MSTA Forums
Main Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: Biggs on February 08, 2016, 11:39:36 AM
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Hey MSTA folk!
I'm looking to replace my First Gear Kathmandu touring jacket (9 years old). The water proofing has worn out and nothing I've done seems to bring it back... :'(
Looking for something for 3 1/2 season wear, well vented, waterproof but breathable, windproof from cold snowy breezes [size=78%](especially up front zippers)[/size][/size][size=78%] [/size][/size][size=78%], removable insulation, and allows me to look my best....[/size]
Any suggestions, people of the road.
Biggs
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That last point is a mighty big order! :-)
Tosh
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I too have a Kathmandu jacket....
Just bought this at the International Motorcycle show for $215+tax.....
http://www.tourmaster.com/inc/sdetail/transition_series_4/116/632
Seems pretty good so far....just worn on bike twice. haven't tried it in rain yet. So far I like it WAY better than the Kathmandu jacket.
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I got an AGVsport Telluride jacket, and matching pants. Haven't been rained on yet, but I am extremely happy with it in cold/cool weather. I think it will be to warm to wear during he summer, but I bought it for winter/wet riding conditions anyway.
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I too have a Kathmandu jacket....
Just bought this at the International Motorcycle show for $215+tax.....
http://www.tourmaster.com/inc/sdetail/transition_series_4/116/632
Seems pretty good so far....just worn on bike twice. haven't tried it in rain yet. So far I like it WAY better than the Kathmandu jacket.
Wow I'm jealous you been out riding in your new jacket already? Roads were too salty up here, and I was way busy the past 2 weekends. Glad you're liking it, my last Tourmster held up pertty good (6 seasons, 50-60K miles), the sun out west on 3 long trips sure did dull the red color.
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I too have a Kathmandu jacket....
Just bought this at the International Motorcycle show for $215+tax.....
http://www.tourmaster.com/inc/sdetail/transition_series_4/116/632
Seems pretty good so far....just worn on bike twice. haven't tried it in rain yet. So far I like it WAY better than the Kathmandu jacket.
Wow I'm jealous you been out riding in your new jacket already? Roads were too salty up here, and I was way busy the past 2 weekends. Glad you're liking it, my last Tourmster held up pertty good (6 seasons, 50-60K miles), the sun out west on 3 long trips sure did dull the red color.
I'm sure the hi viz color will fade quicker than we want it to. I wonder if something like THIS will significantly extend the color fastness..
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant
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Gold Eagle is sold at Auto Parts stores.
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I saw this jacket at AIM Expo had had Santa deliver it.
So far it seems to work well. I've ridden in 85 degree and 45 degree temperatures and it was more than comfortable in that zone.
Below is the Revzilla link. -JEP-
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket)
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I saw this jacket at AIM Expo had had Santa deliver it.
So far it seems to work well. I've ridden in 85 degree and 45 degree temperatures and it was more than comfortable in that zone.
Below is the Revzilla link. -JEP-
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket)
That had better be a REALLY nice jacket for $549!!!
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RKA Luggage suggest using 303 to help to keep your tank bag from fading from the black to a gray. I have some probably need to use it more. I think it will help.
I'm sure the hi viz color will fade quicker than we want it to. I wonder if something like THIS will significantly extend the color fastness..
http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant (http://www.goldeagle.com/product/303-aerospace-protectant)
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I have always been a long time fan of First Gear. They have absolutely the best service on their products. My first year of ownership of a Kilimanjaro jacket (10 years ago) I burned a hole in the sleeve. Totally my fault for carelessly throwing jacket over bike and sleeve contacting the exhaust muffler. They had me send the jacket back (I paid postage one way only) they repaired the sleeve (you could not tell it was repaired) and sent it back to me their cost. How's that for service!! Well that jacket lasted over ten years of hard wear, rain storms, dust bowls, below freezing temps it went through everything. Two years ago it started to not be waterproof no matter that I had put it in a commercial washing machine by it self totally cleaned and water proofed twice it just was worn out.
I ordered a Hi Viz Lime colored with black accents Kilimanjaro last fall. I like the construction, no longer does it have the zipper across the shoulder for ventilation but now two vertical rubberized waterproof zippers vertical on each shoulder area and a massive amounts of pockets.
Sure there's a step up in Aetostitch and Klim, but for the money invested (and it's a lot less) it's a sound, quality jacket backed up by a company that provides excellent service!
I would highly recommend First Gear products.
BTW the Hi Viz Lime can show the dirt easily
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I saw this jacket at AIM Expo had had Santa deliver it.
So far it seems to work well. I've ridden in 85 degree and 45 degree temperatures and it was more than comfortable in that zone.
Below is the Revzilla link. -JEP-
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-motoquest-jacket)
That had better be a REALLY nice jacket for $549!!!
A Stitch costs $577 ..........yes there are cheaper ones but looks like Tom wears his a while. -JEP-
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I have always been a long time fan of First Gear. They have absolutely the best service on their products. My first year of ownership of a Kilimanjaro jacket (10 years ago) I burned a hole in the sleeve. Totally my fault for carelessly throwing jacket over bike and sleeve contacting the exhaust muffler. They had me send the jacket back (I paid postage one way only) they repaired the sleeve (you could not tell it was repaired) and sent it back to me their cost. How's that for service!! Well that jacket lasted over ten years of hard wear, rain storms, dust bowls, below freezing temps it went through everything. Two years ago it started to not be waterproof no matter that I had put it in a commercial washing machine by it self totally cleaned and water proofed twice it just was worn out.
I ordered a Hi Viz Lime colored with black accents Kilimanjaro last fall. I like the construction, no longer does it have the zipper across the shoulder for ventilation but now two vertical rubberized waterproof zippers vertical on each shoulder area and a massive amounts of pockets.
Sure there's a step up in Aetostitch and Klim, but for the money invested (and it's a lot less) it's a sound, quality jacket backed up by a company that provides excellent service!
I would highly recommend First Gear products.
BTW the Hi Viz Lime can show the dirt easily
Looks like you and I differ on a few things Wardie:
I just bought my Firstgear Kathmandu Jacket less than 2 years ago. I actually started with a Kilimanjaro I picked up at Iron pony (Columbus, OH). After wearing the Kil. home, I took it back the next day. I felt it was pretty flimsy, flapped a lot in the wind, didn't zip well, and was not satisfied in general. I traded it up to the Kathmandu and have the following comments; Not very waterproof. The snap at the neckline wouldn't stay snapped, or tight in its sliding mechanism. The zipper did not go all the way up to the neck and left a hole for cold and water to get in at your lower neck. Every time you take the jacket off, the lining pulls out, because there is a really poor single snap mechanism to hold in the liner at the sleeves. "Waterproof" pockets are not so much. The liner would come out past the sleeves when putting it on, due to previously mentioned attachment method...which makes it difficult to put your gloves on with all this material piling up around your wrist. This jacket was not cheap, and I feel the value for cost was pretty low. One of the things I liked about it before purchase is the nylon shell construction. Now im not so sure that's really much of a benefit....its very thin and somewhat fragile...and really isn't waterproof (there is no other layer in the jacket for waterproofing). I definitely was much happier with my previous jacket, a Roadgear Xtreme. I will say that the Kathmandu is light, so it is more comfy in warmer weather.
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PS
Do you think Hi Vis will make me look fat?
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Yes
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qman8
I cannot attest as to why your Kilimanjaro felt flimsy, or why it didn't fit properly or why it didn't zip well so I won't venture a guess except to say maybe it was one that shouldn't have made it out of the factory? I've experience none of those problems with either of my Kilimanjaro's. I had my jacket for ten years and it served me very well. I've had great service from the company even when it clearly was my fault they repaired it without any problems.
My new jacket has some different things that I have to get used to like no cuffs on the sleeves, just a Velcro strap. Not sure if I'm going to like that but my initial impressions are that it's decently made, zips well, warm with liner in, liner takes no time at all to move in and out of jacket and it's very affordable. I haven't experienced any problems with the liner being outside the sleeve, everything fits proper.
The Kathmandu looks nice and I'm surprised it isn't giving you the service that it should especially in the water proof department. If you were to call them they'll take action first by sending you some Nik wash and water proofing. It's definitely worth a phone call. I would be upset too if my new jacket that claimed to be water proof wasn't holding up.
I've done two short trips last year with the new Kilimanjaro and one was the "it rained all weekend" Fall Colors ride. Jacket kept me warm and dry. So far so good but we'll give it a good test this coming riding season.
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I have been considering this jacket. No experience with it yet...
http://japan.webike.net/products/21839091.html (http://japan.webike.net/products/21839091.html)
;-)
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Coach,
Does it come in hi-vis?
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BD, No...but we could make one. ;-)
PS I finally heard from Stich yesterday. They said repairs would take 7-9 weeks from date received. I may have to buy a ham steak jacket for temps.
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I have been considering this jacket. No experience with it yet...
http://japan.webike.net/products/21839091.html (http://japan.webike.net/products/21839091.html)
;-)
You know looking at that ad there may be a slight problem
Fits
2015 spring summer models.
Surely you're a bit older than that :-)
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Good catch, Steve! Who would have thought THAT jacket was for infants only? ;-)