Thoughts on prospective gear? Perforated. vs. non-perf.?

[mca8690]

Well first off i'm a college student, so money is kinda tight, otherwise i'd just go out tomorrow and buy all of the gear on my wish list... Wanted to get input on the gear i would like to buy next.... thanks!
As of today i have:
*Dainese Hellracer gloves (awesome)
*Scorpion EXO-700 lid (NEVER fogs, figure the matte black adds 6-8 hp top end. lol. Arai someday, sigh)
*Dainese D-dry pants (great knee protection, waterproof, awesome for skiing too. Material is slick, slides a little on bike seats...)
NEED: jacket, boots, back protector.
Anyways i just sold my Alpinestars TZ-1 jacket, turned out it was too large for me. But liked it otherwise.
Alright I would like to buy:
*Sidi Vertigo Tepor boots. Is there anywhere to get Sidi boots for less than MSRP? I've looked and looked, so i'm guessing no....
*Dainese Santa Monica jacket, in black (pricey, yes, but about the only jacket I've found to fit me to a T. Very few jackets fit me, but i can't figure it out bc i'm 5 11'', 170lbs..!! [Cuff length is usually too short by the time the jacket is tight enough around the stomach, etc. Maybe i need a gut. lol]
link -> http://cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=10&L3=22&L4=&item=DAI_1533563-001-44_G&tier2=95
*A back protector. Thinking Alpinestars or Dainese

Question: Anyone here used both a perforated leather jacket and a non-perforated one? Any noticeable difference in everything under 80 degrees, i.e. Oregon? Recommendations? Is a perforated jacket marginally less safe in crashing, or noticeably less so?
I ride year-round, NO TRACK DAYS, everything but snow (no car), but DO have a rain suit to throw over leather jacket. That's why I'm not buying a Gore-tex jacket...
Any thoughts on this prospective gear is appreciated!
I've only got enough to buy the boots and back protector together, OR the jacket. Either case I'd be buying the "other" gear in the next 2-3 paychecks...
Yes, I do know that I could buy Joe Rocket or whatever EVERYTHING for under 800. Looking for quality, long-lasting gear.
Thanks for your help and time, ride safe

[Drakhen]

No, you can't get SIDI boots for less than MSRP. I believe they have an agreement with their dealers that prohibits them from selling them for less than MSRP. OTOH, you might be able to save a couple bucks on shipping from one place over another, but if you find them locally, that's not even a saving.

I don't think you'll find any appreciable safety difference between a perforated or non perforated leather jacket. I know guys who've crashed at the track with both, and no one has had any problems. If anything goes wrong with a decent leather suit, it'll probably be at the stitching, not the main part of the leather.

And, Joe Rocket's jackets hold up just fine. I've crashed at around 100 mph wearing a Blaster Jacket/Speedmaster pants and still have and wear both. A couple of the adjustment zippers and buckles (plastic buckles) were damaged, but otherwise, the leathers are just fine except for some scratches.

[Flyte Risk]

So you wear what.. a 38 jacket? maybe a 40?

I have a vented, not perforated jacket with a removable theremal liner. I use the same jacket year-round. I've been out as low as 29* and over 100*. Either extreme is uncomfortable of course but it's still better IMO then having to choose. If it's cold, liner in vents closed. If it warms up during the ride, vents open until I can stop to remove the liner. Warm weather, vents open. Six vents total, two full length front, two full length back amd one on each upper arm.

I paid $350 new at Dr Browns.

[CopperSV1]

perf or non - doesn't really make a difference, IMO. Keep on eye on Craigslist for good deals, especially with riding season almost over. Also, have heard good things about: new enough dot com

Good Luck and ride safe!

[Nicegy525]

perf is awesome in hot weather but sucks donkey balls in cold weather. However! I have a thin, light windbreaker that fits over the jacket and works wonders! There is no safety compromise with perf either.

want a good deal on new gear (so what if they're last year's models) go see Doc Brown's. I forgot where he is located but google it and you should find it.

Keep an eye out on ebay for a set of gently used SIDI's. VERY hard to come by but they do exist.