Super Hot Weather Gear

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 8:28 pm

I had to surrender today, resulting in a ride home in the comfort of my air conditioned car. I've been riding my 750 to and from work for about 10 days, but today's 102 degree temperatures made me think twice. I'm a black leather jacket up to ~85 degrees, and denim jacket 85 degrees and up kinda' guy, but this is over the top. As I ran down I-40 yesterday, wave after wave of breath-sucking heat rose up to greet me. Forward speed didn't matter.
Someone talk to me about the best compromise of new technology/cost for upper coverage. Grope seems especially venal around here, & I'm loathe to not wear some kind of jacket. I wear Kevlar lined jeans and over the calf boots for lower protection. Someone want to steer me to the best in strength, ventilation and cost in new "space age" materials?
This kind of weather gives new meaning to the term "sweathog" Shocked

Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 9:23 pm

When Quyen and I went through Shasta on the way down I5 about a week ago, I think it was 115ish. On the freeway in leather in that heat is no fun.... Quyen finally yelled at me to pull over. The best trick I know it to literally soak your shirt in water, put it back on and zip up your jacket. As the water evaporates, it keeps you cool. I have heard in some cases you even have to open your jacket becuase you get too cold.

When I ride these days and I know Im going to be in the saddle for more than an hour or two I have to wear biker shorts. I get the worst "Swamp ass" or "Monkey butt" as Ive heard it called when I wear boxers. Its really painful!! I wish I knew why.

You can get those mesh jackets for about $80, the ones that have vent designed into the jacket. They work well. Vented gloves as well.

usually when Im riding in conditions like that, Im already in motocross gear which all designed to vent really well. Not only that, it takes on sweat well and dries really fast.

Go check out New Enough .com they have great deals on stuff.... Im sure they have good summer clothing.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:41 am

I have a Joe Rocket Phoenix Mesh jacket. The whole jacket is a flow through mesh that ventilates very well when you are actually moving or there is a breeze blowing. It has armour for the shoulders, elbows and back. It also has a zip in liner in case it rains. I find it works pretty good.
Karl

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:53 am

I have been riding all week here in Louisville. 102 today with a heat index of 115 or so. I wear the Joe Rocket mesh with First Gear mesh gloves. Only about a 30 minute ride. Ok until I get stuck at a red light. I get some strange looks but I figure it is other motorcyclist wishing they were riding. I made a mistake yesterday riding home on a freshly blacktopped road. When I put my boots on the ground I could hear them sticking to the pavement. I am hoping for the cool 95 they are predicting for Friday!

Hawk Joined: Aug 18, 2006 Posts: 272 Location: Alsip, Ill

I have been looking at the mesh jackets myself, but I think I'll have to wait to buy one, moneys alittle tight.

Around the Chicago area this week its been in the high 80's low 90's with humidity in the 75% range........tried to ride in my levi jacket and pants, I was a soaking wet mess after only 1/2-hour. The heat isn't as bad as the humidity.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 11:41 am

I wear a Alpinestar Airflow Textile and its great up to about 90 and after that I don't think any thing helps but to just take it off. I work in the heat all day and when I'm not there I try to avoid it as much as possibly. This weather sucks I don't know how you guys down south stand it.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 1:25 pm

I ride with a mesh jacket AND i also just got this SixSixOne shoulder/neck cover that is filled with water absorbing material, like a baby diaper. You let it soak in water for about 1 hour and then put it on under your jacket, but close to your skin, i guess over a T shirt. its worn by firefighters, army personnel, and cool guys like me to help keep them cool.
I havent tried it out yet, but it supposed to help keep you cool for up to 5 days, and is advertised that it wont get your outer clothes wet, and only weighs 1.5 lbs when fully saturated. cost about $40 but i figure any long ride through AZ it would come in handy.

heres the link

http://www.core-coolerusa.com/

Hawk Joined: Dec 03, 2006 Posts: 407 Location: Madison, WI

If you like the all purpose variety, First Gear has a Kilimanjaro Air jacket that has a mesh shell but comes with liners and such for colder driving as well. Keep the liners on your bike and ride in cool comfort. First Gear makes good stuff but it is kinda expensive. But you get what you pay for. I like the looks of that core cooler too!

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:26 pm

Mesh breaths the best. But, I wear a Icon TiMax. Not sure I want to go mesh for one reason.

At 120 degrees in the shade, and 150-160 in the sun, I don't want the hot air hitting my body. The faster you go the hotter you get. It actually burns, and hurts my hands riding in some of the heat we get.

And what is this air conditioning you are talking about?

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:29 pm

I think I remember seeing an article in one of the bike mags a couple years back about someone manufacturing an air conditioned helmet!! Guess no one on the list bought one of those.....
Great suggestions, guys. I'll look into some of this stuff. Sounds like mesh in one form or another, and wet undergarments Shocked

are the way to go.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:04 pm

AGV had a peltier cooled helmet several years ago.

Toddk

I wear a joe rocket phoenix, total mesh, great as long as your moving.

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 7:14 pm

heres my joe rocket jacket (turned sideways for some reason). Its the mesh kind, with pads on the elbows, shoulders, kidneys and abs. Zips, buttons and velcro every where for fit and ventilation. cost about $250 but it says Honda and I like that.

http://picasaweb.google.com/Silberman.Amy/GrandCanyonMotorcycleTrip/photo#5060171367824417090

Posted: Thu Aug 09, 2007 8:04 pm

toddk wrote:

AGV had a peltier cooled helmet several years ago.

Peltiers would be absolutely terrible air conditioners for a ambient air heat transfer. Peltiers are these trick little devices that when a current is applied through two dissimilar semiconductors it 'pumps' the heat, from a cold side to a hot side. The problem with this application is that there would be nowhere near enough heat dissapation on the hot side and eventually the two sides would reach a state of near equilibrium. Also peliters draw a hefty current and I doubt any battery powered peliter would last long. Not to say cooling helmets is a bad thing but this is the wrong approach.

A good way to cool down is to cool your neck. Get one of these absorbent gel neck wraps or just drench a hanker chief and wrap it around your neck, doesn't look cool but will be the best way to keep your head cool. Razz

The hot air going around your neck is also heating your neck, which then heats your blood, which then goes to your head or core. Not cool. Wink

Maybe it's just because I'm working outside (laying concrete) these days, but I can wear my Icon Neo Daytona leather jacket and as long as I'm moving it's all good.

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:04 am

Mesh jacket and gloves is how I roll... but it can be a bit cold on those less than smoking hot days. Cool

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:50 am

104 yesterday. Joe Rocket Ballistic Hard Drive. I have a Phoenix, but I ain't wearing it until I have time to replace fork seals--that's why the Ballistic's right side looks nasty. TB

Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:56 pm

I bought a First Gear Mesh Tex jacket at Iron Pony's tent at Vintage Days a couple of weeks ago. It's mesh with a removable, supposedly waterproof liner. So far I like it. I read about this jacket in another thread, and luckily they were on sale & I got to try one on there. I'm leery of ordering clothing without being able to try it on.

I also have a pair of Tour Master ventilated gloves, nice and very comfortable.