GreaseGarcia
Surgical Commuter
- Joined
- Nov 5, 2010
- Location
- The Iron Triangle
- Moto(s)
- 2007 Triumph 675, (The Memory of my)2006 Yamaha YZF-R6
- Name
- Rob
I finally bought a new "all season" jacket, and just in time too!
For a while I was looking at the Joe Rocket Survivor Suit, but alas I went with just a jacket because the price was right. Don't get me wrong though, I'm still wanting to buy a suit. Just with the weather on its way and money tight I decided on the Commander for $199.95 with free shipping.
Okay enough of that though. Heres the nitty gritty on the Scorpion XDR Commander. By the way, XDR stands for eXtreme Distance Rider.
Cons First:
The rubber/plastic buckles for the adjustment straps kinda hurt and can be uncomfortable. I don't know what it is but iwhen I bend my arms they press in some painful areas an i can't figure out how. I've tried physically moving them off of the areas of my arm, but no Joy. This was however with the two other liners installed too though and maybe all the layers together kinda contributed. As of lately since the rain and a few more days of breaking the Jacket in I haven't really noticed any more discomfort.
The "Storm Collar" is a great idea, but its too bulky. I've tried stuffing it into the bottom of my helmet but it doesn't all fit. Also when all the liners are installed the entire collar area bulks up even more. This bulk can make it hare to turn your head, or if you ride a Sportbike like me it can make it hard to tilt your head back enough to see the road when at a half tuck.
Liners; Lets say I want to wear the shell with only the thermal liner and no rain proof liner. Can't do it. I mean you could but the liner just wouldn't be able to be zipped into the shell. I could however wear the shell with just the rain proof liner, and this is okay but I don't feel it breathes as well even with all the vents open. Still pretty warm though and that's always a good thing.
Pros:
It just looks sexy!!!
Adjustments on the forearms, biceps, and torso make for a super custom fitted look, despite the initial discomfort from the buckles. As I said, I think I've broken them in. I should mention there was no discomfort from the torso adjusters.
Zippers and pockets everywhere(this could be a con for some). The pulls are also super easy find and use even with gloves on.
Pro to the collar; It does fight against the wind on your neck and helps to redirect any rain from running off your helmet and down your back.
Super Freakin Warm with the waterproof liner and thermal liner installed while at speeds above 90mph and temps in the upper 30's/ low 40's. I even rode in it with the thermal liner removed and it's still pretty good at 50 degrees. With just the shell and no liners you can feel air pouring in from the closed zipper vents on the biceps, but other than that I could still handle riding in just the shell for a quick run to Safeway and back. Personally I don't think I could wear it with all three liners installed at temps above 60 or 70.
Rain proof, but only with the liner. After riding in the rain these past couple of days between Concord and Alameda, I've managed to stay pretty dry. The insides of my pockets still got a little damp even with the water proof zippers but I'm okay with that. I honestly think the true purpose of the heavy duty looking zipper closures is just to keep a huge amount of air from moving through to the rider. If that's the case though then I sure wish they'd have put those same zippers on the biceps.
All In all though it's a damn good jacket. The price especially. I'm thinking maybe I'll try the Scorpion Awe Pants to complete the package and see how well they hold up. Till then I highly recomend this jacket to anyone.
By the way I'm a medium at 5'8" 174lbs, an the fit was pretty snug in the arms. An I gots some girly arms. I thought about maybe a large but then I felt the length would be too much. So if you've got muscular arms and chest you may want to try a size larger.
If anyone has any questions please ask.
For a while I was looking at the Joe Rocket Survivor Suit, but alas I went with just a jacket because the price was right. Don't get me wrong though, I'm still wanting to buy a suit. Just with the weather on its way and money tight I decided on the Commander for $199.95 with free shipping.
Okay enough of that though. Heres the nitty gritty on the Scorpion XDR Commander. By the way, XDR stands for eXtreme Distance Rider.
Cons First:
The rubber/plastic buckles for the adjustment straps kinda hurt and can be uncomfortable. I don't know what it is but iwhen I bend my arms they press in some painful areas an i can't figure out how. I've tried physically moving them off of the areas of my arm, but no Joy. This was however with the two other liners installed too though and maybe all the layers together kinda contributed. As of lately since the rain and a few more days of breaking the Jacket in I haven't really noticed any more discomfort.
The "Storm Collar" is a great idea, but its too bulky. I've tried stuffing it into the bottom of my helmet but it doesn't all fit. Also when all the liners are installed the entire collar area bulks up even more. This bulk can make it hare to turn your head, or if you ride a Sportbike like me it can make it hard to tilt your head back enough to see the road when at a half tuck.
Liners; Lets say I want to wear the shell with only the thermal liner and no rain proof liner. Can't do it. I mean you could but the liner just wouldn't be able to be zipped into the shell. I could however wear the shell with just the rain proof liner, and this is okay but I don't feel it breathes as well even with all the vents open. Still pretty warm though and that's always a good thing.
Pros:
It just looks sexy!!!
Adjustments on the forearms, biceps, and torso make for a super custom fitted look, despite the initial discomfort from the buckles. As I said, I think I've broken them in. I should mention there was no discomfort from the torso adjusters.
Zippers and pockets everywhere(this could be a con for some). The pulls are also super easy find and use even with gloves on.
Pro to the collar; It does fight against the wind on your neck and helps to redirect any rain from running off your helmet and down your back.
Super Freakin Warm with the waterproof liner and thermal liner installed while at speeds above 90mph and temps in the upper 30's/ low 40's. I even rode in it with the thermal liner removed and it's still pretty good at 50 degrees. With just the shell and no liners you can feel air pouring in from the closed zipper vents on the biceps, but other than that I could still handle riding in just the shell for a quick run to Safeway and back. Personally I don't think I could wear it with all three liners installed at temps above 60 or 70.
Rain proof, but only with the liner. After riding in the rain these past couple of days between Concord and Alameda, I've managed to stay pretty dry. The insides of my pockets still got a little damp even with the water proof zippers but I'm okay with that. I honestly think the true purpose of the heavy duty looking zipper closures is just to keep a huge amount of air from moving through to the rider. If that's the case though then I sure wish they'd have put those same zippers on the biceps.
All In all though it's a damn good jacket. The price especially. I'm thinking maybe I'll try the Scorpion Awe Pants to complete the package and see how well they hold up. Till then I highly recomend this jacket to anyone.
By the way I'm a medium at 5'8" 174lbs, an the fit was pretty snug in the arms. An I gots some girly arms. I thought about maybe a large but then I felt the length would be too much. So if you've got muscular arms and chest you may want to try a size larger.
If anyone has any questions please ask.