Summer riding gear advice

[lah2420]

Our trip this last weekend was good. Cloudy on the way to Branson and sunny on the way back. Used sun screen to keep from getting burned. Wife came out great. I came out with my arms looking like cooked lobster claws.

What is a good jacket or long sleeve shirt that is cool to wear in the heat, but will cut back on the sunburns? Every vendor says theirs is the best of course. I don't want to something that will be hot to wear. I already have those types of clothes.

 

[rhino 2]

Our trip this last weekend was good. Cloudy on the way to Branson and sunny on the way back. Used sun screen to keep from getting burned. Wife came out great. I came out with my arms looking like cooked lobster claws.

What is a good jacket or long sleeve shirt that is cool to wear in the heat, but will cut back on the sunburns? Every vendor says theirs is the best of course. I don't want to something that will be hot to wear. I already have those types of clothes.

Any Mesh Motorcycle jacket will work for you..I have a First-Gear jacket.. And i use it in the summer, And at any speed over 25 miles an hour it will cool you...Had it for many years now and I'm still amazed at how much it cools me...

 

[Freewheeling Ron]

Olympia has has some great stuff. Mesh jacket only when hot, thermal liner (in or out) and rain layer. Pants have just rain layer on mine, but they are 7 yrs old. Mine are Airglide 3, but they have newer versions and a nice line of gear. Texas heat and cold requires flexible gear, it's worked for me.

 

[desertclassic]

I wear long sleeve sunblock shirts, 50% block or more. You can pick these up in most sporting goods stores. Cotton tees are the motorcycle style, but no protection. Jim

 

[Bubba49]

Our trip this last weekend was good. Cloudy on the way to Branson and sunny on the way back. Used sun screen to keep from getting burned. Wife came out great. I came out with my arms looking like cooked lobster claws.

What is a good jacket or long sleeve shirt that is cool to wear in the heat, but will cut back on the sunburns? Every vendor says theirs is the best of course. I don't want to something that will be hot to wear. I already have those types of clothes.

I use Columbia brand long sleeve (convert to short sleeve) shirts with 30 UPF protection. These shirts have vents in them that allow air to flow through them. I live in SC where it gets seriously hot this time of year, so a jacket was out of the question. What I like about them is the UPF protection and the fact that they convert to short sleeve when needed. They also sell a 50 UPF version for about 7 bucks more. In addition to the Columbia website, you can get em at Dicks Sporting Goods, Belks, and many other retailers.

http://www.columbia.com/mens-pfg-bahama-ii-long-sleeve-shirt-FM7048.html

Bubba

 

[Burnerboy]

Mesh jackets are great, it let's the air in and keeps sun out.......... I don't care how hot it is I always wear my jacket, and it has protection built in.. it's actually MUCH cooler wearing my mesh, and I feel safer if anything happens...... O' yea plus it's a very high viz yellow :clapping:

Ronnie

 

[1dn5up]

Any Mesh Motorcycle jacket will work for you..I have a First-Gear jacket.. And i use it in the summer, And at any speed over 25 miles an hour it will cool you...Had it for many years now and I'm still amazed at how much it cools me...

Just bought the 4 season version. Getting tired of carrying around a clothes closet

 

[rhino 2]

Just bought the 4 season version. Getting tired of carrying around a clothes closet

I have one that i never wore, It cost 12 thousand dollars' But it came with a free Victory Gunner, It has Victory Brazen all over it, Like some jackets have Harley Brazen all over them ... I would look like a Boy Racer if i wore it... :xzqxz:

Like buying a pick-up truck and putting a big decal on the back window with the name of the truck on it...

 

[1dn5up]

The only thing I own with the HD logo, is tees, and I bought none of them .

Not into the free advertising game :nonono: or patches etc. Usto take my name tag off uniforms and put some one else's on :clapping:

 

[DK Custom Products]

Mesh jacket is what I wear when it is warm. Not only is it cooler than wearing just a tee, it has protection.

When it is really hot I get it wet and it is super cool as the water evaporates.

I have a Vega Technical Gear that I got from Leatherup.com.

Kevin

 

[graygoat]

I have a vented leather and a vented denim. I bought an HD mesh for this summer and tried it out on a 65 degree day. Man that thing really flows the air, had to put my rain jacket over it to get home! I think it will be great when it gets hot here.

 

[Trikesyke]

Serg,

Ditto on the mesh jackets. They are awesome! I wear an HD version that has insert pockets for elbow and shoulder pads. A little extra protection ya know... The beauty of these jackets is that they really DO work! Brilliant! I should have bought one years ago. No slime on your arms and no burning. It's not like riding in an airconditioned car, but come on, we're riding bikes here. I wore it on a trip to Kentucky last summer. 100+ temps and it was still bearable. If you have a helmet with a clear facesheild it maybe 95% spf inherant. No face burn either!! And, we hit some 60-ish temps and the added mesh jacket underneath my heavier riding jacket was doable as well. Unless the mesh hits wind, it does serve as another layer.

As far as leathers, I have an HD heavy leather jacket and non HD chaps with removable liner. One problem with the jacket: I didn't notice the zip off sleeves until after I had it awhile. Those dang zippers let a lot of cold air through them in adverse riding conditions so beware.

Rain gear is good for windbreaking too.

Ride safe!

Kevin

 

[ISP-FL]

#30 suntan lotion if in the saddle for 3 or 4 hours and temps are 85 and above. Use it on arms and face. Under 85 usually just throw on a long sleeve tee if on all day ride. Lotion still goes on face.

 

[GARYD]

I bought a First Gear mesh jacket about 10 years ago. I loved it, but it was a bit thick and heavy. A couple years ago I bought a Harley mesh jacket - way lighter - almost like a shirt compared to the First Gear. I still wear both from time to time. Mesh jackets work great - IF - the sun is out. Doesn't help if it's overcast. It will give some protection in a spill and relief from wind burn though.

I do not use the armour - it blocks too much of the breeze.

As for the cooling - boy, riding away from a stop light after sweating a little, it's like applying ice to your body especially your underarms - a little uncomfortable.

The First Gear jacket also had a zip in rain liner which really helped when the temps go down.

 

[MDF48]

Mesh jacket UPF ?

What is the actual UPF/SPF rating on these mesh jackets? The tightness of the weave doesn't look like it would have a high rating. I can't find any info about this. I have a HD Orange/Black mesh jacket, PN 98256-09VM that I bought about 6 years ago. It is not nearly as heavy as leather, but is a little heavier than you would think just looking at it.

I like the HD mesh jacket but I have been trying to find some "sleeves" to wear with a short sleeve shirt for warm riding on short rides. I have found all types of sleeves online and looked at them in sporting goods stores. I can't find anything with good Sun protection that doesn't look like tattooed arms etc. I would like to find something that looks like cotton but with good sun protection in solid colors. Any Ideas or brand names?

 

[cdculbertson]

What is the actual UPF/SPF rating on these mesh jackets? The tightness of the weave doesn't look like it would have a high rating. I can't find any info about this. I have a HD Orange/Black mesh jacket, PN 98256-09VM that I bought about 6 years ago. It is not nearly as heavy as leather, but is a little heavier than you would think just looking at it.

I like the HD mesh jacket but I have been trying to find some "sleeves" to wear with a short sleeve shirt for warm riding on short rides. I have found all types of sleeves online and looked at them in sporting goods stores. I can't find anything with good Sun protection that doesn't look like tattooed arms etc. I would like to find something that looks like cotton but with good sun protection in solid colors. Any Ideas or brand names?

I don't know the actual spf of these mesh jackets, but I have fair skin and burn easily, and I have never burned riding all day with any of my mesh jackets. FWIW, I have a Joe Rocket, a Harley, and a Tourmaster Air Intake 3.

As to the high spf sleeves, Columbia makes a set, if this is what you are looking for. I have several of their high spf fishing shirts and they work well.

 

[JoeR53]

Mesh Jackets

I have an HD mesh jacket that has soft armor and reflective piping. I wear it anytime the temps reach over 80. My Fox Creek pro perf leather jacket is great up to 80. Joe Rocket makes some very economical mesh jackets that work well.

 

[HDB0B]

I have leather for cold, lined mesh for cool, unlined mesh for hot. Airglide 3 set (jacket and pants) for trips when anything can happen and you need adaptability. All my mesh jackets have armour in them for protection. Sunscreen is always on-hand in my tour pak.

Bob orag:

 

[GARYD]

First Gear comes with a zip in lining. That with a sweatshirt is good for all 3 seasons.

I wished the Harley jacked had the liner.

Again, a mesh jacket does nothing for you if it's cloudy out - it only works to keep the sun off you = no sun, no help. Temperature has nothing to do with it, except it will keep you hotter then without wearing it.

It might help a bit with wind burn though.

 

[427dave]

Our trip this last weekend was good. Cloudy on the way to Branson and sunny on the way back. Used sun screen to keep from getting burned. Wife came out great. I came out with my arms looking like cooked lobster claws.

What is a good jacket or long sleeve shirt that is cool to wear in the heat, but will cut back on the sunburns? Every vendor says theirs is the best of course. I don't want to something that will be hot to wear. I already have those types of clothes.

I wear Columbia long sleeve shirts. They have a SPF rating (not sure what it is) and they have vents in then for air flow. They are not too hot in hot sunny weather

 

[tnbillybob]

Plus 1 on Columbia spf shirts! I've been in Bar Harbor Maine - on the way up last Tuesday it was consistently 92 To 99 degrees. I was comfortable and no sunburn. Today was 60 degrees in parts of Mass and NY mountains. Needed chaps and leather!

 

[jimgpayne]

So forgive what is obviously a dumb question....

But you guys are saying a a mesh jacket can actually keep you cooler than wearing just a T-shirt?

 

[rhino 2]

So forgive what is obviously a dumb question....

But you guys are saying a a mesh jacket can actually keep you cooler than wearing just a T-shirt?

Absolutely........Once your moving over a few miles per hour......And if the temperature is under 65/70 degrees and your going at speed it might even feel too cold... :Shrug:

 

[lah2420]

I ended up getting a Bilt mesh jacket with a liner for $49.99. Regular was $169, but it was a closeout and the only size they had was XL, which I was looking for. Wife still hasn't decided on a color she wants. Oh well. I got to try it out yesterday. Sunny and 95 degrees. Was I cool? Not necessarily. But the sun was not beating down on my bare arms. I did not take it off to make a comparison of with jacket vs without, but will be doing so in the next couple of weeks.

I definitely felt the breeze blowing through on my arms and belly. After adusting the air wings on the handlebars, it got better still. I'm not sorry to have purchased, just need a little road time to see if it is worth it.

 

[GARYD]

So forgive what is obviously a dumb question....

But you guys are saying a a mesh jacket can actually keep you cooler than wearing just a T-shirt?

ONLY if the sun is out. It blocks the sunlight from hitting your skin which makes you feel cooler.

After stopping at a stoplight you WILL be very cold for a while after riding away from the stoplight.

Temperature has nothing to do with it. I've worn it in 70* temps and 117* temps = if the sun is out, I'm cooler - if the sun is not out, I'm cooler with the jacket off.

 

[Firewrench22]

We bought the arm sleeves that look like tattoos. Easy on and off. Kind of fun when it's too hot for a jacket. Wifey got the ones with roses and skulls, She has seen folks look at her arms and then look away trying not to make eye contact...

 

[jimgpayne]

Harley Mesh Jacket

So I went into my local HD dealer and picked up a mesh jacket the other day. Paid about $140 for it out the door.

The first day I used it was about 84 degrees and I really believed it made a difference.

So I jumped at the chance to use it a day or so later in 87 degree heat and experienced a completely different result.

In both cases, I could feel the breeze over my arms. But on the warmer of the two days I definitely didn't get as much core calling across my chest and stomach as I expected. So much so that I actually had to take the jacket off; and it was much cooler without the jacket.

I suspect that the batwing on the triglide simply blocks too much of the art that we want to flow over the jacket. So I am considering taking the jacket back.

For me this is a big thing since I really hate riding in the heat. If the Heat Index is 90 or above them I am pretty much out the the picture.

 

[67wizard]

So I went into my local HD dealer and picked up a mesh jacket the other day. Paid about $140 for it out the door.

The first day I used it was about 84 degrees and I really believed it made a difference.

So I jumped at the chance to use it a day or so later in 87 degree heat and experienced a completely different result.

In both cases, I could feel the breeze over my arms. But on the warmer of the two days I definitely didn't get as much core calling across my chest and stomach as I expected. So much so that I actually had to take the jacket off; and it was much cooler without the jacket.

I suspect that the batwing on the triglide simply blocks too much of the art that we want to flow over the jacket. So I am considering taking the jacket back.

For me this is a big thing since I really hate riding in the heat. If the Heat Index is 90 or above them I am pretty much out the the picture.

I'm with u Jim. If it's hot I don't ride much. Here in Nevada its been over 110 so the best way is in an AC car. LOL

 

[DK Custom Products]

We've been using Mesh jackets for years. If it is over 75-80* it is always cooler with them on than off. But we have full mesh. I have seen "mesh jackets" that have big portions of the jacket that have the wind blocked, but this or that.

When it is really warm we will get the jackets wet, the evaporation effect makes it MUCH cooler.

btw, the reason I wear an armored mesh jacket is NOT to be cooler, but to save my skin. 6-7 years ago I was hit by an F250 and ended up sliding down the asphalt for about 150 feet. It was August, 90+ degrees out, but I was wearing my mesh jacket and got zero road rash.

Kevin