Modern Vespa

Anyone order a men"s jacket that they completely love for winter riding. Something like the Dainese Bruce (but not as pricey). Any alpinestars. Dainese. Or REV'IT . Something pas the hip length.

By the way received my new corazzo gullet gloves and I love them so far.

I enjoy my Duluth Trading Whaleback jacket
http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/product/waterproof-jacket-whaleback-waterproof-insulated-winter-jacket-26536.aspx?kw=whaleback&processor=content

It is warm, waterproof, and stylish enough to use as a regular, i.e. non-riding, winter coat. It kept me toasty all last winter. I shall wear it up to Richmond this week-end.

No armor, but then as I am aware of that, I ride more carefully.

Was looking for an armored jacket. Thank you though.

I have a Rev'it Dragon jacket - I use it just about full-year and any time I go on a long ride. VERY durable outside, great elbow and shoulder protection. The back protector was garbage - it was upgraded immediately to a Sas-tec unit.

It includes two zip-out liners: one waterproof, and one quilted. Use them in that order from outside in. The waterproof liner really is waterproof - very much so! And the quilted liner is very warm - plenty warm for where I ride (Central coast/Southern California).

The other jacket I have is really for summer-time use: a Corazzo Postale with upgraded armor (Bohn's Bio armor all around). Much thinner than the Rev'it, but still offers good protection.

The Postale never sees long-distance use - it's strictly an around-town, short-distance jacket. The Dragon doesn't get too hot in the summer (low 90s) at any kind of speed (10 MPH or better) when the liners are out, and the one cold time I rode (upper 30s) the quilted liner kept me nice and toasty, even at freeway speeds.

Get a Bohn's armored shirt for underneath the jacket - then you can ride with just about any quality, rugged jacket to provide warmth and abrasion resistance, and the Bohn will protect you from the bumps and impact.

I have a frank Thomas pitman jacket waxed and quilted also comes with detachable body warmer very much like Barbour or belts ad but about 1/2 to 1/3 rd the price

http://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/ftw358-pitman-wax-jacket-brown.html


Mark

How cold? I'm not familiar with PA weather in your location. Also, how long are the rides?

Italian made Tucano Urbano get my vote everytime. The main models come with a liner vest or jacket designed to cope with a European winter. AFAIK there is no US distributor but there are some UK sellers who will ship to the US. Depending on your view, they are upper end prices at £160-199, but everyone I know has been really happy with theirs - great designs, technically strong with armour and features, they look great, wash up well and keep on going...

http://www.tucanourbano.it/home

I've been using the First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket for 5 years now for winter riding. I use it (along with variable layers) for temperatures from 70F down to sub-zero riding.

It's fully armored and when new the water resistance was good. I need to apply a new coat of NikWax to restore that quality.

Down to 50F I can ride with a t-shirt, jacket and standard liner that comes with the jacket.

30F-50F I add a Mountain Hardware windstopper to the mix.

15F-30F I add a balaclava and long sleeve LL Bean drivers shirt.

Below 15F down to -15F I add polypropolene underwear and grit my teeth. At these temperatures my rides remain under 50 miles.

Keep in mind I also have heavy boots, insulated socks, Tourmaster overpants, Gerbing electric gloves, and a full face Shoei helmet.

It's a lot of gear to don so you have to be mentally prepared for that. Lot's of riders I know can't be bothered for that kind of prep for daily commuting in winter. And remember to get a jacket big enough to take those extra layers regardless of brand. If you think you can find an off the rack jacket that just will work without anything extra for really cold temps you might be in for a surprise.

My biggest problem is not the jacket though -- it's my hands. If they didn't freeze up, even with electric gloves, I could ride all day. As things are now I have to monitor hands and stop to rewarm them -- usually on the headlight.

And last, I also have an Olympia full length insulated riding suit. It's great for the cold but I only use it when I am only going to ride. It's a real pain to get on and off, and is a nightmare to walk around in.

I wondered if you'd tried handlebar muffs yet?

This kinda thing (though lots of makers out there...) Combine with heated grips too?

http://www.tucanourbano.it/Catalogo/item/manopole-en-US?categoryFullPath=termoscud_e_coprimanopole

I worry about these, wouldent want my hands trapped to the scoot. My mrs is thinking about them but I think heated grips are a better idea.

+1 on tuccano urbanno

You could probably put armour in that. If it fits snug just get it in one size up to sew some armour slots in the shoulders and elbows. Not all jackets will lend themselves to this treatment but I find that most do. I have a couple of jackets I've done this to.

Winters in Philly are usually 20-50 Degrees. I think with full face helmet and maybe some windproof pants i could tolerate temperatures 35-50 degrees. My max riding time is maybe 10-15 minutes.

any other suggestions.

First Gear Kimimanjaro, had it over ten years, its outlasted several bikes and one collision and still looks like new.
Factory soft armor works well enough (per above mentioned collision)
Weatherproofing is excellent but the seams start to leak in really heavy rain after about five years use. (use tent waterproofing to fix seam leaks)
Liner goes in and out easily and the jacket is warm down to about 40F without any help, below that toss a vest on first and you're good until sanity or ice build up tells you to go home.

im liking the http://www.tucanourbano.it/home

can we get these in the USA?

Tourmaster Transition 2. Warmer than my LL Bean winter parka.

I second the Kilimanjaro. Available in Hi-Vis colors too.

These people do Tucano and deliver to U.S.
http://www.urbanrider.co.uk/

I haven't used them myself but they have some good stuff in.

Have a look at British Motorcycling Gear's Discovery jacket.
I have the original Belstaff version and it's great. 10 yrs on and I'm still using it, even though it's showing it's age. I'm considering importing a BMG version to the UK as a replacement. Nothing else out there is as good toy mind at that price.
BMG say that theirs is a true copy, that they licensed the design from Belstaff before the brand was sold to a fashion house, and is made from same materials and in se factory as the originals.
For a winter jkt it's well priced, and hugely practical.

Dont know, I was in their shop 2 weeks ago, Nice people. must have tried on about 6 pairs of boots and 5 jackets!

Eventualy boght a jacket.

Drop them an e-mail I would think any shop in the uk would ship to anywhere in the world if it was worth there while.
Resesion an all

There website gives their price for shipping to the US one assumes that they do that.
How was the shop? I'm in London in a few weeks I was considering nipping in.

I've ordered from there, for delivery to Canada, and they were great to deal with. Scooter-wear.com delivers to North America as well, and they're also great. Both sell TU gear, in addition to other goodies.

Prices on the TU stuff from both retailers are good, but be prepared that you may encounter some border costs, like brokerage, duty, taxes, plus the cost of the shipping. It can turn a $200 jacket into a $300 jacket.

Another Klimanjaro fan here. Great jacket.

Klim valdez parka, goretex pro shell ,paid $275 like new

37 Fahrenheit with speeds up to 60 mph tested
Top-800 fill down jacket with klim valdez parka
Bottom- underarmour base 3.0 leggings and jeans, urbano tucano termoscud

Riding in Naperville/Bolingbrook/Romeoville, Illinois

I feel cold in the most awkward places, sometimes the crack of elbows and behind the back, but mainly in the toes and lower face

It is warm enough

The Kilm stuff is being sold at our local BMW M/C dealerships. They are getting really popular with the Beemer crowd. Particularly the "GS" (dirt) riders.

I've always been attracted to the Olympia winter jackets. Of course winter here in So Cal is spring elsewhere. Still that Olympia jacket is a pretty nice piece of clothing.

Follow the lead taken by VESPAsfw3. A good quality armored jacket with zip out liner and enough room for some layering as he points out. Armored over pants with zip out liner. Fitted so that they will go over street trousers is a good option. I'm eating my words and going back to the Toucano Urbano lap blanket. But I will not be wearing more than Carhartt canvas trousers and heavy weight long underwear for leg protection. Stinky Jones got me into Kolpin hand grip mitts, popular with the snowmobile, ATV world for under $30.

I did that earlier this year. Well worth a look = they only have a small amount of space but they cram in some good stock lines including Tucano, Belstaff etc, and a good range of helmets (though mostly open face for low speed London commuters). Helpful guys and quite happy to have a no strings chat.

Thanks alot for that. Hopefully I'll get chance to go in. (I can hear my wallet screaming already.)