Motorcycle Jacket Recommendations

[AeroFan_07]

Thank you very much for your response, very informative and helpful. When I bought my bike , I had to have it delivered as I didn't know how to ride one lol. Now, my truck just sits on my driveway because I love riding it so much. It's been a really hard year for me, I lost my father in March and I was really close to him. I bought it because I've always wanted to learn and to get my mind off everything. I must say, it really has become one of the best purchases Ive ever made

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Excellent that you were close to him, but it is hard and will be for some time to come. Ride, enjoy, go live a little in memory of him. Enjoy this journey that we are all on here.

 

[Canuck Panda]

Thank you very much for your response, very informative and helpful. When I bought my bike , I had to have it delivered as I didn't know how to ride one lol. Now, my truck just sits on my driveway because I love riding it so much. It's been a really hard year for me, I lost my father in March and I was really close to him. I bought it because I've always wanted to learn and to get my mind off everything. I must say, it really has become one of the best purchases Ive ever made

Losing loved ones is never easy. I am sorry for your lost.

As for jacket, my neighbor bought his at the dealership when he got his bike. It's got a big Harley patch on the back, I swore it is more pleather than anything. But he loves it. Whatever choice you make in your jacket purchase it will be good. Enjoy the rides.

 

[TheDonEffect]

Thank you very much for your response, very informative and helpful. When I bought my bike , I had to have it delivered as I didn't know how to ride one lol. Now, my truck just sits on my driveway because I love riding it so much. It's been a really hard year for me, I lost my father in March and I was really close to him. I bought it because I've always wanted to learn and to get my mind off everything. I must say, it really has become one of the best purchases Ive ever made

Sorry for your loss brother.

I did the same thing too when I bought my bike, had the guy deliver and actually roll it into my garage. At that point I already took my MSF and all that, but I didn't want to spill it the day it was delivered, lol. I had it for a few months, but I ended up selling it because riding around here is just crazy, so for me it became more stressful than fun, lol. I enjoyed it though, my goal was just to learn how to ride and I accomplished that, and it's a fantastic distraction because it requires your entire attention. Now I'm looking at e-bicycles, lol.

As asked above what bike did you buy? It may affect the style of jacket you buy since certain aesthetics go with certain bikes. Me personally I'd just buy whatever the hell I want, and I never really liked the sporty jackets that has stripes and such that scream I own a crotch rocket, so I'd rock a crosszip on a sport bike (although all those snaps and zippers will screw up your tank).

Also, I'm also in the camp that snaps are necessary, everything I've worn that can flap will flap, especially when you're checking blindspots and such. When I'm tucked in, or if I have everything zipped all the way up everything is fine, it's when you move your head/body/etc or have the main zipper halfway up to allow for some air flow is when everything starts flapping around. It never gets that cold around here, and wearing a leather jacket with it's 70+ as it is 80% of the time here just gets hot.

 

[JM7]

Sorry for your loss brother.

I did the same thing too when I bought my bike, had the guy deliver and actually roll it into my garage. At that point I already took my MSF and all that, but I didn't want to spill it the day it was delivered, lol. I had it for a few months, but I ended up selling it because riding around here is just crazy, so for me it became more stressful than fun, lol. I enjoyed it though, my goal was just to learn how to ride and I accomplished that, and it's a fantastic distraction because it requires your entire attention. Now I'm looking at e-bicycles, lol.

As asked above what bike did you buy? It may affect the style of jacket you buy since certain aesthetics go with certain bikes. Me personally I'd just buy whatever the hell I want, and I never really liked the sporty jackets that has stripes and such that scream I own a crotch rocket, so I'd rock a crosszip on a sport bike (although all those snaps and zippers will screw up your tank).

Also, I'm also in the camp that snaps are necessary, everything I've worn that can flap will flap, especially when you're checking blindspots and such. When I'm tucked in, or if I have everything zipped all the way up everything is fine, it's when you move your head/body/etc or have the main zipper halfway up to allow for some air flow is when everything starts flapping around. It never gets that cold around here, and wearing a leather jacket with it's 70+ as it is 80% of the time here just gets hot.

Thank you for your email. I bought a 2021 Honda Rebel 500. Its a great bike to learn on. Its all blacked out and I think it looks amazing. I'd love a Harley someday but I thought it would be foolish to learn on one. They are really heavy. I did the same thing you did, I literally had them roll it in my garage and didn't want to ride it the first day. I think the E-bikes are amazing, I looked at those too. They are expensive. Unlike you I have yet to take the class which I need to do. I've put over a 1,000 miles on it but the class can save your life. I may think I know what I'm doing but in reality I'm a complete novice.

 

[AeroFan_07]

The MSF class is very well worth it, and a lot of fun too. Heck I should take it again next spring, even thought I don't intend to ride on public roads again.

https://www.msf-usa.org/brc.aspx

 

[TheDonEffect]

Thank you for your email. I bought a 2021 Honda Rebel 500. Its a great bike to learn on. Its all blacked out and I think it looks amazing. I'd love a Harley someday but I thought it would be foolish to learn on one. They are really heavy. I did the same thing you did, I literally had them roll it in my garage and didn't want to ride it the first day. I think the E-bikes are amazing, I looked at those too. They are expensive. Unlike you I have yet to take the class which I need to do. I've put over a 1,000 miles on it but the class can save your life. I may think I know what I'm doing but in reality I'm a complete novice.

Oo I really wanted a rebel 1100 for a while but decided on a royal Enfield interceptor 650.

Yeah really any jacket will work with that, unless you go Harley.

I liked the msf but I think the particular course I did wasn't great (Alameda naval base). I would do it again in a heartbeat but I think my instructors weren't great and I'd pay more attention to reviews. 12 started, 4 passed, 3 were asked to come back, rest didnt make it to the end.

 

[barnabus]

How long does the motorcycle training take in America?

Here in the UK I had to do days of training and take several tests to get my licence.

 

[AeroFan_07]

Full Detals of the MSF course are on the link I supplied above.

It's a 2.5 day course. It is not required, but highly reccommended for obtaining your Motorcycle liscense in the US. Provided you can past the test (riding & written) you don't have the take the course. However in most locations if you pass the MSF course you do not have to take the written and riding tests at the DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles).

I havet taken the course twice - took a second time with a friend who wanted to learn to ride and felt better with a buddy in it. Both times everyone passed, but one each time had to take thier riding test twice. Most instructors are voluteers and have 10+ years of riding experance.

 

[Aloysius]

Great advice, and you are correct. I am going to buy an armored shirt and I am going to go to a store not too far from me, Johnson Leathers in San Francisco. A couple people have recommended them and this way I can make sure it fits right. I do like the way Vansons jackets look, I guess I was referring to Alpinestars with all the flashy colors. I also just bought my first leather jacket on this forum, an Aero 30's HB and now I'm hooked, . Tanks for taking the time to respond. I really wasn't sure if Aero "motorcycle" jackets were indeed for motorcycling . I guess the Schott Perfecto isn't either, when you are new to leather jackets and motorcycling its hard to know if it is indeed a motorcycle jacket for riding or for looks

You can’t go wrong with Johnson. They’ll make sure everything is done right.

Depending on distance, you may also want to look at Schott’s SF store. Not all of their jackets are still riding jackets but the standard 618 and 613 are designed for optimal riding position including very functional shoulder gussets, the “underarm footballs” that allow greater reach, etc. They’re also made with a treated leather for additional waterproofing.

Do note that on the 618/613, your size will be one up from your chest/suit measurement. So if you have, say, a 44 chest, your size in the 618/613 would be 46. The 118 on the other hand would be a 44 for you, but the leather on those though very nice does not have the same waterproofing treatment.