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R1200RT - Riding Gear for Hot Weather

I forgot to mention that I wear wicking liners under my mesh gear (and cooling vest if I'm wearing one). They help with the evaporative cooling and keep the mesh gear from sticking to my skin and bunching up.
 
You're not kidding about the "cheap" part! :-D I am trying to imagine how the conversation with my wife is going to go... She'd want a set, too, of course!

In my experience, there's no substitute for good quality gear, especially if you're going to commute or ride often. Also, next to the money you spent on the bike(s), good gear is a mere fraction.

If budget is an issue right now because the recent bike purchases, you can get decent stuff from Revzilla (and other places) and use that for a couple of years before deciding to invest in something custom like the mesh suits or aerostich. My advise would be to avoid some of the very low priced items unless they're heavily discounted because of something like a close out. Some of the super cheap stuff will disintegrate after a couple of uses; there are no shortage of reviews on motorcycle gear, so you can usually figure out what's good and what's junk from reading those.

Good Luck
 
In my experience, there's no substitute for good quality gear, especially if you're going to commute or ride often. Also, next to the money you spent on the bike(s), good gear is a mere fraction.

If budget is an issue right now because the recent bike purchases, you can get decent stuff from Revzilla (and other places) and use that for a couple of years before deciding to invest in something custom like the mesh suits or aerostich. My advise would be to avoid some of the very low priced items unless they're heavily discounted because of something like a close out. Some of the super cheap stuff will disintegrate after a couple of uses; there are no shortage of reviews on motorcycle gear, so you can usually figure out what's good and what's junk from reading those.

Good Luck

Oh, don't mistake my comment about the prices as unwillingness to purchase quality equipment or an inability to put it in the budget. We have already made significant investments in riding gear and will continue to do so.

My wife and I are newcomers to riding and getting accustomed to the cost of it is just part of the learning experience. We have never shied away from paying for quality. One of the reasons why we made the step up to the RTs.
 
Both my wife and I wear Klim Induction short gloves in hot weather.
We have the previous generation of the glove.
The big thing we like is the narrow short cuff allows air to get up our sleeves on our RSs.
Not sure if you'll be able to get air up your sleeves on a RT.

Here's a review of the current Klim Induction short glove.
<iframe width="1227" height="690" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QyTLVxSdtjM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Good suggestion! We tried the Klim Mojave Pro. My wife is keeping hers. For some reason the 2XL I ordered were still very tight and leaving impression marks on my hands. I have large hands, but those felt more like an LG or XL at best. I might try the Induction next.

How's the air flow with them?
 
Good suggestion! We tried the Klim Mojave Pro. My wife is keeping hers. For some reason the 2XL I ordered were still very tight and leaving impression marks on my hands. I have large hands, but those felt more like an LG or XL at best. I might try the Induction next.

How's the air flow with them?

The last generation short Induction gloves ran one size small for both of us.
I have last generation Klim Element gloves in XL and needed XXL in the short Induction gloves.
Debbie has Klim Induction long gloves in Large and needed XL in the short Induction gloves.
 
So, taking the article posted earlier into consideration, and the suggestions various posters made so far, here's what I gathered:

Above 93F degrees air temperature, sitting behind the fairing and windshield on the RT, the best way to deal with the heat is to wear a mesh jacket with a cooling vest underneath. That makes sense, as the vest takes care of the convection evaporative effect so the hot wind does not contribute to the dehydrating effect (as much) on the skin/body. For that matter, if a stronger cooling effect is desired, keep the windshield down and re-charge the cooling vest more often to keep the evaporating effect going.

Loved the summary picture posted earlier, so I did some OCR text conversion on it for esier copying. Here it is:

In Summary
The magic number is 93. Below 93°F, it's fairly easy to stay cool on a motorcycle as long as you are moving fast enough to get some wind against your skin for convective cooling. A mesh riding suit feels great.

Above 93°F, it's a different world. The wind is no longer your friend.

For long distance riding in temperature higher than 93°F, you need to:

1. Minimize your body's exposure to direct wind blast.
2. Wear wicking undergarments, including a helmet liner.
3. Carry an adequate supply of cool water and drink frequently.
4. Insulate any parts of your body exposed to engine heat or radiator discharge.

Dress right, drink right, and enjoy the ride.
 
So, taking the article posted earlier into consideration, and the suggestions various posters made so far, here's what I gathered:

Above 93F degrees air temperature, sitting behind the fairing and windshield on the RT, the best way to deal with the heat is to wear a mesh jacket with a cooling vest underneath. That makes sense, as the vest takes care of the convection evaporative effect so the hot wind does not contribute to the dehydrating effect (as much) on the skin/body. For that matter, if a stronger cooling effect is desired, keep the windshield down and re-charge the cooling vest more often to keep the evaporating effect going.

Loved the summary picture posted earlier, so I did some OCR text conversion on it for esier copying. Here it is:

In Summary
The magic number is 93. Below 93°F, it's fairly easy to stay cool on a motorcycle as long as you are moving fast enough to get some wind against your skin for convective cooling. A mesh riding suit feels great.

Above 93°F, it's a different world. The wind is no longer your friend.

For long distance riding in temperature higher than 93°F, you need to:

1. Minimize your body's exposure to direct wind blast.
2. Wear wicking undergarments, including a helmet liner.
3. Carry an adequate supply of cool water and drink frequently.
4. Insulate any parts of your body exposed to engine heat or radiator discharge.

Dress right, drink right, and enjoy the ride.

Good Summary!
 
Since this thread is about riding an R1200RT fully faired bike I'll agree that mesh may be appropriate. But I would caution riders of bikes with less wind protection to be very careful because in the wind on a hot day mesh can kill you.
 
Since this thread is about riding an R1200RT fully faired bike I'll agree that mesh may be appropriate. But I would caution riders of bikes with less wind protection to be very careful because in the wind on a hot day mesh can kill you.

That's a great point, Paul!

I took the bikes in yesterday to get them inspected for registration purposes, and one of the techs at the inspection station struck up a conversation about the RT, specifically about the shield. He pointed to his Harley that he had just installed his windshield that morning because the weather forecast was saying we would get rain and he didn't want to get wet. Not sure what gear he wears when he's out riding, but it looked like he didn't have any beyond wearing his t-shirt. Besides the obvious ATGATT point, he didn't strike me as taking his Harley out for long tours, so trying to explain to him why we would want to have the fairing and the windshield on the RT even in the hot Texas summer months produced some quizzical looks and remarks.

The point is that there is so much more to riding motorcycles than I would have imagined when we first started. It is quite enlightening getting all the input, and I certainly appreciate the knowledge and insights!
 
The best isn't cheap but it's the best :) https://www.motoport.com/product/ultra-ii-air-mesh-jacket/ I got the pants too.

Jay

👍👍 to Motoport, there gear is top quality, only complaint is hi-viz jacket has faded badly, patina or a seagull got me
I wear a cooling vest and soak in water neck gator on hot days, good for about 2.5to 3 hours in dry temps
LeeParks short gloves in warm weather
Sidi Allroad gortex boots
Pretty happy with this setup

Jim
 
Whether or not to wear mesh is on par with the "which oil/tire is best" religious wars of motorcycle message boards.

The general argument against mesh in very high temps (repeated at least half a dozen times here) is that "you will sweat too much and dehydrate if you ride in mesh and it's too hot and or humid." To this I say poppycock. And balderdash. And any other old-timey fighting words I can think of. It never made any sense to me. The more of your sweat that evaporates, the less you will sweat. This is basic physiology. You won't sweat more simply because you are evaporating it faster riding in the wind - there is no amount of sweat on your skin your body is trying to maintain so it will replace it faster. If you evaporate a lot and it removes heat (by conduction from the skin and evaporative cooling) your body temperature will drop and you will sweat less.

Lots of people die from heat stroke in "sweat lodges" where they are in high heat with no air flow. Plenty of people also suffer heat injuries in hot tubs and spas. So why would anyone recommend less cooling while riding a motorcycle? The basic protocol for treating heat injuries is to get airflow over the skin as fast as possible if other cooling methods aren't available. It only makes sense that one would want to do this while riding.

The answer to "how do I ride safely in extreme heat" isn't "dress warmer." It's "drink more."

One of the best discussions I've read form someone who asked an expert is here https://advrider.com/f/threads/mesh-or-not-above-100-degrees-f.396906/. Few people know more about how to handle heat stress than scientists at the Soldier Systems Lab in Natick, MA - the people who are responsible for keeping our soldiers safe in the desert while humping large rucks. The post author contacted them for advice. One of my neighbors also works there and he rode for years before cancer took him last summer. He wore mesh. Read the second half of the post for details, but the summary of the expert:

His bottom line...

Above 100 degrees - Wear mesh

For some additional science, the National Association of Athletic Trainers has guidelines for preventing heat illness in athletes. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164365/. They remind trainers that the guidelines are based on athletes wearing a t-shirt and shorts. When it's hot and humid their recommendation isn't "have athletes put on more clothes," it is:

The most important factors are to limit intensity and duration of activity, limit the amount of clothing and equipment worn, increase the number and length of rest breaks, and encourage proper hydration.
.

The idea that mesh leads to dehydration faster than full-coverage clothing when it's really hot or humid is just flat wrong. If anything, what happens is that mesh works, people feel more comfortable, sweat evaporates, so people forget to stop and take breaks. But bundling up in less-ventilated clothing isn't the solution to that problem. Stopping and drinking more is.

My strategy: any time it's above 80 for a significant portion of the day, I wear mesh. In 95% humidity or in 107° dry Arizona heat. My Darien and AD-1 pants are fine up to 80°, but after that it's mesh, mesh, and more mesh, with wicking undergarments.

Good luck.
 
Whether or not to wear mesh is on par with the "which oil/tire is best" religious wars of motorcycle message boards.

The general argument against mesh in very high temps (repeated at least half a dozen times here) is that "you will sweat too much and dehydrate if you ride in mesh and it's too hot and or humid." To this I say poppycock. And balderdash. And any other old-timey fighting words I can think of. It never made any sense to me. The more of your sweat that evaporates, the less you will sweat. This is basic physiology. You won't sweat more simply because you are evaporating it faster riding in the wind - there is no amount of sweat on your skin your body is trying to maintain so it will replace it faster. If you evaporate a lot and it removes heat (by conduction from the skin and evaporative cooling) your body temperature will drop and you will sweat less.

Lots of people die from heat stroke in "sweat lodges" where they are in high heat with no air flow. Plenty of people also suffer heat injuries in hot tubs and spas. So why would anyone recommend less cooling while riding a motorcycle? The basic protocol for treating heat injuries is to get airflow over the skin as fast as possible if other cooling methods aren't available. It only makes sense that one would want to do this while riding.

The answer to "how do I ride safely in extreme heat" isn't "dress warmer." It's "drink more."

One of the best discussions I've read form someone who asked an expert is here https://advrider.com/f/threads/mesh-or-not-above-100-degrees-f.396906/. Few people know more about how to handle heat stress than scientists at the Soldier Systems Lab in Natick, MA - the people who are responsible for keeping our soldiers safe in the desert while humping large rucks. The post author contacted them for advice. One of my neighbors also works there and he rode for years before cancer took him last summer. He wore mesh. Read the second half of the post for details, but the summary of the expert:



For some additional science, the National Association of Athletic Trainers has guidelines for preventing heat illness in athletes. See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC164365/. They remind trainers that the guidelines are based on athletes wearing a t-shirt and shorts. When it's hot and humid their recommendation isn't "have athletes put on more clothes," it is:

.

The idea that mesh leads to dehydration faster than full-coverage clothing when it's really hot or humid is just flat wrong. If anything, what happens is that mesh works, people feel more comfortable, sweat evaporates, so people forget to stop and take breaks. But bundling up in less-ventilated clothing isn't the solution to that problem. Stopping and drinking more is.

My strategy: any time it's above 80 for a significant portion of the day, I wear mesh. In 95% humidity or in 107° dry Arizona heat. My Darien and AD-1 pants are fine up to 80°, but after that it's mesh, mesh, and more mesh, with wicking undergarments.

Good luck.

What I love about this place is getting input from different sides. Ever seen "Fiddler on the Roof"? Remember where there's an argument that breaks out and one side tells him their story with his response "You're right!". Quickly followed be the other side's argument and a "You're right!". And another one being bothered by the contracdicting confirmation, followed by "You're right, too!" :-D

I'll follow up on those links you sent. I'm not a rocket scientist, but the concept of wearing mesh with plenty of air flow through it AND a wet cooling vest underneath to do the evaborating and not the skin seems to make sense to me. Have to try it all. Already got the mesh jacket, now just have to find a cheap cooling vest to try it with. Own testing done.

All that to say, I'm good looking at different solutions offered and then drawing conclusions from my own experience. Simple as that.

So, again, thanks for weighing in. I love science...
 
I live where riding in July-August involves 100+ with low humidity on a regular basis. I had worked outdoors smelling creosote poles most of my career under same conditions. Have lived in 80% humidity 100 degree locations and 30% humidity 100 degree locations...they are completely different.

That said, both camps are close to being correct. Wearing tank tops in the sun and not sweating caused issues, wearing Nomex fire retardant long sleeved shirts where you did sweat a lot also did.
I have ridden with no gear,some gear,lot's of gear and know what's good for me. Had an RT, it didn't change my gear selection compared to a GS, or a naked R or S.

Hydration always helped and is key. Also conditioning the body for extremes was key. You can't stay in climate controlled environments all week and then expect to operate in extreme heat very well. Building up heat resistance should be in the toolkit.

We have mesh, ventilated and some not so ventilated gear. When we wear mesh, with a wet vest underneath in low humidity, the vest dries in short order and you have a hot insulated layer now. Wetting often helps, but not always practical at (legal)75mph crossing west TX. When we wear ventilated jackets, the evaporation slows and we can go further comfortably. I have found that mesh is good for short rides for me, but if traveling go with what will work on all the environments I intend to encounter...and mesh is not it. If caught in a long wet ride, the airflow now brings hypothermia into the mix...as bad or worse than the heat issues.
We do wear technical fabrics and stopped wearing cotton on long rides as well...tightly whities may have you looking for MonkeyButt powder sooner:whistle
I respect all the studies and experts , some may actually ride motorcycles in the SW heat...I'll do what has worked for me and tweak when I find it does not.

When I see military and long time desert dwellers, they are completely covered and do not see much mesh...but that's my experiences and observations
 
Sorry, Grumpy, I just don't believe what you say about mesh. I have mesh and wear it for short rides. I can't go with mesh crossing the very hot great plains. I get dehydrated too easily on a bike and then I get A-fib, which sucks.

<a href="https://www.fix.com/blog/motorcycle-riding-in-hot-weather/"><img src="https://www.fix.com/assets/content/15429/riding-in-hot-weather-embed-large.png" border="0" /></a><br />Source: <a href="https://www.fix.com/blog/">Fix.com Blog</a>

Harry
 
By the way, I became convinced that covering up is better in very hot temps while approaching the Salt Lake City rally in LA-style stop and crawl traffic. Raising my faceshield while moving didn't cool me off, it made me hotter. Proof enough for me...

Harry
 
It's a great topic to disagree on. And I do understand the issues from very hot weather above 99° or so. But the idea that closing up jacket vents will stop heat gain usually doesn't pan out in the real world. I worked for a time in a glassblower's shop, and radiational heating around the open kiln mouths was absolutely an issue. The garments donned to reduce that were reflective to one degree or another and also insulated. Most motorcycle jackets are neither, and that to me is the issue. An uninsulated motorcycle jacket might only remove a tiny bit of the radiational heating and some of the convective heating. But think fabric or leather probably does more harm by reducing your ability to cool through evaporation than it helps by reducing inbound heat load.

And if I were riding my old cruiser without a windshield, I'd be 100% with you guys staying away from mesh above 99°. But this thread started because of a concern that our RTs block too much airflow, which I have found to be the case and hate in the Summer but love in the cold. So the tupperware and windscreen are doing the job for us of reducing convective heating above 99°, we don't have to add additional clothing to that. Perhaps then, I can add nuance to my experiences in the desert and in humid Summers.

Above 80° I usually switch to mesh gear and ride with the windscreen low. Above 99°, rather than switching out of mesh, I raise the screen and reduce the airflow (though I usually keep it low enough to at least make the top vent of my helmet work). On an RT with the ability to adjust airflow, I still don't find it persuasive that mesh dehydrates you faster.

Last Summer in Arizona, this proved to be the key to reasonable comfort and reasonable ability to stay hydrated. I found myself feeling much better after several hours at 109° with the screen up and my jacket ventilated, than I did with the screen down and a full textile jacket zipped.
 
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