I live in Central Florida. During the summer it's hot. Very hot.
I need a GOOD mesh jacket that flows a lot of air. I want some decent armor.
What are you hot weather guys using?
Look for perforated leather.
I wear perf'd leather here in AZ. It's a great jacket, but yes, still hot, especially when you aren't moving. But, the protection is worth it.
I got a Cortech GX-air jacket. Flows lots of air and has leather on the elbows, shoulder, and back. Main problem I have with it is poorly designed waist straps and the Velcro is kinda crappy. It also fits a bit loose without the liners in it, but its been a good jacket.
The Joe Rocket Phoenix Jackets are great for hot weather and they are mesh. I will be wearing one for my 4 mile commute to and from work in the summer.
Since it is mesh, the protection is limited despite the CE armor. I have leathers on order for rides consisting of more than dodging minivans.
I have a Rev'it Air. Knox protection on shoulders and elbows. $162 without German VAT. Plus shipping. http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/secU3m9OaBWPTc/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10207048/Products/Revit-Air-Jacket/SubProducts/Revit-Air-Jacket-0001 (http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/secU3m9OaBWPTc/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10207048/Products/Revit-Air-Jacket/SubProducts/Revit-Air-Jacket-0001)
I use a Dainese Full Perf 1-Piece for my winter and summer riding.
I got a Cortech GX-Air and will be replacing it immediately. It moves a lot of air but it's loose and I'm very unimpressed with the quality. I'm looking for some perf'd leather and I like the Dainese Santa Monica.
If leather is too hot then try this place. I don't have any 1st hand knowledge -- i wear perfed leather, but I have family and friends I trust (FL, AL and AZ) who wear it or tried it on rides and now swear by it.
http://motoport.com/detail.asp?InStock=1&PriceCall=0&Merchant_ID=633Pm22C&Product_ID=900.102.300&Merchant_Company=Jackets%20Department&Category=Kevlar
Or you could go and hang out at the DML - freezing cold atmosphere there these days ;D
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
The Rev It stuff looks pretty damn good and affordable. I saw that motoport jacket. I wish they had more pictures of it, especially considering the price, according to them though its the bees knees. But it seems to have the ultimate protection and excellent airflow.
I don't think I could use perfed leather here in the summer. I would bake I think. I had a joe rocket mesh jacket and I would still be hot, so I would imagine that the leather would be worse. But of those of you who recommended the leather, what sort of high temps are you guys riding in?
Yeah, I could definitely wear leathers at TOB. That place is a freezer.
Quote from: CETME on May 08, 2008, 05:47:25 PM
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
The Rev It stuff looks pretty damn good and affordable. I saw that motoport jacket. I wish they had more pictures of it, especially considering the price, according to them though its the bees knees. But it seems to have the ultimate protection and excellent airflow.
I don't think I could use perfed leather here in the summer. I would bake I think. I had a joe rocket mesh jacket and I would still be hot, so I would imagine that the leather would be worse. But of those of you who recommended the leather, what sort of high temps are you guys riding in?
Yeah, I could definitely wear leathers at TOB. That place is a freezer.
As I said I have no firsthand knowledge but those I trust swear by it for both staying cool and protection. For reviews from those that might have one you could try searching www.ADVRider.com
Good luck with your search.
Has anyone tried the Olympia Stealth one-piece suit? I'm going to need something for commuting this summer and this looked promising
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/stealth/stealth.htm
I live out here in the PHILIPPINES and it's hotter out here,i use Dainese air flow.It's padded and it's so perfect for city and some mild rides in the twisties. :)
Quote from: sugarcrook on May 08, 2008, 01:52:10 PM
I got a Cortech GX-Air and will be replacing it immediately. It moves a lot of air but it's loose and I'm very unimpressed with the quality. I'm looking for some perf'd leather and I like the Dainese Santa Monica.
Mine fits snug... with all the liners in it :P
Right. Mine does as well - completely defeating the purpose of a mesh jacket. :)
Quote from: CETME on May 08, 2008, 05:47:25 PM
Thanks for the suggestions guys.
The Rev It stuff looks pretty damn good and affordable. I saw that motoport jacket. I wish they had more pictures of it, especially considering the price, according to them though its the bees knees. But it seems to have the ultimate protection and excellent airflow.
I don't think I could use perfed leather here in the summer. I would bake I think. I had a joe rocket mesh jacket and I would still be hot, so I would imagine that the leather would be worse. But of those of you who recommended the leather, what sort of high temps are you guys riding in?
Yeah, I could definitely wear leathers at TOB. That place is a freezer.
A couple of years ago I picked up a Rukka Airflow for street use. It was expensive (relative to alternatives) but its protection is very good (at least for street) as I have had to use it that way. Its not "cool" looking like a sweet leather jacket but it is versatile for hot, cold and wet which is handy because where I live the weather can change and you will be prepared.
If was buying today I would def look at Revit (or whatever new technologies evolve) as they look to be similar with better pricing.
I took my Rev'it Air out today - street and highway - 70/80 degrees F.
Very airy, almost chilly and no parachute effect. The foam back protector is also perforated and removable.
Rev'it sizes are normal European sizes. I guess smaller than many US jackets? I have 3XL, which they call XYL - it's at least one size smaller than a CorTech GX 3XL. Rev'it homepage has some strange and untrue sizing charts. I'm 6'4" - 50" around the chest, 44" around the widest part of my stomach - and the 3XL/XYL fits very well. Narrowest part is behind shoulders/armpit.
I wear Dainese perf, both one piece and a Santa Monica jacket in Texas. It's fine going down the road in 90 degree plus temps, but does get warm if you stand around in it for a wile not moving.
It's not the heat it's the ...
Humidity does make a difference. I'm now in Arizona highlands (moved in the Fall, so haven't experienced real desert heat other than while visiting), and am looking forward to seeing if I can make it through the summer in perfed leather (it's also cooler up here than it is down in the valley where NAKID hails from, so I'm hopeful).
But back in Washington DC, perforated leather didn't do all that well even at highway speeds on those 100 degree/100 percent humidity days we'd get every so often. Hit stop and go traffic on those days, and I'm not joking that it occasionally felt like I was flirting with serious dehydration and heat-related illness (with all the ensuing degradation of my riding skills and perception). That, and I was soaked through by the time I got where I was going. Even though it was a compromise on protection, I was a safer rider on those kinds of days in a Joe Rocket mesh jacket, because the alternatives would so badly erode my abilities as a motorcycle rider. Well, except for a Corona T-Shirt & shorts. I hear those hold up even better than Helimot in a get-off...
If i was still living there (or in Florida, where the OP is), I'd take a close look at some of the designs that are mesh in the torso but with leather at the elbows, shoulders & areas that are going to take the worst of it in a crash. The two I know of are the Joe Rocket Super Ego or Reactor (which is on sale at New Enough at the moment), but I'm sure there are lots of others. That MotoPort jacket looks ideal, but I look at the price and find myself edging back toward leather, and really NICE leather at that...
Good Luck
The first jacket I ever bought was a JR Alter Ego.
I decided on it b/c of the versatility as far as weather conditions.
Soon after that I bought several leather jackets to wear if I plan on riding anywhere close to aggressively.
But I still wear the Alter Ego if I'm not riding hard and we're having a high humidity day.
Unparalleled ventilation with some protection.
I've crashed tested it at low speed and it held up just fine.
Quote from: triangleforge on May 09, 2008, 03:24:39 PM
But back in Washington DC....
Aside from being Hollywood for the Ugly People, DC is the eighth ring of hell. No gear will protect you.
dainese nevada perf here. [thumbsup]
HI is pretty hot and humid, but not nearly as bad as florida in the summer. ugh. I don't like thinking about it :-X
Quote from: superjohn on May 08, 2008, 08:52:51 PM
Has anyone tried the Olympia Stealth one-piece suit? I'm going to need something for commuting this summer and this looked promising
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/stealth/stealth.htm
I bought one last week and love it. I'm in Atlanta and plan on wearing it as my commuting gear for the Summer. I rode in today with the suit over a pair of jeans and a long sleeve dress shirt (temp was in 60s) and found it quite chilly.
I only wear it when it gets really but I have a Power Trip tex. jacket. It keeps me cooler than not having a jacket at all, has ce armor in all the important areas
I have a Dainese textile jacket with ballistic mesh on the torso, arms, and back panels. It has CE armor on the elbows/forearms and shoulders, and you can zip in armor for the spine. Adjustable waist, cuffs, two zippered pockets. I don't see a name on the jacket, but the receipt says "G. Zentex Tex." Bought for $250. :o Comes with removable liner, and can be zipped onto pants. I live on Maui, hot but not as humid as Florida. Jacket breathes great, but will get hot in go nowhere traffic in the middle of the day.
I live in Vegas and have been wearing a First Gear mesh jacket for two years. Recently over on ADVrider there has been some guys that took an asphalt roll with some lower quality mesh gear and show pictures of the jacket actually melting to their skin. There is some great info over there but the short story is stay away from polyester mesh jackets and look for nylon or kevlar. A buddy of mine just crashed his new Triumph Tiger :'( but was wearing an Air Mesh Kevlar jacket from these guys.
http://www.motoport.com/
He swears by it before and after crash and they have an incredible warranty. Lots of the San Diego ADVrider guys give them props too so I may look into one for myself. They have a short jacket that zips to pants or a 1-piece air mesh suit. If you call they will also mail you out a fabric swatch to feel and see. Might be worth a looksie.
You might want to check out Alpinestars new Perforated full grain leather/ Denier Fabric Jacket w/ removeable CE shoulder and elbow Armor . It's called the Neo.The Leather runs all along the back of the sleeves and shoulders and the front is the Denier Fabric plus the inside of the arms all the way from the wrist to the neck is of a corduroy mesh fabric for max air flow.There is a foam back pad but as an accessory there is a CE-RC back protector available. Pre-curved sleeves.hook and loop waist adjustment, couple of front pockets ,inside zip pocket, also has a zipout thermal liner. MSRP $299.95. You might want to look for a white colored jacket since it would be cooler than a darker color on sunny days. I just picked up a Dainese Santa Monica White perforated jacket at Moto Wheels on the web for that very reason.
i would stay with leather and try a Kokatat brand tee shirt (a kayak shirt). it fits snugly, wicks water, etc. Or try the the exoffico tee shirt. it really helps keep you cool under the leather jacket. in fact, exoffico is probably a better aplication for riding. but worth trying both.
i just rode from houston to miami and back during bike week (which i avoided like the plague) on the S4rs. i wore leather jacket and bohn armor under the jeans. it was hot but the above mentioned teeshirts helped. and given the way people drive on 95 and 75, not to mention in town, opting for leather is, in my view, is the best option. by the way, the miami ducati dealer was extremely accommodating. knowing i was from out of town and needed fluid changes and a gemeral ck up, they put me right in their process and had me out in no time. a great bunch who will go out of their way to help if you are in the area and need assistance
wear the leather and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
pecos
Mine's Dianese D Tech, AWA( All Weather Ability) very comfortable.
Quote from: Grappa on May 12, 2008, 11:25:40 AM
I have a Dainese textile jacket with ballistic mesh on the torso, arms, and back panels. It has CE armor on the elbows/forearms and shoulders, and you can zip in armor for the spine. Adjustable waist, cuffs, two zippered pockets. I don't see a name on the jacket, but the receipt says "G. Zentex Tex." Bought for $250. :o Comes with removable liner, and can be zipped onto pants. I live on Maui, hot but not as humid as Florida. Jacket breathes great, but will get hot in go nowhere traffic in the middle of the day.
I have this same jacket and it's been great. It's got all the protection mentioned and LOTS of airflow. I swap my Wave G2 back protector from my leather jacket and it fits in the slot of the jacket nicely. The jacket comes in a variety of colors (I have the grey and black) and I think Motowheels have these on sale.
Rev-it for textile. Wouldn't bother with much of the other textile stuff. Sturdy, abrasion resistant and great air flow.,
My 2 cents....
The perf leather people are crazy. Yeah, it's the way to go. I own one and wear it every chance I get. But....here in St. Louis MO when it is 100 degrees and 80-90% humidity the real danger is passing out due to dehydration and/or heat stroke. I CANNOT wear a black leather jacket, no matter how perforated, in those conditions.
I am still investigating what my solution will be...I used to ride in the SF area and haven't owned a motorcycle through a StL summer but after last summer here (no bike) I know leather ain't it.
Perf'd leather in Phoenix, AZ FTW!
Quote from: raulduke on May 18, 2008, 08:13:45 PM
My 2 cents....
The perf leather people are crazy.
+1
It's supposed to be 107 today in Vegas. If I had to wear leather I would leave the bike home and take the cage. With my mesh jacket, its not ideal but it is doable and my bike is parked here at work instead of sitting in the garage at home.
Nakid you are nuts my friend, AZ is
HOT ;)
Do you get the same result with Perf'd leather, with a wet shirt under it as you do with Mesh?
Love my new Icon Accelerant Perf. It's amazing. And at $350, it's a STEAL for a fully perforated, 1.2-1.4mm full grain leather jacket, with extensive armor and removeable full sleeved thermal liner.
+1 on white or light colors -- the difference is noticeable over black leather or textile in strong sunlight. And you're a whole bunch more likely to catch the divided attention of a multi-tasking cager.
Quote from: raulduke on May 18, 2008, 08:13:45 PM
My 2 cents....
The perf leather people are crazy. Yeah, it's the way to go. I own one and wear it every chance I get. But....here in St. Louis MO when it is 100 degrees and 80-90% humidity the real danger is passing out due to dehydration and/or heat stroke. I CANNOT wear a black leather jacket, no matter how perforated, in those conditions.
I am still investigating what my solution will be...I used to ride in the SF area and haven't owned a motorcycle through a StL summer but after last summer here (no bike) I know leather ain't it.
I hear you. When it is that hot here in TN it comes down to either not riding or riding with a tshirt, jeans, sidi air boots, and full face. Might be dangerous I know.. but I choose to ride.
DIdnt read through the whole thread, but the best gear is the gear you always wear. When i ride the twistys its perf leather no matter what. For intown cruising, which is a lot of traffic fighting, ill wear my Joe rocket rio mesh. No perfrence just as long as its mesh with armor ( i picked mine up for $20 off newenough). Its basiclly 99% free flowing minus the pad areas. I wear it all the time when its above 75degrees, and if i go down i know i have something ebtween me and gravel.
I have a alpinestars spinner jacket and the new icon accelerant. The spinner has a few vents but on hot days it doesn't compare to the accelerant. The accelerant is perfed leather though and makes a huge difference.
If it's 100degrees and humid, drive your car for chrissakes. No jacket is going to make you feel any better.
I live in the Raleigh NC area and there are usuallyl two to three weeks in the summer when riding is miserable so for me it just isn't an option. [moto]
Has anyone tried these evaporative cooling vests?
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/joe-rocket/sahara-vest/
My edumacated guess is that the Sahara vest would work really well in dry, hot places like here in the Southwest (or the, um, Sahara), and not at all in swampy, hot places like DC where I used to live. At some point in humid climates, the air just says "no mas" to taking on any more water, sweat or otherwise, and there's no evaporative cooling without evaporation.
I just bought a REV IT Air jacket from my Ducati Dealer.
Doesn't flow quite as much air as my old Joe Rocket Santa Fe Jacket, but it fits perfectly and feels like it will protect well.
Dainese Del Mar perforated.
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2577/img3260em4.jpg)
(http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2886/img3259ll2.jpg)
Quote from: CETME on May 28, 2008, 02:25:56 PM
I just bought a REV IT Air jacket from my Ducati Dealer.
Doesn't flow quite as much air as my old Joe Rocket Santa Fe Jacket, but it fits perfectly and feels like it will protect well.
Did you purchase the "air" or the "airflow" jacket. I'm considering ordering the "air" and challenge pants. how is the sizing compared to joe rocket? I have a joe rocket phoenix 5.0 size xl that fits great.
I have to order online because there no local dealers of rev it.
Quote from: danaid on June 05, 2008, 11:21:09 PM
Did you purchase the "air" or the "airflow" jacket. I'm considering ordering the "air" and challenge pants. how is the sizing compared to joe rocket? I have a joe rocket phoenix 5.0 size xl that fits great.
I have to order online because there no local dealers of rev it.
I have the Rev'It Air and Liteon, but no Joe Rocket to compare with. Rev'It sizes are quite small. I checked/rechecked Rev'It online size charts and ordered XXL which should be large enough, but it wasn't. Got the 3XL, they call it XYL, and it's perfect. My chest is 125cm, waist 105cm at the widest and I'm 6'4".
If you check the online size charts and take into consideration my experiences I hope you're able to figure it out.
I purchased a Joe Rocket Reactor mesh/leather jacket from Newenough.com last week and was able to put it to the test this week with the heat wave on the East coast. I was amazed at how comfortable it was to ride in temperatures which were in the upper 90's (heat index in the 100's). It's leather on the lower arm/elbow and shoulder areas, in addition to being outfitted with CE approved armor (back pad isn't CE rated). The all black version looks really nice. Overall, I'm really impressed with this jacket, especially considering that it was $179.00.