Summer jacket suggestions

[tasdisr]

Since the V7 II is my first bike in over 15 years I have decided to subscribe to the AGATT idea. I currently have a Tourmaster Intake Air 4.0 jacket and was wondering if any one has any ideas for a summer jacket that may be a little lighter yet still provide decent protection.

[JJ]

During the dreadful  "Forbidden Planet" summers in The Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, AZ), I wear one of these.

[Tom]

 :1: I have a first generation JR  PHX.  Great jacket.  The later ones have more features.

[tasdisr]

Thanks! I will have to take a look at the Joe Rocket Phoenix. I would think sizing would be about the same as the Tourmaster. My Intake Air is an xl>

[Lannis]

I've often wondered if there are any mesh jackets that can double as "three-season" jackets simple by attaching an outer shell, so that you still have all the armor but air doesn't blow through when it gets a bit nippy.

Wearing a good mesh jacket under 65 degrees will freeze you to death .... you're warmer in a T-shirt ...

I have a "Bilt" 2XL mesh jacket but like all "Bilts", it's bilt down to a price.   Good value for what you pay, but not top-drawer.   I'm down to a XL now and looking for a new jacket for this summer ....

Lannis

[Diploman]

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

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've often wondered if there are any mesh jackets that can double as "three-season" jackets simple by attaching an outer shell, so that you still have all the armor but air doesn't blow through when it gets a bit nippy.

Wearing a good mesh jacket under 65 degrees will freeze you to death .... you're warmer in a T-shirt ...

I have a "Bilt" 2XL mesh jacket but like all "Bilts", it's bilt down to a price.   Good value for what you pay, but not top-drawer.   I'm down to a XL now and looking for a new jacket for this summer ....

Lannis

I have an Olympia winter jacket that I like pretty well. Just ordered their Airglide V this morning for summer wear, so no pilot report yet. 
It has the feature you are looking for. Along with the insulated liner, it has a rain liner that can be worn under the mesh jacket.. OR.. on the outside. That should keep the jacket dry in rain..one of my pet peeves with perf jackets.
We'll see..

[ridingron]

I've often wondered if there are any mesh jackets that can double as "three-season" jackets simple by attaching an outer shell, so that you still have all the armor but air doesn't blow through when it gets a bit nippy.

I have purchased several mesh jackets over the years. I have yet to see one that had the water protection layer on the outside. I do know that none of the liners on the inside are even water resistant. The mesh gets wet, lays on the nylon (or whatever) layer and it absorbs the water. I have zipped the liner in and used it for a wind breaker effect for cooler rides. Good to the low 40's with a Tee shirt. That is on a ST1100 which has a windshield and fairing. After that I need a long sleeve Tee or a flannel shirt. I will admit I like the coolness when I ride.

[antmanbee]

I got an AGV Sport Solare Vented Textile Jacket and now it is even less expensive at $50. I have been using it for almost a year in Florida. Quality seems pretty good to me. Not all sizes available in all colors. I got a medium gray and I am about 5-11 and 150 lbs.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/product/agv-sport-solare-vented-textile-jacket/231-0011.aspx

[Chuck in Indiana]

I do know that none of the liners on the inside are even water resistant.

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..

[tpeever]

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: on the Olympia Motorsports jackets. I have the "Nomad" from 4 years ago. Has lots of flaps front and back and on the sleeves that open up to allow lots of air flow in hot weather. It has three components, an outer Cordura shell, a rain liner and an insulated liner which I think is pretty typical of Olympia gear. Gives a lot of flexibility and jacket works very well over a wide temperature range (about 45F minimum). I tend to use it more as a hotter weather jacket and leave out the liners. It is not very rainproof with all the zippers so if you want a jacket for colder temps and or riding in rain you will need something else. Only complaint I have about the Nomad is that I find it too short in the back when on the bike but it would be fine with bib-type pants.

[chuck peterson]

I have an Olympia winter jacket that I like pretty well. Just ordered their Airglide V this morning for summer wear, so no pilot report yet. 
It has the feature you are looking for. Along with the insulated liner, it has a rain liner that can be worn under the mesh jacket.. OR.. on the outside. That should keep the jacket dry in rain..one of my pet peeves with perf jackets.
We'll see..

I've often wondered if there are any mesh jackets that can double as "three-season" jackets simple by attaching an outer shell, so that you still have all the armor but air doesn't blow through when it gets a bit nippy.

Wearing a good mesh jacket under 65 degrees will freeze you to death .... you're warmer in a T-shirt ...

I have a "Bilt" 2XL mesh jacket but like all "Bilts", it's bilt down to a price.   Good value for what you pay, but not top-drawer.   I'm down to a XL now and looking for a new jacket for this summer ....

Lannis

I've changed to something different....I have a common good quality mesh with armour ...but then I keep a good quality breathable raincoat for underneath when the weather rains or goes cool...right now I have a Marmot Precip, about $110...the hood rolls into a pouch around the collar and protects the neck...the arms are longer and made with a bend to them...I also carry the Precip pants to wear over the clapped out aerostich suit pants, and will layer the jacket on the inside.of the top..use both almost all seasons except scorching hot and then just the tourmaster mesh

[Tom]

 :1: l do the same.  I found a cheap rain suit at Walmart that still works.  I use that as an over-suit.  PHX jacket under it.

[Arizona Wayne]

A few years ago I bought a Tourmaster Draft Air 2.0 summer jacket I really like.  It has a removable waterproof liner and it can be used for rain or cold protection.  Paid $120 for it.  It has built in shoulder, back, elbow pads.     As far as dehydration, I carry a water bag in my tank bag w/hose for that.     All my rigs have some kind of wind protection built in so most my upper body is protected.

[JJ]

In hot desert riding perf jackets are like convection ovens, too much dry air! The evap will make you feel cooler but it will dehydrate you quickly.
Better to have something that shields you from full blast of the hot air but has controllable venting (lots of vent openings).
As for rain, hey it never rains in Southern California..have you heard? (but it feels and smells good if it does).

just sayin...

Wearing a light, long sleeve T-shirt helps...

[Cam3512]

On my second Joe Rocket mesh jacket, and I also have the pants.  Affordable and good quality.  When it gets HOT, it's the only answer.  I've prayed for rain on more than one ride in the summer heat.  On chilly mornings just zip in the liner and wear a sweatshirt underneath.

[Tom]

My matching pants went down Money Creek at the MN National MG bike drowning.

[Lannis]

Lots of good ideas, sounds like 3 votes for Olympia so I'll try them first ....

 :1: on the dehydration risk in a mesh jacket.   I once rode my BSA A10 from home up to central Pennsylvania to camp with some friends ... it was a HOT day, about a 7 hour ride on the back roads, I had my mesh jacket and 1 pint of water. 

When I got to the restaurant where we were initially meeting, I felt a bit "draggy" going inside.   When I sat down at the table I felt really faint, so went the restroom so I wouldn't bother anyone else.   Hadn't peed all day, which is a danger sign.

Trying to get back to the table, I came within an ace of passing completely out; the guys saw I was in trouble, came and helped me to the table, and unobtrusively started feeding me ice water and a Snickers bar ... I soon started feeling better, like a wilted lettuce leaf when you sprinkle ice water on it, and after about a quart of water I was as good as new (however good "new" was, probably no bargain.)

I was very appreciative of the "Guy" way of doing things - don't make a fuss, handle it yourself, take care of your buddy.   If it had been girls, I suspect I would have been in an ambulance to the ER ...

Mesh jackets suck it RIGHT out of you.   I should have had two quarts of water on me, not one pint ...

Lannis

[Tom]

Good reason to do a break every hour or so to hydrate, stretch, fuel up the bike and get out of the sun.

[flower_king001]

Hi,

 I live in South/Mid Tennessee and ride year round. for the most part I wear a Olympia Dakar jacket in hi-viz. Comes with multiple liners so for the most part is an all season jacket. However if the temps drop into the low 30's I pull out my old Fieldsheer which is perhaps the warmest jacket right next to my 20+ year old Hein Gericke Paris Dakar leather.

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/olympia-dakar-2-jacket

[Arizona Wayne]

I always wear a LS shirt under my mesh jacket  and can ride all day w/o stopping in 115F hot weather except for gas as long as I have ice water to sip on in my water bag as needed.  Otherwise I'd have to stop.  1 time on my 400 MP3 my air temp. went from 119F to just reading HI on the scooter gauge.    Musta gotten up to 121F that time.  Watercooled motor did just fine then.     That was around Needles, Ca.   I was about 75 miles from home then so just kept on bookin'.

[kingoffleece]

Iron Butt magazine had a great multi page article on hot weather riding.
A google search on the topic will add a lot to your knowledge base.

[jdgretz]

I wear a Tourmaster Sonora Air 3/4 jacket year round.  Our summers get into the 11x* on a regular basis, and that with a Heat Out undershirt seems to work pretty well for me.  Between 70* and 100* just the jacket is fine.  On long days I do drink a lot of water and pour almost an equal amount over me to help with the cooling.

Of course it does not get as cold in SoCal as it might in some other parts of the world.  When the temps get too far down for the jacket with dual liners, I add an Under Armour Cold Gear Mock shirt (good to the low 40s) and then the electric jacket and gloves and keep on trucking. Even with that I have my limits.  Mid 30s is about as low as I ride.  I haven't needed a warmer jacket until this year.  Still didn't get one, but thought about it several times.  Maybe I'm getting older and don't want to deal with the discomfort any longer?

jdg

[ITSec]

I have owned (and still do) numerous Joe Rocket Phoenix jackets. Highly recommended, but they run quite small - if you are an L or maybe an XL, get XXL for a start.

For something a bit heavier and more versatile, I like (and own) the Tourmaster 3-season jackets. Some designs put the waterproof shell as a removable overlay to the mesh core. This type is particularly good since the water stays at the top in a rainstorm, and doesn't soak the mesh before hitting the barrier. Some Tourmaster models have a mesh main jacket, and a removable thermal under-layer as well a a rainproof outer layer.

While there are many good products, I've found best value for money with Joe Rocket and Tourmaster when looking at lighter riding gear.

[swooshdave]

Currently I have a textile Vanson jacket. It works until temps get above 95.

For rain, which we have he more than 95 degree days I'll have a couple rain shells (one is a Triumph jacket and the other is a Icon).

[LowRyter]

During the dreadful  "Forbidden Planet" summers in The Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, AZ), I wear one of these.

I have two of these, the original Phoenix and 4.0.  The 4.0 has a rain liner and can be used in cooler weather.

Actually, I like the original best because it's much lighter but of course they haven't been available in a dozen years.

I also have the Phoenix over pants that I can wear with shorts.  They are still pretty warm.

[O]

Picked up a Rev'It Tornado 2 late last year on sale in preparation for this summer.  The perforated leather jacket I had been wearing for all conditions was just too hot in the summer.  The new jacket has a detachable waterproof thermal layer underneath, which really does make it 3 season ready. I wore the Rev'It during my last ride of the year to winterize the bike in sub 40 degree weather, and it kept me relatively toasty.  Haven't yet tried riding with the only the armored shell, but I imagine it's going to breath like crazy, given its light weight and impressive venting.




https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-tornado-2-jacket

[sib]

I got a Tourmaster Flex 3 jacket in May 2013 and I've been happy with it over the past 4 years.  It has a mesh main jacket with CE Approved shoulder and elbow pads, a water "proof" (it is truly wind proof, however) outer shell and a quilted full-sleeve thermal inner layer, both of which can be zipped out.  I used to use this jacket all year, and zip in and out layers as the season and temperature changed, but I got too lazy to do all that.  Now I just leave it all together and use it in cooler weather.  The rest of the year I wear a Vanson leather jacket, except when it's very hot, when I use an inexpensive Bilt Blaze mesh jacket (from Cycle Gear), which has elbow and shoulder padding, thinner than the CE stuff but I hope better than nothing.

[tasdisr]

Thanks to everyone for their input. I do like my Tour Master Intake Air and I also have one of their Transition Series 4 jackets. I think that I may try one of the Joe Rocket Phoenix jackets. It looks like it may allow better air flow than my Intake air and the price is reasonable.

[stevet]

Motoport and Aerostich, but their prices won't be on the reasonable end of things.  Until you crash, then they are worth their purchase price.

Steve.