Hot Weather Gear

[Stereo]

This is the jacket I have... and it wouldnt be any hotter than a shirt.... except for the fact that it is black..... If it was the same colour as a shirt it would be the same temp.... You still have the CE approved padding... Spine protector (flexible) etc...

It looks like a solid material, but when you are riding it is as if you are not wearing it at all, the wind goes straight through (very clever really)...



Dririder is an australian brand, Im sure if the police ordered them in a particular colour they could be made for you......

I agree with mike that bike cops should set a good example..... At the same time, I dont think they should have to do it at the cost of unpleasant work conditions...

[aardvark]

I wear horse riding pants and a light blue shirt. Not sure how it holds up in the event of an off. Not sure I want to find out.

yeah, what IS the go with that Jas? Cops here are the same, I know its not your decision but shouldnt you guys be setting the example?
is there.

I think the issue with the police outfit is the lenght of time they are riding for. Rossi may have to wear his leathers in 40+ degrees, but only for a short time.

There are numerous issues with us not wearing appropriate safety gear.

In the good old days motorcycle specific clothing was unheard of. I guess who ever was in charge back then decided that riding a horse and riding a bike was the same, so we got stuck with horse riding pants (jodhpurs).

So, you've got a bit of history to contend with. The old blokes who are still on the bikes don't like change and resist every time new gear is bought up.

Then there is the cost factor involved. If they changed the uniform, they'd have to issue it to everyone and it costs money.

Before new equipment is bought, there has to be a trial to assess the gear. This can take months. Part of this trial is a "risk assessment". Over the years the number of Police motorcyclists who have been killed or seriously injured whilst wearing tissue paper pants and shirts have been close to bugger all. When you consider the amount of time we spend riding our accident rate is almost non-existent.

So, if we don't fall off and get hurt, why do we need safety gear? That's the way they look at it. If we are falling off, why are we? Must be a training issue.

Anyway, there's a lot of politics behind it and I'll be well and truly retired before something happens.

I have two sets of leathers supplied by work. But I can't wear them all day. Last summer I can recall one day where it was 47 degrees and I spent 14 hours working in it. Wasn't much fun, and would have been a lot worse if I had to wear leathers all day!

[Mizz ZZR]

I have a Firstgear Contour mesh jacket from the US which seems to be constructed of WAY better materials than other ladies jackets that I've seen here and includes all the armour. Haven't given it a really good go on a seriously stinking day yet.

I'd like to share my view of black draggins. They're bloody hot with the sun on your legs, to the point of feeling like they're burning your skin. I'm much more comfy with leather and cotton leggins underneath - cooler and they breathe better than draggins in my opinion. You need the cotton layer under the leather to create more airspace though. I'm sure the paler coloured draggins wouldn't be anywhere near as bad as the black though - I can hear you all sayin "duh"

And, someone else said about the wet tshirt thing - not as silly as it sounds. Soaking a tshirt, putting it on then putting your leather jacket over the top is incredibly cooling and good for about an hour in 40+ degrees - at which time it will have dried and you'll need to soak it again, but its probably time for some rehydration at those temps anyways.

[Phil]

i've got the same jacket as madkaw......note to self, make sure you dont wear it next time hoffy comes with us .........

for city riding in summer its good, i wouldnt wear it on a "ride" ride tho

[mrmina]

squid gear does the trick.

dont care how hot it is, leather is the way to go.

just remember, when u go faster u cool down, so if ur sweating ur going too slow.

[ross79]

I got some draggin type jeans today, unfortunately they only had them in black, still for $146 delivered I'm not complaining.
I'll still be getting one of the new mesh jackets, still trying to decide which brand is better, leaning towards dri rider at the moment. I'll still be wearing leathers when going on longer rides, but around the city it's just too hot, plus leathers aren't the best thing to wear when going out
I've done the wet t-shirt under the jacket thing, but I swear it dries before I even get moving

[Neka79]

i have a few points here so....

1.those mesh jackets DO work..at abt 30-40kph anyway...i got proof...

2.sumtimes wearing a mesh jacket can be just like holding a hair dryer in front of u neway..the hot air just blows str8 thru....

3.altho ussually looking for a bit of cool air, sumtimes unzipping the leather jacket a few inches lets much hotter air in...

if im going for a "ride" ride, or i get caught out in leathers, i simply wet the shirt that im wearing under the leathers... that way at least the moisture is fresh, not goey sweat...

as for ur bum..well suffer in ur sweaty jocks.... just dont expect the mrs to "service" ya...

[AussieGuy]

Im thinking about buying the alpinestars stage jacket, which is perforated. I can get it for $AU455 delivered. I think thats a bargin.

• 1.2-1.4mm full-grain leather for excellent abrasion resistance.
• Perforated leather on front panel & inside of arms
(NOTE: Picture shows only perforations on shoulders).
• Removable quilted vest.
• Leather stretch panels on the back of the shoulders.
• Stretch Cordura panels on the arms.
• Removable CE certified elbow and shoulder protection.
• Adjustable waist.
• Padded back panel for added comfort.
• Connection zipper allows attachment to selected Alpinestars leather pants.
• Back protector compartment with a foam back pad

[Lainie]

I use a Joe Rocket Ladies Cleo Mesh Jacket, love it to death. Fits like a glove.

Ladies Sport Mesh Jacket


Free-air™ poly/mesh shell
Perforated dual density body armor in elbows and shoulders
Removable spine pad with pocket for optional C.E. spine protector
Removable waterproof inner liner
Twin zipper hip adjusters
Adjustable waistband
Zippers for optional Sahara vest
8" zipper for pant attachment
Reflective stripe


Sizes and Colors
Extra-Small -to- Extra-Large

Black
Pink
Silver
Sky Blue
White
Wine


Pants I wear DriRiderAirMesh Pants again fantastic Fit :D

500 Denier Cordura heavy duty chassis.
Full flow mesh ventilated thigh and leg panels.
Double stitched on all stress points.
Paint friendly rubber coated snap fly closure
Dual adjustable Velcro waist belt
High density foam hip protector pads
Preformed high density foam knee protectors
Zip closure twin storage pockets
High back waist to prevent wind draft
Soft touch mesh liner for added comfort

[Lucky]

The Draggin Jeans Ultralite jacket is awesome. Nice and thin, but with kevlar down the sleeves andd across the back and you can add shoulder, back and elbow armour to it.
The ONLY problem with it, is that it is black, so when your not moving it can tend to get a little warm.

http://www.dragginjeans.com.au/products ... /uLite.htm

[Mizz ZZR]

Here's mine http://www.motoemporium.com/firstgear/contour/contour.html

Its been all I've been wearing the past couple of weeks, and anticipate that's the way its going to be until about April

[Burky]

After the creek on the week end i think the mesh jacket will come out of hiding. I think it's a dririder, can't remember as i normaly use the leather one.

[Gosling1]

.....on another note. if u find u get to hot or dehidrated with leather try a cammel back or the like they very good and handy

I am surprised that only 1 person has mentioned this - I got a Fox 2litre Camleback a couple of seasons ago, and would *not* contemplate any decent ride ( like a 'ride' ride ) without using it. You can wear your leathers, or normal jacket, and keep hydrated *from the inside* this is the area that counts.

Work trips here are <20min, so there is no real commuter *pain* of being stuck in traffic...and my Black Rose leather jacket has additional zippers for cooling, they work great.......But I still squid to the shops !!!

[photomike666]

I have a real issue with mesh jackets...

I was wearing one in an accident at about 50k some years ago, I managed to shoulder roll over the bars, grazed my right arm on the tarmac and ended up on my feet running. Bike was written off under a 4*4 that had pulled out of a side road, I came out with a bruised knee and a hole in my jacket on the right forearm.

It was not a prolonged contact with the ground, nor was there enough pressure to even bruise my arm. It still burnt through the Gore-Tex, and this was Dainese, not some cheap version.

Since then I have come off at 70k, sliding in Diesel. I slid a fair way along the road, finally going up a curb and onto grass. I was in leather, and aside from bruising when the bike landed on my leg I was unscathed, and the leathers are barely scuffed.

For anyone who is thinking of buying new bike clothing, I'd recommend getting Ride! Magazine and checking out their product testing. They tend to scientifically destroy jackets and trousers in an attempt to see which will protect you most. This includes burst pressure on the seams, abrasion testing on various areas and also comfort reports from test riders.

The abrasion test is done on a sanding belt and a piece of the clothing pressed against it. They then time to see how long until the material wears through. I have seen abrasion tests on leathers that have lasted 30 seconds, and equivalent mesh has lasted less than two seconds.

I've never worn mesh since, and never will again.

[MickLC]

I've got a mesh jacket that I wear when it is really hot (35+), that currently fits as badly as most of my other gear, but I agree with Mike that it would be shit in an accident.