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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Carlisle, PA | I'd like some feedback on hot weather mesh/textile jackets with armor. What are you using, what do you like best, what offers the best protection? I see a lot of Joe Rocket stuff out there. Thanks for the help in advance! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 155
Stockton, California | I had the Cortech GX Air jacket for about 5 years and it was great. Has two liners inside to use when it gets cold. Then take out the liners in the heat. I accidently left the jacket on the pipe and it melted the zipper so I can not longer use it. I just bought the Victory mesh jacket and so far I am not too impressed. It is warmer then the Cortech and does let as much air in and the fit is not as good. But I got it at half price so I don't complain too much. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | I have an ICON TiMax -- don't recommend it. It's a good jacket, but it was overpriced for what it is. I've also had a Cortech GX Air - also a good jacket, still didn't seem worth the retail price. Got a First Gear and a Shift jacket for the wife, and they're both better than the ICON and Cortech, and cost a fair amount less. I'm shopping to replace the ICON now, because the armor is crumbling and I don't like the jacket enough to just replace bits of it.
You mention Joe Rocket - I have two pair of their pants. They're very good quality. Their jackets don't fit me worth a crap. Just not my shape. They're also a bit overly pricey, though. I don't want to sound like a cheap ass -- I'll pay for quality - I don't put a price on safety or comfort. But I don't want to pay just to pay. Some stuff is just expensive for no reason. My Teknic jacket and my wife's Shift jacket are the nicest textile jackets in the house, and neither were the most expensive. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 108
Conneaut, OH | I have a scorpion hat trick it's a mesh jacket that has full sleeve removable wind/rain liner and a thermal liner cool in the summer and warm in the cooler months. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 825
, WI | I use an Olympia Airglide. Mesh jacket with two liners. Used it on the Florida to Alaska, and the Mount Evans to Death Valley ride. One jacket for a lot of weather conditions. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-airglide-4-jacket . |
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | For folks not into wearing jackets, Heat Out clothing from Cyclegear does a great job. It's base layer clothing ........ |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Scottsdale | Hydration vest $45. Circulator seat pad sold at HD stores $85. Ability to ride when it's hot, priceless |
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Cruiser
Posts: 143
Lexington Park, MD | Buddy gave me a joe rocket mesh with armor and it has 2 liners last summer. Don't use the 2nd liner as it is worthless riding in any type of cool to cold. Much more comfortable in my leather as soon as it starts cooling off. All pads are easily removable for wash or what ever. The elbow pads constantly shift and I finally just removed them. Jacket does great on keeping enough moisture trapped to keep you cool while moving and not too miserable when traffic comes to a halt. My Texas beltline fits in the jacket pretty good but I think they may have a slimmer rider in their design vision. Back armor and shoulders feel pretty good on the long hauls, no complaints. Zipper is cheap plastic looking but I use it everyday and have yet to even snag so I'm impressed with something lookin so flimsy. I do ride with a reflective vest over its always but leave the front unzipped since I been on the vision and have that nice calm air pocket so it don't flop around much. Got plenty of adjusters on it Velcro and snap. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Speedo's and shower shoes.... |
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Tourer
Posts: 466
Grand Cane, LA | I have one of the older model Tourmaster jackets similar to the new Raven style. Has the zip out liner and lots of zippered vents. Only difference is mine has the snap down collar that can be zipped all the way up. It is a great all round jacket. Have worn it from the 30's all the way up to 105. Has a lot of protective padding, but no hard armor. Working on it's fourth season. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 178
LaGrange, GA | Rollin' - 2013-07-06 8:21 AM
I use an Olympia Airglide. Mesh jacket with two liners. Used it on the Florida to Alaska, and the Mount Evans to Death Valley ride. One jacket for a lot of weather conditions. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-airglide-4-jacket ? .
That's a very nice looking jacket. I love that site, too - that guy does a great job of reviewing nearly everything he sells. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | I have the Olympia Moab mesh jacket. I planned on the Airglide but I need the extra length due to my portly size. Wore 2 Tourmaster jackets before this. I was looking for good Cordura material vs. polyester. It has better abrasion resistance. I dress for the crash and hope it never happens.
When it gets really hot, I recommend a cooling vest or jacket under the coat with a cool max type shirt under it. You can ride in some pretty high temps this way.
Edited by lstayner 2013-07-06 4:10 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 2300
Georgia, west of Atlanta | varyder - 2013-07-06 11:28 AM
Speedo's and shower shoes....
Hahahahahaha, That actually made me start laughing. Hey Man only 27 days to the new Chief.........I hear the whole unveil will be on American Pickers new episode from Sturgis Aug 5th......... |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I wish I had my finger in the pie on this one, but it wasn't until a month before I put my deposit for my Vision for the following year. A few things changed very quickly and I was riding in November of '07. I still have my sights set on one, but won't be in the first group this time... |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | varyder - 2013-07-06 12:28 PM
Speedo's and shower shoes....
That's......disturbing. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | I have a Tourmaster Draft Air 2 armored textile (mesh) jacket. It's great up to about 85* (with Indiana humidity). After that, I have to be moving pretty well before I'm comfortable. If I had something other than a Vision, it would probably be good up to about 100*. I wear a pair of Harley knock off (Chinese made) 8" boots and I wear ankle socks (I hate the feeling of socks falling down) with jeans. I have Chronic Dry Eyes so I can't tolerate much wind in my eyes. I wear a 2013 Bell Mag 9 (3/4) helmet with a face shield. I've been comfortable most days this year and we've been up to the high 90s with about the same % of humidity although I've found myself ditching the jacket above 85 or so. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 44
Edmonton, AB Canada | I ride with the Olympia Airglide Jacket and pants. I find the fit and comfort of both to be great. On really hot days I have ridden with a light t-shirt and a pair of shorts underneath and have been very comfortable. The rain liners also work very well, as does the second jacket liner. Not cheap, but I have not found any quality gear that is. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 92
| Have Tourmaster and Joe Rocket mesh... Joe fits my rather portly shape and got me through AZ, UT, KS heat last summer.
Dress for the slide, not just the ride! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 125
| Tourmaster Air Intake 3 and love it! Its very versatile with a rain liner and a seperate insulated liner. It is a very good 3 season jacket for me. I had to order one size larger which has been typical for me with tourmaster products. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 111
| The ultimate in a cool refreshing ride. Inexpensive, eye catching and it increases your gas mileage! http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_fb9PuJt0c4/TVw5xoDuC5I/AAAAAAAANMk/yDyXM...
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Shorts, tank top shirt, sandals, eye shades and a smile.
Edited by iluvink 2013-07-09 1:46 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 46
Western Wyoming | Hyperkewl mod.#6530,about $35.These things are a godsend in hot weather.Soak them in water for a few minutes,they soak water up like a sponge.They claim 5-10 hours relief but generally 3 hrs or so,aprox.a gas stop.If there's a garden hose @ the gas sta.,Ill just drench myself soaking the vest @ the same time.A kewl cap under the helmet feels great too.
Edited by DTWOR 2013-07-09 4:20 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Camas Washington | +1 on the Tourmaster Air Intake 3,, Used it last year riding through central CA in 115 degree heat and I was fine. The mesh lets the air through while it keeps the sun off the skin. That is were people get mixed up, they think riding in a T shirt is cooler in very hot weather when it is just the opposite. The key is keep the sun off the body. With the liner in I have riden it in 40 degree weather with no issues. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 30
Carlisle, PA | Thanks much everyone. it's super helpful to get real 'on the road' experience. I have never ridden with summer gear other than a leather vest. Must be getting a little wiser the older I get. Maybe its the grandkids too! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
Fort Defiance, VA United States | You guys won't like me or my gear, but so be it. I wear Motoport Air Mesh Kevlar exclusively year round. I'm comfortable and protected from the hottest most humid days to very cold in the low 30's with liners. It's costly, not real stylish, and custom made, so it takes a bit of time to get the stuff, but I won't wear anything else and I've tried most all of it including Rukka. Best of luck and be safe Joel |
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | Firstgear mesh jacket in silver, wet vest on top of a tee shirt, white helmet, silver / white gloves... I live in the desert and want all the reflection of sunlight and heat. I've gone hours in 110+ heat with no issues. The wet vest was the best $35 I've spent on gear. The mesh jacket is like riding with an umbrella as the wind passes through and evaporates the water in the vest. |
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Hot Weather Gear