Opinions on JR Alter Ego 2.0 jacket and pants

david223 · 03-20-2007, 05:24 PM

I've tried on a few different types of jackets and I found the JR Alter Ego 2.0 to have a good fit for me. And it's fully convertible, which means just one jacket, or at least that's what I'm hoping.

Does anyone have any opinions on this jacket? One thing I'm curious about is how it does for colder weather riding (near freezing).

I'm also looking at the matching pants, but I haven't seen a 2.0 version, and the original comes with dual density foam, not CE armor. Don't know how important this is... Also, do people tend to wear the pants over other pants or by themselves?

And yes, I did a search and read what I found...

sdm1177 · 03-20-2007, 05:34 PM

I have the Tour Master Caliber Overpants. They are designed to go over pants (hence, the name). I wear them over my Dockers / business casual slacks all the time. If you get JR brand, just get them a size (or two?) larger and you'll be all set. I will admit that I haven't used them in the heat yet (I got them last fall) so I do not know how good / bad they will be in the summer.

maste · 03-20-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david223

I've tried on a few different types of jackets and I found the JR Alter Ego 2.0 to have a good fit for me. And it's fully convertible, which means just one jacket, or at least that's what I'm hoping.

Does anyone have any opinions on this jacket? One thing I'm curious about is how it does for colder weather riding (near freezing).

I'm also looking at the matching pants, but I haven't seen a 2.0 version, and the original comes with dual density foam, not CE armor. Don't know how important this is... Also, do people tend to wear the pants over other pants or by themselves?

And yes, I did a search and read what I found...

I had the original jacket and pants when they first came out in '04 I think it was. The jacket did a great job on a low speed low side I had (~ 30 MPH). I had on the mesh and pants, came out without a scratch despite hitting aspalt at 30 MPH. I since replaced the Alter Ego with an AGV leather jacket and I have a JR Rasp which I actually like a bit better and use the wind breaker that came with the AE jacket. Also have a Tour Master Advance mesh jacket that I use when it's extremely hot.

As far as how cold with the AE, I used to ride in the 30's and was Okay, hands were an issue first.

The pants survived the low side, I still use them along with AGV leather.

Boneman131 · 03-20-2007, 06:29 PM

I too have the JR Alter Ego Jacket and Pants (bought new in 2005).

JACKET

I LOVE my Alter Ego jacket! It is sooo versitile! I use it all year round, rain or shine. With the removable liner and front/back panel for hot weather, it's one jacket that does it all. And that's why I bought it as some of my friends have 2 or 3 jackets and I didn't want to buy that many, especially to start off with.

On colder days I just wear a sweater under it (I lost some weight so I have room in the jacket now). With the rain liner in it seems to keep the wet and wind out just fine. I also treated the zip off fabric panel with water repellant product that I use on my snowboard gear.

The little backpack that comes with it is knida usless and I don't think I have ever used it. If the weather looks snotty, I take my liner with me in my tank bag. Thats what I love about this jacket as I can take the liners and panels with me "just in case". Were my other firends with multiple jackets are stuck with what they have on at the time or they have to carry an entire extra jacket with them...and who wants to do that!?!?

I can go from hot weather riding to cold and rainy in about 2 min! Simply awesome!

PANTS

The pants are decent. Even with the rain liner in them, water still gets in after a while. I also have Gortex pants that I can wear under them instead (with the JR liner removed) for 100% waterproof-ness!

They do get hot in the summer and I usually just wear jeans. They do a good job keeping the wind off and I love them for my early morning commutes until the weather warms up.

The little zip-off band around your ass/sides is a joke. Taking this little section of fabric off doesn't do much for cooling, but being able to zip open the entire sides of each leg is nice if the tempature starts to sky rocket.

I wish they had 'sturups' in the pant cuff to strap around the bottom of you boot.

I also wish they came with suspenders. I actually bought a pair of suspenders that I used to use with them. It helped keep them in place better.

I think I have zipped in my JR Jacket once into the conjoining waist sipper in the pants. Just awkward and you look like a tard if you're trying to get your jacket off while still being zipped in....or so I've heard...

I made sure to buy a size a little on the big side so I could wear jeans underneith if I wanted to.

So all in all I am very please dwith my JR Alter Ego clothing. My wife has the jacket and several of my friends also have the jacket and pants. Been riding year round for over 2 years now and they are still going strong and have stood up very well!

Hope this helps.

greatzippy · 03-20-2007, 09:36 PM

My Alter Ego Jacket's gotten plenty of use over the years. I got it back in 04 when it first came out ... think it's one of the best designs out there. I like the look of the origional better then the 2.0 but like that the 2.0 you can remove the sleeves and leave the chest/back on.

The pants are decent for the summer but in the winter I switch to the ballistic pants I have since they are heavier & warmer ... anything above 60's and you sweat like hell in them. The zipper on the legs do come in handy when you get off the bike & walk around ... it's like having shorts when you open them up.

wwomack · 03-20-2007, 11:30 PM

I really like my Alter Ego 2.0 jacket. I've had it about 6 months now. I was very pleasantly surprised how well the rain liner kept me dry when I got caught at work by a storm. I was completely dry from my head to my waist but soaked from the waist down (wearing jeans). I haven't ridden in freezing temperatures but riding in the 40s is comfortable wearing a sweater underneath the jacket. Today I rode for the first time with both the arms and the chest piece removed. It felt almost like wearing just a tshirt except that i had pads on in case I inadvertently dismounted.

chopsuey · 03-21-2007, 11:50 AM

Like wwomack I was caught in the rain with my alter ego jacket and it kept my torso bone dry. I was too wearing jeans and those got soaked so I invested in the matching pants. I have yet to try the pants but I imagine they will keep my as dry as the jacket.

FZ1-KEP · 03-21-2007, 12:45 PM

I like my JR alter ego. Don't count on it keeping you dry in a downpour though. The liner is good for a windbreaker though. I bought a rainsuit that fits over my gear. This is the best method cause it keeps all the layers underneath dry. I've been wanting the pants, but they never made them in talls. I see now that they offer them in tall sizes, so I will be buying a pair of them as well. This jacket rocks. nuff said

this jacket will keep you dry in an average rain for a short period of time, but not 400 miles of heavy downpour. Its hard to stay completly dry in those conditions, but my new rainsuit comes close.

chopsuey · 03-21-2007, 12:55 PM

I stayed dry for close to 120 miles in the rain with the jacket.

AEG · 03-21-2007, 01:16 PM

No experience with JR Alter Ego, but may I suggest to consider the Tour Master Flex? Comparing to JR the TM Flex has CE armor in elbows and shoulders and that is +, IMO.

david223 · 03-21-2007, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AEG

No experience with JR Alter Ego, but may I suggest to consider the Tour Master Flex? Comparing to JR the TM Flex has CE armor in elbows and shoulders and that is +, IMO.

From what I understand, the JR AE 2.0 has the CE armor in elbows and shoulders while the original did not. I don't know the Tour Master Flex, I'll check it out.

markgm · 03-21-2007, 02:31 PM

I picked up the jacket and pants in tall. I was afraid that the pants would be too short, but they fit well. I wish the snaps were a little stronger on the pants, but it has a built in belt that keeps them closed. The coldest I've gone riding was about 15 degrees and they were effective at keeping me warm. I've ridden in the 20's with just the pants and jacket on (and gloves and boots.)

My inner thighs get cold after a half hour or so in that kind of weather, but not so bad that I stopped riding. I haven't had a chance to test how waterproof they are, but I'm looking for tall raingear that I can wear over them so they don't get overly dirty, though I haven't had any luck yet.

I really like the set.

FZ1-KEP · 03-21-2007, 03:24 PM

For those with the pants, do any of you have a corbin seat also? When I tried a pair of similar pants, I thought the seat was too slippery. Is this just something to get used to, or am I the only one that experiences this? Sorry for the semi-thread jack.

Jonnio · 03-21-2007, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FZ6-KEP

For those with the pants, do any of you have a corbin seat also? When I tried a pair of similar pants, I thought the seat was too slippery. Is this just something to get used to, or am I the only one that experiences this? Sorry for the semi-thread jack.

I have the pants and I love them and I have found that the zip out section actually does help marginally in hot weather.

Also, with the corbin I find I prefer the feel of the pants against the seat vs. jeans.

david223 · 03-21-2007, 09:31 PM

Thanks for all the input! I'm pretty sure that I'll be going with the JR AE 2.0 jacket and pants.