Dumb question for the long distance riders

[Darren]

Hey All,

My typical weekend ride is 300 miles round trip. A buddy and I are planning a 1000 mile trip and I realize that I really don't have a summer riding jacket. I always wear jeans, boots and t-shirt but for a trip this long I would like a bit more protection from the elements. I have a leather jacket but I think it might be a bit hot for summer. Is that correct? Any suggestions that won't break the bank or are there others that go the leather route?

Thanks in advance.

Darren

[NCGhostrider]

You might check into the mesh jackets with kevlar and a removable liner.  I have a Joe Rocket that I use from time to time.   Prob is here in my part of the world, its so hot during the afternoons that I just wear a shirt and jeans, and carry my leathers.

Opinions will vary on this I am sure.   But I am not going to pass out from heat stroke and cause my own accident because I am geared up.   The mesh jacket is a good option though.

craig

NcGhostrider
99 I/S

[tank_post142]

i'm a big fan of the long sleeved t-shirt.light colors in the summer.

[Valker]

Here's one for $79
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/mesh_jackets_and_pants/speed_and_strength/moment_of_truth_sp_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

[Red Diamond]

Sometimes I wear a mesh jacket on long trips, but it is ultimately shedded for the long sleeve T. The T, as was stated, in light colors, keeps the sun from directly shining on the skin, keeps the wind from dehydrating you and is faily cool if you start to sweat. I where them anytime I'm riding away from home.

[Willow]

Try Motorcyclegear.com (formerly Newenough.com) .  They sell a lot of discontinued gear for low prices.

I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix.  It's a mesh jacket with armor where it needs to be.

[olddog1946]

I wear a fieldsheer mesh jacket, from motorcyclesuperstore.com, was a paltry 59 bucks. I have always preferred being covered up and not a fan of just a shirt. The mesh is cool even on very hot days while moving, can warm up quickly when stopped. For riding in triple digits, I still use the mesh jacket and add a cooling vest which I wet down at every rest stop or fill up. I also wear mesh pants as well.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Might be a good idea to check this out.

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.htm

[eric in md]

leave a day break your there by lunch

[Jabba]

I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix. 

Yet another commonality Willow... you are starting to freak me out man...

It's going to be 95F here today and I am wearing the Joe Rocket Phoenix.  It rides cool, and really isn't A LOT hotter when stopped. 

I like the new hi-tech shirts under that better than a cotton t.  Like Under Armor, but the Reebok and Adidas ones are LOADS cheaper. I have pretty much abandoned my cotton shirts for everything but winter wear anymore.  The wife even bought me 3 button golf shirts in hi-tech to wear to work.  They make them in long sleeve too.  I have a white Under Armor one that I wear riding a lot.

I keep threatening to wear mesh pants too, so I can wear shorts under them when it's hot... but I never get around to doing it.

Good Luck!!

Jabba

[Cliff]

Armored mesh,,, but stay away form the dark colors as they absorb more heat.  Consider a gel vest under the mesh on the hotter days.

[houstone]

And stick your brain bucket in the bag ice freezer while you get gas.  Great idea, Daniel!
;-)

[RainMaker]

I wear a Honda mesh jacket (they had a BIG sale years back) all year, unless it's cold enough for the leather jacket.  On long rides, I wet the jacket completely at every stop.  For 20 minutes, you're air conditioned (think of a swamp cooler).  The backside stays wet longer but you'll dry out within 45 minutes.  Still, not much hotter than just wearing a t-shirt and a lot more protection.

[old2soon]

Plus a lot on the mesh armored jackets. Got a used one from a board member here and while it is black it's still WAY cooler(temp wise)than leather. If you'll look at the different people selling new mesh jackets you'll see prices from around $60.00 to north of $400.00. The one i got is called a Joe Rocket Ballistic Series. Really depends on what you want. Now that i have something to compare with i'll wait til this winter and get a neon green or neon yellow. Something that really POPS color wise. RIDE SAFE.

[98valk]

70mph crash results after using the proper jacket

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585001

[sugerbear]

Hey All,

My typical weekend ride is 300 miles round trip. A buddy and I are planning a 1000 mile trip and I realize that I really don't have a summer riding jacket. I always wear jeans, boots and t-shirt but for a trip this long I would like a bit more protection from the elements. I have a leather jacket but I think it might be a bit hot for summer. Is that correct? Any suggestions that won't break the bank or are there others that go the leather route?

Thanks in advance.

Darren

what size you wear? 

also, doesn't HAVE to be next week. most any week is fine just let me know.

[SANDMAN5]

I seldom wear my mesh jacket in HOT weather...although I can see why
a lot of people do. I usually go with the long sleeve t-shirt, bright colors
for visibility and some heat reflection. Mesh jacket was fine for me while
I was moving, but you'll roast in (almost) anything in stop-n-go traffic.
Drink all the water you can and then drink some more. So what if you
have to make a couple of extra pit stops....gives people more chances
to compliment your Valk!! 

[fudgie]

I bring my leather jacket on trips. The liner has never been out of it in 4 yrs. Mornings are cool even tho day temps are 95. Then its a tank or sleaveless under my vest. I do wear long sleaves to keep the sun off me.

[Toledo Mark]

Sometimes a mesh jacket but most of the time a long sleeve button down fishing shirt that has the mesh venting.  May wear a mesh t-shirt under it.

[Lyn-Del]

You might check into the mesh jackets with kevlar and a removable liner.  I have a Joe Rocket that I use from time to time.   Prob is here in my part of the world, its so hot during the afternoons that I just wear a shirt and jeans, and carry my leathers.

Opinions will vary on this I am sure.   But I am not going to pass out from heat stroke and cause my own accident because I am geared up.   The mesh jacket is a good option though.

My sentiments exactly.  I figure my safety is not improved if I'm so hot I cannot concentrate on what I'm doing.  So I make the choice to keep my mind operating.

[Michael K (Az.)]

Might be a good idea to check this out.

http://www.soundrider.com/archive/safety-skills/when_youre_hot.htm

I guess from reading these threads, that the skills and techniques espoused in this link aren't being taken very seriously. Hmmmm.

[Lyn-Del]

I'm so used to living where evaporative cooling is not functional, I'm always surprised when I end up somewhere where it works.

I soaked myself down in Nebraska one year, was completely dry in 10 minutes.  Here in Houston, I'm liable to still be soggy more than an hour later.

[mrider]

I tour alot, in Tx a jacket can cook you like chicken( beer can ) that is......T-shirt - jeans- boots and sunglasses always serve me well.

[ValkFlyer]

I purchased one of these in Silver/Black five years ago.  Extremely durable, protection is good, and ventilation is excellent.  I wear it from 50 - 100 degrees.  When it's hot I pull the liner, when cool I add the liner plus a mid weight-polar tech turtle neck shirt. Can't beat it.  http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/firstgear-mesh-tex-jacket FYI, just about any jacket is going to be uncomfortable in temps above 85, however, I believe you're better off with a light colored jacket especially with this kind of ventilation, the jacket is going to retain moister from your body, were riding without covering does the opposite.  Couple the moisture with even a small amount of air passing threw it will assist in cooling you down.

[X Ring]

Go to the Motorcycle Tourer's http://forums.delphiforums.com/n/main.asp?webtag=MCTourer&nav=messages&start=Start+Reading+%3E%3E&prettyurl=%2FMCTourer%2Fmessages%2F%3Fstart%3DStart%2BReading%2B%253E%253E&gid=345966742 and talk with them.  A lot of those guys are members of the Iron Butt Association.  They can answer your questions on setting your bike up for a ride of that distance and what gear you should wear.

Marty

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

i'm a big fan of the long sleeved t-shirt.light colors in the summer.

Yep. Or a long sleeved, light weight button up shirt. You can leave the sleeves unbuttoned to funnel air.

[Jess from VA]

I keep threatening to wear mesh pants too, so I can wear shorts under them when it's hot... but I never get around to doing it.

I have full mesh jacket and pants..... the jacket in white and silver is great, but the pants are almost all solid black and lined by every maker, and way too hot except at higher speeds.  The black liner is perforated nylon, but perforated or not, just very hot.  

So I took my Firstgear mesh pants and turned them inside out and cut the liner out, all the way up to a pair of 7" shorts (I don't wear shorts under them, just underwear, so the remaining liner covers the underwear), and of course, this removed the knee armor and armor pockets.   Well that helped a lot, but the inside (now exposed) sewn seams of cordura nylon at the knees were sharp enough to draw blood, so I took them to a cleaners and had them sew patches of military ripstop cotton over the inside of the knees to protect me from from the sharp seams.  Then the engine heat got right to my legs, instantly.  So now they hang in the basement and I wear heavy weight but loose fitting jeans which blow up full of air on the hiway pegs.  And jeans are much more comfortable than cordura pants as well.

My conclusion is that mesh pants suck.

[Former BMW Guy]

TourMaster Transition II or III
Ballistics...waterproof and vented

Joe P

[Raverez]

Have you tried just a regular dungaree jacket?

[mario]

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/tour-master-intake-air-3-jacket?gclid=CPbX2umi37ACFeZgTAodelGx2g

tourmaster intake air.  they've come out with a '3' so the '2s' are discounted, if you can find one in your size. 

[Darren]

Thanks to all for your advice. I'm going with a mesh jacket. Haven't decided which one yet.

Thanks again,

Darren

[3fan4life]

I took my Firstgear mesh pants and turned them inside out and cut the liner out, all the way up to a pair of 7" shorts

(I don't wear shorts under them, just underwear, so the remaining liner covers the underwear

THAT"S TMI JESS, TMI.         

[Jess from VA]

No it's not...... just discussing motorcycle gear. 

[Thulsa Doom]

I don't have mesh jacket yet but I do still have some of my off road motorcycle shirts leftover from my dirt days. They have long sleeves and are vented with tiny holes all over. Some of them have padding on the elbows. Not exactly armor but better than nothing. They come in bright colors, team colors etc.
Really pretty excellent for sun protection where you need long sleeves on a hot day.

[X Ring]

No it's not...... just discussing motorcycle gear. 

I agree with 3fan4life.  Telling us you only wear your drawers under mesh pants is TMI!

Marty

[junior]

oh for gods sake man up...................go bear back,shorts and fliplops

[cookiedough]

oh for gods sake man up...................go bear back,shorts and fliplops

At least with no shirt you can get a nice even tan instead of the farmer tan just on the arms. 

I routinely wear shorts and t-shirt and tennis shoes over 70 degrees, flipflops are out though for me but not the misses.

For a longer ride of 1,000 miles I too would consider wearing a light duty mesh jacket with or without protective gear, just haven't shopped around for a good deal.  You could try craigslist for a used jacket 2-4 times cheaper than new and most are in like new condition for sale that I have seen and see these type of jackets posted almost daily on craigslist but most are either Large or XL and I need XXL.

[BF]

At least with no shirt you can get a nice even tan instead of the farmer tan just on the arms. 

I routinely wear shorts and t-shirt and tennis shoes over 70 degrees, flipflops are out though for me but not the misses.

Saw a guy yesterday on my way back from Panama City going down the road at about 60 mph with no shirt on.  Dude wasn't the most tan person I've ever seen and was pretty pink already.  Thought to myself that he's gonna regret that decision later on that night. 


btw......I rode ONCE with shorts on.  The heads on the Valk DO get hot.  Won't be wearing shorts on it again. 

[fudgie]

oh for gods sake man up...................go bear back,shorts and fliplops

I like going bare back. Oh wait.....