Comments on: First Gear Kilimanjaro Jacket Review

By: Dar

Dar — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 08:50:19 +0000

Steve

What are you thoughts on your new jacket since you gave been riding in it a bit. Mine comes next week, I opted for silver as I have a hi viz vest.

Cheers
Dar

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 23 Nov 2014 01:49:53 +0000

In reply to dave.

Sorry to hear you’ve had bad luck with your First Gear stuff. Either I’ve been really lucky or you’ve been really unlucky. As far as waterproofing goes I don’t expect much with treated fabric. A year seems good to me and then I usually re-treat. I’m anxious to see how the breathable waterproof fabric works on my new jacket.

The 400 vs. 600 denier fabric is never an easy call. I have an Olympia riding suit that has very heavy fabric leaving the suit stiff and work to wear. But I know it has more abrasion resistance than my First Gear jacket. May not matter though considering I have many layers underneath.

I’ve looked at a lot of Rev-It gear locally, and have a Rev-It rainsuit, but never really found anything that suited me. Thankfully for both of us there are a lot of choices! Good luck with your gear search.

By: dave

dave — Sat, 22 Nov 2014 03:27:32 +0000

Every peace of first gear clothing I ve had has failed and been RMA to first gear. 5 time in 4 years. Sadly the last 2 times were summer /spring 2015 . TPG Pants 2012 Zipper failed and start pulling out. Leg seem open up. 8 month of ownership. 2011 Version of TPG water proofing failed after 1.2 years . Yes first gear always give no bs with warranty but 2014 Version of there gear are not safe I feel. 400 denier nylon down from the 600 Denier it use to be. This refers to the length of sliding it will do before holes happen. The list goes one . First gear just cheaped out compared to 2011-2013 line of clothing. At this price point you can find Rev it etc on close out . I sold both 2014 TPG jacket and pants rather then put my body on the line.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 23:49:07 +0000

In reply to Ted White.

Ted White: Seventeen years is a lot of use out of a riding jacket. I hope this one goes so long. I got mine from Revzilla.com for a great price. Keep watching some of the big sites — maybe it will go on sale.

The SYM you’re riding looks nice. I’ve had my eye wandering on a SYMBA 100.

By: Ted White

Ted White — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 01:49:35 +0000

That photograph of you in your new bright yellow First Gear Kilimanjaro jacket made me take a second look at my black 17 year old Tour Master 3/4 length jacket. It still works OK and has a thermal zip-in liner, but it’s BLACK and I’ve lately become a fan of brighter colors. So, I’m going to see if I can afford your jacket. Maybe give the Tour Master to a young lady in town who recently moved here with a Vespa and rides around in a padded nylon windbreaker.

I ride a SYM HD200 EVO

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 19:07:05 +0000

In reply to Fred+Beach.

See, you thought I was crazy! *grin*

So far, no mild days or sunshine in sight. But I’m gearing up for the opposite anyway.

By: Fred+Beach

Fred+Beach — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 19:01:55 +0000

In reply to Steve Williams.

Oh yes, I forgot that. The seat on the GTV is total rubbish and makes you sit too far forward. And I am only 5’8″. I also replaced my seat with one from the GTS that I had reshaped and recovered.

Wishing you mild days and sunshine.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:51:43 +0000

In reply to VStarLady.

My thoughts exactly.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:51:27 +0000

In reply to Bryce.

The bright jacket will help brand me around here as the crazy guy riding in the winter.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:50:32 +0000

In reply to dom.

The jacket definitely glows and will be visible to anyone who’s paying attention. I was going to put the heated grips and covers on today but it was too cold!