Air flow jackets

[Ade B]

I know this comes up every year, but there seems to be loads now on the market and a quick search didn't bring much up...

Am contemplating getting hold of an example of said item - BMW one looks ok but a bit pricey, anyone any experience of air flow jackets in general. Are they cool to wear off the bike (I don't mean style wise).

Will be used mainly for London riding so doesn't need race levels of protection, just enough to hold together in city spill..

Now the temperatures are starting to pick up I'm finding myself taking the train..... as walking around with lid and jacket and bag gets a bit sticky.

Comments appreciated

Ta Ade.

[mdouglas]

I've got a BMW Airflow and also the Rallye (with zips down sleeves to open up panels of mesh).

Airflow is great for dealing with heat, on and off the bike. Just pray you're not wearing it during a cloudburst. Rain coming through the fabric at 60mph+ is like being attacked by a swarm of wasps. Fabric feels well tough enough to deal with a City speed spill.

I was never convinced that the Rallye would deal well with a spill. The mesh is a lightweight fabric that tears if caught in the zip. Fortunately not had to test it! When zips done up, can get hot walking about in the heat.

[Ade B]

Thanks for the reply - will poke around Hein Gericke and BMW to compare.....

Ade

[Daz555]

Frank Thomas do a selection of mesh jackets so might be worth checking them out as well.

[tripe]

Ade,

Fullbore Motorcycles of Watford had some high spec Vanson ones that they were knocking out for £99 earlier this year. Good level of protection.
Bullet I think had some of the lower spec/more air flow ones.

Henry

[jltownshend]

What about BMW's Boulder or New City jackets?

Personally, I find leather cooler in the Summer...

John

[darkness]

The frank Thome one is very good, it even as a waterproof over jacket in a pocket on the back.

[Blackal]

Just bought an Alpinestars "airflow" jacket which seems to be as cool as you can get - without those mesh-zipped slashes.

I bought a pair of BMW airflow boots and the relatively small mesh panels in them let in a surprising amount of coolin air while on the move.

I have an HG Taureg jacket that makes me very aware that lots of "summer" jackets are loose-fitting such that the armour will shift if you have a tumble.

So - if you go for a summer jacket- make sure the armour isn't going to move just because the "loose" jacket feels better.


Al

[Ade B]

Cheers for responses...

More mesh the better - its to wear over a shirt to go to meetings on those 30 degree afternoons which are impending.

Another option would be the basic mesh/armour courier numbers which could be stuffed in a bag... a bit too urban warrior for my liking

Now I'm living 40 mins out from the centre (instead of 20) I can't bring myself to scoot around traffic in just a t shirt...

It seems its all work and no play at the mo though.... or flat DIY



Will keep you posted.

Ade

[JoeC]

Might not be the answer you are looking for but had you thought about buying am armoured vest, like they use in motorcross, and then putting your own casual light weight jacket over it?

[Blackal]

Not a bad idea at all, in that the armour won't move from the areas it is protecting in a spill.................

Al

[twodear]

I've got the first version of the DriRider Airmesh. The price of a BMW jacket would pay for two of these jackets plus shipping. It is light and breathes so well when riding that you aren't aware you're wearing a jacket. I've been caught in the rain with it and the construction meant that I still kept mostly dry even without the liner.

I bought my brother one of these Airmesh II's to use in the USA and it perfectly suits the warm Montana summer weather. Where my early version came with a liner, I see that the liner is an extra option with the Airmesh II.

http://202.45.102.66/page.php?pid=760

[Ade B]

I've got one of these. The price of a BMW jacket would pay for two of these jackets plus shipping. It is a great product; it is light and breathes so well when riding that you aren't aware you're wearing a jacket. I've been caught in the rain with it and the construction meant that I kept mostly dry.

http://202.45.102.66/page.php?pid=760

Thanks TD, looks the sort of thing I'm after - not sure about the environmental impact of shipping one around the world though

I'm a fussy buyer and like to try things on first... Still trying to find time to drop by HG. Am avoiding BMW Park Lane (passed twice this week) due to possible inadvertant test drive booking and accidental spur of the moment bike purchase (they make it appear so easy with their sneaky posh coffee tactics..)

Ade