I don't really know where to turn with this one, I am trying to find a decent (English) SUMMER Textile jacket for use when the weather improves (couldn't get any worse looking outside at the moment!). I am returning to bikes after a ten year break. I have always been a fair weather biker and prefer the comfort and warmth of a car during the Winter months.

I have my old Frank Thomas Aqua Jacket but I remember it was way too hot in the summer months. I am prepared to spend up to £100 for a lightweight jacket but it must offer a good degree of protection by way of body armour (elbow,shoulder,back). If anyone knows a good supplier then perhaps you would kindly provide me with their contact details here?

Thanking you in anticipation...

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

LMAO £100 for a Jacket you really have been away for a long long time.

Try ebay you will pick up some good bargins, most jackets are pretty much the same as they all tend to come form China and use the same materials.

My personal summer kit is the Hein Gericke Taureg Jacket and Pants, well ventilated and comes with good armour (£85 ebay).

Ride safe Lee

Spain is a LOT hotter than UK, and I wouldnt be without my Frank thomas Aqua, OK, it is warm... But Skin Grafts are a Bitch. . I have experience of this.... I would rather sweat some and be safe than risk losing skin.

+2 On Judadredds Post... You been away a Loooooooooooong time! 100 quid will just about get you decent GLOVES these days! will abmit ebay is the best thing for gear if your running a budget. unless you get Auction Fever then you can get screwed........

Have fun, ride safe,

Martyn

Thanks for your valued advice lads. Yes I think your'e right, Ebay is probably the way to go. I have just taken some time to have a look at some online M/C shops and you are right, the prices have increased immensely since I was last on 2 wheels! I'd prefer to get a second-hand jacket rather than risk being ripped off. As you say, most of these "Expensive" jackets are manufactured in the Third World and it's quite possible to obtain the same level of protection and quality by purchasing less well known brands.

By the way, my new bike is a Yamaha XT600E (2000), only 5,000 miles and I''m itching to get it out on the road when the weather improves. It's my very first big trailee although I have had a medium weight single before (XBR500). I'm in the process of doing a complete service - new oil, fork oil, air filter, Oil Filter, F & R Brake Pads, Sparkplug etc. The battery seems Okay but I have just invested in a Datatag Battery Maintenance thingy that apparently keeps the battery topped up during the Winter months.

I passed my bike test in 1980 (aged 17) and as I get older I am more concerned about safety. Back then I would have laughed at the idea of wearing yellow hi viz but now I'm not so sure. Seems a pretty good idea to combine bright clothing with a sensible degree of defensive riding. I'm a former police motorcyclist so perhaps I'm a bit biased (seen some awful sights).

Ride safely...

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

My best analogy is,

I won't sleep with a woman I don't know to well unless I'm protected, So why the hell would I drive down a road when I don't know what's going to happen to me without EVEN MORE protection.

Always wear the best armour you can afford even if it doesn't come with your riding suit buy some, I lost a perfectly good knee even though I was wearing my kit, I sometimes imagine what whould have happened if I wasn't riding like ROBOCOP, I'd not be able to walk anymore and that's priceless.

In the words of Baz Lhurmann....( The sunscreen song)

"Be Kind to your Knees...... You'll Miss them when they are Gone!"

He was right ya know!

martyn

Hi Lads, And to the forum kentf'n, I agree with Martyn and others re looking after your knees, I'd go further and say the whole body!!
Personally i wouldn't go out with out my full kit on even in summer heat
95% of which is Heine Gerick, a good compromise between good protection and cost i find..
TDMalcolm

As most people who have posted in here are fans of HG, you are probably already aware that their winter sale is running until the end of January.

No doubt they will be selling off last years "discontinued" lines to make way for the next marketing initiative; it matters not of course, if you care little about wearing the latest fashion item.
There will be other sales bargains at most bike clothing stores right now, until business picks up.

There is also another bike show in London at the end of this month (being pushed heavily at present in MCN) which will have clothing on sale, I suppose, so long as you don't mind paying over the odds for the entrance!

But the new Yam XT660Z will not be at the London show - it's too busy at other shows (!!). Is there but one of these in the whole of Europe?.

__________________
Dave

i wear a hein gericke "maxwell summer III" jacket when its warm. its a proper armoured textile jacket except its the reverse of goretex, theres leather re-inforcing in the points of impact but the front and back and half the sleeves are mesh that lets the wind whistle through a treat.

strictly only for when its warm though!

__________________
dave

you CAN get a decent jacket for £100........spada circut jacket won a test in ride magazine beating ALL other jackets some costing £500!!
i brought one and its great in summer with linning out and zips in arms undone
and when its cold and its water proof and with linner in very warm!!!!!


you dont need to spend silly money for decent kit all the time .it beat the bmw and rukka jackets to name twoand they do matching trousers for £99 both have full armour and received top marks.

I agree, if you look about carefully it is perfectly possible to obtain value for money and cheaper alternatives to the expensive "designer" makes without sacrificing build quality or general performance. I have been looking on Ebay and there are plenty of good deals to be had. Be careful because there are also loads of cheap and nasty Chinese jackets being flogged off for £50.

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Keep youre eyes peeled at Netto, Aldi etc they do some great bike kit for well under £100. As above HG is also very good and decent value. My waterproof leather boots cost £12 from Aldi or Lidl. I cant fault the things and my brother was looking for some similar in HG and they are £70. I have £200 moto cross boots but I find I usually ride in my cheapies because they are more comfortable on and off the bike.

As an alternative try a 661 pressure suit. Its basically an armoured mx top. They cost around £100 but offer great protection and can be worn on its own or under or over other clothing depending on the weather. Maybe a little extreme for on road use but better be safe than sorry.

I've bought kit from Aldi's before and it's great value. My Aldi gloves are way better than the gloves they replaced and were half the price. Keep an eye out for skiing and snowboarding underwear as it's great on cold days.

The Spada stuff looks excellent for the money too.
Textile Jacket - Spada - Feridax.com

You've mentioned Motorcycle Helmets | Motorcycle Clothing, Boots, Leathers, Gloves, Jackets | Motorbike Accessory Parts in another topic and I have to agree, they have great prices and first class service. They sell of lot of brands that UK buyers have never heard of but I've seen loads of bikers in Germany wearing their stuff. Considering they're part of www.louis.de - Motorrad & Freizeit, it's not surprising.

I have a Weise textile jacket that I bought on eBay for £60. I don't use it much on the bike as I prefer leathers but it has seen plenty of action as a snowboarding jacket. Trust me when I say the body armour has been well tested.

Try Buffalo
Robinsons Foundry: MISTRAL: Buffalo Mistral Jacket

I wore one of these lat summer in the states, kept me cool in the desert.

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk