Newbie needs jacket advice!

Discussion of the Genuine Buddy, Hooligan, Black Jack and other topics, both scooter related and not

Moderator: Modern Buddy Staff

Post Reply
User avatar
rockgirl
Member
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 11:59 pm
Location: Boise, ID

Newbie needs jacket advice!

Post by rockgirl »

I'm brand-spanking new to scooters and am loving my Buddy 125. Now for the extras! I'd like to find a versitle jacket, aka multiseason, if one is even out there. My temp extremes are probably 30-110 degrees for the range of months I think I'll be riding. Waterproof would be helpful-although not a must.

Oh, and for the hard part...I'm not a "small" girl, but usually an XL to fit my shoulders and tummy.

If there are any other products I might not know I need, please let me know. It seems like jacket, helmet and gloves are the core.

Thanks!
User avatar
vitaminC
Member
Posts: 765
Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:32 pm
Location: Redwood City, CA
Contact:

Post by vitaminC »

Boots and pants are also useful...

www.newenough.com
User avatar
SteMer
Member
Posts: 308
Joined: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:51 am
Location: Silverdale, WA (formerly from Cincinnati)

Post by SteMer »

Welcome! I'm sure you'll get tons of good advice from folks here. My two cents: a mesh or textile armored jacket with a zip out liner gives you tons of flexibility. I have a mesh jacket (FirstGear "Mesh-Tex 2" Jacket from newenough.com) that breathes really well in hot weather. In colder weather I put in the liner and wear a rain or ski jacket over it. Versatility and ability to layer was what I was looking for in a jacket.
User avatar
BuddyRaton
Scooter Dork
Posts: 3887
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 10:08 pm
Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Contact:

Post by BuddyRaton »

I would suggest tryingon different ones. I was set on a white Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0...until I tried it on. I couldn't stand the way the collar felt when zipped up. I wound up going with a Fieldsheer mostly mesh silver jacket and I will be getting the silver pants soon. This will probably be my "winter" jacket. Make sure its comfortable enough that you WILL wear it!
"Things fall apart - it's scientific" - David Byrne
www.teamscootertrash.com

'06 Cream Buddy 125, 11 Blur 220, 13 BMW C 650 GT, 68 Vespa SS180, 64 Vespa GS MK II, 65 Lambretta TV 175, 67 Vespa GT, 64 Vespa 150 VBB 64 Vespa GL
Keys
Member
Posts: 2037
Joined: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:57 pm
Location: Next to a big dirt lot.
Contact:

Post by Keys »

Pants?!? Isaac (Lou76) doesn't wear pants when HE rides!

--Keys 8)
"Life without music would Bb"
User avatar
mlstephens
Member
Posts: 155
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:40 pm

Post by mlstephens »

I love my Olympia jacket. It is a mesh armor jacket, model is called Airglide, with a zip-out liner, so truly 3 (or maybe 4 with a mild winter) season. In the summer here temps are 100+ and the mesh keeps me quite cool. I think that it is actually cooler than riding in a t-shirt and having sun exposure. Not cheap, I was looking at a less-expensive Tour Master jacket, but when I saw and tried on the Olympia decided that it was well worth the money. Also have a nice pair of Icon mesh/leather gloves which I use at all times
User avatar
gt1000
Member
Posts: 1047
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:12 pm
Location: Denver

Post by gt1000 »

You can easily spend a fortune on gear. If cost was no concern, I'd ride all the time with the following:

Arai Corsair: $600
Dainese or Vanson armored leather jacket: $500
Matching armored pants: $400
Dainese armored gloves: $150
Frey Daytona boots: $600

That adds up to, gulp, $2250, or a few hundred less than the price of a new Buddy 125. It's also important to know that none of these items is "top of the line" or custom, they're all mid to high level off the rack items.

If I'm forced to cut corners on gear, I do so with the jacket and pants. Do whatever you can to get high quality, good fitting helmet, boots and gloves. I'm lucky in that, right now, my favorite helmet is a Scorpion 400 or 700, both of which are well under $200.
Andy

2006 Buddy 125 (orange), going to a good MB home
2009 Vespa 250 GTS (black)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800 (black)
2008 Ducati Hypermotard S, traded for Tiger 800
User avatar
mlstephens
Member
Posts: 155
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:40 pm

Post by mlstephens »

gt1000 wrote:I'm lucky in that, right now, my favorite helmet is a Scorpion 400 or 700, both of which are well under $200.
I love my Scorpion 700! It is a bargain, along with the Z1R, I don't see any reason to spend more.
User avatar
ellen
Member
Posts: 330
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:15 am
Location: Southwestern CT
Contact:

Post by ellen »

You might want to check out a recent discussion about womens sizes on Scooterdiva.com. Actually had a reply from Corazzo too!

http://www.scooterdiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=739
User avatar
jperkins
Member
Posts: 284
Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2006 5:24 pm
Location: McKinney, TX

Corazzo

Post by jperkins »

I have the Carrazo Armored jacket and love it. The price is a bit step $199, but I feel like it was worth it.
User avatar
BoneGirl
Member
Posts: 580
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:09 am
Location: Mt. Healthy, Ohio

Post by BoneGirl »

I wear XL gear. For jackets try Tourmaster for good color selection and sizes. Waterproof is great. Zip-out liners make all the difference for summer/winter switch out. Figure on around $100 - $120.00 new.

I also have Tourmaster pants that are waterproof, reflective side piping, hip and knee armor and also zip-out liner. You can spend $119. - infinity on pants. Find what's comfy.

Gloves for winter need to be windproof and waterproof. A minimum of 40g Thinsulate make a lot of difference in warmth for your fingers, particularly your throttle thumb.

http://tourmaster.com/
drewbird911
Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:00 am
Location: Bethesda, MD

Cortech by Tour Master Fusion Textile Jacket

Post by drewbird911 »

I got mine from New Enough for ~$62.00.

I like it very much. Now I just need a scooter to go with it~! They still have the Silver in XL

Good Luck!

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/text ... acket.html
User avatar
EBee
Member
Posts: 283
Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:07 pm
Location: Cincinnati OH

Post by EBee »

I'm REALLY excited about a web store I just found out about today that has awesome jackets, www.classyrider.com If I had only seen THESE before I bought my jacket from NewEnough...
"If everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."--Steven Wright
User avatar
BoneGirl
Member
Posts: 580
Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:09 am
Location: Mt. Healthy, Ohio

Post by BoneGirl »

Ebee, since you also live in Cincy, have you looked into Iron Pony in Columbus? I bought a $300 leather cycle jacket for $79. new. It's worth the ride up there occasionally to check out the clearance stuff alone. Just a thought.
User avatar
polianarchy
Moderator
Posts: 2163
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:16 pm
Location: SJCA
Contact:

Re: Newbie needs jacket advice!

Post by polianarchy »

rockgirl wrote:Oh, and for the hard part...I'm not a "small" girl, but usually an XL to fit my shoulders and tummy.
HELLO AND WELCOME TO MY WORLD. :D

I *JUST* round-about asked this same question: topic1055.html

My situation is a bit different, since I usually wear a XXL in women's, and XL in men's. I noticed that all the jackets I saw on eBay and NewEnough and elsewhere all went up to women's XL, but not XXL. SO FRUSTRATING. You might could have better luck. My tip for you: make note of the actual size dimensions for the bust, waist, hip, and sleeves, as EVERY SINGLE MAKER uses different measurements for their so-called XL garment. :roll:

I cheaped out for now, because I'm wraslin' with some PITA health issues right now, and I'm losing weight (for once). Quality-wise, I've heard nothing but good things about Corazzo, BUT fit-wise, they are noted for running VERY small. Once my body size levels out, I plan on buying one of those super-spiffy Corazzo hoodies.

Good luck with your search!
ModBud #442
User avatar
lylee
Member
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Feb 09, 2007 9:47 pm
Location: Oklahoma City, OK

Post by lylee »

I got a woman's large Corazzo. It's okay. The one thing I don't like is the fitted bottom, very bomber jacket. It is not comfortable or flattering if you've got hips.

If I did it all over again, I'd get a jacket that went a little longer and went down straight (does that make sense?).

Good luck. (FYI, I got a Termoscud from Italy to ride in cold but not wet weather. I love it! Worth every last penny. No sizing of me involved. Also lets me wear skirts and heels even in February.)
User avatar
ericalm
Site Admin
Posts: 16842
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:01 am
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Contact:

Post by ericalm »

lylee wrote:I got a woman's large Corazzo. It's okay. The one thing I don't like is the fitted bottom, very bomber jacket. It is not comfortable or flattering if you've got hips.
The different models of Corazzo have different cuts. The women's 5.0 jacket is more open at the hips, with elastic fabric on the sides. (I know because the wife and I were trying some on at our dealer yesterday.) I think the Speedway is also less tapered.

Most MC jackets (for men, too) have wide shoulders and narrow waists. I'm a cylindrical guy. This drives me nuts.w
Eric // LA Scooter Meetup Group // Stella 4T // Vespa LX // Vespa LXS // Honda Helix // some, uh, projects…
lou76
Member
Posts: 374
Joined: Mon Jul 31, 2006 5:39 pm
Location: phoenix, az

Post by lou76 »

lylee wrote:Also lets me wear skirts and heels even in February.
wait a minute, i thought you wear scrubs most of the time :]
User avatar
ebcspace
Member
Posts: 100
Joined: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:26 pm
Location: Ontario, CA

iron pony jacket choices

Post by ebcspace »

BoneGirl wrote:Ebee, since you also live in Cincy, have you looked into Iron Pony in Columbus? I bought a $300 leather cycle jacket for $79. new. It's worth the ride up there occasionally to check out the clearance stuff alone. Just a thought.
the iron pony also has an ebay store, if you're looking for a deal ! :wink:

http://motors.search.ebay.com/search/se ... arch&fgtp=
scoot on!
User avatar
EBee
Member
Posts: 283
Joined: Fri Nov 24, 2006 1:07 pm
Location: Cincinnati OH

Post by EBee »

Wow, some of these look really good...although if they don't fit, no returns. Ugh. :roll: I may check back to see what's still left at the last minit to get a cheap deal.
"If everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."--Steven Wright
ClassyRider
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:44 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

"Reality Sizes" Are available for the gals

Post by ClassyRider »

There are jackets out there, that offer protection and are designed to fit 'real' women, and are feminine looking. The Classy Rider jackets go up to size 20 (the XL comfortably fits an 18-20 gal), and are designed to accommodate our hips. The jacket flares out at the hip to allow for the straddle-spread and sit position without riding up, and is flattering when just standing. And, they are very lightweight, and conceal the abrasion-resistant material inside the sleeves as well as offering low-profile elbow and spine pad protection. Easy maintenance is also important, so all of the jackets are machine wash and dry.
I hope that you don't mind my chiming in on this conversation, but when I hear of the size and style frustrations that are out there today, I thought I'd pass along the information that there is indeed a line of women's jackets that address these very issues.
Ride Safely!
Kathy
User avatar
polianarchy
Moderator
Posts: 2163
Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2006 6:16 pm
Location: SJCA
Contact:

Re: "Reality Sizes" Are available for the gals

Post by polianarchy »

Kathy, THANK YOU for chiming in! A lot of us are new to riding, so we don't know where to get our basic gear. This information is very helpful.

Are there any plans to expand the Classy Rider sizes to "plus" sizes?
ClassyRider wrote:There are jackets out there, that offer protection and are designed to fit 'real' women, and are feminine looking. The Classy Rider jackets go up to size 20 (the XL comfortably fits an 18-20 gal), and are designed to accommodate our hips. The jacket flares out at the hip to allow for the straddle-spread and sit position without riding up, and is flattering when just standing. And, they are very lightweight, and conceal the abrasion-resistant material inside the sleeves as well as offering low-profile elbow and spine pad protection. Easy maintenance is also important, so all of the jackets are machine wash and dry.
I hope that you don't mind my chiming in on this conversation, but when I hear of the size and style frustrations that are out there today, I thought I'd pass along the information that there is indeed a line of women's jackets that address these very issues.
Ride Safely!
Kathy
ModBud #442
ClassyRider
Member
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 3:44 pm
Location: Atlanta, GA

Plus Size Options

Post by ClassyRider »

The Classy Rider XL is intended for women on the lower end of the Plus Size range. I'm also afflicted with the plus-size dilemma :wink: and at the department stores buy 1X-2X (20-22) depending on the cut. The Classy Rider XL fits me perfectly, and this jacket is styled to flatter even us bigger gals.
I should ask for diet advice, but that's not what this forum is about :lol:
I hope this helps!
Kathy (head rider and helmet washer)
User avatar
henryc
Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 1:30 am
Location: Mobile, Alabama

Post by henryc »

I have two of the men's Classy Rider jackets (black and creme) and like them a lot. I also have a Corazzo bomber jacket that I wear on long rides, but I usually wear the black Classy Rider jacket to ride to work or out to dinner. It has light padding and many rider-specific features, but it looks like a regular jacket and not a motorcycle jacket.
Blue 2005 Stella
Creme 2006 Buddy
Black and tan 2004 Vino 50
dahuffy
Member
Posts: 291
Joined: Sun Jun 18, 2006 5:04 am
Location: Spencer, OK

Post by dahuffy »

I'm a "Rubenesque" girl myself. I just ordered this one for myself. It comes with both a nylon liner AND a quilted liner!

http://www.newenough.com/protective_app ... acket.html
"Cinderella is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life"
Post Reply