OK so far I've seen the threads dealing with parts for the bike (except for the goggles), what about "parts" for the rider?

Any suggestions for both Textile and Leather jackets? Convertible preferably.....

Juan :biker:

The good thing about those Joe Rocket tectile jackets is their pretty cool when it's hot.The bad is they Melt into your skin when you crash require serious Hospital care!:eek: I have a good freind scared for life because his jacket melted into his skin.!If I'm not in full leathers"My Elf Suit" on the rare occation I have a very trick Vanson Leather racing Jacket with built in Body Armor!:D I always were Boots ,racing gloves,and a Full face top of the line Arai helmet. :cool:

I have a vintage Langlitz I got from my dad (bought it originally in the 50's I'm told) which is great but its too warm most times around here (Florida).

Ditto on the boots and gloves, I wear a 3/4 helmet. On my race car, full nomex (5 layer OMP - read very hot) ... Don't want to burn my flesh!

I'll check the Vanson leather one. Thanks, Juan

Juan,
they do make a couple Perforated ones that are pretty cool once you get going!:cool:

Kaz,

Thanks for the info on the Joe Rocket jackets. I am in Hawaii, and it is hot here like 70% of the time. I had been looking at these and thinking that th ejaclet would be a good addition to the cycle wear I have, but after seeing that post, forget it. So, I am still looking for something that will protect and is comfortable for temperatures that hover in the high 80's with humidity.

Same here Rich. Looks like the perforated Vanson's could be the thing to get. I'll check and post back.

Aloha, Juan

Oh Rich, That sounds like a tall order indeed .............good luck my friend! Eric:confused: :2cents

Perforated Leather is only Bad when your not moving so never Stop!It's actually very cool if you ware another layer"T-shirt" and get a light sweat going. :cool:

Yea, but what do you do when it is 28F (like this morning). I have this "Michelin Man" hooded jacket that is perfect (looks like crap, but hey). The zip on ear piece for my 1/2 helmet, a flip up face shield, gloves with liners and leather chaps. No problems. You either ride or not.

ok, how about 104 in the shade. That sun turns leather into molten metal. Kaz, in Vegas you know what I mean.

How about Aerostich? I think it would be cooler than leather on the hot days.

I ware my leathers year round! In the summer 120 degrees out at my favorite spot by the lake!:eek: Cool shirt underneath in the summer.Thurmal turtle neck in the winter!:cool:

I have the HD Competition model leather jacket and absolutely love it. Lately I wear it and a long sleeve T-shirt along with jeans and my HD leather gloves and the temp has been in the 30's. It has a great built in neck wrap.

This is the same jacket that I wore down to the 100th when it was 80 - 90 and as long as I was moving and had the vents open I was totally comfortable.

Great versatility. My dad has the same one and he likes it too.

Ken

Look around they have been on close-out at alot of dealers. I got mine on e-bay for $235 and this goes for $500 at the stealer.

HD Jacket here also...it's pretty awesome, and even at 45-50 degrees or so I don't need the liner.

I like Vanson, HD, Aerostich, Joe Rocket jackets. I really do not care abut the brand. Just about safety really. Three kids and wife. Otherwise I would ride with only a T-Shirt. It's HOT here, man.
I also like this thread.
If possible post not just the brands but also model names and/or numbers. I want body armor personally. In winter a lot of people just do not go out, what about concentrating on HOT weather riding a little. Plus, we ride year round. We need AIRflow.

Hey, Juan, you know what I am talking about. Are you trying the Stealth [aka Perforated Corsair]?

I just ordered an Aerostich Roadcrafter 1 piece Cordura/GoreTex suit. Should be here next week. Got the optional hip and back pads. They claim it's comfortable up to 80's with vents open. I assume that means when you're moving!

Will let you know how it does in temperatures around 30 to 40 degrees that we have here around Washington, DC.

For me, if the suit can block the wind completely, I can stay pretty warm.

Also, I have the Gericke Highway Jacket. I got it really cheap and it works great. I includes shoulder and elbow armor as well as a back pad. Excellent ventilation, built in neck warmer, and zip out lining. The belt was a bit of a pain so I wear the jacket without it.

I've got the First Gear scout. It's been great! Vented, and a removable liner!

Is the Aero-Stitch made of the nylon mesh and cordura material? I have been down a few times, not with major road rash, but enough to know that what is over the skin when the surface is hit will either hlod to a degree, such as leather, or get eaten up and burn its way into your skin.

The heat factor riding in the tropics is a real bear. Sitting in 88 or 89 degree heat, in traffic on blacktop, the bottom of the boots on the ground make the balls of the feet hot. So the skin in the sunlight is frying, and with the motor temperature doing its thing to the skin, it makes you feel like the fried egg comercial (the one that shows the egg on drugs when its fryin in the pan).

MCSRC says to stay hydrated, and when riding in Hawaii on those hot days, you ain't drinkin beer....GATORAIDE!

So trying to find the right gear is tough. I ride in shorts, low top combat boots and a pullover shirt. Trying to wear leathers is nuts in the heat, levis are almost as nuts, and the short trip, well thats even crazier, but I ain't frying doing it. I also wear gloves, as I learned that flying debris hurts like hell, and a 3/4 helmet with face shield, as the road grime stinks.

So if anyone can point out something or a technique (water on the shirt, wear your leather, soak your helmet in ice water, wear chaps, open in the back) whatever, man let me in on it. Better yet, if there is some safety gear desinged for the tropics, that one I'd go for in a heartbeat.

i use fieldsheer http://www.fieldsheer.com/products.php?display=titanium-air-jacket

and a pair of draggin jeans cargo pants. from OZ becuase they line it with more kevlar there than they do in the states and i do'nt think they even sell the cargo's in the states .http://www.dragginjeans.com/

notice how well they are lined with kevlar .

the outside

Are the draggin jeans hot in the summer?

the jeans do get warm in the summer.
they are really nice for spring and fall seasons, good alternative to leather pants.I do not think the USA version would be as warm since they only use half the amount of kelvar and use it in key places, knee area, buttox....etc

I have the US version and they are 'way too hot above 85 degrees, even with less kevlar in them.

I have a FirstGear mesh jacket, too, and it's great as long as you're moving. The mesh is soft and flexible and small enough that it doesn't accumulate bugs, which is a plus in PA. It's black, tho, and I've wondered if a lighter color would make it tolerable when it's above 85.

Hey- this is a great time of year to talk about what we wear in hot weather. :cool:

As I live in Arizona, the heat is a little more extreme than the lovely central Pacific where Rich lives. Just as in cold weather, when you experience a 'wind chill' effect, here in Tucson, when the temps top 100F, we experience the 'convection oven' effect. You really notice it riding at 110F. The faster you ride, the hotter it feels. So, the T-shirt and shorts thing just doesn't work. And a black leather jacket is a bit much- even the light weight one I've got with all it's vents.

My secret: A Levi's denim jacket in a very light pale blue color. Gotta' have a light color to stay cool in the blaring heat of the sun. It seems to provide just the right amount of wind protection, yet enough breathability and airflow. Plus, it's stiff enough so that it doesn't flap around in the wind. Here in the desert southwest, perspiration actually works, so inside the jacket it's much cooler.

Granted, it's not kevlar armored- but its a fair compromise for me between protection and comfort. Also cheap, washable, and has lotsa' pockets.:2cents

I went out and bought a leather shirt thinking that without the liner like a normal jacket, I'd be able to get away with ridin in the summer with it. WRONG, it is just too doggone hot. I tried a bunch of different things to protect the skin from a potential ride on the blacktop VS the extreme sun at 12 noon, and what ended up winning is the battle against the sun as it is constant.

I know, some of you are thinking a slide at 50 would be a major ptoblem, I'll agree. It is hard enough wearing the helmet, but i do it knowing the head is softer the watermelon when it is dropped from 3 feet, and not adding the 50 MPH to it. I've tried wearing long levis, levi long sleeve shirts, wrangler shorts (this is what I end up wearing), long sleeve collarless sport pullover (wear that 95% of the time, keep the hydration problem away as I try to wear light colors) the leather shirt (good when night falls, but even in September on hawaii roadways at night at sea level is like riding on a warm day anywhere else so the shorts and short sleeve t-shirt and magnum boots do the trick when the heat and humidity is up) BDU top (battle dress uniform for you non-military types) sand, desert cammo works okay too, but looks hoaky.

The BDU does a good job on hot days in daylight, but looks pretty weird to me and I am sure it would not offer much protection going down.

My thought is to find a light colot or white leather shirt that would do the trick somewhere. Looked at one of the other threads for boots, and saw you can custom order them with high tops, so that might be an alternative.

Nothing like trying to re-invent the wheel...um safety wear for bikin'!!

A combination that I found worked well for my trip to Sturgis this summer (I still love saying "my trip to Sturgis") was the leather shirt that you have,
http://a1276.g.akamai.net/7/1276/734/infinite/www.harley-davidson.com/media/images/productphotos/MC/98111_98VM_L_767c.jpg
and a perforated leather jacket!
http://www.cedarriverhd.com/97149-03vmf.jpg

For riding through very hot, I just wore the perforated jacket. It worked fine even through the 110 degrees of the Vegas desert (except when getting stopped in traffic). When it got a little cooler I wore the leather shirt instead. If it got too cold for that. I wore the leather shirt over the perforated jacket. Wearing the combo of the two was toasty warm even when it got pretty cold outside!

I wear a special shirt made by Ultra Cool" by Debi Gioello" under my Leathers.I got it at cycle gear.It was about $60-$70 but it really helps when it's hot out.I tried doing a search but I'm a little Lame when it come to that stuff!:lamer:
Maybe John or another of Our Great Googlers can do a search! :cool:

Originally posted by Super Kaz
I wear a special shirt made by Ultra Cool" by Debi Gioello" under my Leathers.I got it at cycle gear.

Kaz,

Is this it...
http://www.helimot.com/catalog/other_items/coolshirt.jpg

I found it here...UltraCool (http://www.helimot.com/catalog/other_items/coolshirt_data.shtml)

Yep thats the One!:cool:

My Girlfriend and I both use FXRG Nylon/kevlar short jackets from HD. They are pretty good for both summer and winter... used em last year in spain during 43 degree celcius (110F) sunshine and will ride home tonight at closer to Zero...(33F)

They have zips that open mesh airflow pockets, a kidney belt, armour, a removable waterproof liner and come in black.... What else do you need?

I've been using mine for 3 years.. love it. Only prob is the price, but they do last.

Arlen Ness also has some pretty cool and versatile jackets.

I second the FXRG Nylon/Kevlar short Jackets. It is very comfortable and very protectant for the climate (hot/mild cold). I don't think it is sold anymore because I have visited 5 HD dealerships (including the one I bought it from) and told that is a real nice Jacket, when and where did you get it from.

I just got a Bohn Body Armor mesh shirt with armor on the elbows, shoulders and lower back area. Its a mesh zip on shirt in white & blue. It will work great with just a long sleeve t-shirt on over top of it. They come in solid black and Harley orange & black. At $138 it is pricey but for the summer heat, it should work well. You can wear it by itself but they recommend wearing a shirt or jacket over it for additional protection.

Just don't do what the crotch rocket crowd seems to do here in Texas - full body armour above, full face helmet, and shorts and sandals with no socks. WTF is that all about??

Speaking of Bohn... you'll find a much better price shopping at www.sportbiketracktime.com - they are the US' second-largest distributor of Bohn products!

For close out's on all motorcycle apparel at great prices try this place.
New Enough (http://www.newenough.com)

Being in Florida, I wanted a perforated leather jacket. I just picked up one of these at a closeout sale at a local bike job. I like the jacket a lot. I had purchased a Vanson perforated jacket first, but sent it back.

http://www.kerrleathers.com/jacket02.htm

KL295P: Available in perforated leather

Also checkout their specials page for $249 price.

http://www.kerrleathers.com/special.htm

Hi!
I wear different gear depending on purpose of riding. In fact the first gear I have bought was HD leather thermal jacket, which is very comfortable, and it has plenty of pockets (excellent to store alot of stuff - gun, keys, cellular, wallet etc) + HD freedom leather chaps, also very comfortable. Such a gear works just great for most of purposes, especially for longer and relaxed rides.
As I started enjoying faster speeds, I decided to buy alpinestars GPU black two piece leather suit, which gives much better protection, though much more confidence on a road when I ride fast. The suit is also very comfortable, and looks very professional. I greatly recommend it! The only dissadvantage is that it has only two inside pockets, so I have to keep my gun in my pants (I am not sure if you know what I mean :confused: :D - my English is not so good). As weather in Poland is often rainy I often have my rain gear with me (in bag).
In case of helmets, though I have two HD open face, I almost always wear AIROH full face top line, which gives very good protection, is very comfortable and quite silent.
As for boots, and gloves I normally use standard HD leather boots and leather gauntlets, but I am going to buy some stuff which gives a better protection (any suggestion?)
In my case, protection is the most important, as I have seen to much photos of dead or heavily injured motorcyclists because of wearing unpropoer gear. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Ride safe!

I wear my HD black fxrg jacket unless it's really really hot. Then I wear my Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh jacket. It is really great! Here in north Texas it gets really hot and humid and I love the Joe Rocket. I just hope I don't crash and it melts into my skin!!

I have a Joe Rocket Atomic Textile jacket too and was not aware of the melting factor. Very scary...
I like ir because all the vents open and it keeps you pretty cool in the heat.