Hot Weather Gear What Do You Wear

[Vinton]

What do you wear when it is 80+ outside and the sun is baking down on you.
Comming from the NW it hardly ever gets over 80 and I know all I need to know about rain gear!
Ideas on how to keep cool on a hot ride would be of great help. I am pretty sure I have the wrong stuff for riding around Gillette.

[OldRed]

I'm close to getting the Kevlar Mesh

http://www.motoport.com/

[Haydukelives]

I wear my BMG Zodiak, with a wicking T-shirt under, and drink enough water to keep hydrated. Its working pretty well down here so far even, even at 100 degrees. Keep moving is the key.

[PGlaves]

It depends! There is dry hot and humid hot and the answer isn't the same.

I have an Aerostich Roadcrafter 2 piece. I also have an Aerostich Darian Jacket. I have a First Gear Mesh Jacket and First Gear mesh pants.

If it is hot and humid, and I am taking a short ride I might wear the First Gear mesh jacket and pants. But if it is hot and dry I don't wear the mesh jacket because the wind through the mesh jacket just feels hot.

AND, I never wear the mesh jacket if I am traveling or on a long day. There is severe risk of dehydration with the wind through the mesh hour after hour.

During the 2003 Iron Butt Rally, approaching Las Vegas on a day that hit 114, I stopped and took off the mesh gear and put on the Roadcrafter suit and was much less uncomfortable with a wet shirt under the jacket. The cooling would last about 45 minutes with the Roadcrafter - about 5 minutes with the mesh.

My travel gear now consists of:

Roadcrafter Jacket
Roadcrafter pants - with zip-on bib top
First Gear Mesh pants
Warm & Safe heated jacket liner
ORI Evaporative cool vest

Below about 60 I wear the heated liner - maybe turned on low, maybe higher. If cold, I add a fleece jacket liner.
Over 80 I wear the mesh pants and the Roadcrafter Jacket - vents unzipped.
Over 90 I add the evaporative cool vest under the Roadcrafter.

The above list, along with the fleece jacket liner serves me from below freezing up to too hot to ride.

And for the tip of the day, when it is really hot and you stop at a convenience store, find their ice freezer. Open door, stick in helmet. After you rest and cool off for 5 minutes, the helmet feels really good when you put it on. Then get some ice from the soft drink machine and stick it in your pockets. Watch out for cardiac arrest when you ride off, and the melting ice water spreads across your chest.

[carockwell]

In the California summer deserts it is hard to beat the Motoport Kevlar mesh with wet underclothes. I learned the trick of packing ice into the mesh pockets after stopping at gas stations. There really is no way to be comfortable in weather over about 105 degrees, but it can be tolerable for an hour at a time. If you are crossing Nevada in the summer you have to make the most of the early morning hours and get to air conditioned civilization for a rest every hour or so until it cools off in the evening. The ability to withstand heat is both a process of acclimatization and genetics. Don't try to emulate other riders when you are suffering from heat exhaustion, you can't fool mother nature with a tough guy attitude.

[DarkCloud]

Colors of your clothing are important, white, silver, and yellow will reflect heat. Loose fitting clothing, so air can circulate and reduce circulation is also very important. Insulated clothing works in reverse when the ambient temperature exceeds your body temperature providing you can vent excess heat.

[Newstar]

When I first started riding (as a pasenger) we took a spring trip to Florida. It was hotter than expected and we stopped at the BMW place in Orlando. The only mesh jackets they had were black and I bought one. I learned fast that black is not a good color in the summer! I later sold it on Craig's List.

Now I have Olympia Airglide pants and jacket in silver. With the liners removed, I can wear shorts and a tank top underneath and keep cool. As someone else mentioned, drink lots of water as well. I freeze bottles of water and keep them in my saddle bags. When we stop, it has melted enough to drink yet still keep cold.

[rik]

I have tried cordura jacket and overpants, mesh jacket and overpants and never felt comfortable. I now wear ventalated 2 piece leathers with underarmour compression underwear. Toured thru S.C. and Georgia last July w/o complaint. Above all, stay very well hydrated, think cool thoughts and wear a smile.

[BeemerMike]

What do you wear when it is 80+ outside and the sun is baking down on you.

"80+"?! Oh, from Seattle. Never mind. ;)

Ideas on how to keep cool on a hot ride would be of great help. I am pretty sure I have the wrong stuff for riding around Gillette.

The Powder River Basin has generally low humidity, and there is almost always a breeze, so worry more about dehydration than actual heat build-up. Keep well-hydrated, and let a LITTLE ventilation to pass through your suit (either textile or leather) to cool you down through evaporation, and you'll be fine.

[TomBarnhart]

Days over 75, for shorter rides--Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants with Wickers boxers, Columbia Omni Dri T shirt, lightweight shirt and pants. BMW Street Sneakers

Long rides: Aerostich Darien pants and jacket. Sidi Boots with lightweight wicking socks. Same base layer but also use the Silver Eagle evaporative vest. Have ridden in the 90s and am reasonably comfortable as long as I am moving. Key to any hot weather riding is hydration. I use a camelback on any long rides. Some days I fill the 70oz bladder twice.

[Pat Carol]

I have the First Gear mesh tech for the hot weather riding. It is very sturdy and very comfortable and proven to handle a crash.
In 2003 a fellow rider struck a deer in the Coeur D'Alene of Idaho. Three of us were heading to Spokane. We rounded a curve and the lead rider struck a 10 point buck.
Between the quality of his 1150rt and First Gear mesh tech, my friend walked away from a potential life threatening incident. Even the ER doctor was impressed with the protective gear. The doctor had stated that most motorcycle PIA's from the area result in severe debilitating injuries or death.
Under my mesh tech, I just wear silk shorts and silk t-shirt. When I make a stop, I soak my shirt in water and ride. Also Gold Bond powder applied to the posterior and Mr. Happy and the boy's area does wonders.

Take Care & Ride Safe
Pat Carol

[Bob1100RTC]

Jeans and a T shirt

[RJM2096]

When on trips we always wear protective clothing. The mesh jackets, gloves, boots and the helmet visor cracked open keep us cool even when it is in the 80s. No need to be lathered down with sun block.

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/RJM2096/OLY20080518005.jpg

[co_g30]

I'm close to getting the Kevlar Mesh

http://www.motoport.com/


I recently got motoport, now cycleport's ultra II air mesh kevlar 3/4 jacket and pants....went riding in temps that ranged from 82-90 degrees according to my onboard thermometer. It was sunny and definitely warm.

What I found is that at 85 and below, there was a noticeable cooling effect while moving. Standing still, heat just starts to build up obviously. At temperatures 86 and below, there was less of a cooling effect and more of a feeling of warm air blowing in through the mesh kevlar.....still, it kept things manageable in terms of temperature. I felt "warm" but not hot if that makes any sense.

I was wearing one of those close fitting tshirts that help one migrate heat from one's body to the outside so that helped a bit. I rode for two hours straight and the only time I felt sweat build up was between the back protector and my back....everything else stayed dry and you could feel the great venting this gear gives you.

It's going to get warmer here in Colorado, we'll see how the gear does in 95+ degree commutes.

Note, I just had shorts on under the kevlar pants and the long sleeved tshirt under the jacket. Helmet of course and Oxtar riding boots. Both the jacket and pants were black.

[Paul_F]

I have ridden with my black Motoport mesh kevlar jacket / pants in 95 F humid days. I wear thin Gentleman Jeans from TSC and a wicking t-shirt. Every ten minutes I sip some icy cold water from my camel pak. I keep the black visor closed. Heat and humidity has not been a problem, unless I am standing around in the sun.

Having said that, I don't feel heat or humidity. I hardly perspire on really hot humid days. It really irritates the family when they come home I don't have the air conditioning turned on because I find the house to be cool on hot days. They do not.

Hence my hot riding gear may not work for you.

[tommcgee]

Over 80, it's gotta be mesh for me.

[judjones]

Mesh around town, but not on a road trip, for reasons already stated. The feeling of comfort can be deceptive while the hot wind sucks the moisture out of you. One 106F. day in eastern Colorado I drained a 3-liter backpack bladder twice in 200 miles, and was still dehydrated. Better to cover up, open the vents and soak your t-shirt.

[username]

this is a timely question as it's going to be 95 today and 98 tomorrow... :dance

when i ride in the heat i wear:

upper: coolmax tshirt, first gear Kilimanjaro II jacket, all vents open.
lower: cycling shorts and olympia mesh riding pants
hands: first gear mesh gloves
feet: wicking socks and oxtar boots.
head: flip face helmet - a freakin life saver in any situation where i slow/stop moving - i open it up and it feels soooooo good. (note: wear sunscreen or you will fry your nose!)

i ride an r1150ra, so i get lots of airflow.

the key to riding in heat is to also remember to drink a lot of fluids! the temptation is to not do this to avoid having to stop and pee all the time. don't fall for it - you'll dehydrate quickly and fatigue. then you'll start making bad decisions.

when i ride in heat i really like my tiny, short range fuel tank. it forces me to stop often and each time i do, i drink some water. this is my first summer with a flip face helmet too, so i am looking forward to being able to (easily) drink while riding.

[advenbob]

It hit 113 in Yuma yesterday. Heidi and I returned from Rawhyde Adventures in 100+ heat all day.

First Gear Ranier Jacket, Darian Pants, Sidi boots, T-shirt, mesh shorts, Camelback with ICE and WATER. We made one fuel stop, for Heidi's 650. I think my GSA would have made it without a fuel stop, but I would not have done as well. Nice to stop and fill the camel back with more ice.

Just a warm up ride for the comming summer. For the past 5 years, I have worn a Darian jacket. The First Gear jacket was new in Oct. We also have a couple of cool vests that come in handy. Didn't take them for the weekend. Should have. Will not make that mistake again this summer. Can always pack it if not required.

bob

[136602]

I wear a BMW Air Flow Helmet (bought in the UK, not sold in US) which allows more than enough air over the head, it is an open face but beats anything I have seen in the US. It gets hot and humid here in Friendswood, Tx., I also wear a Vanson mess jacket (black) Hot when I stop but allows enough air to keep me cool yet protected if I drop the bike (which I pray does not happen). :thumb
Can someone tell me how to post a new question (first time user)

[crgrbrts]

I'm very comfortable in my RevIt Air jacket and RevIt Mistral pants.

[The_Veg]

I find that in humid heat, mesh is a must even for long rides. Two days ago I rode home from eastern Oklahoma to the Dallas area. 4.5 Hours on the road, mostly in 90-96F. I was miserable in my new Olympia Recon jacket (even with all the vents open and the cuffs loose instead of inside the gauntlets) and Maverick pants. Mesh is warm too, but moisture doesn't build up underneath and what little evaporation is possible in humid climes (slim to none in my experience) has a chance to work.
I wear a mesh suit (Cortech jacket/Marsee pants) in summer but what goes with it has undergone some tweaking over the years. Sometimes I'll wear synthetic shorts/T underneath, but on the trip to West Bend I found that a long-sleeve wicking shirt was an improvement, and one reason was that the silky-textured nylon fabric that lines the sleeves of the jacket no longer stuck to my sweaty skin. Also, the shirt improved the evaporation over what I had experienced with the synthetic T before. The downside was that things got considerably warmer during stops, but I lived with it- after all, either way I was in for sweaty days.
I did not replace the shorts with long wicking underwear though because the airflow around my legs was significantly less than around my upper half, even though I rode an unfaired bike. I tried long stuff on both halves in test-rides early in the summer to figure this out.
Mesh gloves have been a great improvement too, especially if they are NOT black.
Good moisture-wicking socks have made my Prexport boots bearable in summer. I typically wear some summer-hiking Ultimax socks I got from REI.

[Motorradfahrer]

I rode 10,000+ miles last summer 2-up and went through all kinds of weather. My wife and I wore Olympias Hi-Viz armored summer Jackets, that had all kinds of vents: chest, arms, back. The inner liner was removed. When it rained in cooler climates then the liner was added. Should it rain in hotter climates then the jacket was used as is: getting wet....eventually riding out of the rain will quickly dry the suit. We do carry cool-max vests but haven't found the need to use it yet. While on the "move" hot weather doesn't seem to bother us too much. The winds while riding pretty much remove standing heat, although we do stop and replendish ourselves with liquids as others said rapid dehydration occurs while riding. We do not ride in "open" mesh even though it is armored. Too much sun exposure and moisture loss. Rode through 110 heat desert on the way to Big Bend Natn'l Park. It was hot and dry but bearable.
Our slacks were armoured BMW summer pants. I also ride in a BMW Rallye Pro2 Jacket when I ride to both extremes; North and South. I find the all around seasonal Jacket excellent in multiseason purpose, but the liner, although water resistant is very poor in insulating the cold. I double up using the Olympia liner or Gerbings heated full neck liner jacket. Ventilation flow through is excellent with the Rallye Pro2. YOU must open the rear, which most people forget...in order to have a great flow through. In regard to head gear: All full face helmets were designed pretty much for NO windshield or minimal windshield thus the vents on the helmets. With a motorcycle windshield almost all full face helmets are useless for ventilation due to blockage of the wind in your face by the windshield. Any BMW motorcycle that has the electronic adjustable windshield is a GREAT way to have more wind blast to your helmet and cool your hot head! We rode in a R1200 RT.....
Good luck and improvise...stop and replendish...cool off in the shade....leave at cooler hours....ride in the rain....

[sundaeman]

I'm close to getting the Kevlar Mesh

http://www.motoport.com/

Happy with mine.

[sonic578]

BMW Street Sneakers


Tom,
I've been eyeing the BMW sneakers for summer riding here in FL. They have a new version as well. Do you think they offer enough protection? I have yet to see them in person, but they appear to be good for hot weather. Are they??

[dancogan]

Tom,
I've been eyeing the BMW sneakers for summer riding here in FL. They have a new version as well. Do you think they offer enough protection? I have yet to see them in person, but they appear to be good for hot weather. Are they??
We got the BMW street sneakers in Vermont. They are very comfortable in hot weather, but offer very little protection.

[TwoWheels2Go]

I have added a couple of items to my Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants. My wife folded a microfiber hand towel in thirds (long axis), sewed it to stay that way then added a snap at opposite ends. I soak it with water and snap it around my neck. It stays cool for a long time even in low humidity.

I bought a silks helmet liner and also soak that at rest and gas stops. Wind through the helmet keeps it evaporating and cool.

I have an old gateraid bottle with twist open drink top I keep in tank bag on really hot days. I can hold it in one hand and twist it open with my teeth. Liberal dousing of the mesh jacket sleeves give a quick cool.

My camelback bladder is in my tank bag filled with ice and PowerAid. My wife and I can both easily drink while traveling down the road.

Be cool!

[Mudbug]

What do you wear when it is 80+ outside and the sun is baking down on you.
Coming from the NW it hardly ever gets over 80 and I know all I need to know about rain gear!
Ideas on how to keep cool on a hot ride would be of great help. I am pretty sure I have the wrong stuff for riding around Gillette.
When the temperature is around 80, I wear my BMW Club jacket. Less than 80, I wear leather. When it is 90+, I wear a BMW Santiago jacket I found on sale. Olympia makes nice mesh jackets with liners that are good for a wide temperature range.

It is not unusual to get above 90 in the Gillette area.

[Muneio]

Olympia air glide pants & jacket in silver. Cooling vest when needed.

[thompsonr]

Some of you will no doubt think this is a stupid question but ... What do you wear under mesh pants????:scratch

[sonic578]

Some of you will no doubt think this is a stupid question but ... What do you wear under mesh pants????:scratch

uh oh... :ear

[SIBUD]

Some of you will no doubt think this is a stupid question but ... What do you wear under mesh pants????:scratch
shorts

[iRene]

Darien jacket and pants over, lightweight wicking polypropylene longjohns and long sleeved top under.
And a 70oz Camelbak backpack of water at all times.

[Warthog]

Some of you will no doubt think this is a stupid question but ... What do you wear under mesh pants????

One word sums it up....Commando :dance

Actually, after sweating my way home through Iowa and NE last year I'm looking for a better solution and am looking seriously at the Olympia Recon 2 mesh pants.

[sonic578]

Over in ADVrider some have mentioned LD Comfort underwear. Does anyone know where to obtain these? For me comfort has a lot to do with managing the jewels properly... even to the extent of paying attention to location of seams in underwear.

thx...

[rocketman]

Jeans and a T shirt
and sneekers......:D

RM

[k75karol]

Over in ADVrider some have mentioned LD Comfort underwear. Does anyone know where to obtain these? For me comfort has a lot to do with managing the jewels properly... even to the extent of paying attention to location of seams in underwear.
.

Hmmmm....stange place to keep you "jewels":stick

The shorts you may have heard about are the LD Comfort shorts.
http://www.ldcomfort.com/

I know Grass Roots BMW distributes them, as well as several other dealers.

Good luck with that!

[sonic578]

Hmmmm....stange place to keep you "jewels":stick

The shorts you may have heard about are the LD Comfort shorts.
http://www.ldcomfort.com/

I know Grass Roots BMW distributes them, as well as several other dealers.

Good luck with that!

:blush
Thanks. Order placed for shirt and shorts. We're looking fwd to comfort riding!