2011 Motorcycle Holiday Gift Guide: Jackets
Monday, November 28, 2011
Blacked-out leather, ballistic nylon, Gore-Tex, nylon mesh – MCUSA has
seen it all when it comes to
motorcycle
jackets. While choosing the right jacket largely depends on weather
and the occasion, there are some so comfortable and stylish they never
see the closet. In honor of Cyber Monday and the upcoming holidays, we
present a breakdown of some of the best threads our editors have sampled
in the Motorcycle Holiday Gift Guide to Jackets.
Dianese Racing Pelle 
Dianese Racing Pelle
leather jacket became my favorite jacket the moment I
zipped it up for the first time. Made from high quality Italian cow
hide, it is a tight fitting jacket that, when attached to a pair of
leather pants, can protect you from rigors of the track or street.
Molded shoulder protection with aluminum inserts, composite elbow
padding and a pocket for a back protector keep you safe while looking
good. The leather is insanely soft and smooth - so much so that my wife
would do unspeakable things to have a purse with bovine skin this
buttery. I’ve resorted to locking this jacket in my office lest the
other guys from work try to use it. When this jacket finally does get
borrowed and never returned I will be very upset, bordering on
heartbroken. It’s gonna happen. Nothing this good can last. - Justin
Dawes
MSRP: $599.95
Fly Racing Terra Trek Jacket
Fly Racing Terra Trek Jacket
For the free spirits out there who can’t be contained,
Fly
Racing’s Terra Trek Jacket offers great protection against Mother
Nature. Advertised as a ‘do-all’ jacket, the Terra Trek features
ballistic nylon with removable CE approved armor in the shoulders,
elbows and back. Two zippered side gussets allow for a more customizable
fit, and four waterproof cargo pockets have easy to pull tabs, making
them easier to open while wearing gloves. The design also includes a
large rear storage pocket as well as two shoulder intake vents and two
back exhaust vents to help keep you cool in the summer.
MSRP: $161.96
Icon Overlord Prime Leather Jacket
Icon Overlord Prime Leather Jacket
Leather ain’t cheap, but it’s hard to beat for the ultimate riding
jacket. I’m generally not a huge fan of overt ‘sportbike/squid’ styled
riding gear, preferring plain and standard looks… That said, I really
dug the
Icon
Overlord Leather Jacket as one of my favorite riding jackets in
2011. While there are no zippered vents, the Overlord’s numerous
perforations in the chest and arms do a good job venting air. As a
leather jacket, we had total confidence in abrasion resistance, and CE
armor inserts enhance the protective package. Fit is on the trim side,
but it’s well contoured for a riding pose. It looks good and performs
well, a solid all’rounder. Check out more in our
Icon
Overlord Prime Leather Jacket Review. – Bart Madson
MSRP: $430
Speed and Strength Run with the Bulls Jacket
Speed and Strength Run with the Bulls Jacket
One of the coolest aspects of the
Speed
and Strength Run with the Bulls Jacket is its removable hooded
liner that can be worn on its own. The sweater is designed to work in
tandem with the jacket and includes thumb holes for a snugger fit.
Adjustable zippered cuffs lock to ensure proper fit and a removable CE
approved spine protector headlines the list of impact protection. The
jacket is water-resistant and features several zipper-controlled vents
for cooling. Also, the design includes belt loops for pant attachment.
MSRP: $179.99
Icon Women's Hella Heartbreaker Jacket
Icon Women's Hella Heartbreaker Jacket
You’re a Heartbreaker, Dream Maker, Love Taker Don’t You Mess Around
with Me! OK, maybe Icon wasn’t channeling their inner Pat Benatar when
they fashioned their
Women’s
Hella Heartbreaker Jacket, but it’s tough and edgy, the same way
Benatar came across back in the day. Icon went all-in on the styling of
this jacket with brass knuckle pull tabs for the jacket pockets, daggers
on the belt tabs, a lucky Number 13 patch on the left arm and an even
larger 13 superimposed succinctly across the back. The elbows get a
double layer of protection with both leather swatches and CE impact
protectors. The shoulders have CE field armor as well while a
dual-density foam backpad rounds out the list of protectors against road
rash. Plenty of ventilation is provided by zippered shoulder intake
vents and long vertical zippered exhaust vents running down the back.
Tailored to comfortably hug female riders, custom buckles on both sides
allow the fit to be dialed in further. This street savvy jacket with its
fresh styling, snug fit and armor package is Mrs. Harley’s favorite. -
Bryan Harley
MSRP: $230
River Road Basic Motorcycle Jacket
Cruiser riders looking for comfort and durability won’t be let down by
River
Road’s Basic Motorcycle Jacket. Featuring full-grain, imported
leather, the jacket is available in sizes 38 through 65 and includes
nylon stitching for added strength. All the zippers are made to last on
this classis cruiser jacket, which features an adjustable waist belt and
solid snaps. A lightly-quilted comfort lining also adds a bit of
insulation during the colder months. At only $204.95 the design is a
great option for those wanting classic leather apparel at an affordable
price.
MSRP: $204.95
Firstgear 90 Watt Heated Jacket Liner
Firstgear 90 Watt Heated Liner
Riding in cold weather isn’t fun if you’re on the brink of hypothermia.
That’s where heated equipment comes in. The
Firstgear
90 Watt Heated Jacket Liner taps into your bike’s power supply to
provide a consistent temperature that’s safe to ride in. Available in
sizes for both men and women, the jacket liner comes in either 65- or
90-watt versions depending upon power supply and whether you have a
passenger. Featuring dual-zone heating within a lightweight nylon shell
for minimum bulk, the liner has heating pads on the front, upper and
lower back in addition to the sleeves and collar. Glove and pant plugs
are also equipped to handle added accessories. The entire liner packs
nicely into its own included zipper pouch for easy travel.
MSRP: $199.95
Klim Badlands Pro Jacket
Klim Badlands Pro Jacket
Klim introduced the
Badlands
Pro Jacket this year and it brings high-performance adventure
touring apparel at a more palatable price point than the top-end Rally
gear. At $900 there isn’t anything cheap about this motorcycle jacket,
but it is loaded with features that help make it one of the most
impressive pieces of AT gear I’ve worn. As with all Klim components, the
materials list reads like a military combat handbook. All types of
GORE-TEX are spliced together for complete waterproofing and offer a
durable barrier against the outside world. It has 12 pockets to carry
all of your gear and it features D30 protective armor, integrated kidney
belt, multiple intake and exhaust vents and is ready to accept a
hydration pouch. This jacket does it all. – JC Hilderbrand
MSRP: $899.99
Need more ideas? Check out more jackets in
Motorcycle-Superstore.com's
Holiday Gift Guides.
