Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Chat Forum > The HUBB PUB
All the kit, or what? All the kit, or what?
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
The HUBB PUB Chat forum - no useful content required!

BUT the basic rules of polite and civil conduct which everyone agreed to when signing up for the HUBB, will still apply, though moderation will be a LITTLE looser than elsewhere on the HUBB.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Like Tree16Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Dec 2014
roborider's Avatar
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tucson, Arizona USA
Posts: 29
I'm am ATGATT advocate. And I've ridden and lived in mountainous, tropical and desert climates.

With the variety of vented and mesh gear options, I don't believe it makes sense to risk road rash or more serious injury regardless of temperature or comfort. But that does require good gear and perhaps multiple jackets for summer vs winter vs rain vs desert. I resolve this by buying good but used gear. I've found most of my kit on ADV RIDER.

But I'm also not going to bash those who choose to rider with lighter or less gear. I did the same when I was a teenager and was lucky enough to survive a few minor bang ups and avoid and serious injury. Everyone must make their own decisions and deal with the results of their choices. But I vote for and encourage ATGATT!
__________________
Roborider
Rob Osborne
Vail (Tucson), Arizona USA
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Dec 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,372
Smile Putting a myth to bed
Vented jackets and trousers make you feel the breeze and increase your perceived comfort but, in reality, they allow your sweat to escape.
Stating the obvious -sweat is precious water being used to cool down your body. Allowing it to escape in high heat conditions where replacement water may be scarce is very unwise. Keeping hydrated at all times is critical.

Want to feel great as you are baking? as you refuel, find a hosepipe/tap/water can and drench your jacket, trousers and helmet and keep those vents closed.
Fabulous
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Dec 2014
Guillaume's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 116
Bertrand I have to strongly disagree with you.


Sweat cools you by evaporating, hence keeping your vents open is the best way to evaporate that thin layer of water on your skin and making you cooler. When humidity is really high, heat becomes unbearable because sweat accumulates and evaporates slowly. Opening the vents on your jackets and pants, allowing the maximum flow of air to pass on your body to accelerate the evaporation of water is the best way to cool you down.


Suggesting to keep your vents closed during extreme heat is IMHO a very bad advice.


Google the physics of sweats and evaporative cooling.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Dec 2014
Guillaume's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 116
Just to add...


Of course keeping hydrated is always important, especially when you sweat a lot.


That being said if your vents are open and much wind is passing through, around, your body, you might not even need to sweat because wind dissipates heat very fast.


The purpose of cooling and venting is to allow your body to dissipate the heat.


Mesh panels and vents opening are there for a reason. Those engineers working on the development of summer riding gear certainly know a little about the physics of heat dissipation.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Dec 2014
-
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,372
Smile
You are quite free to disagree!
Retaining moisture on your body / in your clothing acts as an 'air conditioner' and continues to cool you down.
Allowing this moisture to escape is fine as long as you can drink more water to replace what is being /has been lost- If that is the case, vent away; my jacket and trousers have vents too and let some heat out.

However, if your water supply is low, as I said, before, uncontrolled venting isn't wise. Jackets/trousers are not totally sealed- heat will leave via the gaps and through the materials in any case.

Your water- your retention or your loss- it's your decision. A chacun son truc jeune homme!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 21 Dec 2014
Guillaume's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Montreal, Canada
Posts: 116
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Retaining moisture on your body / in your clothing acts as an 'air conditioner' and continues to cool you down.

My understanding is that water that is not being evaporated, warms up to your body temperature and ends up doing nearly nothing to cool you down.

Mais bon, si ça fonctionne pour vous, pourquoi pas?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Dec 2014
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,824
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertrand View Post
Vented jackets and trousers make you feel the breeze and increase your perceived comfort but, in reality, they allow your sweat to escape.
Stating the obvious -sweat is precious water being used to cool down your body. Allowing it to escape in high heat conditions where replacement water may be scarce is very unwise. Keeping hydrated at all times is critical.

Want to feel great as you are baking? as you refuel, find a hosepipe/tap/water can and drench your jacket, trousers and helmet and keep those vents closed.
Fabulous
This is counterintuitive, but all true, or so the experts tell us. You really want to keep the "sweat inside". Too much air flow can really dehydrate you fast! We still see the Harley guys riding in a tank top and beany helmet in severe heat waves. Then at the next Tavern stop, they pass out. Been there, seen this in person. So cover up, keep some of the sweat inside. Booze makes it all worse.

It's a delicate balance between comfort and safety. Some air flow/venting is good but TOO MUCH is NOT good. And of course, as stated : Drink Drink Drink!

In the tropics, riding small roads at low speed, a mesh jacket works well, but it's always hard to stay comfortable with high humidity with high temps.
I've used the wet T shirt/helmet technique for decades. Great in Desert, not so much in tropics.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Dec 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,120
Quote:
Originally Posted by mollydog View Post
I've used the wet T shirt technique for decades.
Now there's a vision for eight o'clock in the morning.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Hybrid Mode Hybrid Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
KTM 690 Quest kit Zimi KTM Tech 3 21 Feb 2015 23:18
FS KTM Basel 690 Enduro Quest Kit - New Jerome TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 5 Jul 2014 10:41
Adventure Designs "Ultimate Compact Tool Kit for BMW R1200GS" angusgreene Equipment Reviews 20 1 Dec 2012 21:48
Best tube repair kit in the world? Wheelie Equipment Reviews 7 10 Oct 2012 19:24
Clutch kit and Chain recommendations zcarter Yamaha Tech 9 22 Mar 2012 23:21

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 06:24.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top