I’ve been using my BMW AirFlow-2 Jacket for approximately 4000 miles now and have the following critique:

Not many Europeans or North Americans will go for this jacket since the high cost of the garment and relatively short summers make it a low priority.
Here on the continent of perpetual summer it is the most frequently worn gear in my ensemble.

The ventilation is superb and can turn blistering heat when standing still into merely warm air when riding. According to a website I once encountered (forgot which) it was rated the safest “cool” jacket on the market.
Fortunately I have not had the opportunity to test its ability to protect skin and bones but the materials used certainly look up to the job.

Mine’s cut is a little disappointing and it tends to hang like a sack when I strut my stuff – perhaps I merely need to visit the gym…
Obviously it cannot be used in the wet unless you like doing your showering and riding at the same time. It does however keep the dust out.

--- damn, this post sounds very gay...

[This message has been edited by LuckyStriker (edited 16 February 2005).]

Check out the New Scott USA gear. Retails for £140 or so is made by Yoko, but now rebadged Scott.

http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=6564

My 2c worth...
During warm weather I use a 'Draggin Jeans' jacket, bought in oz. Denim Jacket with kevlar lining in appropriate spots. Great in the heat but need to throw a spray jacket over it when it rains (and takes a while to dry if you forget the spray jacket).
Steve

Any reccomendations for the coolest leather jacket? I Like leather better, especially as it ages and breaks in. Anyone have one that doesn't get too hot?

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'05 F650 Dakar

I bought BMW's Atlantic III leather suit a couple of years ago. Best buy I ever did. I use it all the time. Even on the hottest rides it is still cool enough due to the venting system under the arms (only Europe - don't know how it will work under e.g. Kalahari desert heat). It gets better the more I use it. Best of all: BMW has done something with the leather so it only absorbs 20% of the water compared to an ordinary leather suit. If caught by rain, I usually ride it without any rain gear. It gets wet, but a 25 min stop at a gas station dries it out. It's true! And it only leaks water through the seams. You can also buy a gore tex inner layer to keep all the wet out. I prefer a rain gear when it's pouring down, though.

I just bought this jacket and have been riding south of Rome - hot by my standards. While moving it was great. The under arm ventilation fills the jacket with moving air. But pretty hellish when still. All the other bikers on the road including motorway were in t-shirts!

Before you buy anything check these people out: http://www.motoport.com

You cannot get anything better and lighter than kevlar for protection that doesn't mind gettinng wet and dries quickly (it is machine washable)). It is also 10 times stronger than leather and it has all the pads against blunt trauma protection. Kevlar is the same fiber that the military and police use for body armor. It is a mesh design that will be wearable from -20F (with the liner) to over 100F with the liner removed. Pricy but you'll never have to buy anything else again.

Kevlar Touring Jacket:
http://tinyurl.com/2uye3

matching Kevlar Touring pants:
http://tinyurl.com/iobd

I just bought a Hein Gerick Taureg Trail jacket for £90. It looks well made but I have not used it yet. There are loads of vents in the chest/arms and a big panel in the back you can unzip with mesh beneath. If you get Hein Gerick where you are it might be worth a look. Its got protection in the elbows, shoulders and a pretty basic foam back protector.
matt