Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi,

My wife and I are getting ready to take our MSF course and after that, purchase our first bike. I've been doing a lot of reading and I'm pretty sure I grasp what we need for gear, but a few details escape me.

My first concern is a riding jacket. We live in central ohio and I'm primarily looking at riding spring - fall, mostly temperatures ranging from the 50's into the 80's. When it comes to jacket's, I want plenty of protection, but I'm concerned about overheating during the summer. I've found several tour master courtech jacket's on a good closeout price, made of abrasion resistant 600 denier polyester with body armor and removable insulated liner. These jackets have zippered vents on the chest, arms and back.

So, my question is, would something like this be reasonably comfortable during the hot summer? Or are there better options? I've seen convertible mesh systems, but I'm not sure how comfortable I am with a mesh jacket on for protection, is that a concern?

Secondly, boots... Most of the motorcycle boots I've seen are really expensive and I don't really like the style of any of them. What makes a boot a motorcycle boot? If I just wanted to get something that covers the ankle and offered good protection, what kind of construction should I look for in a regular boot not made as a motorcycle boot? Or do I really want a motorcycle specific boot?

Thanks for any advice

Chad

Many of the jackets have vented panels that can be removed and opened and closed.

I have a textile jacket that has zipper mesh vents all over that for warmer weather, and a full mesh for truly hot 100 degree days when its still 95 and humid and night.

I'm looking for the right leather jacket for when its truly cold.

As for boots, a motocycle boot is made to restrain and support the foot in case of a crash. They have ankle supports, heel supports, things that stop your toes from flexing. They are also slip resistant, made to stand on asphault at a stopsign. They tend to be slimmer in build as well, many have extra material at your shifter and rear breaks.

The more race style you go for your boot the more amazing bits of science they have to keep your foot safe and stable. Many motorcycle boots can be found in a nice simple black. Mine are uber flashy black and silver because well, I think its cool.

The feet are something that are often ignored. You need things like shin protection, shatter protection for your ankle. You don't want them flipping off if you do crash and leaving your toes to shatter and sheer off on the pavement.

So is the general consensus that you're going to need a textile jacket for spring/fall and a mesh for the middle of summer? I was hoping for one jacket to rule them all

The closest thing I've found so far is something like the Tour Master Intake. It's 600 denier mesh, but has 680 Denier Ballistic Polyester on the elbows and shoulders, hard ce approved armor and a windproof liner, plus a insulated liner. Sounds like it would work nearly year round, except for the fact that it's mostly mesh and I can't make up my mind how safe I'd feel in that...

I wear an Alpinestars mesh jacket when it's warm out. It has a zip-in liner that I keep in the saddlebag if it gets cool out. If it's cool enough to begin with I wear a leather jacket.

The mesh jacket has non-mesh abrasion resistant material over the shoulders and down the entire outside of the arms. It has padding on the back as well as shoulder and elbow armor.

Here it is. I feel fairly well protected in it.

I can tell you what I do in Northern Il. Good quality leather jacket wtih no liner for summer and use sweat shirt, tee shirt etc... for layers as the season is cooler.

I also don't/didn't ride when the temp has been less than 35 to 40 degrees in the past 24 hours due to left over ice.

I use Paratrooper jungle boots (current model/style) they have semi-soft rubber type soles and are leather all around your ankle but transistion to mesh as it goes up your ankle for heat release. I put a gel cel insert as a personal preference but now there are comfy and good as a boot 2x's the price. There 100% better than the ones I was given in my day as a ground pounder. Back then it was the "evil empire".

I feel old

The jacket you describe will probably suit you just fine. In the summer you'll be hot waiting at stoplights no matter what your wearing but you'll cool off when you get moving if air can flow around your body.

IMO I am more comfortable knowing I am better protected with a full jacket than optimizing my temperature with a mesh jacket.

Targeting parts of your body that dissipate heat can help. Try loosening the jacket around your wrists so air flows down your arm, around your pits, and out a back vent. Get a helmet with vents, a lot of body heat is dissipated off of your head. Try not to block airflow around your neck.

And as you probably know, darker stuff gets hotter in the sun.

First, buy good helmets. Be sure to review the helmet fit guideline sticky. And, while we're talking about the head, good eye protection.

Jacket, I have a convertable Cortech GX-Air. It has the mesh outer with armor, removable rain and thermal liners. I've ridden with it in different configurations in temps from 94 degrees to 34 degrees. In the coldest temps, I wore a sweatshirt and turtleneck underneath it. No problems.

Boots, I just bought a set of harley riding boots on sale for around $90. I think as long as you get a sturdy leather boot with reinforced toe and shank, you should be fine. Worry about buying a "riding boot" later.

Pants, Consider chaps for colder temps. I wear kevlar reinforced jeans and also have a set of textile overpants for the coldest temps.

Gloves, Buy multiple sets for different temps/riding conditions. I have 3 different sets right now. My cold weather gloves are actually snowmobile gloves.

Raingear, It's also worth investing in some rain gear. I just have a cheap set of golf style pants to pull over my jeans when it starts to rain.

Forgot to say

Well, this is a hard decision to make since I've never ridden in either style and I have no idea how comfortable I'll be I've got two of us to outfit as well so I'm on a budget.

Currently debating between:

FirstGear Fuel - http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/text ... acket.html

TourMaster Intake - http://www.ridegear.com/rg/F-22803B.html

The former is no doubt better protection, but no idea how it would do in the summer. The later would likely work year round, but although it has better abrasion patches on the elbow and shoulders, it's still mostly mesh...

I don't like firstgear stuff.

Tourmaster is always quality

Consider these two jackets as well

http://www.newenough.com/protective_app ... acket.html

http://www.newenough.com/protective_app ... acket.html

I also live in Ohio. A leather jacket with some good vents will do you fine. On hot days as long as you are moving you will be relatively comfy with the vents open. You will get warm when you stop. Drink water.

Close the vents for cooler temps and put the liner in for cooler than that. You can also add an electric vest or liner if needed. It is surprising how cool 50 degrees can be at highway speeds.

Personal opinion here. I just don't trust mesh very much. With the proper armor you get impact resistance but I don't see much abrasion protection. I know that I don't agree about mesh with many here.

You are in Ohio. Raingear is a must.

Someone mentioned good helmets. +1 on that. Don't forget gloves.

Did anyone mention pants?