best jacket for SO-CA weather, and rainy tours up PCH

[christiaan]

Should I get leather for Los Angeles or will it be too hot for me in the Summer?  This jacket seems pretty popular in my area: http://www.europeancycle.com/catalog/clothing/kushitani/kushitani.htm

I like clean designs, but  I also want to be visible.  I want to be able to wear the jacket off the bike too.

[pantablo]

get leather. protection it offers is more important than how hot it gets.

that jacket  does not have sufficient protection for my taste. seems jackets with the right kind of hard CE protection (instead of the foam this jacket has) won't look like a normal jacket off the bike. you may have to give that up for a proper motorcycle jacket.

like this one instead:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=6363&department=112&division=1

or:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=241&department=112&division=1

or:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=1062&department=112&division=1


http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=1035&department=112&division=1#


just some ideas.
you could get a [zippered] vented or a perforated leather jacket too...

also check out www.motorcyclegearreview.com for unsolicited, user reviews of most things clothing/gear related.

good luck.

[MstrsLilBrat]

Highly recommend is a leather jacket... but if you are just cruising on PCH, I say it is ok to wear non-leather jacket. It depends on how you ride.

I have several jackets for a different riding. (Yes, I am a girl, I need to be cute on bike!   )

[Cal Price]

Agreed, all of the above. If you are concerned about "serious" riding in the rain, remember it's a head to toe thing, not just torso so dont get too worried about the water repelent qualities of the jacket, all the "big" names are pretty good. Get the jacket you fancy and get one of those one-piece waterproofs that will go over normal riding gear. For less intensive wet riding simply get some leggings.(overtrousers)

[christiaan]

i went to some local shops in orange county:
hahm
cycle gear
eurocycle
They were very expensive and ugly, but i got to try on the small sizes from each of the big makers.  Anybody know a better place in LA, IE, or San Diego?  I'm gonna try Chapparell next week then LA and San Diego.  Helmets were pretty pricey at these stores too.  I think Shoei fit my head the best though.  And Shoei was so much more quiet then the more expensive Arai.  

Thanks for the recomendations

[pantablo]

try Berts mega mall if you're headed out to Chaparral. they're in Covina or out that way...off the 10 fwy, east of the 605.

[GRU]

does anyone have this AGV breeze jacket?
it looks good and the price is affordable....by the looks of it, i wouldn't say it has enough protection and also looks like you would get very cold wearing this jacket on a non sunny day?

[shep_bannister]

If you have the money, Vanson makes the best of the best.  Buy one and use it for life:
http://www.newenough.com/vanson_cobra2_jacket_page.htm

A buddy of mine rides a Monster 750 in LA and loves his Cobra.  

I think perforated leather coats will generally be cooler than non-mesh synthetic coats.

[christiaan]

I bought this one:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=241&department=112&division=1

It looks great from the front, but it makes me look like a KLINGON from the back.  The girls seem to like it though.  It had these awfull huge patches on the arms which I removed.  The vents work great - and when closed it is SUPER warm!  Its perfect for any weather!  Thanks everyone for your input.  

Here are my other purchases:
Shoei - Z-2 helmet solid silver
Suzuki  - red b400 91 17k miles

sorry, I couldn't pass up this cheap b400.
I found over 20 gs500 in the past 2 months in the SO CA area
but The b400 just won me over, with its faster speed and lower cost.

I think this board is the best though
thanks for all your help
when i get tired of buying expensive parts for the b400
I'll probably use it for parts to make a nice gs500

[GRU]

at least it's a suzuki  
the bandit is a great bike but they are rare and parts are a little expensive...have fun riding