What do you wear on your Spyder? In HOT weather?

[SNOOPY]

You will probably spend a lot of money on gear that you will wear for a while and then put away. What I wear depends on the type of ride I'm going on, where I'm going and weather conditions. I wear a lot less protective gear on the Spyder than I do on the 2 wheel cruiser. I generally don't wear chaps on the Spyder. I do always wear boots on both bikes if on a trip. Around town its whatever I have on at the time. I have a lot of different riding gear. All good purchases and equipment, again depending on the bike I'm riding and type of trip I'm on. You will find your comfort zone both physically and mentally.

Really?

I wouldnt tell that publicly. opcorn:



roflmao

 

[Bob Denman]

I wear the same w a full face helmet. Maybe I'll learn the hard way if something happens, or maybe I'll just get killed and not have to worry about it. :thumbup:

You usually don't die from the road rash... :thumbup:


...You just WISH that you had!!! :yikes:

 

[Fat Baxter]

I ride in the deep Southeast. What you should wear in the summer depends on two things: humidity of your area, and whether or not you have a full fairing.

A number of respondents here indicate they wear mesh jackets, etc. Those work well in the summer if your machine has no fairing or a skimpy fairing, as air flows freely through the mesh. But if you have a fully faired machine (BMW RTs, Goldwings, or Spyder RTs) you get very little air flow, so mesh jackets and pants don't work as advertised.

If you ride in a humid part of the country, you have an additional consideration, in that artificial fibers like Cordura don't wick at all, so you incur a double whammy. also, I've found that soakable vests and bandannas don't really work well down here either; they don't evaporate well, and soon you're riding with a warm, wet, dead fish wrapped around you. Out in the Rocky Mountain west, where there's less humidity, I hear these work well. They might work well on an unfaired bike down here, but I have no experience there.

So, after years on fully faired bikes, I've found that cotton wicks best. So I wear Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, with Kevlar at the knees, butt, and hips. (Hint: Diamond Gusset usually has these on sale between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Over my torso, I wear a thick, absorbent short-sleeved cotton t-shirt under a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar mesh long-sleeved shirt. The kevlar mesh shirt is still not as cool as just a long-sleeved cotton shirt, but the trade-off is, I get abrasion protection.

So while I don't have full padding, I still have some measure of abrasion protection all around. The cotton against my body helps wick away perspiration -- better than UnderArmour-type stuff (I've tried it; IMO, doesn't work down here) (not on a fully faired bike anyways). If I encounter rain, I either tough it out or put on a rain suit.

Gloves: don't wear black leather, get natural (tan) leather. Black absorbs the sun's radiation. There's a noticeable difference with tan gloves, especially deerskin. I got some at Bass Pro. Also, if you can't find tan gloves, perforated black gloves are preferable to unperforated black gloves.

I wear full, zip-up riding boots and an Arai full-faced helmet. The visor is always cracked because the air is so thick.

And for those wondering, in cooler weather I have an Aerostich two-piece Roadcrafter suit with all the bells and whistles.

 

[BikerDoc]

I wear TPG system First Gear pants and jacket from temps from 30 degrees to 95 degrees , its waterproof, breathable, layable - I just change my base layer underneath - Freeze out in the winter, ldcomfort.com in the summer
Here in Florida when it gets over 95 (which it will be for the next entire week) I ride between 7pm and 6am.... less traffic and less heat

 

[Gunny23]

Hot Summer Florida Riding

I live in Central Florida and frquently ride in 100+ degree weather in the summer. I wear a mesh textile armored jacket, mesh riding pants, vented leather gloves, riding boots, and a modular helmet. A damp cooling cap under the helmet helps a lot. I see you have a cooling vest and that is great, but it will be more effective under a mesh jacket. As other have said, drin a lot and often. If you wait until you are thirsty. you are on your way to dehydration. All that being said, accept the weather and ryde that new machine.

 

[SNOOPY]

I ride in the deep Southeast. What you should wear in the summer depends on two things: humidity of your area, and whether or not you have a full fairing.

A number of respondents here indicate they wear mesh jackets, etc. Those work well in the summer if your machine has no fairing or a skimpy fairing, as air flows freely through the mesh. But if you have a fully faired machine (BMW RTs, Goldwings, or Spyder RTs) you get very little air flow, so mesh jackets and pants don't work as advertised.

If you ride in a humid part of the country, you have an additional consideration, in that artificial fibers like Cordura don't wick at all, so you incur a double whammy. also, I've found that soakable vests and bandannas don't really work well down here either; they don't evaporate well, and soon you're riding with a warm, wet, dead fish wrapped around you. Out in the Rocky Mountain west, where there's less humidity, I hear these work well. They might work well on an unfaired bike down here, but I have no experience there.

So, after years on fully faired bikes, I've found that cotton wicks best. So I wear Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, with Kevlar at the knees, butt, and hips. (Hint: Diamond Gusset usually has these on sale between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Over my torso, I wear a thick, absorbent short-sleeved cotton t-shirt under a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar mesh long-sleeved shirt. The kevlar mesh shirt is still not as cool as just a long-sleeved cotton shirt, but the trade-off is, I get abrasion protection.

So while I don't have full padding, I still have some measure of abrasion protection all around. The cotton against my body helps wick away perspiration -- better than UnderArmour-type stuff (I've tried it; IMO, doesn't work down here) (not on a fully faired bike anyways). If I encounter rain, I either tough it out or put on a rain suit.

Gloves: don't wear black leather, get natural (tan) leather. Black absorbs the sun's radiation. There's a noticeable difference with tan gloves, especially deerskin. I got some at Bass Pro. Also, if you can't find tan gloves, perforated black gloves are preferable to unperforated black gloves.

I wear full, zip-up riding boots and an Arai full-faced helmet. The visor is always cracked because the air is so thick.

And for those wondering, in cooler weather I have an Aerostich two-piece Roadcrafter suit with all the bells and whistles.

Great, informative post. Thanks :thumbup:

.

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Although I will note, that I get plenty of ventilation, and the mesh jacket does a fine job of getting some much-needed air onto me... :thumbup:

 

[cuznjohn]

like today, i dress normal, tee shirt, short sleeve shirt, jeans, and a frown on my face. i hate the heat

 

[Bob Denman]

Be careful :shocked:... June Bugs are attracted to frowns! :yikes:
Why not just soak a towel, and hang it around your neck? You'll be soaked from the sweat; at least this would be a lot cooler! :thumbup:

 

[Magdave]

I ride in the deep Southeast. What you should wear in the summer depends on two things: humidity of your area, and whether or not you have a full fairing.

A number of respondents here indicate they wear mesh jackets, etc. Those work well in the summer if your machine has no fairing or a skimpy fairing, as air flows freely through the mesh. But if you have a fully faired machine (BMW RTs, Goldwings, or Spyder RTs) you get very little air flow, so mesh jackets and pants don't work as advertised.

If you ride in a humid part of the country, you have an additional consideration, in that artificial fibers like Cordura don't wick at all, so you incur a double whammy. also, I've found that soakable vests and bandannas don't really work well down here either; they don't evaporate well, and soon you're riding with a warm, wet, dead fish wrapped around you. Out in the Rocky Mountain west, where there's less humidity, I hear these work well. They might work well on an unfaired bike down here, but I have no experience there.

So, after years on fully faired bikes, I've found that cotton wicks best. So I wear Diamond Gusset Defender jeans, with Kevlar at the knees, butt, and hips. (Hint: Diamond Gusset usually has these on sale between Thanksgiving and Christmas). Over my torso, I wear a thick, absorbent short-sleeved cotton t-shirt under a Draggin' Jeans Kevlar mesh long-sleeved shirt. The kevlar mesh shirt is still not as cool as just a long-sleeved cotton shirt, but the trade-off is, I get abrasion protection.

So while I don't have full padding, I still have some measure of abrasion protection all around. The cotton against my body helps wick away perspiration -- better than UnderArmour-type stuff (I've tried it; IMO, doesn't work down here) (not on a fully faired bike anyways). If I encounter rain, I either tough it out or put on a rain suit.

Gloves: don't wear black leather, get natural (tan) leather. Black absorbs the sun's radiation. There's a noticeable difference with tan gloves, especially deerskin. I got some at Bass Pro. Also, if you can't find tan gloves, perforated black gloves are preferable to unperforated black gloves.

I wear full, zip-up riding boots and an Arai full-faced helmet. The visor is always cracked because the air is so thick.

And for those wondering, in cooler weather I have an Aerostich two-piece Roadcrafter suit with all the bells and whistles.

:thumbup: One thing I will disagree with is about Under Armor. There are different types. The type that blows away cotton is reasonably expensive it wicks so well even when I am sweat soaked when I take a jacket off it dries in 5 to 10 min.

 

[jaherbst]

Today at 110* in Tucson: Wet T-shirt, SPF 50 Columbia light pants and shirt, white helmut and gloves. Not too bad actually.

Jack

 

[ARtraveler]

Today at 110* in Tucson: Wet T-shirt, SPF 50 Columbia light pants and shirt, white helmut and gloves. Not too bad actually.

Jack

That's a good high temperature test. :yes::yes:

 

[SNOOPY]

You forgot to say it was a dry heat. :roflblack:



We've been in the upper 80's/ low 90's, yet our weather shows the feels like temps between 120-130 degs because of the humidity.


I wonder how true that is or if the humidity just freaks out the temp gauge?

 

[jcthorne]

Has anyone tried one of the phase change temp regulated cooling vests? I have an evaporative vest and it works somewhat but on humid days its not much help. Longer rides when MOVING I am fine, really just looking for something to make an evening commute home more enjoyable in traffic on 95 to 100 deg days.

 

[Bob Denman]

http://entrosys.com/

 

[TEHelms]

HOT?

It's really hot here in southern NC right now...projected 99+ for the remainder of the week. I road about 150 miles yesterday with moisture wicking, long sleeve fishing tee gear from Gander Mountain on. It's UPF 30+ and the price won't wipe out your bank account. The pants are the same. Very light weight and allow you to sweat through them. You can spend a ton on riding gear and still be uncomfortable. Whereas nothing works when you're stopped in this heat, when you've moving this works.

My normal riding gear is jeans and a tee but when I'm going a distance I really like long sleeves as my "farmer's tan" is pretty well perfected at this point and long sleeves is really cooler.

As for the people that completely "gear up", I've ridden a lot of bikes and whereas I've never laid one down, I look at the Spyder differently. You aren't going to lay this one down and if you do come off one you're likely to be flying as opposed to skidding. Brings to mind that old "Bloodrock" song "DOA"..."we were flying along and hit something in the air".... Just sayin' that this is a different animal if you're going to wreck it. (Sorry about being so morbid)...

 

[Bob Denman]

Nothing morbid about it...

I did audition as a Spyder Crash-Test Dummy... pps:
The accident felt more "automotive", than it did anything else.
The bike stayed upright, and I stayed on it.

 

[MouthPiece]

Everyone is going to tell you to gear up. You have to do what works best for you.
Personally, I wear cargo shorts, a tshirt, and sneakers in the summer on the spyder. On 2 wheels I swap the shorts for jeans. However, I'm rarely without a full face helmet. Again, do what works best for you!

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DITTO!!

CHRIS

 

[Deer Slayer]

Think white stuff!:yikes: Naw new think reflection of the sun. Yeah ya have to wash it. Summer weight holly and light color.:thumbup:

 

[inmate1905]

Definitely TShirt, Shorts, sport socks and tennis shoes. Mostly year around in Florida. Jean's and Can Am jacket when it is Cold or below 60

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