I did have a big post written last night, but i decided i had enough whine and didn't want any cheese :)
Anyways, I'm looking for a new jacket for the colder weather. I'm probably going to get a JR Blaster, but I don't fit into jackets right (long limbs). What might fit me across the shoulders and arms (XXL, 50) does not fit me in the chest and waist (46 chest, 33 waist). So, I'm concerned about the jacket bunching up while riding or sliding up if I take a fall :( Any opinions/advice about this? Should I just go for the jacket and deal with the poor fit around the waist? My XXL Reactor has similar problems, but being mesh, it is more comfortable if it bunches a little.
I just need a kick in the butt so I go buy some gear.
If you have pants that you can zip the jacket to, that would resolve the riding up issue, baggyness in a winter jacket is easily remedied with layering, you're gonna layer up anyway. You're having this problem with the hip straps tightened all the way?
I need at least a couple more inches of adjustment around the hips. Too bad getting a jacket altered isn't easy. I'll have riding pants to go along with it, so it won't be too bad :) Just need to watch the drafts slipping up under the jacket! :o
You know, manufacturers should include hockey 'fight straps' for their zipper attachment points for people who buy from different companies!
most pants come with both parts of the zipper so yo ucan have it sewn into jacket of different manufacturers-you should check on that.
check newenough.com for closeouts at cheap prices (teknic leather for $139!) and for good sizing info.
Check out www.jamminleather.com - some of their jackets come in "tall" sizes - and they have some interesting reversable leather/kevlar stuff with leather on one side and waterproof fabric on the other.
The quality of their products seems good. One note - some of their stuff is labeled as being made from buffalo hide. Based on my experience, buffalo is probably half the animals name (the other half being "water") rather than the American Bison.
FirstGear makes jackets in "Tall" sizes with longer sleves and torso. If you want to spend the $$, try Vanson Leathers.
I have a Hein Gericke jacket and they come in Tall sizes from 40 up. And they have both sides of the zipper for the jacket and you can get the leather pants that match them also.
New enough had the pants on clearence not too long ago, might still have some. I got the jacket from http://www.powersports4less.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TR-576002
Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/) makes fantastic jackets and will custom alter them to fit you (though it might take a couple round trips back to the factory, they only sell direct). Unfortunately they are way pricey, but the reviews I've seen and people I know with 'stich gear all suggest they are worth it. Lasts forever, excellent protection, and very versatile.
I also have long arms and have found Tourmaster Cortech gear to be a pretty good fit (no problem with gauntlet gloves, and decent event with city gloves tucked in the sleeve on the gs). I'm less crazy about the quality of crash protection and construction, but I've generally heard good reviews. Motorcycle.com (login required) had a not so great review of their latest cortech jacket. I've also tried on Frank Thomas gear which seemed ok, the Joe Rocket, First Gear, and related stuff just didn't fit as well as feeling flimsy and not at all confidence inspiring.
You can find a number of reviews at Motorcycle Gear Review (http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com) and I've found the sport-touring.net gear forum (http://www.sport-touring.net/cgi-bin/msgboard/ikonboard.cgi?act=SF;f=3) to also have a good bit of useful info.
Check these guys out http://www.dragginjeans.com/jackets.html They're a small company and can probably get you something that'll fit you right. Email them and they'll get back to you with a personal response. I've got the flat track jacket and the draggin' jeans and like 'em both. I've got the opposite problem you do - I'm short and stocky. If the chest fits, the sleeves are too long - if the sleeves fit, I'll bust the shoulder seams. The Fast Company jacket has enough adjustment in it that it fits me comfortably, but is still snug where it needs to be. It's got velcro waist and collar tabs and sleeve zippers. Good stuff - reasonable prices too.