winter rider, fair weather rider, hot sun.
In Florida most of us rarely wear any kind of jacket. It's just too hot so we take our chances on dressing for the ride not the slide. I have a couple different weight jackets for when it gets cooler or go north.
To be honest, once you start riding you may find you need several jackets, heavy leather, lighter leather, rain gear, thinner mesh jacket ... It all depends on how much you ride, what your weather conditions are like, local slower roads or highway, winter rider, fair weather rider, hot sun.
In Florida most of us rarely wear any kind of jacket. It's just too hot so we take our chances on dressing for the ride not the slide. I have a couple different weight jackets for when it gets cooler or go north.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 148
Likes: 7
From: Central Pennsylvania, USA
not sure where in PA you live, but check out Domaki Leather in Leola PA. He has a boatload of jackets and chaps, prices are good.
i wear leather in spring and fall..zippered vents keep you cool while moving. above 80, the mesh jacket comes out.
i wear leather in spring and fall..zippered vents keep you cool while moving. above 80, the mesh jacket comes out.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 5,148
From: Robbm sucks
I took the course in July and it was 100 degrees....it was awful. Keep in mind you'll be sitting on a bike on blacktop for several hours. Bring a few clothing options and lots of fluids.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
My 45-70° jacket is an Hillside Cordura/Leather Vented. I love this jacket. I'm afraid they quit selling it, can't find it on their website.
I intended that to be good for hot weather, but it wasn't.
So I bought this, in the Spring. Love it. I read that it is cooler than nothing, but didn't believe it. But it's true. I've worn at 90°, and it is very comfortable. It blocks the Sun, but has fantastic airflow. I just bought one for my son, from House of Harley online, which sells it for 20% off.
http://houseofharley.com/men/Harley-...-in-White.html
The armor is extra, but worth it. Excellent quality, comfortable, doesn't shift around.
If its summer time its a Tshirt or other short sleeve shirt. Spring and fall a long sleeve shirt or possibly a hoodie, leather jacket with no lining for mornings or night. Winter time I zip the liner in the leather jacket. If it rains then a rain coat. Simpler is better than different costumes for each outing IMHO
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 11,174
Likes: 2,480
From: Nor Cal
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 472
For were you live I would look into a good 3 season jacket that adapts to summer (vented or breathable mesh), fall (zip in insulation) & wet conditions (removable water proof inner liner) then your covered for most riding conditions that pop up.
Harley has a couple nice 3 season jackets available in leather & heavy duty nylon.
Harley has a couple nice 3 season jackets available in leather & heavy duty nylon.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Unless you have money to burn, do yourself a favor and for now buy yourself a reasonably priced mesh jacket with armor. You can get one for under $90 on leatherup.com, jarfum.com or revzilla.com In fact Jafrum now has some mesh jackets with armor on clearance for as little as $60 (down from over $100)....maybe the other sites do too. Just because they're inexpensive doesn't mean they won't do the job. When it comes to mesh it's going to offer minimum protection whether it's a $250 jacket or a $90 jacket, so don't think you need to spend a lot. I have a textile jacket I bought 4 years ago for $80 that I wear often and it's still in great shape.
You probably won't exceed 25 mph in your riding class and if you go down it'll most likely be at 10 to 15 mph, so you won't need maximum protection during the riding course you're taking.
Go with the mesh for now and look into a decent leather for the colder months. You'll probably end up with a few jackets for different seasons. She dudes wear perforated leather in summer months, I can't do that in 85 degree heat though.
You probably won't exceed 25 mph in your riding class and if you go down it'll most likely be at 10 to 15 mph, so you won't need maximum protection during the riding course you're taking.
Go with the mesh for now and look into a decent leather for the colder months. You'll probably end up with a few jackets for different seasons. She dudes wear perforated leather in summer months, I can't do that in 85 degree heat though.
