Mesh Jackets = protection
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: Kansouri
Hi vis HD vest junk.
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.
Last edited by elkhunter719; Aug 31, 2011 at 08:42 AM.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,030
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co., Maryland
I tried the HD HI VIS vest so stay away from that one. They only come in two sizes and neither one fits correctly. Who ever designed this one needs to actually have worn motorcycle gear. The top flapped around in the wind and the velcro ID holder flew off the first time I got over 25mph. The jacket that skratch likes did look like it was constructed like the one you chose. So it would be a good alternative.
I'm glad my ID wasn't in it when it flew off. Although it did manage to stay attached for two days and around 300 miles total. Finally flew off after a 200 mile run the day after I bought my bike about 2 miles from home doing about 40~45mph. LOLIt doesn't fit as good as it could, that's for sure...but to be honest I mainly use it to be legal on base. It has traveled exactly as many miles as my bike, but after day two it hasn't been worn on a ride outside the gate more than a few miles. Once we get just a few miles out of town and leave the populated, high traffic, local area and hit the "little roads" Hi Vis (while still a good idea) becomes less of an issue. Nobody (locals) want to use surface roads if they can get on the expressway where bikes aren't allowed anyway.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
I wear this.
I recommend it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ml#post8762489
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...ycle_vest.html
I recommend it.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/gener...ml#post8762489
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...ycle_vest.html
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
i tried that one too. didn't think about it when i bought it, since it was fall, but the damn thing doesn't breathe at all. talk about hot. it's like putting on a raincoat in the sun. i keep that one just in case someone needs a vest to get on post. now i either wear the jacket, or an icon vest, that does breathe.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 424
Likes: 4
From: Denver, CO
I wear Motoport Mesh Kevlar Jacket and Pants. Armored in the right places and on the bike, in the wind, it breathes very well.
In city traffic, in the hot summer sun, it's hot but bearable. But almost any jacket, especially leather will be hot in the summer's heat.
In the mountains, where I've been riding a lot this summer, the combo is unbelievably comfortable. In fact, in the early morning, I need to wear a light layer on top and bottom inside the mesh as it's downright chilly at times, at altitude.
In city traffic, in the hot summer sun, it's hot but bearable. But almost any jacket, especially leather will be hot in the summer's heat.
In the mountains, where I've been riding a lot this summer, the combo is unbelievably comfortable. In fact, in the early morning, I need to wear a light layer on top and bottom inside the mesh as it's downright chilly at times, at altitude.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Not just leather but very heavy leather with zipper vents. I don't trust the mesh design but they make money off of alot of folks thats for sure. Road racers wear leather for a reason not mesh. I'm not a road racer but i want their protection.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
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
CE armor comes in two flavours. CE 1 and CE 2. Basically CE 2 absorbs more of an impact but is pricier. The flat foam pads you find in cheaper gear, normally used as back pads, are not CE approved, basically they are just there to show you where to insert a back protector if you ever buy one. If it is CE approved it will have a CE stamp on it designating CE 1 or CE 2. Most jackets have CE 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows but just a piece of foam in the back. As you go up in quality you will find the armor fits better and conforms to your elbows/shoulders better even though it may all be say CE 1 rated. If the armor pieces can move around on your shoulder or elbow they probably will if you crash and you won't get their full protection.
Last edited by fat_tony; Aug 31, 2011 at 07:15 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
The armor jackets are better than nothing; the leather combo dominates though
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Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Harford Co., Maryland
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,646
Likes: 40
From: Midtown Tulsa
Have the same jacket. Have not crashed in it but the 2000D Cordura on the strike points is supposed to hold up as well or better than 1.3mm leather in a slide - it has better abrasion ratings. The 500D Cordura used elsewhere is supposedly almost as strong as leather from the same article I read. I find almost all the higher end textile gear I've seen, regardless of manufacturer uses heavier weight Cordura.
CE armor comes in two flavours. CE 1 and CE 2. Basically CE 2 absorbs more of an impact but is pricier. The flat foam pads you find in cheaper gear, normally used as back pads, are not CE approved, basically they are just there to show you where to insert a back protector if you ever buy one. If it is CE approved it will have a CE stamp on it designating CE 1 or CE 2. Most jackets have CE 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows but just a piece of foam in the back. As you go up in quality you will find the armor fits better and conforms to your elbows/shoulders better even though it may all be say CE 1 rated. If the armor pieces can move around on your shoulder or elbow they probably will if you crash and you won't get their full protection.
CE armor comes in two flavours. CE 1 and CE 2. Basically CE 2 absorbs more of an impact but is pricier. The flat foam pads you find in cheaper gear, normally used as back pads, are not CE approved, basically they are just there to show you where to insert a back protector if you ever buy one. If it is CE approved it will have a CE stamp on it designating CE 1 or CE 2. Most jackets have CE 1 armor in the shoulders and elbows but just a piece of foam in the back. As you go up in quality you will find the armor fits better and conforms to your elbows/shoulders better even though it may all be say CE 1 rated. If the armor pieces can move around on your shoulder or elbow they probably will if you crash and you won't get their full protection.
It is supposed to have all of the CE armor (not sure which), but that is what I was looking for. I really wanted a lighter color jacket for the ride across New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California in October. Aside from my Icon, all my other jackets are black...
I am excited about the jacket. I have been patiently waiting for one to come up for sale used on a few sites....smokin' deal on this one (at least in my mind). I also bought a used Phantom (still has the tags on it) that I'm going to use on my Uly this winter...Olympia makes some fine gear.
Okay, back to the thread...sorry for the hijack...
