First, but last setup

[cdfeto]

Hi,
I am after some riding gear, before i go into any details, i just want to mention that i have looked through the forums and google for information and have not really found the answers i was looking for.

I don't ride much at the moment, just on the weekends, but i want to get a riding jacket that will last me for a good ten years. I am only really in the market for a jacket at the moment, but am very open to expanding to pants in the future, and therefore and looking for jackets with zipp attachement for pants.

My main queries are: what are the brands to chose for good quality, Ixon or Frank Thomas from cyclethreads? Rjays from motomail?
I am leaning towards textile for the ease of cleaning and the fact that they are waterproof. An particular materials to go for?

Any help would be much appreciated. I am ready to spend a good couple hundred bucks on a jacket, around three hundred would be nice.

cheers

[TOTO]

I know many people who have jackets for 10+ years. SPIDI seems to be dominating the 10+ years category.

[ital916]

Most of the time you pay for what you get. My personal preference in the 10+ year category would be the same as toto, I find italian leather when looked after last an amazing length of time.

Spidi, dainese etc. Schott is a really good american brand.

As for textile, in my experience they are not as durable but are more functional at usually a lower price. Protection wise, leather still takes the cake.

Forget rjays, you would be lucky to get a couple of years from an rjays textile jacket. Rev it textile jackets are high quality and last with maintenance. Mine is six years old. All it needed was a zip repaired and replacement armour once the ones in the jacket got a bit old and worn.

Spidi textile is amazing, as is dainese *if you can find them* for longevity.

Pay some coin now, saves buying later. Ixon is alright, my ixon lasted only two years. Mind you that was a cheapie, the top of the range ixon jackets are nice.

You are also better off buying jacket and pants at once. You get a better price buying a suit than grabbing them individually. First thing is to try everything within your budget that meets your specs and take it from there.

Looking at your budget and the fact you are leaning towards a textile jacket, I recommend the Rev it warp jacket. Six years of daily use for a $300 jacket is pretty good.

[vifferman]

If you want a good 4-seasons suit, get a Spidi Gran Turismo. It'll cost you around $1100 for the jacket, and $500 for the pants, but you can wear it year round, in all weathers.
It's mainly textile, apart from some leather on abrasion-prone areas, but well made. Generally, you get what you pay for, and for textile to last for 10 years with daily riding and being subject to our high levels of UV, it has to be good.
But... go down once, and your gear could be fubar. Leather generally stands up to normal wear'n'tear far better, and usually is still prety much OK after some tarmac surfing.
No-one plans to bin it, but it happens anyway.

[cdfeto]

Really helpful! I had no idea leather still had a good reputation protection wise, compared to the new textile technologies.

Any thoughts on the Frank Thomas gear, as i was planning on heading out to Cyclethreads to check it out.

thanks for the input

[Grant`]

I have the Frank Thomas Raptor jacket and pants and find it extremely good, however as to whether it will last ten years. Hard to say it is very well made and comfortable to wear but its only really 6months since i brought it so ask me again in 9 1/2 years time.

[BMWST?]

i have my doubts that any textile jacket wil last ten years....a decent leather jacket will last for ever....

[cbfb]

Any thoughts on the Frank Thomas gear, as i was planning on heading out to Cyclethreads to check it out.

I've had a Frank Thomas Aqua jacket for probably around 7-8 years now, although 5 of that was without a bike. Ridden with it in the UK, Ireland and NZ and in some really terrible weather and it generally stays pretty dry - much drier than pants and gloves anyway. Only fault with it is that it doesn't have the full zip to attach to my pants, only the small zip at the back. Warm as with the detachable liner in. And it didn't come with much armour (only shoulder) so added elbows and looking at getting a separate back protector. Haven't had a spill in it so can't comment on protection.

[mazz1972]

Forget rjays, you would be lucky to get a couple of years from an rjays textile jacket.

I beg to differ there. Hubby has had an Rjays Evo jacket for about five years now and it is the most awesome jacket. He bought Rjays pants at the same time and they were great too but he's passed them on to someone else now.

[cdfeto]

got my eyes set on the Ixon Celtic from cyclethreads, last one at $470.
leather, so it should last me a while, any info on the leather quality?

[FJRider]

I don't ride much at the moment, just on the weekends, but i want to get a riding jacket that will last me for a good ten years.



If you dont ride much at the moment ... whatever you get "may" last ten years ... but if you start riding more often ... next year ... it will wear out quicker ..

And if you expect it to be in just as good condition in ten years ... I think you expect too much.

Trademe is a place to start looking ...

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Helmets-clothing-footwear/Jacket-pant-sets/auction-369883159.htm

[Ratti]

textiles wont last that long. Forget it, you're dreaming. the lining goes, the thread will weaken and zips will conk out and need to be replaced. The waterproof membrane will crease, crack and cease to be waterproof. Sunshine, rain and wear take a toll on the threads the fabric is made of, even with the best of care.

before you jump on and ping me with your stories of having the same jacket and wearing it day in and day out since you were 16...the above still applies, your 5 plus y/o gear is NOT as good as it was the day you purchased it.

Similar issues with leather, in spite of what you think, leather weakens, the thread stresses and falls apart. 10 years is unrealistic.

I have fixed so much gear over the years, I now refuse to fix gear that is munted. Last year had a guy come to me with "really good leather pants that I've had for 15 years. can you fix the zip and sew the waistband back on?" Showed him how I could run my fingers down a seam and break the threads, but he insisted it was "good gear". Ended up telling him to piss of, his gear would fall apart in an off and I am not going to fix it.

Our riding gear has a very hard life, and a fairly short one. Sad but that's the way of it