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MitchC
08-02-05, 07:05 AM
Hey,

Santa gave me an Icon Neo Daytona Hero jacket for Christmas.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/IconNeoDaytonaHerojacket.jpg

It is a size 44 and I was swimming in it. So, contacted the dealer where the jacket was bought and they were going to order in another one to be ready to fit when I got to the city.

Last weekend we went to Calgary to try on smaller sizes in this jacket. When we got there the guy said that the jacket has been discontinued and he is not sure if he can get the jacket in, in my size.

So I may be looking for another jacket. One he recommended was FirstGear (http://www.firstgear-usa.com/prod_lj_speedfreak.htm).

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/images/product_imgs/speefreak_black_lg.jpg

Another one I tried on was a Teknic (http://www.teknicgear.com/catalog.php?styleid=1&pid=10).

http://www.teknicgear.com/media/products/sportbike/clj_main.jpg

What would you guys recommend? The guy was leaning towards FirstGear saying the venting is amazing, the leather is thicker, and the padding is better than the hardened foam. (He explained the difference) The FirstGear fit nice and long in my long dangley arms. The Teknic was alittle short in the sleeves... I am just making sure these are good brands, I haven't heard of them much... Thanks in advance,

Mitch

K
08-02-05, 07:35 AM
To be honest I've not heard of either, but if they are comparable in quality I'd go for the best fitting.

The more comfortable you are in your gear, the more comfortable you are on your bike = smoother riding.

I'd suggest actually trying it one and then sitting on your bike too. Once had a jacket that was really nice and snug, but the minute I got on my 400 it was litrally a pain in the neck.

nickj
08-02-05, 09:04 AM
Teknic are neant to be quite good which is why i got one but i then had to return mine because like the one in the picture mine had a silver front. The problem is they only spray on the silver so after wearing it twice it started to rub off!

Jabba
08-02-05, 09:15 AM
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/IconNeoDaytonaHerojacket.jpg

And your plans for the above jacket.................. :?:

Junior
08-02-05, 09:18 AM
I have teknic 2piece speedstar suit. I would definetly recomend them as the fit is excellent. It's very true about the coloring on the gear though, so that's probably something to consider. Check for CE approved armour and that there are no seams that are not covered.

[what I mean by that is any seam should have leather over it with another seam in a different location. Basically if it tears, you have a 2nd line of defence against rash. Features like that are what separate good leathers (like teknic, dainese, sidi, vanson etc.) from not so good ones (won't bother to knock any other brands. ] HTH

coombest
08-02-05, 10:34 AM
Don't know much about Icon, but at least I've heard of them, First Gear, I've never heard of and the jacket doesn't actually look like it offers much in the way of protection (foam bits in the leather will do naff-all in the event of an 'off') - look for decent, preferably removable CE approved body armour (then if it's not up to the job, you can replace it with something decent like Knox!).

The Teknic stuff is pretty good gear... It's good enough for our reigning British Superbike Champion, John Reynolds to rely on, as well as others, such as Aaron Yates in the AMA Superbike Championship.

There are plenty of other brands that are worth checking out but some may not be normally available in the USA/Canada...

Some other brands to look out for are: Arlen Ness/Berik (Same company, different marketing!), Vanson, Joe Rocket, Furygan, Dainese, Alpinestars, Spyke, Texport, RST, Swift, Spidi, Spada, Fieldsheer... There's loads more but that should keep you going for a while!! I've even tried to list them in likelyhood of sales in the US market! :D

HTH

MitchC
09-02-05, 01:07 AM
Hey,

Thank you for all the help and advice guys! Unfortuneately, I am not near these jackets... they are 5 hours away, so I can't really inspect the stitching and so forth.

The Icon Neo Daytona Hero is not available. I officially have to look for a different jacket.

I am currently looking at a better Teknic jacket (http://www.teknicgear.com/catalog.php?styleid=1&pid=8).

http://newenough.com/product_pictures/t/teknic_violator_jacket/silver_front.jpg
Teknic Violator

In the black, silver, grey colour scheme of course. I like the look and reputation of the Teknic... FirstGear I have only had one positive comment and Teknic is like 10+... Right now my biggest concern with the Teknic is shorter sleeves and no venting. Is venting a big issue?



Still looking at the FirstGear as the fit was nice. I am very thin so I need a small size, 38/40. But I have longer arms, so with smaller size, smaller arms... etc. The FirstGear didn't have an issue with that.

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/images/product_imgs/blade_model.jpg
First Gear Blade

OR

http://www.firstgear-usa.com/images/product_imgs/speefreak_black_lg.jpg
First Gear Speedfreak

More advice would be greatly apprecaited as I need to get back to the dealer in the next couple days,

Mitch

Junior
09-02-05, 09:16 AM
I wouldn't be overly concerned with the sleeve length, as the gloves will overlap anyway. One thing I forgot to tell ya though, is to fit the jacket with a t-shirt on. Alot of people buy jackets a bit bigger and plan to wear sweaters or sweatshirts underneath, but that is not a good idea. The reason is that in the event of a crash, the padding tends to move away from the area it is supposed to protect. Obviously not a good thing. You know it fits properly if it is totally uncomfortable standing around, and feels great on your bike. I got myself a pullover jacket that I wear over my riding jacket on colder days. Good luck, and no matter how sweet the deal NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER BUY FIRST GEAR STUFF. IT IS SH*T SH*T SH*T Did I mention that First Gear is sh*t?

MitchC
09-02-05, 10:26 PM
Hey,

Thank you all for the advice. I decided to go with the majority and go Teknic. I got the last one in 'capitivity' in size 40 apparently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolator.jpg

I should have it in about 4-5 days! :D

Thanks,

Mitch

coombest
09-02-05, 10:28 PM
Excellent!

That looks really nice!! :D :D

Ed
09-02-05, 11:13 PM
will go well with a silver bike 8)

MitchC
10-02-05, 02:52 AM
Hey,

That's what I was thinking...silver on silver... :lol: I sure hope the silver doesn't flake off... :? Should be here mid-next week! :lol: :D Thanks again for the advice.

Thanks Coombest for this, "The Teknic stuff is pretty good gear... It's good enough for our reigning British Superbike Champion, John Reynolds to rely on, as well as others, such as Aaron Yates in the AMA Superbike Championship." That really made sense to me. Great point!

Mitch

Junior
10-02-05, 05:56 AM
FWIW My gear is silver as well. I am going onto my 2nd season and it still looks good. (except for the peppering of dead bugs, but wachagonnado) :roll:

Cloggsy
10-02-05, 10:27 AM
Hey,

Thank you all for the advice. I decided to go with the majority and go Teknic. I got the last one in 'capitivity' in size 40 apparently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolator.jpg

I should have it in about 4-5 days! :D

That'll match your bike just fine... You've got the jacket, what do you wear on your legs (please don't say jeans :shock:)

Junior
10-02-05, 10:39 AM
Funny you should mention that. I have a pair of black teknic riding pants. I bought them to go with my old jacket (which I since sold). I don't need the pants so I'd gladly sell em if you're interested Mitch. They are size 32 waist (I'll check and confirm when I get home), black, with perforation in the thigh area. I am 6' 170 (160 when I wore em) and they fit loosely enough to be comfy. (though they were a tad on the short side. No biggie with boots on though) They have a zipper to attach them to teknic jackets (how convenient is that?) Anyway, I paid $75 for em, and I'll let em go for the princely sum of $50 (plus P&P) The only problem (there is always one problem) is one of the zippers on the ankle has come off. (an easy repair at any tailor shop) Anyway, lemme know.

MitchC
16-02-05, 06:28 PM
Hey,

It finally came in. It was just after 10 when I was at home during my spare... nice timing I do say.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolatorFront.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolatorBack.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolatorInsidePocket.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v639/MitchCave/TeknicViolatorRemovableLiner.jpg

:D :lol: Thanks,

Mitch

PoRk ChOp
17-02-05, 10:41 AM
HERE COMES..........Tinfoil Man :lol: How shiney is the lining of that jacket!!!

All that aside, that is one nice jacket Mitch :thumbsup:

I have some Teknic gloves andlove them, very underated gear IMHO.

MitchC
18-02-05, 05:24 PM
HERE COMES..........Tinfoil Man :lol: How shiney is the lining of that jacket!!!

:lol: :lol: The flash makes it look a lot worse. It's more of a silver, almost a white it's so light in colour. Looks good in my opinion. Glad to hear your happy with your gloves. Hope I will being saying the same about my jacket. :)

Mitch