Mesh suit with integrated armor

stevia13

stevia13

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OK - is it just me, or is there an obvious gap in the market for some of the above. I have just come back from latest trip, and yet again, on the warmer days, I found my kit to be uncomfortably warm and sticky. Ive tried BMWs Rallye kit - very good, but heavy esp with very bulky back protector in; also Dianese stuff which is slighyly lighter! Can I point out that this problem relates to when you are off the bike and walking about - I guess most of us dont just ride from A to B with no stops in between. When the weather is cooler, there are no problems; just when things heat up!
Does anybody know of a manufacturer who does a sturdy mesh suit with integrated armor, with a Goretex shell (jacket and trousers) that will fit over same when the weather dictates... Cheers
 
For the last few years have found the lighter Hein Gericke Toureg suits to be fine in the heat - not waterpoof but I just put lighweight waterproof suit over the top if weather too bad - would not bother with suits with separate waterproof lining, have found them too baggy when worn in summer without the lining and outside of suit gets wet through and uncomfortable.
 
the toureg has a seperate waterproof lining doesnt it?
 
Been ridin around in a Rukka Air APR Strong Jacket for the last 3 weeks, it's a mesh cordura jacket with goretex and outlast zip-out lining and armour. Its top kit when the weather is sweltering and its top kit down to around 12degs so far. I've been through some torrential downpours with no probs, in fact it dries quicker due to the air flow. I'm waiting on a delivery of the trousers. No probs with bagginess without the liner, in fact one of the best looking jackets I own. Bloody expensive.
 
This summer, I'm going to try my OLYMPIA PHANTOM ONE SUIT.

Fully waterproof for when it rains, loads of vents to get some air passing through it when on the move and best of all when you get of the bike take the suit off - 15 second job - shorts and tee shirt underneath, walk around in comfort. Folds up small enough to go in an 1150 adv top box.

Probably not as cool as a mesh jacket on the bike but walking around in continental summer heat in ANY kind of bike gear is just way too hot and stripping off at the side of the road often not an option.
 
Olympia Kit

Looks OK and I am familiar with some of their other stuff BUT I am not sure that an all in one suit is the best way to stay cool on the bike . I can see how the 1 piece can be whipped off quickly when you stop for a while but I reckon a 2 piece would still be cooler (in both senses of the word ;) )..............IMHO :thumb2
 
I would love a Rukka but I just cannot afford one.

So instead, I use the Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket for hot countries bought from Infinity.

http://www.brmc.co.uk/joerocket.htm#Joe%20Rocket%20~%20Sonic%20Jacket


It is remarkably cheap and very comfortable. It has large panels that zip off leaving a mesh jacket with full back, shoulder and elbow armour. It comes with a waterproof liner but that is uncomfortably plastic, so I take an oversuit for wet weather.

They do trousers that match. They are not as good as the jacket as the mesh panels are too small to keep you really cool but are still better than most.

Jacket definitely worth a look.
Peter
 
Knox cross shirt, back and chest protector elbow pads all held in place with mesh for about £130, then wear whatever jacket you wish over the top... although it is obviously armoured when you stop, one step short of a kevlar vest when walking round the shops.
 
For the past few years I've worn a hi-viz FirstGear mesh jacket. Absolutely brilliant and about £60 from the US. I wore it in Death Valley at 118f. They also do mesh trousers but I use light grey H-G Toureg trousers which has zipped vents down the thighs. With lightweight Olympia gell gloves and an Arai Sx open face helmet, I can just about cope with anything the summer sun throws at me.:spitfire
 
Paul Rochdale said:
For the past few years I've worn a hi-viz FirstGear mesh jacket. Absolutely brilliant and about £60 from the US. I wore it in Death Valley at 118f. They also do mesh trousers but I use light grey H-G Toureg trousers which has zipped vents down the thighs. With lightweight Olympia gell gloves and an Arai Sx open face helmet, I can just about cope with anything the summer sun throws at me.:spitfire
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Hi Paul
Do you know of a link to FirstGear :thumb
 
As the main problem is when you are off the bike and walking about then the solution would seem to be to find a method of leaving the jacket with the bike. When we are touring and find ourselves in a similar position; if we have room in the panniers we stuff the jackets in those or we secure the jackets to the bike with a one of those long curly wurly security cable/locks that can be bought from Halfords. Thread the cable through the sleeves and loop through the crossbar on the bars and lock it. Job done and a bit cheaper than investing in a load of new gear.:thumb

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_159527_langId_-1_categoryId_31389#
 
Lord Snooty said:
As the main problem is when you are off the bike and walking about then the solution would seem to be to find a method of leaving the jacket with the bike. When we are touring and find ourselves in a similar position; if we have room in the panniers we stuff the jackets in those or we secure the jackets to the bike with a one of those long curly wurly security cable/locks that can be bought from Halfords. Thread the cable through the sleeves and loop through the crossbar on the bars and lock it. Job done and a bit cheaper than investing in a load of new gear.:thumb

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_159527_langId_-1_categoryId_31389#
Click to expand...

Thats what we do which is one of the reason's why a 2 piece is better. :thumb2 I also have a very small leightweight ripstop nylon cover which I can throw over the bike if we are leaving it for a long time. The cover is taut from screen to top box so its not at all obvious that underneath there the helmets, jackets, tank bag and sometimes even the boots and trousers are all hidden.
 
Rushy said:
Thats what we do which is one of the reason's why a 2 piece is better. :thumb2 I also have a very small leightweight ripstop nylon cover which I can throw over the bike if we are leaving it for a long time. The cover is taut from screen to top box so its not at all obvious that underneath there the helmets, jackets, tank bag and sometimes even the boots and trousers are all hidden.
Click to expand...

Where'd you get the lightweight half cover Rushy? I've been on the hunt for one for a 12GS for ages.
 
Kahuna said:
Where'd you get the lightweight half cover Rushy? I've been on the hunt for one for a 12GS for ages.
Click to expand...

Take a look here for some ideas;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134199&highlight=bike+cover

http://www.eztouring.com/

Mine is an XL I think. Its meant for large bike with big screen and a top box ie Full dresser Harley or Goldwing. It still pack up into a nice small pouch thats smaller than say the pouch you would get for a Frank Thomas aquapak jacket.

Cheers,

Ian
 
Rushy said:
Take a look here for some ideas;

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=134199&highlight=bike+cover

http://www.eztouring.com/

Mine is an XL I think. Its meant for large bike with big screen and a top box ie Full dresser Harley or Goldwing. It still pack up into a nice small pouch thats smaller than say the pouch you would get for a Frank Thomas aquapak jacket.

Cheers,

Ian
Click to expand...

Thanks Ian - I like the look of them but was put off in the past because of the packed size (6"*6"*4"). That's a lot of space on a tour! :blast
 
Storing Kit

We storer our stuff in PACSAFES when we are off the bike or if the panniers are full.

Put your kit in a bin liner and then in the pacsafe, lock it to part of teh bike excellent.

The lidsafe that they sell is really handy
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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