SO i decided to buy a nice leather jacket and I narrowed it down to 3 different jackets, 2 are icon 1 is Z1R

https://www.denniskirk.com/icon/yell...d/3416247L.sku

https://www.denniskirk.com/icon/moto...d/3403092S.sku

https://www.denniskirk.com/z1r/dart-...d/3410092S.sku

let me know your opinions on the brands, line of jacket, and generally what you think of them, I don't want some crappy jacket that's going to fall apart

 

If your price range is $400, like those jackets are priced, personally I'd skip those and go with an AGV Sport or Joe Rocket jacket.

2012 Motorcycle Apparel Collection - AGV Sport
JoeRocket.com

 

I have a few friends that always use Icon gear. They've never had any issues that I'm aware of. My wife has a full leather Icon jacket and it's made very well. I prefer AStars as I have a full leather one. I've used Joe Rocket and liked them as well. They seem to fit me real good too. If you plan to get a textile jacket, check these out 1st gear. I have a Kilimanjaro and it is a very nice jacket. IMO they make some of the best gear in the market. You would seriously not be disappointed w/ their stuff.

 

Rs Taichi gmx motion

 

I don't have any experience with the z1r but the icons have always been heavy and seemed well made. I have a friend that had a 40 mph low side in an icon jacket and he walked away with no injuries and only a scuff on the jacket. I like first gear, and alpinestars. Agv I purchased recently is going back, it seems fairly thin to me. I have liked their full leathers, though.

 

I wear the Vanson Hurricane Properf here in Texas. It's a good three season jacket with it's liner or a light jacket under it. Great protection, great cooling.
http://www.vansonleathers.com/prod-H...k_2_-286.aspx?
You can get them on EBay for ~450.

 

I like that 2nd icon. Very nice.

 

If you plan on wearing it in warm weather do not buy the motorhead jacket, you will boil in that thing.

 

So is Z1r not a good brand then? I like that icon motor head jacket, my buddy just ordered one (different color) so ill see how that fits me, if it fits ok I may order one, the 3x doesnt seem to be in stock very many places, so if the 2x fits that would be cool

 

I like those Vansons, they look very nice. I wear a Joe Rocket textile for summer.

 

I currently have the Icon Overlord Prime jacket (black, red, white) and absulutely love it. I just wish the jacket had a mandarin collar for those nippy early morning commutes to work.

 

I’ve had a few First Gears and can confirm the textile jackets are nice, but that Vanson jacket looks great.


These prices (for leather) look pretty good to me. I usually go to motorcyclegear.com (formerly New Enough Leathers) for kit, but DK has them beat solid this time. All three jackets look great. Let us know what you end up with and how it works out.

 

Im thinking on the motor head jacket because its like 50-60 when I leave in the morning, right now I wear my winter jacket, and winter gloves to work, also it says it has a insulated removable liner.

but the Z1r has the back armor hmmm..... I need to think...

 

How about this one?
Scorpion Stinger Phantom Jacket - RevZilla

 

Textile vs leather is a big diff. Also if you are a fair weather rider get perforated leather. I have a mesh, a winter textile and several leathers. But usually I weat the perfed one for comfort. (but not if its gonna rain).

I have a top of the line astars but it so heavy it rarely gets worn. I prefer fieldsheer. I have like 6 100mph crashes in them and yet they are light and very comfortable.

Also dont like having someone else's logo on my chest.

 

All I can add is while my First Gear leather jacket is much heavier and better built I have personally tested an Icon Motorhead.....twice and it held up just fine and is still usable... a bit scuffed up but it did its job well.

 

Well, did the OP make a purchase yet?

 

Joe Rocket makes good stuff at reasonable prices. I have one in leather and one in mesh. Neither is "skid tested" yet. (by me anyway...)

 

Leather jackets are best for me. I have recently bought a leather jacket from leatherorbit.com and i just found the best quality of leatther jackets that i have got from leather orbit. These guys are doing a great job and i wish them all the very best.