Summer riding gear

[Ozymandias]

What do people here use for jackets when riding in hot weather? I use leathers when the temps are not too hot but I want to use a mesh jacket when things get above the low to mid 80's. Does anyone have any experience with Fulmer's FireTrak series? Are there certain things to watch out for or to avoid? Any help would be appreciated.

[Chris near Kansas City]

I have a Tourmaster Flex and the wife has a Tourmaster Flex II. The Flex 3 is the current version. A 2 or 3 season jacket depending on what your seasons are like. I've been happy with mine.

[debron]

I have a Tourmaster Flex 3 I got this year to replace my 5-yearold Flex 2. The Flex 3 is an improvement over the 2. What I like about the Tourmaster is it's a 3-piece jacket - armored mesh, outer shell for cooler temps, and inner quilted liner for cold. I can wear it four seasons, down to the upper 30's in relative comfort. Colder than that and I'm not interested in riding! I've worn the mesh up to 106° and while nothing is comfortable at 106°, the mesh at least breathes and lets the wind flow through.

[Ozymandias]

Thanks folks. The Tourmaster looks like something that I need to check out.

[dmwoost]

I use Joe Rocket 5 hiviz Yellow other than it fading bad, it works well. I have went down once when it was wet. they call me (Lucky) slide well. I wear up into the 100's. Yes it is warm, but the old saying "dress for the slide not the ride". In the past Joe Rocket 4. I live and ride in Alb, NM in the summer typical 90+. I order one size larger than normal so I can use with a liner most o f the year down to the 30ths.

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[grumpin]

I have a Scorpion mesh similar to the Battalion. I like it. Carry a leather jacket in case it gets cold. It has a liner and does well with a sweatshirt underneath until its really chilly. Of course its hot when really warm, but worth the heat for the protection. Armored in the elbows, shoulders and back.

[Tonyvdb]

I just picked up a Scorpion Ventech II mesh jacket. Really like it so far. It offers good protection without being so hot like my old leather jacket.

[Mart656]

I purchased a vega mesh jacket and am pretty happy with it. I live in Texas and the hottest I wore it this year was 101 temp. Hot but breathable. A great deal for the price.

[NSASarge]

Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 version is current. Full armor in the elbows, shoulders and back. Hi-viz yellow with black trim. Armor can be removed to wash at home. Water/wind-proof liner rolls up small and can keep you warm and relatively dry but the outer mesh jacket is gonna get soaked. Wont break the bank ... MSRP is $169 - $184 but you can find it much cheaper.

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index. ... _5.0_[mesh]

I have the V 4.0 and will probably buy the newer version if these ever wear out. 5 years old now. Wore them to the 2014 rally in Asheville, NC.

[debron]

Looks like mesh is the consensus. Which mesh is a personal choice. I went with Tourmaster not because it's the best quality (probably it's not) but because I wanted only one jacket to do everything. I didn't want to buy and carry two or more jackets. Secondly, most other brands, such as the Joe Rocket, put the wind/rain layer inside the mesh which strikes me as backwards. You lose the insulating properties of the mesh layer plus the mesh gets wet in the rain. Tourmaster puts the wind/rain layer outside the mesh where it does the most good (imho.)

[Ozymandias]

Thank you, everyone. There is a wealth of good information here and I need to sort through it all to see what makes the most sense for my situation. More recommendations from others would also be welcome, of course. Thanks again.

[debron]

Tourmaster puts the wind/rain layer outside the mesh where it does the most good (imho.)

Also putting the weather layer outside doesn't affect the fit of the jacket as it does by putting it in the inside. . .

[davidl]

I also use mesh in Texas but I wear a long sleeve t under it. Just seems to work better fro me. Helps me keep cooler & don't lose moisture as fast.

[Tom(North Alabama)]

I agree with Ron and Chris, just can't beat Tourmaster Flex, 1 jacket for at least 3 seasons(have a 3/4 length Joe Rocket heavy duty for cold under 40 degrees).

[David (N. Alabama)]

Just keep in mind that in most cases you get what you pay for. It is better to find a $300 jacket on clearance for $150, than a $150 retail jacket.

Check out www.motorcyclecloseouts.com, www.compacc.com, www.motorcyclegear.com (clearance section) among other vendors clearance section.

There is protection and then there is protection.

[chevyman1]

I use a mesh jacket above 65 deg.
You will find that in real hot weather like De gray Lake was in 2011 (106 deg.) you will actually be cooler with the mesh jacket on.

[Mr Jensee]

You mean none of you ride in shorts, tee shirts and flip flops? That flies in the face of most Harley and sport bike riders I see around here in the summer time!

[Tom(North Alabama)]

You mean none of you ride in shorts, tee shirts and flip flops? That flies in the face of most Harley and sport bike riders I see around here in the summer time!

What can I say.. just want to keep my skin, where it is.... NOT ON THE ROAD

[debron]

You mean none of you ride in shorts, tee shirts and flip flops? That flies in the face of most Harley and sport bike riders I see around here in the summer time!

Of course we do! Under the other gear!! (except no flip-flops! When I was a kid, what we now call flip-flops were known as thongs. I'll leave that there.......)