[Houndguy]

Even though it's cool by Central Florida standards (53F) today...I know that the hot, humid dog days of summer are not that far off.

So I'm looking for a new "summer" jacket. In the past I would either go sans jacket or open it up all the way. Now after my in December I'm not going without some sort of protection.

My black Vulcan jacket has served me well but frankly it's to hot. So what I hope to find is something lighter, yellow or hi-vis which offers me protection but will still provide enough air flow to keep me cool. I would rather it be rainproof as well.

I turn to you, my fellow rounders, for advice. I am a poor man and would like to keep the jacket under $150 if possible. Actually I like to keep it under $100 but lets be honest...that's not likely.

So...recommendations?

If it helps I'm about 6 foot tall (1.83 m) and between 200 - 210 pounds (90.7 to 95.3 Kilo). In either system I believe this is called "fat."

 

[v8eyedoc]

So-called "Summer riding jackets" don't really offer you much protection anyway.... If you go down - it is just more crap for the dr in the ER to pick out of your wounds.....!!

 

[Noth]

I have one of these... $10 over your budget.. I love it..

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... acket.aspx

 

[v8eyedoc]

I have one of these... $10 over your budget.. I love it..

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... acket.aspx

I am sure that you have not gone down wearing that.YET!!!!!!!

 

[DandyDoug]

In summer i wear a Joe Rocket hi-viz mesh jacket.
It has all the armor and a zip out waterproof liner.
You can find them on sale for less than $100
Try Competition Accessories , their super store has sales all the time.

Another place is New Enough .com

 

[Buffalo]

So-called "Summer riding jackets" don't really offer you much protection anyway.... If you go down - it is just more crap for the dr in the ER to pick out of your wounds.....!!

I am sure that you have not gone down wearing that.YET!!!!!!!

I have gone done in a low side slide at 50+ mph on an asphalt road wearing a fieldsheer mesh jacket. It protected my upper body very well. No road rash at all and nothing to be picked out of my skin. Can't say the same for my legs that were only protected by a pair of blue jeans. The jeans wore through in nothing flat and my legs suffered the rest of the slide. You can believe what you want but I will wear my summer mesh riding gear, both pants and jacket.

 

[Duster]

I'll stick with my Joe Rocket Mesh jacket
& Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh pants for
summer riding...actually...year 'round.

 

[Wes_Ingram]

I have a Field Sheer mesh with CE armor in shoulders and elbows (removeable) and a back pad. It has a removable waterproof/windbreaker liner also.
I got it at Motorcycle Super Store for $70. Got 1 size larger per reviews from other buyers. Love it! Fits great and comfortable in hot weather as long as you are moving, but I would guess that can be said for most mesh jackets.
Good luck!

 

[Just Me]

I have one of these... $10 over your budget.. I love it..

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/ ... acket.aspx

I am sure that you have not gone down wearing that.YET!!!!!!!

+1

On my second one. After seeing the protection the first one gave me at 45-50mph I have no desire to ride without one. I'd like to have a pair of pants made of the same to save my legs if there ever is a next time.

 

[bearcat]

I've had one of these http://motodirect.com/product/102_110_1 ... acket.html for over 5 years now, it's great, and waterproof with the liner in it. For less than $70 IMHO it can't be beat. (although mine is in yellow)

 

[v8eyedoc]

I've had one of these http://motodirect.com/product/102_110_1 ... acket.html for over 5 years now, it's great, and waterproof with the liner in it. For less than $70 IMHO it can't be beat. (although mine is in yellow)

AND.............What is wrong with hi - vis yellow.???? I frequently wear my motorcycle police jacket ( without police dept printed on the back either!) It is reflectorized and also lime green........!!!!

 

[bearcat]

Not a thing wrong with yellow! I'm just sayin,,,,,, mine's yellow!!!!!!!

 

[DandyDoug]

If they made a high viz jacket that had flashing lights on it i would wear one !!
A helmet too !!

 

[tomfelock]

check out the "sliders" brand at competition accessories.

 

[ohwell_1984]

I live in south florida and the Teknic mesh jacket works fine even with a xl clearview windshield. It breathes. Sometimes it is so breezy that on a cool morning I have to put on a nylon wind breaker before putting on the Teknic.

 

[Scootereno]

So-called "Summer riding jackets" don't really offer you much protection anyway.... If you go down - it is just more crap for the dr in the ER to pick out of your wounds.....!!

I am sure that you have not gone down wearing that.YET!!!!!!!

I have gone done in a low side slide at 50+ mph on an asphalt road wearing a fieldsheer mesh jacket. It protected my upper body very well. No road rash at all and nothing to be picked out of my skin. Can't say the same for my legs that were only protected by a pair of blue jeans. The jeans wore through in nothing flat and my legs suffered the rest of the slide. You can believe what you want but I will wear my summer mesh riding gear, both pants and jacket.

Me too! No problem with my Fieldsheer mesh jacket on an off and no nasty's to pick out of me either. :roll: I still wear it today. :thumbup:
Have you ever gone down in a mesh jacket V8?

 

[DandyDoug]

I have not tasted the asphalt in my mesh jacket and hope i do not.

I believe they are safe if you keep the armor in them and it stays in position in a get off.
The difficulty I have is when I get the armor in position and tighten up the snaps to hold it there the jacket becomes a bit restrictive for normal movements .
I have noticed this with all the different brands i have tried on :?

 

[Chérie]

Me wear Olympia Air glide mesh tech jacket and pant from middle of spring to middle of fall. Extremely good quality solid product.

http://olympiamotosports.com/catalog/me ... ch-jacket/

 

[Coz Boogie]

Just picked up a FirstGear Mesh Text jacket from one of our local shops last week. Bought the XL. I'm 6 feet and about 190 pounds.

Pros:
+Excellent ventilation (though there is a very large pocket on the inside of the jacket on the right hand side. The pocket lining is not meshed.
+Came with good armor in the elbows and shoulders. Pad in the back. The elbows and shoulders are also padded.
+You can adjust the armor.
+Cut longer in the back.
+Snaps at the cuffs
+Velcro at the sides to cinch it up
+Comes with a rain liner that snaps in (has its own pockets too)
+5 pockets (2 outside 3 inside)

Cons:
+Wish the neck was a bit higher in the back.
+Armor in the elbows moves around a bit and there are no arm straps.
+Sizing was odd. Tried on a large and the sleeves were just a bit too short and the chest was wrong. XL fits better but it's a bit loose. Seemed to be a big discrepancy between L and XL.

late,
Coz

 

[Noth]

Just picked up a FirstGear Mesh Text jacket from one of our local shops last week. Bought the XL. I'm 6 feet and about 190 pounds.

Pros:
+Excellent ventilation (though there is a very large pocket on the inside of the jacket on the right hand side. The pocket lining is not meshed.
+Came with good armor in the elbows and shoulders. Pad in the back. The elbows and shoulders are also padded.
+You can adjust the armor.
+Cut longer in the back.
+Snaps at the cuffs
+Velcro at the sides to cinch it up
+Comes with a rain liner that snaps in (has its own pockets too)
+5 pockets (2 outside 3 inside)

Cons:
+Wish the neck was a bit higher in the back.
+Armor in the elbows moves around a bit and there are no arm straps.
+Sizing was odd. Tried on a large and the sleeves were just a bit too short and the chest was wrong. XL fits better but it's a bit loose. Seemed to be a big discrepancy between L and XL.

late,
Coz

I have had that jacket in Hi Vis for the last two years.. Love it.. With the 90+ degree heat we had here in New England over the last fwew days I wore it for the 1st time in 2013.. Love it.. and yes the elbow pads do move around a bit.. but it's a great jacket