Going Leather... Tourmaster

[Johnny Monsoon]

After my Cortech leather/mesh gave its life in my recent low-side, I decided to reevaluate some things.  The textile did a decent job; and I really doubt that I'd have gotten off any better with leather (at least as far as the rash on my forearm is concerned) had the textile not moved around.  I was concerned about the fit of the sleeves when I bought it but failed to listen to that nagging voice in the back of my mind.  The Cortech absolutely sucked for my body type (apparently they build for tubby Popeye guys).  My JR Phoenix 1.0 fit one helluva lot better and would have offered better protection...  My money on the Cortech was wasted; not for lack of construction, but for failing to get a piece of gear that fit properly.  It may have worked better on someone else.

Now, I don't think any less of a well constructed textile than I did before, but I will say that the thicker leathers simply won't move around as much.  I was fortunate to find a jacket that fits me like a proverbial glove.  The Tourmaster Magnum is a perfect fit, and the thick leather is excellent grain quality.  Why it only has a vent on one forearm (the left) is a mystery to me, but... whatever.  There are two large vents at the back, and comes with a liner that has zip-off sleeves (so can be worn as a full jacket liner or a vest liner).  The point is probably moot since I have my heated gear though.

Back to the lowside...  I was wearing jeans.  I'll wear jeans again.  I have a feeling I'll get some jeans with armor in the knees soon they seem to be cheap enough these days, and are becoming more plentiful) but for more spirited riding or longer trips I decided to finally bite the bullet and invest in a proper set of riding pants.  They too, are Tourmaster.  The Apex pants are a very, very nice mix of fabric/kevlar and leather with velcro puck points at the knees (pucks not included).  Further, the waist is a great fit and will go up or down a couple of inches.  I'm a 32ish waist, and these are 34 inch (converted to US).  They seem to fit quite well and provide just enough room to grow (which hopefully I'll avoid doing).  They are VERY comfortable and I think will prevent a lot of sweaty nether-regions by strategic placement of the double-stitched kevlar panels.

The leather is all excellent quality with a nice matte finish (to match the jacket).  No racer-boy graphics are present.  I do wish there was a bit more in the way of reflective materials, but at least there's a bit.  The best part is that the jacket and pants can be zipped together, all the way around (not just at the back) for track duty.

While I haven't been a huge fan of Tourmaster, as a rule, I have found these to be exceptional pieces at any pricepoint.  I wouldn't have managed a better fit even if I'd have had them custom made.  While I'll sweat like crazy in the hotter months, I'm very happy with the gear and expect it to last a good many years with proper maintenance and care.

Oh, and I got a great deal on the pants from NewEnough, and donated to ST-N yet again.  

[Sport-Touring]

[Caveman]

Yeah, I really like the tourmaster cortech stuff.  I'm wearing a coaster II jacket and decker pants now.  Good stuff for the price.

[canada goose]

While I haven't been a huge fan of Tourmaster, as a rule, I have found these to be exceptional pieces at any pricepoint.

Where is the Tourmaster gear manufactured?

Ken

[mxvet57]

after riding for 35 years and buying gear to the magnum  jacket is the best leather jacket i have ever bought. like new enough said they do run small. i got the 3XL and it fit me perfect. I'm a 48. the venting is the best I've ever had in a leather jacket. i have worn it on 95+ days and yes it is warm but the air still flows  nicely.

 i to have the apex pants. the problem i had with them is the inseam, i first got the 1XL and they fit my wast good but the inseam was to short. i had to take out the armor in the knees to sit on the bike. i returned them for the 2XL and now the inseam is good but the wast is to big. i now have to ware suspenders to hold them up. they need sizes for tall riders.

over all i'n very pleased with the tourmaster gear.

[steve.ski]

Why it only has a vent on one forearm (the left) is a mystery to me, but... whatever.  

It's actually not meant to be a vent but an easy access pocket for gas card, toll money, stuff like that. It just happens to pull double duty as a vent...

I have the same jacket and pant setup, great product.

@mxvet57: The pockets for the knee guards have three strips of velcro for up/down adjustment. You may want to lower the knee pads and see if that helps...

[mxvet57]

@mxvet57: The pockets for the knee guards have three strips of velcro for up/down adjustment. You may want to lower the knee pads and see if that helps...

 Steve,  the reason i took out the knee armor was b/c the inseam was to short and it was to tight in the knee siting on the bike. i then thought about the safety aspect of having them in the pants and that is when i decided to return them and get the larger size and deal  with the larger wast.  ATGATT always

It's actually not meant to be a vent but an easy access pocket for gas card, toll money, stuff like that. It just happens to pull double duty as a vent

 yes it would be nice if there was one on the other sleeve to. also the hand pockets make nice vents to.

[MidLifeMike]

I've been eye-balling the Magnum as my next jacket. I just couldn't get past that raised lettering CORTECH across the tail - bad style. With these + reviews maybe I better get over it.
Anybody have opinions on the "Air" version vs the solid leather?

[rauchman]

I picked up a Cortec GX jacket.  The jacket is pretty good, but I think the zippers are horrible.  On the move I tried opening or closing vents and the zippers always got stuck.  Next jacket will have YKK (YYK???) zippers.  Also, some areas of the jacket feel like being inside a plastic garbage bag.  A little too much PVC plastic maybe.  Ironically, I have a HD leather jacket that is of great quality.  It better be for $500+.  I can open and close the vents on the move with that jacket very easily.  I like the look of the Coaster II jacket, but would really give the jacket a thorough once over before purchasing.  My wife picked up a beautiful MotoGP leather jacket in white on closeout for $180 and the quality is great.

[H2Orat]

I have a Cortech Magnum (solid) from New Enough.  I got it for cool/cold weather use and am real happy with it: the combination of thick, heavy leather and CE armor used throughout, creates a feeling of real security when worn, yet is very comfortable.  Granted, it's got the raised lettering on the back waist "band", but being monochromatic it's not too bad, and I can live with it.  In fact, that's one of the things that drew me to this jacket: it doesn't shriek "Look at me!" with loud colors, stripes, "sponsor" patches and graphics.  From a safety viewpoint, I realize that hi-viz schemes are good, but I also don't want to look like a Ricky Racer wannabe... it's a little too squidly for my tastes.  The understated, clean design of this jacket suits me better, and I find the fit and quality to be excellent, especially at the $220.00 price... a real bargain!  I've worn it for one season and I'm still impressed: it kept me warm and protected when cold, yet vented well when the temperatures rose, and the substantial leather has softened some with use, so I look forward to further use/break-in once the weather cools.  Since it was mentioned, I also love the left sleeve pocket where I keep my DL, gas cards, cash, and CCs: it's much more convenient then having to root through various pockets during gas/food/drink stops, and no, I don't think one is needed on the other sleeve since I never thought of it as a vent to begin with.

I also have a Cortech GX Air jacket (also from New Enough) for the warm/hot weather, and love the flexibility and protection it affords me...  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend that jacket to anyone either.

I'm happy to say that I've not "tested" either one of these jackets, so I can't comment on how they'd hold up when pressed into service during an accident.  I have a lot of confidence in both these jackets: though I don't ever look forward to the prospect of going "pavement surfing", if/when the day comes, I'm certain that I'll be well-protected by either one, though more-so by the solid leather Magnum than the mesh/leather GX Air.

That's my .02, Cheers!    

[FiremanBob]

Where is the Tourmaster gear manufactured?

Ken

All the TM gear I have seen is made in China.

[Bandera]

All the TM gear I have seen is made in China.

My perfed' leather Impulse jacket and Apex Air pants are both "Made in Pakistan".

-Bandera

[Caveman]

My perfed' leather Impulse jacket and Apex Air pants are both "Made in Pakistan".

-Bandera

Same here.  Coaster II and Decker pants made in Pakistan.

[burmbuster]

FYI.......Cortech is made by Tour Master.

[Beach Boy]

I too have the Apex pants / Magnum jacket combo.  The pants are perforated and the jacket is solid.  In fact I am looking to trade one or the other so I have either all solid for winter or all perforated for Spring and Fall riding.
For the money the are very, very hard to beat.

[Johnny Monsoon]

I've been eye-balling the Magnum as my next jacket. I just couldn't get past that raised lettering CORTECH across the tail - bad style. With these + reviews maybe I better get over it.
Anybody have opinions on the "Air" version vs the solid leather?

Mine has 'TOURMASTER' embossed (or raised... really) at the tail.  I don't mind it.

[alphabet man]

I have the Magnum jacket and apex pants also, good protection and no gaudy graphics is the reason I went with TM. Sadly I did test them last year in the Yukon; they held up very well and with a little Nik Wax cleaner and protectant they still look pretty good they just have a few character rashes visible on the ass and fore arm, although I realy wish I hadn't removed the hip pads for comfort   of course the first point of impact was on my hip/ass area    there back in now.

[Beach Boy]

Anybody have a pair of size 36 (large) solid leather Apex pants that they'd like to trade for a pair of the same size, Apex perforated leather pants that are in like new condition?  I wear textile and mesh when it's warm/hot and don't wear the perforated leather often, at all (in Texas it ALWAYS either warm or hot  ).
I'd like to get my gear ready for the winter.

[mxvet57]

I have the Magnum jacket and apex pants also, good protection and no gaudy graphics is the reason I went with TM.

that was one of the reasons i went with the tourmaster also. has an aggressive look with out the boy racer look.

Mine has 'TOURMASTER' embossed (or raised... really) at the tail.  I don't mind it.

 actually it's CORTECH embossed on the back. at least they didn't highlight it in neon.


 

[Johnny Monsoon]

that was one of the reasons i went with the tourmaster also. has an aggressive look with out the boy racer look.




 actually it's CORTECH embossed on the back. at least they didn't highlight it in neon.


 

I can take a pic and post it if you want, but mine says 'tourmaster'

[alphabet man]

I can take a pic and post it if you want, but mine says 'tourmaster'

 You must have gotten the deluxe model, mine reads Cortech also, maybe depends on the year