Full riding apparel recommendation?

[johnlouisjones]

Hey fellow Texas Strom owners!

I just picked my wee last month and I've already used it everyday for commuting and trips from Waco to DFW and New Braunfels. It's my primary form of transportation, much to the relief of my 160K+ miles Dodge.

I've read several reviews other places, but wanted to hear from other folks that are dealing with the same weather I am (which is HOT).

Regarding the top two companies (Aerostich & Motoport) I've heard Aerostich suits are really sweaty ( I might be okay with that if it's not going to make me faint) but otherwise a great product... and while Motoport probably makes the best apparel they're ruining their business with inefficiency and general F*#$%-ups.

Right now I'm wearing jeans, hiking boots, a "nitro racing" jacket, a DOT approved full-face helmet, and some padded gloves, but from what I've read I might as well be naked from the waist down and my mesh jacket will melt and then weave itself into my arms if I actually go down.

I'm in for the long haul and willing to throw down serious $ for a good set up and any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

:D

-J

[tmcgee]

Good place to buy gear with real world reviews: http://www.newenough.com/

[johnlouisjones]

Good place to buy gear with real world reviews: http://www.newenough.com/


www.newenough.com doesn't seem to offer reviews other than "Great!" and "Good deal!". I'm seeking some real-world-down-home Texan' reviews from fellow stromers.

Also, newenough.com doesn't deal in aerostich OR motoport so there's not going to be any useful comparison reviews either.

I appreciate it, but I'm holding out for better.

:mod2_helpsmilie::mod2_helpsmilie:

[prothos]

I use these pants http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/tmpanttourmaster/tmflexpant

They seem to be a true all year round pants. when converted to mesh they provide good wind flow. I wear them as over my jeans for the trip to work and back. If you plan to use them as over pants i would suggest getting them a size bigger. I have a 32" inseam and they are a little short when i wear over jeans so i would also suggest getting the longs. I did not and wish i would have now.

I have this jacket in last years model for the summer and cool weather. has great cooling. I have been in 101 F days so far.

http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/phoenix_5_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html

[drfood]

You might go over to two wheel Texans and look around. There is a lot of discussion about what to wear (or not to wear) in Texas summers.

www.twtex.com

[johnlouisjones]

Thanks guys.

Two Wheeled Texans is a great resource I didn't know about.

Right on the money.
:p

[strom-boli]

I have a pair of Yamaha textile pants that I got from the dealer that are actually comfy and keep a lot of the engine heat out.

I have a Shift textile jacket which protected me quite well in a 50mph fall.

It depends on what you can take. I've heard that the seat on the wee is quite uncomfortable, but it doesn't bother me. I've heard that the wind with the stock shield is pretty unbearable... doesn't bother me.

The guys at the dealership look at me like I'm an idiot for being in FULL gear with 107 degree weather, but I'd rather be alive and toasty than alive and torn up or dead.

It's not too bad. Just hydrate!!

[The Golden Monkey]

I'm a big fan of Rev'it gear. I bought my Air jacket and Challenge pants at the BMW/Triumph dealer here in Austin (Lone Star Cycle). I think the quality is comparable to BMW and Aerostitch gear, but not as expensive as the 'stitch.

Rev'it makes a whole range of gear from basic mesh to all-season suits to race leathers, as well as gloves, boots, and underclothing. All their stuff uses top of the line materials, with well thought-out details and sharp styling.
You can buy it online at http://www.revzilla.com/brand-revit
The Rev'it online catalog lets you zoom in to see things better: http://revit08uk.v1retail.com/

Like any gear, it's best if you can try it on before buying. Rev'it is cut a little slimmer than most brands, I think because it's a Euro-centric company based in the Netherlands.

[johnlouisjones]

Lonestar BMW/Triumph in Austin is greatness...

You can find them HERE (http://www.lonestarcycle.com/)

:):p:D

They've been voted "Best Gear Selection" in Texas for several years now, and they keep all the goodies on hand.

I went with a Hi-Viz Yellow Bushwacker 3/4 Jacket:

http://store.bobsbmw.com/ProductImages/apparel/jackets/olympia/bushwacker_jkt.neon.y.JPG, Black Airglide 2 Pants, and some Sidi Gortex Touring Boots:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/300/2008_Sidi_On_Road_Gore-Tex_Boots_Black.jpg.

Everything fits great, is easy to get in&out of easily for the office, and I'm annoyingly bright going down the road now while feeling very safe in my skin.

The Sidi boots are definitely a change from some old broken hiking boots, but I've learned to use the side of my foot for shifts and they're breaking in nicely...

Now if Happy Trails will send me my dang luggage I'll be ready to Strom over to Big Bend and camp awhile.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Ride Safely.

-John

[emsdaddy]

Lonestar BMW/Triumph in Austin is greatness...


I went with a Hi-Viz Yellow Bushwacker 3/4 Jacket:

Black Airglide 2 Pants, and some Sidi Gortex Touring Boots:


-John

Alright, so you and I are about in the same boat... I just moved to Dallas from San Diego and brought a set of airglide (jacket and pants) and alpine star goretex boots. Have commuted every day since June 23rd when I got here... Still hot, but at least I get some breeze through the gear. What is goofing me up now is with the rain storms I don't have a great warm weather rain solution... I am not used to the warm rain, the liners in the airglide (and the bushwacker I think) have goretex and thinsulate... Have been worried enough about it that I haven't put them in and therefore have had a few wet rides... Granted the wet feels good but doesn't look so good when you show up to work looking like a sponge.

I also have a phantom suite from olympia (nuclear yellow of course:D), but afraid it will be too hot.

Not a deal killer, just wondering if there is any advise out there.

[meanmotorscooter]

I love my Tourmaster Intake jacket and Venture air mesh pants.

Jacket (http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=269&cat=3)

Pants (http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/product.php?productid=227&cat=4)

[johnlouisjones]

Alright, so you and I are about in the same boat... I just moved to Dallas from San Diego and brought a set of airglide (jacket and pants) and alpine star goretex boots. Have commuted every day since June 23rd when I got here... Still hot, but at least I get some breeze through the gear. What is goofing me up now is with the rain storms I don't have a great warm weather rain solution... I am not used to the warm rain, the liners in the airglide (and the bushwacker I think) have goretex and thinsulate... Have been worried enough about it that I haven't put them in and therefore have had a few wet rides... Granted the wet feels good but doesn't look so good when you show up to work looking like a sponge.

I also have a phantom suite from olympia (nuclear yellow of course:D), but afraid it will be too hot.

Not a deal killer, just wondering if there is any advise out there.

The summer rains in Texas are either a blessing or a blight...

My commute is only about 15 miles (one way) so I just ride through the rain without liners or donning my frog-togs (which will cover the hi-viz, another downside) and show up slightly damp, but I can see it getting pretty swampy if I used either waterproof solution. Especially when it's 95 degrees and pouring rain!

If pressed I'd use the frog-togs in summer and the liners in fall/winter, since the insulated rain-liners would be boiling this time of year...


Funny, my biggest concern is keeping the laptop dry and not my ass!

:-D

[centaur650]

http://www.motoport.com/

their mesh gear is the probably the best there is.

[mtnfsh]

I have a high-viz Olympia Airglide jacket and Airglide 2 overpants that work well for me in hot riding weather. I still get hot if I am sitting still in a line of rush hour traffic but the mesh is good for cooling while underway. The gear is very well constructed and the armor feels a lot more substantial than the stuff in my Firstgear jacket. My only complaint with Olympia gear is that they don't offer a tall sizing option (which helps if you are tall and thin.)