Triumphrat

tacomaguy

When riding now I currently use an armored cordura jacket, but am thinking about making some changes and would appreciate any experience others have had.

I am leaning towards a leather jacket with either zippered vents or perforation for warm weather riding and then adding an electric vest for cold. My question is: do the perforations/vents provide adequate ventilation in warm to hot riding ? (I ride in the northwest, not Arizona so figure hot means 80-90degrees). Second do the perofrated jackets or vented jackets vent better and which is better in cool weather, (assuming I wear a windproof liner in the perf jacket)?

All ideas and opinions accepted, especially if you tried one and found it either great or terrible.

Thanks

Paul

stmike

It's my experience that perforated leather really does the cooling job pretty well. I bought a perf'd Vanson about 10 years ago, and the first time I wore it (after wearing a First Gear with vents) I thought someone turned on the air conditioning. You should probably have another jacket for cool weather.

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jimmyj900

I bought a Triumph Pioneer perforated leather jacket a couple of years ago and it's wonderfully cool in warm weather..... Until you stop, that is. :wink:

The only problem is that the ventilation encourages rapid dehydration so you need to stop often for water.

A bit of dehydration is always better than a bit of heatstroke, though.

Jim

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Mojoinco

I love my JR Blaster perforated jacket. Fits me to a t, though I took the back pad out for the perfect fit. Has hard shoulder and elbow armor, neoprene collar edge (probably a loose copy of Vanson's rolled leather edge). I have found it fine from the upper 50's on up. It has some kind of slightly stretchy inner sleeves.

I would only want better edging to the sleeves (maybe a different method of making the zipper fit). You don't want 'hand warmer' pockets, or any exterior zippers (meaning pockets) on any motorcycle jacket.

I added leather pants and made the zippers fit together (probably should have a zipper sewn to the leather instead of the inner lining -- the way it came).

I'd much rather slide on animal skins than nylon skins. Temp ranges here are probably close to yours (we don't have humidity though). If I stand around in the sun it gets a bit warm, so I go ride! Duh!

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idahotb

I have the Raptor perforated jacket and really like it. It really keeps you cool even in 100 degree heat until you stop. Then it is still a black jacket. I also have a FieldShear vented jacket that has vents that act as wind scoops on the front, and a zipper on the back to let the air out. It really does flow alot of air, but at high speeds it inflates and rides up so I feel like the Michelin man being choked. If you go vented see if you can take it for a test ride and get above 60 mph.

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meinschaft

I could be wrong, but I don't think you'll be happy with a "one jacket for all seasons" approach. What I've found is that I need one setup for cold weather, a different one for hot days. Mostly, you'll be too hot w/o a vented jacket, too cold with one, even with a liner.

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shyguy344

I have two leather jackets from FoxCreek Leather, a solid one with zipper vents for colder weather and a perforated one for the warmer days. I find that the perforated one feels to me like wearing a denim, unlined jacket and very comfy until, as others have said, you stop. It is black and does hold the heat when stopped, but that is corrected the minute you ride off. It does have a zip in lining that works quite well most of the year here in Florida. I do agree with others, though, that one jacket may be a stretch. I like the options of changing off as needed.

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jimmyj900

Good point.

I've got three leather jackets: the ventilated Triumph, an old Open Road that's basically just a leather shell to keep the wind out and a thigh-length Roadgear with full liner that weighs in at about 15 pounds.

Add in a two-piece rainsuit, a mil-spec wool sweater and Widder vest and that covers most conditions.

Oh yeah... about 10 pairs of gloves in various degrees of warmth too.

Jim

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flybiker251

I have three jackets that cover most all conditions. I have a Raptor ventilated for hot weather and sometimes it's hotter than that. I have a cordura Retro jacket that is actually my warmest jacket with its quilted liner. My leather Triumph Horizon jacket is the most versatile. It is warm down to upper 30's with its quilted liner and cool to the low 80's without theliner. It has large zippered vents in the front and back and I still can't understand why they quit making it. I know of three other Triumph riders with this jacket and all of us swear by it. Guess it's too old school. See them on e-bay.
Flybiker :razz: +

WoodsieIII

You can never have too many gloves.
On the Jacket subject I wear a non vented jacket most of the year. If its too hot I just ocky strap it to the seat.

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