Buying a new jacket

[wladziu]

I've been trying to decide on a new leather jacket.  I'm built like Rossi, so I need a European cut like his Dainese. 
The Dainese that I've tried on felt pretty nice, but it's the only thing I've found that fit.  So, I'm reluctant to base my decision on just that. 
The size "medium" Icon Accelerant (too large for me) made the perforated Dainese feel lighter than a cloud, in comparison, however. 

I live in NC, which gets pretty muggy in the summer.  I'd like to wear it as long as I can, but I'm not sure if perforated leather would be very comfortable in the early spring and late fall.  I don't make highway trips, yet.  I just drive a few miles to school and back (with stoplights), and occasionally a trip through the countryside. 
I didn't ride last year, so I don't have experience to know whether perforated leather would simply be too hot during NC summer. 

I was planning to get the white Accelerant, but I'm a redhead.  My wife laughed when I put it on.  Apparently it makes my head look like a cherry on a vanilla sundae. 


Have any other GSers out there had experience with perforated leather in 30-50 degree weather?  How about 100 degree days?  How about euro-cut jackets other than Yosh, Dainese, Fieldsheer? 
This is driving me batsh!t.  Wish there were larger stores, instead of paying shipping and getting something I didn't like (or didn't fit). 

[Paulcet]

I use a perforated Joe Rocket jacket in the summer.  There is a removable lining, but below about 60*F, it's still pretty cold.  The wind goes right through!  I would put up with the cool morning commute because the afternoons are so nice.  If you get one with a wind-stopping liner, that is the best compromise.  As for the high temperatures, if the air temp is over 100, anything is going to feel hot.  I just deal with it.

I use a Teknic leather, with full liner for the winter.  The fit of the Joe Rocket is better, to me.

[wladziu]

That sounds like my mesh/textile, then.  Hmmm...
Thanks, Paul.  That tells me what I need to know.


Does anyone have comparative data on the vented jackets versus perforated?  I know it's a far shot. 

[GeeP]

My Vanson is perforated and vented, but has an internal liner that can block the wind by zipping it up.

65 or above, I wear the perforated leather.  It's fine up to 105F, as long as you're moving.  All the vents open, obviously.  I close the vents in the evenings sometimes.  It's a handy feature.

Below 65, I'll wear a light sweatshirt.

Below 55 I wear my heated jacket, which is good down to 20F without wind protection, or 0F with wind protection.  Below 0F it's just miserable regardless.

I prefer leather, I'd never ride in textile.  I'm not very impressed with the crashworthiness, and NOTHING off-the-rack fits me.  I had my gear custom made.

[wladziu]

Not that anyone cares, but I got one of these:
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=62

Fits like a friggin glove.  Just as nice as the higher priced ones, in my newb-ish opinion.  Very sturdy.  My only complaint is that the spine protection is only a piece of foam. 
Hopefully a tailor or leather repair shop will be able to sew in a turtle-shell spine protector. 

Got it for $217 from Newenough.  Hope it won't tear apart at the seams. 

[frankieG]

ditto on the joe rocket jacket, i have had 3 of them over the years and love em

[08GSSteve]

I own an older style Walden Miller that is the best jacket I have ever had.  Expensive but does the job well.  Not sure if WM still makes the air flow version though?

[wladziu]

I'm probably gonna go with a Vanson Vent Max when I can't stand the heat anymore.  I've heard good things about it.  I'm just hoping it won't ride up.  I'm pretty partial to my iliac crests and saccrum.  Yes, I wear my pants that low.  That's how I roll, yo.   

[platinum_black]

give triumph a try, i always thought they were overpriced but i ended up buying one as its the best fitting jacket i could find and the protection in it is pretty good too.