Anyone tried this? Never seen it before...

[MightNotBeThere]

A bit bulky and not exactly convenient, but the wuss in me says this could make summer riding OK again.

 

Tried all the evaporative cooling vests & the versions with the cold packs etc, and nothing works well for Louisiana summer.

 

Alex

 

CoolShirt

[BarryBrisco]

That is WAY too much technology for a simple problem. If you're hot, stop and soak a thin cotton shirt in water and pour water over your head. Then wear a riding jacket that is well ventilated over the shirt. Do that every 30 - 60 minutes and it will keep you cool, cost zero dollars, and not require you to pack a bulky piece of equipment on the bike.

[MightNotBeThere]

That is WAY too much technology for a simple problem. If you're hot, stop and soak a thin cotton shirt in water and pour water over your head. Then wear a riding jacket that is well ventilated over the shirt. Do that every 30 - 60 minutes and it will keep you cool, cost zero dollars, and not require you to pack a bulky piece of equipment on the bike.

 

 

For your climate - pleasantly warm, relatively low humidity - you are quite right, a wet shirt works quite well, providing you don't mind stopping every half hour to douse yourself with water. Even better are the evaporative cooling vests which will last the best part of a day, perhaps, and you are dry, too.

 

But whether vest or wet shirt, evaporative cooling ONLY works in a relatively dry atmosphere, where evaporation can take place. In Louisiana (or more or less anywhere along the Gulf Coast, the humidity is so high that evaporative cooling is somewhat ineffective.

 

There's no problem storing the cooling unit, especially on a GS. I always travel solo so I could easily take off the passenger part of the seat, and put the cooler/bag thing there. And if it works, I don't care about the cost.

 

Some people tolerate heat & humidity well, but my metabolism perfers cold. Comfortable in shirt sleeves into the high forties, I'm the guy who starts to sweat at anything above 70°, and I'd be in heaven if I never had another day above 68° and 50% humidity. For me, Louisiana's summer 95° & 98% is just hell - it means I don't ride for those summer months.

 

I've tried all sorts of things - the basic wet tee-shirt which is good for 30 minutes in a dry climate, & evaporative vests can work wonderfully well but not when there is so much moisture in the air, and the frozen things are so-so.

 

I've worked in some strange places with temperatures down to -40°F (which would be more than 70° below freezing) & up +130°F and the toughest (for me) is about what we have here. For me, the Mid West's 100°+ when it is dry isn't a big deal as the evaporative stuff does such a good job, but the humidity at temperatures lower than that is what drives me crazy.

 

Yes, I live in the wrong place!

 

Alex

[Mr_Ed]

Nice concept but I also agree that it's too bulky. If it's price was less than half of the ~400 price I MIGHT consider it for occasional use.

[smiller]

A neat idea but a little too bulky/complex to be practical I think. But you're right in that in humid environments none of the simpler solutions are effective enough to be worth using either. I would love to see some kind of truly practical and effective product developed, regardless of cost.

[MightNotBeThere]

Nice concept but I also agree that it's too bulky. If it's price was less than half of the ~400 price I MIGHT consider it for occasional use.

 

Definitely more bulk than I'd like, but given a choice of bulk or no riding, I know which I'd go with.

 

As for cost,, it isn't inexpensive for sure, but I could dispense with a couple of jackets from an overfilled bike clothing rack which would cut the effective cost in half! As a percentage of all the money I've invested - hah! read "burnt" just like everyone else (not many of us "need" that StainTune pipe) - on motorcyles and motorcycling, another $400 is insignificant, just another too-expensive accessory. You have to consider this is really seriously expensive race car technology, adapted down so Joe Blow can afford it...

 

Alex

[Stan Walker]

I would love to see some kind of truly practical and effective product developed, regardless of cost.

 

It's already here, it's called a car.......

 

Stan

[smiller]

A car may be practical but it is not much else...

[Twisties]

So you put ice water in bag? Any way to control the amount of flow or temp of water? Seems overpriced and I doubt it works all that well.

[T__]

A neat idea but a little too bulky/complex to be practical I think. But you're right in that in humid environments none of the simpler solutions are effective enough to be worth using either. I would love to see some kind of truly practical and effective product developed, regardless of cost.

 

 

Seth, rumor has it that GoldWing is coming out with an air conditioning system in the near future.. Engine mounted compressor, evaporator, etc, with ductwork to be used with some sort of shirt or undergarment that mates up with the ductwork.. I don’t know but sounds interesting..

 

Twisty

[MightNotBeThere]

So you put ice water in bag? Any way to control the amount of flow or temp of water? Seems overpriced and I doubt it works all that well.

 

That seems pretty negative for someone who clearly doesn't know that much about it;)

 

Apparently it works well enough for race car drivers as well as a number of other people. My question "wasn't does it work?" because I know that it does, the question was biased towards anyone having used it on a bike.

 

my understanding is that the cooling unit isn't powerful enough to actively refridgerate the water, but does provide some cooling so the ice that you start with takes longer to retunr to water at ambient temperature. That's about all I know about how it works it, so far.

 

Alex

[MightNotBeThere]

A neat idea but a little too bulky/complex to be practical I think. But you're right in that in humid environments none of the simpler solutions are effective enough to be worth using either. I would love to see some kind of truly practical and effective product developed, regardless of cost.

 

I remember reading someplace - probably a year or two ago - that an Isreali company had a three-quarter body suit with a tiny backpack system, designed primarily for their military, specifically those in tanks, armored personnel carriers etc. The temperature inside those tin boxes must be positively ungodly at the height of summer!

 

The problem with their suit, which they were apparently trying to develop for all sorts of uses, including a dedicated motorcycle unit, was cost.

 

They felt, almost certainly correctly considering what a bunch of cheap bastards we motorcyclists are, that the anticipated cost of about $1800 per bike suit was going to be too high for commercial success.

 

Alex

[SHIMHEAD]

Hi all, just had a thought concerning this cooling issue. I work at an Infiniti dealership and our '06 and up M35/45 is equiped with an optional "climate controlled seat" which is a fan forced Peltier thermoelectric heating/cooling chip that runs on 12 volts. Just occured to me that this might be adaptable from a junkyard acquired seat!? Type in "Peltier" in google and read up.

Someone here could make this work possibly.

 

SHIMHEAD

[GoGo Gadget]

You can buy them here. http://www.electronickits.com/kit/complete/peltier/ck501.htm

You could sew a pocket into the wrist and armpit of a longsleeve shirt and cool the blood supply, thus cooling the rest of your body off. The down side is that while the Peltier devices are small and thin, the heat sink and cooling fins would be large slabs of metal strapped to your body.

[bakerzdosen]

Well, here's my take on the matter:

 

I hate heat. Or rather, I hate feeling hot. I just do. But, motorcycling in Utah and surrounding states (like Nevada) forces me to deal with more of it than I'd like.

 

So, not being satisfied with just evaporative cooling, I figured I'd give one of these a shot when they were clearing them out on eBay.

 

In theory, I could hook the thing up to be constantly running like the shirt. It has a BMW plug on the cooler and will cool (or heat) the water. However, I'd probably need a coupla holes in my topcase to accommodate everything, so I've never done it. I will say that it's been pretty effective when I've really needed it. I just stop at a gas station and get water and ice for the cooler (it fits in my e52, but just barely) and then fill 'er up. I'm then good for probably two hours.

 

Is it easy? Well, kinda. It's a 10-15 minute stop to put the whole thing on and fill it up. However, it did noticeably lower my core temp, so that is always welcome in high heat. The hassle is carrying the cooler. Since the one mentioned above seems smaller, it would probably be easier in that regard. Also, filling the cooler with ice/water is a lot of weight on the bike as well. For those reasons, it's got to be REALLY hot for me to bother with it. Evaporative cooling vests (or just a wet t-shirt) is a WHOLE lot simpler.

[Matts_12GS]

I was recently given something similar to use by my orthopedist to help control swelling after my knee surgery.

 

For that aspect, it's great, I can ice the affected area 24/7 as long as there's ice for the water it's great.

 

It doesn't stay cool all that long, and goes through about a bag of ice every day and a half. That's indoors with me parked on my butt watching tv and the unit only combatting body heat.

 

I would imagine that when battling environmental conditions and body heat it would go through a lot of ice quickly. It's a pretty cool idea and even though bulky and likely a bit messy with spills/cords/tubes and hassles (I've nearly fallen 3 times forgetting I was hooked up to the tubes, I would hate to do that getting off the bike) it may not be worth it for a local ride. Certainly if you were going to be running across the plains in high summer it could be worth it.

 

Seems someone should buy a bunch of them and RENT them to riders travelling about... I'd probably do that if I could.

[smiller]

Engine mounted compressor, evaporator, etc, with ductwork to be used with some sort of shirt or undergarment that mates up with the ductwork..

I think that's probably what it's going to take to make a practical cooling system as requiring access to ice (and the associated weight and space requirements) presents too many issues.

 

This all may sound silly to those who don't have to deal with oppressive humid heat in the summer, but it can be a real problem. Given the two extremes I'd rather ride in cold because with cold there are at least options (layering, heated garments, etc.). In a hot/humid environment the only option is to suffer.

[Trajan]

Try a Thermotux (www.thermotux.com). I wore one in Florida and it did an OK job. Works better here in California. Of course I put it the freezer the night before. I would wear it over my shirt and under my jacket. It worked for up to 90 minutes at 95*F.

 

Thermotux also makes a skull cap cooler that fits in your helmet, sort of. YMMV.

[Whip]

"Hoon Cooler"

 

From Nando.

 

"I also have a Hoon Cooler. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's a hydration bladder housed in an neoprene bag that straps over your shoulder and rests under your arm. It has a hose running to a perforated tube that runs around your neck. Squeeze the bag against your body with your upper arm, and you will force the water through the perforated tube and flood your shirt with cool water. Not exactly the thing for this time of year, but great when the weather turn really hot."

[elkroeger]

That is WAY too much technology for a simple problem.

 

But it is COOL! ha ha ha!

[Bill_Walker]

my understanding is that the cooling unit isn't powerful enough to actively refridgerate the water, but does provide some cooling so the ice that you start with takes longer to retunr to water at ambient temperature. That's about all I know about how it works it, so far.

 

Alex

 

Are you sure there's a "cooling unit" involved? It sure isn't mentioned in their FAQ. I think this works the same way as the cooling unit my daughter just used after knee surgery: you put as much ice as you can in the box, then add water up to a line. The unit has a pump that circulates the water, and that's the only electrical component.

 

Their FAQ says you regulate temperature by adjusting a roller that squeezes the tubing to regulate flow. The innovation here is connecting it to shirt, and making it more portable. BTW, the hoses use quick disconnects that look remarkably like the ones used on 1150s for the fuel lines, with the exception that there are two connectors in one body.

[MightNotBeThere]

my understanding is that the cooling unit isn't powerful enough to actively refridgerate the water, but does provide some cooling so the ice that you start with takes longer to retunr to water at ambient temperature. That's about all I know about how it works it, so far.

 

Alex

 

Are you sure there's a "cooling unit" involved? It sure isn't mentioned in their FAQ. I think this works the same way as the cooling unit my daughter just used after knee surgery: you put as much ice as you can in the box, then add water up to a line. The unit has a pump that circulates the water, and that's the only electrical component.

 

Their FAQ says you regulate temperature by adjusting a roller that squeezes the tubing to regulate flow. The innovation here is connecting it to shirt, and making it more portable. BTW, the hoses use quick disconnects that look remarkably like the ones used on 1150s for the fuel lines, with the exception that there are two connectors in one body.

 

I've done a little more research since then and I think, disappointingly, that you are right.

 

Picking up a bag of ice at 150 mile intervals wouldn't be the end of the world either. A nuisance, but probably worth it. Maybe.

 

It might not be so difficult to connect up one of the active cooler units sold by other companies, but that is another step down the road.

 

I may just have to bite the bullet and try it...

 

Alex

[SK_in_AB]

This thread is really too painful for me to read. So I got up from the kitchen table and checked the outside thermometer. It reads -31 C. I would convert to Farenheit for you 'mericuns but the forecast is for an overnight low of -38C which is within frozen spitting distance of -40C -the magic point where Celcius and Fareinheit scales converge! You don't need me to convert. But excuse me for a moment while I step out side and bring in the brass monkey!

 

So why am I reading about cooling suits? Well I have to get through the Canadian winter somehow! I think I could cut a piece of lawn out for Alex, ship it to LA, and it would arrive still cold enough for him to put under his shirt next summer as an ecofriendly coolant

 

Anway both my bikes are safe and relatively (-2C) warm in the garage with my cage plugged in on the driveway so it will start in the AM. That means I'll make it to work where I will toil at getting some more oil out of the Oilsands so you guys can keep your 94 octane habit satisfied!

 

Before you call me crazy for owning a bike at this latitude - I will mention that I had a nice ride on Christmas eve afternoon - an hour out on the highway at a temp about 46F. Last winter I got the bike out at least once in each calendar month - the big issue is the snow on the 3 blocks of side street before I get to the main avenue. In Calgary it should warm up to above freezing within a week, and with a 4 day warm spell I can be on the road faster than you can say "Lets get the puck out of here!"

 

So this rather long rant is really to say that we each deal with challenges in keeping a bike friendly lifestyle. At various times of the year it is too hot for some, too cold for most or downright to slick for everyone on two wheels!

 

Heres to having the technology to keep us rolling whether its Gerbings or Cool Shirts.

 

Good luck in finding something that works for you Alex

[MightNotBeThere]

 

Good luck in finding something that works for you Alex

 

That was definitely good for a laugh - thanks!

 

What would REALLY work would be moving house...

 

Just came back from a few days in Aberdeen, Scotland, which was home for a while - ideal temperatures in the 50s & 60s.

 

Lafayette has quite a lot going for it, but climate isn't on the list... Given half a chance, I'd be somewhere north, joining the brass monkey crowd. Having said that, there are very good reasons to be where I am, so I'll go back the studying the CoolShirt brochure.

 

I'm just going to have to buy the damn thing and find out if it does work.

 

Alex

[MightNotBeThere]

Are you sure there's a "cooling unit" involved? It sure isn't mentioned in their FAQ. I think this works the same way as the cooling unit my daughter just used after knee surgery: you put as much ice as you can in the box, then add water up to a line. The unit has a pump that circulates the water, and that's the only electrical component.

 

I've done a little more research since then and I think, disappointingly, that you are right.

 

Picking up a bag of ice at 150 mile intervals wouldn't be the end of the world either. A nuisance, but probably worth it. Maybe.

 

I spent quite a while on the phone with them this afternoon - you are 100% right, it only circulates cold water.

 

It turns out that a buddy who races cars knows all about these things, and apparently most of the people he races with use them, he thinks more than half, which is encouraging.

 

They recommended a non-vented jacket, too, which was interesting.

 

I'm just having a hard time getting my credit card out...

 

Alex