*shrugs* I don't know but I've heard the same thing about the Mesh. I was thinking about buying Perforated Leather. Yet, it could be hellish HOT especially in the leather during the summer.

I hope someone could answer to your question as I would love to know as well.

 

I have both, Joe Rocket Mesh and Vanson Perforated leathers.. If I am just out cruising on a hot day the mesh works fine.. If I'm out playing , I opt for the Vanson, with the back protector, and the pants.. In traffic at stop lights the Vanson stuff is just about as hot as regular leather.. And on a bright sunny day the mesh, doesn't provide much sunburn protection, if you are just wearing a "T" Shirt under it...

I really like the Vanson stuff, at speed it is quite comfortable, on really hot days!!

 

They're a system of trade offs, like all other things in motorcycles. Look for ones that have highly rated armor systems, preferably ones that hold their armor in full textile pockets rather than mesh. Leather abrasion zones and aramid (basically Kevlar combined with Spandex) areas are good too.

You may also want to look into cooling systems. I don't remember the buzzword for them, but its basically an undershirt that keeps you cool.

 

Ah you mean something like Underarmor? I have one of those shirts and they don't really help IMO.

The more I look at the Cortech GX-Air 2, the more it seems like it'll be the perfect jacket. It's got "Brazilian leather" at the elbows, shoulders, and back where I'll need the abrasion protection the most

http://www.ridersdiscount.com/street-gear/jackets-men/74155.php

I think I may have to bite very very soon if the weather keeps getting hotter and more humid :/

 

im in the same boat. i have a S&S jacket that like perforated textile material and had a wind/waterproof liner that can be removed when it gets to times like these.

doesnt help that mine is black though....

 

I've owned one or two mesh jackets and they are a little cooler but most of them are just so light that they feel like they'd be pretty useless in a crash. I've found a well ventilated leather jacket does ALMOST as well keeping you cool. The lighter the color the better, obviously. I had a white jacket that I used when I lived in Daytona and Pensacola but after all those summer showers that seemed to come every single day right when I got out of school/work, the white is now impossible to get clean without dyeing it or replacing panels.

 

I've owned one or two mesh jackets and they are a little cooler but most of them are just so light that they feel like they'd be pretty useless in a crash.

IMHO, a mesh jacket is just a device to hold all the pads in the right place during the long slide.
If it does that, it works. If it is not fitted perfectlyy, it won't.

 

I have the Cortech GX-Air 2 and I love it. Looks great, fits great and very comfortable. Very well-made, very sturdy, comes with two separately removable liners (one for weather and a quilted one for warmth).

 

I just got the new Icon Overlord in white and it vents great. I was wearing a S&S Hang Em High and it just didn't make me feel safe.I have read way to many post about textile failures.

 

I just got the new Icon Overlord in white and it vents great.

Same here... It vents real well for a leather jacket! Its actually cooler than my Icon ARC Speedfreak textile...

 

I don't think its possible to stay cool with leather, even if its perforated. Color is also important, I have some very thin black textile jackets which are still very hot in the summer. It's not easy to find solid white textile jackets but for peak summer heat, I don't wear anything else.

 

I have a Vanson mesh jacket. The mesh is supposedly made of a tougher material than the typical $60 mesh jacket. I also have a cheap Teknic one -- the mesh is polyester. Vanson mesh tends to be $$, but they had a closeout last year with the older models (no outside pockets) for $99. Both have armor. The Vanson does indeed feel more solid than the Teknic.

 

I think I saw some white Tourmaster overpants that I thinking about buying but I imagine they're a pain to keep clean.

phlosar: Where'd you find the jacket? All the Vanson jackets I'm looking at are awfully expensive

 

I think I saw some white Tourmaster overpants that I thinking about buying but I imagine they're a pain to keep clean.

phlosar: Where'd you find the jacket? All the Vanson jackets I'm looking at are awfully expensive

I ordered the mesh jacket from Vanson, in August of last year, during their sale (10 to 15% off). Maybe Labor Day? You could always call them and ask if they have any remaining. They did not have them prominent on their site.

 

http://motorcycles.about.com/od/gearreviews/gr/dainese_air-2_vented_motorcycle_jacket.htm
I just bought the Dainese Air-2 for clearance at cyclegear. I live in Texas and the summer heat is literally the worst. There's no doubt the mesh isn't as safe. It's a compromise, either i'm going to die of heat exhaustion with my leathers on or i'm going to die in a crash with a t shirt on. I can't imagine a jacket that flows more air than this one. At 10 mph it basically feels like you have a t shirt on. I even considered buying mx jacket like http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5002&L2=13&L3=207&L4=&item=ASR_650658-13-SM_G

 

Dainese is the way to go from what I've heard for any protective outfits. I've read that you can easily add the armors to this Dainese Air-2.

Does MX Jacket comes with the spine protection?

 

I've had the Cortech GSX Air/Leather for 3 years. It's held up very well so far and I'll be using it some more.

Textile gear is really meant to protect well for a single serious accident, not for multiple raspberry sessions. If your plan is to pitch yourself off several times each track day, then textiles are not the right choice.

If you do tip over, inspect the gear closely. If seams are loose or sections are abraded badly, the price point allows you to replace it reasonably with new gear.

Best option is not to put yourself into situations where the gear is required.
Please gear up though for cases where Mr. Allstate Chaos invites himself for surprise butsechorz.

 

Most mesh jackets are not perfect but they are totally worth the little bit of extra protection you get. Road rash is nasty stuff. I have a Scorpion cool rod and it's pretty good all around. Good armor in the elbows and shoulders, comes with foam pad but you can upgrade it. You can find them for around 50 bucks now on ebay.

 

...I was looking into mesh jackets but I've been reading that they're practically useless in an accident since the mesh doesn't hold up at all...

Mesh will be fine for commuting. Get a good-fitting one with CE armor and a back protector and don't worry about it. Armored pants are equally important, lower extremity injuries are common.

Avoid black.

 

Yes. I think I'm gonna get the Black and Blue since the silver looks really disgusting IMO.

Will a back protector insert be fine or will I have to get one that I strap on?

 

As stated earlier, you might want to look into a cooling vest as well. These are a quilted material (yeah, counterintuitive) that you soak with water for a minute or two before riding. The material holds the water and allows it to evaporate slowly. Evaporative cooling actually works very well.

I've ridden in 105 degree weather with a cooling vest and been quite comfortable. The down sides are that, depending on humidity, the cooling lasts maybe a half an hour or so- great for the commute home, not so good for the all day ride. And since it's using evaporative cooling, it may not work in high humidity. Finally, you arrive looking like you've been in a wet T-shirt contest, but at least you're comfortable.

 

One of the guys I race with runs this company: Safer Moto Vests and Jackets

Maybe this can be the difference between cooler and safer ? The MX-5 and MS-5 are both "breathable".

I'll do this a hundred more times. If your wearing a jacket for safety .. wear one of these. Why go partially safe? I wear the MLV vest.

.. and the owner is an SV racer (bonus points)


--410

 

D: 500 dollars!? I wish I had that much money for a jacket alone..

Incredibly nifty technology though.

 

Cycle Gear currently has the Motoboss (evaporative) cooling vest on sale for $20. Soak it in water for a few minutes and the evaporating water cools you as you ride. The only drawback I can see is some people don't like the feel when it's full of water.

 

You'll be hot at a stoplight even naked. You'll be nice and cool even in a full leather suit while moving (perforated of-course).

I find absolutely no difference between perf leather and mesh when it's 100+ and 90% humidity.

 

I disagree with that. Granted you will sweat no matter what but even opening the shield on my helmet makes a huge difference.

I just saw on another thread someone posted the Tourmaster Flex Series2 Jacket.
http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/catalog/Flex-Series-2-Jacket-p-248_3.html

Looks pretty nifty since it has the textile outer shell. The only thing is that it doesn't seem to be as protective as the Cortech GX-Air 2 as the back looks like it has very little padding, 1680 Denier in the impact zones rather than leather, and only has one take up point on the arm.