Hot weather riding

wolff · 07-22-2006, 09:03 AM

Alright, after leaving Texas for Germany for the last 3 yrs I face the possibility of returning to the central Texas/ Austin area. So what are all of you hot weather riders wearing? I used to wear a perf. Vanson Cobra leather jacket and still sweat my nads off.

I have heard that BMW came out with a hot weather suit called the venting machine and I was wondering how that compared to their other hot weather suit the Airflow?

Any other suggestions? I know Vanson got on the mesh jacket kick and maybe that will be the way to go.

steve abella · 09:13 AM

Only 117 here yesterday
2 options for longer rides
this one I haven't tried

http://www.stacoolvest.com/vests.php

and

this type which I swear by

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/silver-eagle/cooling-vest.htm

stop at each fuel stop... plug the sink in the bathroom with the vest it fills in 2-3 minutes and last for 2-3 hours

I use a darrien jacket zip it shut except open the sleeves which by positioning my hands on the handle bars I can adjust the amount of flow and force the air out the top and into the helmet gives me helmet air conditioning too or at least an effective swamp cooler for the valley of the sun.

may not work as well in hot humid areas

Tirebiter · 07-22-2006, 09:12 AM

I am using a Rev'it mesh jacket and airflow pants here in Vegas and find that as long as I am moving things are OK, but this time of year am limiting my riding to early morning hours.

We have a much drier climate here than Austin, so we enjoy the evaporative cooling afforded by the mesh. We just have to drink lots of water to remain hydrated. Not sure how much added effect one gets with mesh in a 90/90 climate like yours....but it can't hurt

jweicht · 07-22-2006, 09:59 AM

First Gear Mesh-Tex jacket, Hein Gericke Cargo mesh overpants. The brand you choose probably is not so significant, but I think mesh gear in the summer is the only way to go. I don't hesitiate to go for a ride on a hot day anymore.

wswartzwel · 07-22-2006, 10:30 AM

First Gear Mesh-Tex jacket, Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 mesh pants.

VetteRacer · 07-22-2006, 10:31 AM

I tried the BMW Vent thing on, I did not like the way it fit AT ALL. Have never worn BMW stuff so dont know if Im just not made for it, or if that item sucked...
I have a vest I got at Vegas BMW dealer that you soak in water, like the one Steve mentioned. I dont really like it on normal shorter rides though. It has been great for the Vegas to LA trips (3.5-4 hours), but for 1-2 hour spirited rides I didn't care for it too much...
I am in the market for a Vegas heat jacket for me and the wife as well. The one I used in Cali doesn't cut it here since the places to ride dont offer a nice temperature drop...

Anyone have comments on Olympia riding gear? Wife likes one of their mesh jackets, but I cant seem to find any reviews on it, and at $220 I cant afford to take a chance...

Ole Bike · 07-22-2006, 10:45 AM

Valuable thread.

What about keeping feet protected but cool?

Helmets?

I have a $10 neck roll that is filled with water-loving crystals and works well under a 3/4 helmet.

wswartzwel · 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ole Bike
Valuable thread.

What about keeping feet protected but cool?

With Menthol...

twistedpossum · 07-22-2006, 12:14 PM

It gets a little hot and humid in NC occasionally. I use a Joe Rocket Phoenix and it works well.

R111S · R111S's Garage

Hi wolff,

I was strangely depressed for about 6-months after returning from Germany...

I have a Teknic Super Vent Mesh Jacket and Teknic Lightning Leather Jacket. They both zip to my Teknic Leather Pants just fine. I alternate between the two depending on the weather. I also have a Teknic Textile Suit.

I got the Teknic Leather Suit from http://www.newenough.com/
They're very helpful and the prices are very reasonable.

The Padding transfers just fine between these suits since they're all Teknic. I can also mix them because they use the same zipper at the waist.

The Mesh Jacket feels very much like a compromise in safety compared to the Leather Jacket. On the other hand, it's way cooler when you're stuck in heavy traffic at that red light that takes an eternity to turn green...no more baking in your own juices.

wolff · 07-22-2006, 01:06 PM

And no more lane splitting.

Things maybe looking up as Landstuhl ponied up the cash to keep me on staff for the next year. Hopefully I ink a contract by the end of next week. Once that's done hello Ducati ST3S.

wolff · 07-22-2006, 01:14 PM

This is one set of hot weather gear I can not recommend. My crazy medics thought it would be a good idea to have me re-enlist them. This after I already resigned my medical corps comission so once I ETSed it was time to become a PFC. Yes, no back door draft for me.

R111S · R111S's Garage

Hi wolff,

Hats off to you for serving our country.

I was stationed in Las Vegas with the USAF for 3.5 Years when Jimmy Carter was President...it was right after Viet Nam ended. We trained Fighter Pilots for Middle East conflict. I was a Jet-Mech on F-4s. I started riding Motorcycles then because it looked like cheap transportation for an Airman's salary...I'd have never guessed what happened after that.

wolff · 03:13 PM

Yeah, two sandbox tours in 2 yrs was more than enough for me to pop smoke. I think most of my med corps colleagues are leaving a sinking ship. I would be surprised if the retention rate for docs was more than 20%. It is too bad as this really impacts access to health care for active duty, dependents and retirees.

I think this really hits home. There were 40 Gastroenterologists in the army until 01 July when there was a mass exodus. I believe there are about 30 now. This is why the army will be contracting physicians for the next few years or so. Deploying sub specialists to play GMO (general medical officer) is really a piss poor use of resources. I could go on about unilaterally amended contracts and inequities in deployments but let’s just say 6mos of sitting in Kuwait with the 1st AD working 40 less hrs a week and making $2000 more tax free dollars a month will allow me to buy a Ducati ST3S. OTOH, LRMC pissed away a couple million by sending out all non active duty to see German Gastroenterologists during my deployments.

steve abella · 07-22-2006, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wswartzwel

With Menthol...

Or the ultimate

wood-d · 07-22-2006, 04:26 PM

As for the feet, I bought a pair of BMW Air Flow II boots this year and have been very happy with them. They have a vent on each side and one in the back. My feet are never hot like they were last year.