Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Whose got what and how do they perform?

RJ's Octane ........ heaps cool in the heat, but I don't think it would be much good if you unload at more than 60 kmh !

dri rider racer X - good but in no way do they hold water out

The best one I've seen is the Technic Labyrinth. It converts to anything from 40c heat to -10 and pissing down and works in both situations really well and everything in between. I have crashed in it when it was in full winter mode with a slight abrasion to a tab on the sleeve and nothing else. That was from about 100kph on top of Hotham. My only criticism would be that when all the gear is in it, it's heavy. But no heavier than any of the other really serious convertible jackets.

I also have a short ride jacket which is a Dianese something or other which works well too. It has a liner in the jacket which is like Goretex. But, as with all waterproof stuff, if the waterproofing is in the jacket and not the liner, it will be hotter in warm weather than one with the waterproof material in the liner. I have worn the Dianese on on up to 33c days and it was fine. Much above that it will sweat. The Technic however, is like having airconditioning!!!

I have a Motodry Stealth for very hot days around town, but if I'm going for fang I'll still wear my leather. I also have a Dririder for cold wet rides so the mesh jacket didn't need to be a true allrounder but it is good enough with the waterproof lining in it to keep you warmish if you get caught out with a weather change. If you've already got gear for all other conditions it's a good cheap option and is very cool (like not having a jacket on!) but if you are looking for an all rounder you will need to spend a bit more as it's not up to that.

I've got a dri-rider climate control and i love it. it came as a jacket, +1 waterproof lining, +1thermal lining.
I've ridden it in nearly the worst of both extremes. my brother and i rode through a storm and i came through the other side dry. not some 5 minute drop of rain either, it was a 45 minute ride from bendigo to maryborough in shocking conditions.

then last week i rode for 8 hours in 30+ degrees. without the liners in its really light and the mesh lets air through to your body everywhere except for obviously where the padding is.

happy to say i haven't crash tested it yet. this might be its downfall. even though its fully padded i'd assume since it's "dri-mesh" and not leather or solid textile it might not be as protective as some. being dri-rider though i'm sure it'd do a good job.

Joe Rocket Nova jacket, First jacket I bought And I love it in the heat, especially yesterday when it was 40 something out here in Penrith, didnt sweat that much, has all the air vents but never had to use them. has thermals liner but i have taken it out for summer, in winter all i did was wear a work jumper under it and it was great, especially when the temps in the single figures. Suppost to be waterproof, but ahhh nope it gets through the arms , but i dont care. i love it!!! all armour in back elbows and forarms, and all for $99 when actions had a sale.

Alpinestars which I also use in the winter rather than my dri-rider.
Not good when it pisses with rain, but dries out alot quicker than leather

Dririder DriMesh jacket. I did a review here http://www.ksrc-au.com/index.php?itemid=116

Dri Rider AirMesh 2, great year round jacket with the liner in for winter.

DJ

Shift no liner fully vented with armour $99.00 e-bay,for middle days i have a fully vented leather that i got from Pi

Cortech GX Air, comes with both thermal and wet liners and it's extremely comfortable and lets in ALOT of air with no liners in. It has adjustable sleeves, and leather in the same locations as the protective padding ie arms, shoulders and back as well as the removable back protector and plenty of usable pockets. I saw it advertised in AMCN a few times and straight away liked the look of it so i tried to find one to try on but had no luck, so i called the number in the advert and they where VERY helpful, I'd recommend them to anyone!

im eyeing off this baby



looks pretty good to me, waterproof liner and quilted liner, lots of vents and i think it looks cool...

I use an Ixon Sismic jacket ($250).

Waterproof liner and winter liner. Personally, the waterproof liners on the mesh jackets are useless as they make all the water run down your pants and also into your gloves. Nothing beats wets.

poorbastard wrote:I use an Ixon Sismic jacket ($250).

Waterproof liner and winter liner. Personally, the waterproof liners on the mesh jackets are useless as they make all the water run down your pants and also into your gloves. Nothing beats wets.

never had an issue with my dri-rider letting water into my pants, or gloves. Sure you weren't tucking your jacket into your pants "old man Harry high pants" style?