Phoenix Jacket...

[Davenet]

Anyone have one? What do you think?

Thinking of having my wife get me one for my x-mas present.

[Tremendo]

Got one. It's my summer & warm weather jacket, it works well and is inexpensive. I live in Houston (often hot) so the Phoenix is mesh and lightweight. I've heard good things about the protection, seems like it's got the padding in the right place. I'm looking to get some pants soon that sipper into the jacket (about an 8" zipper).

Although I though the blue looked cooler, since I use it often at night, I went with the bright yellow.

[stesta5074]

I have the Joe Rocket Reactor (the jacket with the leather backing)... I think I might be getting rid of mine. I've done some research on the message boards and think that road rash all over your upper body is guarunteed in an accident over 20-30. Some people say differently, but that mesh needs to be made out of kevlar.

If you have the money look into a perforated SMX airflow leather jacket from Alpinstars. It should be very cool as soon as you get moving.

If you dont have the money, at least get the reactor S...

David

[samnavy]

WHOAH!!!!!
New Hampshire in the winter and you're looking at a Phoenix. That's not going to work. It has no environment protection at all. The wind comes straight through it. It has no warming qualities at all. If it's cooler than low seventies, she's going to be cold. It's the best thing I've ever had when it's hot out, but even here in LA, I put the thing away at the end of August and start wearing my heavy gear.

[Kobie]

Joe Rocket just came out with a jacket called the Alter Ego.
It is an all season jacket with pannels that zip off to reveal a Phoenix jacket underneeth.
You can find it on the new for about $190.00

[NorCalRSVR]

I'd highly recommend Kushitani. I have a Kushitani Mesh jacket that is pretty awesome. I crash tested it, and it pretty much is none the worse for wear. Also I didn't even get a bruise. A buddy of mine recently (well, this past summer) crashed at about the same speed with a Joe Rocket Phoenix on and it hiked up around his chest and the arms hiked up around his elbows as he slid on the ground. Road rash city was the result. Comparing the two, the Kushitani is by far a better product. I think they go for somewhere around 200ish or so but well worth the extra money...sean

[Davenet]

Originally posted by samnavy
WHOAH!!!!!
New Hampshire in the winter and you're looking at a Phoenix. That's not going to work. It has no environment protection at all. The wind comes straight through it. It has no warming qualities at all. If it's cooler than low seventies, she's going to be cold. It's the best thing I've ever had when it's hot out, but even here in LA, I put the thing away at the end of August and start wearing my heavy gear.

Thanks for all of the replys.

Sam, don't worry, it's not for winter use. Even up here we get 3-4 weeks of 90+ w/ humidity during the summer. I am a diehard leather person, but it doesn't offset the concentration loss when it's that hot with additional heat coming from the road & cars. I plan on using it just for those super hot commuting days. Any weekend rides the air vents in my leathers keep air moving fine.

[Smoke Eater]

I have the Phoenix jacket. For the record, I got it before Vin Diesel got his. Its ok. I wear it only when I'm tempted to ride in just a t-shirt. Not nearly as good as leathers, but better than a t-shirt. Its going to come apart on impact but atleast it'll take that first hit for you.

A good perforated leather jacket would be a better idea. Vanson has some nice ones that really breathe.

[Davenet]

Smoke, did you ride in this morning? It was 6 deg. at the house this morning- can't imagine you are much warmer.

Throw on your ice studs- snow tomorrow!

[Smoke Eater]

It was about 8 degrees here this morning. Even the Gerbing jacket would give up in this weather. Yep, snow tomorrow and Sunday. Its going to be a long winter. Time to call Duke Video and order some bike videos to get through the cruel season.

[CN2Futura]

Dave, wife has one and does not like it that much. Fit leaves something to be desired (course, she has airbags up front) and from what I see the protection is not that great.
Jeff

[stoneflylama]

I crash tested my Phoenix this summer. It was only about a 30mph lowside though. I slid a pretty good ways on my right side. I received no rash or bruises but the mesh has a hole about the size of a half-dollar on top of the elbow armor and is frayed at the right side above the waist band. My Phoenix fit pretty snug and I had the waist straps tight so it stayed in place and sacrificed itself for my right side. I was also wearing a pair of Bros. Brand jeans w/ kevlar fabric under the knees and butt. The denim disintegrated on the right knee and the kevlar fabric (keprotec) wore through about the size of a dime leaving a pretty good strawberry on my knee. I paid about $75 for the Phoenix jacket and will probably buy another one or something similar next summer. I will not be getting more of the kevlar jeans as I have replaced w/ Belstaff cordura w/ armor and leather pants. I also bought a Belstaff cordura jacket and a leather jacket but on those really hot days the mesh jackets are at least bearable and do at least have armor. Just make sure it fits snug.

[beansoup]

I've got one and it's nice and cool in summer but the armor moves all over the place. Perfed leather is probably the way to go...

[pokeredu]

I love mine!

It's awesome on summer days.

Even when it's a little cool, just put a wind breaker underneath. It's better than wearing a bulky leather or winter jacket.

I highly recommend one.

[Kobie]

Check out the new J.R. Phoenix 3.0.
They have much improved the design over the first one.
Toughter material and better armor and a better fit.
I still want the Vanson mesh, but the JR looks good for 1/3 of the price.