Keeping cool in summer

[khabel]

This is my going to be my first summer in Auckland and I was wondering if anyone has any tricks for keeping cool aside from the usual unzip your jacket or lift your visor?

Does that clothing work thats designed to keep you cool?

[HenryDorsetCase]

This is my going to be my first summer in Auckland and I was wondering if anyone has any tricks for keeping cool aside from the usual unzip your jacket or lift your visor?

Does that clothing work thats designed to keep you cool?

I have ended up with two fully vented Dri Rider jackets. One is size Med and the other size small. One is a Rallycross (the Med) and comes with the drink bladder in the back, and the other (the small) is what they call "climate control". They are a vented mesh jacket part, with armour built in, and each jacket has two removable linings, one rain liner. and an inner thermal liner. there are adjustable straps on the arms and stuff too.

I dont need two functionally equivalent jackets, so if one fits you and you want to buy it, sing out. The rallycross has been worn twice, and the small climate contol is brand new. with tags.

I mostly wear leather jackets because its hardly ever warm enough (maybe one or two months of the year) to need a vented jacket in Canterbury.

PM me. :)

[grbaker]

You can't be cool and live in Auckland... just ask the Fonze.

As for gear... heat vs safety - vented jacket or leather jacket left open a bit will also do the trick. Mesh vent gloves are better than no gloves. Pants I find the hard one... Dragin Jeans - work okay (not sure how protective they really are), leathers & textile pants can get a bit hot.
Boots - not worth finding anything special... AK isn't that hot.

[steve_t]

The zipped arm vents on my Qmoto jacket are surprisingly effective. I'm also awaiting a fully perforated leather jacket from Bret so hopefully that's not too far away and I can let you know how much cooler it is.

Wearing Skins or Under Armour can help keep you cool and will help you get out of your gear after your ride. A lot of people also swear by the evaporative cooler things or just soaking a t-shirt in water before you ride. It keeps you cool as the water evaporates. Not sure about any smell issues there though

[boman]

I own a fully perforated Berik Leather jacket. Bloody awesome for the stinking hot days.

In fact you can get a tad chilly in it.

[Bounce001]

Just go fast enough for the 'air conditioning' to kick in :innocent:

[Banditbandit]

Just go fast enough for the 'air conditioning' to kick in :innocent:

Yeah .. anything past 140 klicks will do it ..

[slofox]

Just go fast enough for the 'air conditioning' to kick in :innocent:

Wot 'e said.

I wear a single layer of lightweight merino thermals under the leather in the summer. Seems to help keep things cool.

[Gremlin]

It doesn't really get THAT hot, and "summer" lasts for a month, maybe a month and a bit.

Textile mesh type jackets would work fine, the hottest you'll find is sitting in traffic, cars are hot, bike takes in hot air, emits hot air, you're stuck in the heat etc. While on the move in the country I doubt it's ever an issue.

[Latte]

Naked, maybe jandals if your bike has a kick start.

[MIXONE]

Naked, maybe jandals if your bike has a kick start.

Kick start?What is this thing of which you spake?

[SPman]

Auckland....summer........hot?

I used to think so...............

[Latte]

Kick start?What is this thing of which you spake?

They come on real bikes, like expansion chambers do :headbang:

[Flip]

I have a set of Dragin, jeans and denim jacket that I wear on hot days.

It has the full CE armour set installed in it.

[WasPhantom]

I have a couple of stay cool things from Kathmandu used for trampers... You soak it before you go for a ride, throw it around your neck, and it slowly evaporates over the ride. It nicely takes the edge off the heat without compromising safety. Reasonably cheap as well.

[shrub]

I have a fully vented leather jacket (Triumph brand) and kevlar jeans, I also have a pair of tramping boots I ride in around town, and I find I am pretty comfortable most of the time.