Gear Possiblities

Hello Everyone!

I recently bought a barely used 2015 red RT-S (1100 miles). I've logged very many miles on 2 wheels, but I'm finding I have allot of questions that are not easy to find. I've researched the "Do's and Do Not's", great information there. I've also rode my spyder for almost 2K miles so I'm over the 2 to 3 wheel feel/conversion point.

I have loads of 2 wheel gear, Jackets, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Etc. But what I'm finding out is that the majority of my gear seem inadequate on the spyder during the summer. Now let me explain what I mean, I'm coming from a cruiser to a spyder and find I get way less airflow around me, and what airflow I do seem to get is from the back. I bought the BRP under mirror adjustable wings and this has helped some, but still very warm at 85F+ with high humidity here in North Carolina. As a side note I have rode the Spyder in 36F weather and I seem to be geared for that just fine.

Some things about my spyder and how I ride, I commute daily or as often as I can around 74 miles round trip and plan to do more traveling/pleasure rides as I get time. My commute is all highway @ 65-80mph, with no real options to take back roads. My Spyder is stock other than the BRP wings that I just purchased.

So to my main questions.

1. My helmet is a 3/4 LS2 and with the shield down on a hot day I can hardly breath. Air is hot and stagnant, I'm looking for way to make this more comfortable. I can leave the shield up to about 65mph before buffeting is an issue.
2. Jacket, this is my major issue so far. I want to be protected as the only way off the bike that I can see during a crash is a "high-side". So I'm struggling to find a comfortable mesh or comparable jacket to use. I've heard the KLIM Induction is good, but with a $350+ price tag? I'm pretty sure I want the CE rated protection do to my comutes.

So I rambled on and on and on, just to ask for input. I've been reading other post and I don't want this to be a "should you or should you not were safety gear". I'm merely asking what works for others and if possible I would love to see links to products so that others might be able to use for research. Maybe even a "Community Gear" sticky post so all this information is helpful to other newbies like myself.

Thanks,

Brent

Welcome and congrats!

Nice post and I look forward to all the answers! :popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Lower the windshield all the way; it's called that for a reason and short of removing it I don't know how you are going to replicate the wind flow of a cruiser. You could also try installing a vent or two like the Goldwings have.

If you feel you need the protection of an armored jacket, then get the lightest, breeziest one you can find. Same with pants.

My advice would be to forgo the protective jacket and pants; wear something lightweight and comfortable just to keep the sun off but still allow air circulation.

Helmets are hot but necessary. A 3/4 helmet without the faceshield but with motorcycle goggles may be the most comfortable compromise.

If the air in your helmet is stagnant maybe you need to clean its insides. :roflblack:

Regarding a summer jacket, suggest you contact BajaRon, a sponsor, and inquire about a Firstgear mesh jacket. He has very good prices. You can check out the Firstgear products at this link: https://firstgear-usa.com/mens-gear/jackets.html.

I ride with short sleeve fully synthetic shirts under my mesh jacket during the summer. You can squirt them with a water bottle and they evaporate the moisture quickly. I also ride with a Camelbak that I would use on a commute of your length were I still contributing to the GDP.

Welcome to all things Spyder. I would suggest that you query directly the high milage riders on what they use to stay protected and comfortable. I personally use mesh with armor when it's hot and textile with armor and heated gear as the temperatures dictate. SpyderAnn and Bajaron are two individuals that come first to mind. Others will chime in with their thoughts.

Al

Welcome to the spyder world and all it's differences...great choice..:2thumbs: They have you covered above with the light gear and wind issue. I use the MSR flip up on the wind and a modular helmet. :thumbup:

:welcome:, and :congrats: on this new adventure that you have undertaken! :thumbup:
If you want airflow; there's just one word: MESH!! :clap::2thumbs:nojoke
I have a TourMaster jacket that is comfortable from below freezing, to above 100 degrees.
It's all in how many layers of it that I use.

3/4 modular helmets with face plates. They have a "one notch up" setting instead of all the way down. That gives plenty of additional airflow for me. Most helmets also have adjustable vents in the tops.

Mesh jacket, fingerless gloves, Kevlar jeans or mesh. I still wear boots--regardless of temps.

I wear a Vega mesh with armor, light gray. Make sure you get light colors too.

One option you may consider is installing Baker Air Wings on your Spyder. You can adjust the Wings to put more air on you or take away air flow. I've never had them on a bikes I've owned but have heard others say they really like them.

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Originally Posted by Bob Denman

:welcome:, and :congrats: on this new adventure that you have undertaken! :thumbup:
If you want airflow; there's just one word: MESH!! :clap::2thumbs:nojoke
I have a TourMaster jacket that is comfortable from below freezing, to above 100 degrees.
It's all in how many layers of it that I use.

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Agreed as to mesh from a member living in Las Vegas. Not so sure about the TourMaster. My wife and I both had (past tense) TourMaster Intake 4 jackets. Nice jacket other than the back protection was nearly nil and very difficult to replace with something substantial. I got over that, though. The problem was that my own jacket basically fell apart within six months. A side seam came undone and the velcro at the wrist (a poor design in the first place) started tearing off. I could have had it re-sewn but instead opted to return it to RevZilla and replaced it with a Joe Rocket Phoenix. The Phoenix is very similar but IMO better built and it is holding up, just like a previous one I had that lasted nearly 10 years (for example, the wrists have a zipper instead of velcro and the back accepts conventional back armor). OTOH my wife's Intake 4 has been just fine for her. Maybe I just got an Intake 4 that happened to be a lemon, or maybe other TourMaster models are better built.

Whatever you choose, mesh is the way to go. You can always add liners and layers underneath it if it's cold. Ours are for year-round use here in Las Vegas, and it DOES get cold here sometimes.

We have a vented windshield. If you want air to your face the central vent works. Goldwing vent is about $50 + your labor.

Lew L

I did the BRP vented shield on my RT - works quite well. The plus no buffeting.
Still have the Aerostich Roadcrafter which works up to 80-something depending on humidity. Joe Rocket mesh (10 Years plus) for warm/hot. Love the adjustable under mirror for thingies.

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Originally Posted by Ex-Rocket

One option you may consider is installing Baker Air Wings on your Spyder. You can adjust the Wings to put more air on you or take away air flow. I've never had them on a bikes I've owned but have heard others say they really like them.

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This is the best idea to get more air on the rider/passenger. We have them on both our bikes (2014 RTL's) and love them in both the heat and cold. Not like an A/C but a very noticeable difference.

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Originally Posted by lineberr

Hello Everyone!

1. Jacket, this is my major issue so far. I want to be protected as the only way off the bike that I can see during a crash is a "high-side". So I'm struggling to find a comfortable mesh or comparable jacket to use. I've heard the KLIM Induction is good, but with a $350+ price tag? I'm pretty sure I want the CE rated protection do to my comutes.

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I just picked up a Klim Induction jacket not long ago, so here's my opinion of it. Klim gear is expensive, no two ways about it. It's also top of the line and noticeably better quality than most stuff out there. I was previously considering a Joe Rocket and can tell you they're playing in different leagues. The Induction mesh is extremely tough and I have no doubts that I'll be well protected in the event I ever have to test it personally. The CE rated armor was another big draw for me. I too commute on mine 90 miles round trip daily so CE rated armor was a priority for me. Joe Rocket has some armor it, but details are vague on their site as to what it actually is and I see no mention of CE rating on it. Klim uses D30, no doubts about the rating there (Level 1 used in the Induction). We all have individual financial situations, but if yours allows for something like the Induction, you absolutely are getting what you pay for.

I agree with you about the airflow stuff, the RT's don't have nearly as much as a 2 wheeler. I've got an F4 windshield with the Goldwing vent in it and it's very helpful. I'm also contemplating cutting down my old stock windshield so that I can get even more airflow in the summer.

Thanks everyone for your input.

I hope to get a vented shield at some point as I hear it makes a noticeable difference. I also never raise my shield, it's always lowered all the way down. I heard about the actuation arm issues on the shield, so I lower it down all the way and just bump the up so it's not hard against the stop. So maybe a shorter shield would also be an option for me.

I'm leaning toward the Klim Induction just due to reviews I've seen, but also want to look into other competing products.

Again thanks for all the comments and hope everyone has a safe and exciting Memorial Day weekend.

Brent

My wife and I both have Joe Rocket mesh with CE armour and we find them very comfortable and well made. Maybe it's time for a new helmet? We have HJC modular helmets and being full face, I find the air moves through them pretty well with the front and back vents open. Is it like no helmet? No. But I still remember the motorcycle rider I saw sitting on the curb holding his broken jaw on while waiting for the paramedics. I'll go with full face.

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Originally Posted by Ex-Rocket

One option you may consider is installing Baker Air Wings on your Spyder. You can adjust the Wings to put more air on you or take away air flow. I've never had them on a bikes I've owned but have heard others say they really like them.

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Another Baker Air Wing vote.

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Originally Posted by JFD

We have HJC modular helmets and being full face, I find the air moves through them pretty well with the front and back vents open.

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We have HJC modulars. I discovered this winter when I rode that air moves through them very well. 40 degree air moving through your helmet is more noticeable than 85!