Gear for summer riding

[happykamper]

Nobody told me how warm it'd be in full bike gear as the weather warms up! The thermal lining got taken out of the trousers 3 weeks ago and out of the jacket today. Yay for summer! Anyway, what is sensible (cheap?) protection that isn't too hot for the summer? What do the gear fanatics think of the kevlar jeans for protection? My current philosophy is definitely ATGATT but this may get too uncomfortable for the commute over the next few months (and I'd hate to be forced into a cage for comfort's sake...)

[Dani-D]

I wear Kevlar jeans in summer BUT am under no illusions about the damage that will be caused if I bin. The kevlar may stop direct abrasion but it will do NOTHING for impact damage and thats where most of the injuries will come from.

I feel naked when not in my leathers and armour.

Perhaps a baggier cut of jeans with MX keen guards underneath? I'm looking at this option for short trips. Or even Freestyle MX baggys as riding pants with the guards underneath? A guy I ride with on palmy does that and hes gone over a car bonnet in them and walked away scott free!

[Jerry74]

Get a back protector too, i would rather be hot than in intensive care if I come off.

Or ride in singlet and shorts under your riding gear.

[discotex]

Something like this could work:

http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=6854

Can't find the pants on the site but there are pants like this out there.

Like Dani-D I risk it and wear jeans (normal and Kevlar) with my leather jacket to work in summer (winter is full codura). Leather is way cooler than codura. I always wear gloves and boots too.

It's a dodgy compromise between comfort and safety and only you can make the call if that's a level of risk you're willing to take - like people who don't wear seatbelts on the way to the dairy.

Weekend fangs and trackdays are in full leathers though. Planning to get one of Quasi's Knox back protectors soon too.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Nobody told me how warm it'd be in full bike gear as the weather warms up! The thermal lining got taken out of the trousers 3 weeks ago and out of the jacket today. Yay for summer! Anyway, what is sensible (cheap?) protection that isn't too hot for the summer? What do the gear fanatics think of the kevlar jeans for protection? My current philosophy is definitely ATGATT but this may get too uncomfortable for the commute over the next few months (and I'd hate to be forced into a cage for comfort's sake...)

ATGATT... no ifs no buts

Many of the cordra jackets have vents... (mine does and helps heaps...) and realistically you only feel the heat when you a stopped standing around gas bagging... should be out riding anyway...

[Quasievil]

Get a good ventilated jacket and Pants in leather (yes we have them) but with leather you will get the better protection period.
Also Jeans well good for around town low speed but crap for anything faster, and as mention zero impact protection in the knees especially, who wants a smashed knee cap ...............nah didnt think so.

[swbarnett]

i would rather be hot than in intensive care if I come off.

This is all very well up to the point where you get so hot that you start to pass out. I came close a couple of times when I wore a leather jacket. Now I wear cordura and don't have as much of a problem.

I actually did pass out once while standing at the lights on my bicycle.

[yungatart]

Winter, summer...no difference...full leathers!
I just wear less underneath in summer and drink more water. You can always wear a pair of shorts underneath and strip off the leathers when you stop.

[Okey Dokey]

Full leathers for me year round, too.

[portokiwi]

leather jacket, jeans or 511 trou and boots.
On Sunday t shirt, shorts and jandles.

[NOMIS]

always in full gear,. vents opend visor opend just a wee bit, jaket loose on arms ( dont do up the zips or velcro on the sleeves lets air flow freely. ) only thing I do have a problem with is my pants....

Sweaty balls lovely... lol

[Hitcher]

HTFU and ride naked.

[vifferman]

HTFU and ride naked.

Riding naked could lead to a "Soften TFU", unless you're female.

For the changing of the seasons (I'm talking in general terms here, not that which happens from one minute to the next in some parts of Outer Rower), I do this:
Remove the liners from my pants and jacket.
Change to my summer glubs.

Then at the next seasonal change, I zip off the piece of my jacket that goes up the front and around the neck, revealing all the mesh goodness that lives underneath, and open the vents on the jacket sleeves and pants legs.

It's all very simple and civilised.
Four-seasons jacket FTW.