Does anyone know where my friend can find a decent leather motorcycle jacket downtown... or raleight in general? Nothing spectacular like crotch rocket jackets (i.e. red jackets) just a decent leather motorcycle jacket?

3/24/2007 8:26:54 PM

Toxic customs had a bunch a few months ago for like 50 percent(as they carry that kind anymore) off they were just reg black ones.

3/24/2007 9:15:37 PM

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/leather_suits_jackets_and_pants/first_gear/tracker_leather_motorcycle_jacket.html

Sounds kinda like what you are looking for, i got all my stuff from there. Just check the closeout section.

3/24/2007 10:08:46 PM

cycle gear, team powersports (Garner Hwy 70), & Ray Price Harley Davidson all have decent selections. I'm not sure what you mean by "crotch rocket jackets (i.e. red jackets)." A lot of sport bike style leather jackets are pretty plain & not colored. Also, many jackets that are available are worn by all styles of bike riders (those w/ cruisers, standard, sport, etc.). Pretty much anywhere in the triangle that sells motorcycles has some selection. There are a few more places out in N. Raleigh (Performance Honda (small selection), Iron Thunder, Madison Powersports, etc.). I would definitely recommend atleast taking the time to go to a few of these places and try on some of the major brands so you (or your friend) can get a feel for the jackets. Finding a jacket that fits well is really important-- so atleast for a first jacket, try some on before going to places like newenough.com to order. That way you'll already know sizes and preferred styles. (Sizes can significantly vary from brand to brand).

[Edited on March 24, 2007 at 11:03 PM. Reason : ]

3/24/2007 11:01:59 PM

^good advice, covered about everything i would say.

also, you might consider a textile jacket to save some $$ unless you do alot of hard and/or fast riding.

3/24/2007 11:24:48 PM

make sure you get the thick leather kind with built-in or removable armor. cheaper jackets are usually thinner and dont protect the vital spots. my leather jacket is one of the cheaper deals, it has been workin out allright but defenitely not as heavy duty as my textile ones.

btw for the sumemr you want textile most likely, a it will keep you a lot cooler.

3/24/2007 11:47:01 PM

I appreciate it.... I'll let him know... he's new into town and the fuck if I know where these places are

3/25/2007 12:52:24 AM

Since it's getting hotter, textiles will probably be much nicer, but keep in mind that textiles jackets are considered "one time use" (this meaning that if you & the bike go down you'll most likely end up with a torn up jacket after skidding and/or tumbling). Getting something with armor protection is also a great idea. My leather jacket is made by a place in Western NC called Fast Company (you can look them up... their styles are a little boring, but they're a little cheaper, plus it was hard to find Women's jackets when I first got my bike). Anyway- if I had it to do over again, I would have gotten something with better armor. Mine just has extra thick leather & padding in crucial areas, but its major flaw is that it has nothing for your back/spine. I ride a 250 for now, so it doesn't matter nearly as much as everyone with the 600+ cc bikes, but it's still a good precaution. No matter what, I could still wreck my Rebel going 70-80 mph... and that's going to hurt like hell even if I do have only a 250.

[Edited on March 25, 2007 at 11:02 AM. Reason : GODDAMN IT... wrong SN again-- posted by NCSUKAT (danny's not a female )]

3/25/2007 11:01:24 AM

Heya, I just started working at Cycle Gear two weeks ago and I've had to talk to a lot of people about summer gear. The textile mesh jackets are going to be the most comfortable for 80 degree and up weather. The protection is pretty good in most of them, but I would say the dual density foam is what is going to protect you the best as far as not breaking bones. A textile mesh runs $100-130 while a good leather is $300-400 easy. We sell "not flashy" jackets as well. If you don't know what size you are, I would say don't order off the internet b/c you want a jacket to fit comfortably snug so that the armor can work properly (slowing down the speed of impact). Acommon misconception is that people want a jacket they can wear year round which I just find silly. This is NC. You will either freeze in the winter or sweat to your heart's content in the summer. Since it's warm I would suggest a textile mesh and yes they are seen as "one time use only" jackets, but that is mostly from high speeds.

BTW I'm not just talking like a sales rep, I'm also speaking from experience.

3/25/2007 11:33:39 AM

^ yo were you in there working yesterday? I was in there with 2 other guys looking for some things.

3/25/2007 1:36:45 PM

^Yep I was there yesterday 11a-6p - what were you lookin for and what bikes were ya'll on? We were slammed pretty much all day, so I can't say I know who you are

3/25/2007 1:45:50 PM

i was on a red and black r6, and my buddies were on a silver r6, and a new gsxr600. We were looking for frame sliders, and a new clutch lever and shift lever for a 03gsxr.

3/25/2007 1:49:05 PM

^ahhh yes I tried to help ya'll, I was the only girl working yesterday

3/25/2007 1:51:17 PM

yea, must have been you then. We were kinda a lost cause, the other guy tried to help us too with no sucess. We def just drilled a hole in the shift lever, and put a bolt through it, nd screwed on a nut. So the shift lever was fixed, or atleast ncsu engineering rigged, but it worked. WE rode about 80 miles yesterday.

3/25/2007 1:55:36 PM

^tell your friend he should check out ronayers.com for OEM parts, or else we can always special order him an aftermarket lever - should be about $30-35 and less likely to fail than a jimmy rigged shifter

3/25/2007 2:01:01 PM

^wise woman. take advice.

3/27/2007 8:34:23 PM