My 2007 GZ and new textile jacket

[SuziQ07]

First I want to say that this site has been completely invaluable...from people's advice and suggestions to the owner's/service manual that you can download (I put all the pages in a binder with tabs). I decided to go with a textile jacket over leather for my first jacket and I'm extremely happy with the decision. Before joining this site I didn't even know what a textile jacket with armor even was! In the past I have been a spectator at a Bikers for Babies rally where I saw thousands of bikers (mostly Harley) and it was a compete sea of black leather jackets everywhere!!
I purchased the Joe Rocket Women's Luna 2.0 jacket off http://www.newenough.com for $40 less than a local motorcycle store's price. I'm usually one to purchase from a brick and mortar store and support local business, but the price difference was too much, plus the store had to order the color (pink) that I wanted as well. I submitted a review with picture to newenough.com and they emailed me a $10 gift certificate toward a future purchase...not bad!
I'm pictured here with my Dad...he's been teaching everything I know about riding (along with this site and some youtube videos). According to NY State law he has to stay within a 1/4 mile of me and I can ride with my permit. I'm signed up to take the MSF class in early July...can wait! The GZ is a wonderful and very forgiving bike...I'm not sure I'll ever be able to part with her! :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

Good looking jacket. JR makes a decent jacket for a reasonable price. Give Dad an extra long hug and thank him for being there and sharing a passion.

[alantf]

Give Dad an extra long hug and thank him for being there and sharing a passion.

That's what dads are there for. Just a shame that my daughter/grandkids are a 4½ hour flight away. :poorbaby:

[BillInGA]

Nice! :2tup:

[mole2]

Very nice jacket. I have a Joe Rocket leather jacket and Textile Jacket. They make good stuff. You always look so happy on the bike. Keep at it. You will enjoy the course and become a better rider because of it.


:)

[SuziQ07]

Give Dad an extra long hug and thank him for being there and sharing a passion.

That's what dads are there for. Just a shame that my daughter/grandkids are a 4½ hour flight away. :poorbaby:

Yes, it's been wonderful sharing this new experience with my dad. I'll always have fond memories of him teaching me to ride. I can't wait for the day when my dad and I ride our bikes to the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que together in downtown Syracuse, NY.
It's got to be really hard living so far from your children and grandchildren. :cry: I feel very fortunate to have found a teaching job near my parents (my house is only 10 minutes away).

[SuziQ07]

Very nice jacket. I have a Joe Rocket leather jacket and Textile Jacket. They make good stuff. You always look so happy on the bike. Keep at it. You will enjoy the course and become a better rider because of it.


:)

Awwww thanks Mole! I am really happy learning to ride and owning my first motorcycle! I'm doing something I never thought possible. I'm still in awe of women on their own bikes!

[New GZ250]

You are one lucky person that, both you and your Dad enjoy the passion of biking together. I would love it, if my wife shared the same passion I have for biking, our even if she just joined in by hopping on the back. Love your Dad's bike! Ride cautiously and safely. Plus you got a great deal on the jacket, oh yes none of my school teachers rode a bike! Keep up the good work.

[SuziQ07]

You are one lucky person that, both you and your Dad enjoy the passion of biking together. I would love it, if my wife shared the same passion I have for biking, our even if she just joined in by hopping on the back. Love your Dad's bike! Ride cautiously and safely. Plus you got a great deal on the jacket, oh yes none of my school teachers rode a bike! Keep up the good work.

Thanks! I do feel fortunate to have my dad around; he's great! Unfortunately, I never shared his passion of model airplanes and old muzzle loader guns, but motorcycles, that's a different story!! :2tup: My mom is too scared and nervous to ride on the back of my dad's Harley unfortunately. And my husband has no interest in my bike and does not share my enthusiasm. Now that you say it...I can't remember any of my teachers riding a motorcycle either. One other teacher in my building rides his bike to school in good weather. I'll keep practicing away so I can ride my bike on the first day of school in the fall!

[New GZ250]

Love teachers! My wife teaches Kindergarten and some of her students ride bikes to school! :) Never too early to get started! :roll:
Remember Teachers are Great! So are Fathers!

[mrlmd1]

If you will be riding in the Fall up there, you will be thinking of getting more gear - it never ends. Like a warmer jacket and riding pants and heavier gloves, and a windshield, etc. And think about getting a full face helmet for better protection.

[alantf]

And think about getting a full face helmet for better protection.

Even better - don't get on your motorcycle - That's even better protection. :cry: Or is that too extreme? Of course it is, just like some folk on here try to tell you that a full face helmet is the ONLY helmet you should consider wearing. I am SO PISSED OFF with everybody going over the top that I'm convinced that some of these people ought to be sitting knitting in a rocking chair. Up to now I've kept out of the helmet debate but now let me put my two pennorth in. WEAR WHAT YOU'RE HAPPY WITH. I'm happy with a ¾, & it looks like your dad is too, but I bet no one on here is gonna tell you to tell your dad that he shouldn't ride without a full face helmet.

One problem with this site is that SOME folk think that their point of view is the ONLY one. My view is "Do your own thing"

Rant over :neener:

[bonehead]

And think about getting a full face helmet for better protection.

Even better - don't get on your motorcycle - That's even better protection. :cry: Or is that too extreme? Of course it is, just like some folk on here try to tell you that a full face helmet is the ONLY helmet you should consider wearing. I am SO PISSED OFF with everybody going over the top that I'm convinced that some of these people ought to be sitting knitting in a rocking chair. Up to now I've kept out of the helmet debate but now let me put my two pennorth in. WEAR WHAT YOU'RE HAPPY WITH. I'm happy with a ¾, & it looks like your dad is too, but I bet no one on here is gonna tell you to tell your dad that he shouldn't ride without a full face helmet.

One problem with this site is that SOME folk think that their point of view is the ONLY one. My view is "Do your own thing"

Rant over :neener:
:plus1: :rawk:

[burkbuilds]

Well said alantf :2tup:

[mrlmd1]

I said "THINK" about getting a fullface helmet. There's something wrong with that?
Do you guys even read, or just like to jump on anyone with a different opinion/suggestion that's not yours?
WTF is going on here now? Lighten up.

[SuziQ07]

So far so good with the 3/4 helmet...I may feel differently someday and want to switch to a full face. I was concerned as a beginner that I felt almost too enclosed in a full face and I couldn't see and hear things around me. A full face also made me nervous that it could fog or steam up etc; though I know that's not the case. My dad is in his mid-60's and has been riding for years with a 3/4 helmet and no windshield etc. He wears warmer gloves and leather chaps in the colder weather and a perforated leather coat and thinner gloves in the summer. This has worked well for him! He did have a bee in his helmet once that stung him while riding. For me personally, a 3/4 helmet with a shield is a nice compromise. I pull the shield down when I can't take the sting of the bugs anymore. When I get more experience and do highway driving I may want a full face...the thought of a stone hitting my face does make me a bit nervous.

[mrlmd1]

3/4 or full face - still better with the shield down rather than have bugs/stones/other debris hit you in the face. It can be pretty painful and distracting, maybe cause a bigger problem, and easy to avoid with the shield.

My opinion - is that OK everyone, alantf, bonehead, and BB especially, or is that too much for you guys to handle? If so, just do what you think is best for yourself, but I can still express my opinion.

[bonehead]

Peace brother.

[burkbuilds]

Not sure why you said "BB especially" but I'm simply agreeing with alantf whey he said "do your own thing". I'm certainly not against you or anyone else saying what they think, I just really liked alantf's final words and wanted to say that I agree with him.

[BillInGA]

I prefer the protection from road debris that a full-face helmet provides. I have taken some major bug hits in the face and was glad to have the protection. I once got hit by a rock in the neck - not pleasant. It made me wonder why motorcycle jackets have such low collars, leaving your neck exposed - but that's another topic.

I do get some fogging when it is cool and humid, but cracking open the visor clears it rather quickly. Some helmets do better than others in preventing fogging.

I know what you mean about feeling claustrophobic in a full-face. When I first started riding I opened the visor at every stop. Now I'm used to it and keep the visor down most of the time.

In the end, the most effective helmet is the one you will actually wear. Use the helmet that gives you the best combination of protection and comfort, where ever you may land on that continuum of trade-offs.
:rawk:

(Edited to correct spelling errors)

[burkbuilds]

Good advice Bill, I've been hit with about everything too, and I've always been glad to have had a full face shield on when it happened. You can call me a wimp, but it's no fun getting hit in the face by anything at 70 +mph, and if you ride much you will get hit. I've even got a 20" slipstream windshield, but I still regularly catch bird poop, big bugs, and like you, the occasional gravel on my face shield. I even hit a bird once with the windshield, which kept it from hitting my face shield or me.

[mrlmd1]

Sorry BB, I didn't mean to single out YOU especially, I was referring to all the three posts after mine - that's the fault of the printed word rather than direct voice communication. Those three comments indicated or inferred that my post about THINKING of a full face or a shield and other gear was over the top, and to get criticized for something like that on here is outlandish to say the least. I never said or implied that that was the only way to go, it was a suggestion. And other people actually agree with me as evidenced by the two previous posts to this one. People should read what's written on here before jumping out just to make some kind of ridiculous comment.
An opinion or suggestion is just that and should be respected for what is is, take it or leave, post your own. There is no reason for a rant if you don't agree or don't even actually understand what is said if you can't read it.
And peace to you all, that's what we all want, and to learn from each other and stay safe while we enjoy the ride. You are all free to do what you want, just don't jump off the handle at someone else when it's not appropriate.

[Water Warrior 2]

So here's the plan. Everyone wear what you want and are comfy with for the present. If there comes a day when you want more or less gear Just Do It. I tend to collect different gear for various weather but always keep in mind the safety aspect. I have pretty much given up on trying to convert some folks towards safer gear. It is all about the amount of risk an individual is willing to accept in any sport or activity. Some folks don't want to look like a wimp in safety gear or let peer pressure force them to be less safely dressed. It happens.
i really shudder when one of my friends rolls in with next to nothing on for clothing on a warm day but that is their choice. For Lynda and I the cost of riding gear is just another cost of owning and riding a bike.

[SuziQ07]

Yikes, sorry things got a little heated regarding my choice of riding gear! I hope I didn't stir up the pot! Being such a new rider I'm open to any and all suggestions. I have a feeling my choices in riding gear will change as I gain more experience. I can't believe how many female passengers I see wearing little tiny tank tops and peanut shell helmets...they must really trust their boyfriends/husbands and all the other cars around them! It was very interesting when I went helmet shopping...my local Triumph dealership encouraged me to get a full face helmet and the Harley Davidson dealership steered me in the direction of half helmets. The bottom line is you have to do what is right for you and assume all the risks involved. Thanks again to all of you for your help!

[burkbuilds]

mrlmd1, no problem, I guess my comment should have come with a quote about what I was agreeing with on alantf's post. I'll try to be more aware of what I'm doing next time.

WW, I certainly don't cut to many corners when it comes to my riding gear, but as you pointed out, each of us may hold a different aspect as to what we think is important. I've certainly spent a few bucks on gear to keep me warm in the Winter since I ride year round, but I'll have to admit that I don't wear a lot of stuff in hot weather. That's a decision I may regret one of these days if I take a long slide without leather or armor on my body at the time. I'll always have a helmet on, and boots and gloves but I'll probably be in blue jeans and a t-shirt if it's in the 90's or more. For those of you who are worried that my loss of skin may cost you money somehow, I have private health insurance and an additional sum for medical expenses added to my motorcycle insurance. Most of my life I've been self employed and I've usually had to pay for all of my own health insurance, no help from an employer or Uncle Sam. For the last couple of years my wife has worked for a large Nationally known Health Insurance Company, so we've enjoyed better coverage at a much lower cost to us than when I had to pay 100% of my own premiums. Hopefully, I'll never need any of it to cover anything from a motorcycle accident!

[Water Warrior 2]

Health insurance is a given when you ride. Well........... for most riders anyway. I always ask myself want is your pain tolerance and how well can an old body heal if damaged. Safety stuff is just a passive health insurance until needed.

[Water Warrior 2]

SuziQ, don't worry about stirring the pot a bit. We needed a somewhat spirited discussion on ocassion. It just sounds like a blood letting.

[mrlmd1]

Blood? Did someone say blood? I haven't seen a good supply of blood since I retired and came to Florida 8 years ago. I knew I missed something in my life. :biggrin:

[Mercutio57]

I use a 3/4 in the warmer months, then switch to a full face when it turns colder. Obviously the change here is more about comfort than protection. And I always wear a leather jacket (a simple, unpadded, "old school" Schott NYC). Pretty simple.

As a volunteer firefighter I dutifully wear all of my protective gear when I go into a burning building, but am well aware of the fact that in the worst case scenario this heavy, uncomfortable stuff will be utterly useless. Our trust is not in our gear, but in our training and instincts: you stay alive by getting out before the flashover or the collapse, not by wearing eighty pounds of protective clothing and equipment.

Wear what is legal and comfortable for you, and concentrate on the cages.

[SuziQ07]

I use a 3/4 in the warmer months, then switch to a full face when it turns colder. Obviously the change here is more about comfort than protection. And I always wear a leather jacket (a simple, unpadded, "old school" Schott NYC). Pretty simple.

As a volunteer firefighter I dutifully wear all of my protective gear when I go into a burning building, but am well aware of the fact that in the worst case scenario this heavy, uncomfortable stuff will be utterly useless. Our trust is not in our gear, but in our training and instincts: you stay alive by getting out before the flashover or the collapse, not by wearing eighty pounds of protective clothing and equipment.

Wear what is legal and comfortable for you, and concentrate on the cages.


Well said Mercutio57 about the gear only being as good as your instincts and your training...that certainly applies to riding a motorcycle too.
Schott makes some really nice leather jackets...I tried one at a place in Syracuse, NY called Middle Earth Leather. Of course Schott jackets were double the price of other leather coats I looked at. They're really high quality and made with beautiful leather.

[alantf]

I think I've mentioned it elsewhere, but try googling "interstate leather". I've got one of their jackets, & the quality's great. :)

[mrlmd1]

Look at Leatherup.com. I've bought a bunch of stuff there , they have brand names, quality and price are real good.

[Mercutio57]

The Schotts are expensive because they are union-made in the USA, not child-labor made in Pakistan. The difference in price hurts a bit, but it hurts a whole lot more to see American factories close. And yes, I know that consistency requires that I ride a Harley, but their one "starter" bike simply isn't.

Besides, Schott was the original!

[bonehead]

I'm all for buying american. But why should I pay Double for the same amount of bike?

[Mercutio57]

When possible, I buy American. Sometimes it's just not an option, hence my GZ250. But American-made motorcycle jackets are available, and I'm willing to pay the difference.

There is, I think, a difference with regard to buying the motorcycles themselves.

The American motorcycle industry was not in fact killed off by Japanese imports. Indian was already on the ropes before the arrival of the Asian bikes, and Harley-Davidson, at this point more a religion than motorcycle company, is still going strong. The other American companies (Henderson, anyone?) were long dead when ol' Sochiro sent the first little Hondas our way. Japanese motorcycles certainly destroyed the British motorcycle industry, but really didn't affect ours in the end.

Motorcyle jackets, however, are a different story. A quick check of the labels in your clothing, from your jacket and boots right down to your underwear, will reveal to you the dire state of the U.S. garment industry.

In other words, my purchase of a Japanese motorcycle did not in any way affect the fortunes of the American motorcycle industry. My purchase of a Schott jacket, on the other hand, was in direct support of a local company that, like all such manufacturers, is under very serious threat from cheap foreign imports.

[SuziQ07]

The Schotts are expensive because they are union-made in the USA, not child-labor made in Pakistan. The difference in price hurts a bit, but it hurts a whole lot more to see American factories close. And yes, I know that consistency requires that I ride a Harley, but their one "starter" bike simply isn't.

Besides, Schott was the original!

The Schott jacket I tried on was double the price of a leather "First Classics" jacket, but it was also double the thickness too! It was a beautifully made jacket , and one that would last for many many years and then some! I was unable to purchase due to the fact that the sleeves were way too long...could have found a person to do some alterations however. I may buy a Schott down the road if I decide that motorcycling is indeed for me and something I'm going to stick with. I live in NY and love to buy products made in my own state! I would also enjoy a H-D 883 that is made in the US as well....but it's way too big of a bike for a young female beginner. If Harley made something smaller I would be all for it! They could only direct me to a used Buell Blast and I tend to gravitate toward the cruiser style rather than sport bike...plus the Blast was too high for me. H-D has missed out on a huge market by not making a smaller motorcycle say a 500cc or 650cc etc.

[alantf]

the sleeves were way too long...could have found a person to do some alterations

This was also the problem with my Interstate Leather jacket. I solved the problem by taking it to my local shoe repairer. He shortened the sleeves, & restitched the hems on his special "made for leather" sewing machine. Didn't take him long, & he charged me the equivalent of $3 or $4. :2tup:

[Mercutio57]

H-D is by no means the only company that's ignoring this segment of the market. Increasingly the Japanese companies are as well. With the exception of sportbikes there are currently very few offerings in the 500-650cc range, at least here in U.S. Some very nice midsize standards are available in Asia, but everything for the U.S. market is "supersized."

You're right about the Schott quality, and alantf is right about the solution to the problem of alterations. Most tailors can't handle an mc jacket, but shoemakers can.

My guess is that you'll probably stick with motorcycling. My GZ was something of a "let's see if I like this" experiment, and I confess that am now quite hooked!

[GZBrian]

Nice Bike and Bright Jacket. My wife and I wear the High-Vis Tourmaster jackets when we ride. Nice to see someone else wearing bright colors when they ride. GZ Brian

[SuziQ07]

Nice Bike and Bright Jacket. My wife and I wear the High-Vis Tourmaster jackets when we ride. Nice to see someone else wearing bright colors when they ride. GZ Brian

Thanks for the compliment! I like bright pink and it makes me more visible. I guess the jacket serves two purposes! I thought a white helmet would be more visible as well. :2tup:

[Water Warrior 2]

I went with a white helmet for the visibility factor. Bright yellow is my favorite color but couldn't get that with the helmet I bought. Some manufacturers have started doing day-glo colors and I think that is great. Anything to get us noticed out there.