Kilimanjaro or hold out for Olympia AST 2 or Moab?

[crispiegee1]

Guys,

Several shops are clearancing the Firstgear Kilimanjaro for $199. I've wanted a four-season, well vented jacket in hi-viz yellow for a while... what do you think?

Or, should I hold out and see if the Olympia Moab or AST 2 go on sale over the winter? The Olympia stuff seems really feature packed, and the Moab actually looks cooler for summer. My need is to take an earlier spring or late fall trip from the cool north to the hot south. I'm more easily chilled than I am overheated, but I think the Kilimanjaro and even the AST 2 might be a bit to warm for the south, though I worry weather the Moab is too cool for up north.

Thoughts?

[TonyKZ1]

I've also been thinking about buying the Kilimanjaro. I've currently got the Kilimanjaro Air (3/4 mesh jacket). It seems to work pretty good so I'd imagine the normal 3 season Kilimanjaro would be as good or most likely even better. There's quite a few comparisons/reviews of this jacket and others here and over on advrider so I'll probably go ahead and pick one up before they're all sold out.
Tony

[CosmicCowboy]

I love my Kilimanjaro. I would not use it in the summer in the South.

[Bowtie76]

I use my AST (1) all year hear in Central Virginia.  It's a little warm at stops when it gets into the 90's but cools off once I'm riding.

That said I think Olympia, being a small company, maintains their prices across the board.  I looked all over for a sale and never saw one, of course that could just be lazyness on my part.

[crispiegee1]

I use my AST (1) all year hear in Central Virginia.  It's a little warm at stops when it gets into the 90's but cools off once I'm riding.

That said I think Olympia, being a small company, maintains their prices across the board.  I looked all over for a sale and never saw one, of course that could just be lazyness on my part.

No, you're right Bowtie, I've never seen one on sale and I've checked all over. That said, to have a do-it-all jacket like the AST or the X-Tour would be worth a little extra cash to me.

[Cablebandit]

You really have to keep an eye out for sales.  MrsCB and I both got pants and jackets on sale at Bob's BMW last year.  Funny thing is I love the AST for cold weather and hate the Airglide.  The sleeves on it are just too short for some reason.

[crispiegee1]

Oh trust me, CableBandit, I will keep checking for sales, particularly in the winter!

But in a rush to get a deal, I won't make the mistake of my Fieldsheer jacket, which was just $99 at Brockton cycle. It's a comfy jacket in a very narrow temperature range (60-75 degrees)... any hotter and you're sweating to death because the vents don't do diddly; any colder and the natural airflow through the fabric has you shivering.

I still like the jacket, but the collar strangles my (admittedly wide) neck, too, so it's got a bunch of strikes against it. That said, I think Fieldsheer makes decent "value priced" stuff, but I need something a hell of a lot better. I'm willing to wait for a sale on Olympia.

[Cablebandit]

I know what you mean about the collar.  I've yet to find a jacket with a decent collar if you don't have a pencil neck.

[ConPilot1]

Of the several motojacket's I've owned over the years, the AST was the absolute WORST thing I've ever experienced. I had it for two weeks, got wet, got sick of the velcro wadding up all over the place, etc. etc.
It sucked, big time if you ask me. My Roadcrafter is 100x that thing was. I know some people liked them but in my books it was a total abomination and FAIL by Olympia.

[Cablebandit]

I've heard that from others as well.  Mine has never had an issue leaking.

[ConPilot1]

Even some of the nicer Olympia jackets I've had like the Bushwacker, upon close examination the stitching is really chintzy. A lot of thin, single needle stictching and loose thread ends.
That's the kind of shit you expect from a $10 dollar Walmart cotton shirt, not a $300 riding jacket.

Personally, I'd like to see North Face or Arcterex jump on the motocamp wagon get an armored decidated Goretex riding jacket + pants on the drawing boards.
You'd really have something there.  

[expatbrit]

Used my Kili on our trip to Yellowstone this June. Everything from 95 degrees and blazing sun, hammering winds to  snow and freezing rain. Jacket did sterling service; waterproof as I could ask for.

WARM at 95 degrees in Grand Junction, even with the vents open. But sorta doable.

[chosemerveilleux]

Used my Kili on our trip to Yellowstone this June. Everything from 95 degrees and blazing sun, hammering winds to  snow and freezing rain. Jacket did sterling service; waterproof as I could ask for.

WARM at 95 degrees in Grand Junction, even with the vents open. But sorta doable.

A Kili at 95 degrees being warm is the biggest understatement I've seen in quite some time.

It is an excellent jacket, especially on sale ( I paid $140 from New Enough a couple of years ago) but I've always had an issue with water coming in the top of the back part of the collar during a downpour.  It also not being windproof really sucks in the cold;  Having to wear a windstopper layer on top of my Gerbings liner under the Kili makes things a bit crowded.

I'm just picking, mind you.  Its an incredible jacket, especially when you factor in price, even at full retail.  I'm steeling myself for the financial hit I'm going to take when I pick up a Klim Latitude Jacket and pants when they become available this fall.  The only time I don't ride is when there's snow or ice on the ground, and riding in the stupid cold last year completely convinced me that my cool/cold weather gear must be windproof.  Gore-Tex is, Hydratex definitely is not.

As long as you have a warm weather jacket and not being windproof isn't a deal breaker (I don't think the AST2 is either FWIW) I would definitely tell you to go with the Kili.  Its an awesome jacket, and even when its out of its element its better than most.

[crispiegee1]

One of the things that bugs me about my Fieldsheer is that it's not windproof. When the temp drops into the 50's, it gets really frigid in that jacket!

[chosemerveilleux]

One of the things that bugs me about my Fieldsheer is that it's not windproof. When the temp drops into the 50's, it gets really frigid in that jacket!

Yeah, I'm going to be using the bike more to commute to work and I'm going to be adding additional lighting, both to be seen and to see better at night.  I've already switched all of my bulbs on the bike to LED (and recovered a bit over 30 watts of power) but I don't want to tax the system unnecessarily.  When its in the 30's and you're slabbing at 70, 75mph its amazing how much you have to crank the heat just to make up for windchill.  A windproof outer layer will let me lower the output on my heated gear yet probably be more comfortable than I was before.

[ANZAC]

Another Kilimanjaro owner here from the Pacific Northwest.  I wear mine every day rain or shine.  If it's too hot - take the liner out and crack open the vents.  Raining - no problems.  The water rolls off like a duck.

I must get one comment a day on the High Viz color and how much they can SEE me.  

If these are still on sale and in your size - pull the trigger  

[Justin]

I have an AST (original, not the new one), and the Venting is excellent. That comes at the cost of it not being as watertight as some other jackets like the kili. It's a trade off, it flows tons of air through it's huge vents, but you also get wet spots where the zippers are when it rains. Where I live it is typically not rainy, so I can live with that. And if it's cold, the Gerbings will dry the damp spots  

[expatbrit]

A Kili at 95 degrees being warm is the biggest understatement I've seen in quite some time.

Sure. I'm English. We understate. It was warm, but with the vents open I wasn't dying as long as I was moving. When it was 35 degrees
and snowing leaving Mammoth 2 days later, I was happy.

It is an excellent jacket, especially on sale ( I paid $140 from New Enough a couple of years ago) but I've always had an issue with water coming in the top of the back part of the collar during a downpour.  It also not being windproof really sucks in the cold;  Having to wear a windstopper layer on top of my Gerbings liner under the Kili makes things a bit crowded.

I've had the collar issue; I am apparently a pencil neck with a 17" neck.  I've not ever had to wear a windstopper if I have the Kili liner in, however.

[/quote]

[MK96xj]

I would go with the Kili.

I have a gen 1 AST and Ranger pants. On paper their gear looks good but I really do not like either piece of gear. Too many pinch points and poor stiching / layout.

[crispiegee1]

Seems like everyone is out of hi-viz yellow in the Kilimanjaro (in large), so my decision has been made for me.

Oh well, there will be others.

[cognosticator]

Seems like everyone is out of hi-viz yellow in the Kilimanjaro (in large), so my decision has been made for me.

Oh well, there will be others.

Not so fast there  

http://www.compacc.com/p/Firstgear-Mens-Kilimanjaro-Textile-Jacket

[crispiegee1]

Not so fast there  

http://www.compacc.com/p/Firstgear-Mens-Kilimanjaro-Textile-Jacket

Aw crap, Cog!  Which one am I supposed to buy??  You're giving me option madness!  

[crispiegee1]

Okay, ordered a Kili.

Wish I had seen this place before ordering my boots from MotorcycleGear.com.

[garry]

My AST (v1) leaked in the arms/elbows and the velcro flaps were a PITA. Aside from that, I liked the jacket. It vented OK and seemed well built. I was hoping for a truly waterproof three season jacket, so I was let down. It was too warm for temps in the upper 80s/90s, but did fine in the winter (30s). I *really* like my Triumph "Raptor" jacket and pants for summer riding. Well-vented, but way sturdier than mesh.

So I bought a FirstGear Teton (short version of Killi) based on the positive reviews. Doesn't vent for crap, so it's rather warm. It has kept me dry though, so I've been happy on that front. I got the matching Escape pants in a "tall". I have a 34" inseam and they're too long for me. A regular would have fit better, but I wore them a few times before deciding this and am now stuck with them.

Overall, I'd say I like the FG stuff better than the Olympia and would get the Killi.

[maddjack]

I favor FG over Oyimpia, I just never had any luck with the O's gear other than gloves. I myself am looking at this jacket, I have had good luck With TM

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_vests/textile_jackets/tour_master/transition_series_2_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html

[Geno]

I had a Firstgear Kili, liked it OK, but recently got a Revit Sand outfit.  Wow, what a step up in quality, tho pretty pricey.  Totally worth it, IMHO.  I still use my Scorpion mesh jacket over 90.  Any solid textile jacket I've seen, no matter how many vents, is pretty ineffective on a bike with a full fairing & windscreen.

[Mastros2]

I know what you mean about the collar.  I've yet to find a jacket with a decent collar if you don't have a pencil neck.

I have a similar problem and use a neck gator which helps a bit.   Also, I picked up my ast from a bmw dealership during a winter sale (Dealership is out of business).

[Mastros2]

Okay, ordered a Kili.

Wish I had seen this place before ordering my boots from MotorcycleGear.com.

Cool beans.  I had a firstgear pair of pants that were great.  I'll most likely go with the Kilimanjaro when I replace the AST.  

[chosemerveilleux]

I had a Firstgear Kili, liked it OK, but recently got a Revit Sand outfit.  Wow, what a step up in quality, tho pretty pricey.  Totally worth it, IMHO.  I still use my Scorpion mesh jacket over 90.  Any solid textile jacket I've seen, no matter how many vents, is pretty ineffective on a bike with a full fairing & windscreen.

Wait a while. I think you'll change your mind about Rev'it jackets and pants being a "step up" quality wise over pretty much anything.  

My Sirocco jacket and Cayenne Pro pants have held up like they're made out of cotton candy;  No get offs and I've had them for less time than my Kili, which still looks like new after over 2 years and some 20K miles.

I have to send the Sirocco to Rainy Pass repair to get the pocket that holds the back protector reinforced, because its about to separate from the inside liner.  The right sleeve looks all rag-tag, because whenever it comes into contact with the velcro on the zipper flap the "cordura" material snags.  Every badge except one has fallen off both the jacket and the pants.

Head over to ADV Forums and to a search for "Rev'it reliability" and see how many folks have had a bad experience with their gear.  Their gloves and base layer kit are good, but I'll never again buy their jackets or pants.

[cognosticator]

I favor FG over Oyimpia, I just never had any luck with the O's gear other than gloves. I myself am looking at this jacket, I have had good luck With TM

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/jackets_and_vests/textile_jackets/tour_master/transition_series_2_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html

A heads up on the transition 2 jacket.  It has a built in liner that makes it waterproof, when you open the air vents the air hits the liner, not you, so it can be hot when the weather warms up

[maddjack]

A heads up on the transition 2 jacket.  It has a built in liner that makes it waterproof, when you open the air vents the air hits the liner, not you, so it can be hot when the weather warms up

UGH, , I may opt for a Kilimanjaro then, i can get one 175 + 10% off

[ConPilot1]

I used to fret about all this crap until I bought my Darien. Just save the shekels and go get one of the best, comfy, and most versatile suits ever made.
If you're a slave to fashion, forget it because you look like a total 2 legged dork sausage in one.

I was never one to drink the 'Stich koolaid until I tried one out. I've worn that sonofabitch from 20-90°. You can layer to your heart's content under one, and when it's warm it
flows a ton of air.

I also have a Roadcrafter jacket which is great when it gets a tad cooler and I don't want to layer anything up. The venting is toned down a bit in the Roadcrafter compared to the Darien.
I'll wear my Darien pants with my RC jacket, it's a great combo. I do want to get a matching set of RC pants to go with my RC jacket.

When it's hot out I grab my Motoport Mesh Kevlar stuff, that shit is the assbomb when it's HOT out.

I bought all this stuff nice and clean 2nd hand so I didn't pay a king's ransom for the stuff.

[maddjack]

Kilimanjaro It is,ordered

[Scottyfizz]

I don't want to bogart this thread,but I just ordered the FG Kathmandu jacket and pants from New Enough. It was a choice between the Kili or the Kath.
New Enough is blowing Firstgear out the door.

[maddjack]

I don't want to bogart this thread,but I just ordered the FG Kathmandu jacket and pants from New Enough. It was a choice between the Kili or the Kath.
New Enough is blowing Firstgear out the door.

So is Bikebandit

[ConPilot1]

 So is Bikebandit

They all do this time of year. They're getting ready to release the 2012 stuff.

[maddjack]

They all do this time of year. They're getting ready to release the 2012 stuff.

 No kidding, its why I only buy gear Sept or later, save cash get top gear discounted.  

[JonS]

 UGH, , I may opt for a Kilimanjaro then, i can get one 175 + 10% off

I have the Transition 1 jacket and always thought it was great. Then a couple of years ago, there was a First Gear jacket, on sale, for a ridiculous price. I can't pass up an bargain.
Since that jacket arrived, I haven't used the Transition at all. The 1stgear seems to do the same thing, but is much lighter.

[kennywiz]

I like all of my Olympia jackets. I have 3!
I also have an AST. they cam be found from time to time on Ebay REAL CHEAP! I picked up a barely used AST in hi viz for $50!

Olympia sizing is boxy, not Euro slim.

[ConPilot1]

I like all of my Olympia jackets. I have 3!
I also have an AST. they cam be found from time to time on Ebay REAL CHEAP! I picked up a barely used AST in hi viz for $50!

Olympia sizing is boxy, not Euro slim.

Beg to differ. Olympia sizing depends on the product line. The AST was baggy, it was meant as a cold weather jacket suitable for layering or using the liners.

The Airglide + Bushwacker was very euro slim cut.

[kennywiz]

Beg to differ. Olympia sizing depends on the product line. The AST was baggy, it was meant as a cold weather jacket suitable for layering or using the liners.

The Airglide + Bushwacker was very euro slim cut.

I wear 3xl in everything else and wear 2xl in Airglide. ?????????

[Cablebandit]

Yup, I really like the AST, but the Airglide sleeves are about 2 inches short, whereas the AST fit's perfect in the riding position.  Both are a size large.

[motomem]

 UGH, , I may opt for a Kilimanjaro then, i can get one 175 + 10% off

Where are you getting the 10% discount?
I'm shopping the fall blowouts for some goodies.

[blueridgerider]

My Kilimanjaro 5.0 is a great piece of kit.  But I would not call it 4 season or even 3 season.  It is too hot (even without the liner) for me to wear it until temps are consistently below about 55.

I wear my FG Torrent Jacket about 2 1/2 seasons of the year and the Kili for about 4 months.

[maddjack]

Where are you getting the 10% discount?
I'm shopping the fall blowouts for some goodies.

AMA member at bike bandit,

[black hills]

My Kilimanjaro 5.0 is a great piece of kit.  But I would not call it 4 season or even 3 season.  It is too hot (even without the liner) for me to wear it until temps are consistently below about 55.

I wear my FG Torrent Jacket about 2 1/2 seasons of the year and the Kili for about 4 months.

+1  I can't stand the Kilimanjaro (no liner, vetns open) much over 60. It is a great late fall/winter/early spring jacket. so may a 2 season???

[fossil]

Love my Kilimanjaro. Nice thing for me are the "Tall" options with First Gear...

[ConPilot1]

I tried on a Kili at a cycle dealer up here once. It was one thick heavy SOB. I couldn't even imagine riding with that thing in the hot weather, liner or not.
Probably a very good cool weather jacket, but I like the versatility of my Darien jacket which vents fantastically, and is easy to layer up or pop a Gerbings in when it's cold.  

[chosemerveilleux]

I tried on a Kili at a cycle dealer up here once. It was one thick heavy SOB. I couldn't even imagine riding with that thing in the hot weather, liner or not.
Probably a very good cool weather jacket, but I like the versatility of my Darien jacket which vents fantastically, and is easy to layer up or pop a Gerbings in when it's cold.  

I guess this is where we should acknowledge that what is gear that is solid 3 season for some is apparently only 2 or 4 season wear for others.

I tend to heat up rather quickly.  In the 2+ years I've owned my Kili5.0 I've used it from 14 degrees (with a heated liner) up to the low 90's.  I'm not going to lie, it sucked in the 90's and Hydratex is brezzy when the mercury plummets, but this is a great jacket.  I've routinely used it on 80 degree days and had plenty of ventilation (the only place on the jacket that could use better ventilation is the arms).  The vents on this jacket work.

Certainly I think its more than a little unfair to compare a $300 hydratex jacket (often available for far less-I paid $140 shipped for mine) against a $450 Gore-Tex jacket (sans liner-even though I use a gerbings instead its a nice liner that comes with the Kili);  I'm pretty certain the Darien is a 3-layer Gore construction (therefore not needing a mesh scrim like a 2 layer gore garment would) whereas the Hydratex is definitely a 2 layer construction.  If a 2 vs 3 layer in gore product differentiation= more weight then its definitely going to mean a heavier jacket in the Hydratex Kili.

The dozen or so people I know who have Darien jackets universally say they're uncomfortable as hell above the upper 80's, which is right about where I say my Kili begins to suck.

I'm not gonna lie, I will almost certainly be buying Gore-Tex riding gear for my next cool weather set.  Windproof +Waterproof wins, to be sure.  But while I'll probably get the Darien pants you couldn't pay me to purchase a Darien jacket.  Its too damn ugly and not enough of an improvement over my Kili to be worth my attention.  Just my 2 Krugerrand, mind you.