Summer Riding Jacket - At the end of my rope
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 545
Likes: 5
From: North West PA
I bought a Harley mesh jacket and love it. It has pockets for the pads. My favorite riding jacket in the summer, can ride all day in the shade ad not get sun burned. very loose mesh for air flow. I bought a pull over pull over windbreaker that I wear under it for those chilly nights and mornings. Great summer combo.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
I have a cordura jacket form Vanson that works well in the heat, it has vents that open the length of the arm and back vents and the front has 2 big areas that zip out and fold up inside of the jacket so that alot of air moves in the front and out of the back....But if you are riding with a windshield and you don't get much air movement you aren't going to get the cooling effect and you will be hotter...
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,905
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, AL
Above 90 anything is going to be warm but at least you have a dry heat. My warn weather jacket is a Tourtmaster Air Intake II. I has removable waterproof and quilted liners for "most of the year riding". Avoid an all black jacket, instead going for lighter colors. Benefits are less heat absorption and better visibility. I looked at the HD mesh and thought it was flimsy and the armor panels a joke. Get a decent jacket.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
At 100+ nothing really works (its frikin HOT) but I have an old joe rocket phoenix mesh jacket in silver that works the best I've found. Really open mesh and lighter color make a difference.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 621
Likes: 3
From: N CA
Have a First Gear mesh jacket for several years now. It is my go to jacket over any of my others. Has armor in elbows, shoulders and back. Going down the road is actually cooler than riding with just a t-shirt. Rain liner makes it a great fall jacket also. Compared to HD mesh jacket it is cheap.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: nashville
this is easy, the cheap 'plastic' mesh ones you mention are clammy, at best. I've owned several so I know. This is the best and coolest jacket available, highly recommended. Motoport Mesh Kevlar
http://www.motoport.com/index.php?op...d=15&Itemid=15
http://www.motoport.com/index.php?op...d=15&Itemid=15
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Olympia Motorsports Airglide 3 Mesh Tech. Elbow,Shoulder, back protection. 2 stage liner - waterproof liner AND separate insulated liner. The waterproof liner can be inserted without the insulated liner or vice versa or can insert both liners. The downfall of many mesh jackets is the liner is both waterproof and insulated making summer rain a weight loss adventure due to amount of sweating. It's nice to have ability to choose the level of protection from elements.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
I have a Mossi that is light and breathes. The jacket is almost completely mesh. It's inexpenive and the shoulder/elbow/back "armour" is chincy. The problem I have with it is that the shoulders and most of the front is black so it gets hot a stop. However, going down the road, it feels cooler than riding with a T-shirt.
http://www.overstock.com/Sports-Toys...0/product.html
I have to say +1 with the Olympia Motosports Air Glide 3 Mesh jacket. It has more protection and has Cordura material on the sleeves and body panels. I had reservations about how it would breathe but I think it is a good design and ventilates well going down the road even sitting behind a batwing. I got the yellow and it is cooler than the Mossi in slow going. I know you don't care about warmth or waterproof, but the linings make it a three season+ jacket and the only one I take with me on a tour. Pricy but good quality.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,468
Likes: 4
From: South Carolina
Tourmaster intake 3. textile with removable rain liner and with removable insulated liner. Good 3 season jacket. I dont know what the exact skid rating is but as I remember mesh is impressive but not as good as armored leathers. Everything has its tradeoffs.