what's the best hot weather riding gear? how much protection has to be sacrificed for comfort in really hot weather (spain in summer)?

zenbiker

Hello zenbiker (again I believe ,

Iris and I travel with a Dainese safety jacket, a kind of a kevlar net-vest with GOOD protectors on all the right places including an EXCELLENT backprotector. Under this you can wear nothing or a T-shirt; over it you can wear anything baggy and airy e.g. a shirt, or nothing (like we sometimes do here in Europe) - though it does make you look like Ninja Turtle. This is the "vest" many Dakar racers wear underneath their light-coloured vests.

Check it out on http://www.dainese.it

The website is even more crap and user-unfriendly then it used to be, but this is how to get on the right place :
- go on the site - a new window pops up
- choose your language (english I suppose)
- go to the Product Range (bottom left)
- click on either "racing" or "touring" - slowly a list appears
- choose "safety" - slowly another list appears

Finally --and with some patience and a fast line-- you'll be able to see :
- safety j. wave 2
- safety jacket 21
- body safety j.
All are simular and equally good.

Better still : go to a good Dainese dealer and have a proper look in the paper catalogue. There exist more versions then the ones on the website.

Does not come cheap, but we've had it for over six years, and it still looks new. However frail it might seem: it's solid stuff.
We've worn it in the hottest conditions --for instance over 50°C on the Indus plains, or indeed in Southern Spain in July and August-- and were/are very happy with it.

Also: get the new version (the one on the photo on the Internet). Maybe some dealers might want to sell you the 'old' type: larger backprotector, closed foam instead of foam with large holes. The new one certainly is cooler (Iris has a new one, I'm doing with the old for the moment). They come with or without a breast"plate" (in the dealer's catalogue - not on the Internet).

Have a safe (!) journey to hot Spain !

Trui

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Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE's)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002

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Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE\'s)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002

thanks once again you two - i'll check it out!

zb

ps check this out http://www.dainesemtb.co.uk/dainese-2003/index.php - it's a better site!

[This message has been edited by zenbiker (edited 17 June 2003).]

I recommend looking at BMW Rallye jackets (& trousers). They have long zipped vents up the thighs and down the sides of the jacket (front & back) to allow air flow.

There are rubber pads (removable for washing)in the knees, shoulders and elbows.

The material is supposedly tear-resistant in the event of a slide and waterproof too (though you won't be needing that in Spain in summer!.

The downside is that like all BMW accessories they are expensive.

I wear a loose vest/running shirt underneath to soak up the sweat. It's 44 centigrade in the UAE at the moment.

Personally, I wouldn't compromise safety for comfort at all. I wear my MX boots almost always and did so crossing Iran last summer. Even in the hottest weather if you stop in shade and try to keep moving when exposed to the sun, it's a great on the road!

I like the look of what Iris & Trui suggest. I'd love to have it in the desert but I'm wondering about sunburn through the material. Any comments, Iris or Trui?
Stephano

Hola,

I have a Rukka 2001 air-power suit and love it. In hot weather of 40+ I feel absolutely comfortable, and any sweat that builds up while stopped quickly evaporates away when riding. The only time I've ever felt uncomfortable was when trying to get past a traffic accident in Acapulco (very hot & humid), but the bike overheated too

Protection wise there is armour at the knees, hips, back, shoulders and elbows. The jacket is excellent but I feel the pants should require stronger material. In a recent rollover on a rocky road, the pants tore on the front thigh, while the jacket was unmarked. Perhaps the 2003 models abrade better - they do have some new refridgeration feature. Anyway, I walked away from the accident, so the suit did it's job.

Given the protection/comfort trade-off you *have* to make, the Rukka stuff is a solid choice from a reputable company, and I'll buy it again.

James

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James Courtier

Caveat - Rukka gave us a couple of free Air Power suits, so there may be some bias here. OTOH, I ASKED for them because I was so impressed with the suits. I talked to the designer of the air power suits at length, and there's been a lot of thought and effort put into them.

Susan and I wore our Rukka Air Power 2 suits on a trip last year across Canada, with weather ranging from extremely cold and heavy rain in the mountains to 40 deg C in the east, and they proved to be excellent and well up to the trip.

Temp control superb - without the liner it feels like riding in a t-shirt. (Until you stop as Jamesco says, but everything else I've ever worn is worse) Hours of heavy rain and not a drop inside. Can't ask for much more. Haven't crashed in them yet so can't comment on that aspect of the durability. Extremely well-made gear though, well stitched, great detailing and well thought-out.

Highly recommended.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I was about to get a belstaff air extreme jacket, has anyone tried one of these?
At the moment I use giali knee/shin guards under my jeans for commuting through town but am still on the lookout for decent summer pants with full protection.

I was looking to get some jeans from these guys - they seem very reasonable.

Anyone used there stuff?

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/

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Tony Robson
I'll try anything once, twice if it didn't kill me!

Hello zenbiker,

yep the Dainese website you mention is MUCH better - however...... it's a bicycle website, so quite a few motorbike safety jackets are lacking here. But it does give at least an idea.
Can't think of any protection item being more versatile and safe at the same time.

SAFE riding,
Trui

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Iris and Trui
2 belgian women, often travelling on motorbikes (now on DR650SE\'s)
2nd overland from home to Northern India and back, April-October 2002

I have looked at the BMW Rallye 2 Suit.
It looks very good, lighter, more vents, more pockets, more money.

I just got a Rallye 2 and love it. It took me 6 months of looking around at other stuff 'cos of the price - but I forgett the price everytime I put it on. It's REALLY good.

I looked at the Belstaff but the missus said that any company that thinks a woman biker wants a lipstick pocket on a jacket has got to be toss. Couldn't argue with that so went with the Rallye 2. Its really versitile, cool, comfy and packs down small.

Hope this helps

Chris

cheers, guys and gals!

haven't checked the site for a while and pleasantly surprised by amunt of info you've provided.

BTW, stephano, we'll be in northern spain and, apparently, it rains quite a lot there - even in the summer - it's green, but there's a price to pay.

thanks everyone- i'll let you know the outcome. (only three weeks to the trip - can't wait!!!)

I was looking to get some jeans from these guys - they seem very reasonable.

Anyone used there stuff?

http://www.hoodjeans.co.uk/

Yes I have a pair of Motocross style - not sure if theyre still made. Used them on a France Tour and a few tours in Scottish Highlands. Armour in knees feels a bit strange at first, but overall very comfy. Had to restitch waist belt, two minute job. Not crashed in them yet and hope not to so no comments on toughness. Not Winer weight, but overall pleased with comfort and price.