Summer jacket suggestions

[Tom]

Take a look at these guys too.  I have an older one that is a cotton shell with kevlar and body armor.  They use CoolMax now instead of cotton.  They're an Israeli company that started designing their jackets for use the in the desert.  The Israeli motorcycle cops have used their jackets.  http://www.brosh.com

[Demar]

Olympia Moto Sports makes excellent gear with very high quality and features for the price.  They have a very extensive line, and feature jackets that can be configured for a variety of weather conditions, from very hot to cold.  I have a "Transitions" jacket (and matching pants), the predecessor of the current "Expedition" jacket, with "Mega-Vents"' that open for abundant ventilation, but which can be zipped closed for cooler temps.  The jacket has held up perfectly for five years of heavy use.  Comfortable, protective, adaptable.  Very good value-for-money, IMO.

https://olympiamotosports.com/en-US

 :1:

My two jackets are Olympia. One for summer one for winter. The summer jacket has a zip in liner that shuts off the mesh. Same for the winter but that jacket has no mesh.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-airglide-5-jacket

[Ncdan]

80+ tempts and summer touring I have a mesh FIRST GEAR jacket. It's equipped with a reasonable meadium impact inserts. Comes with a light zip out liner for cool mornings and evening ridding. If you need more warmth just add a under armor crew neck long sleeve shirt. That covers most all warm weather needs. Of course rain gear is a must on extended rides and FROG TOGGS takes care of that need very well. Ride safe, just ride my friends:)

[BSABEN]

I purchased a Klim Induction this winter and its getting its first use in Florida.
Seems like a very, very good jacket for air venting ..... like nothing I've ever had. Im also very confident in its ability to protect me if I go down judging by the material.
I researched quite a bit before I bought this and I think I made the right choice.

[harry h]

I have the Joe Rocket 5.0 and really like it.  Has a detachable liner and vest.  Removing all the Joe Rocket labels makes it a good looking jacket too!

[tasdisr]

I have the Joe Rocket 5.0 and really like it.  Has a detachable liner and vest.  Removing all the Joe Rocket labels makes it a good looking jacket too!

Not a bad idea, I don't like the Joe Rocket labels and think the jacket would look better without them especially the one on the back.

[groundhog105]

Looks like I'm in the small minority here with all leather Vanson fully perforated leather pants and jacket.  For cold weather I use warm n safe waterproof and wind proof electric liner and for rain I carry a tour master rain suit.   Been down a couple times and just prefer leather.

[stmike]

I've had lots of mesh jackets for warm weather riding, but the one that I currently wear is, IMO, the best of the bunch: a BMW Venting Machine.  I'm not even sure whether they're still available, but the venting is fantastic, and so is the armor.  I've also had the Airflow, but I like this one much more.  To be honest, I think BMW clothing is really well thought out and put together nicely.  Well worth a look.

[timonbik]

I've found that a good quality mesh jacket with a windproof/water resistant liner is all that one needs.  In cold weather wear a fleece under it, in hot remove the liner.  I have an old Power Trip mesh jacket that I refuse to retire despite having a new Joe Rocket in the closet.  I find the liner can be worn as a jacket off the bike while walking around.  Although not totally WATERPOOF (nothing is short of a plastic bag), it is very good at keeping the rain out.
Cheers, Tim

[Tom]

I have used garbage bags as liners for luggage and moto gear.

[john fish]

I just received my Olympia Alpha Jacket.   Took it for it's first ride today and I'm quite satisfied.  Lots of mesh in a 3/4 style with 6 external pockets and 2 internal pockets- one for your wallet and a waterproof one for a phone.  Warning, the phone pocket will not fit one of the larger smart phones.  My iPhone 6 is just barely fits.  Also, the external pockets are mesh so they flow lots of air but wont protect anything from rain.

The jacket comes with a removable rain liner that can be worn outside or inside and a removable thermal liner.  I'd say it should be a good 3 season jacket.  It has somewhat flimsy armor in shoulders, elbows and spine as is usual for a mesh jacket.  One disappointment is that it does not have a larger posterior jacket to store the rain liner so that has to be stored on the bike somewhere.  There are straps at waist and biceps to adjust fit.

As for appearance, it looks like most of these functional jackets.  One silly feature is the epaulets.  I imagine they would come in very handy if you wear one of those Sam Browne reflective belts.  I don't so I'll probably take a razor to them and chuck them in the bin at some point.  For now, I can't be arsed.  I got the version that is described as Loden .  As far as I can tell, that makes it a very dark brown-- almost black.  I've seen waxed cotton jackets that color so I suppose that's what they were shooting for.

Guzzi content-- half price!  Originally 300, now going for $149.50 at Revzilla.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-alpha-jacket?gclid=Cj0KCQjwhIP6BRCMARIsALu9Lfm65VDTuiGXBoXNhemgocs2RNdIgmJ6qnTny9Z1GaUp5f46d7sTRqwaAr-wEALw_wcB

[Guzzi Gal]

My husband has a Joe Rocket Phoenix (5.?) mesh that he wears as a year round jacket.  The removable waterproof liner (also a separate windbreaker) has kept him dry during a monsoon downpour and he tosses on a sweatshirt, when a touch of warmth is neededi during our mild winters.  I use a Scorpion mesh for summer and it has served me well during the warm (115 + degrees) weather months.  We've had both for several years and they have held up well.

[Rich A]

Sorry, but that's just not true. Gore Tex is quite good. My ancient MotoPort suit's Gore Tex liner has kept me (mostly) dry in some serious frog stranglers. Sidi's Sympatex boot liners are waterproof, as well..

I bought a Rukka mesh jacket years ago, and it has a good (mostly) waterproof insulating removable liner.

Rich

[TalbotMatra]

I really like my Guzzi Jeans jacket in the summertime.



Ciao
Lars

[Dave Swanson]

I went with a fully perforated leather Vanson.  I like the idea of leather between me and the road.  I have worn it on very hot days and it flows air through you very well as you can imagine.  Great jacket!  And USA made. 

[kirb]

I have the Klim induction jacket and love it...no waterproof liner or cover. It's my summer jacket around town. Has armor in all the correct places.

[motogoro]

exhuming an old topic?  I'll play. ;-)

This summer has been too hot, to me, for WI. 

I replaced my old, lightly used  Teknic "Supervent" black mesh jacket. 
Feels like a solar collector in the mid-day sun. 

Happy with a Firstgear Rush Air silver mesh jacket. 
Came with comfortable, soft Knox CE1 (EN1621-1 2012) shoulder and elbow armor. 
Far less noticeable, or felt, than the "turtle shell" Knox CE1 (EN1621-1/97) armor I have in the Teknic. 

Now shopping for a back protector that fits in the tiny pocket. 
A cheap Joe Rocket "spine pad" isn't cutting it.  Kinda like wearable shipping styrofoam. 
Probably buying the Knox item that should come standard, but didn't. 

Steve M in SE WI

[Lannis]

I went with a fully perforated leather Vanson.  I like the idea of leather between me and the road.  I have worn it on very hot days and it flows air through you very well as you can imagine.  Great jacket!  And USA made. 

I'd been wondering what to replace my now-worn-out Bilt with!

I'm gettin' me one of those .....

Lannis

[john fish]

Careful with Vanson.  They are absolutely beautiful and beautifully made of top notch materials.  However, they are not sized for tall people.  I'm 6'2" and everyone I've tried fits like a belly shirt with 3/4 sleeves.

Well worth having one made if you can afford it.

[Lannis]

Careful with Vanson.  They are absolutely beautiful and beautifully made of top notch materials.  However, they are not sized for tall people.  I'm 6'2" and everyone I've tried fits like a belly shirt with 3/4 sleeves.

Well worth having one made if you can afford it.

I'm 6'2" also, with 32" inseam so that makes me "long-waisted" when it comes to sizing.   

When you say "having one made", do you mean having Vanson customize one or is that someone else ... ?

Lannis

[john fish]

I think Vanson will make one to your measurements.  Well worth it.  They really are exceptional.  I bought one  from Ebay similar to the one above.  Didn't fit me very well so I gave it to a friend of mine.  He's about 5' 6" and it fits him great.  :)

Ooooh, I found this:

https://vansonleathers.com/content/56-custom-fit-design

If I could afford it, I'd have one.

[Ncdan]

I went with a fully perforated leather Vanson.  I like the idea of leather between me and the road.  I have worn it on very hot days and it flows air through you very well as you can imagine.  Great jacket!  And USA made. 

I also like the kidney belt attached! Nice jacket but I suspect it’s fairly pricey?

[Lannis]

I also like the kidney belt attached! Nice jacket but I suspect it’s fairly pricey?

$650 or so depending on the trim level.   Not near as much as a Langlitz or Schott jacket ....

Custom Vanson prices aren't going to upset me.   We bought Fay a full Rukka suit, and me a full 'Stich two years ago.   After that, NOTHING will surprise us; we're immune to sticker shock.

I suppose that a full leather race suit with lots of custom graphics, sliders, etc could be pretty pricey, but that's like buying a shotgun or a banjo - you can quintuple the price just with abalone inlays, engraving, gold and silver plating, etc.

Lannis

[jdgretz]

Well, since I last posted to this thread in 2017, I've changed up my riding gear.  I have moved to MotoPort for both pants and jacket.  My year round jacket is now a MotoPort Ultra II Air Mesh.  For $645 you get a jacket custom made to your size that has all the protection of leather during an unintended dismount.  For the cost of two regular mid- to high-end mesh jackets, I have something that will probably last me the rest of my riding career.  Of course when you add stuff to the base jacket (extra reflective stripes, arm pockets, etc.) you can run the price into the low $700s.

Highly recommended.

jdg