First Gear Kilimanjaro Jacket - likes and dislikes?

[Geezer]

Really good feedback on this - much thanks, friends.

The seller is a friend of mine in another State. She bought a complete consignment shop full of used gear and hasn't even gone through the inventory yet. However and BION, she also has an Olympia AST jacket in my size. She says it has some little oil spots on the bottom of the jacket, but she is going to see if they can be cleaned out. I can have either one for $100.00.

More thoughts?

I'm on my 3rd Kilimanjaro, each one a different generation. The one in the pic is an early one, just like mine from around 2006 or so. It's a durable jacket...I put over 100,000 miles on mine before the fabric start wearing on the sleeves and shoulders. It was very comfortable, and with the liner installed and a long-sleeved shirt, I could ride with temps in the 20s. With a short-sleeved shirt, liner removed, and the vents open, I could ride up into the 90s or low 100s. The liner is a fleece jacket that zips out and can be worn as a layover jacket.

The liner is my biggest gripe with my new Kilimanjaro, just purchased a few months ago. The 1st two jackets both had liners that could be worn as a layover jacket, which is a great feature. It appears that FG went cheap on the new model, and the liner is a quilted type. It's plenty warm, but not as functional. The liner zippers have been re-arranged, so that the liner from my old jacket can't be zipped into the new jacket. I find that terribly annoying.

But the venting on the new model is greatly improved, as mentioned earlier. Intake vents on the shoulders scoop the air in, exhausting out the vertical vents on the back, along with the 'pit vents. On a 70 degree day with the vents open, it's almost chilly. Overall, it's a great jacket.

I never zip the liner in my jacket, I just slip the liner on and then put the jacket on over it. It provides a little more freedom of movement that way.

 

[Cav47]

Only info I got is that I only wore a regular length mesh jacket until I bought the one I had in Arkansas. It is a scorpion 3/4 length. It is a few years old, but is leaps and bounds better than what I had. Your upper body type -length is perfect for a 3/4 jacket. I doubt it will ride up and when I take both liners out of mine, vents open, 80 is very comfortable. Haven't been able to try warmer yet. The one I have has a quilted liner and a wind/water liner. I was never cold anywhere in the jacket area at 28 degrees. I know hear and humidity will be more your concern due to geography Just like you, I am a bargain shopper by nature and now by NECESSITY. 100 bucks for a name brand quality jacket will clearly be resellable at that price if u don't like it or it doesn't fit. Good luck my friend.

 

[Data]

My Kilmanjaro is about eight years old and it is on it's third bike. I use it below 70 degrees or so- and have found it to be surprisingly waterproof. I would buy another for sure.

I prefer the 3/4 length in cool temps. I have removed the liner and opened the vents in 80+ temps and it is viable, but not the best choice. With an electric vest inside it is good for very cold temps.

Plenty of pocket space too . . . .

 

[hppants]

I bought the Olympia AST. It ships next week. Once I receive it and look it over, I will report on my impressions.

Incidentally, my friend will have truck loads of used gear to sell. She's not set up yet with an online inventory, but when it's ready, I'll post up the link.

 

[Bounce]

Most issues have been covered so can only add my opinion.

I've had a Kili1 and a Kili3. I still use the Kili3 while my Son-In-Law still uses my Kili1 (which I used during the 2003 IBR). I prefer the 3/4 jacket because waist length jackets ride up too high in the back for my likes.

The zipper system allows for lots of air flow so you can control evaporation when riding in the desert (open/close zippers as needed); something a mesh jacket doesn't allow. Zip everything shut and keep riding through the gully washers without having to stop and do the Roadside Rain Suit Boogie. The removable liner config is also my preference. By having the water resistance in the shell it doesn't soak through and depend on a rain liner. Soaked shells are a PITA IMO.

 

[FJR30FAN]

Most issues have been covered so can only add my opinion.
I've had a Kili1 and a Kili3. I still use the Kili3 while my Son-In-Law still uses my Kili1 (which I used during the 2003 IBR). I prefer the 3/4 jacket because waist length jackets ride up too high in the back for my likes.

The zipper system allows for lots of air flow so you can control evaporation when riding in the desert (open/close zippers as needed); something a mesh jacket doesn't allow. Zip everything shut and keep riding through the gully washers without having to stop and do the Roadside Rain Suit Boogie. The removable liner config is also my preference. By having the water resistance in the shell it doesn't soak through and depend on a rain liner. Soaked shells are a PITA IMO.

That's a great point on the rain properties and ventilation for the desert. I already have two mesh jackets so this might be an option for my next purchase

 

[Yamanick]

I have a Kilamanjoro jacket on Ebay right now for a few days. Great warm jacket. Remove the waterproof liner for warmer weather. Clean. Check it out.

 

[hppants]

Thanks - but I bought a hardly used Olympia AST from Burgi's Gear. It now sits in my closet where it will remain for another 6 months or so until this heat breaks.

 

[Denver_FJR]

...
My advice, look for something which is at least 500D cordura, at the very least look to see if there is Kevlar material layered under the synthetic shell in the areas most considered to be high abrasion areas in a crash.

Haven't kept up, but other then Motoport, who is using Kevlar?