Forums > Parts, Accessories & Gear > Hot weather jacket?

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If Harley built an airplane, would you want to fly in it?

I've been through a variety of clothing, both leather and textile, and I now wear an Olympia Motosport AST jacket in neon yellow. Thus far, the jacket has been flawless. It has two chest vents, back vents, full-length zippers on each sleeve, a large back pocket, front cargo pockets, hand-warmer pockets, inside pockets, removeable liner with its own pockets, and CE armor. At the price-point of this jacket, I was hard-pressed to find anything comparable. Here in the Northwet, the jacket retails for ~$260.

I have seen their pants but have not tried them on. Instead, I wear the BMW Rallye 2 pants. Yeah, they're spendy but they fit extremely well and are very, very comfortable to wear.

LT... 

Lt said:

I've been through a variety of clothing, both leather and textile, and I now wear an Olympia Motosport AST jacket in neon yellow. Thus far, the jacket has been flawless. It has two chest vents, back vents, full-length zippers on each sleeve, a large back pocket, front cargo pockets, hand-warmer pockets, inside pockets, removeable liner with its own pockets, and CE armor. At the price-point of this jacket, I was hard-pressed to find anything comparable. Here in the Northwet, the jacket retails for ~$260.

I have seen their pants but have not tried them on. Instead, I wear the BMW Rallye 2 pants. Yeah, they're spendy but they fit extremely well and are very, very comfortable to wear.

LT... 

Ditto: It'll take you three rides and eight zippers to get to the bare minimum of this jacket.  Amazingly well deisgned and priced; I know: I've had them all.  I have the pants but have only worn them in cold weather, but they appear to be equally well designed and vented.

From Phoenix, AZ I can say w/o a doubt, there is a difference between hot weather and HOT WEATHER.  I have used a First Gear mesh jacket and pants with a dry wick shirt and undies, with helmet, boots, and vented gel gloves in all the way up to 108 degrees, and was fine. Just try to get a little damp first if in a dry climate, and stay dry and go fast if a humid one.  The first 2-3 minutes of riding takes off all the water you produce as fast as it can flow, and stays like that until you stop.

The padding and anti-skid skins are not up to leather-stuff, but is much safer than jeans and a T, and it works great.  I heartilly recomend the brand.  BTW, a liner or zipper problem means a fix or a new jacket if you call them and then send them your "broken" one.

W,

I'm wearing a Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh jacket and Himalaya mesh pants, both bought thru eBay for less than $200 for the pair.  I was comfortable at over 90 degrees today.  When it gets 10 degrees hotter I'll break-out the cooling vest. 

(we be chillin' )   >>>Steve

For myself, being in a place were sometimes I'm riding over mountains that can produce snow and sleet, then 30 min later be in 90+ degree weather, I like the Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket which has an outer shell that can zip off to reveal mesh along the bottom of the arms and through the body sections.  I also have First Gear mesh over pants which work well when it is hot.  Like others have said I tend to use moisture wicking underware, shirt, and shorts under the mesh protection.

Enjoy, Mike

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Enjoy, Mike

I got a Firstgear mesh ($115 incl shipping) 1 year ago when I moved (briefly) to Florida.  The new version had just come out, so I hope the lining will hold up better than Walt's did.

Flows very well with any forward speed (though my bikes do not have any fairing or large windshields), even in FL heat & humidity over the summer.

Decent elbow/shoulder armor.  Keep point for me was that Firstgear is available in Tall sizes, and Joe Rocket is not and does not fit me well (tall and thin).

I got the silver color, mostly because Motorcyle Consumer News testing showed it kept measurably cooler on the surface vs the other colors.

I am sure some of the other jackets have nicer features, but this is a smoking good price, expecially if you live in an area that only needs vented gear occaisionally (so you don't want to spend big money).

I now live in NC, and the jacket worked well this past weekend at the Biltmore BMW RA Rally when it got hot.

I wear a Fieldsheer Johnny Cool mesh jacket. Good armor, great venting. It comes with a nice, zip-in liner that doubles as a sort of bomber style jacket when used by itself. The liner is nice until the temp gets just above 70 or so. Then it's just the outer mesh garment. Since it's ALL mesh, it flows a lot of air (as long as you are moving, that is). Riding to work in the morning with the liner removed can be a bit chilly, but it's getting warmer by the day here in the Los Angeles area.

My Fieldsheer has worked pretty well for me so far, but I sometimes find myself wishing I owned something more versatile. With mesh it's an all or nothing kind of deal. I'd prefer to have some control over the amount of venting (at least I think I do). I love the looks and claimed function of the M2R Rally Cross (although this one seems it might be the hottest of my 3 choices), the Belstaff Challenger, or -- the one I'm lusting after most -- the Rev'It Cayenne. With various liner systems and copious vent panels, they seems like they'd be OK, especially as long as you're moving.

As soon as my secret money tree bears fruit, I'll be headed to the bike shop. Until then, my current jacket is getting the job done.  

 Almost forgot -- picked up my jacket for $129. I'm happy with its quality and hot weather performance so far. Not a bad deal. Sadly, the 3 jackets I listed are a little more $$$

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Scott (AKA GSlite. Isn't there some way to get your username changed?)

Walt said:

...I went to a Joe Rocket Rio. I am not sure if they still make it. I only paid 60 bucks on eBay but I like it. If feels pretty much like riding in a t-shirt, even in a tropical climate. That jacket, however, doesn't offer the same protection than the BMW jackets. The mesh is basically made to hold the protectors in place. The padding and thick spine protector offer some protection but I wouldn't want to slide 80 feet across the tarmac in it.

Good Hot weather jacket. Not made anymore. I did take a "slide" between 70 - 80 MPH. the Rio did it's job 100%. For me "mesh" is the only way to go. On an open road you'll get air. In stop and go traffic you will sweat, but once you get going your sweat and the mesh will cool you off.
As for the lower part of my body, for commuting Jeans, while on a road trip protective gear underneath the jeans.

BTW - I wear a Rio, found them on an on-line discontinued sale...got 2

TMHO.....   

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Why are you reading ths?

I purchased the Olympia AST jacket and just purchased the Olympia Airglide 2 mesh jacket and the mesh jacket is much better in higher temperatures.  Both are great jackets and beautifully priced.  I will tell you this, whether you're riding in an AST, Airglide 2, Bushwhacker, Kilamanjaro or stark naked, at 100 degress and on a 1200 RT with an Aeroflow windshield, you're going to feel like a pig at a Hawaiian Luau.  Ain't nothing going to make you feel cooler.

Bruce