I’ve got nice leathers and fantastic Winter textiles but want something lighter and comfortable but still water-proof and with decent protection to go touring in the Spring Summer.
Can anyone recommend anything reasonably priced that doesn’t look too, well, Ewan & Charlie wannabee? :w00t:
No.
Have you tried the new Vivienne Westwood summer rubbers?
??:ermm:
I have a pair of Hein Gerike ‘Maxwell Summer III Pants’ - 8th photo down (gurning on the KTM sports bike) on this topic.
I’ve worn them in the rain and they have quite good waterproofing (better than my leathers which allowed freezing water to get into the gusset giving me a nasty surprise!)
They’re also have some mesh panels which felt a bit ‘fresh’ in the weather we had a month ago, but would probably be just right for warmer days. I’ve yet to wear them out in the sun, but will try them tomorrow.
They were £119 if I remember correctly.
Try cling film.
I am also looking for cool (as in looks) & cool (as in temperature) & also protection (armour) trousers because last year, I was sweating my bol*ocks off in my Dianese leathers & today I was warm, especially after a visit to IKEA in Wembley this afternoon.
So what does everyone think of Draggin Jeans(recommended by Infinity at Hanger Lane) or Hein Gericke:
HG AIR II PANTS BLACK/SILVERHG MESH TEX PANTS BLACKThe above are here:http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/index.php/cPath/1_2_99
Also any other recommenadtions to keep your lower half cool this Summer appreciated?
i just came back from this bike accessory shop in High Holborn to look for a summer jacket. There are more winter jackets, less choice on summer jackets. I want a bright colored summer jacket, not those short jackets end at the waist.
I got a great summer jacket by Alpine Stars. It’s all mainly mesh and has a zip out waterproof and windproof liner.
Ordered it online from J&S Accessories. It cost about £100, much less than the RRP. Dainese do some nice ones too.
+1 for She Woolf’s comments. The mesh jackets with armour are good ( I picked up an old Triumph one at Metropolis yonks ago and wear it every summer. Proper armour on elbows and shoulders, room for a back plate, but strong nesh everywhere else to let the wind through. Sort of non-stretchy, but still mesh. Not like those stretchy mesh vests that are for wearing under your real clothes).
If I was ever to replace it, then I’d get something like SW describes above: a mesh jacket with armour AND a zip out waterproof/windproof lining.
TBH, for touring in summer I’d take full w’proofs anyway (every summer tour we’ve done has involved some blistering sun as well as at least one downpour), but the lining would be great for summer short rides to work, and also to make your jkt windproof (as the only drawback of the mesh jackets is that they can get a bit nippy on clear mornings as the wind gets through them)
I’ve had HG Air trousers a couple of times as well. The armour in them is better then nothing, and they seem to me to be a fair bit less abrasion resistant than normal textile trousers.
HTH
Bohn Armor does a mesh suit that goes alone, over a tshirt or under a jacket, it is good quality high density foam, but not great. A bit better is their long underwear, that has pockets for knee, hip, thigh armor, as well as a section that protects the coccyx. with these two items you can ride around in a tshirst and blue Jeans and be much safer than you appear.Have you looked at Knox, yet?
Aerostitch/RidersWearHouse make darned good cloth suits, you can pick colors and if it doesn’t fit you properly they will modify it. Expensive, but very very nice. The High Vis yellow is popular, but they make red, blue, and black, as well as other colors, of ballistic nylon. You can order some items in contrasting colors.
Tinker, thanks for the recommendations.
I know I said I didn’t want to look like a Ewan and Charlie Wannabee, but even I have to draw the limit somewhere (see attached pic of Bohn Body Armor).
Still, I may find it easy to make friends . . ! 
Doesn’t it get a bit too toasty when you get to where you’re going (if you’re wearing extra underwear and armour)?
That’s a good reason not to stop too long?
You can take the Bohn shirt right off if you are not too modest, or are wearing a tshirt. I suppose the under pants, might be a bit excessive. I have a pair of knee/shin guards that strap over or under your clothes, those might be better. And I have seen similar elbow guards, but I have not seen similar shoulder armor. I guess its a design problem.
My problem is I get sunburned easily, and have to wear a long sleeved shirt, early in the riding season.
Bought Draggin Jeans - cargo pants today, and a Dianeese Union blet to zip them to my jacket minus the lining - vented, look good and still with protection.
Checked out the Dianese Union belt, clever. What’s your jacket?
I have the Flanker D-Dry, a good lightweight jacket, but nice and warm with lining.
I just got a Rev’it Airforce jacket with matching pants. The liner is waterproof and winproof and zips out when you don’t need it. There is a little pocket on the back of the jacket to store the liner. Protection seems decent but I have not tested it 
and you can add a Knox back protector. The rubber thing that came with the jacket is not up to much.
Its all the latest mesh construction so good for hot weather. Not sure if I would want to wear it much below 10 though.
http://www.rev-it.co.uk/cat224_1.htm
Mike
Does it only come in that colour? Or what colour is yours?
I got a black one.
Good choice of bike BTW - Like the green 
