[Tigerman67]

Thought I'd ping the board for some thoughts from people wearing non-traditional jackets.

I wear a traditional leather jacket that weights a ton for a lot of my riding. But its just too hot on some of the really warm days. If its raining for any length of time, I need to get out my frogtogs and wrestle into those for wet weather. It is also very heavy bulky, so takes up alot of room if you just want to carry it with if you think you might need it later in the day. So that is what got me into a textile mesh jacket for some of my riding

I bought a Tourmaster mesh jacket several years ago. Had to buy it rather tight in order to get the armor to line up correctly. Well as I have gained some weight over the years, its getting uglier and uglier to get into that jacket, so thinking of replacing it.

The mesh jacket is much cooler on the hot days and gives you SOME protection from the asphalt if needed. Having crossed a desert a few times makes me realize that black was probably not the smartest color for a mesh jacket, but I deal with that. When the weather liner and quilted liner are zipped in, it is remarkably a very good cold weather jacket, and very weatherproof when raining. Downsides are, the its not good in the inbetween temps that most riding is in, zipping in all those liners is time consuming when you want to change it up, its also bulky obviously, The rain liner is basically plastic, and therefore doesn't breath and while you don't get wet from rain you do sweat profusely in it.

So not sure what is next... My traditional leather jacket will stick around. But looking for what else to add to the closet. Thinking maybe perforated leather might give me some flexibility? Not sure, never worn one before.

Or maybe some other variation of textile/mesh is worth looking into. I see they now have a textile jackets where the outer layer is weather proof, but then underneath is a mesh jacket. Seems very clever, but very bulky as well

So anybody else running non-traditional jackets and what are the upsides/downsides with what you have.

 

[dnschmpn]

I am a fan of textile jackets due to the water proofing and flexibility. I just ordered the FXRG Switchback that unzips in the front to become a mesh jacket but it does have the layers needed for warmth, rain protection.

Good luck with your decision but I don't like leather in the occasional storm that pops up.

 

[thealien]

I am a big guy, 6'2" 275 and wear a 54 jacket for the chest and shoulders. When wearing a leather jacket Cows used to cry when I rode by them, that jacket was 1/2 a cow. It also took up a whole saddlebag. 10-15 years ago I went with Goretex waterproof, compact, and breathable. And it rolls pretty compact. I also have a pair of Darien light pants (aerostich). For really cold weather I have a garbing jacket liner and gloves and can ride into the 20s and 30s. On the coldest days I wear a long sleeve Tshirt, then the heated liner with a sweatshirt over the top and then the goretex coat. All of that and then some fits in 1 saddlebag and I am prepared for any and all weather conditions. Go to the aerostich website and there is a ton of motorcycle products of all kinds.

 

['05Train]

Over 96 degrees, mesh is no good and makes you hotter. Gore Tex just doesn't breathe well when it's hot. I got a BMW Rallye 3 suit a few years ago, and it's awesome in hot weather. Great armor, great venting, breathes well, will keep me dry~ish in a light rain, dries quickly , and has good zip-in waterproof liners. I rode across Kansas and Colorado on Rt. 50 in 115 degree heat, and was golden in that thing.

Read this for the science behind heat and mesh.

 

[y2kflhr]

I have a tourmaster transition 3 jacket its good up to about 75-80 degrees then it gets pretty hot even with all the venting, behind the fairing there just isn't much air flow, its advertised as waterproof but it really isn't in a big downpour but I do really like it I wear it with my gerbing liner down to about 35 degrees then the leather goes on. I needed a new pair of overpants and bit the bullet on a pair of dainese d explorer pants, they have a removable goretex liner and thermal liner, I wore them with just my underwear on a warm day and on a cold day with the liners and I'm pretty happy with them, if I hit the lottery I might try the matching jacket.

 

[Tigerman67]

Read this for the science behind heat and mesh.

Nice article on heat management from Iron Butt. Thanks for sharing. When i did my Iron Butt, heat wasn't really my issue.

I also have a evaporative cooling vest, but in extreme heat, its easy to get too much air on it, and it dries out too quickly.

 

['05Train]

FWIW, I've got one of the new FXRG leather jackets that's very, very good. And I've got a Klim Latitude Misano jacket that's absolutely waterproof that's neither warm nor vents well. I'm very interested in the FXRG Switchback, and wish I could find one locally to try out.

 

[nocarb]

I just ordered a Tourmaster Intake air 4.0. I have been wearing a heavy leather jacket for close to 25 years. So this will be a big change for me. I hope I like it.

 

[1st Sgt]

I have a tourmaster transition 3 jacket its good up to about 75-80 degrees then it gets pretty hot even with all the venting, behind the fairing there just isn't much air flow, its advertised as waterproof but it really isn't in a big downpour but I do really like it I wear it with my gerbing liner down to about 35 degrees then the leather goes on. I needed a new pair of overpants and bit the bullet on a pair of dainese d explorer pants, they have a removable goretex liner and thermal liner, I wore them with just my underwear on a warm day and on a cold day with the liners and I'm pretty happy with them, if I hit the lottery I might try the matching jacket.

I went with the Transition 3 also after realizing my Hein Gericke was too small for me (30 pounds over 30 years) And as much as I hated giving up the leather - the Tourmaster is superior in all aspects expect for "Cool Factor". Once above 90* its too warm, waterproof in all but the heaviest downpour, with the liner in - good down to upper 30s, below that I add a heated liner under it. Best money I ever spent on riding clothing right along with my boots.

 

[BlkRat]

I bought the Harley Defender Switchback jacket off the clearance rack last summer. It has a removable exterior piece that attaches via three zippers. The outer piece is vented for when it gets warm. The main jacket is mesh under the exterior so it is very compatible. It works well to ward off the rain and wind and the outer piece easily tucks into a saddlebag. I'm very happy with it.


https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2013/05/27/harley-releases-defender-switchback-mens-jacket/