Summer jacket suggestions

ErikU · Post by **ErikU** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 11:09 pm

As the weather is finally starting to improve, I want to think about buying a summer jacket so I don't cook like I have in the past.

I don't want a full mesh jacket... I live in Seattle and it just doesn't get to 100 degrees. I also want a little more protection and would prefer hard armor. Is there such a thing as a partial mesh jacket? My wife has a great Alpinestars that is just mesh on parts of the sides... loads of protection and with the liner in it's plenty warm.

Ideas?

-Erik

Post by **MikeCam** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:02 am

Erik,

Are you a 42R? If so, then buy the BMW Inotex jacket at $459.99. If you don't like it, I'll buy it used for 50% OFF!

No? Okay.

I'm not clear how semi-mesh you'd want to go. I had good experiences with BMW's Aeroflo II - Euro cut so a tight US fit but I'd call it semi-mesh.

Seems First Gear has two or three styles along those lines, but I have no experience with them.

Good luck.

Post by **bimrluvr** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:48 am

You might find the Tourmaster Cortech Flex jacket interesting. I believe parts of the denier shell can be zipped off completely to reveal the mesh underlayer, or not.

big papa · Post by **big papa** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 2:54 am

I love my Joe Rocket leather mesh jacket.

Post by **LonestaRR** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 6:38 am

I vote for the Tourmaster Flex. You can zip off all the denier, or just some of it, or you can just un zip a bit for ventilation where needed. And it comes with the waterproof liner as well. Very versatile. I'm not sure of the quality of armor in it though.

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:50 am

You might check out the Olympia Moto Sports AST jacket. I am testing this now and can already attest that the full length vents in the arms, with waterproof zippers and velcro flap coverage, combined with the back vent and a unique above-the-pocket chest vent, also with waterproof zipper, will flow the air! I intend to post a full review of this later but check it out here:

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/ast_mens/ast_mens.htm

It is waterproof and comes with an insulated liner. Same cordura weight as my Aerostich and CE armour and back protection. I am impressed so far.

I just talked to a rider this weekend that had the Tourmaster jacket. Or at least a Tourmaster. He had just got it and generally liked it but said the zip out cordura section was a continous zipper, from one side to the other, not allowing partion opening. Just a heads up.

GeoffJ · Post by **GeoffJ** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:14 am

Consider a Vanson perforated leather jacket.

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 8:59 am

Consider mesh with leather sleeves and shoulders - Firstgear, Joe Rocket, Fieldsheer, and now Tourmaster all make versions. Also consider a mesh jacket with an outer shell that zips off, as others have suggested. There are several on the market right now, the Joe Rocket Alter Ego is one, Teknik makes one also (I owned one for a year, forget the name right now), but it worked pretty well, was warm and waterproof with the outer shell on.

The BMW Airflow jackets are not really mesh, per se, but they have some panels that are a tough, mesh-like substance, the rest of the jacket is pretty rugged Schoeller Dynatec, I believe. If you really, really don't want mesh, I'd check on one of these.

fnfalman · Post by **fnfalman** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:45 am

The Teknik with some (not all) of the outer shells zip off to show mesh is called the Spyder Jacket.

The BMW Airflow II has some of the mesh on the upper torso, under the arms and sides and a little bit in the back. It doesn't work nearly as well as a full-mesh but for Seattle or SoCal it isn't too bad.

ride1150r · Post by **ride1150r** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 11:06 am

I second the vanson!

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:16 pm

fnfalman wrote:The Teknik with some (not all) of the outer shells zip off to show mesh is called the Spyder Jacket.

Yeah, that's the one I was thinking of. I owned one for a year before I sold it on IBMWR because I bought a BMW Rally jacket that I fell in love with. You'd think I'da remembered the dang name! (Is it OK to say "dang" on the board?)

GeoffJ · Post by **GeoffJ** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 12:35 pm

I have a Joe Rocket full mesh jacket. I've done some touring around Seattle and the surrounding area. A full mesh jacket isn't warm enough for the temperature swings.

BoiseBeemer · Post by **BoiseBeemer** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:04 pm

I'll repeat the information I posted a month ago about Tourmaster jackets:

Competition Accessories is having a close-out sale on a number of Tourmaster riding jackets. Here's the info:

"They're offering Tourmaster's excellent Cortech GX Air mesh jacket for only $99.99. I have an older Joe Rocket Phoenix; my wife has the GX Air, and there's no comparison. The GX is solidly built with 1680 denier Cordura patches over the shoulders, elbows, and forearms; armor in the shoulders, elbows, and back, plus additional protection over the collarbones. Well worth the $170 we paid last summer for my wife, and a steal at this price. Their women's line, btw, is well designed and functionally adapted for feminine shapes.

http://www.competitionaccessories.com/c ... tegory=869"

They're also a very reputable on-line dealership to work with.

This jacket, btw, is extremely well constructed for a mesh coat, with much heavier armor and abrasion protection than the Joe Rocket Phoenix I've used in the past. Like most of these products (as well as your helmet), it's designed to be sacrificial in use, but I feel completely confident in the level of protection it provides at reasonable street speeds, and for $99 its disposable nature is easy to live with (and a whole lot better than skin grafts). You certainly can't beat the comfort. I don't know how I lived without mesh clothing in my previous motorcyling incarnation. Well, I do know, but I don't admit to it in public.

Post by **MattPie** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:13 pm

wncbmw wrote:http://www.olympiamotosports.com/ast_mens/ast_mens.htm

It is waterproof and comes with an insulated liner. Same cordura weight as my Aerostich and CE armour and back protection. I am impressed so far.

I'm pretty happy with my AirGlide (although I have a '1', not a '2'):
http://www.olympiamotosports.com/airglide/airglide.htm

Depends on you definition of "semi-mesh". It's tough to tell from the pictures, but the 'shiny' portions are mesh, the rest is Cordura, plus the piping is 3M, so as my girlfriend puts it, "As soon as my lights hit it, it just lights up". It's comfy for me from 40F to about 70F with the liner in, and 70F to 100F with the liner out. Removable CE armor, so you could put something heavier in if you wanted.

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 7:01 pm

Consider a Vanson perforated leather jacket.

I have one of those now also and they are great but not as versatile as either the AST or a 'Stich. Anything below 50 degrees will be cold! And then there is the need for raingear. In Seattle, that should be a consideration.

I will use the Vanson for weekend rides in warm weather with little chance of rain. But for other rides and trips, I think the AST will be my new favorite.

Post by **socalrob** » Thu Apr 06, 2006 10:52 pm

I have a leather Dianese jacket that is perforated. Its is comfortable for all but truly hot LA days in summer, so I think it would be great up north. Great protection.

mechanic savant · Post by **mechanic savant** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:01 am

take a looky @ http://www.motoport.com I've had really good luck w/thier product ,it actualy performs as adv.!!! also It's custom built @ no xtra $$$very important to us odd shaped folk

Post by **frozennorth** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:57 am

Check out the Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket. It's sort of a three part jacket with armour. Has a zip-in rain/wind liner and you can zip off the front chest and rear lower back panels so that all that's left over is mesh. I've worn mine with all the layers and a heated vest to 0 degrees, I've also worn it without the liner and without the panels in at around 100 and it was still good.

They also make an Alter Ego over-the-boot pant that has a zip in liner for rain and zip out panels around the crotch and butt area for warm days. Also has armour. The jacket and pant also zip together, which is kind of nice if you ever do a back slide.

I really like mine . . . and they saved my sorry a** when I hit the ditch at 60 last year. After that kind of abuse, they still look almost new

Slipstream · Post by **Slipstream** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 11:33 am

I can definitely recommend the ICON line of helmets, gloves, and jackets--great quality (better than Joe Rocket, IMHO) and for a superb price.

...and NO, I don't work for, or sell, ICON gear--I'm in the military.

http://www.metricbikes-superstore.com/icon.php

PHALEXAN · Post by **PHALEXAN** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 1:55 pm

I ride with a BMW Airflow 2 and would consider it a semi-mesh jacket. I like mine so much I bought a second one from a dealer a who was going out of business at a fine discount. Mine is holding up really well and I'd be happy to sell the brand new one for $100 plus shipping. I think its a size 42. t is blue and silver and fits me- I wear a "large".

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