Man, once upon a time I rode from OKC to SA, TX in July in a short sleeve shirt. Worst burn I’ve ever had in my life. Never again.
A jacket is good anytime. Riding in 100 degree TX heat with a full helmet and jacket may not be fun in traffic, but even if you don’t want to hear it, jacket vents work. Feeling the sweat drip down your back or neck, or arms is OK, at least you know your sweating, and when you begin moving, the air moves through the jacket and hits the sweat and cools you off faster. Without a jacket, the sweat immediately evaporates and you don’t even know it. You don’t get the cooling effect, but you do get the burn. It feels like riding in the face of a huge hair dryer
There are all kinds of jackets. Textile mesh with armor can be cool (or as cool as ambient temps will allow). My jacket (textile Triumph retro paddock) serves me well from 100 plus to below freezing. If you ride mostly in warmer temps I would advise against black if you have a choice.
After riding for years in all kinds of weather with a jacket, I’m just not mentally comfortable without one. Just took a weekend trip from northern VA to Milwaukee to pick up another bike and was amazed at the number of people who ride in t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and no helmet. Makes me nervous just to see them. What’s a guy (or a gal for that matter) thinkin who’d let their other half ride without protection?
But hey, whatever flips your switch.
BTW, Rider Wearhouse has a Hoon Cooler that you may want to look at. Great idea.
http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=17471&cat=0&page=1
