[gskidmor]

I've been having to ride a bit in the rain here on SoCal the past couple of weeks and it looks like the rain will continue for the next few weeks. My leather jacket takes 3 days to dry out and weighs an additional 10+ pounds, not to mention it's uncomfortable as hell.

Anyways, I'm looking at buying something like this:
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/klim-badlands-jacket

Problem is, it costs close to $950. If this jacket will keep me warm and dry, I'd likely go for it, assuming there's no decent, cheaper alternative.

Any thoughts?

 

[beatle]

There are other Gore-Tex jackets much closer to the $500 range. If you go to a non-Gore-Tex membrane, the price comes down much further. I hear that the real deal Gore-Tex is the best, but I've not had any experience with it myself.

You'll probably want the rest of your gear to be waterproof as well (boots, gloves, pants).

 

[Gzblack2]

"You get what you pay for" usually is true,and I'm sure that's is some awesome gear. My only issue is textile doesn't hold up well in a crash,so it's kinda a one and done deal. I'm more a fair weather guy myself,but when the need arises I wear my snowboarding shell over my summer leather. Great protection from the weather plus leather and armor in case I need it.
Its also much cheaper to replace the snowboarding shell if I was to fall/crash.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Plasmablaster]

I had a pair of boots lined with Gore-Tex - they were really and truly waterproof, for indefinite amounts of time, the only really waterproof piece of equipment I've ever used, truth be told. That said I I'd never dish out $900+ for a textile jacket, gore-tex or not. I'd certainly go for leather, both for protection -nothing beats leather for abrasion protection- but also for looks. It's totally subjective of course but as far as I'm concerned I've yet to see a textile jacket that beats the nicest leather ones in the visual department.

 

[beatle]

I think the OP is more concerned with rain. He already has a leather jacket.

Textile can be pretty tough actually. Look for a high denier ballistic nylon with well-stitched and well-placed seams.

Here's another Klim with Gore-Tex for $300: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/klim-blade-jacket

 

[gskidmor]

I do have a very nice leather jacket - thick, warm, looks good, and loaded with crash protection armor. That I got at my local Triump dealer - it was originally $399.99 and I got it on closeout for $99!

Now, I don't like to wear the leather jacket in the rain as it takes forever to dry out and my bike is my daily commuter - I drive from Irvine, CA to LA every day (mon - fri)! I can get away with working from home every now and then, but I can't continue to do that often. I bought gore-tex gloves and while they don't feel as safe as the leather gloves, I believe they would work well in one crash and need replacement; I'm OK with that.

If there are decent alternatives, I'm OK with that! It only rains a couple of months a year max in SoCal, but traffic for my commute is 1.5 hours min on most typical days but add rain and it's closer to 2 or 3 hours.

 

[Plasmablaster]

I think the OP is more concerned with rain. He already has a leather jacket.

Well if that's the case then OK but still this amount of money seems too much. I'd consider it only if I were a dispatch rider or otherwise needed to ride in the rain as part of my working routine.

 

[Mariemark78]

If you are willing to buy a quality jacket at less price, the look at the ski bum Coupons.
I also bought from there because they are less expensive compared to others.
They have many amazing discount coupons, I am sure you will easily get a really cool and nice jacket there.

 

[Glocken]

why cant you just keep an over raincoat for when it rains. I prefer leather for its fitment and protective qualities.

 

[Arawn]

I've never had any waterproof gear, gore tex or not, remain waterproof for a long time; eventually they all leak. Also, the fact that the jacket has a gore tex membrane in it doesn't mean the outer shell, pockets and what not, will remain dry. Nothing like walking indoors and drip water all over the place. Also, there is not enough overlap between the jacket and pants, unlike real rain pants that go way up your belly, and wind can easily blow water into the non-waterproof parts between the pants and jacket.



For several years now I only get waterproof boots and rain suits to go over regular gear, get them new right before the rain season starts and they will start leaking by the end of it.

 

[Allworld]

I like to tour, space is a minimal so you need to plan. I am a fan of Gore-Tex, however nothing is perfect. Putting on and removing rain gear, as well as having to store it, is not my idea or efficiency. I have an Aerostich R3 Roadcrafter 1 piece suit and Aerostich Transit leather suit (discontinued). Both use Gore-Tex and both have kept me dry in heavy rain. Both suits will leak eventually, but I have no complaints.
My Transit Suit is about 6 or 7 years old and has seen many miles and many storms and sadly it is not quite the suit it used to be. I have recently looked at 2 suits which are constructed using Corium+ applied to leather. One by Rukka and one by Held.
Both are new and not currently available but they are taking pre orders. They are both pricey, Rukka being the more expensive.

 

[daniellee]

Jackets

With regards to coats, the expense is all in the texture. Most tops of the line Gore-Tex shells come in around an eye-watering $500-the sort of outerwear intended to face the hardest, wettest, coldest conditions. It's additionally consummately achievable to discover a coat in the $100 territory produced using a less expensive, off-brand material. Be that as it may, exactly how huge is the execution distinction between these two alternatives? I needed to discover.

 

[HaseebUddin]

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Try to match all stores and brands together by seeing who is given you the best discounts in Town, to search for your favorite store try! ecoatm promo code

 

[rs1tc]

Over the years I have found it worthwhile to purchase high quality gear. It last longer than budget items and the performance usually matches the price.

 

[Neanderthal]

If I am 99% confident it's not going to rain or be cold, I'll wear mesh. Otherwise I use a Klim Latitude jacket/Stadler Ace Pro pants and Sidi waterproof boots. When touring multi-days, not having to plan around rain is a godsend. You will never stop in time to get your freaking rain gear on before getting wet, and then you will play the game of when to take it off. Having good gear that is vented correctly is a game-changer. No worrying about what to pack or how to pack. You will laugh at the rain clouds on the horizon.

 

[Studio X]

I have taken an inexpensive one piece BMW over rain suit with me for many years. It is a complete pain in the rear to put on, even if you have the luck to find a gas station with overhangs or a highway overpass (road designers’ gift to motorcyclists!) at an opportune moment. The suit generally works but leaks a bit in the crotch area. It does have the advantage of being high visibility yellow which is a huge benefit when riding in bad weather.

When I started doing longer dirt road touring where leather isn’t a great advantage and ventilation is super important as well as packing small, I decided to take the plunge on dedicated ADV gear. This led me to a Klim suit - jacket and pants. Yes, the price was eye watering but no more than my wife’s Aerostich Transit suit or a good leather track suit.

As to the comment that textile “is one and done”, it depends on the manufacturer. This may be true for the inexpensive brands but Aerostich and Klim have repair services.

Cheers.