Warm weather gear

[kulwen]

I just purchased a pair of mesh pants from U-motors because they offered such a great deal.

First gear HT overPants 2.0 MSRP $199.95

U-motors price $132.00

I would suggest giveing U-motors a call for a price, so far they have beat every price I have found on everything. Except the evap vest, they don't carry the brand.

The evap vest post has some links to locations to purchase.

 

[Wanderer]

1. Which jacket do you own?

TM intake

2. Does it seem well built?

on a 10 scale- id say 8-9, it is a TourMaster...

3. How is riding in it in REALLY hot weather (90ish+ with/without humidity)

I think it works pretty well. Here in CO, it's low humidity but it's still tolerable in the low 90's

4. Have you ever crashed with the warm weather jacket on? If so, what were the details of your crash (high/lowside, approximate speed, etc... ), and did anything happen to you after the crash (roadrash or anything?) and how did the jacket hold up?

I haven't certified mine, but I bought it after witnessing it hold up well when a stranger lowsided at 50 in front of me

5. For those with a convertible jacket, have you ever ridden in the rain with it, and if so, how does it perform? Truly waterproof?

The rain liner is absolutely waterproof, but the mesh shell gets wet and heavy. good for the cool variable weather, for a rainy day or prolonged rain, I'd go with a rain suit. The jacket has 3 parts, quilted liner, rain liner, and mesh shell, all together I'm good into the high 50's all day.

6. Worn any other jackets of these types? If so, what was your opinion of those?

I almost bought a FG Mesh-Tex but the rain liner was kinda lacking and left a non waterproof strip where it zipped into the jacket in the front. the FG arm straps seemed cheap.

 

[NoCage]

I haven't tested my gear (thank you), but I like Vanson's gear, though it's a little pricey. I have a full mesh Vanson jacket now, but am getting one with reinforced leather for the contact points. Here's a good closeout deal at NewEnough dot com on a mesh jacket with leather-reinforced contact points. I mean, a $493.99 jacket retail for $209... I'm all over it. I'll prolly get the matching ballistic pants (and get raped on the cost).

 

[wfooshee]

Moto Depot has some closeouts that look good. I just got a Cotech HRX mesh for $169 on my brother's recommendation. When he sent me the link it was over 200 bucks. It's a close-out, no returns, so fit carefully. Two removable liners, waterproof and quilted, leather panels over the scuff areas, CE-rated armor. Only arrived this evening so I haven't ridden in it yet, but it compares well on a walk around the yard with stuff I've had before.

I was leaning towards the Tour Master Intake, a little less money but not as sturdy a skin on the scuff areas, still had the 2-stage liners. But my wife remarked that it looked like a Star Trek: Next Generation uniform, so that was out.

 

[stormrider]

J.P.

Take a look at www.motoport.com

air mesh kevlar.

I have been using this in hot humid weather for the past 5 years. The stuff is incredible

 

[shuttle1988]

Just did my first post earlier today (Frey-Daytona boots) so I guess I'm on a roll. Well that post was related to hot weather gear as well.

I live in Arizona so I get my share of hot weather riding. My own personal tolerance level goes up to about 105F and after that there is not much you can really do to be comfortable, even if it is a dry heat.

A couple of weeks ago I rode out to Bill Mayer to have my saddle redone. Of course I picked one of the hottest weeks of the year. Rode out in one day, around 500 miles. Going across the desert it got up to 107F. Took two days to come back and I saw temps as high as 112F.

The gear that I found to work best for me after spending a small fortune on stuff that stays in the closet ....

Riding suit - Earlier this year I bought the Olympia AirGlide 2 suit. I found this to have very good venting and the silver color reflects some of the heat. High quality at a very reasonable price. The liners work well on the rare cool morning. Highly recommended.

Evaporative vest - A must when the temperature gets higher than 95F or so. In the really dry heat it lasts only an hour or two but it only takes minutes to re-soak it. Mine is a TechNiche but I imagine they all work in a similar manner. In low humidity it's amazing how well they work especially with the AirGlide suit. It only works so-so under my Aerostitch Roadcrafter because the 'stitch doesn't vent as well. A must when the humidity is low, but I don't think they work well with high humidity.

Under the suit - This is probably as important or maybe even more important than the outer suit. Get some high tech wicking t-shirts. I got mine from REI and they are made by North Face among others. They work great under the evaporative vest. As for the bottom half, get some biking shorts. I like the non-padded type (after all I just spent megabucks on the Mayer seat). My favorite are the ones from LD Comfort. Sometimes I just wear the bike shorts under the AirGlide pants, other times with shorts and also with jeans between the bike shorts and outer pants. It's somewhat of a crap shoot as to what works best. Additional layers insulate my legs somewhat from the lower engine heat, but block airflow. The ideal would be to have something solid up to my knee and all venting above that.

Gloves - I use my Lee Parks deerskin gloves year around. I have two pair, one with the shorter gauntlets that I mostly use in summer but the length of the gauntlet really does not make much difference.

Sheepskin buttpad - In the heat your butt will sweat and you will become uncomfortable. Even with my fancy new seat covered in leather (which I love), my butt sweats. The sheepskin really does help by absorbing some of the moisture and circulating a little air (not much). I usually don't use it in more moderate temperatures.

Hydration - The most important. If you only have $20 to spend, do it here and let the other stuff wait. I use a CamelBak type bladder in my tank bag. I have an insulated sleeve for it and it stays pretty cold when filled with ice cubes. I can drink while I ride (even with a full face helmet) and you can't believe how refreshing a cold sip of water is when you are hot. In really hot weather I'm sipping almost constantly.

This works for me, but as I said, when it's really hot, it's nearly impossible to be comfortable.

 

[mike25]

shuttle1998, try a beaded seat cover 'much more airflow'.

 

[shuttle1988]

mike25,

I have used the beads and you are right, they do flow much more air. I should have mentioned them. I just think they look kind of funky and the sheepskin is pretty good and I think looks a little better. Having said that, I think I might try the beads again in the really hot weather. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[FJR1300Mark]

Joe Rocket alter ego. But mine is blue not black.

I've riden with it at 32 and rain and was dry and almost warm and in 95 on an iron butt ride. I was not cool at 95 but it sure helped.

The combination of the outer cover and the inner liner offers a wide range of temperature adjustment.

Quality is ok and the zippers work well.

I've had it for 2+ years.

No testing yet on abrasion resistance.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

GF and I have matching blue Alter Ego jackets and like them for all but the coldest weather. I keep a couple of good rain suits in the side bags for real heavy rain and real cold temps. Got them at a local dealer, on sale for $199. new clerk (2 days)

gave us 10% off that for buying 2, got his butt chewed since they were already marked down from $250. Well made, comfortable, probably as waterproof as any.

Always liked the beaded seats with jeans (in a previous life), since they flow air well. We have just one seat that we would hand off every couple of hours. It would cause butt burn after a while and the change of seat texture either way feels good for a while. However, with riding pants its hard to feel the air flow and I think it detracts from the comfort.

I also wear the FirstGear HT Air overpants for all riding conditions. They come with a convenient waterproof liner that is removable, good pockets. Buy the same size as the jeans you wear and they fit perfectly over them. www.Whitehorsegear.com