Thinking about a lightweight Level 3 armor vest for when not wearing a full leather coat. I am concerned about the heat and comfort levels. I would appreciate comments from those of you that use one or have used one.


Other than road rash - how much can that armor really protect you? How is the heat on these hot summer days?

 

Not sure what you mean about a vest, but I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego mesh jacket with outer zip in jacket with armor in the elbows, shoulders, and spine. I think the spine armor is optional now. It's pretty sturdy. It flows air pretty well while moving at highway speeds, but it does get hot at slower speeds and in traffic.

 

I use a full mesh jacket when its hot. Armour in the elbows, shoulders and back. Unless I'm dead stopped, its nice and cool. Mine flows real well. Has made warm weather riding better. I'm AGATT, so a T-shirt is not an option for me.

 

........

....... depends on the crash. If ya high side & tumble, you're probably gonna break something.... armor is for the rash & depending on how far you slide, it'll likely do the job.

 

Not too sure on the levels. The only level 3 vest I know are the bulletproof kind. For a motorcycle get off, you'd want to protect the elbows and shoulders also and a vest won't do.

For cooler riding in warm weather, a good mesh jacket fits the bill, like a RevIt or Firstgear. They usually have the hi-tech protections, including back/spine, and have a waterproof and thermal liners.

Check out Revzilla.com, as they carry the top brands and have short vid descriptions of the products.

 

I've been considering a mesh jacket too, anybody have any experience with Bilt products? House brand of Cycle Gear I think. Looked at one a couple days ago, came with a zip in liner, might make it a three season jacket. That's the only one I have actually tried on so far, so I don't have anything to compare it to.
Gets hot here in BAKErsfield.

 

Bilt stuff can vary depending on who Cycle Gear contracted with. My son has a mesh jacket that is really nice but other Bilt stuff I've looked at is real crap. You have to really look. You're not that far from Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino. That's were of go if I were you. The store is massive and has a huge variety of gear.

 

I have a Bilt mesh jacket with armor. I like it. Very cool while moving. It's quality is decent. You kinda get what tou pay for here.

 

I wear a long sleeve t-shirt under my mesh jackets. It helps to slow evaporation and I'm cooler, while moving. I was surprised at the cost of the HD mesh. I was also surprised at the how many Harley jackets are now available in tall sizes.

 

Watch your fabrics. Not all mesh is the same. Some will stand up to abrasion far better than others.

Bullet proofing is not the same thing as motorcycle body armor. They serve different purposes. The latter is better at motorcycle riding and crash protection.