Summer riding

[ramm]

This is only my 2nd summer of riding in the Georgia heat, last year I basically squided it up, but after seeing a couple of riders go down in front of me and in some groups I've ridden in, i'm not going to be doing that again this year. :up:

So I'm just looking for some advice on what you guys do to keep cool. I commute as much as possible 13 mile ride with lots of stops (intersections and such).



In before flip flops, shorts, tshirt..etc

[TLR67]

Its all about Hydrating days before you ride... Gallons of H2O And Gatorade the day before makes a world of difference in how you feel... Sweat and Gear beat Blood and Surgery anyday... Camel Backs are good as well...

[SlowMotion]

For commuting I use a mesh/textile pant. They have textile and armor in the key impact areas (knees, hips, butt) and the rest is mesh. The mesh allows heat to escape and they give you better protection then jeans.

For group rides I would recommend some perforated leathers with wearing underarmor underneath.

[ramm]

Yeah just picked up some perf leathers, the under armor stuff I heard is a must.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

Yeah just picked up some perf leathers, the under armor stuff I heard is a must.

Under armor branded can be had at the Dawsonville out let stores, usually for shirt and pants about 30$. Walmart has the off brand version of the same clothing for like half the price. I agree 100% under armor or the like is a must under the leathers.

[Lazarus]

F that. T-shirt and shorts ftw! I rode in flip flops for the first time ever on Monday around the corner to my pool. I dont like it and dont see how anyway could do it on the street.

[TroyBoy30]

I wear my regular stuff. mesh jacket with UA heat gear shirt, summer gloves, UA heat gear head thing under my helmet and my regular jeans and boots. Wear what you want, it's your decision, no one else's. If I feel the need to wear a t-shirt and shorts, I will.

the hydration part is easy for me. I already drink over a gallon of water a day

[cudruln]

I would suggest a mesh jacket for local riding. Great air flow with protection. Also never really considered it but a camel pack is probably not a bad idea for the longer rides. It is funny though that ya'll say flip flops, I saw a guy yesterday on a dual sport in shorts, tank top and flip flops. I was amazed that somebody would take that chance.

[chance]

A light colored mesh jacket. I have a silver mesh jacket and can barely tell im wearing it when im riding.

[dzone]

I use this (http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=30&article_id=1188) for commuting and summer touring.

And full leather for railing in the mountains no matter how hot it gets.

[BlueLghtning]

Mesh jacket and pants for the hot summer. Both allow airflow through them, but keep the sun off you which helps.

Olympia has lots of cool gear I like - http://www.olympiamotosports.com/

I have the Olympia Airglide 2 jacket and pants. Hi-viz jacket and black pants; similar to what Bill posted, except its the 2 piece version. They also come in a light gray that doesn't attract the sun as bad. Olympia also has the GT Transition which is like a 3 seasons jack with zip off panels that expose mesh for those hot days, but can close up plus a liner for those cooler spring/fall days. - http://www.olympiamotosports.com/gt_air/gt_air.htm

I like Olympia's liners because you can wear them as normal jackets. They have their own zipper and don't require you have them zipped into the jacket to work right.

[mrmekon]

I used to wear vented leather even when it was >100F outside, but apparently my body can't handle that anymore so I just ordered a mesh jacket with extra back armor. I have armored mesh overpants that I love and strongly recommend. My dad rides with a camelback, and I think that is a great idea... once I got stuck in an hour long traffic jam and really thought I was going to pass out and fall off the bike.

They sell gel pads that you get wet with cold water and wrap around your neck or body to aid evaporation... never used one, but I'll bet those feel great.

[ramm]

Good stuff guys, just popped on cyclegear's website to look at ordering some pucks and bam.. big fat link Hot-Weather Motorcycle Gear (http://www.cyclegear.com/category.cfm?L1=5000&L2=42&nav=Street_Riding_Hot-Weather_Motorcycle_Gear)

I've always liked hearing peoples thoughts on stuff before I dive into shit. Thanks :up:

[TroyBoy30]

check out the cortech gx air series of jackets. I've got an original gx air and love it. It's all black and no it's not any hotter than the silver one I had

[KTM Rider]

one of the reasons i quit riding in the summer prior to quitting altogether was due to the dilemma which is the choice between not being protected when riding or being uncomfortable. ultimately it is up to you but i would think riding during cooler parts of the day only would be better than riding without gear.

God I love the air conditioning now that I no longer ride.

[The Lazy Destroyer]

I used to wear vented leather even when it was >100F outside, but apparently my body can't handle that anymore so I just ordered a mesh jacket with extra back armor. I have armored mesh overpants that I love and strongly recommend. My dad rides with a camelback, and I think that is a great idea... once I got stuck in an hour long traffic jam and really thought I was going to pass out and fall off the bike.

The Camelbacks are great. If you are going on a long ride and it's hot out, cold water will warm up fast though. What I do is fill it with ice all the way to the top, and then fill it with water. You'll have enough to drink initially, and the ice will melt throughout the day and you will have cold water for longer. Otherwise, nothing sucks more than drinking from the camelback only to get hot water!

Also, if you are out of water or it's gotten warm, when you gas up ask the people at the counter nicely if you can use their ice machine. If you've purchased gas or snacks and ask nicely, they will typically let you fill up your pack with ice and water for free. :up:


They sell gel pads that you get wet with cold water and wrap around your neck or body to aid evaporation... never used one, but I'll bet those feel great.

I haven't used one but I saw a group of Australians doing a USA tour and they all had one. We asked how well they liked them and one of the guys said after getting one he can't ride without it when it is hot. So they must work pretty well.

[Sanchez]

Mesh jackets feel nice, but they're done after one crash. I wear a Joe Rocket Super Ego because it has leather and armor in the important places while still maintaining a lot of ventilation. It has a leather shell that zips off, so you can convert between a full leather jacket in the winter and a mostly mesh jacket in the summer.

http://newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/231

http://joerocket.com/WebImages/147/2214_Super_Ego_Jacket.jpg

[AnthonyF]

90% of the time I am always wearing my SMX boots and leather jacket. 9% full leathers, other 1% is the few instances just going down the street with no jacket.

-Ant.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Mesh gear's a lifesaver. My Cortech jacket is mesh with leather and CE armor in all the impact areas (shoulders, back, elbows/forearms). It's got 2 liners, one's waterproof, which is great to add for summer squalls, it actually fits in the tail section. I'm sad to admit I squid it up in jeans most of the time, as I only own full leather pants, and they're not super comfortable (also, they're about 4 inches too long.. I hate being short sometimes haha)

[bigb996]

i do tend to slack a little in the summer months by wearing jeans. I just make sure i have a couple really cool jackets, which my dainese leather is really well vented and i have a mesh jacket as well. Like said before though hydration is definatly the key.

[ramm]

I wear jeans, i know they'll shred away but at least it's something there, unlike shorts.

[ga_skyline_rydr]

I wear jeans, i know they'll shred away but at least it's something there, unlike shorts.

Chris have you ever tried draggin jeans? I intend on getting a set of them, because when I do short hops around town I wear jeans as well.

[ramm]

Chris have you ever tried draggin jeans? I intend on getting a set of them, because when I do short hops around town I wear jeans as well.

I haven't but I've heard a lot of good things about them.

[bigmixx]

I tried wearin a mesh jacket and to me it didn't keep me any cooler than my leather jacket. It was still extremely hot unless I was moving and the air flow was that much better. I just wear my leather jacket, jeans, & SMX Plus boots about 90% of the time. 7% of the time it's a T-shirt, jeans, & boots. The other 3% is t-shirt, shorts, & sneakers.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I tried wearin a mesh jacket and to me it didn't keep me any cooler than my leather jacket. It was still extremely hot unless I was moving and the air flow was that much better. I just wear my leather jacket, jeans, & SMX Plus boots about 90% of the time. 7% of the time it's a T-shirt, jeans, & boots. The other 3% is t-shirt, shorts, & sneakers.

No duh.. ANYTHING is hot when you're not moving, sitting in the sun. The difference is that mesh will be cool when you're moving, and still does a good job of protecting you. I've been down at 25mph and 60+ mph in my mesh jacket and walked away from both with bruises. Also, a mesh jacket, when moving, is actually MORE comfortable than just a t-shirt, cuz it keeps dirt, pebbles, rain, etc from stinging the crap out of your skin when you're moving. Also keeps you from getting sunburnt. If you're going for a ride and don't have to be presentable when you arrive somewhere, you can soak both your helmet liner and your t-shirt in cold water, the evaporation will help keep you cool for a good long while.

[SlimDizzleATL]

No duh.. ANYTHING is hot when you're not moving, sitting in the sun. The difference is that mesh will be cool when you're moving, and still does a good job of protecting you. I've been down at 25mph and 60+ mph in my mesh jacket and walked away from both with bruises. Also, a mesh jacket, when moving, is actually MORE comfortable than just a t-shirt, cuz it keeps dirt, pebbles, rain, etc from stinging the crap out of your skin when you're moving. Also keeps you from getting sunburnt. If you're going for a ride and don't have to be presentable when you arrive somewhere, you can soak both your helmet liner and your t-shirt in cold water, the evaporation will help keep you cool for a good long while.

I can attest. Someone was hating on Mesh a while ago, but thats what I ride with in the summer. I have a Rocket UFO jacket and love it. I also wear jeans...when I went down, I was wearing Jeans, my mesh jacket, Gloves, and DC shoes. I got a pebble sized scratch on the jeans. Maybe it was the way I went down. DC's are good sturdy shoes if you're gonna wear tennis shoes.

[TroyBoy30]

If you're going for a ride and don't have to be presentable when you arrive somewhere, you can soak both your helmet liner and your t-shirt in cold water, the evaporation will help keep you cool for a good long while.

you can also wrap a Frogg Toggs Chilly Pad Towel around your neck. I use them for fishing and they work great.

http://www.amazon.com/Frogg-Toggs-Chilly-Pad-Towel/dp/B001BZK8S2

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I've never seen one of those. Crazy. I'll have to pick one up.

[mrmekon]

Some strange science is that it's actually worse to wear mesh (or t-shirts) if it's hotter than your natural body temperature outside. Once it gets into the hundreds, you'll be hot as hell but less likely to get heat stroke if you cover up and close your jacket vents.

[TroyBoy30]

strange that I just got this via email!

Adaptive-Tec Jacket


More Details: Packed withOutlast®—revolutionary space age science at its best—this Hi-Tec gear senses body temperature and adjusts for comfort via phase-change processes. It cools you when hot and warms you when cold—perfect for layering or to be worn on its own.

This gear is so comfortable you'll want to wear it around by itself once you arrive at your destination. It also features two zippered deep pockets and an elasticized waist and cuffs to lock out wind.

http://www.roadgear.com/Camping/Apparel/Adaptive_Tec_Jacket/

phase change processes hu?

[BlueLghtning]

Some strange science is that it's actually worse to wear mesh (or t-shirts) if it's hotter than your natural body temperature outside. Once it gets into the hundreds, you'll be hot as hell but less likely to get heat stroke if you cover up and close your jacket vents.

That's when you stop and soak your helmet liner and shirt under your mesh jacket in water and then have A/C for the next 45 minutes! :D Stop, rinse, & repeat! haha.

Having ridden in the desert a few times with temps well over 100, I just don't know if I could convince myself to put on my warm jacket and close all my vents. I have though as I said before soaked my helmet liner and t-shirt. For about 5 mins, its actually chilly, then you start to equalize and usually about 45-60 mins, I can stay refreshed and cool.

[Prince]

local=mesh, mountains=leather........plenty of GATORADE!!!

[AnthonyF]

I am cooler in all leathers. NOW taking them off...is a different story.

-Ant.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I am cooler in all leathers. NOW taking them off...is a different story.

-Ant.

underarmour!

[wallypiper]

Some strange science is that it's actually worse to wear mesh (or t-shirts) if it's hotter than your natural body temperature outside. Once it gets into the hundreds, you'll be hot as hell but less likely to get heat stroke if you cover up and close your jacket vents.

Actually, your body cools through evaporation and evaporation happens when the wet bulb temperature is lower than the water (perspiration) temperature. Assuming your perspiration comes out at roughly body temp, there is no place in the world where the wet bulb temperature is ever more than about 10 degrees below body temperature. The highest wet bulbs in the world are in Saudi Arabia, where they sometimes reach 85, but not often. Here in GA, the max is about 80 in the south, 77 in the north, maybe 76 in the mountains. In the American desert southwest, wet bulbs rarely exceed 65 or so because the air is so dry. So evaporation is the key. Keeping yourself hydrated so that you can sweat is key and airflow to carry away the evaporating sweat is what cools you. Heat stroke mostly happens when you run out of sweat. It can happen if you're doing hard physical activity in a very hot AND humid environment (like Saudi Arabia), but it's not likely to happen on a motorcycle unless you get dehydrated.

Wet clothes supplement your body's natural perspiration, helping to cool you even more.

[redciv1]

Last year was my first year riding and I wore my Teknic Chicane Textile and was really, really, really hot. This year I took SLIM's Mesh then found another BN Cortech mesh jacket. I do a 110 mile commute 2-3 times a week to work and usually wear the mesh jacket, Teknic SMT vented gloves, chicane boots and whatever pants. I work in an office.

[SlimDizzleATL]

For those of us that cant buy riding pants at the moment, anyone have any experience with thick workpants? Like Carhart's, Dickies, or the like?

[Eagalicious]

I wear a "Mesh" jacket and pants all the time. They have wet weather and thermal liners to use as needed. I never feel hot, maybe a little warm when stopped in the sun at a light but when I am moving, it's like air-conditioning. I look at it as, not "IF" but "WHEN" I go down, I would rather wear it than not need it, than need it and not be wearing it. I like my skin too much. :D