Advice / Experience with Joe Rocket Mesh Jacket? Looking to buy...

hgate73 · 09-24-2008, 7:50 PM

Hey all!

I have a question for you guys. I am looking at buying this jacket here on eBay, and I really like the look of it. I have an old 1stGear jacket that's been my first jacket, but I'm ready to let it go.

Does anyone have experience with these Joe Rocket jackets? Are they any good? I really like how it looks, plus it matches my helmet and gloves. I don't want to sink the money then find out they have some random flaw though.

Thoughts or advice for a noob??

oh yeah, p.s. I did search the forums first, but only found for-sale items, not really recommendations.

ryoung1 · 09-24-2008, 8:01 PM

I wish I had advice, but I just have desire at this point. I really like the Alter Ego 2.0 Joe Rocket textile jacket. I actually tried them on, just waiting to find a good deal on one. I hope you find what you're looking for...

sheepofblue · 09-24-2008, 8:18 PM

I have some JR stuff. The only gripe was on a first gen GPX suit. I did the job (what matters most) but did not hold up that well. The GPX type-R that replaced it has. Textile will not protect as well as leather on any brand but other than that no problem.

hgate73 · 09-24-2008, 9:58 PM

@SheepofBlue,

After reading your post, I found this leather one here for the same price, but I don't like how it looks as much. Plus, I'm in Arizona, and it gets bloody hot here...the Textile jackets are much more comfortable.

So would you recommend it then? At least as far as textile ones go?

Edit: I bought the jacket. Thanks for your thoughts.

shakey1378 · 10-06-2008, 10:53 PM

i have the new joe rocket performance honda textile jacket. i have nothing but good things to say. ventilation is great. armor in elbows and shoulders with a big spine pad. adjustability is good also velcro waist adj. and adj sleeves. i usually wear a light t-shirt on hotter days and lately on colder days im wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt with vents closed and im very comfortable so it has a decent temp range.

im off to go shop for electric liners cause i refuse to park the blade for the winter this bike only gets snow days or rain days sometimes, now im off to drop the kids off at the pool

Serendipity · 01-25-2009, 12:45 PM

This is an old thread, but I thought I would add my experience for future searches. FYI, I ride a Honda Magna cruiser, so my experience is based on that riding position.

I have owned two Joe Rocket jackets. My first was the Phoenix which I wore for a year in the Central Valley of California. It was an amazing summer jacket. Even in 100+ weather and 3+ hour rides, this jacket kept me dry and cool. However it was far too cold for anything under 70 degrees

. In reality this is because the jacket works so well for its intended purpose and the air just cuts right through it. Not only did this prevent me from using this jacket too much in the winter, but even long day/night rides became an issue once the sun set. The overall quality was very high and it was extremely comfortable. It survived two falls. One at about 20 in town, and another at about 50 on the highway. The first fall left no significant damage; the second fall did cause some serious abrasion on the elbows. I sold this jacket to a friend when I left Cali. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a mesh jacket for high heat use.

Now I'm in Central Florida using a gunmetal Alter Ego 2.0. http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/113/118/Textile_Jackets/Alter_Ego_2.0_Jacket__
I must say I love this jacket. The highlights of this textile jacket are the removable torso and sleeve pieces that reveal mesh underneath. The build quality is top notch. There is double stitching everywhere and the zippers are heavy duty and smooth. The removable torso and arm pieces are easy on and off, takes less than a minute. I have read complaints about the velco and arm straps, however I have had no issues with them. Even in winds generated from topping 100MPH. The pads are removable and stay is place well (It should be noted that the back pad is not CE rated like the shoulder and elbow pads, however a CE rated spine protecter does fit easily). The pockets are easy to use and roomy. I love how versatile this jacket is. On the hottest days I convert it to the mesh mode, on cooler days I can add the sleeves and/or torso textile pieces, and on the coldest I can zip in the waterproof/windproof liner. There are two zip vents on the chest. I do agree with some that the neck collar is short, however this is not a deep freeze weather jacket anyways and it's still taller than some of my friends leather jackets. I do wish the jacket was more reflective. I'm thinking of purchsing some reflective fabric and having it sewn on the rear. Overall, I have been very satisfied with this jacket. I would recommend it to anyone and after letting a couple of friends borrow it they have purchased their own.

maverick_mz3 · 04-03-2009, 1:48 PM

Hi There. I'm not sure if you bought one already but I own the Joe Rocket Alter Ego 2.0. I love it. In the fall and early spring it's pretty warm. Cuts the wind and rain with the interior lining that you can also remove. You can also remove the outside cover to only ride in the mesh. I wore it in Florida and it was great. Very cool when you drive. I wore it only 12 times and I'm looking to get myself another model. The model is too sporty for me in my old age. If you haven't bought it I can make you a really good deal on it and I'll even take care of the shipping. Let me know and I hope my review helps!

psustang89 · 05-04-2009, 1:35 PM

I'm a lil weary of a jacket that has "mesh" in the title, just doesn't give me that warm fuzzy feeling that nice leather does when I'm looking for protection. I'd much rather go with a perforated leather than mesh textile. I'm not sure if it's the same jacket, but some guy I rode with once had a JR Mesh jacket on that you couldn't have paid me to wear, looked like it would tear right off his body the moment he hit the pavement.

Just my 2 cents.

scampcat · 07-14-2009, 7:17 PM

I hit pavement last fall in the Alter Ego jacket and pants. I broke my clavicle purely due to the force of the impact, but other than that I didn't have a scratch or bruise anywhere on my body. I ended up replacing the set with the same thing since it worked so well. You can't use them after they've been "used," but that's true for any riding protection equipment.

skhy85 · 07-22-2009, 3:43 AM

I am not a fan of textiles. I would recommend a leather jacket. Alpinestars One-O-One jacket rocks. But if you are set on a textile jacket go with Alpinestars T-RC-1. In my experience, Joe Rocket products just don't hold up as well as Alpinestars. Now if you want to get serious, you will need a set of one piece leathers.