Riding gear

[AZ Y Factor]

The wife and I just picked up these on sale hers $49 mine $69.

I been using that jacket for the past 2 1/2 years. No complaints.

[SteveP]

I have the Joe Rocket armoured for me and my wife , we always wear them when on any highway or road 80 km per hour or more ( definitely on 401) and when it's cooler weather . We have fluorescent rain suits packed in the Givi side bags as well. We do Ryde with no jackets in ( Oshawa, Bomanville ) etc if it's really hot out ... but it feels a little scary sometimes even at lower speeds with cars and trucks. Buzzing around . GP Bikes and Royal distributing often have sales on with great discounts, I think we got both jackets for a little over $500

[Peter Aawen]

There's a lot of research out there that supports the idea that while mesh, kevlar, & leather, etc can protect against the heat & cold, scrapes & road rash sorta stuff with varying degrees of success, it's actually the armour you wear that helps mitigate the broken bones & traumatised joints/tissue damage that contact with anything at speed can bring!

Since ryding on a Spyder is very similar to riding a two wheeled bike in that if anything goes wrong & you come off it or get hit by/hit anything, then the very first thing you contact at speed is likely to be the scenery or surrounds, whatever that/they may be.... ie there is nothing between you & said scenery/surrounding traffic/roadside obstacles etc! So wearing gear with appropriate temperature control & slide protection features is a great idea to help with temperature control & reducing slide damage, but if you want to be protected pretty much at all from the 'contact injuries' that are far more likely on a Spyder vs while driving a car, IF you have an 'accident', then it's the armour in/on/under your gear that will be saving you or at least minimising the damage & so is extremely important to your continued well being!

But really, just like wearing helmets, it all comes back to this.... if you think your limbs, body, or head etc is worth protecting at all, then you'll get & wear the best & most comprehensive protective gear you can afford all the time you are exposing any of those bits to risk, & if that means wearing a mesh jacket & kevlar lined jeans etc, WITH armour or without armour, whenever you ryde, then so be it! If you don't value them or don't think there's any risk to them, then don't wear the gear!

It's all down to how much you value yourself & how significant the risks you think you might be facing may be! What was the old saying??! $5 brain? Then wear a $5 bucket! Similarly, $5 body? Then wear $5 armour/gear & ultimately, a $5 bag! Your choice, your risk.... except where 'the State' has intervened!

[Fat Baxter]

I've been riding in the Deep South for about 2 decades now, on BMWs and now Spyders. IMO, the high heat and equally high humidity will drive you to some trade-offs down here.

For most of the past years, my warm weather outfit was a pair of Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, with Kevlar cloth in the butt, hips, and knees (helps prevent road rash in the event of a spill). For the upper body, I wore a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar mesh shirt on top of a cotton t-shirt (again, to help prevent road rash). Note, no armor in any of this. My main consideration was breathability in high humidity.

I recently replaced the Kevlar mesh shirt with a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 mesh jacket with armor. It comes with a removable plastic rain liner that also acts as a windbreaker in cooler weather. (Tip: don't buy the new Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion jacket that the stores are currently pushing. It actually move less air.) A good alternative would be a Firstgear Mesh Tex mesh jacket.

As for gloves -- avoid black if you can, look for natural tan. I found some tan deerskin gloves at Tractor Supply (I paid about $20 in the store). Deerskin also breathes better than cowhide and is softer and more flexible.

[SpyderAnn01]

Dear Ann, I'm sorry you felt I was attacking you, and I can't see how you even arrived at that idea..... IMHO anyone who wears shorts on a Mtc is less than intelligent ..... and thanks for the invite to Vegas , I look forward to visiting with You and Joe..... ...... Mike

Mike I didn't think you were attacking me personally I was just standing up for all the geared up BMW riders. Come on out and we will show you a hot time.

[cyclekid58]

The wife and I just picked up these on sale hers $49 mine $69.

My wife and I both have those Bilt Jackets in white. When really hot out we wear the Bilt Cooling vests underneath which slows the evaporation and the air flow is like air conditioning. Re-wet the cool vests at gas stops and makes for a much more enjoyable ride. We also have the mesh shirts from walmart with the reflective striping like flaggers wear (Long Sleeve) which we sometimes wear in place of the Bilt Jackets with the same results. Only run t-shirts on short trips around town.

[UtahPete]

My wife and I both have those Bilt Jackets in white. When really hot out we wear the Bilt Cooling vests underneath which slows the evaporation and the air flow is like air conditioning. Re-wet the cool vests at gas stops and makes for a much more enjoyable ride. We also have the mesh shirts from walmart with the reflective striping like flaggers wear (Long Sleeve) which we sometimes wear in place of the Bilt Jackets with the same results. Only run t-shirts on short trips around town.

Does the Bilt Jacket come in women's cut? I only see unisex on their website.

[Bfromla]

Bob, I could not help but to notice how much better looking you are with a helmet on! It must be one of your wife's home improvement plans.

Joe

Don't think that's actually Bob in pic,
is missing strip of bacon out of visor!
(its not permanently there but refreshed often)

[UtahPete]

I've been riding in the Deep South for about 2 decades now, on BMWs and now Spyders. IMO, the high heat and equally high humidity will drive you to some trade-offs down here. For most of the past years, my warm weather outfit was a pair of Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, with Kevlar cloth in the butt, hips, and knees (helps prevent road rash in the event of a spill). For the upper body, I wore a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar mesh shirt on top of a cotton t-shirt (again, to help prevent road rash). Note, no armor in any of this. My main consideration was breathability in high humidity. I recently replaced the Kevlar mesh shirt with a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 mesh jacket with armor. It comes with a removable plastic rain liner that also acts as a windbreaker in cooler weather. (Tip: don't buy the new Joe Rocket Phoenix Ion jacket that the stores are currently pushing. It actually move less air.) A good alternative would be a Firstgear Mesh Tex mesh jacket. As for gloves -- avoid black if you can, look for natural tan. I found some tan deerskin gloves at Tractor Supply (I paid about $20 in the store). Deerskin also breathes better than cowhide and is softer and more flexible.

I'd sure like to pursue this topic a little more. My wife and I took a ride yesterday in 96 degree weather. She was wearing her First Gear Hypertex jacket and I was wearing my mid-weight Olympia jacket with the pocket vents open. We both have HJC IS MAX-II modular helmets with the vents open. I was pretty warm but not dangerously uncomfortable but Jane was miserably hot.

So, I'm looking into this again, because living in Utah, hot weather riding is a reality and for safety sake if nothing else it's important that we not get overheated when riding.

So, vents open or closed?
Dedicated hot-weather mesh jackets or not?
High tech evaporative vests with built-in water supply worth the money and bulk?

Thanks.

[MurrayBrown]

I'm probably going to get a lot of flack for what I'm about to say, but what the **** Until I got a 3-wheeler (Spyder) I've always been an ATGATT believer. No matter the weather, I'm armored head-to-toe. But, now that I have 2 Spyders and getting rid of my 2-wheeler I'm starting to rethink this ATGATT thing. The reason is simple; with a 2-wheeler the risk of going down to the ground while in motion is very high, so protecting vulnerable body parts from abrasion, concussion, impact is / was important. With the Spyder, it's a different story. If I get thrown off this bike, it's going to be in a collision with a substantial object (like a car, elk or even a tree) and quite frankly I doubt the armor is going to help very much. Helmet, yes, but armored pants, jacket not so much. So, I'm more interested in being comfortable, relaxed and alert than protected from spills. I think weather protection is important, as is protection from skin dehydration, but a shell can do that. Let the flaming begin; I think your fluorescent rain coat AND helmet should be adequate protection.

No flaming here. I concur that on a Spyder the road rash situation(s) are minimized. However, having a real fear of ANY kind of road rash, I still continue to wear my full gear, albeit WITHOUT armor. Sliding down the road from a Spyder would only occur after being hit or hitting something, as you say. It doesn't matter what the weather is, hot, warm or cool (and cold), full gear is a must for me.

[PocoToro]

Living and riding in New Jersey...........ATGATT ICON head to toe, mesh in the summer, leather spring and fall, add long underwear for winter. All of the armor that will fit in the pockets.......Air bag vest is on the wish list.....

NJ. NY. and PA drivers combine in to

[SpyderHands]

The wife and I just picked up these on sale hers $49 mine $69.

You must have gotten them at a very special rate. I'm not seeing those prices.

[UtahPete]

Well, I just completed a 2k mile round trip to No. Cal Spyder Rally from Utah and have to rethink my outerwear strategy. Riding temps ranged from 100+ down to 42 degrees and from bone dry desert to drenching downpour in the mountains - all in one day's ride. I was trying to avoid carrying too much gear on my RT (I already had the panniers, trunk and frunk full, as well as a small dry bag on the passenger seat) so I went with the one Olympia semi-mesh jacket, a jacket liner (for warmth not rain protection), cotton jeans and a complete set of rain jacket, pants, over-mitts and over-boots.

My big downfall was in failing to properly assess the weather conditions I was riding into - particularly the sudden thunderstorms. I didn't want to put on rain gear too soon, while still in the desert, because I'd overheat. But, often I would fail to anticipate cold, rainy conditions soon enough and get soaked and chilled before I knew it.

My hands were fine because of the heated grips on the bike. My feet were okay because I have Sidi riding boots. Obviously, head was okay because of helmet. But my shoulders, core and butt got very wet and cold at times.

Is this just the way it is? Just part of the challenge and adventure? Or, has someone here worked out a system of gear to accommodate this wide range of riding conditions, with changes occurring in a very short time period?

[Pirate looks at --]

Pete in my experience, I put on rain gear when I believe it is imminent. That means sometime I have to stop a little later to take it off. We geared up twice on our ryde to Ebbetts Pass and back. I have jacket and pants that have removeable thermal and rain liners. Those are good when you know that you are going to ryding in rain all day. So for quick on and off I really like Frog Toggs. We used these on our trip to Canada, at the first indication of rain you can put these on over your jacket and pants in less than a minute. There is a hood that can go under you helmet to keep neck, shoulders and chest dry. They are breathable and they actually add some warmth when it is cold. So when you are driving a long distance, you may have to take me off and put me back on again more than once. But they are dealt your best friend on the road, and very compactable! At this time of year you don't know what you will get!

[Rookiespyder]

Hello all, just purchased a Joe rocket alter ego 13.0 textile jacket. It is a 3 in 1 jacket the outside layer is water proof, next layer is mesh for warm days,and the last is a quilted vest. Oh and of course rain pants and all is good.

[UtahPete]

Pete in my experience, I put on rain gear when I believe it is imminent. That means sometime I have to stop a little later to take it off. We geared up twice on our ryde to Ebbetts Pass and back. I have jacket and pants that have removeable thermal and rain liners. Those are good when you know that you are going to ryding in rain all day. So for quick on and off I really like Frog Toggs. We used these on our trip to Canada, at the first indication of rain you can put these on over your jacket and pants in less than a minute. There is a hood that can go under you helmet to keep neck, shoulders and chest dry. They are breathable and they actually add some warmth when it is cold. So when you are driving a long distance, you may have to take me off and put me back on again more than once. But they are dealt your best friend on the road, and very compactable! At this time of year you don't know what you will get!

Thanks Larry. I appreciate the feedback. I have a Frog Togg jacket for camping but hadn't thought about using it for ryding.

[Pirate looks at --]

Get a set of pants and you should be good to go.

[Lin]

I am in Savannah, GA right now doing the snowbird thing and had to visit the local dealer to see if there was anything on sale I wanted. I found a "Bruce" BRP jacket that lists for $300, on sale for $100. I imagine dealerships are discounting now to make room for the coming seasons line. I'm going to Charleston, SC next month and I'll be looking there as well.

[ussoldier]

Its been a long time that I have comment. So here goes for me: I actually put an Dainese Armor jacket, protective pants, and boots. Yes, I know I am paranoid about it. But, I saw too many friends get injured through motorcycles to automobiles especially a few deaths. I prefer to be safe. But here is a video with a Can-Am Spyder Here is a video that I like to give you:

[Raprider]

I saw Alpinestars demo a similar product, actually a full leather jacket, at this year's IMS show in NYC...had airbags in chest and back, armor in shoulders and arms...didn't look all that bulky un-inflated...inflation based on accelerometer motion sensors rather than tether.

For warm-weather riding, we both use the Joe Rocket Phoenix 4 mesh jacket (armored on back, shoulders, forearms) w/removable rain liner, heavy denim jeans, leather/mesh gloves
During cooler weather, Motoport Canyon cordura jacket (armored on back, shoulders, forearms) w/removable liner) and either leather chaps or Motoport Canyon cordura pants (armored on hips, shins), Joe Rocket cordura gloves.
Scorpion EXO modular lids, BMW boots always!
IMHO, aside from the possibility of an unplanned get-off, even a road-rock kicked up at 40mph can be unpleasant. ATGATT!