The wife and I ride in almost all weather conditions.
I know some of you do also. So I have a question for you.
The wife is in need of a new riding jacket/pants combo.
She is looking at the Firstgear Kilimanjaro. Firstgear Women's Kilimanjaro Jacket - RevZilla
She is moving up from Joe Rocket gear.
She is a passenger on my bike and wants protection to ride 3 seasons.
So what do ya'll think of this gear and what do you have that works for your passenger?
All input will be appreciated.
Miles By Motorcycle
established 12 years ago
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I took a long hard look at the Kilimanjaro but thought, if I remember correctly, that the venting left something to be desired.
Where do you live? Here around DC the majority of riding weather is so ridiculously hot that having some kind of serious mesh with some layering helps.
AGrip has an Olympia jacket/pants combination that she really likes. We upgraded the armor. I believe it's the Airglide, if memory serves.
Where do you live? Here around DC the majority of riding weather is so ridiculously hot that having some kind of serious mesh with some layering helps.
AGrip has an Olympia jacket/pants combination that she really likes. We upgraded the armor. I believe it's the Airglide, if memory serves. I've worn the Kilamanjaro jacket for over 10 years. I bought one and then 6 years later I bought the newer version at the time. I have nothing but good things to say about that jacket. That was my go to travel jacket. I wore it 3 out of 4 seasons. The only reason I don't wear it anymore is because I wanted something with a little more style.
We travel for my job Yermo. Right now, we are in Knoxville, TN. No bike as this is a short job in winter.
We should be in East Tejas for the next two years after this short stint up here though.
And no, we don't wear gear in the summers down there. Just way too hot IMHO. I know I know! But it is a question of heat stroke or being able to cope.
We should be in East Tejas for the next two years after this short stint up here though.
And no, we don't wear gear in the summers down there. Just way too hot IMHO. I know I know! But it is a question of heat stroke or being able to cope.
I hear ya.
When these were first mentioned to me, I was very skeptical. As long as the humidity is less than 80% or so they seem to make a world of difference. In dry heat, the effect is amazing as I rode through 110degF desert heat this summer hardly having any trouble at all. YMMV.
When these were first mentioned to me, I was very skeptical. As long as the humidity is less than 80% or so they seem to make a world of difference. In dry heat, the effect is amazing as I rode through 110degF desert heat this summer hardly having any trouble at all. YMMV.
Yermo wrote:
I hear ya.
When these were first mentioned to me, I was very skeptical. As long as the humidity is less than 80% or so they seem to make a world of difference. In dry heat, the effect is amazing as I rode through 110degF desert heat this summer hardly having any trouble at all. YMMV.
I may look into what you posted, interesting to say the least!
I have that jacket--functional it is; fashionable it isn't. I wear it 3 seasons, and switch to a mesh jacket or lighter weight textile in the Summer because this would be way too much for hot weather. I have the light color for better visibility in the dark. This color does show dirt quickly and doesn't clean easily. But, it's fairly water resistant and wind resistant and is adjustable, comfortable and has good storage.
Yermo wrote:
When these were first mentioned to me, I was very skeptical. As long as the humidity is less than 80% or so they seem to make a world of difference. In dry heat, the effect is amazing as I rode through 110degF desert heat this summer hardly having any trouble at all. YMMV.
If Yermo was happy with this in that kind of heat, it must work really well! He doesn't like the heat so much, wouldn't you say, Yermo?
I have yet to try gear like that, but I also haven't ridden in hot weather since my last trip to California over four years ago. It just doesn't get hot here on Vancouver Island.
Yea, I admit it was pretty amazing how well they work. As 
Ian mentions I don't do well in the heat at all, but even in the hottest desert heat I was able to manage just fine. It was hot but not unbearable.
But they work off evaporation so in extreme high humidity or if you have gear that has no air flow they may offer little benefit. The lower the humidity, the higher the benefit.
Ian mentions I don't do well in the heat at all, but even in the hottest desert heat I was able to manage just fine. It was hot but not unbearable. But they work off evaporation so in extreme high humidity or if you have gear that has no air flow they may offer little benefit. The lower the humidity, the higher the benefit.
So far, I have two women that have this jacket and have nothing but good things to say about it. Fashion won't save your hide in a slide if you get that meaning. I think my SO will be happy with this choice. She is all about function over style.
I have the Rainier Jacket and pants combo and it has held up VERY well in five years. I couple this with a Widder vest when the temps drop significantly. So far it works for me.
Does anyone know if the newer jackets have better ventilation?
I have the Rainier Jacket and pants combo and it has held up VERY well in five years. I couple this with a Widder vest when the temps drop significantly. So far it works for me.
Does anyone know if the newer jackets have better ventilation?
Unfortunately, I don't know. But Revzilla's videos tend to do a good job at showing all the features/benefits:
Firstgear Women's Kilimanjaro Jacket - RevZilla
Purchase the Firstgear Women's Kilimanjaro Jacket at RevZilla Motorsports. Get the best free shipping & exchange deal anywhere, no restock fees and the lowest prices -- guaranteed.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...
The jacket I currently wear is a Joe Rocket. It is a little more stylish and I actually look like a woman when I wear it. It has armor in the arms, shoulders and back. It's textile and I'm certain it will protect me in a slide. The challenge of being a woman rider is to find protective gear that makes you look good as well. Sorry I'm just slightly vain.
I suspect options for female riders will only increase going forward as they now represent the fastest growing segment.
I have a Firstgear Kilamanjaro 4 that I love. I live in northern AZ (colder than Phoenix) and commute all winter with it. I find it gets uncomfortable to use above about 90 degrees. I also bought a Firstgear Mesh Tex jacket to use in the summer. I find that either a fleece or a windbreaker is adequate much of the time in the spring/fall weather before I break out the heavier one.
Interestingly I use Joe Rocket ventilated pants, and just slip fleece lined windpants under them in cool weather. Not much rain around here though.
Interestingly I use Joe Rocket ventilated pants, and just slip fleece lined windpants under them in cool weather. Not much rain around here though.
What's the difference between the Kilimanjaro 4 and this jacket?
This is the mesh jacket you use?
Which model of joe rocket pants?
Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jacket - RevZilla
Purchase the Firstgear Kilimanjaro Jacket at RevZilla Motorsports. Get the best free shipping & exchange deal anywhere, no restock fees and the lowest prices -- guaranteed.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...
This is the mesh jacket you use?
Firstgear Mesh Tex Jacket - RevZilla
Purchase the Firstgear Mesh Tex Jacket at RevZilla Motorsports. Get the best free shipping & exchange deal anywhere, no restock fees and the lowest prices -- guaranteed.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...
Which model of joe rocket pants?
I don't think that there is any difference in the Kilamanjaro's, except maybe yearly changes by the mfr. Mine is about 6 years old. If I remember, they had just changed from the K-3 to K-4.
Yes the Mesh Tex jacket is what I have. As long as I am not in stop and go traffic, it is bearable on hot days. I purchased a Goldwing a year ago, and it doesn't let a lot of air get behind the windshield.
My pants are the JoeRocket Phoenix 3 mesh pants. Getting them was my commitment to complete my safety apparel outfit. I always wear helmet, gloves and jacket, but pretended that regular pants were okay.
Thanks for the interest.
Yermo, maybe you could shoot me a note about how you got the revzilla ad with photo in your reply. Thx.
Yes the Mesh Tex jacket is what I have. As long as I am not in stop and go traffic, it is bearable on hot days. I purchased a Goldwing a year ago, and it doesn't let a lot of air get behind the windshield.
My pants are the JoeRocket Phoenix 3 mesh pants. Getting them was my commitment to complete my safety apparel outfit. I always wear helmet, gloves and jacket, but pretended that regular pants were okay.
Thanks for the interest.
Yermo, maybe you could shoot me a note about how you got the revzilla ad with photo in your reply. Thx.
woodshed I have to improve it (and I'm working on it) but what you can do is copy and paste a product link from revzilla and after pasting it press the SPACE bar. A dropdown a la facebook will appear letting you edit the description and add some tags for the item. When you click SAVE it'll insert it into the forum post. It'll also let you know if someone else has already saved that link, in which case the tags you add will be added to the listing. In a future release you'll be able to see all tags applied to links/photos/maps/roads/etc in addition to the ones you yourself have applied.
You can then, in the search box look for things you have tagged or that everyone has tagged.
You can then, in the search box look for things you have tagged or that everyone has tagged.
The pants you mentioned:
Joe Rocket Phoenix 3.0 Pants - RevZilla
Purchase the Joe Rocket Phoenix 3.0 Pants at RevZilla Motorsports. Get the best free shipping & exchange deal anywhere, no restock fees and the lowest prices -- guaranteed.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...
Firstgear TPG Expedition Suit - RevZilla
Purchase the Firstgear TPG Expedition Suit at RevZilla Motorsports. Get the best free shipping & exchange deal anywhere, no restock fees and the lowest prices -- guaranteed.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...
Considering this as an alternative to the seriously expensive Aerostitch Roadcrafter lite for this year.
Interesting. I had not heard of this suit before. From the video, it doesn't seem to be as durably made as the Aerostich gear but it's hard to argue with the price difference.
I too rode a wing for many years in hot weather--do you have vent wings on your fairing? I did, and it made a significant difference in air flow. Also, if your stock windshield doesn't have a vent at the bottom, you can get aftermarket shields that do.
That is a good idea to add vent wings. I've only had the Wing a year, and only 2 trips on it. Luckily my long one was in November, and most of the time I was more worried about warmth. (my photo was taken in Bisbee AZ, a cute old mining town in southern AZ)
I need to replace the windshield and I plan to get one with the vent built in. I also plan on getting some footpegs, so I can get my feet out from behind the cylinder heads.
I need to replace the windshield and I plan to get one with the vent built in. I also plan on getting some footpegs, so I can get my feet out from behind the cylinder heads.