Looking for help on what I should get for fall/winter riding in Texas.  Leather or mesh?  Armor?  Is Joe Rocket worth the price?  Any other recommended brands?

For helmets, full face?  How much should I pay?  Brands?

Mesh will be cold.  I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket that is great when its hot, but now that its down in the 50's at night when I ride to work, I am very happy its only a 15 minute ride.  They make a "windproof, waterproof" liner that I have on backorder, so can't comment on.  I also have a Shoei X-11 helmet that keeps my head very comfortable, even when cold.  I got it at //www.accwhse.com for about $200 less than list.  Shipping wasn't particularly fast, but not terrible either, espcially for the price

Mesh will be cold.  I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket that is great when its hot, but now that its down in the 50's at night when I ride to work, I am very happy its only a 15 minute ride.  They make a "windproof, waterproof" liner that I have on backorder, so can't comment on.  I also have a Shoei X-11 helmet that keeps my head very comfortable, even when cold.  I got it at //www.accwhse.com for about $200 less than list.  Shipping wasn't particularly fast, but not terrible either, espcially for the price

I don't know what the weather is like in TX in fall/winter, but many textile jackets have adjustable waistbands so that you can loosen it in order to layer clothing underneath if the weather is cool, removeable liners, and zippered vents that can be closed or open.  Many have some water resistance, but are not totally waterproof.
Textile jackets (Joe Rocket Meteor?) are more versatile than leather, IMO.  
I wouldn't want to be caught out riding in a mesh jacket after the sun goes down or get caught in rain in autumn.  Most textile jackets have removable armor (armor is a good thing).

Textile pants can also be worn over jeans or shorts if you get one size larger than you normally wear.

Search for online for motorcycle gear & compare prices.   You don't always have to pay suggested retail.  Also try www.newenough.com.

Helmets:  personally I would stick with Arai, Shoei, HJC, KBC, possibly Suomy and I always get a most recent Snell rated helmet.  You don't see any racers wearing Fulmer, AFX, Bell (except car guys), Lazer, etc., do you?

It's wise to try on helmets in person, because some of the styles/manufacturers helmets fit differently.  Such as I don't have a "Shoei head".  You can either buy a helmet at a local shop/dealer, or once again search online to compare prices.  But generally Arai will be the most expensive.

Wecome!

I have heard alot of people that are happy with Joe Rocket jackets. Definitely get one with armor.

Helmets: How much do you want to, or are willing, to spend on a helmet? The best 'average' Full-Face helmets average around $200. For the winter, though, you want one that will have good ventilation to prevent fogging up the faceshield. I would suggest a Shoei RF-900 in a solid color. Solid colors are more visible. Graphics can act like camouflage. I'm sure I'll get flamed for saying that, and that's why I say they can act like camo. And I usually stick reflective tape on the back.

Don't forget gloves! Most important that you buy motorcycle gloves! And get a pair that will fit with your jacket.

From someone who lives in North country (upstate NY, the Adirondack mountains) and is quite familiar with cold-weather riding, 3 generalities:

1.  Layering works.  Use synthetics, or synthetic/wool blends.  Forget cotton.

2.  When the extremities are warm, you are warm (hands, feet, head) so pay attention to socks and boots, WINTER gloves, and even a baclava under the helmet.

3.  Wind is your enemy.  Make your top layers windproof.  You can never have too much velcro or too many cinch-downs.

See if you can find a store in your area whre you can actually try some things before you buy online, and do not compromise.  Your gear is everything in winter.

I don't have Joe Rocket, but I have an equivalent.  It Breaths when you sweath, has vents if it's HOT, has a liner if it's cold and it's water proof.

You cannot go wrong with these synthetic jackets.

helmet:  get the cheapest, certified helmet you can that doesn't have any dongley things sticking out.  The smoother the helmet, the less high speed whistling you'll get.  I wouldn't advise getting a really expensive one at first(I'm assuming newbie here) as if you fall you'll need to replace it or it you find you don't want to ride anymore, you've got a really expensive paper weight.

Just my opinion.

Hope this helps.

I have a joe rocket speedway (leather) jacket that I wear even in summer, its warm at stops but once you are riding its fine with the vents open.  I'm sure it will be nice for the chicago fall.  As far as helmet I got a shoei zii, its a really nice helmet.  Jacket was about $250 and the helmet as about $320  Check www.motoxoutlet.com they have some decent prices.

I live in Louisiana and I have a Teknic brand "Interstate" textile jacket.  I love it.  Removeable full liner.  "100%" waterproof.  I can attest to this one.  Lists at $199.  Last year's models can sometimes be found.  I got mine this way last year for $120.

Welcome fellow Texan! I spent alot of time and research asking myself the same questions? Here is my $0.02:

Personally, I am frugal (NOT CHEAP!) and I wanted to get the most for my money. Here is what I looked for in a jacket:
1. BREATHABILITY: via zippered vents or mesh shell --> this allows you to wear in warm and cool weather
(stay away from velcro flaps if possible because they don't stay open)

2. CE APPROVED ARMOR: If a jacket does not have CE approved armor you can usually upgrade the armor, as long as you have armor pockets
(definitely get armor --> the whole point of wearing a jacket is to protect your body)

3. SECURE FIT: cinch straps in arms and waist, unless you have a snug fit
(alot of peopel have complained about going down in crash and having the elbow armor shift away from where it is supposed to be)

4. SNAPS INSTEAD OF VELCRO: I prefer metal snaps if possible --> I don't like velcro because it wears out over time and it really sucks if it gets wet

5. WATER-REPELLANT: via a mesh jacket w/ removable liner or cordura nylon shell w/ zips (unless you want to carry a waterproof shell for rainy days)
6. ZIPPERED-CUFF OPENING: usually only found on leather jackets and more expensive jackets --> allows for easy on/off without taking your gloves off and for cold-weather layering (sweaters)

7. OPTIONAL ZIPPER FOR PANTS ATTACHMENT

8. SIMPLICITY: nothing I hate more than a bunch of pockets, flaps, etc to get in the way

9. PRICE: did not want to spend more than $150; impossible you say for a jacket with the above criteria, then checkout my choice below


Personal choice: Belstaff Zodiac. I purchased it at www.imotorcyclestore.com (not a closeout item so you can return it). It meets all my criteria except it does not have cinch strap in the arms (if Belstaff is good enough for British weather it is good enough for me; heck they were practically the first motorcycle jacket manufacturer in existence)
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I was so close to buying a Joe Rocket textile, but fit, armor, and versatility were their downfall for me. However, they have some "NEW" innovative, inexpensive jackets that I might have purchased had they been here 3 months sooner. Check them out:
(website links below are purely for pictoral reference)

1) mesh jacket that has a removable windproof liner:
http://www.tonker.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/joe_rocket_rio_jacket.html
http://www.tonker.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/joe_rocket_phoenix_3_jacket.html

2) cordura nylon shell with zippers in arm and chest:
http://www.tonker.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/joe_rocket_nova_jacket.html

3) mesh/cordura nylon shell combo (2-in-1):
http://www.tonker.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/joe_rocket_alter_ego_jacket.html

I just bought a Firstgear Kenya jacket.  Totally waterproof with a zip-out fleece liner.  I live in Chicago and this jacket keeps me warm and dry.  I also have a KBC VR-1 helmet that keeps the wind away.  My suggestion is not to go too "cheap" on gear.

As far as the helmet goes here are my criteria:

1. DOT and SNELL2000 APPROVED (naturally)

2. FULL FACE HELMET: besides accentuating the GS, a full face helmet will protect your jaw in a fall (it is possible) --> I seriously thought about a flip-up helmet, but the shell was so much bigger than a typical helmet (which ain't exactly small either) that it made me look like a mushroom

3. PRICE: I did not want to pay more than $175 (I'm frugal remember)

4. REMOVABLE LINER: a must for cleaing, especially for hot weather riding in Texas

5. VENTILATION: more the better; however, good ventilation is usually found in more expensive helmets

6. STYLE: something with a modern look without the ugly paint schemes

8. EASILY-REMOVABLE VISOR: no reason to have to whip out a coin or a screwdriver

9. D-RING: personal preference

10. NAME BRAND: you get what you pay for

11. LIGHTWEIGHT: my 5'2" 135 lb. frame requires this

After researching the web for prices and reviews I settled on ordering the KBC VR-1 Euro (dark silver to match my jacket and bike) from www.helmetshop.com. The "Cool-Max" like fabric was a nice bonus. The only downside is the top vents don't really work, but I have already used it during the Texas summer heat and stayed cool anyways (as long as I kept moving)

Check out this link for pics:
http://www.helmetharbor.com/estore/products.cfm?seriesid=VR-1

This website is what started it all:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/kbc/index.htm

Another really helpful link for consumer reviews on jackets/helmets/gear:
http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/


Good Luck on your purchases,
Flash

P.S. what part of Texas are you living in?

Thanks for the advice everyone!  Good stuff.

Flash, I am not too far from you, in Coppell.

I recommend new enough and helmetharbor too.  Helmet harbor doesn't charge shipping either!

Don't drop your helmet, don't put it on the handlebar or seat it will eventually fall off.

TourMaster makes good, if not great, rainsuits and winter gloves. Go large on the rainsuits to make it easier to get on and off over your riding jacket and to help prevent ripping the seat of your pants when you bend over...er, or mount the bike.