European sports bike tour - what to wear?
Discussion
I know this has been done and discussed at length before but I still can't seem to find the answer to whats best to wear for my specific circumstances.....
In under a months time I'll be completing 2500 odd miles on my CBR 954 across the Pyrenees and the Alps before all going well, heading back to the tunnel via Germany. Experience tells me September can still be baking hot in most of the areas I'll be passing through but equally rain is still a possibility. Last time I did a euro trip I wore a mix of basic textiles with sidi rain boots and summer gloves which whilst I kept mostly dry and just about cool enough (just), I a) never felt hugely protected given the pace I was riding at and b) did/do tend to flap about a bit especially with the vents open.
Main suggested clothing options from looking through old topics seems to be:
Leathers - (hot but otherwise comfortable and offer good protection?)
Textiles - (Lightweight, less hot than leathers but flap about and less protection?)
Textile jacket & jeans - (As above but jeans more comfortable/casual - are jeans up to hard hot weather alpine riding?)
Leather Jacket & Jeans - (A good mix if Jeans are considered up to the job?)
So....what do people specifically recommend as the best compromise for a September european trip at pace on a sports bike?
In under a months time I'll be completing 2500 odd miles on my CBR 954 across the Pyrenees and the Alps before all going well, heading back to the tunnel via Germany. Experience tells me September can still be baking hot in most of the areas I'll be passing through but equally rain is still a possibility. Last time I did a euro trip I wore a mix of basic textiles with sidi rain boots and summer gloves which whilst I kept mostly dry and just about cool enough (just), I a) never felt hugely protected given the pace I was riding at and b) did/do tend to flap about a bit especially with the vents open.
Main suggested clothing options from looking through old topics seems to be:
Leathers - (hot but otherwise comfortable and offer good protection?)
Textiles - (Lightweight, less hot than leathers but flap about and less protection?)
Textile jacket & jeans - (As above but jeans more comfortable/casual - are jeans up to hard hot weather alpine riding?)
Leather Jacket & Jeans - (A good mix if Jeans are considered up to the job?)
So....what do people specifically recommend as the best compromise for a September european trip at pace on a sports bike?
Last September I wore my leather jacket and Kevlar jeans to the Black Forest. With a waterproof suit in my tank bag for easy access.. Luckily didnt need it at all!
On the way back, we missed rain in France by a couple of hours as by the time we got to Reims roads were still pretty wet.
So yes, definitely consider waterproof options.
The rest is down to you and how you will feel comfortable.
Enjoy!
On the way back, we missed rain in France by a couple of hours as by the time we got to Reims roads were still pretty wet.
So yes, definitely consider waterproof options.
The rest is down to you and how you will feel comfortable.
Enjoy!
You will get as many different answers as there are bikers who do Euro jaunts and each of them will be right!!!
What to wear is what you are comfortable in and meets the requirements you have. On the Old Gits trips we get people who will only wear textiles, those who much prefer leathers and those who are happy to mix and match as they go.
My personal approach is to wear Gore-Tex lined boots and gloves as these work rain or shine, hot or cold. I wear my BKS made-to-measure 2 piece (full zip waist) leathers as these are extremely comfortable when riding and offer the best crash protection. My suit is at least partially vented so coping in hot weather is OK but I do still “notice the heat”. The ability to unzip and remove the jacket when off the bike is invaluable. I really wouldn’t want 1 piece leathers.
I then carry a simple, unlined, 2 piece, waterproof over suit. While primarily there for rain protection it’s also useful if the temperature drops. I’ve ridden in near freezing mountain top conditions with just a tee shirt under my leathers and the over suit on. The over suit approach also has the advantage of not taking up much luggage space.
What to wear is what you are comfortable in and meets the requirements you have. On the Old Gits trips we get people who will only wear textiles, those who much prefer leathers and those who are happy to mix and match as they go.
My personal approach is to wear Gore-Tex lined boots and gloves as these work rain or shine, hot or cold. I wear my BKS made-to-measure 2 piece (full zip waist) leathers as these are extremely comfortable when riding and offer the best crash protection. My suit is at least partially vented so coping in hot weather is OK but I do still “notice the heat”. The ability to unzip and remove the jacket when off the bike is invaluable. I really wouldn’t want 1 piece leathers.
I then carry a simple, unlined, 2 piece, waterproof over suit. While primarily there for rain protection it’s also useful if the temperature drops. I’ve ridden in near freezing mountain top conditions with just a tee shirt under my leathers and the over suit on. The over suit approach also has the advantage of not taking up much luggage space.
MattOz said:
When I've done the same, I always wear leathers and have a SIDI one piece waterproof suit to throw on if needed. Sure, boots and gloves may get a little damp, but that's all. Definitely needed the waterproofs a couple of times due to thunderstorms in the Alps.
That. Spare gloves are handy if you have room just in case one pair gets soaked.
Interesting. Ive only ever worn leathers on track or on hour jaunts max but im guessing leathera no catching the wind/air so much might be less tiring too....
Spare gloves is something i learnt on the last euro trip. Day one turning up to hotel with frozen hands from being soaked through all day wasnt fun..
Spare gloves is something i learnt on the last euro trip. Day one turning up to hotel with frozen hands from being soaked through all day wasnt fun..
2 base layers (wash one wear one), leathers and a set of over the top waterproofs if need. Assuming you're in touring boots a d have a set of winter gloves in your tailpack you're all good.
Pair of jeans, pair of trainers and pants and socks each day plus a couple of t-shirts. Toolkit and washkit and you're sorted.
I've done it year on year on a 20l tailpack and still always taken too much.
Pair of jeans, pair of trainers and pants and socks each day plus a couple of t-shirts. Toolkit and washkit and you're sorted.
I've done it year on year on a 20l tailpack and still always taken too much.
Brads67 said:
I've never understood these questions.
We live in a country where the weather changes all the bloody time. What would you wear here ?.
Seriously, wear what you find most comfortable and will suit as many situations as poss. Hardly rocket etc.
If you have difficulty in understanding why someone with little experience would ask a question to a group with potentially a lot more experience, about a situation that he hasnt experienced and would be hard pressed to experience in the UK where he lives, then I'd suggest rocket science is most definitely not for you.We live in a country where the weather changes all the bloody time. What would you wear here ?.
Seriously, wear what you find most comfortable and will suit as many situations as poss. Hardly rocket etc.
Ive never owned a pair of kevlar jeans and never ridden 2500 odd miles in a pair of leathers. Personally ive also never visited the part of the Uk where it can quite easily be 35 - 40 odd degrees and then quickly start pissing it down.....
Andybow said:
I wear Kevlar jeans, Goretex boots, airtex jacket, Goretex gloves, but take vented gloves as well, down jacket and 2 piece waterproof packable suit.
Has served me well
Seems im heading down the two piece leathers route with 2 piece waterproof suit in the tail unit but i still like the idea of kevlar jeans. Just worry they dont afford enough protection?Has served me well
Thanks everyone so far!
seismic22 said:
Seems im heading down the two piece leathers route with 2 piece waterproof suit in the tail unit but i still like the idea of kevlar jeans. Just worry they dont afford enough protection?
Thanks everyone so far!
Mate, it’s a trade off by being comfortable against how you want to ride.Thanks everyone so far!
I’ve done many tours over the years, starting in the cold and rain in uk, but having well over 40 degrees in France, Spain and Portugal.
Go with layers as it can get hot, cold, wet windy and everything in between
seismic22 said:
If you have difficulty in understanding why someone with little experience would ask a question to a group with potentially a lot more experience, about a situation that he hasnt experienced and would be hard pressed to experience in the UK where he lives, then I'd suggest rocket science is most definitely not for you.
Ive never owned a pair of kevlar jeans and never ridden 2500 odd miles in a pair of leathers. Personally ive also never visited the part of the Uk where it can quite easily be 35 - 40 odd degrees and then quickly start pissing it down.....
Stop talking rubbish. It was 30 degrees last week then hammered with rain, and that was in Scotland.Ive never owned a pair of kevlar jeans and never ridden 2500 odd miles in a pair of leathers. Personally ive also never visited the part of the Uk where it can quite easily be 35 - 40 odd degrees and then quickly start pissing it down.....
And yes, how difficult can it be to choose what to wear on a bike.Wear what you would wear on an all day ride normally.
Last summer I about 3500 miles from Scotland to Plymouth then ferry to Santander, around the Picos then across Spain. Over and under the Pyrenees through Andorra and up through France to Cherbourg with a ferry ride to Poole and a ride back up north. I wore adv type boots and CE rated aramid cargo trousers. A Dainese d Explorer jacket and summer and mid-season waterproof gloves.
The jacket has zip out panels front and back and removable goretex and thermal liners leaving just mesh.
It was 30-40 degrees most of the time which meant all vents open and keeping moving. It was easy to close vents and refit liners for the 2 times I got rained on and when going under and over the Pyrenees.
I also wore helly hansen wicking base layers.
The jacket has zip out panels front and back and removable goretex and thermal liners leaving just mesh.
It was 30-40 degrees most of the time which meant all vents open and keeping moving. It was easy to close vents and refit liners for the 2 times I got rained on and when going under and over the Pyrenees.
I also wore helly hansen wicking base layers.
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