Warming up

[MikeHump]

So, it's supposed to get to 95 degrees tomorrow and 100+ on Thursday. I'm gonna try to ride in full gear, but I'm not sure how it's gonna turn out. I've never ridden in weather hotter than about 85 or so. I guess the good thing about the heat is that my tires will stick a little better

Also, I have a question regarding riding vests. I wear my jacket so that I can have protection of my shoulders, elbows, and arms. I've been told that it's going to basically suck if I ride this summer with my jacket on, but I'd rather ride with some gear. I know that vests don't give the same protection as jackets, but are they worth the money? They don't seem like they would protect my shoulders, elbows, or arms very well so what's the difference between riding with a vest and riding in a T-shirt? Is it mainly just chest/back protection? If so, would you recommend something similar to this? :
Spidi Defender Back-Chest Protector 5 ft.3 in. -5 ft.7 in. - Motorcycle Superstore

I guess my last question is...What do you all do when the temperature gets above 100? Do you ride with a jacket or do you just ride in a T-shirt?

[geoffsimpson]

Get yourself a mesh jacket...if you're riding in hot weather, it'll be a gift from god himself

[Davecm203]

Yes, a mesh jacket is the greatest thing ever invented. Well, after the motorcycle. I am cooler in my mesh than I am in only a t-shirt. The mesh lets the wind right through, keeps the sun off your skin, and keeps you from being sand-blasted by trucks and cars. Most mesh jackets also come with or can accept back, shoulder, and elbow pads. Oh, by the way. Don't get a all black jacket. Get something light colored to help keep a bit cooler.

[XoZe]

Here is what I use in the summer...take out both liners and you have the mesh with the padding.

http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/prod...uctid=43&cat=3

[Davecm203]

Originally Posted by XoZe

Here is what I use in the summer...take out both liners and you have the mesh with the padding.

Tour Master :: Textile Jackets :: Intake Jacket

I have been debating on buying that jacket for a while now. I take it that you realy like it, huh.

[tricker]

leather jacket = hell.. Bought a mesh jacket (silver) so that should help a whole lot

[Kodatech]

Originally Posted by Davecm203

Yes, a mesh jacket is the greatest thing ever invented. Well, after the motorcycle. I am cooler in my mesh than I am in only a t-shirt. The mesh lets the wind right through, keeps the sun off your skin, and keeps you from being sand-blasted by trucks and cars. Most mesh jackets also come with or can accept back, shoulder, and elbow pads. Oh, by the way. Don't get a all black jacket. Get something light colored to help keep a bit cooler.

I use a black mesh jacket and even THAT is cooler than a T-shirt.

[inspiron]

+1 on the mesh gear. I've got a mesh jacket and mesh pants from Hein Gericke. Both came with CE protectors. Highly recommended. Also, get yourself a pair of thin leather gloves - they protects the fingers from insects and stones without causing excessive sweating.

[jgreth]

That looks like a good jacket.

When (if ever) I get my IRS check I may get that jacket.

[MikeHump]

Thanks everyone! Looks like I'm gonna have to invest in a mesh jacket then. I love my leather one, but it's just getting too hot here. I wore it yesterday, and it was only 90 degrees yesterday but I was still sweating like crazy.

Originally Posted by inspiron

Highly recommended. Also, get yourself a pair of thin leather gloves - they protects the fingers from insects and stones without causing excessive sweating.

I actually did just that a couple weeks ago. I got the black perforated Icon Pursuit gloves:
Ride Icon
They're so comfortable and lightweight, I sometimes forget that I'm wearing gloves.

[Fishpart]

I concur with everyone else, mesh is the way to go in the summer! Trust me a T-shirt is not a good Idea. Bees and bugs up the sleeve can be quite alarming! (own experience). If you decide on a vest long sleeve t-shirt would be recommended. Ride Safe! Ride Often!

[tricker]

just took the liner of my mesh jacket.. wow what i've been missing with my leather jacket

[womper]

ditto on the mesh... i have a power-trip intercooler. I was a new rider and wanted something better than leather and this is what they had on hand at the store and it fit properly and the women helping me out was hot... so i figured she couldn't be wrong

POWER-TRIP.COM

(leather arms, elbow/shoulder/back protectors)
i have a leather jacket and used it once. with the mesh jacket, i rode with temperatures dipping to -4 celcius. i left the rain liner in and had a fleece pull over... was warm enough...

next jacket i buy will be mesh and i'll probably get the tour master jacket...

[frostbitevinnie]

Never tried a mesh, maybe someday. I use Icon pursuit, it is perforated and stays cool, not good in temps below 30 though. Just bought hooligan 2 gloves yesterday and wow are they nice!!!

[Barbarian]

I think I have more outfit choices for motorcycling than some women have shoes.

'Nuff said

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by Kodatech

I use a black mesh jacket and even THAT is cooler than a T-shirt.

[donny662]

Is a mesh jacket any better at protection than a long sleeve t-shirt? Some of you have mentioned that you can put armor in them. But, armor isn't all that great during a slide and really is mostly useful for impact protection, right?

I wouldn't really want to spend $100+ on a jacket that isn't much more protective than a $25 leather vest and $10 t-shirt. Also, it rarely gets into the 90sF and 100sF here in Michigan.

[Barbarian]

Hell yeah! A good mesh jacket is better than cotton sleeves any day.

Here's what Cordura looks like after a good long scrape.

Here's a comparo of force before it shreds.

[themeatmanlandry]

Originally Posted by donny662

Is a mesh jacket any better at protection than a long sleeve t-shirt? Some of you have mentioned that you can put armor in them. But, armor isn't all that great during a slide and really is mostly useful for impact protection, right?

I wouldn't really want to spend $100+ on a jacket that isn't much more protective than a $25 leather vest and $10 t-shirt. Also, it rarely gets into the 90sF and 100sF here in Michigan.

I was under the impression that the armor was for skidding along the asphalt. Doesn't seem to be suitable for running into stuff at 55 mph.

I'd trust the jacket over the tshirt any day.

[KROW]

Mike

I certainly don't have to worry about it being too hot for riding up here in eastern Canada! At least not yet.

I recently bought a Joe Rocket Alter Ego 2.0 jacket. See Joe Rocket Product With the liner (also the water proofing) in, it would be good for quite cold riding. With the liner out, it is comfortable with the temperatures we're experiencing here now - about 15C/60f this week. You can unzip various panels - the bottom half of the sleeves come off as well as most of the back and front - leaving basically a mesh jacket with the armour still in place in the shoulders, elbows, back, etc. I wouldn't think it would be as "comfortable" sliding in mesh as it would be in the full textile outer. Don't think any mesh would be - but probably much better than a T-shirt! The Alter Ego 2.0 is as close as anything I've seen to an all-weather riding jacket. I plan on purchasing the same make pants to give me a full rain/cold weather suit.

I can't vouch for its sliding properties as I have no plans on going down with it to test it out But I feel this setup would provide me more protection than a "regular" leather outfit.

Can't wait to try riding in the stripped down mesh version when things warm up a bit up here. Maybe somebody who has worn this jacket in hot weather can offer more of an opinion on it.

HTH