Jacket for summer?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 46
From: Yamato, Japan
Vanson properf jackets are great... they have several types with ventilation. You can find them for good prices on E-Bay... a Vanson leather jacket will last decades so no real concern buying used.
Be aware the sportriding jackets are a close fit.. like a second skin, so they will be tighter fitting than you might be used to.
Be aware the sportriding jackets are a close fit.. like a second skin, so they will be tighter fitting than you might be used to.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 4,200
From: The boonies of northern New England
Last summer I bought a Harley mesh jacket, light gray with black trim. I also bought the CE armor for the elbows and shoulders. I do wish the jacket had the pouch in the back for back CE armor. But other than that the jacket is well made, and I got it on clearance at the local dealer for around 100 dollars if memory serves. I wear a t shirt under the jacket, the mesh moves a lot of air as long as the bike is moving, and it keeps the hot sun off of my arms. Of course you will sweat when stuck in traffic, which would happen no matter what you wear. But once you get moving, all that air going through your jacket evaporates the sweat, cooling you off. I also wear light gray mesh pants with CE hip and knee armor. With the protection of kevlar on the ***, knees, and hips, plus the CE armor, I can wear shorts under the mesh pants, which keeps me cooler than wearing jeans, and I still have good protection. And when I get to where I am going, I just zip up the leg openings, take off the pants, and stick them in the saddlebag with the mesh jacket, and I can walk around in a t shirt and shorts instead of sweaty jeans.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
In the summer, if given a choice between identical mesh jackets, one is white, and one is black, I choose white. To each their own.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10,297
Likes: 7,775
From: West Central FL
Nope. Nobody will ever convince me that wearing a jacket in 90° heat will keep me cool or protect me from sliding own the highway at 80 mph. Have you ever HEARD somebody getting that polyester/rayon/nylon/whatever material debrided out of their skin in the ER? No thanks. I'll settle for lots of sunscreen and wind speed to keep protected from the sun and heat. As far as road rash from crashing I really try hard not to crash. I rode with a group of people last weekend that just started flyin' through some fairly heavy traffic. I don't mind going fast but not in traffic like that. I just kind of backed off and and arrived about nine minutes later than them. And then riders wonder why they get smacked in traffic by people cutting them off.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,999
Likes: 917
From: Madisonville, La
I've seen several jackets involved in crashes. Definitely worn but not through the material. Just my non medical opinion but I wager the cordura and other materials used in motorcycle jackets is a lot more resistant to road rash than soft human skin. As for the sun protection I guess that means the umbrella used as a sun shade, hats, moving to shade are all a big scam. I would rather take my chances on dealing with embedded material then leaving a good percentage of my skin and then flesh on the road. Each to their own. Try an air jacket, no wait on second thought don't cause it might make you change your opinion.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 46
From: Yamato, Japan
I've seen several jackets involved in crashes. Definitely worn but not through the material. Just my non medical opinion but I wager the cordura and other materials used in motorcycle jackets is a lot more resistant to road rash than soft human skin. As for the sun protection I guess that means the umbrella used as a sun shade, hats, moving to shade are all a big scam. I would rather take my chances on dealing with embedded material then leaving a good percentage of my skin and then flesh on the road. Each to their own. Try an air jacket, no wait on second thought don't cause it might make you change your opinion.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 798
Likes: 726
From: Moncton, NB
Curious as to your thoughts on jeans. I've been riding twenty years, but fortunately not yet taken a serious spill at speeds over twenty mph. I always wear a jacket, but have always gone with denim for my legs. I've periodically seen folks quote something that says denim will only last a few inches on pavement... I know that is BS as my denim has always held up the few times I've been down at slower speeds. Your thoughts?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,815
Likes: 2,555
From: UK
Yeah, all these aramid fibres, armour and stuff are just a myth. Technical riding gear is just a rip off. You are far better off in shorts, t-shirt and flip flops. Your skin is far more abrasion resistant than tarmac anyway.
Nobody will ever cut you off and make you go down. You are immortal, unyielding and hard as nails. You are all possessed of unbelievably elite motorcycling skills and will never, ever make a mistake.
No hospital ever made money from skin grafting people with road rash.
Ride your own rides and be safe...
Nobody will ever cut you off and make you go down. You are immortal, unyielding and hard as nails. You are all possessed of unbelievably elite motorcycling skills and will never, ever make a mistake.
No hospital ever made money from skin grafting people with road rash.
Ride your own rides and be safe...
