Summer Protective Gear?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 2
From: Central Coast of Cali
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: NE Ohio
I've been wearing a Joe Rocket mesh coat with armor for a few years now. It has held up well, but I can't say how well it would really do in a slide. It will be better that a t-shirt or denim for sure.
My take is looking cool is fine, but when you go down, you're gonna wish you had everything you own on.
My take is looking cool is fine, but when you go down, you're gonna wish you had everything you own on.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 335
Likes: 14
From: Baltimore
I wear a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with armor that is cool as long as you are moving. I need to get some protective jeans or pants. I've had dirt and gravel scrubbed out of my palms in my younger stupid days and I don't ever what to feel that again. Started wearing the Joe Rocket jacket after I got back into biking after a 20 year absence. I feel naked without the jacket if I'm on a dual lane highway. I also wear a full face helmet, just my choice.
When I bought my quad two years ago the salesman suggested a full face helmet for riding that. (Most trails require a helmet.) I thought why a full face? He said the first time you have a tree branch hit you in the face you'll know why. Last year I ducked going under a low hanging branch and my helmet hit the handle bars. If I had not been wearing a full face I would have probably needed stiches in my chin or some dental work.
When I bought my quad two years ago the salesman suggested a full face helmet for riding that. (Most trails require a helmet.) I thought why a full face? He said the first time you have a tree branch hit you in the face you'll know why. Last year I ducked going under a low hanging branch and my helmet hit the handle bars. If I had not been wearing a full face I would have probably needed stiches in my chin or some dental work.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
I just bought a heavy leather with quilted liner motorcycle jacket yesterday at a liquidation sale for 70 bucks. Full price was 300. It's a vented jacket *quilted liner removed* and it was SO windy today i actually had the front vents closed. Temperature was 96F with a heat index of 105 at about 60% humidity. I also had on a FF helmet, leather gloves, jeans and boots. Wind out of the west was so strong i would of became a bike plane if i had wings lol.
I rode at highway and in town speeds. I can't say i as as comfortable as being in shorts and a tank top on a hot summer day but i can say i was NOT uncomfortable even at 35 mph or less speeds. It also made the wind beating we sometimes get non existent. You can always take the jacket off at your destinations and be sporting that tank top in the summer. Heck it aint hard to bag your flip flops or shorts either.
Honestly i was surprised that the very heavy leather wasn't like a blast furnace. I will wear it whenever i ride from now on. Though i think chaps are goofy looking i will probably get a set of those too eventually or some Kevlar jeans.
I rode at highway and in town speeds. I can't say i as as comfortable as being in shorts and a tank top on a hot summer day but i can say i was NOT uncomfortable even at 35 mph or less speeds. It also made the wind beating we sometimes get non existent. You can always take the jacket off at your destinations and be sporting that tank top in the summer. Heck it aint hard to bag your flip flops or shorts either.
Honestly i was surprised that the very heavy leather wasn't like a blast furnace. I will wear it whenever i ride from now on. Though i think chaps are goofy looking i will probably get a set of those too eventually or some Kevlar jeans.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 3
From: Texas City, TX
I just bought a heavy leather with quilted liner motorcycle jacket yesterday at a liquidation sale for 70 bucks. Full price was 300. It's a vented jacket *quilted liner removed* and it was SO windy today i actually had the front vents closed. Temperature was 96F with a heat index of 105 at about 60% humidity. I also had on a FF helmet, leather gloves, jeans and boots. Wind out of the west was so strong i would of became a bike plane if i had wings lol.
I rode at highway and in town speeds. I can't say i as as comfortable as being in shorts and a tank top on a hot summer day but i can say i was NOT uncomfortable even at 35 mph or less speeds. It also made the wind beating we sometimes get non existent. You can always take the jacket off at your destinations and be sporting that tank top in the summer. Heck it aint hard to bag your flip flops or shorts either.
Honestly i was surprised that the very heavy leather wasn't like a blast furnace. I will wear it whenever i ride from now on. Though i think chaps are goofy looking i will probably get a set of those too eventually or some Kevlar jeans.
I rode at highway and in town speeds. I can't say i as as comfortable as being in shorts and a tank top on a hot summer day but i can say i was NOT uncomfortable even at 35 mph or less speeds. It also made the wind beating we sometimes get non existent. You can always take the jacket off at your destinations and be sporting that tank top in the summer. Heck it aint hard to bag your flip flops or shorts either.
Honestly i was surprised that the very heavy leather wasn't like a blast furnace. I will wear it whenever i ride from now on. Though i think chaps are goofy looking i will probably get a set of those too eventually or some Kevlar jeans.
You see, I have hit the asphalt at about 45 mph without proper clothing beyond a helmet and gloves. I wasn't seriously hurt but I lost a fair mount of skin, took stitches in a knee and elbow and was very sore and bruised for the next 4 to 5 days. After that, my standard response to those who think my outfit it too hot to ride in is, "I'd rather sweat than bleed!"
I've done the bleeding part. After that, sweating a little is no big deal! 
Enjoy your new leathers!
Ride Safe,
Steve R.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,836
Likes: 13,936
From: IL
HD mesh jacket w/shoulder and elbow pads. Draggin jeans. Shoei FF.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 7
Maybe, but in my mind there are two types of riders, those who have gone down, and those who have yet to fall.
Although the majority of people that go down, get back up, so I will stick to something I've learned to respect for it's usage.
I'm always over prepared. Last time I missed being prepared i.e. my protection, she was 120 lbs, 5'6" dirty blond 38-24-32, she said no and left.
Although the majority of people that go down, get back up, so I will stick to something I've learned to respect for it's usage.
I'm always over prepared. Last time I missed being prepared i.e. my protection, she was 120 lbs, 5'6" dirty blond 38-24-32, she said no and left.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Motoport rocks!
I rode from SF Bay through the San Jouquin Valley in my stretch kevlar(NOT mesh kevlar)Motoport protective gear with full armor. Temp at bay, 68, in Valley mostly 106-107, with one part at 109! No sweat, yeah no sweat except in arm pits some. The jacket is amazing. The pants did produce some good sweat but they were black and it was 109! Remember, Cagers do crazy **** when it's that hor, especially the ones driving withe their windows down.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Splais1
General Harley Davidson Chat
79
Mar 6, 2011 10:01 AM
firebrick
General Harley Davidson Chat
8
Jul 14, 2010 10:10 AM
