Looking for a Summer riding jacket preferably with armor for a cruiser rider.
I have a heavier jacket for Spring/Fall but it's way to heavy for Summer.
Rode most of the day yesterday with a stop at Geneva on The Lake, Ohio and got pelted with bugs and small stones.
Loved the Icon jackets but that's when I was up in the canyons in Utah. No real leaning anymore and no sport bike.
Thanks in advance.

When I was riding I researched this a lot. Motoport was the best in safety, comfort, adapting to conditions.
Costs more up front but when I quit riding I sold it for about 3/4 of what I paid new so the cost of ownership was actually low.
The cheaper fabric stuff is actually dangerous if you go sliding down the road. it will melt into your skin and cause additional harm.

http://www.motoport.com/produc...ort-air-mesh-jacket/

http://www.motoport.com/the-save-your-hide-guide/

I've had several "three season" jackets from Tour Master. In the summer I use just the mesh shell but it retains the armor, etc. Excellent quality and really keeps me cool regardless of the temp.

Check out the Flex series on their website.

I've only had textile jackets, and nothing hideously expensive. The two I liked the best were a Joe Rocket and a Hein Gericke.

Perforated leather.
Alpinestars.

Owned a little bit of everything over the years, here's my current favorite and what I've been wearing for the past two summers:

https://www.revzilla.com/motor...vit-airwave-2-jacket

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
Perforated leather.
Alpinestars.

I go this route with Vanson and Dainese as well as the astars.

No mater how light, or how fast I went, mesh was never cool enough. I still sweat through my shirt and had to keep the jacket on wherever I ended up or look like a sweaty slob. I just figured if I might as well look good and be protected.

Vanson Pro perf. Front is perforated, forearm has zip vents--exhausts out back. Very comfortable in summer. Full leather protection with Kevlar elbows, shoulders and spine.
Pricey unless sale which was last weekend...should be another sale July...then Sept.

Klim

quote:

Originally posted by Nickelsig229:

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:
Perforated leather.
Alpinestars.

I go this route with Vanson and Dainese as well as the astars.

No mater how light, or how fast I went, mesh was never cool enough. I still sweat through my shirt and had to keep the jacket on wherever I ended up or look like a sweaty slob. I just figured if I might as well look good and be protected.

For me the primary function of riding gear is protect your bones, skin, and organs. If the company you are looking at, isn’t used in GP, then don’t buy it. You can’t put a price on your skin. Alpine stars, Dainese, and Vanson continue to be the best with RS Taichi and Kushitani.

In the hot Summer of TN, I use a Dainese Air Frame textile. Mine looks to be discontinued, but I think this is the one that replaced it. I had to buy the back protector, awesome jacket.

https://www.revzilla.com/motor...-air-frame-d1-jacket

I ride with a Shift jacket.
I can't comment on how it would perform sliding down the road, but it makes for good warm weather rides.

quote:

Originally posted by hunter62:
In the hot Summer of TN, I use a Dainese Air Frame textile. Mine looks to be discontinued, but I think this is the one that replaced it. I had to buy the back protector, awesome jacket.

https://www.revzilla.com/motor...-air-frame-d1-jacket

I'm liking this jacket. Doesn't quite go with HD/Indian crowd I go with but it really doesn't bother me. It's a jacket for protection.

I ride into the 90's with my Aerostich Darien.

I ride with Olympia mesh. Not sure how protective it really is, compared to my leather Alpinestars.

I wear the same jacket all year (although I don't ride in under 50F weather as it freezes my hands). What I have is an HD leather jacket with vents in the armpits and chest. It works just fine even in the high 90s as long as I'm moving. Sitting still gets a little warm, but it cools off quickly.