[Static07]

I've heard a couple different sayings.

ATGATT: All The Gear All The Time

And "dress for the slide, not the ride".

On the surface I like the idea of being safe and always wearing all the gear. But when it's 90°F or more, do you still wear the leather jacket, gloves and jeans? Or do you have warm weather gear? If so, what do you wear?

I'm looking for ideas. I moved from MN to CA. MN had what my friend called a "Choose your own adventure" law. Meaning no helmets required. I always wore mine anyway. CA of course has helmet laws so I still wear it.

Today was fairly warm so I left my leather jacket at home and squidded it up all the way to work with bare arms. I ride in stop and go traffic so there are times with not much air flow to get through my jacket.

Anyway, I'm curious what everyone wears in the heat.

 

[HowlOnWheels]

If there's a change I'm going to be on a highway, it's always ATGATT, no matter what the weather. Includes Rev'It jeans, armored jacket (leather or textile), gloves, full face helmet.

If I'm just jetting up the road, I'll probably skimp on some of the gear, but I'm always covered. 12 oz. jeans, 12 oz denim jacket, gloves, full face helmet.

 

[Static07]

If there's a change I'm going to be on a highway, it's always ATGATT, no matter what the weather. Includes Rev'It jeans, armored jacket (leather or textile), gloves, full face helmet.

If I'm just jetting up the road, I'll probably skimp on some of the gear, but I'm always covered. 12 oz. jeans, 12 oz denim jacket, gloves, full face helmet.

A lighter jacket is a great idea. That's sort of what I am thinking I'm going to invest in. My leather jacket has armor in it also. And I always wear a full face helmet.

 

[HowlOnWheels]

If it's for highway riding, there are a bunch of good textiles that also accept armor. I use the RSD Vandal jacket which accepts the forcefield armor in the elbows, shoulders, and back. It's still heavy and hot, but less so than my Schott or RSD Clash jackets.

 

[Static07]

I'm looking more for in town riding. On the freeway, I use my leather. It's perforated and has a removable liner. At freeway speeds I get enough airflow that I don't get too hot.

 

[Rock270]

when I ride slow around town, I don't wear my armored mesh tourmaster riding jacket.

I always wear a helmet, blue jeans, over ankle boots.
rarely wear gloves though unless its really cold.

at night when its cooler, then i'll wear my armored mesh jacket mainly because it has reflective piping all over it.

now days I rarely get on the interstate/ freeway and drive 70, mostly 50-60 mph around the local farm to market back roads.

many years ago I had a severe case of road rash, I wouldn't wish that on anyone...ever!.....better to be safe for the conditions you ride in.

i'd suggest looking at the tourmaster website and choose a mesh armored riding jacket to ride on the interstate in the heat.

 

[CO WanderZest]

Silver Mesh Jacket

Have been wearing Firstgear Mesh Tex jacket all winter with liner in place and coats under it. Summer and Heat tested it 10 days ago in the desert in SouthWest Colorado. When I stopped at a light in Delta, Colorado I was surprised when the bank time and temperature sign said 104 degrees. Didn't feel like much more than 90 in the jacket. Decided, I should probably stop and drink some water.
Seriously, I do appreciate the lighter color when stopped at lights and that my arms are in the shade. The advertising for the jacket on motorcycle superstore describes it as lightweight, but I don't. Its heavy, but designed to burn and melt and absorb the heat from friction in a slide, which I am happy to let it do. This summer I have removed the back padding, as it is just a perforated sheet of moderately dense foam, which doesn't seem like it would add much protection, but definitely adds to the insulation and heat. I have honestly considered having two of these jackets, in slightly different sizes to accommodate different amounts of layering. But like more variety than that.:nerd:

 

[Static07]

when I ride slow around town, I don't wear my armored mesh tourmaster riding jacke

Have been wearing Firstgear Mesh Tex jacket all winter with liner in place and coats under it.

Thank you both for these suggestions. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't like riding with bare arms and with summer heating up here in SoCal, I'm going to need something lighter but still protective.

My birthday is coming up so maybe I can hint at these for the wife! Although I have a suspicion she's planning to upgrade my exhaust on the XG750 for me!

Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions.

 

[Flamegirl]

The mesh jackets are great. It keeps the sun off of your skin. Then has a very nice airflow over your skin. My only regret with my mesh jacket is that I did not purchase one sooner.

 

[Rock270]

Thank you both for these suggestions. This is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't like riding with bare arms and with summer heating up here in SoCal, I'm going to need something lighter but still protective.

My birthday is coming up so maybe I can hint at these for the wife! Although I have a suspicion she's planning to upgrade my exhaust on the XG750 for me!

Anyway, I appreciate the suggestions.

oooo, what a fine wife you have....she got any unmarried sisters?....just kidding.

 

[Static07]

oooo, what a fine wife you have....she got any unmarried sisters?....just kidding.

I know, I'm a lucky guy!

 

[top]

When I started to ride my wife and mum made me promise to agatt.
I have a friend who got side swiped on the 5 by a car jumping the carpool line. He was held together by his gear. I won't ride with anyone that's not wearing gear, I refuse to ride with my in-law and his shorts and wife beater combo.... It's not fair on the person that has to scrap them up.

In my sport bike times I wore racing boots, riding kevlar jeans and a full length leather jackets, wrist gloves and full face helmet.
Since my change to a cruiser, i wear ankleboots, riding jeans, leather vest, shorty gloves and full face helmet.
I've looked at skid lids, and 3/4 faces.. But every time I get ready to buy one, the freeway teaches me how much rocks hurt when they hit you.

That being said... The Bell rogue is a sexy ass helmet.

 

[top]

"Better to sweat than bleed" is the motto...

 

[Rock270]

road rash hurts like **** ............for a long time!


that being said, if it's too hot I simply ride in an air conditioned cage.


however riding the bike locally on rural back roads I rarely wear any gear other than the state mandated helmet with eye protection

 

[DaddyDevilKing]

Dress for the fall not the ride

 

[Propnut]

In the summer here 30+ centigrade in a 80+ humidity really allows for shorts, T-shirt and sandals with a full face helmet. Visor up most of the time as you soon have a wet head. In the city traffic there is the added engine heat so you soon hear the fan up front cutting in. Sorry guys if I break your mold, but I do enjoy a cooling air stream when I can get one.

On Sunday when I got in the car mid-morning which has a built in digital dash readout and the temp was 28 centigrade in the garage.

 

[KiwiHOG]

AGATT all the way....my jacket has vent pockets for when it gets too hot...it's only spring here currently, and will start to get hotter...but I have a desire to keep my skin intact....I have Kevlar Jeans for when it's too warm to wear the leather pants....ALWAYS wear full arm protection....

Just my 10 pence worth

 

[Static07]

I just got a hybrid textile/leather Icon jacket and it's wonderful in the heat! Has armor in the back, shoulders and elbows as well as leather on the elbows and on the back between the shoulders. I plan to wear this while commuting on the surface streets and my full leather if I'm on the freeway. It's the now discontinued Compound model.

I see some guys who ride in sandals, shorts and t-shirt. I wouldn't recommend that, but to each his own. If you go down like that it doesn't hurt me, but it will hurt you. Free will and all so I don't think lecturing is in order. Ride safe.

 

[leeskyrme]

If i know I'm gonna be on low speed roads, commuting to work, city riding etc... My saint CC riding jeans and a tshirt / long sleeve tshirt. Free way riding... add a leather jacket to that mix. I only own an open face, probably will invest in a full though.

 

[Static07]

I recently acquired a new hybrid jacket that's great for the heat. It's the Icon Compound Hybrid. It is textile mesh on the chest and has vents on the upper shoulders as well as on your ribs, but the shoulders and elbows are leather and have armor in them. The back has a plate of armor in it and leather between the shoulder blades. I use this in the heat if I'm on surface streets. I wear my full leather with armor if on the freeway.