Leathers in hot weather...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Because of my skin cancer years ago, I usually wear a long sleeve shirt even in Oklahoma's 105 degree weather. The new sport SPF shirts todays work very well to protect me against the sun. In fact my buddies are now wearing the same shirts after they suffered bad burns on the same rides. But most of the shirts I wear are for fishing, I would like a pullover motorcycle SPF shirt that has some padding on the elbos and shoulders and something to protect the neck against the sun. That would be perfect.
Beary
Bohn? makes body armor for under the shirt (and pants). A shirt with sewn armor would need to be very bulky if the armor stayed in place the moment after impact.
I wear a cool vest under my mesh jacket, it works great.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 11,256
From: San Diego, CA
For some reason, this is the only clothing rule I have. I have caught road debris on my feet & shins, and touched the occasional hot pipe with my leg so don't ride without boots and long pants...
I've seen many people in SoCal with shorts, flip flops and then a $500 full face helmet.... I don't get it. Looks silly to me....
Then again I have a good friend who crashed on the freeway, in colder weather, and his leathers saved him. He rides full leathers now, even in 100 degree heat... He thinks I look silly wearing only a short sleeve t-shirt..
To each their own....
I choose to ride for the weather, rather than a pending crash...
Most days out here in SoCal, it's boots, jeans, t-shirt and denim vest (mostly for the chest pockets).
I have my leathers (Jacket & Chaps) in my bag (along with rain gear & a sweat shirt) and wear them when the weather dictates.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,191
Likes: 2,423
From: USA
I've an armored mesh Fieldsheer jacket I wear when it's hot outside. Darn thing is remarkably cool and comfortable. More comfortable than just a t-shirt in fact, since it keeps the sun from baking me directly.
I've got armored mesh Detour pants that I'm trying to get used to. My "puffy pants". Do love the breeze through them (wear shorts under them), but I find it hard to comfortably control the bike while wearing them. I feel disconnected, can't grip with my knees, and it raises me up in the seat a little bit. So I'm still frequently wearing jeans. I may finally break down and get a pair of the khaki kevlar pants to try if I can't get comfortable with these "puffy pants".
I've got armored mesh Detour pants that I'm trying to get used to. My "puffy pants". Do love the breeze through them (wear shorts under them), but I find it hard to comfortably control the bike while wearing them. I feel disconnected, can't grip with my knees, and it raises me up in the seat a little bit. So I'm still frequently wearing jeans. I may finally break down and get a pair of the khaki kevlar pants to try if I can't get comfortable with these "puffy pants".
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 247
From: Tulsa, OK
I got sick of wearing full leathers in 100+ heat, I dress for the weather now. But I also switched from sport bikes to a nice lumpy relaxed harley. Dropping the speed from regular triple digits was an exponential drop in wreck risks.
Jeans and boots are the minimal wear, no tennis shoes, flip flops, or shorts. Shirt depends on the weather.
Jeans and boots are the minimal wear, no tennis shoes, flip flops, or shorts. Shirt depends on the weather.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I've got a few Jackets, one heavy leather, one vented leather and one mesh with body armor. I pick one of the 2 leather in the morning and the mesh is usually in the saddle bag. Chaps only if its below 50. The mesh is as cool as T-shirt while moving but I occasionally go with no jacket but only in town if its really hot.
Johnny Law makes me wear a helmet...
Johnny Law makes me wear a helmet...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
I used to wear full leathers in any type of weather. Now I use an armored mesh jacket on the hot days with a pair of jeans. Looking into kevlar liners to wear under the jeans or will find a good pair of mesh overpants.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: Palm Coast Florida
In colder months here, I will wear leather jacket or the textile mesh jacket with liner if it gets too cold. Jeans and boots year round. Never ride with shorts, burned my leg once or twice trying it and figured I wasn't cut out for that. In summer it's just Jeans and short sleeve t-shirts. I only wear my helmet if I know I am going on the interstates or on long trips or if I know it is going to be raining. I can't bring myself to wear a full face helmet ever. I feel too constricted in that type of helmet and it makes me very uncomfortable. I alternate between my half or 3/4 in the winter/colder months depending on the temps. Once it gets below 40 (which isn't often here in central Florida) is when the 3/4 helm comes out and the liner. haven't had the need for any electric/heated clothing yet.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I have leather but only wear it when it's cold.Even then I leave the chaps hanging on the wall. I have some flannel lined jeans that are great with long underwear. Last year I bought a Joe Rocket mesh jacket with armor for hot weather riding. The jacket fits great but I just have a hard time making myself wear it. I was really trying to be better but it's hard to break old habits. I was really doing good wearing my 3/4 helmet instead of the half until it got to be almost 100 and humid. The last couple of times out I have worn the half helmet with ear plugs along with jeans and a tank top. I have to try and do better because I'm cooking myself and I've had my fair share of skin cancer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
I don't -put on- my leather jacket until it gets hot.
But... the jacket is a FirstGear "full-weight" leather -perforated- jacket, with thousands of air holes. Bought it back at the end of the 1990's, just when the first "Joe Rocket" mesh jackets were coming onto the scene (and I wanted more protection than they offered back then).
Still works, and still looks great.
For "less-than-hot" riding, I have a 3-piece Motoport "Canyon" (textile) jacket w/armor...
But... the jacket is a FirstGear "full-weight" leather -perforated- jacket, with thousands of air holes. Bought it back at the end of the 1990's, just when the first "Joe Rocket" mesh jackets were coming onto the scene (and I wanted more protection than they offered back then).
Still works, and still looks great.
For "less-than-hot" riding, I have a 3-piece Motoport "Canyon" (textile) jacket w/armor...