I've searched and found some good info on textile and mess jackets but I'm looking for folks who have experience riding in triple digit desert heat to 40's mountain temps on the same trip (same week). I'm heading out west in about a week from New Orleans to desert southwest up to Reno and San Fransico. Give me your advice...on jackets, that is. I've never done summer desert riding. .....yes I'm going with my stock TG.....anyone?

 

RevIt has some sweet summer mesh jackets...I'm seriously considering the "Airwave." Just waiting for it to go on sale...

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-airwave-jacket

 

I haven't ridden in the desert but I have wore my HD brand textile for years if I'm on the interstate in the summer and continue to wear it on the Trike. I recently bought my wife one. I get crazy looks from people in t-shirts, I smile knowing I am cooler and safer than they are. I've never had any of the body armor in mine, just wear the jacket. It was a 108 yesterday when I was riding with it.

 

I have a HD mesh and a HD leather perforated jackets...both are great but I think the textile mesh is a littler cooler, but the leather offers more protection, ( maybe not as important on the trike).
I also had a First Gear mesh, not any cooler than the HD but it came with a waterproof removable liner which was nice in rain or when it got a littler cool...I think on a trike, I'd go with textile mesh...

As for heat riding, a long sleeve white t-shirt under is nice, also a cool vest, the ones you soak in water works very well....

40 degrees in a mesh, that's going to be very cool....I think I'd pack a lightweight leather jacket or at least a sweatshirt...

 

What about the jacket that baseball players wear ?

 

Being from where your from in the south, I'd plan on everything from a tank top to a heavy leather jacket.
It can be cold ,to at least us, up in the higher elavations at night or in a summer monsoon rain.
Don't forget "plenty of water" & sun screen.
Have a good trip....

 

Where in the southwest desert is your trip taking you?

Last summer (June/July/August), my husband and I did a cross-country trip from Florida to Vegas. We took the toy hauler with the bikes, set up camp and did local day trips and a few overnight trips with the bikes. Got some great riding in Death Valley, Tuscon, Flagstaff, Vegas and surrounding areas, and up into Mesa Verde, Gallup, NM, and Four corners. I wore a lightweight leather vented leather jacket when riding, even though I got funny stares and a "lecture" from my husband how I was going to die in death valley from the heat.

Actually, it was just the opposite. I was rather cool and comfortable while riding. The jacket formed a microenvironment and any perspiration was trapped in the jacket, preventing the wind while riding from blowing it away and dehydrating me faster. It also prevented me from getting too much sun (definitely don't want that in the desert, it will dehydrate you faster). I also wore a full face helmet which helped a lot because heat didn't escape from my head or face and again, I got the effects of a microenvironment. Yes, when we stopped and I took of the jacket and helmet, I was drenched in sweat, but 5 minutes resting in the shade with the dry desert air took care of that.

HOWEVER, that attire worked on two wheels. I really don't think it would work on three (except maybe for the full face helmet). I just got a trike about 2 weeks ago and tried my leather jacket on the trike while riding here in Florida. I do not recommend the leather because of the different wind dynamics on the trike from two wheels. It was way too hot with the usual heat coming from the trike. I went back and got a HD textile jacket, MUCH better. I'm still protected from the sun and with the front lower vents open, get a sufficient amount of wind on my arms and chest to keep me cool. If I was you, I would wear the textile in the desert while riding the trike, you would still have the microenvironment effect and protection from the sun.

For the cooler weather, layers are the best. If room permits, bring a leather jacket. If not, definitely layers with the textile jacket. One thing I found about the trike vs. two wheels is that you will be warmer no matter what. Of course, I came from 2 wheels with no fairing or windshield and got the wind full on, so depending on what you're used to riding pre-trike, you may be used to the wind dynamics.

Whatever you do when doing desert riding, do NOT underestimate the amount of water to bring. I don't remember the recommended amount, but whatever you think you will need, bring double. We bought about 2-3 gallons of water per ride when we did our rides through the desert, and we just about had enough though we could have used more. Dehydration will sneak up on you, especially while riding. You won't "feel" thirsty sometimes but then you'll be hit with the early symptoms of heat exhaustion and will scramble to rehydrate. I would definitely recommend stopping at least once an hour for five minutes to take a few swigs of water, even if you don't feel like you need to stop.

Also, get a rag, bandanna, neck cooler, something. Wet it and wrap it around your neck while riding. That will help keep your body temperature from risising. The important thing when desert riding (and even just hanging out in the desert) is to keep your core body temperature cool and above all, prevent evaporation of perspiration. If the perspiration sits on your skin, though it may seem contradictory, it will actually keep you slightly cooler and keep you from sweating as much.

In the dry air of the desert during the summer, you can literally watch an ice cube evaporate when dropped on the pavement. That's what the air is doing to your body. It's worst when you sweat because the air evaporates your perspiration causing your body to sweat more to cool itself down. The worst part is you won't even FEEL the heat or dehydration until it's too late, especially if you're used to hot weather, which it sounds like you are. Trust me on this, I suffered from severe heat exhaustion while just taking a half hour walk in the salt flats in death valley thinking "hey, this heat isn't bad at all, I feel great, I'm not even sweating!". I left the water in the car figuring it was a short walk. It wasn't until I got back to the car and nearly passed out then got hit with other symptoms of heat exhaustion that I realized how hard the heat hit me.

I would recommend always wearing a hat, pants and long sleeves at all time in the desert, only cotton. If you're not riding, cotton pants and light weight long sleeve cotton shirt is recommended, jeans may be a bit too uncomfortable, but definitely not shorts. Again, you have the perspiration and sun to worry about. My rule of thumb for desert attire was to think of the nomads - they're always covered head to toe. Now I know why...Don't be fooled by the desert winds, they will make you feel comfortable and cool, but there's still the ambient temperature that will suck the life out of you if you let it.

Have fun and be safe! I loved the southwest and would love to go back there again. Just keep in mind the desert climate is completely different from what you're used to in the humid Louisiana environment.

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your experiences....exactly what I was looking for...someone who has been through it. I will be going from New Orlenas, through Vegas and ending up in Reno...that's why I wanted something for desert and cooler weather too without bringing my heavy leather jacket. I've been watching Reno temps and evenings it's into 40's. Will be taking day trips around the Reno, Lake Tahoe area then to the coast of CA and back through San Diego. I think you're right on with the Textile. Thanks again!

 

I live in mid-Atlantic and wear Rev'it Aiwave in high heat. I pretty much have stopped riding w/o real protection from possible road rash so I almost always wear a jacket. Textile is much better than best leather. Lighter, cooler, more effective in a crash.

Just got back from week in NC and Tennessee w/ temps near 100. Jacket was great. Hot when not moving - like everything - otherwise great. When dressing for big heat you must go with light colors. Dark absorbs heat, light reflects. The whiter the better. High temp mesh jackets will be v/ cold in the 40s, but you can make it work. First, get a thin effective windbreaker to go over the jacket. Cutting wind is crucial. I use one of my bicycling rain jackets. Packs small. Second, get thin fleece or wool to wear under the mesh textle. Gotta be thin because protective gear is tight so it stays in place when really needed. I use fleece with a long zipper and mock turtle neck from Patagonia. For added warmth, get silk underwear.

Hydration also is crucial, as noted. I carry an 80 oz Coleman thermos (model 5590), wh/ I fill w/ ice cubes and water. On long hot days in Tenessee my bro and I would refill at least once. The cold water was the best. Just fits in a hard saddle bag.

Have fun.

 

I'm on my second Nitro mesh jacket. First one saved me from road rash and some broken bones when I hit the asphalt at 70mph a couple of years ago.

I am on a trip right now that I have been snowed on and ridden in 102*. In the heat I have a underarmor shirt and the jacket on...pour a little water on it every now and then to keep cool. In the cold I have a gerbing jacket liner and then the liner that came with the jacket to block the wind.

Working out great.