For $150 this looks okay...

Men's Harley-Davidson® Mesh Jacket

IN-STORE PURCHASE ONLY Contact dealer for availability

Constructed of fully-ventilated, nylon mesh. Body armor in shoulders and elbows. Adjustable waist and wrist tabs, hand-warmer pockets, and embroidered Bar & Shield logo on front and reflective Bar & Shield logo patch on back.

98225-06VM


MSRP US $150.00

 

Hey Marc:

I'm down here in Tennessee and it's supposed to hit 95 degrees today. I'm new to this too and have checked out a number of ideas.

Harley has a Nylon Mesh with pads and a mesh jacket without pads too. I tried these on after riding over to the Harley Dealership in hot weather wearing a Horsehide vest over a T-Shirt I picked up from Lost Worlds, Inc. This is what I found.
A. The Vest is hot and uncomfortable they tend to ride up and scrape your helmet (3/4) making this screeching sound not unlike fingernails on a blackboard.
B. The Nylon Mesh without padding about boiled me alive as soon as I put it on...I had just walked in after riding over. Imagine this if you will 50% of you gets air while the other half boils. I figured the Nylon has no breathability and could be a real issue.
C. The same held true with the Padded version.

I had a Fox Creek Mesh Leather jacket for awhile back in the spring but it was too large so I traded it for a full leather Classic. The mesh leather was not too bad as the leather was a lot more comfortable to wear. I am thinking about getting one of these and combining it with a T-shirt that wicks out moisture. Like the kind a lot of Runners use, Wal Mart carries these dirt cheap and they do work.

Second when I took the MSF course, one of the women in the course had this Mesh Long Sleeve T-shirt with kevlar pads. I have not been able to find one but that could really do the trick. The mesh was stitched close in using wicking material and it held the kevlar in shape without looking obvious. She claimed it was great. She went down on one of the turns came up without a scratch. Not that this means a damn thing because she was going 10 mph but still the material was fine and she did land on her elbow. The only problem is I can't find a source.

I am currently wearing shirts and T-shirts with Mesh Gloves, but frankly it would be nice to have more covering for those long rides and even the work rides where the Cagers are going crazy after 5:00 p.m. on the way home.

Hope this is helpful,

Wilbur

 

Any of the mesh with padding will do pretty good. All are better than tee-shirt. I got mine from motorcycle closeouts.com. It's a First Gear mesh tek. When you are moving it is like it's not even on, does get warm when stopped though. good luck.

 

I've worn my mesh up to 105* so far. While at 105* even being outside is warm, I didn't find the mesh to be hot at all while moving, even 5mph. Off the bike or at a stop it did get a little warm, but never uncomfortable any more so than sitting outside without it anyhow. It keeps the sun off your skin, and that helps a lot. Mine is even black. I can only imagine what a silver one would do.

I got a friend to try it out. He used to ride in a t-shirt. Now he owns a mesh. Too much sun on you will tire you out fast.

Make sure whatever you get has good armor, or replace it with good armor. Seems a lot of brands are just using cheap foam rubber and passing it off as armor. Good stuff is cheap, so might as well have it. Mesh has no cushion like leather does, so its important.

 

I wear my first gear mesh tex jacket always when I ride back and forth to work with ful face helmet.

for putting around town on weekends I'll sometimes wear a heavy cotton long sleeve work shirt (Wrangler or Carhart) with a half helmet. I grew up riding in long sleeves and don't feel comfortable riding with arms exposed.

 

I ride with a First Gear Mesh Tex pullover, looks like a sweatshirt. Have to agree with most here if you are moving it is cooler than a t shirt unless you have one on under it. Sitting still its no hotter that sitting still in the sun with a t shirt, if it gets hotter through the day I just take the t shirt off and put the pull over back on very cool.

 

For one thing, ANY protection is better than NONE at all.

I like my Motoport Ultra ll Air Mesh Kevlar 2 piece riding suit & Full Face Helmet.

http://www.motoport.com/

and check out the upper right corner labeled : "Save your Hide"

It talks about different materiels, abrasion resistance and tear strength.

Good info, for your own information to be informed.

 

I have the HD mesh jacket. Here in Md, it gets very hot and humid in the summer. I have had the jacket for over 2 years and it is not that uncomfortable, as long as you are moving. When you stop, it gets warm. Much more protection than a t-shirt. I have riden without it on very short trips.

 

This winter around middle of january check out clerance rack at the dealers,got a great deal in michigan city,indiana harley two mesh official harley not knockoffs for a great price that i wear with a t-shirt under has gave me great riding comfort,i dont pay retail but check out them dealers they want to move the merchandise or it sits,i seen a lot of super buys around ya spent a lot of cash for that bike go real,authentic

 

I was in a local Indy shop last season and the girl behind the counter showed me a shirt like the one you are talking about. She said the shirt itself was a kind of Kevlar Weave. Looked comfortable enough. It looked more like something made for Motorcross.