Harley-Davidson Gunnar Mesh Riding Jacket Test
Here in Wisconsin, heartland home to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Sauk Prairie Harley-Davidson, summer-like weather has finally arrived with some welcomed heat and humidity.
It’s finally time to quit riding in snowmobile gear, and start thinking about staying cool as well as looking cool. Harley-Davidson’s MotorClothes folks have some options on both, and one of the more striking is the Gunnar Mesh Riding Jacket.
The jacket is eye-catching from a distance with its bright-white and orange in combination with black front and back, designed in the spirit of H-D competition livery. So, assuming there’s no snow on the ground to blend with the Gunnar’s white body color, the white stands out to aid visibility to other drivers.
The highly visible base-color scheme is accented with bold Harley-Davidson graphics, which are embroidered and printed front and back. Orange and white competition stripes are also sewn on the upper sleeves, and along with rubber patches on the sleeves and left chest. Conspicuity in full daylight should be very good, but there is no reflective piping, logos or striping to enhance visibility in low-light, headlights-on situations.
For maximum airflow, the entire exterior and lining of the jacket is made of an open weave polyester mesh. Airflow is virtually unimpeded through the jacket, with the exception of the CE-approved impact protectors (which are options that can be added) at the shoulders and elbows where pockets for insertion of the protectors are provided. No back protector pocket is provided, however. If impact protectors are not preferred, light padding is provided at the elbows and lower back.
The polyester material makes the jacket very light and soft while providing a tough protective layer. The pliability of the fabric makes the Gunnar Mesh Jacket comfortable, and promotes easy full range of motion even with the impact protectors added. The jacket is strictly a warm-weather garment – there is no zip-out liner provided.
Four zipper-closure pockets are provided: two exterior slash glove pockets that are on the small side, and two interior vertical chest pockets that are on the large side. Heavy duty YKK zippers are used throughout, and all the exterior zippers have large pull tab extenders to make them easy to work with gloves on.
Hook and loop closure fit adjusters are provided at both sides of the waist and at the sleeve cuffs, as well. A low mandarin collar is lined with smooth fabric for comfort, and it fits closely to not run afoul of the lower edge of a helmet. An Action-back design helps keep the fit spot-on around the upper body, and the sleeves are slightly pre-curved, as well.
The Gunnar Mesh Riding Jacket is backed by a one-year limited warranty, and is offered for $120 (not including optional CE approved impact protectors).
For additional information, visit Harley-Davidson.
