Need opinions on vests... be nice

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by PyroMcnoob, Jul 1, 2009.

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  1. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    So here's a subject my family argues on constantly (all 4 of us, as well as friends, ride)... I prefer, in the Southern CA summer, to wear a leather vest with armor plating I installed. I mean geez, it gets to like 110 degrees midday with 85 degree nights. My family constantly gives me cr@p because they've seen and heard the horror stories about crashes. I mean, we all know what pavement does to skin, so we don't need to argue on that.

    My question is, do any of you wear vests? or if ur like me, and wear gear depending on weather, do you have a preference?

    Btw, I don't need to hear how stupid I am personally. I've been in 2 accidents, one with no gear (back when I was a really fresh rider) and one with the vest, and I can say the vest helped. Thanks folks :thumbsup:
     
  2. tanrush

    tanrush New Member

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    Summer jackets are a must

    I feel your pain, living in TN it can be brutally hot and humid. The cool thing is you don't have to wear leather. The different companies make some awesome mesh or summer jackets that have all the protection, vents everywhere to help keep you cool but covered up. It would be great to ride around on shorts and flip flops, not, but you never know when you are going down and you will wish you were protected but it will be too late. Check out the road rash queen brittany morrow see if that young lady's story does anything for you about making up your mine. Just google her name.
    Keep the shiny side up
    Tom
     
  3. jay956

    jay956 New Member

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    if its too hot for gear, i dont ride
     
  4. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    true, but my VFR is my only mode of transport :)
     
  5. jay956

    jay956 New Member

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    have you ever tried mesh gear? a light colored mesh jacket will keep you cooler than wearing nothin
     
  6. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    Have you looked at perforated leathers? Where I live it gets hot too, there's a reason they call it HOTLANTA. Anyway the perforated leathers feel like I'm wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and once you get going fast enough hehe the bike provides air conditioning.
     
  7. Action

    Action New Member

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    I would say mesh for really hot weather. Its not the best protection but its better than nothing. I ride almost everyday to work and I switch over to a mesh jacket once the temp goes over 90. In Aug I'll see 110 on the trip home but as long I can keep moving its bearable. I ordered a perfed leather jacket that is supposed to arrive tomorrow so we'll see how that works.

    Action
     
  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Underarmor Heat Gear worn under a perforated jacket feels like you have air conditioning blowing at you when you are moving, even slower speed. It doesn't do much for you when you are stopped in thraffic.
     
  9. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    traffic is indeed one of my problems... stupid CA freeways rarely have no traffic... I do a lot of lanesplitting, honestly
     
  10. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

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    A mesh jacket over a T-shirt soaked in water works REALLY well in warm weather. It can almost be too cool. Just FYI.
     
  11. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    I never considered just soakin' my shirt lol... I have a Joe Rocket jacket that breathes ok with the liner out... might just have to get wet lmao :biggrin:
     
  12. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Member

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    I'll second a mesh jacket. It was 107 here in Sacto a couple days ago but the cheapo mesh jacket is my minimum protection, it has some shoulder & elbow padding. If it's under 95 I can wear the perf'd leather. As Jay said, if it's too hot to tolerate I just take the auto.
     
  13. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    that would be a great option, if I had an auto :-S but seein' as I don't...
     
  14. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Member

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    I hear ya, went about a year without one myself. I think my mesh jacket ran me about $40, it's pretty cheesy, one time use only. But having the armor in the arm/shoulder/back and some fabric covering my arms makes me feel better. Don't know if it's actually any better than an armored vest. I use it mainly around town. For the freeway I'll use the perf'd leather jacket and live with the sweat.

    Was going to look in to the underarmor heat gear too.
     
  15. KC-10 FE

    KC-10 FE New Member

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    Vests are for chopper riding morons who think they is a bad mofo or motorcycle clubs.

    Either get a car or get a nice mesh jacket. If you shop around, you can get a very good jacket for right around $100.

    KC-10 FE out...
    :plane: :usa2:
     
  16. SLOav8r

    SLOav8r New Member

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    Negative on the vest.

    Get a good mesh jacket.
     
  17. powderrecon

    powderrecon New Member

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    Ahhh....legal lanesplitting. That would be nice.
     
  18. RedMenace

    RedMenace New Member

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    They're all hot when you stop

    I use a draggin' jeans kevlar shirt (the yellow one) when it is peak hot. It has no padding, but it is long sleeve and I'm convinced is effective against road rash. Went down with the jeans on, once, and they protected me in a 20-30 foot skid on pavement. I'll wear it on a short scoot to town, too. The jacket is bungeed on the back. If I know I'll be at speed for more than 30 min. the jacket goes on. Non-mesh, but vented well.
    I'm thinking of buying one of those water soaking vests to wear under my jacket for a cross-country trip.
    Do those work well?
    Would I get the same effect from soaking my kevlar shirt?
    Since I shed all my equipment when I stop, I use a thin metal computer security cord to pass through my pants and coat and lock it to the helmet lock. (If you are worried about what to do with gear when you stop)
     
  19. John451

    John451 Member

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    With a few storys about some of the lesser Mesh jackets shredding uselessly over 35mph a couple of the faster guys I ride with have taken to wearing full Daienese Body armour under long sleave Motorcross shirts on the 100f Summer day rides. On those days I wear my 1000D Cordura breathable Gortex Jacket and Draggin Jeans with Alpinestars SMX3 boots and Octane S-Moto gloves.

    dainese body armour:
    [​IMG]
     
  20. PyroMcnoob

    PyroMcnoob New Member

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    thanks guys :) I appreciate all the input
     
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