summer jackets

I took a 400km round trip yesterday and had to take off my Dririder
Nordic jacket (without the thermal liner) because it was too hot. Of
course then I stated feeling insect impacts on my t shirt and got
stung under the arm by something that objected to crashing into me at
100km/h. I was also a bit worried about smearing myself on the bitumen
like jam on toast if I went down.

What do others wear when touring in hot weather?

 

Always my leather jacket

 

In aus.motorcycles on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:30:44 +0000 (UTC)

I have an elderly RJays mesh jacket that works well for me.

I bought it because it was the only one then available that wasn't all
black! I believe that light colours in the heat make all the
difference.

That LD bike gear mob from the Shorts thread recommend one of their
long sleeve tops and you wet it thoroughly at wrists and neck, then
close all vents but open the jacket up at the sleeves and a bit at the
front.

THe idea being that air moves over the wet sleeves and cools down,
then goes past the rest of your body, and then out the small hole at
the front.



Zebee

 

Bottom layer - a long sleeve polyester motorcross shirt which are
normally pretty cheap, or if your budget stretches further0 long sleeve
moisture wicking shirt - the type they sell in adventure stores to
outdoorsy types. They dry quickly when they get wet and you never feel
like you're wearing a wet tshirt - even if you're sweating all day, and
they keep you feeling much cooler than if you're wearing cotton. Even
better (read more expensive) are the shirts with 100% UV protection and
antimicrobial protection, because they resist the urge to stink, even
when you're riding in very humid climates, or through thunderstorms on a
hot day.

Top Layer - a Tourmaster Transition 2 textile jacket. I bought it in
USA but a quick google shows the same model is available in Australia.
This jacket has one removable liner, which is for warmth, and it's shell
is waterproof. There are 6 waterproof zips on the front, and one on the
back which provide heaps of airflow when required.

There are a few different styles of textile jackets available these
days, and the type which are designed with "adventure riders" in mind
seem to have the best combination of waterpoofness and hot weather
riding. As Zebee also said, getting the airflow up the sleeves is good
for cooling, but this might work better on sit up straight bikes than it
does on sports bike.

Also on hot days, a "Buff" type neck tube made of very light material
worn around the neck does a good job of keeping the hot wind off your
skin (esp when the temps get over 35°) and thus keeping you cooler.
They can also be run under the tap for a few minutes of cool
refreshingness at a fuel stop or smoko. Also, if the wind is
particularly hot, I find riding with the helmet vents open and the visor
closed, although it might be a bit uncomfortable at first, is better
than riding with hot breeze drying out your skin and eyes with the visor
is slightly open, but YMMV.

By the way, there's a reason why your jacket is called Nordic. It's
designed for people riding through the arctic circle! You'll find that
it's only useful for a couple of months of the year here in Australia.
Better off finding something that can deal with the heat and the cold
rather than just the cold.

Nev..

 

<shrug> Define touring.

If I really have to get serious and cover a longish distance in a
day.... >800 kms, I'll wear my infamous yellow leathers.

If I am just going for a gentle potter about, I used to wear thick
cotton one-piece white overalls, but, sadly, no one seems to make them
any more.

The last overalls that I have found are Orange, as in Guantanamo Bay,
orange, and fairly thin cotton.

They are nice and cool, but you definitely don't want to fall off the bike.

My experience tells me that colour is important in staying cool, but,
the folk that make biking gear seem to be fixated on black is the
colour. :-(

I think they are a bunch of dickheads.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Today I am in my Rjays hydro something or other. It is a 3 layer
touring jacket. Suffice to say the waterproof and warmth layers are at
home in a cupboard. It has a built in camelbak which is nice for a
drink on the move.

 

Thanks for the tips. BTW the Nordic jacket is essential where I live in the
winter and damn useful even in the summer. I got chilly riding back from the
Gold Coast to Warwick as soon as I climbed over the Great Dividing Range and
thought about stopping and zipping up the air vents. Down on the coastal
flats during the day however, it was unwearable.

 

For a varying climate like that you're better off going for a mid-range
jacket, something which is good in hot and cold, and then just varying
your layers underneath, a nice merino thermal top underneath would
probably do just as well. When it gets too warm you just have to ditch
your warm layer, not your entire protection.

Nev..

 

"DM" wrote

My silver and white Teknic jacket without the liner, but on days like
today, when it's going to be 36ºC, my denim jacket, worn open. Today's
trip will be about 80kms return.

Black leather and 36ºC? You've got to be joking.

Theo

 

I find a certain dirty red jacket with the zips open is ok when moving

but then it's only 32c today
Tuesday was plain awful being almost 40c

--









X-No-Archive: Yes

 

I'm not so concerned about jacket as pants. Mine are horrendous even
in cool weather for long rides. Nothing better than the rip it all
off at the end of the ride (and hence, they and the boots are
suffering from my overeagerness).

I did recently buy Aldi pants. Still too hot, but have a long double
ended zip down the side. Only problems are that when I open them, not
only is the airflow not improved dramastically (just trying to get
that word out there. Should be used more often), but now there's no
protection because the fabric and the knee protectors can just flop
about and I might as well not wear them at all and go back to just
wearing boring old non protective jeans (are draggin jeans as hot an
uncomfortable as they look?)

You sir, are subversive, and not listening to the message that the TAC
are trying to give you FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT. CONFORM. EXTERMINATE!

 

Why would you think boring old jeans were non-protective. I've crash
tested Levis on a number of occasions at 80-120kph and they've always
held up very well. The worst damage they sustained was when the ambos
cut them.

Nev..

 

I use a Draggin product called K-Legs. You will find them under the pants
section. Basically they are "Kevlar long john that can be worn under any
trouser".
I also have a mesh jacket.
Most of my riding is around the CBD or low speeds on dirt.

On bigger rides I find the heavier PPE also provides protection against
fatigue from wind buffeting at higher speeds. My heavy stuff is not the
best though I was plesantly surprised to experiance how effective those
little zip vents can be.

 

I wear draggin jeans and they are OK in the heat. Have to wear longjohns
under them in winter though.

I also wear them rock and roll dancing. Not that much hotter than
ordinary jeans really.

 

Here's a photo of a pair after the paramedics got to them:
http://sunnybar.dynip.com/pub/djeans.jpg

 

Rock and roll dancing? You expect wood floor rash from dancing too
hard?

 

Have to travel at least 80km from my place for R&R.
Bike is the best option.
Dropped it on the way home in the wet, hence the photo.

 

I offloaded my Draggins on eBay after wearing them only 2 or 3 times. They were a lovely fit, but the kevlar irritated my skin. Yuk. I bought them in the warmer weather and found they seemed to stick to my skin when I wasn't on the bike, and dig into it when I was. They didn't just leave a 'rash' - they actually made my skin 'hurt' where the kevlar contacted. Weird. Then again, I can't wear wool next to my skin either (delicate little flower that I am, *snigger*)

betty

 

That which we call a rose. By any other name would still snappeth clutch
levers <grin>

N/