Mesh Jackets = protection
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Sure mesh is definitely better than nothing which is extremely tempting when hot as hell outside this time of year. Mesh breaths just like a t-shirt and will eliminate probably 80-90% of the rash you'd get in a t-shirt.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,646
Likes: 40
From: Midtown Tulsa
Just bought this jacket "used" this morning. Going to use it for my trip to San Francisco in October...it is the Olympia Moto-X with mesh panels...it isn't exactly a mesh jacket, but it does have some big mesh panels on the chest, back and under the arms...
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/xmo...motojacket.htm
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/xmo...motojacket.htm
Last edited by frontiercat; Aug 30, 2011 at 01:16 PM. Reason: learning to spell
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
There is mesh and then there is MESH. Some mesh contains high abrasion resistent materials. Also, most mesh jackets are armored, as mine is in the elbows, shoulders, collarbone, back and tailbone. The mesh's function is not only to take the road rash for you but also to hold the armor in position.
I have ridden my TourMaster Air Intake 2 at temperatures up to 103 degrees and stayed comfortable. (It is way cooler than bare skin exposed to the sun.) Plus I had armor in all the right places. My wife's Cortech is the same.
I have ridden my TourMaster Air Intake 2 at temperatures up to 103 degrees and stayed comfortable. (It is way cooler than bare skin exposed to the sun.) Plus I had armor in all the right places. My wife's Cortech is the same.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
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From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
Only mesh I know of that is abraison resistant is from this company http://www.motoport.com/ It's definitely expensive and not necessarily "Harly-ish" but if you can spend the money and aren't worried about the Harley fashion police...it's a fantastic option. Their gear is well-known in the ADV Tourer and sport bike crowd.
Have read countless testimonials on other forums and everyone that has their gear is loves it. Their website is awful, but it's USA made and owned by an extremely customer oriented guy with a mc background.
Have read countless testimonials on other forums and everyone that has their gear is loves it. Their website is awful, but it's USA made and owned by an extremely customer oriented guy with a mc background.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Kansouri
I have the exact jacket you are waiting to pick up. It has a removable liner for a little cooler weather and pockets for armor. I wear it daily in the summer because it is cooler than the leather and the scotch brite really shows up well after dark. The road I ride is dark and I'll take every bit of protection it provides from bugs at night and being seen a long way off from cagers. I would rather have this between me and the bugs or road surface than just my skin. Who gives a rat's a$$ if someone else doesn't like it. As long as you like it thats all that matters.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
"I think an armored leather jacket is the way to go - as long as you dont die of heat stroke while wearing it."
My "summer jacket" is a FirstGear leather jacket that's "perforated". The leather appears to be the heaviest grade available, but it's got thousands of holes punched in it -- hold it up to the light, and the light "comes through". It's also got body armor in the usual places.
Cost $400 back then, and at the time, the "mesh type" jackets weren't but a blip on the market as of yet. Not even sure if they make these any more, probably not market-competitive against all the mesh jackets that are out there now.
Of course you're hot under a heavy jacket like that while standing still in the summer sun, but move out and things get much better. If I can't bear to wear that in the heat of the summer, the day's too hot for riding...
- John
My "summer jacket" is a FirstGear leather jacket that's "perforated". The leather appears to be the heaviest grade available, but it's got thousands of holes punched in it -- hold it up to the light, and the light "comes through". It's also got body armor in the usual places.
Cost $400 back then, and at the time, the "mesh type" jackets weren't but a blip on the market as of yet. Not even sure if they make these any more, probably not market-competitive against all the mesh jackets that are out there now.
Of course you're hot under a heavy jacket like that while standing still in the summer sun, but move out and things get much better. If I can't bear to wear that in the heat of the summer, the day's too hot for riding...
- John
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Joe Kucinski
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: anacoco, la
every piece of hd armor that i've seen has the ce sticker on it. so i think you might be mistaken there.
for the op, as the 'safety guy' i'm surprised you didn't go with the hi vis jacket instead of black. now you'll have to wear a second piece of gear everytime you ride (high vis/reflective vest).
i just picked up one, can't find the link for it, but it's a pretty nice jacket and alleviates the need for me to wear a second piece of gear just to get on post (i'm retired, so i don't have to wear the vest all the time, unlike active duty). if i'm wearing a long sleeved shirt to work, i can zip the sleeves off and use it as a vest. short sleeved, leave the sleeves on. yeah, it's bright and obnoxious, but i always wear long sleeves when i ride, dehydration and sunburn are a bitch. and if it helps me to be seen, then that's a good thing too.
for the op, as the 'safety guy' i'm surprised you didn't go with the hi vis jacket instead of black. now you'll have to wear a second piece of gear everytime you ride (high vis/reflective vest).
i just picked up one, can't find the link for it, but it's a pretty nice jacket and alleviates the need for me to wear a second piece of gear just to get on post (i'm retired, so i don't have to wear the vest all the time, unlike active duty). if i'm wearing a long sleeved shirt to work, i can zip the sleeves off and use it as a vest. short sleeved, leave the sleeves on. yeah, it's bright and obnoxious, but i always wear long sleeves when i ride, dehydration and sunburn are a bitch. and if it helps me to be seen, then that's a good thing too.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co., Maryland
for the op, as the 'safety guy' i'm surprised you didn't go with the hi vis jacket instead of black. now you'll have to wear a second piece of gear everytime you ride (high vis/reflective vest).
i just picked up one, can't find the link for it, but it's a pretty nice jacket<snip>
i just picked up one, can't find the link for it, but it's a pretty nice jacket<snip>
Last edited by Cowpokey; Aug 31, 2011 at 08:21 AM.