Cruisin' Clothin' (this is not a "K" road thread!)

[KiWiP]

I'm touring the South Island over summer and am in a bit of a dilemma about what to wear (I am not gay or a chick)

I have 2 piece leathers that I normally use for long /motorway rides. Draggin Jeans/leather jacket for medium+motorway and whatever for toodling round the neighborhood. Yes I am not ATGATT.

Problem The leathers are too hot and too restrictive despite the protection they offer. The T-shirt and Jandals are just not sensible.

What do you recommended for a Sarf Island tour?

I want adequate protection but with mobility and coolness (temperature not style 'cos as a fat balding 47 year old I provide the style )

[Phreak]

Decent textile gear should solve your problem! Not as resilient as leathers, but most good textile gear have armor in all the right spots, as well as being lighter and not as hot as your full suit would be.

(That's my opinion, anyways!)

[FJRider]

Most of the roads in the south island are of the coarse chip type ... protection or "coolness" is your decision.

Besides ... temperature variations DO occur during the day, depending on the areas ... and time of the day. Four seasons in one day ... even in summer ... is not unusual.

[Flip]

I usually wear a Draggin denim jacket and trou with all the CE hard armour inserts.

Havent hit the road in years so I can't comment on its effectivness. Given I am not the fastest rider I am happy with it.

[pritch]

You're going on a tour so I'da thunk touring gear would be appropriate.

I have a vented leather jacket and leather jeans and I like wearing them but they'd be useless in the rain.

Most textile touring gear comes with a system of vents - better check that before handing over the cash. Even with the vents open though it's preferable to keep moving on hot days, and it does get pretty hot down there in summer.

[Jerry74]

Leather all the way man, mine saved me on sunday... would never go back to textiles.

[Spukey]

My vote is for leather.

I toured for four weeks leathered up one February and had no problems with over heating while riding. As long as you keep moving you won't get too hot, heh, you won't get stuck in a traffic jam anywhere down there!

In fact when I rode from Christchurch to the west coast I got so cold I put a t-shirt over my head under my helmet to stop my ears from freezing! I have a better fitting helmet now.