Looking to buy a Joe Rocket Phoenix ion cycle jacket...any owner inputs?

[Guest]

My eons old leather jacket is toast and in this day and age of tech and mesh jackets I want decent protection against the elements and armor against the car drivers...a sad thing on that last count, but I've already had my share of left hand turners and the like.{lovely drivers who don't see cycles}
I'm looking at the Joe Rocket Phoenix ion jacket for the large amount of mesh it has, so riding in the summer is still cool and I'm better off than a t-shirt or baking in a leather jacket like I used to. I just bought my recent '80 Suzi GS850G this last fall for the comfortable upright riding position, good looks and reliability {she has a good charging system}....plus this is my 1st Suzi after owning other UJMs.
Lets just say alot has changed since '95 when I last swung a leg over anything, so I'm looking for jacket input....boot, pant and glove questions will most likely follow...I have my {old now} two fave helmets to use for the moment- Shoei X-8 and Bombardier modular{love that drop down smoke shield at sunrise or sunset}. I'm not trying to look the boy racer part - I just want modern comfort and protection.

[Buffalo Bill]

Well, there are so many armored mesh jackets available now you'll only have a problem choosing a style.
I bought a Scorpion Ventech II last September and like it much.

[akckhim]

I bought this last spring great jacket nice and cool without the liner good protection. Only downside not great for cold weather but ok if you layer up under. Very good quality.

[80GS850GBob]

I like the JRs for the simple reason that they seem to do a decent job while being affordable...sure, there's more expensive jackets out there like the Alpine stars or any of the high priced variants, but I honestly don't know exactly what I want yet in the way of either casual day to day wear or touring types....I'd like to start somewhere knowing it doesn't have to be the end of it. At $179.00 it should give good summer ventilation and supposedly combats against cold to 40 degrees. Since I lost 40lbs a little over a year ago, I'm now looking at fitment on all sorts of levels...home clothes got it 1st, now it's cycle stuff. Medium/tall jackets don't seem plentiful in my cycle shops around here - and there's far less of those now from way back then {ugh}.
I've always been a rather "nice" weather rider....13 of us total in our single guy group back then before everyone got married and dropped off. I'm not a touring type who has to deal with whatever Ma nature throws at me while on the trip...day trips ruled, to be exact. Longest cycle riding Ive ever done was from here to Gladwin or Bay City Michigan on my old Kawi KZ750B to see a girl - did that 3 times actually - so I guess I was a touring guy after all....after she and I were done those trips helped me to sell the KZ and buy my next bike{'84 FJ1100} which would've handled that task better!

[80GS850GBob]

Just for reference sake- here's the mesh jacket I happen to like...probably in silver
http://joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/236/573/Textile_Jackets/Phoenix_Ion_Mesh_Jacket

[cowboyup3371]

I like my Alter Ego jacket as I just remove the external shell during the warmer days and I'm left with the mesh jacket.

With that said, I am also selling a Fieldsheer leather mesh jacket, size 47, if you are or know anyone interested.

[akckhim]

I got my Alpine Stars on a close out deal. Look around great deals are out there.

[bwringer]

Sign up for the email list at the former Newenough.com (they use the lame-o generic name MotorcycleGear.com now )

Anyway, there are several great brands of mesh jackets, and some always pop up on clearance at NewEnough, but if a JR Phoenix is what you want, then they have great prices on those too.

[Frankenzuki]

Lots of closeouts on Jake Wilson site. Picked up two alpine star jackets for my wife and I last year for $99 each.

[tkent02]

Sign up for the email list at the former Newenough.com (they use the lame-o generic name MotorcycleGear.com now )

Anyway, there are several great brands of mesh jackets, and some always pop up on clearance at NewEnough, but if a JR Phoenix is what you want, then they have great prices on those too.

+1, NewEnough rocks, the prices are always good but if you want a killer deal hold out for their Almost Free sales.
$ 250 jackets or helmets for $20 or so with free shipping, good enough summer gloves for $7, got a very decent mesh jacket for song.

Can't beat it.

[80GS850GBob]

+1, NewEnough rocks, the prices are always good but if you want a killer deal hold out for their Almost Free sales.
$ 250 jackets or helmets for $20 or so with free shipping, good enough summer gloves for $7, got a very decent mesh jacket for song.

Can't beat it.

I like that....still need boots, gloves and maybe a new helmet. Less money spent on gear is more spent on cycle...

[80GS850GBob]

Just to let all know - I wound up with a joe rocket mesh Phoenix 5 with added back CE armour {slightly used} and new Ballsitic 5 tech pants {$65 each!}...time and decent Illinois weather will yield a review on those.