Its been 51 years ago since I bought my first motorcycle, and I've had some great riding gear in that time, best and most expensive is Bates of California leather jacket and pants. I always look forward to when the weather is right to wear full leather. The jacket is 40 years old and save for a tear in the inside pocket, barely shows wear, even after a 50 MPH getoff almost 40 years ago.
Riding comfort has been transformed since I got Klim Carlsbad jacket and pants. This outfit is like a safety and environmental cocoon of comfort that I've never experienced. The laminated Gore Tex means I don't have to worry about a pop up rain or carry a rainsuit. I've ridden three days in it have only found one negative, It is so breathable I need to wear some kind of windbreaker layer in the chest area when it is cooler. With fleece pants under, and a heavy fleece jacket under, several hour rides in the low 50's are comfortable. That is on a naked bike without windshield or fairing. Insulated boots and heated vest will likely take the comfort zone into the mid 40's. The zipper venting supposedly allows decent comfort up to around 90F.
One of the things I like about leather is no flapping and it feels like I'm more slippery in the wind. The Klim outfit is fairly loose allowing layering of insulating layers, but doesn't seem to flap. I've never had gear storage options this outfit offers, have to think of things to carry, but I usually travel very light, with only ID, credit card and cell phone in pockets.
The comfort level expands the limits of travels and riding season. I've probably added a month to each end of riding season if I want. It isn't that I didn't have the gear to ride at these temperatures before, I could put something together, its that its so easy and convenient to don this kit and go.
Klim is a pretty hyped motorcycle gear company, and I conclude the hype is real. They've really done a great job in design and management of manufacturing.
Posts: 7784 | Location: Over the hills and far away | Registered: January 20, 2009
The best wind protection I have found are the wind proof freeze out underwear sets. Layered under my outer gear they keep me warm and comfortable in weather that used to be too cold for me. I have heard good things about Klim gear, I will check them out when my current gear is ready for replacement.
Originally posted by Jumbo: The best wind protection I have found are the wind proof freeze out underwear sets. Layered under my outer gear they keep me warm and comfortable in weather that used to be too cold for me. I have heard good things about Klim gear, I will check them out when my current gear is ready for replacement.
I have a Pearl Izumi cycling cold weather base layer with a windproof front that I'm going to try. I bicycle down into the 30's if its sunny.
Posts: 7784 | Location: Over the hills and far away | Registered: January 20, 2009
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Posts: 6339 | Location: New Orleans...outside the levees, fishing in the Rigolets | Registered: October 11, 2009
For my cool weather riding, I have a Klim Badlands Pro Pant and a Rukka Armaxis Gore-Tex Jacket. They were not cheap but I've never regretted buying either.
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Posts: 5015 | Location: North Mississippi | Registered: August 09, 2002
I agree there's a lot of great gear out there anymore. It's hard to beat leather for maximum abrasion resistance but I switched to textile many years ago for water resistance and ease of washing. My preference has been Aerostich stuff made in Duluth MN. https://www.aerostich.com/suits
I currently have (2) 1- piece Roadcrafter suits along with a Darien. And another 1-piece Roadcrafter size 46L which is too large, I need to do something with.
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
Back when we lived in the frozen north -- Chicago and Denver areas -- we wore snowmobile suits to ride our motorcycles in cold weather, along with heated long underwear.
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Posts: 31832 | Location: Central Florida, Orlando area | Registered: January 03, 2010
Originally posted by Jupiter: For my cool weather riding, I have a Klim Badlands Pro Pant and a Rukka Armaxis Gore-Tex Jacket. They were not cheap but I've never regretted buying either.
I watched a youtube review of the Klim Badlands Pro Jacket, sounds pretty ultimate. For $1500!
Posts: 7784 | Location: Over the hills and far away | Registered: January 20, 2009
I'm not a skinny, "European-build" guy, so the Klim didn't work for me. What fit was way too long. I ended up going with Aerostitch (Darien Light jacket and pants) and paying for the custom options on sleeve and inseam lengths. No complaints at all.
Thus the metric system did not really catch on in the States, unless you count the increasing popularity of the nine-millimeter bullet. - Dave Barry
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Posts: 3374 | Location: Grapevine TX/ Augusta GA | Registered: July 15, 2007
Originally posted by V-Tail: we wore snowmobile suits to ride our motorcycles in cold weather.
Never lived anywhere it got real cold but I did wear a snowmobile suit once on my RD400F when it was 17 here in Savannah. Quickly figured out that there is NO surface tension between that suit and a freshly Armoralled seat. Slip sliding away……
Posts: 295 | Location: SE Georgia | Registered: December 25, 2014
Originally posted by IntrepidTraveler: I'm not a skinny, "European-build" guy, so the Klim didn't work for me. What fit was way too long. I ended up going with Aerostitch (Darien Light jacket and pants) and paying for the custom options on sleeve and inseam lengths. No complaints at all.
All reviews and my experience with Klim is it is sized large for Americans. The sizing charts show a large Carlsbad Jacket is up to 44" chest, and 41" waist. Most reviews are to size down from your normal size.
Posts: 7784 | Location: Over the hills and far away | Registered: January 20, 2009
Originally posted by V-Tail: My 1978 BMW R100RS and my wife's 1980 R65 both had easily accessible power outlets on the frame just below the seat.
Yes and it was useful for battery charger and heated gear. I believe they have been on all my BMW's after the 1976. Many bikes have them now but few (including newer BMW's) can run heated gear because they're fused/breaker'd at 4-5 watts just for chargers, GPS, etc. On every bike one of the first things I do is attach a 15 amp SAE pigtail direct to the battery.
No car is as much fun to drive, as any motorcycle is to ride.
Upper 60s yesterday and I went full leather. Was surprised at how breathable my leather jacket was and it isn't a perforated jacket. I would guess its similar breathability as the two layer Gore Tex Klim Carlsbad jacket. I had a misconception that leather was windproof.
Posts: 7784 | Location: Over the hills and far away | Registered: January 20, 2009
I have Klim Badlands pro, I also have a full mesh Klim jacket and a Klim Carlsbad pants. I have a 1 Piece Aerostitch road crafter I commute to work in. I also like held for gloves. I also have a heated liner and that was a game changer! Modern gear has come so far from when I first started riding.
And for the special days I have a Bates leather jacket! It is a piece of art.
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Posts: 3761 | Location: Northwest, In | Registered: December 03, 2004
