New riding gear

[Amdonim]

I'm in the market for new riding gear. I've only owned 2 jackets and the same pair of pants since I started riding. I need advice on gear for very hot climates. Looking for either jacket and pants or 1 piece. Prefer textile. Any thoughts? And by hot I mean 95+ on a c10. So liked 100+ including engine heat.

[Hanson]

Alabama is hot and it can also be humid which makes it even harder.

Before you pick your gear, it is a good idea to understand how your body works when riding in hot weather. Tom Austin wrote a great article for the IBA in how to ride in hot weather and I have provided a link to a PDF that is available online. I think it an informative read even if targeted at LD riders. Some of the information might be a bit counter-intuitive, but I find it useful to think of myself as riding in a convection oven as when riding in the heat it becomes important to protect your skin from the wind.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/Iron ... 66_Hot.pdf

I ride all year long and the heat can be miserable.

Safe Travels,
Richard

[evelynbock]

I recently bought a one leather jacket, pants and a one piece from a online shopping site. Got really cool gear at very affordable rates and they are very comfortable for hot weather too. You can check out this website and see if any of the products matches your needs.

[faded sun]

Just bought new textile jackets for myself and the better half. Incredible improvement for ventilation on warm days over leather....but not water resistant really. I ride as long as I can all year round in Toronto, so I go through the whole thermometer range. If it's hot where you are riding all the time you might want to consider an armoured vest for protection. It's your skin. I like the armoured textile jacket but there is no denying it gets hotter. It's not too bad considering I ride every day and only get wet once or twice a year. I dry off real good once I get home.



Ride Safe!

[Grey Thumper]

Got a budget? I love mesh jackets, but the tough thing about mesh is it's a compromise between protection and abrasion resistance. Personally, I'm saving up for a Rev'It Cayenne Pro. So far it seems to be the most bombproof mesh jacket I can find. There's also Motoport/Cycleport kevlar mesh, but IMHO, they look a bit cobbled together.

[MonicaMcA]

That's why I haven't tried the mesh yet! It looks whimpy! I'm the "newbie" in my riding group, and none of my peers wears anything more than a leather vest and short sleeves when it's hot here. Granted, in the Puget Sound, we normally don't go through heat waves like this. But I ride with a full face helmet, too, which not the preferred "Harley" look. So, IS the mesh a good choice or just hype in the event we are taking a really close look at the road? I've not had any luck finding good crash ratings and comparisons on these jackets. So I just wear my textile and a white helmet.

[Honey Badger]

Cooling vests are a savior on super hot days.

[Grey Thumper]

That's why I haven't tried the mesh yet! It looks whimpy! I'm the "newbie" in my riding group, and none of my peers wears anything more than a leather vest and short sleeves when it's hot here. Granted, in the Puget Sound, we normally don't go through heat waves like this. But I ride with a full face helmet, too, which not the preferred "Harley" look. So, IS the mesh a good choice or just hype in the event we are taking a really close look at the road? I've not had any luck finding good crash ratings and comparisons on these jackets. So I just wear my textile and a white helmet.

You're right, unfortunately there really aren't any crash ratings on jackets in general. You can check the CE certification of the armor, but that's about it. Otherwise, it's really a personal decision based on checking specs, as well as the jacket itself; what's the quality of the material, the stitching, etc. FWIW, I've crashed at about 80kph/50mph on pavement in my mesh jacket, and was completely uninjured, and I still use the jacket; it's the one in my profile pic. Notably, it was raining pretty hard, so I guess that helps with the abrasion (although the rain led to the crash in the first place ). The jacket was made from Cordura 500 and had really good armour, so YMMV.

[MonicaMcA]

Wow. Glad that event was less "eventful" than it could have been.
Thanks for the tip.

[GS_in_CO]

I'm the "newbie" in my riding group, and none of my peers wears anything more than a leather vest and short sleeves when it's hot here. Granted, in the Puget Sound, we normally don't go through heat waves like this.

I hope nobody in Puget Sound crashes when dressed like that.

Seriously.

If one gives a few minutes' thought to the actual probability and consequences of crashing then protective gear turns mandatory.

Yes, it's hot sometimes.
I've ridden in 105F temps in full leathers. It was HOT! And I had the zipper open but.... compared to skin grafts - it was a pleasant experience (or so I assume).

But with temps like that - I don't want to ride. I'll wait for cooler weather since riding is recreation for me.

I haven't yet crashed on road in 37 years of riding. But the next ride could be the one. So I plan to come out of it as best I can.