Riding Jackets in the Summer

[Coptermike]

Mesh in Texas

New rider, considered carefully and decided the protection was worth investing in the mesh. Here in Texas, my thought was that mesh could be a three season jacket with a liner or something under it. So far, have riden in temps up to 90+. I can confirm it gets hot when sitting in traffic but when moving it is not bad. Rode 60 miles or so two weeks ago with t shirt only...won't do that again because of wind and sun burn. Have not tried the wet t-shirt trick but sounds good.

Got my FirstGear from Revzilla. Great service and quick. I am chunky as well, but jacket fit except for a bit long in the sleeves. I am by no means an expert, but for a first investment I think it is a good one. Just bought a pair of mesh pants as well...when they arrive I will do some testing on those.

Good luck on your search

 

[Jeriatric]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

Yes, Deer Skin

 

[Coptermike]

Yes

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

Yes to the gloves. Mine have quite a bit of mesh they are very comfortable.

 

[asp125]

If its nice and toasty. I would go with maybe just a vest. That way you can enjoy the warm summer weather without the restrictions of a jacket. Even though a mesh jacket is cool and what not for keeping cooler. Look into getting a vest, there are some really good priced vests out there, I can point you in the right direction if its something you'll now consider

Throw it over a t-shirt add some elbow pads and you're all set.

 

[asp125]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

 

[daveinva]

I'm ATGATT, so I always wear a jacket, mesh once it gets hot.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread: mesh only "works" until about 95+ degrees. Above that, the airflow is too warm to cool you any longer, all it does is remove your sweat off your skin before it has a chance to cool you. Paradoxically, above that temperature you want to be riding with a *solid* jacket, no mesh, minimal venting, in order to keep your body sweating properly.

Note: it's miserable riding in weather that hot, and the above doesn't make it any easier. But miserable and hydrated is better than dehydrated and dying from heat stroke.

So, stay hydrated (in the hot summer I won't leave the house unless I'm hydrated, and I force down 16 ounces minimum of water or low-cal Gatorade at every fuel stop), use evaporative cooling if you can (cooling vests, wet towels around the neck, etc.), and realize there's a temperature range where mesh keeps you cool-- and above that range, it does more harm than good.

 

[Jeriatric]

I'm ATGATT, so I always wear a jacket, mesh once it gets hot.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread: mesh only "works" until about 95+ degrees. Above that, the airflow is too warm to cool you any longer, all it does is remove your sweat off your skin before it has a chance to cool you. Paradoxically, above that temperature you want to be riding with a *solid* jacket, no mesh, minimal venting, in order to keep your body sweating properly.

Note: it's miserable riding in weather that hot, and the above doesn't make it any easier. But miserable and hydrated is better than dehydrated and dying from heat stroke.

So, stay hydrated (in the hot summer I won't leave the house unless I'm hydrated, and I force down 16 ounces minimum of water or low-cal Gatorade at every fuel stop), use evaporative cooling if you can (cooling vests, wet towels around the neck, etc.), and realize there's a temperature range where mesh keeps you cool-- and above that range, it does more harm than good.

:agree: put the liner back in the jacket.

 

[MouthPiece]

Throw it over a t-shirt add some elbow pads and you're all set.

I never wear any "formal gear" jacket or otherwise. However, I like the above concept. I could handle that with the T-shirts that I wear.

Chris

 

[bullant12]

I'm ATGATT, so I always wear a jacket, mesh once it gets hot.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet in this thread: mesh only "works" until about 95+ degrees. Above that, the airflow is too warm to cool you any longer, all it does is remove your sweat off your skin before it has a chance to cool you. Paradoxically, above that temperature you want to be riding with a *solid* jacket, no mesh, minimal venting, in order to keep your body sweating properly.

Note: it's miserable riding in weather that hot, and the above doesn't make it any easier. But miserable and hydrated is better than dehydrated and dying from heat stroke.

So, stay hydrated (in the hot summer I won't leave the house unless I'm hydrated, and I force down 16 ounces minimum of water or low-cal Gatorade at every fuel stop), use evaporative cooling if you can (cooling vests, wet towels around the neck, etc.), and realize there's a temperature range where mesh keeps you cool-- and above that range, it does more harm than good.

The key word here is HYDRATE! Plan you trip, and if it gets too hot for you, make more stops. Nothing worse than having a heat stroke in the middle of a ride. Pleanty of water before, during and after the trip. Remember the idea is to enjoy the trip.

 

[Jeriatric]

Middle of nowhere emergency cooling suggestion

most any store will have baby diapers. Buy some. Soak them in water and hang one on each shoulder so it hangs down your back and chest, then put your jacket back on. It works. Trust me!

 

[Oldmanzues]

Joe Rocket mesh in past, liked it. OSI in Hi vis with liner. Liner will work for rain, but the mesh get heavy as ***, so have Frog Toggs. Both have amor in the right places. Kind of mesh looking gloves. Mesh Long amour pants for long trips. Modular helmet always.
All kinds of cooling vests, neck wraps and so on out there. Cheap cooling, dump some water on the jacket (or everything), works for a few miles.
As stated, hydrate.
As a friend put it, I would sweat alittle, then bleed a lot.
Oldmanzues
Added. Caryy water (or whatever/not booze) with you. thermo bottles or a cheap idea, insulated lunch sacks. Bring one (I use Gator Aid) bottle of cold water and start out with a frozen bottle. Usually lasts most of a day. Can always buy more and stick in the lunch bag for cooling.

 

[revjvegas]

2 part question:

1)I know the answer is "absolutley everytime", but how many of you RT riders ride with a mesh jacket in the Summer?
it gets really hot here as I am sure all are aware, but this is for protection so I am trying to find one with a lot of cooling.

2) What mesh jackets are the coolest and most comfortable for a chunky Texan?

I saw the FLY Cool Pro which is Really reasonable on Revzilla but cant try it on. Price is great though

thanks

1) Yup, I wear a jacket all the time, and if it's a trip I also wear over-pants...but since you didn't ask about pants I'll skip that.
The jacket I have and really like is the Olympia Airglide 4 Mesh Tech Jacket. I really like how it comes with a two part zip liner so you can just use the rain guard or the insulation apart or together.
2) sizes on this jacket go up to a 4x.

 

[NancysToy]

so going along with this...

do you guys wear gloves in the summer?

I wear gloves each and every time I ride a motorcycle...boots, too. Old two-wheeler habit. The first thing you do if you go down is to put out your hand to stop the fall. The hand is one of the most easily injured parts of the body, due to having all the working parts close to the surface, and due to its complexity. Anyway, it only takes having one June bug hit your bare hand while riding to make you see the error of your ways, even if you are unlikely to fall. I wear deerskin workgloves or mesh riding gloves in the summer.

 

[Highwayman2013]

When it gets really hot I wear LD Comfort underwear. You don't need a mesh jacket, just open the vents on the jacket you have and the wicking action cools you. You can also wet the shirt for maximum cooling.

 

[Bob Denman]

Gloves?
I've got an old pair of Joe Rockets that i've used for years... :2thumbs:
Cold weather riding; a pair of insulated AlpineStars!
hyea:ATGATT! hyea:

 

[rolinfaz]

Fieldsheer Mesh jacket for me 98% of the time. Even in the 100 degree Georgia weather! Like today 91 degrees and I am about to leave work with my mesh jacket.

 

[ARtraveler]

RE: The mesh jacket--I have a Gericke that I purchased a few years back. It works great for me during those times when the temps exceed 70 degrees here. Unfortunately, that has not happend more than 5 times a year for a few years now. This year--so far--we have had a week plus of temps in the mid to high 70's. For my part of AK--this is considered warm. I am taking what Mother Nature is sending our way, and currently loving it.

RE: Gloves--I have a thiner perforated set of riding gloves as well as a set of fingerless for warmer riding. I have been using the fingerless the last week or so.

Happy to say that I do not have to ride in high temps like some of you do. I still advocate ATGATT when riding. I always wear the motorcycle boots, but the levels of pants, jackets, gloves, or use of chaps will vary depending on my mood of the day.

Not sure how I will be dressing when I ryde the Spyder in Hawaii in August. But--no shorts, tee shirts, or flip flops for sure.

 

[gwilburn]

If it gets hot enough to wear a wet baby diaper, I'm not riding. Same thing on a snowmobile when it gets below -20* F... when you can hear your helmet cracking as it contracts from the cold, it's time to stop riding. Takes all the fun out of it.

 

[Bob Denman]

25 or 105; I'd rather be riding! :thumbup:
I'm fortunate enough to be out in open country, so stopping in traffic is a very limited issue...
If I'm gonna be hot, or cold; I'd rather it be on the Spyder! :2thumbs:

 

[MouthPiece]

Based on what I've seen weather wise in Maggie Valley, I'll probably be wearing my shorts, tennies and a tee shirt.

Chris