Protective Gear

[JoseyR3Wales]

In reading the write up by Dan Diego, I am wondering what protective gear is the gear of choice especially for hot summer riding. There are a ton of products out there. Leather is too hot and too heavy for summers in the South. I don't care if I look cool because it is hard to look cool with (unecessary) road rash. I want decent protection with as much ventilation and ease of putting on and taking off as possible. If someone finds my appearance humorous, then so be it.

Cycle Gear has a lot of stuff and they are close to me. Any other suggestions?

 

[Willtill]

Any mesh jacket with armor, and the liner removed; is the best bet, for hot weather riding and "relative" comfort.

Mesh pants with armour as well, although I am guilty of just wearing blue jeans and boots in the mid-summer, with no additioan protection as I just suggested.

I also wear fingerless gloves and a Full faced helmet.

 

[RocketDaryl]

I wear the Triumph Adventure Jacket and Pants. You can find them and the specs on the Triumph site. It's the coarse mesh stuff with protectors in the elbows, shoulders, back, hips, knees and shins. It's all weather gear. I've worn it when it was 35 degrees and stayed nice and toasty with nothing underneath but jeans and t-shirt. The liner comes out in the summer and it has plenty of ventilation. Here's a pic.

 

[JoseyR3Wales]

Reckon they make that in a "Robust" size?

 

[RocketDaryl]

It should say on the website what sizes are available.

 

[GPMAZ]

If you are interested in what many consider some of the best gear made, although quite expensive, you might take a look here.

Kevlar Motorcycle Apparel - the Best in the World

Also very high quality but also expensive is BMW gear. I've worn a BMW mesh jacket for 4 or 5 years and it looks brand new.

Coming down a notch in price, take a look at First Gear. If you prefer jeans over mesh pants you should consider something like Draggin Jeans.

 

[biker1059]

I wear a mesh jacket also. Just sweat a little and let the breeze cool you off. I buy from these guys. Always look in the closeout section.

Closeouts > Mesh Jackets and Pants :: MotorcycleGear.com

 

[RKTBOB]

I wear a mesh jacket with rain liner removed and a t-shirt.Letting the air flow inside keeps me cool till noon.Then comes my evaporative vest(Mixed MEDIA/Sound RIDER!: TechNiche Standard Evaporative Cooling Vest (as seen in MCN & Cycle World) - NOW WITH HYPERKEWL PEF They are available at most shops and they work.They cool you down about 20*..just soak in warm water in a plastic zip-lock bag,lightly wring out and put on over t-shirt,then on with the jacket.When it starts to cool down at 5-600pm,then take off,put on a drier shirt and you have enjoyed the day.Mesh pants are also on my attire with armor..I use the rev-it brand.REV'IT! Mistral Pants - Street Bike - Motorcycle Superstore I wear long john under in the winter as they have a liner but the air thru the mesh cools down the liner too much for me.Hope this helps!!!

 

[Triple Trouble]

Just a reminder of why we wear gear. A few years ago I was on a group ride on my Commando with a bunch of Norton riders. One of them cut me off at about 15 mph and down I went. It was a really hot humid day, about 95 deg F (yeah we get summer too after the ice fishing) when we left but for some reason I decided to wear my First Gear jacket and boots with a full face helmet. I couldn't believe how banged up I got from such a slow spill. My left boot was burnt brown from the exhaust landing on it and I hate to think what my calf would have looked like without the boots. I was bruised all over and could barely walk for the rest of the week.

 

[Jackson]

I have to admit, good or bad, I don't wear any protective clothing. Maybe I should smarten up.