Jacket Recommendation

I have recently started a new job and rather than having a 15 minute
train journey, I've got a 15-20 mile each way[1] journey.

Now that I've fixed the puncture, replaced the ping-fuckit[2][3]
and rear wheel and got it MOTd, the 9R is now no longer a
hyper-sport monster[4] but a lowly commuter.

Today, in some relatively light drizzle, I ended up pretty wet around
the
shoulders and arms and even though the jacket has been
're-waterproofed'
on a number of occasions to little effect. I think that the last TOG
tour
really took its toll on the jackets poor waterproofing qualities.

Anyway, the jacket in question is a HG Tribal Evo and I'm looking to
replace it with something similar although current thinking is that
I might try and use the bike further into winter than I normally do,
so something a bit more practical for cooler temparatures and
wet trips might be better.

Thus it needs to be:
a) light(ish)
b) removable inner lining for summer
c) decent lining for winter
d) waterproof and to remain so for as long as possible!
e) versatile, with plenty of inner & outer pockets.

I realise that a) and c) may be mutually exclusive.

I'm not too worried about removable armour as long as there
is some extra protection built in.

So what's the current recommendations? Not sure about budget
yet but say up to £300. Is that high enough to get something decent?

(Note to Paul Varnsverry: No, I can't afford it!)

[1] Depending on the route
[2]
http://groups.google.com/group/uk.rec.motorcycles/msg/b05153d69f60cc77
[3] Thanks to Mark Olson for the diagram.
[4] Look, it was in 1998, OK?

 

I'd suggest replacing it with a car.

 

I have a very nice Audi A3[1], thanks!

During the school holidays it's fine, but the same journey can
take well over an hour outside of the holidays, rather than the
30 minutes on the bike.

[1] Based on a Golf floorpan, apparently.

 

For 300 notes, you could pick up something very good for that price.

I've got a Hein Gericke jacket (which I think was around £200) which
fits all your requirements. I'm very happy with it. It fits into the
light(ish) category with the liner out, but has plenty of air vents
(zippable) to keep you cool.

 

I have recently started a new job and rather than having a 15 minute
train journey, I've got a 15-20 mile each way[1] journey.

Now that I've fixed the puncture, replaced the ping-fuckit[2][3]
and rear wheel and got it MOTd, the 9R is now no longer a
hyper-sport monster[4] but a lowly commuter.


<snip>

http://tinyurl.com/hf9zz

--
Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

GLF do a good waterproof jacket. Champ ponces around in one and gives it
good reviews.
HG Voyager (I think) is pretty good but quite heavy and bulky.

 

I've got a Dainese D-Dry jacket. Seems to tick all the boxes that you've
requested except that it doesn't have a summer lining - just a winter one
that removes easily enough.

You'll pick it up for about half of your 300 notes.

Tim

 

I have a Dainese Goretex jacket[1] (well, it's more like coat length -
comes down to cover your arse), which has a detachable inner quilted
liner. I've used it for medium-length journeys in winter (up to an
hour) and it's been warm. With the liner out, I've ridden to Chimay in
the summer (>30C) and it's been cool enough.

I also appears to be completely waterproof - even the outside pockets
stay mostly dry even in very heavy rain. I've also fallen off a couple
of times at town-speeds with no apparent damage to the jacket (or me).

I've had it for 4 years, and it's *far* superior in every way to the
HG jacket it replaced.

But don't listen to me, Dainese are crap apparently.

[1] I can't remember the "model", but it looks very similar to the
"Atlas" jacket they sell now.

 

Do keep up - HG are the new crap.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

I had a Dainese Dryline something-or-other before the HG one
and it was pretty good for a while but eventually it just lost its
waterproof qualities. Much like this one, really.

So, once I get the new jacket, what's the trick to keeping
it waterproof? Both previous jackets have lasted 2-3 years
befor they start leaking and even redoing them with the
Nikwax stuff doesn't seem to last long. I guess making sure
I get a Goretex one is the answer.

I also have Dainese two-piece leathers although I don't wear
the leather jacket much - I much prefer wearing a textile one
for day-to-day use.

 

Hmm, that pretty much leaves Saturday which could be tricky unless
I re-schedule some things. When do they reopen?

 

what, that "Tekwash" stuff? I agree, that only re-waterproofs stuff
for 3-4 soakings, IME. The main problem I had with the HG jacket apart
from it losing it's waterproof qualities with a couple of years was
the appalling build and materials quality - the zips broke, the
bottoms of the outside pockets wore through from the inside (keys,
coins etc), the lining ripped etc. etc.

Converesly, the HG waterproof trousers I bought about 6 years ago are
still absolutely fine.

*ding*

 

Not in my experience.

 

Is that based on the Golf floorplan too?

 

Yebbut what have you bought recently? There's been plenty of comments
about their quality going down the pan over the last year or so.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

Well, my latest jacket was purchased about 4-5 months ago.

 

Expect it to fall to bits & leak like an OAP by the end of the year
then.

--
Krusty
www.MuddyStuff.co.uk
Off-Road Classifieds

'02 MV Senna '03 Tiger 955i '96 Tiger '79 Fantic Hiro 250

 

Assuming the HG in question is Hein Gericke then I've bought a PSX-R 2
piece leather zip together suit which I like. Quality seems fine to me
and I bought[1] it in the last year.

You may want to discount this, however, as I also have a Frank Thomas
textile suit and I like the quality of that too. (And it's still
waterproof after a year or so).

[1]technically, g/f bought me the jacket.

 

I recently bought a jacket made by these guys:
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/components.htm

It doesn't fit your criteria, because the liner is the waterproof part,
which makes staying dry in the occasionaly summer storm tough. The
liner also tends to stick to the arms when hot / sweaty. Unfortunately
I developed this research after I'd already purchased it, but the liner
being waterproof is something you'll want to keep an eye on.

 

I'd get the Reflex - as here
http://www.glfacc.demon.co.uk/mjk/allweather/allw.htm