Well with the warmer weather apparently about to arrive I have been considering whether to get a mesh jacket as I suffer with any temperature over 16C on the bike. Seen the Oxford Arizona at a reasonable price and am tempted. Anyone else use a mesh jacket and got an opinion?
I have this https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.u...eq9VUD_vpS-LcPLTsviD7h--3qfqPEj4aAm52EALw_wcB and very much like it. They do a men's version. It feels really cool when the weather's hot and the removable liner is surprisingly wind proof for more warmth when needed. It is warm enough that I have been wearing it already this year when the temperature's been around 15c and above with the liner in and I do tend towards the "colder" end of the spectrum!!
Why not get one of the kevlar lined checked riding shirts, i wore mine a lot last year when it was too warm for a jacket, it has to be at least 20c for me to wear it though
I am at the same point...ready to buy a 'summer' jacket...and looking at mesh. I like that Oxford jacket though....good value! And looks good. (I think ) I have no opinion to add I'm afraid,.but will be eager to see how the thread develops!
I got one of these last year. https://www.motolegends.com/motorcycle-jackets/helstons/helstons-modelo-mesh-jacket-in-black.html Really like it and seems a quality product. Live in Aberdeen though so don’t get a huge number of chances to wear it.
Can't live without mine When lower than 15c adding layers underneath make it comfortable. I've been limiting my riding to arrive around noon because afternoons get over 35c and is just crazy hot
I've had this Triumph branded mesh jacket for about ten years. They are a great option, as living in Western Australia , in summer temperatures can reach high 40°c and higher. Wear one of these and wet down your 'T' shirt or a chill best worn underneath Tops work's Wonder's and makes travel possible. Would make 30°+ possibly enjoyable , were as without , it wouldn't be likely.
@Fourbears, I live in Arizona and here in the summer, mesh jackets are indispensable. This is the Spidi mesh jacket that I wear on my Speed Triple RS. It has back, shoulder, and elbow armor in it. The mesh jackets I wear on my Harleys have even more mesh areas. The one is the picture here has non-mesh areas (the red parts) but the more mesh the better I've found. And when the temperatures go over 100ºF--which is already happening--and I'm riding any length of time I wear a cooling vest underneath which acts as a sort of "swamp cooler". My vest will stay damp and effective for nearly an hour after which time I just stop somewhere and soak it again. I actually can't imagine not having a mesh jacket for summer riding. I'd say go for it!
the problem with the internet is that about 7 billion people will have differing opinions! However...I have found this site useful: https://bikerrated.com/gear/clothing/mesh-motorcycle-jackets/ I may be wrong, but I am beginning to realise (perhaps somewhat late to the party?) that a "mesh" jacket simply cannot offer the same AA or AAA rated protection of a full jacket; and my [limited] understanding is that at best they are rated "for urban riding"; ie low speed....not Sunday blasts around the countryside. Obviously you can where what you like...but if you're mindful of the protective element then there is always going to be a compromise... The exception being, as is always the case...cost. Spend hundreds, and I am sure you'll get all the ticks in all the boxes. I am still working my way through the confusement of ratings etc, so please correct me where I am ill-informed... Good luck keep us posted about your options/choices...
I bought a Dainese Air Frame D1 mesh jacket last summer. It's very comfortable and comes with a thin but effective liner, so if you went to a bike meet early evening you could slip this back in for the later ride home.
I put that 10 year old mesh jacket to the Full Crash Dummy Test , March last year ! 110 kph and I survived , the jacket didn't , but I'd guess , that was it's purpose . I broke left collar bone , shoulder blade and several ribs , but No Gravel rash !!! All the bits stayed together inside the body , just broken up a bit. A leather jacket in this situation would have worn/abraded through. The carbon and heavy nylon fibres held far better than leather. The seams let go on the heaviest impact/contact area ,due to age ...
I put that 10 year old mesh jacket to the Full Crash Dummy Test , March last year ! 110 kph and I survived , the jacket didn't , but I'd guess , that was it's purpose . I broke left collar bone , shoulder blade and several ribs , but No Gravel rash !!! All the bits stayed together inside the body , just broken up a bit. A leather jacket in this situation would have worn/abraded through. The carbon and heavy nylon fibres held far better than leather. The seams let go on the heaviest impact/contact area ,due to age ...
A mesh jacket is a good idea and makes summer riding comfortable, particularly when riding slowly. Which jacket you choose is up to you and how much you want to spend. I have a Revit Ignition 3 jacket and trousers which is part leather and part mesh, it also has a waterproof drop lining and a thermal lining which are both detachable, plus elbow shoulder and back protectors. This means it can be worn from spring through to the autumn by varying the linings and/or a base layer.
I have a RevIt tornado jacket for hot summer riding that I love. Offroad on my Tiger in the summer, though, I wear on-body armor and a jersey top instead of a jacket.
While I do have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket, More often than not, I wear my Aerostich Darien Jacket and Pants…even in the summer. With the venting and cuffs open it’s actually not very hot, unless it’s nearing 100 F. If I’m on a long ride with the Darien, I put ice in the pockets and let it drip… I’m kinda an Aerostich fanboy. Hard to beat the waterproof and protection of Aerostich gear.
I've got a Rukka one with a detachable gortex liner and the matching trousers. The jacket is great in summer especially as I'm sat behind the screen on the GS and if it does look like rain I can put the liner in. The trousers are the same but it's not practical to take your troos off at the side of the road so I either have to put the liner in to start with or carry a pair of waterproof over trousers so they're not such a good idea. It's not until you get one that you realise just how hot you can get in a normal jacket which means your concentration can slip as a result. Make sure it has decent armour though, mine has the full monty D30 stuff.
Thanks all. I looked at the Rukka Forsair but don’t think I can justify the cost! Some of the others mentioned look good but I will have to try them on.
https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.u...e-sports-mesh-jacket-in-black/c-1/c-42/p-2358 https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.u...-mesh-motorcycle-jacket-black/c-1/c-42/p-1737 https://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.u.../triple-mesh-motorcycle-jacket/c-1/c-42/p-750
@Fourbears, although it's a U.S. company, I'm sure Revzilla ships globally. A search for mesh riding jackets on their website turned up 137 for men. One of the things I appreciate about Revzilla is that they have a lot of video reviews and there are typically lots of reviews from customers, too. @capt made a good point about how his mesh jacket protected him in a crash. There are definitely different levels of mesh jackets out there and a quality mesh jacket can be more protective than a poor leather or non-mesh textile one. I ride in mesh jackets all summer long here in the desert and I have several of them. Each is always equipped with shoulder, elbow, and back body armor and I still get a nice cooling effect, particularly with a cooling vest layered underneath which I mentioned in a previous post. Happy hunting!! https://www.revzilla.com/summer-mot...=false&ships_two_day=false&sort=featured&fit=
