ATG Motorcyclists - Summer gear suggestions?

[Fenixgoon]

Currently I ride with a Shift Streetfighter Hybrid jacket - it's pretty heavy duty textile with leather reinforcements along the elbows/shoulders/back/chest. CE armor in the elbows/shoulders, with a lame foam pad in the back.

It's still pretty hot where I live, so I was thinking of getting something a bit lighter. Right now, this Speed/Strength jacket is on sale and seems like a pretty good deal - i also like the fact that there's a back plate, even though the foam protector is not CE rated.

i was also looking at getting this icon field armor vest for additional back protection - it seems like a lot of people wear it in lieu of a full jacket, but i wanted to supplement the back protection on my Shift jacket since it leaves much to be desired IMO (and the Speed/Strength one too, I guess)

what do you guys think?


The rest of my gear:
Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 textile pants
Joe Rocket Reactor leather gloves
Vega Sport II Boots (full length)
KBC Force RR full face helmet (finding replacement shields has been impossible - i want a tinted/reflective one!)

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I really like the back protectors that are independent of the jacket - particularly with mesh. I feel like the ones with shoulder straps and thick ab straps are much better... Mesh tends to fall apart in wrecks, and while getting road rash scrubbed out sucks being in a wheelchair would be worse.

Also not all mesh is the same.. Even amongst the same brands some is thicker, has heavier fibers etc etc etc. Look at how the armor goes in, makes sure it fits correctly and/or is adjustable.


Overall I like Alpinestars mesh as it's the best combo of fit and quality but this is one of those things where it's best to try things on in person.

I don't like Shift and Joe Rocket gear. Joe Rocket has *some* nice stuff but some junk as well. Dainese is pretty much universally good.

Also Triumph makes very good gear that is often on sale at local stores.

As always, a shout out to newenough.com

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I also only buy mesh that has textile on the shoulders and elbows, I prefer textile down the middle of my back as well.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Many of the cheap mesh jackets will give you marginal protection in a crash and might split apart. That said, I have a cheap mesh jacket that I wear when it is really hot out...I guess it is better than nothing. Thankfully it hasn't been that hot here this summer so I can still wear leather and not die of heat stroke.

I've been meaning to get a decent mesh jacket but I'm between jobs currently so buying motorcycle gear just isn't in the budget.

 

[Mutilator]

I'll try not to take this too far off topic since it kinda ties in...

I've got an Alpinestars T-RC-1 jacket. Last week I decided giving compression shirts a try when I'm working out to help wick the sweat away... they worked so well I realized something... why not throw one on under my motorcycle jacket?

I did that yesterday and rode for 95 minutes/65 miles and when I got off was nearly completely dry on top. Could really feel the wind blowing right through the jacket and over me. Best part? $10 a piece at Walmart for the Starter ones... figured I couldn't go wrong since the name brand ones are $25-50/each.

To be fair though it was only ~85 degrees since it was clouding up as Earl rolled in. But I try not to ride when it's 90+ anyway... that's what my car w/AC is for.

BTW if you do go out and buy a couple of these I recommend against the white... they're transparent and look like you're wearing a condom on your chest.

 

[madeuce]

Might be worth a shot getting one of the compression shirts like mut is talking about before buying a new jacket. I've been wearing the under armor ones since they came out for use under body armor. They wick the sweat away great, but what I think the best part about them is the way they amplify the feeling of the smallest breeze on your skin. You can really feel the difference compared to a regular shirt.

If you really want the back protection though I would just go for a decent jacket with it built in. Little less to snag if you do go down.

 

[theApp]

Yea, under armor shirts and shorts/long pants is the best way I've found to survive the summer. You're gonna sweat no matter what you wear and I've found I can do the under armor stuff and still wear leathers and not feel awful after I get wherever I'm going (at least here in FL).

 

[Fenixgoon]

Yea, under armor shirts and shorts/long pants is the best way I've found to survive the summer. You're gonna sweat no matter what you wear and I've found I can do the under armor stuff and still wear leathers and not feel awful after I get wherever I'm going (at least here in FL).

if it works in FL i have to imagine it works farther up north!

 

[theApp]

Also, the single biggest difference I've had is between wearing a backpack and not wearing a backpack. If you wear one, try to move it to a tail mount or something, it's amazing the difference it makes.

 

[superccs]

I have a Cortech GX Air mesh jacket that is all-around awesome for most all weather. 100F to 40F.

Has leather plus CE armor on back and shoulders and everything else is very breezy.

Price is great for what you get.

 

[teddyv]

Aerostich most of the time, BMW Kalihari suit on really hot days.

 

[RiDE]

Aerostich most of the time, BMW Kalihari suit on really hot days.

How is the Aerostitch? Is it comfortable even with your regular clothes under it?

 

[Fenixgoon]

Also, the single biggest difference I've had is between wearing a backpack and not wearing a backpack. If you wear one, try to move it to a tail mount or something, it's amazing the difference it makes.

yeah i usually wear a backpack. i have a cargo net though that can strap stuff to the bike. i haven't tested it out though.