I'm looking for a good summer jacket. I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix, but the collar & my helmet rub together, and on my VFR, the collar tries to push my helmet down over my eyes. Its ok on my VTX though (different riding position)
I prefer one that doesnt have a collar at all, but I'm kind of a big guy (6 feet, 240 pounds) and its hard to find one that fits.
Any suggestions? Keep in mind it gets pretty warm here in the desert.
I wear a perforated leather jacket. I'm pretty comfortable in the Southeastern heat and humidity as long as I'm moving. It gets pretty hot while stopped.
I've been looking for some summer pants and have my eyes on Firstgear Mesh-techs. While looking for reviews for the pants, I found lots of good things about their Mesh-tech II jackets. You might want to take a look at them.
For really hot weather I where a Hondaline mesh Jacket. If the pace is picking up or the weather is cooler I go with an Alpinestars TZ-1. The TZ-1 is a pretty good jacket for the price.
Mr Pheer, Mar 19 2005, 06:54 PMI'm looking for a good summer jacket. I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix, but the collar & my helmet rub together, and on my VFR, the collar tries to push my helmet down over my eyes. Its ok on my VTX though (different riding position)
I prefer one that doesnt have a collar at all, but I'm kind of a big guy (6 feet, 240 pounds) and its hard to find one that fits.
Any suggestions? Keep in mind it gets pretty warm here in the desert.
I ride 100% of the time with a Hein Gericke Superbike Speedware leather Jacket on. It has vents back and front to let the cooling air in for those hot days. The heat rentetive lining also zips off. I would eventually like to buy a perforated leather jacket for Summer riding. I considered the mesh type jackets, but a lot of them tend to feel too loose and I'm afraid that the armor could slip out of place during a crash. It also seems like that most textile/mesh jackets are one crash and throw away because they are mostly unrepairable. Not that all leather jackets are repairable or worth repairing after a crash, but leather seems to abrade much less than most textiles and can most times survive a crash with just a minor scuffing. JMO
I've got a Joe Rocket phoenix that I wear year round. I've got the liner for when it gets cold and it really works. I've got the pants to go with it now too.
I have an old leather jacket that I bought from an independant leather shop that I use on cold days. The jacket has to be about ten pounds and is pretty much indestructable. It survived a 50mph lowside with only scratches.
On warmer days, I have a First Gear mesh jacket that does a good job of making me feel sexy, while keeping me protected and cool.
Then again, I'm 5'10, 170lb. YMMV, especially on the sexy part.
Beck, Mar 19 2005, 08:25 PM a lot of them tend to feel too loose and I'm afraid that the armor could slip out of place during a crash. Beck 95 vfr
Good point, I saw a couple posts where the armor did in fact rotate out of the way. I would only consider mesh jackets that have the arm straps to keep the armor in place.
I know a guy who's been down twice in his Atomic jacket and it's still holding up fine. And these were not small crashes either. The Phoenix is disposable, I have no problem with t hat.
02VFR, Mar 19 2005, 11:24 PMFirstgear Mesh Tex in the summer great jacket I found it to be more comfortable than the Joe Rocket Phoenix.
In the winter Firstgear Kilimanjaro I have the Firstgear HT Air Overpaints, I got them for Christmas so I have not worn them yet.
Another vote for the First Gear Mesh Tex. I haven't tried any of the other mesh jackets.
Most of the time, unless it's just plain STINKIN' HOT, I wear an Aerostich Darien jacket. With all the vents closed, I can ride down into the low 50's without a liner. With the vents open, I can ride up into the low 80's. Above that, and it's the mesh!
Last day of winter today! I'm SO ready! :thumbsup:
I like my Alpinestars mesh. I have worn it up to 110, bummer at stops, but ok when moving. Has a liner that is good for me down to about 40 for less than a 1/2 hour commute. Straps for the armor, and changeable back protection. I have the upgraded back protector, but only use it if I know I will be riding a little more spirited. I am 6� and 235, I have the xxl and it fits well.
My summer jacket is a t-shirt. That, plus a pair of shorts and flip-flops, is perfect atire for my new GSX-R. I can't wait to get out and cruise the strip and try to find some others to race. :thumbsup:
I love being 20 and having a job to pay for my ride. Although, I bagged on getting insurance because the price would cut into my booze nights. :beer:
See if you can find a Marsee Force Five jacket... doesn't look like they're making them for 2005?
I loved mine all last summer. Big huge vents plus somewhat flow through fabric. You could be cool and still make it through a rain squall without being too cold/wet.
Although, lots of people swear that the underlayer is the key. Vented leathers with a soaked t-shirt underneath is good stuff on a hot day.
Winter/cold - Dainese Flash leather jacket. Summer/hot - Spidi Clima, armored with removeable chest panels for extra ventilation. Most serious riding though is done in a Dainese 1 piece suit, survives low sides very well. I always wear leather pants - Alpinestars Bat pants for cold weather (no venting) Alpinestars Track for hot weather.
Anybody tried this Tourmaster Cortech Breeze Jacket? I have a Joe Rocket Atomic, but it was pretty hot last summer in city traffic. Looking for something mesh, maybe the FirstGear Mesh Tex II after reading this topic?
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jwahrmund, Mar 19 2005, 08:24 PMMy summer jacket is a t-shirt. That, plus a pair of shorts and flip-flops, is perfect atire for my new GSX-R. I can't wait to get out and cruise the strip and try to find some others to race. :thumbsup: :squid:
I had ordered some Motoport stuff but I reconsidered and have decided to ride naked! I love the feel of the breeze in my hair! That is the hair down there! I will be wearing the full face helmet it's the law in Maryland. :D
I ended up getting the Tour Master Magnum Leather Perforated. So far I like it very much. It's very comfortable, warm enough up here in the north and with the liner out and the vents open seems to give quite a bit of circulation.
I have been using the same Cortech by TourMaster jacket since 1999 and really like it. It still looks (almost) like new when it's washed and saved my left arm from roadrash in a low speed spill. You can hardly tell it was involved in an accident and the ground was really rough. It's got a removable liner which is out during the summer. With all the vents open it keeps me fairly cool during our hot (100+ degree) summers. It does have a velcro coller. In the winter it works well with the liner in and only when it dips into the 40's or lower do I need to put on the heated vest.
Currently, Im wearing a Joe Rocket Textile Jacket with lots of zippers to let the Hot South Florida Wind in. I did have the perforated leather Joe Rocket Jacket but it fell apart after a year of riding, and Joe Rocket replaced it free with the textile Jacket. My next Jacket might be Tour Masters Impulse Jacket. B)
Currently (as it's 'winter') I'm still wearing my First Gear leather jacket I've had for many years. It's perfect, fits well, but too hot for South Florida summers. I'm about to break out my Fieldsheer mesh jacket, red and black, feels fine and not too opressive in the heat. I'd prefer leather, but just too damn hot. I have Joe Rocket ballistic pants, which I use on longer rides, but around town, again, too damn hot, and I take my chances with jeans. I know, I know..... Cheers Barry
I currently wear a Vanson Leather Jacket with full armor with zip out front panels that are ventilated. I just ordered a Vanson Textile Vent (called the Vanson Vent) jacket for extreme heat during the summer. The sleeves have straps to keep the armor in place. It rated highest on a test of summer jackets and is priced reasonably at $199. http://www.vansonleathers.com/ Here is the link to the review of the summer jackets: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/Meshjax/
vfrvtecdave, Mar 24 2005, 04:32 PMI currently wear a Vanson Leather Jacket with full armor with zip out front panels that are ventilated. I just ordered a Vason Textile Vent (called the Vason Vent) jacket for extreme heat during the summer. The sleeves have straps to keep the armor in place. It rated highest on a test of summer jackets and is priced reasonably at $199. http://www.vansonleathers.com/ Here is the link to the review of the summer jackets: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/Meshjax/
I recently purchased a Rukka APR3 suit. Jacket and pants zip together. I was trying to find one set of apparel to wear all year. A primary consideration was CE-approved armor, which it has...an unusual, patented design which allows LOTS of air flow through it. The suit is a very tight mesh with zip-in liners. The liners are Goretex, and some part of the suit is made of phase-change material. The pant liner is insulated. The jacket liner has an um, innovative inflatable series of chambers, which theoretically allow you to adjust your insulation to suit the circumstances. It actually works, at least down to about 45 degrees.
I'm very pleased with it, both with and without the liners. It's made in Finland. Their sizing chart conversion doesn't quite work for me. I ordered the proper conversion size, and it was too big. Dave at gearupnride.com has been excellent to work with. I've got the right size now. The downside, aside from the price, is the U. S. distributor appears to operate on a shoestring. It's been a slow process getting to the right size, because Dave had to wait on the distributor.
I rode a couple hundred miles today, without the liners, temp in the mid 80's. Normally, I'm boiled and smelly when I get home in temps like today. I wasn't boiled, no one complained of smelliness.
I believe I'll be able to use the suit at track days where Aerostich is accepted.
i wear an ICON leather motorhead jacket. it has four vents in front that double as pockets, and two in the rear. It is collarless and is cut short in the front and long in the back so when you are bent over the tank the front doesn't bunch up and your back is not exposed. is has perforated sleeves, full removable armour and a full zip out liner. At first this jacket felt stiff and bulky but after breaking it in it feels like second skin , i love it. i am also a little on the big side (6'1" 220) i wear an XL but is not large enough to wear a sweatshirt under it. Hope this helps you out.
I started off with a Joe Rocket meteor and ballistic pants. Saved up, now I mainly ride with Dainese. Taos IV jacket and pants. They're expensive but you can sure tell the difference in quality, fit and crash protection. I waited until I found some good closeouts on e-bay.
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 13 Apr 2005