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HOT & HUMID weather jacket recommendation needed

melensdad

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I love my Madstad windshield but one thing it really does well is block the wind. Great on the highway, great for touring, not so great in HOT HUMID summers if I am running errands in traffic at low/modest speeds.

With the stock windscreen I was running around in a KLIM APEX AIR jacket in hot weather and the mesh panels flowed enough air to keep me cool. When I switched to the big Madstad touring screen the airflow through the jacket was reduced. APEX AIR is a convertible jacket with mesh panels but it is NOT a mesh jacket.

I want to keep the Madstad but I want a highly breathable mesh jacket that offers protection. I'm looking for recommendations.
 
Want more venting through any decent mesh jacket? Stand up once in awhile. That said, I really like my short black (discontinued) National Cycle windscreen because it keeps the pressure off my torso at high speeds without totally closing off lower airflow, and without building pressure/anti-pressure zones around the helmet. Today I tried running (1) without any screen at all, and (2) with a smaller screen yet. Neither worked as well for all circumstances.

In the colder/coldest weather I put my big screen on, and live with the tendency it has of pushing more air and thus being slower to accelerate above 50 or 60 miles per hour (and a slightly lower top speed). With some crosswinds and gusting it also likes to act a little like a genoa jib or fore & aft sail ; }
 
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Also, if you use back armor get lattice type which vents way better and doesn't let perspiration build up.
 
I don’t want to remove the windshield because I tend to do about 70% of my riding at 45-to-70mph. The MadStad stops the buffeting that was beating me up. But below 40mph I overheat. I live 6 miles from the nearest town and its only when I go into town or ride up into the suburbs when I need to run an errand. I don’t go into town often.

I have a Dianese open honeycomb Level 2 pad in my Klim Apex Air jacket now. The Apex Air is a leather & textile jacket with panels that open to mesh. Absolutely great jacket but doesn’t flow enough air at lower speeds with the MadStad when temps are 90+ and humid. Zip the panels closed and it rides well as temps cool off

Looking for a strictly HOT weather jacket.
 
I'm sure you do this now but I'll throw it out there. It is counter-intuitive but depending on the height of the Madstad it can flow more air around the torso when it is raised and raked back thus opening the gap at the bottom. Also if there isn't a way to direct flow up and over the instrument pod and accelerate it between the instrument pod and the back of the shield you might consider that. A small flyscreen in front of the instrument pod improves the flow up the back side of the shield. After a couple versions I settled on this one made from a helmet face shield.

IMG_3144.JPG


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Want more venting through any decent mesh jacket? Stand up once in awhile. That said, I really like my short black (discontinued) National Cycle windscreen because it keeps the pressure off my torso at high speeds without totally closing off lower airflow, and without building pressure/anti-pressure zones around the helmet. Today I tried running (1) without any screen at all, and (2) with a smaller screen yet. Neither worked as well for all circumstances.

In the colder/coldest weather I put my big screen on, and live with the tendency it has of pushing more air and thus being slower to accelerate above 50 or 60 miles per hour (and a slightly lower top speed). With some crosswinds and gusting it also likes to act a little like a genoa jib or fore & aft sail ; }
On my 2012 I fiddled around with a National Cycle Deluxe Deflector system and eventually got it working pretty good for me. It was smaller and allowed more air around my torso while keeping my helmet in clean air and taking wind pressure off my torso. I liked it much better than the stock screen but not as well as the Madstad system.
 
For now I'm giving serious consideration to 2 jackets.

KLIM Induction at $349 (list)
FirstGear RUSH Air at $229 (list) + cost of a back protector

Basically looking at those 2 brands because I already own jackets from both of those companies and I know the fit. My wife has 2 FirstGear jackets and I have one. I also have a KLIM jacket.

My gut says get the KLIM because, while expensive, they are just really well made with deluxe materials and lots of attention to small details that make them really nice. My wallet says FirstGear because they are also well made, but with modest grade materials and less attention to detail, but still nice. I looked at Joe Rocket mesh jackets at the local Honda dealership and compared to FirstGear it is not close to the quality or the design, but the prices are close. For the money I think FirstGear is simply far superior to Joe Rocket, JMO. I like the look and features of the Tourmaster stuff but I have never seen it in a store so I really don't know the brand.

Honestly leaning to the FirstGear RUSH Air jacket because this will only be a really hot weather jacket. Not looking to use it as a touring jacket, not looking to use it as a season stretching jacket. I have 2 other jackets, so this would be reserved for miserably hot summer days and shorter rides into traffic areas.
 
I have seen people put goldwing vents in there windshields of cruisers I was thinking about it but haven't seen anyone do it here yet. JP cycles sells just the vents so you can add it to a windshield that never had one. Just a thought
 
I bought a Klim Induction around Christmas 2019 on sale, and it's the best mesh jacket I've owned (and I've owned a couple - a FirstGear Mesh Tex, and a Fly). Great air flow, comfortable, great armor, and hopefully their "KARBONITE" mesh will do better in a slide (mercifully I have not had to find out yet). It is expensive, but (often through gritted teeth) I try to "buy once, cry once." I've ridden the Induction two "hot" seasons now and it's worth it to me.

I've also gone to the stock windscreen (from my CalSci medium) to get lots of clear air on me. My Schuberth C3 Pro (another "buy once, cry once" decision that has paid off handsomely) is really, really quiet in the smooth air. I'm thinking of getting a CalSci "shorty" with knob fasteners so I can easily change out the screens without tools.
 
I have seen people put goldwing vents in there windshields of cruisers I was thinking about it but haven't seen anyone do it here yet. JP cycles sells just the vents so you can add it to a windshield that never had one. Just a thought
Adding a vent seems like a great idea but I seriously doubt it would fit between the Madstad mounting brackets.


Seems like a good solution if it would fit.






I bought a Klim Induction around Christmas 2019 on sale, and it's the best mesh jacket I've owned (and I've owned a couple - a FirstGear Mesh Tex, and a Fly). Great air flow, comfortable, great armor, and hopefully their "KARBONITE" mesh will do better in a slide (mercifully I have not had to find out yet). It is expensive, but ....
Generally I agree.

Love my Klim, Rev'it, and Arai as all are very premium gear. And worth it.

But for a jacket that I believe will be a 'seldom use' jacket I have a hard time justifying the price.
 
I have also been look for a Klim Induction as well - every now and then one pops up on ADV forums in their garage sale area. I have Klim Latitude Misano jacket and pants, and love them. They just fit and feel good. I have tried on a couple other mesh jackets, and they just didnt do it for me like Klim does. I will be watching close for any sales, but the Induction will get purchased somehow this season.

I do have a 2X Scorpion mesh with rain and quilted liner for sale - $175. I dont like the armor - it needs D3. It is also black, so while it looks good, it does pull in heat.

I also picked up a pair of "Ventz" last year and they made a difference for my forearms. They slide in the wrist of the jacket and allow air to go up your sleeve. I was dubios at first, but after wearing them on some longer rides, it was amazing the difference. Now, they dont work if you wear long gloves that cover your wrists. they were like $20 in total. https://www.ventz-range.com/
 
I also picked up a pair of "Ventz" last year and they made a difference for my forearms. They slide in the wrist of the jacket and allow air to go up your sleeve. I was dubios at first, but after wearing them on some longer rides, it was amazing the difference. Now, they dont work if you wear long gloves that cover your wrists. they were like $20 in total. https://www.ventz-range.com/
I've always wondered about those. Logically they should work, if you don't wear glove. But unless the weather is really unbearable I wear gloves.






I love my RevIt Tornado
Love Revit, I have Tornado pants. Looked hard at the Tornado and also the Airwave.

But in the end I made my choice. Bang for the buck. FirstGear is not the best brand out there, it's not got the top line materials or the best design. But it is pretty darn good on all counts. Better than many. I'd rate it as "just below" the premium brands. Hard to beat when it is on sale. My FirstGear Kilimanjaro is almost as nice as my Klim Apex Air, but not quite, but it was also 1/2 the price. I'll probably continue to ride with Apex Air most of the time. The Kilimanjaro if its cooler or a chance of rain. But the FG Rush Air will be for the days when I step outside and it feel like I open the oven door. Like yesterday.

Just ordered the FIrstGear RUSH Air jacket. Most places priced at $229. MotorcycleGear.com has it for $169. Lowest price I saw. Could not find the KLIM Induction on sale anywhere. Also ordered an Alpinestars Nucleon back protector because the FirstGear only comes with a pad, not a protector.

If the quality is as good as my FirstGear Kilimanjaro then I will be a happy camper.

Screen-Shot-2020-06-03-at-11-27-01-AM.png

Screen-Shot-2020-06-03-at-11-27-17-AM.png



FirstGear Rush Air Jacket ~ Sale
  • Waist-Length Mesh Jacket
  • Poly Mesh Main Construction
  • Abrasion-Resistant Impact Panels
  • Waterproof / Breathable Removable Liner with Color-Coded Attachment Tabs
  • Soft and Durable Rolled Neoprene Collar and Cuff Edging
  • One Zippered Chest Pocket
  • Two Zippered Hand Pockets
  • Internal Map and Media Pockets (On Fixed and Removable Liners)
  • Back Storage Pocket for Removable Liner
  • Two-Way YKK® Front Zipper
  • Front Zipper Features Retainer Strap at Top
  • Two Forearms Take-Ups
  • Waist and Cuff Adjusters
  • FirstGear’s Standard Conjunction Zipper with Pant Side Included
  • Reflective Accents
  • CE Level 1 Knox Elbow and Shoulder Pads
  • Pocket for optional Back Protector (sold separately)
  • Five-Year Warranty

Realistically I will remove the "waterproof/breathable" liner and probably never see it again. I've got a KLIM Gore-Tex rain jacket that I keep in my top box for occasions when I encounter rain. I'd rather toss on Gore-Tex over a mesh jacket than wear a liner under the mesh jacket.

The ONE feature it does not have, that I will seriously miss, is a wrist pocket. Those come in very handy as I store a garage door remote in each of my jackets wrist pockets. I may take it to a local seamstress to see if a pocket can be adapted???
 
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For now I'm giving serious consideration to 2 jackets.

KLIM Induction at $349 (list)
FirstGear RUSH Air at $229 (list) + cost of a back protector

Basically looking at those 2 brands because I already own jackets from both of those companies and I know the fit. My wife has 2 FirstGear jackets and I have one. I also have a KLIM jacket.

My gut says get the KLIM because, while expensive, they are just really well made with deluxe materials and lots of attention to small details that make them really nice. My wallet says FirstGear because they are also well made, but with modest grade materials and less attention to detail, but still nice. I looked at Joe Rocket mesh jackets at the local Honda dealership and compared to FirstGear it is not close to the quality or the design, but the prices are close. For the money I think FirstGear is simply far superior to Joe Rocket, JMO. I like the look and features of the Tourmaster stuff but I have never seen it in a store so I really don't know the brand.

Honestly leaning to the FirstGear RUSH Air jacket because this will only be a really hot weather jacket. Not looking to use it as a touring jacket, not looking to use it as a season stretching jacket. I have 2 other jackets, so this would be reserved for miserably hot summer days and shorter rides into traffic areas.

I have the Klim Induction. It's nice.
 
One thing I've checked out recently is to NOT carry stuff in my mesh jacket's and pants' pockets, instead putting them in a quick-release "belt bag" which I've been placing between my mirror stalks. Puts all that stuff conveniently within reach and seems to make the mesh flow just a bit more yet. When I need that stuff on my person I just disconnect from the mirror stalks and place around my waist. It seems to work out well though I haven't taken a dedicated photo yet...


2020-05-29 15;41;55 by greenboy, on Flickr
 
Wearing quick-drying polyester weaves under the mesh jacket and pants is also great. You can liberally douse yourself when water is easily abundant – and though it dries faster than a cotton dousing, if the weather turns on you you'll be glad a cotton clamminess doesn't turn into something a lot worse.
 
Wearing quick-drying polyester weaves under the mesh jacket and pants is also great. You can liberally douse yourself when water is easily abundant – and though it dries faster than a cotton dousing, if the weather turns on you you'll be glad a cotton clamminess doesn't turn into something a lot worse.
I'm a long distance hiker, although getting older not doing it as frequently. I hate wearing cotton. I have a reasonably selection of performance polyester, but also a nice array of lightweight merino wool. Lightweight merino wool is the ultimate in comfort material. Works great wet or dry.
 
I second the Merino wool! best stuff on the planet for riding. I always were it when on trips. And it washes quick and easy, Socks, undies and t-shirts (my travel kit is 3 of each and its been good for 7 days). Unbound Merino usually has a 3-pack special going on.
 
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