Author Topic: Leather riding jacket for summer (Read 6052 times)

benjamin550 · « **on:** April 20, 2011, 07:44:36 PM »

I did some searching and couldn't find a good solution. This will be my first summer on a motorcycle and it can get really hot a humid here in Tennessee. The leather jacket ive been using is very heavy and has no vents- great for winter, not for summer. Can anyone suggest a decently priced leather jacket with good ventilation? I should also say I'm not a big fan of flashy graphics, so simple is good. I would hate to spend money on a nice leather jacket and then be miserable all summer.

Ive been looking at these from leatherup.com but cant find any reviews talking about how they are in hot weather.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-BXU-100570-Mens-Armored-Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket/177469.html

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-BXU-100570-Mens-Armored-Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket/177469.html

I really like the look of the second one (more vintage, retro) but it seems a little thin and unprotected.

Thanks.

Tree · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2011, 07:51:22 PM »

The two links seem to be the same. I bought an armored xelement motorcycle jacket (not leather) from leatherup and am very happy with it. Can't comment on if it would be cool enough in the summer where you are.

benjamin550 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2011, 07:55:28 PM »

oops, try this one.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Mens-Racer-Motorcycle-Jacket/97988.html

Tree · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2011, 09:24:00 PM »

Looks nice. There was a review from someone in TX who indicated it was OK in warm weather with the liner taken out. Probably about the coolest you can get unless you go to a breathable mesh material.

Radam · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2011, 05:51:45 AM »

I too have an xelement jacket that isn't leather that is cool enough here in AR. It gets damn sticky here too. It has all sorts of vents all over it. I just posted pics from my leg of the relay rally. You can see the jacket in some of the pics. I think I had all the vents closed in the pics. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=85509.0

CycleRanger · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2011, 06:30:13 AM »

Quote from: benjamin550 on April 20, 2011, 07:55:28 PM

oops, try this one.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Mens-Racer-Motorcycle-Jacket/97988.html

Lambskin isn't very tough, although it's very comfortable.

apex_seeking · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:25:26 AM »

I bought the second jacket you posted a few months back so I can't comment on summer riding but it is breathable. It isn't bad in the cool weather either.

flybox1 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2011, 07:59:01 AM »

why not one of these worn over UnderArmour or a tshirt

http://www.highvelocitygear.com/juggernaut.htm

Radam · « **Reply #8 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:02:43 AM »

I saw a chick on a ninja in Spain wearing some of that mesh armor stuff and some tight leather pants. She was f'n hot!

socalenduro · « **Reply #9 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:15:55 AM »

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/3/11/99/10450/ITEM/Alpinestars-NYC-Leather-Jacket.aspx

not cheap....

socalenduro · « **Reply #10 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:18:25 AM »

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Mens-Cruiser-Perforated-Leather-Motorcycle-Armored-Jacket/95697.html

flybox1 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 21, 2011, 08:22:04 AM »

Quote from: Radam on April 21, 2011, 08:02:43 AM

I saw a chick on a ninja in Spain wearing some of that mesh armor stuff and some tight leather pants. She was f'n hot!

...a hot chick in fishnet armor.
i can picture that.

benjamin550 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:16:45 PM »

Any other thoughts? I'd like to hear from anyone who rides in a leather jacket down here in the south in the summer. I dont want to buy a leather jacket and find out im completely miserable all summer. Im thinking about maybe getting a mesh armored one for summer, although im not a fan of the look...

seaweb11 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:33:18 PM »

I would think you would want front chest vents. On my jacket, I can open the 2 top front pockets and inside the pocket is a wide vent inside my chest for wind. 2 cents?

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #14 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:19:48 PM »

I only have an Xelement fabric jacket. Its way too hot if the temps get about 85. With the liner taken out I am still gross and sweaty in the morning by the time I get to class.

this is the jacket I have
http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Armored-Jackets/Xelement-CF-625-Armored-Race-Motorcycle-Jacket/115590.html

It has plenty of vents but acts like a sail about 40 mph and is kind of scary. But with the liner and zipped up, I have worn it comfortably in 30 degree weather.

I've thought about this one http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Armored-Jackets/Cortech-GX-Air-Series-2-with-Leather-Jacket/54553.html

and this one http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/39/13172/ITEM/Joe-Rocket-Phoenix-5-0-Jacket.aspx

I look forward to what you find. I used to live in and ride in el paso and just wore perforated leather from the local bike shop, but its hot AND sticky here in central texas.

Not wearing so much black also keeps heat down, but I have yet to find a reasonably priced lighter colored leather jacket that didnt look silly. So I'll probably be sticking with fabric, especially in summer.

benjamin550 · « **Reply #15 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:38:45 PM »

AJ- Im thinking more and more about just getting one of these and forgetting about leather during the hottest months. Plus at only $69 I could afford to get a leather one for the rest of the year. Humidity can get so thick here in the south it gets hard to breathe.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Black-Padded-Mesh-Breathable-3-Way-Lining-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/54047.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Mens-Black-Mesh-Padded-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/41478.html

Gordon · « **Reply #16 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:50:29 PM »

Quote from: benjamin550 on April 24, 2011, 07:38:45 PM

AJ- Im thinking more and more about just getting one of these and forgetting about leather during the hottest months. Plus at only $69 I could afford to get a leather one for the rest of the year. Humidity can get so thick here in the south it gets hard to breathe.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Black-Padded-Mesh-Breathable-3-Way-Lining-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/54047.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Mens-Black-Mesh-Padded-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/41478.html

I think that's a good idea.

I have a feeling one of the reasons you're having a hard time finding riders in the South who wear leather jackets in the Summer is that there aren't that many. No ventilated leather jacket is going to breathe as well as a mesh jacket. Granted, I haven't tried all the leather jackets out there, but even perforated leather won't flow as much air as mesh, and will be many times the cost.

Forget the look and buy something you'll actually wear during the hot, muggy months.

Anti-Johnny · « **Reply #17 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:31:50 PM »

Quote from: benjamin550 on April 24, 2011, 07:38:45 PM

AJ- Im thinking more and more about just getting one of these and forgetting about leather during the hottest months. Plus at only $69 I could afford to get a leather one for the rest of the year. Humidity can get so thick here in the south it gets hard to breathe.

http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Xelement-Black-Padded-Mesh-Breathable-3-Way-Lining-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/54047.html

http://www.leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Jackets/Mens-Black-Mesh-Padded-with-Level-3-Advanced-Armored-Motorcycle-Jacket/41478.html

Those both look good. And I'll agree with Gordon that I mostly see people without any sort of Jacket in the Summer. Its just too hot for leather. But after my dad wrecked his bike I wear it no matter what. (Full face also) Speaking of which I am also looking for a better helmet.

I am leaning towards the Phoenix 5.0. They come up on eBay pretty often with gloves included for around $150. Its a bit more, but hopefully the build quality and fabric hold up. My Xelement has started to bust a few seams after only a few months and one round in the washer. Also the lighter color should help with heat. It may not help at all but I feel like the yellow helps me stand out a bit more.

Unfortunately I wont be able to test anything out this summer. My bike is busted and I am going out of the country til August for school. But I look forward to you testing it out. A lot of the reviews for the mesh jackets on Leatherup and motorcycle super store are further north, and its already in the mid 90s here. This summer is going to be HOT. So yall enjoy it, Ill be attempting to get Austrian women to fall in love with me while yall sweat it out.

flybox1 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 25, 2011, 09:26:32 AM »

Quote from: Anti-Johnny on April 24, 2011, 07:19:48 PM

I've thought about this one http://leatherup.com/p/Mens-Motorcycle-Armored-Jackets/Cortech-GX-Air-Series-2-with-Leather-Jacket/54553.html

I have this jacket (silver) and love it. (comes in tall sizes too)
got it from motorcyclegear.com for $144 shipped.

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Author Topic: Leather riding jacket for summer (Read 6052 times)