Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 04, 2006, 10:28:28 PM
~50mph lowside:

A few busted seams around the shoulder and some scrapes on the padding:


Wore the padding through a bit, but didn't scrape the armor at all. Melted the straps a little bit:


Mesh holds up fine. At the track? Leather, no questions asked.

AlphaFire X5,
how fast were you going when you went down in your mesh jacket?  Also what type of jacket is the one that you went down in.

Thanx

Quote from: hzk6rz on August 05, 2006, 08:48:21 AM
AlphaFire X5,
how fast were you going when you went down in your mesh jacket?  Also what type of jacket is the one that you went down in.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on August 04, 2006, 10:28:28 PM
~50mph lowside:

Fieldsheer Mach 1.

QuoteSliding on your belly or back with only mesh as protection risks you looking like Johnny the Skinless Boy (or girl). /quote]

True, the Pheonix isn't protected at all on the front (my leather has armor protecting the collar bones, a feature I really like) but the padding on the back in the Joe Rocket mesh is much larger than that in my leather, especially around the shoulder blades and the kidneys/lower back. 

**Another fact: I dont know how to use the quote feature yet!**

Quote from: Its Just Me on August 05, 2006, 10:24:28 AM

QuoteSliding on your belly or back with only mesh as protection risks you looking like Johnny the Skinless Boy (or girl). /quote]

True, the Pheonix isn't protected at all on the front (my leather has armor protecting the collar bones, a feature I really like) but the padding on the back in the Joe Rocket mesh is much larger than that in my leather, especially around the shoulder blades and the kidneys/lower back. 

**Another fact: I dont know how to use the quote feature yet!**

Most leather jackets don't have armor on the chest (in fact, no jacket does, I think) but some do have padding.

As to sliding on the back. My mesh jacket has a CE approved back protector. My leather jacket came with foam padding in the back, but I replaced it with CE rated armor from my old crashed Fieldsheer jacket. In fact, I replaced all the padding (shoulders, elbows, and back) in my leather jacket with the CE approved armor from my Fieldsheer.

As to sliding on your stomach, it is more likely you'll be sliding on your knees, forearms, and hands if you do go down. Your stomach is an odd place to get rubbed because you typically automatically tuck up a little bit, thus bringing your arms and knees in allowing you to slide on them.

I agree that a belly slide isnt really that much of a worry... just replying to a prev. statement.  And yes, mabey armor was the wrong word to describe the protection on the collar bone, but its not just ordinary foam padding, some kind of plastic looking stuff sewn into the jacket, I dont think in a spill this would ever do anything, again more likely to be on arms and legs but even in a full out belly flop  (arms and legs hopefully still intact) my helmet would be in front of this.

I ordered a GX Air from ridegear.com for $161 and free shipping - 5% off = $152.  For the rebate, type in 5THANKS in the promotion code area during checkout.  The jacket is currently on backorder and they haven't let me know when they should be getting it so...

I have a Fieldsheer Titanium Air mesh jacket that looks pretty sturdy. Though, with mesh, you never know in a crash. I just wear it as my "better that nothing" jacket for around town.

I also have a Joe Rocket Mercury leather jacket that is the balls.
Leather is by far the best protection, 100x over the best mesh.

As far as pads in the jackets moving around; you have to find out what fits you best.

Contrary to what Alpha said earlier, Joe Rocket quality has come a long way in the past few years. I dont know many people who are worried about Joe Rocket seams blowing any more that other high-end manufacturers' leathers.
I DO however keep hearing that Teknic gear is cheap for a reason and to stay away from it. The thing will supposedly fall apart in a crash; It's a one-crash jacket or suit. This is coming from people who have crashed in newer Teknic suits at the track. You can get a Teknic suit on newenough.com for like 300 bucks. I'll admit it's still great protection, but not the best if you're looking for a race suit. It isn't that cheap just bacause they found a different distributor, like thay say. 

Buy one never really knows in a crash. Teknic has held up well for some other people. I'm not one to compromise though...

A fieldsheer leather suit can be found for 100 bucks more & is better quality.

I'm bringing up the leather suits, but the construction and quality of the manufacturers' suits parallels their lackets and pants. 

Quote from: l3uddha on August 07, 2006, 10:21:36 AM
I have a Fieldsheer Titanium Air mesh jacket that looks pretty sturdy. Though, with mesh, you never know in a crash. I just wear it as my "better that nothing" jacket for around town.

I also have a Joe Rocket Mercury leather jacket that is the balls.
Leather is by far the best protection, 100x over the best mesh.

As far as pads in the jackets moving around; you have to find out what fits you best.

Contrary to what Alpha said earlier, Joe Rocket quality has come a long way in the past few years. I dont know many people who are worried about Joe Rocket seams blowing any more that other high-end manufacturers' leathers.
I DO however keep hearing that Teknic gear is cheap for a reason and to stay away from it. The thing will supposedly fall apart in a crash; It's a one-crash jacket or suit. This is coming from people who have crashed in newer Teknic suits at the track. You can get a Teknic suit on newenough.com for like 300 bucks. I'll admit it's still great protection, but not the best if you're looking for a race suit. It isn't that cheap just bacause they found a different distributor, like thay say. 

Buy one never really knows in a crash. Teknic has held up well for some other people. I'm not one to compromise though...

A fieldsheer leather suit can be found for 100 bucks more & is better quality.

My Teknic jacket had little damage from when I crashed at the track. The pants were fine too after what they'd been through. I slid on my knees, thus reulting in some retty nasty wear marks on the pants.

As to the Teknic full suit for $300, it's $400 and a discontinued item. Teknic is switching its US distributor so all their stuff needs to be cleared out from the old distributor. That's why it is so cheap. That's the beauty of sales.

As to the JR stuff, I've heard of people's seams blowing out at 30mph. That's not comforting whatsoever.

I usually ride in a Joe Rocket Reactor - mesh chassis w/ leather reinforcements on the elbows, forearms and from shoulder to shoulder w/ CE armor. I also bought a perf'd JR Blaster 2.0 but never wear it and am hoping I can sell it..

I do intend on buying a 1 or 2 piece suit eventually




If anyone is looking for a perf'd leather Jacket, I have a JR Blaster 2.0 size 42 in grey I am trying to sell ($175 shipped). If anyone is interested in it PM me

My original statement referred to sliding "with only mesh" to protect you is too risky (for me), which inspired several persons to remark about the armor/padding in their mesh jackets.  In the photo supplied re: mesh jacket holding up well, I disagree - the armor held up well, but the mesh is clearly torn through where the primary slide appears to have occurred.  If you slide on good quality armor/padding, you should be alright, but typical "mesh" will not sustain a high speed slide, which is perhaps why persons endorsing mesh sometimes qualify this by stating they wear leather at the track (more abrasive surface and legally higher speeds). If you get a mesh jacket, get a sturdy one with sturdy shoulder, elbow and back armor/padding.  As to whether belly slides are likely or not - I read somewhere that chin bashes are less likely than hitting the back/side of the helmet in a crash, but I wear a full face helmet because I'd look even uglier without my chin - although less belly might be better.

Quote from: Libido on August 08, 2006, 06:24:16 AM
My original statement referred to sliding "with only mesh" to protect you is too risky (for me), which inspired several persons to remark about the armor/padding in their mesh jackets.  In the photo supplied re: mesh jacket holding up well, I disagree - the armor held up well, but the mesh is clearly torn through where the primary slide appears to have occurred.  If you slide on good quality armor/padding, you should be alright, but typical "mesh" will not sustain a high speed slide, which is perhaps why persons endorsing mesh sometimes qualify this by stating they wear leather at the track (more abrasive surface and legally higher speeds). If you get a mesh jacket, get a sturdy one with sturdy shoulder, elbow and back armor/padding.  As to whether belly slides are likely or not - I read somewhere that chin bashes are less likely than hitting the back/side of the helmet in a crash, but I wear a full face helmet because I'd look even uglier without my chin - although less belly might be better.

Ah yes, good point. Mesh is virtually useless unless it has quality armor and padding to go along with it. For example, my current Fieldsheer mesh jacket (the Mach 3) has armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back, as well as extra padding on the forearms, triceps, back, butt, and collar bones. That padding can slide for a surprising while before being useless.

As a note, after my crash in the old Fieldsheer Mach 1 my mother took the mesh that was frayed and sewed it together. The jacket worked for another few months until I got my Mach 3.

i picked up a nice Mesh jacket with all elbow, forearm, kidney, back, shoulder, and elbow protection.  also has an optional water proof liner which i plan to get in the Fall.  The mesh with a light fleece under it is very comfortable for cooler rides around town.

I have both, a leather and mesh jacket.  I use the mesh jacket more than the leather jacket.  Probably because I ride more in warmer weather than in colder weather.  My mesh jacket is a Joe Rocket Rio with the zip out Dry-Tech liner.  My leather jacket is a Nexx Unlimited, I bought off of E-Bay for $100.00.  It was new and they list for $450.00.  I have a couple of jackets for sale if you would be interested.

d23