Kool Gear Clothing

What Motorcycle gear to use in the summer?

I saw a commercial on road rash due to motorcycle falls not that I plan to but I see that I definitely have to wear protective gear. Is there protective gear that will remain cool in the summer ?or do I have to bear with the summer heat or as you ride the air keeps you cool? Also what about when there is traffic jams what to do when the summer sun is beaming down on you and your motorcycle and all your protective gear? What do experienced motorcycle riders do in such scenarios?

Public Comments

1. Some people wear mesh jackets, I wear a vented and armored denim riding jacket. You stay cooler when the sun is not beating directly on your skin. I wear a helmet and sport bike gloves.
2. I live in California where it gets very warm but not hot in the Summer. I wear a mesh jacket and it is really wonderful. It's supposed to have the same abrasion resistance as leather, but luckily I haven't had a chance to test it yet. 8^) But the air goes right through it so it's very cool. If I stop at a light, I get a little sweaty, but then when I take off again it's like someone turned on the air conditioning. There's a liner that zips into it in case it gets chilly. The only problem is that it cools by evaporation, and it's very dry here, so it works pretty well. If it was humid I don't know how well it would work. Also, because it cools by evaporation you have to be sure to drink a lot of water or you can get dehydrated. There are mesh pants too, but I haven't bothered with them so far. Also even mesh gloves! (The palms are leather, the backs are mesh). If you wear a jacket and gloves, and a helmet, not an inch of you is exposed, so you don't get a sunburn from riding all day.
3. I use leathers at all times when on a bike. You can buy vented ones with opening zipped vents and some mesh in less vulnerable area which are good for summer use. Nothing else will prevent the road rash. Ever see race riders in anything other than the best leather - I rest my case.
4. I use an all season ballistic nylon riding jacket most of the year. It has a removable liner and vents for those warmer days. In the middle of summer it's not good in heavy traffic though. On those days I'm usually riding in a pack so I ride with my club colors. I'm not a big fan of leather because of the weight and when it rains they get even heavier. I've crashed with leather and nylon, and fared better with the nylon and armour pads. Another option for you could be an armoured vest. Icon makes a good one with articulated back armour. There are other brands out there too though. Joe Rocket has a mesh jacket with a removable liner,and shoulder,elbow and back armour as do Icon, Field Shier, and others. Putting all this armour on a leather jacket can run the price up higher than a quality fabric one and the protection is just as good if not better than leather. Bones will still get broken in a bad crash no matter what you wear, but with armour in the right places, (knees, shoulders, back, elbows, ankles) Your joints will be in better shape when it's all over.
5. I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 mesh jacket. Gloves are mesh backed, leather palms. Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 mesh riding pants. Sidi boots. And of course my full face helmet. This is my summer riding attire. Over 90 degrees in the Chicago area is hot and fairly humid. As long as I am moving I am reasonable comfortable. Being at a stop is another matter. Over 90 degrees is just plain hot. Only other way to be cool on a motorcycle on a hot day is to wear a cold vest. One type is an evaporative type (Joe Rocket Sahara Vest) or a vest that holds cold packs. Don't have info on the cold packs, but they are available but expensive. I believe a company offers a cooling vest that circulates cooled water from a large insulated container. Again, quite expensive. But, as we all know, many riders justify such expense so they can keep riding no matter what. Good Luck
6. If it's in your budget look for Gortex some come with winter removable liners too, not cheap but mines over 15 years old and still works. Cool in summer warm in winter. If you find it too cool in winter buy a cheap heated vest.
7. I have seen jackets that have a removable liner but they all cost over $300. Also don't forget a good rain jacket, just keep one on the bike in-case.
8. i ssay wear a helment u know that a shirt under and on top of that wear a Icon Field Armor its like vest but it protects ur back and chest and shoulders and small icon gloves with sandles jk jk wear any shoes but sandles ive seen some ppl in miami ridin sportbike with sandles