My 12 year old Olympia AST (approx. 120k miles) has been a Great coat. I've ridden with it in temps from 16F to 9F and everywhere in between. It has kept me fairly comfortable and I've been well pleased. Now the Velcro is getting "tired" and it's time for a replacement. I'm looking at the Olympia Motoquest and, alternatively the Klim Badlands. I'm leaning toward the Klim due to it's "guaranteed waterproof" shell and the armor and vents. Have any of y'all had any experience with these two, and how would you compare 'em. The Badlands is about twice the $ of the Olympia, but this is a jacket I'll keep for a good many years. I'm 65 so whether I'll still be throwing a leg over in another twelve years or not is up to the Good Lord. I want good, comfortable gear, and I'm willing to pay the extra cheese for a better produce. I love the idea of not having to carry a rainsuit... What say you?
Time for a new jacket
- Thread starter oldbear
- Start date
I recently replaced my riding gear too. Over the winter months I ordered the badlands pro jacket and pants. I also ordered the latitude misano set. The Klim gear is very nice and has alot of great features, but I just couldn't get a decent fit. I would describe the fit of these garments as strange. The pants have an extremely low waist and are short in the crotch. The legs are way too wide, almost like huge bell bottoms. The jackets fit OK in the chest, but the shoulders and arms were way too tight, especially in the bicep and forearms. Even though they fit fine in the chest, I couldn't wear anything as a base layer. I had to return both sets. According to some reviews, the Klim gear is supposed to be cut on the generous side. I found this to be false. I wound up ordering another Areostich Darien set. My last set lasted about 12 seasons and gave good service. They don't have all the pockets, vents and Klim patches, but I don't really want or need that. The Klim gear is fine if you can get a good fit. I also have a Firstgear jaunt T2 jacket that I wear when it's hot. For an inexpensive adventure jacket it does a good job. The vents work well and it's about 98% waterproof, only leaking a little in hard downpours. It fits true to size and so does the Areostich gear. Good luck in your search.
Happytrails
New Member
I bought a Badlands Pro last fall on closeout and its very well made. Price was just too good and I needed a colder weather jacket. Sizing was generous and it fits really well all around. Very happy with it. Its a great cold weather riding jacket. Unfortunately I missed out on the pants closeouts. From what I saw the new Badlands has better materials and ventilation and is lighter. Dunno about the fit.
Been trying out the Rukka outlast base layer and seems to work well. Everybody is different but I wont be able to tolerate heat in the Badlands Pro even in the 70's I dont think. And no way I could do 80's in it. Its just too heavy. Its even hot in a mesh jacket at those temps. Although when I thought it out there are more cooler/cold months of riding than there are hot up in the northeast.
Been trying out the Rukka outlast base layer and seems to work well. Everybody is different but I wont be able to tolerate heat in the Badlands Pro even in the 70's I dont think. And no way I could do 80's in it. Its just too heavy. Its even hot in a mesh jacket at those temps. Although when I thought it out there are more cooler/cold months of riding than there are hot up in the northeast.
Madhatter
Well-Known Member
I have the darian by aerostitch, a very good jacket .... it is well made and if you have issues they will repair it and or alter it (for a nominal price) ... water proof, and works better than mesh to keep me cool.... I would buy it again no second thoughts.... and am thinking about getting the one piece road crafter as it is made like the darian and would work the same ....I am a big fan of aerostitch , I like quality when I can get it and it has it...
spinalator
Member
IF you can get a good fit, you can not doc poorly with any of those choices.
RIDEMYST
So many roads......
I also have an Aerostitch but have made the Olympia Motoquest my primary riding jacket.
Living in South Florida we have a wide variation in temperature from hot to hotter and the Motoquest works great. -JEP-
http://olympiamotosports.com/product/motoquest-guide-jacket/
Living in South Florida we have a wide variation in temperature from hot to hotter and the Motoquest works great. -JEP-
http://olympiamotosports.com/product/motoquest-guide-jacket/
I have a Klim Latitude and love it. It'll vent well up into the 80s and layers with a North Face into the upper 30s then with an electric liner for colder temps. The only thing I've ever felt odd is the elastic drawstring for the neck closure - but it works well for my geeky pencil neck. It's lived up to its' reputation for dryness.
Had Aerostitch products before this and could go back. I was just ready for a change. I like that these could be tailored and repaired. Downside was developing leaks after time.
We've had a few Olympia products and First Gear and found them comparable with each other, but the Road crafter/Aerostitch and Klim are nicer.
Had Aerostitch products before this and could go back. I was just ready for a change. I like that these could be tailored and repaired. Downside was developing leaks after time.
We've had a few Olympia products and First Gear and found them comparable with each other, but the Road crafter/Aerostitch and Klim are nicer.
Got a new Badlands jacket yesterday in the mail. Well built product, but, for me (5'11", 195 lb, wear a 16 1/2 x 32 shirt) the sleeves on the Large are WAY to long (over my knuckles!! I'm really disappointed, have contacted the folks I ordered from and have a Medium on the way. I'm afraid it'll be too small, but for the $$ I'm paying I really want a jacket to fit right. What has been your experience with Klim-are the sleeves "long" on all their coats or?? My old AST Large has fairly long sleeves as well, but they don't seem to be in the way in the same way the Klim's are. Thoughts?
I'll 2nd CW on the Latitude. Enough storage, excellent venting and good waist/arm adjustment. GoreTex. I optioned for the XL as the other Klim LG jackets I've tried were too tight in the chest/arm area and had zero room for layers. I pair it with the Traverse pant and have been dry through a handful of wet rides.oldbear said:
barkingllizard
Well-Known Member
have had good luck and low prices with http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/joerocket.cfm
In the Klim line I have the Induction and the Overland jacket. The Overland is becoming my year round choice. I like it better in the hot weather utilizing venting over mesh. Both jackets have proven water proof in some nasty stuff. I road to Norfolk Virginia a year ago April and had two days of 40 degree weather with constant rain. I was wearing the Induction at the time and it preformed amazingly. Purchased the Overland shortly after that trip. For pants I am using the Torrent over pant. So far have been happy with everything. Luckily for sizing RevSports in Bloomington Indiana carries Klim so I have been able to try everything on before purchasing. I am a bit skeptical about buying with out being able try on first. The Klim extra Large jackets fit me pretty well at 6 ft 220 with a 50 in chest and wear a 18 X 36 shirt.
I have the Alter Ego jacket from them and not really happy with it. I like the three season capability of it, but in the rain, it sucks (suppose to be waterproof). Any real amount of rain and you are just as soaked as if you didn't have it. Works in very light rain, but that is about it. I ended up on one of my trips buying a Frog Togg it was so bad.barkingllizard said:
Mark
Bryce
Ya, Whatever!
I'll 3rd it.. I got a Latitude jacket and pants back in December to replace my old AST. Great jacket.BaldKnob said:
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shrekonwheels
New Member
I have a cortech which has been a wonderful jacket. It has survived multiple drenchings, thousands of miles and no special cre at all.
On the flip side I also purchased a Tourmaster, Cortechs parent company, transition jacket that started falling apart the first year.
To make matters worse since I bought it new off eBay from a dealer Tourmaster apparently does not recognize the warranty will not be honored.
I will never own another Tourmaster product and will make sure everyone knows the poor quality and dismal customer service they possess.
On the flip side I also purchased a Tourmaster, Cortechs parent company, transition jacket that started falling apart the first year.
To make matters worse since I bought it new off eBay from a dealer Tourmaster apparently does not recognize the warranty will not be honored.
I will never own another Tourmaster product and will make sure everyone knows the poor quality and dismal customer service they possess.
Question: Is the Klim Lattitude sized similarly to the AST or is it like the Badlands? I just got the medium Badlands in and find the sleeves are great, But I'd have to give up something (breathing) to wear it :Bryce said:
. My old AST has been great on fit and I'd love to find a Klim product that fit me as well...You help IS appreciated as I have no way to try one out other than ordering it and waiting for it to arrive (and the hassle of returning it if it doesn't fit). THANKS!
Bryce
Ya, Whatever!
Not sure how the Badlands jackets are... My ATS and Latitude are both XL and both seem to fit me fine. I find that the Latitude is a bit more "boxy" and the AST is more "fitted"oldbear said:Question: Is the Klim Lattitude sized similarly to the AST or is it like the Badlands? I just got the medium Badlands in and find the sleeves are great, But I'd have to give up something (breathing) to wear it :
dietDrThunder
Why so serious, son?
Tourmaster has excellent customer service in my experience. How is it their fault that you didn't buy it from an authorized dealer? Not really relevant, but I have a Transition 3 jacket that has about 35k miles on it, and it's still in like-new condition. I replaced it because it's a cheap jacket, and as such doesn't have very good armor in it, and doesn't breathe very well for warmer weather, but it was under $200 on sale; hard to criticize it. I wore it through many steady hard rains and never got wet, so that was good.shrekonwheels said:
cromschild
New Member
Go to Revzilla, because right now they have the Klim Badlands Pro on close out. I just picked one up and it will be here by Tuesday. I saved 200.00 bucks on the close out deal. I don't know your size, but they still had 2XL and 3XL in stock with both colors. I am 6'1", 245lbs with an athletic build, so the 2XL will do just fine. I hope this helps you in your endeavors.
tomatocity
Active Member
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Sizes: SM, 2X, 3XAdventure Nut said:
justbob
"crashin' sucks"
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I have a closet full of quality riding gear that I am going to sell including a Aerostich darien light jacket, a regular Darien jacket and a Roadcrafter jacket. All have had very little use. size 44 (large) and a pair of Darien 34L pants that are new.
I was recently involved in a very serious accident and will be selling everything motorcycle related that I own.
I am not too far up the road from you in Louisville.
I was recently involved in a very serious accident and will be selling everything motorcycle related that I own.
I am not too far up the road from you in Louisville.