First Gear Killimanjaro Air Jacket

[Fireball18]

The other day I bought a new FG Killimanjaro Air jacket to add to my collection. I have had only one opportunity to use it, and then only for a very short ride, so I don't know how it will perform on a real ride. My first impressions are that it is well-made and comfortable. I like the collar, too. I'm not sure about the zip-in liner as it's insulated, which will make the jacket pretty warm when the weather heats up. What I don't know is how well it performs as a mesh jacket in hot weather. I also have an FG Mesh Tex jacket that works well. The Killi Air has less mesh surface.

Anyone care to post their opinions and experiences with this jacket? I'd appreciate it. Thanx in advance.

[Austin city limits]

::::off in the distance,,, far away,,, you can hear the "Bat Phone" ringing and our Super Hero runs in to answer the questions that he seems to know something about:::::

I have the Kilimanjaro Air and also the Timbuktu Air... Love both...

I rode with the Timbuktu/which is the brother to the Kilimanjaro on my 20 day trip,,, 9,300 miles last year and was in 32 degree to 104 degree,,, rain,,, snow,,, wind,,, sun,,, Loved it!!!

Why,,, in the NAME OF GOD,,, do I HAVE,,, this many jackets?!?!?!

:::::sigh:::::

Hello,,, my name is Austin/Terry,,, and I have an addiction...:o:

I am told the only way to change an addition is tell,,, about your addition... So,,, here goes... I have,,, in my possession,,,

# 1 ~~~ Firstgear Kilimanjaro new style air jacket... Black,,, bought off a friend last fall,,, I have wore 1 time... Great Jacket...

# 2 ~~~ Hein Gericke Timbuktu Air Jacket... It is the Camo style on the sleeves I rode my 20 day trip with this jacket... Great jacket...

# 3 ~~~ Hein Gerick "Urban" Jacket Mesh... It is a "Short" version of the Timbuktu above... This is my,,, "I am only riding a short ways" jacket... I,,, know,,, I have lost my mind... This one might be for sale... :rolleyes:

# 4 ~~~ Hein Gericke Kilimanjaro "Non-Air" Jacket... I ride with this jacket below 60 degrees or in the rain... SUPER Jacket...

# 5 ~~~ Hein Gericke Dakar Leather Jacket... CLASSIC style,,, great jacket,,, I,,, uuummm,,, never wear anymore it seems... Great Jacket...

# 6 ~~~ Hein Gericke "Takai" jacket I use as a rain jacket sometimes,,, uuummm,,, not for 2 years though... Good rain jacket...

# 7 ~~~ Honda/Hein Gericke Leather pants... GREAT pants just a shade to much "Go Fast Racer" look for me and now the reds in the pants clash with my bike... HORRORS!!! :eek: These,,, are for sale too... Size 38 perfect shape...

# 8 ~~~ Fieldsheer Mesh pants... Great pants and wore them on my 20 day trip about 10 days... These,,, are for sale... Size 38 good condition...

# 9 ~~~ Hein Gericke "Takai" lined pants... Never worn... Perfect condition for sale size 38...

# 10 ~~~ Cortech Mesh pants... Just bought them from somebody on here,,, have never tried them on yet... Look great!!! But,,, Might be for sale as I am looking at this list and crying...:o: Size 38...

# 11 ~~~ Hein Gericke Cargo Pants... Never worn,,, just bought them... My plan is,,, THESE,,, are going to be my "Primary" pants this year... I know,,, I am sick...

# 12 - 13 ~~~ 2 Pair,,, yeah,,, I said 2 pair of Hein Gericke Mesh-Tex pants... GREAT/PERFECT pants and these are not for sale... Well,,, ok,,, maybe 1 pair...:D

# 14 ~~~ First Gear Granite pants... These are my "Winter/Rain" pants... Not for sale... These stay...

# 15 ~~~ Hein Gericke Gore-Tex Pants... Bought them either here of the ST-Owners site... Soft,,, comfortable,,, waterproof,,, and Gore-Tex... Great pants... But,,, I think for sale... Size 38...

# 16 - 18 ~~~ 3 pairs of Firstgear Mesh gloves... EVERYONE,,, should own 1 pair... I,,, own 3... :D

# 19 ~~~ Joe Rocket unlined Waterproof gloves... Great gloves for rain in the summer...

# 20 ~~~ Firstgear leather winter/Cool weather Gloves...

# 21 ~~~ Oxtar Matrix Gore-Tex boots... The only boots,,, I will ever own... Well,,, other than the other 2 pairs I do own...

# 22 ~~~ Hein Gericke Waterproof boots... Good boots,,, just not as nice as the Oxtars... I wear them to SAVE,,, my Oxtars for my big trips... I know,,, I said I was sick...

# 23 ~~~ Some English made waterproof boots I use in the winter,,, to save my Heine Gericke,,, which are saving my Oxtars...

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!

HELP ME!!!

HELP ME I SAY!!!

[Ken]

Holy smokes! It's the Imelda Marcos of bike gear! :) Don't worry, you're not alone!

Please send me a PM with the prices for any pants that you decide to sell *cough* I only have one pair I swear! *cough* :03biker:

[Louie Louie]

I have 2 Kilis and the Mesh Tex ll. Love them both. I live in the Desert. I rarely use the liners. If cold, I put on my gerbing liner and then put on the Jacket. If is starts getting colder I turn on the liner.
Extremely pleased Firstgear/Gericke!

What color are you thinking?

[wishey1]

I needs me some pants and I wear 37-38.......
Do you have any prices in mind?

Also I have wondered about this......Does "38" in motorcycle pants
mean you need a 40 to fit over your street clothes that
are 38?.....or does a 38 fit over 38 street clothes.....?
I don't know if you can follow what I mean?

If I'm 38 waist should I get a larger MC pants than 38?

[Louie Louie]

How about we give these clothing items to Motoryclists in the Gulf Coast region or soldiers returning from war.. This way, while re-building their lives back, they can at least have some goodies! Lets start w/ terry's NEW 2730 GPS...

:)

[Austin city limits]

How about we give these clothing items to Motoryclists in the Gulf Coast region or soldiers returning from war.. This way, while re-building their lives back, they can at least have some goodies! Lets start w/ terry's NEW 2730 GPS...

:)

LOL!!! Well,,, I almost spit my Diet Barq's rootbeer out my nose on that one!!!:D

Oh,,, and my funds for my "New 2730" is being spent on this Moonshine Lunch Run... :( $50 for renting a Port a Potty,,, Door Prizes,,, Cola and dessert for 300,,, YIKES!!! :rolleyes: Looks like 1 more year riding behind the Street Pilot III... ;)

I need to take some pictures and get a price set on my Stuff I need to sell...

If,,, I can,,, only,,, get all this,,, Moonshine Lunch Run,,, e-mail/PM's/threads updated and answered... :o:

[Fireball18]

:eek: :D

That's quite a collection. Now, how many motorcycles do you own Terry?

[Tiny]

I have all cruiser type gear...well that's all I had....in the last week I've gotten a JR Ballistic 6.0 jacket, a FirstGear MeshTex jacket, 2 pairs of pants.......plus multiplex (sp?) mirrors, a FPR, MCL riser plate and peg lowering brackets, plus more....all for a bike I don't even own yet! I have about $1000 worth of cruiser-type riding apparel for sale, but it's all in 2XL Tall sizes so there ain't much of a market out there!

[Louie Louie]

: Looks like 1 more year riding behind the Street Pilot III... ;)


Best Unit I'ver ever owned...

[Austin city limits]

:eek: :D

That's quite a collection. Now, how many motorcycles do you own Terry?

UUUuuuMMMmmm,,, 1... But,,, I am thinking I might start my own Motorcycle Club!!! They all have to wear XL Tall's or XXL,,, have a 38 inch waist,,, and look like a "Tub of Goo" I can outfit the whole gang!!!:rolleyes:

[Austin city limits]

but it's all in 2XL Tall sizes so there ain't much of a market out there!

Boom Goes The Dynamite!!!

You are talking my size in Jackets now!!!:D

[Wahrsuul]

I needs me some pants and I wear 37-38.......
Do you have any prices in mind?

Also I have wondered about this......Does "38" in motorcycle pants
mean you need a 40 to fit over your street clothes that
are 38?.....or does a 38 fit over 38 street clothes.....?
I don't know if you can follow what I mean?

If I'm 38 waist should I get a larger MC pants than 38?


From what I've seen, it depends on the manufacturer. Some will say that they've already taken into account that you'll be using these over street clothes and some don't. The people at New Enough usually put in there whether the sizes run small or large or are made for over street clothes. Great place to get stuff. Unless of course what you want is back ordered. But that's not their fault.

[wishey1]

From what I've seen, it depends on the manufacturer. Some will say that they've already taken into account that you'll be using these over street clothes and some don't. The people at New Enough usually put in there whether the sizes run small or large or are made for over street clothes. Great place to get stuff. Unless of course what you want is back ordered. But that's not their fault.


good explanation.
thank you.

[Austin city limits]

Sorry for the Thread Hijack!!!

:th1:

The Firstgear Mesh pants,,, Hein Gericke Mesh-Tex pants,,, The Firstgear Granite Pants,,, the Hein Gericke Cargo pants,,, about everything I have I wear a 38,,, and the pants are 38... Hein Gericke/Firstgear stuff fits me perfectly...

Joe Rocket must me made by Elves... Everything I have every tried on is either to small,,, or to short!!! If I wore a Size XL in a Hein Gericke,,, I would have to order a XXL Tall in a Joe Rocket... At least that IMHO!!!;)

[STony G]

[I]
I have the Kilimanjaro Air and also the Timbuktu Air... Love both...

I rode with the Timbuktu/which is the brother to the Kilimanjaro on my 20 day trip,,, 9,300 miles last year and was in 32 degree to 104 degree,,, rain,,, snow,,, wind,,, sun,,, Loved it!!!


# 1 ~~~ Firstgear Kilimanjaro new style air jacket... Black,,, bought off a friend last fall,,, I have wore 1 time... Great Jacket...

# 2 ~~~ Hein Gericke Timbuktu Air Jacket... It is the Camo style on the sleeves I rode my 20 day trip with this jacket... Great jacket...

# 4 ~~~ Hein Gericke Kilimanjaro "Non-Air" Jacket... I ride with this jacket below 60 degrees or in the rain... SUPER Jacket...
# 20 ~~~ Firstgear leather winter/Cool weather Gloves...


Finally, someone who has first hand knowledge of the 2 jackets I'm interested in.
I already have the FG Kili jacket and I have to send it back. Between the Kilimanjaro and the Timbuktu (not the air versions),
1: Which of these jackets is cooler?
2: Is the sizing the same? I have a Greicke Hi-Dry and the sizes don't even come close to being the same.
3: How cool are the Air jackets compaired to their brother models?

I'm trying to get a 3 season jacket.
Please help :bow1:

[Austin city limits]

I screwed up and miss posted above... The Hein Gericke jackets are called Timbuktu... The Firstgear is the Kilimanjaro...

I "ONLY" have the Hein Gericke Timbuktu "Non-Air" Jacket,,, not the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Non-air... I know all about the Firstgear Kilimanjaro non air but,,, do not own it...

As a 3 season jacket??? It would be GREAT!!! In the heat of summer,,, you could get by but,,, I get hot on a cool day so,,, it would be a struggle for me... That,,, is why I ended up with both the Kilimanjaro & the Timbuktu Air jackets...

The Hein Gericke non-air is a shade cheaper to buy,,, and just as good of quaility... Also,,, styling wise,,, I just liked the small differences it has over the Firstgear... Both jackets are great,,, and if you could only buy 1,,, either would work...

Both non-air I think will be the same on cooling...

The sizing is exactly,,, the same... I tell people these 2 jackets are the same,,, only a little different styling... :rolleyes:

The Air jackets IMHO are the PERFECT jackets for warm weather!!!

They are 3/4 length so,,, even a tall rider looks right in them... Just about everything is vented except some small strategic spots... I had a Firstgear Mesh jacket and really liked it... But,,, these jackets,,, are just way better... More pockets,,, better detailing,,, and better protection built into them too... I rode in 35 degree weather in Canada in the Air jacket,,, and as high as 107... It will take it all... And,,, the zip in liner works well too... I just never take the time to zip it in and out... I just put the liner on,,, the the jacket... That way it stops raining,,, gets hot,,, I can get it out,,, and be rolling in less than 1 minute... :)

[RobsST]

I got a used Kili jacket this fall on ebay. I love it. I have worn it with the liner in on days in the high-30s to low-40s and was very comfortable (with FG HT Overpants on as well). I wore it when I rode in Arizona in December without the liner and was comfortable during the whole ride, which began in the afternoon (low 70s) and finished around 7 p.m. (mid 50s, I guess). Jacket seems very well built, with tons of storage pockets, nice ventilation, and a nice fit. From what I read, it will serve you well in a downpour as well. I bought a Joe Rocket Perforated Leather jacket also, but I don't think it will get much use. Without getting into the leather/textile debate, I think the FG quality is far superior to the Joe Rocket.

[Louie Louie]

Stony, I have 2 Kili Airs and the mesh tex II. I'll be happy to answer any questions..

[texxter]

The other day I bought a new FG Killimanjaro Air jacket to add to my collection. I have had only one opportunity to use it, and then only for a very short ride, so I don't know how it will perform on a real ride. My first impressions are that it is well-made and comfortable. I like the collar, too. I'm not sure about the zip-in liner as it's insulated, which will make the jacket pretty warm when the weather heats up. What I don't know is how well it performs as a mesh jacket in hot weather. I also have an FG Mesh Tex jacket that works well. The Killi Air has less mesh surface.

Anyone care to post their opinions and experiences with this jacket? I'd appreciate it. Thanx in advance.

I have a HG Timbuktu Air, which is very similar. The jacket is excellent for all weather conditions, except very cold weather. It breathes fairly well in the summer without the vest. The Joe Rocket mesh jacket I have offers better air flow, but I think it would not be as good in case of a crash. I really like the padding on the Timbuktu. The Kili Air is a very nice jacket.

For really cold weather I have a Belsftaff Merlin with a vest - it works well in the 40's. For temperatures in the 30's and below I thin heated gear is a necessity.

The Kili Air should perform fairly well in 80+ temperatures.

[Fireball18]

The Kili Air should perform fairly well in 80+ temperatures.[/QUOTE]

I can't wait for the temps to be in the 80's!!

I've also got the FG Kilimanjaro jacket--the original, that is. It's a good jacket, but I don't particularly like it. Mostly because of the collar and the elastic in the waist. But that's just me. It's absolutely waterproof and windproof, and the polar fleece liner makes a nice casual wear jacket--if you like grey. I think the newer generation Kili jacket (non-mesh that is) is a better jacket. But not being mesh, it's just too hot to wear in higher temperatures. The venting system just doesn't allow enough air flow, which is why I stick with the mest stuff.