Water Cooled Vest for Summer Months?

[Exar Kun]

Hey guys had a question for you. For my day job I work for a small thermal design company. One of the products we specialize in is personal cooling systems for the military. It's basically a small A/C unit that you strap to your leg and circulates cold water through a water vest worn by the user. One application that comes up from time to time is making a unit for civilian use, like geared up motorcyclists.

I think the idea of being able to wear a full leather suit in 95+ and not be complete drenched in sweat would be awesome. Would something like this be appealing to you guys? At this point we are looking at a price point of about 1-2K for the end user. Would this be worth the price?

Any thoughts you have on the idea would be welcome. If the project ever gets off the ground maybe we could set up a group buy for any one interested.

[redxblack]

perforated suits = air flow. I think at more than $500, you'd be looking at pro/am racers more than enthusiasts and hobbyists. Good luck with the project.

[swampduc]

I would be interested for both track and street riding, given that where I live, it's 95 F w/ 90-95% humidity starting in May. 95 F air coming through perforations in the gear still sucks. Could it be small enough to fit in leathers? Mine are pretty snug.

[Exar Kun]

The vest itself you wouldn't have much trouble fitting under your leather. The vest is attached to the A/C unit with a quick release umbilical that would break away in the event of a get off. One of the main things that still needs to be figured out is where to put the unit itself. It's a little too big to fit under the seat. We have brought the size down to about 2"X4"X5". I was thinking something along the lines of a tail bag or saddle bag of some sort. It would probably be great for a track day but for full on competitive racing the extra weight (about 5 pounds for the whole system) and drag probably wouldn't work.

[NAKID]

I would have loved something like that when I lived in Phoenix. Riding on 115 degree days was a bit much...

[herm]

1-2k is a lot of money.
there are a bunch of products out there that already do this, and many of them are under $200.

not saying they are comparable to your product, since i know nothing about it...just sayin.

[Triple J]

I have an evaporative cooling vest for those really hot days...mainly trackdays. It cost $35.
http://store.mm411.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=product&theParentId=178&id=848

Admittedly not as cool as what you're describing...but a hell of a lot cheaper. I personally wouldn't spend more than a couple hundred on any cooling vest, let alone $1k-$2k.

[Jarvicious]

Are we talking a full A/C unit with compressor and everything?  Until later in this thread I thought we were talking about a liquid filled vest that ran on something similar to an S2R's oil cooler, almost like a liquid cooling system for a computer.  With enough capilaries, a highly conductive fluid of some sort (I'm sure you guys have that worked out), a pump and a radiator, wouldn't that be enough?  I'm not saying I wouldn't dig on AC for the bike, but even at a grand it seems steep and even a bit overkill.  With a little research it seems like you could bring the price down to around a little more expensive than a heated jacket system. 

[Rev. Millertime]

Sounds like a great idea...

I, however, don't need one.  I'm fat, which means on a hot day I sweat.  My perforated leathers combined with the sweat make for a nice cooling feeling.

[He Man]

Sounds like a great idea...

I, however, don't need one.  I'm fat, which means on a hot day I sweat.  My perforated leathers combined with the sweat make for a nice cooling feeling.

hahaha, i know that feeling all the well, but when the wind is 100 degrees, the feeling doesnt exist.

[somegirl]

I, however, don't need one.  I'm fat, which means on a hot day I sweat.  My perforated leathers combined with the sweat make for a nice cooling feeling.

I don't need one either.  I'm thin, which means I am perenially cold.  I take the lining out of my leather jacket on a 100+ day at the track.

[Rev. Millertime]

hahaha, i know that feeling all the well, but when the wind is 100 degrees, the feeling doesnt exist.

I live in ND... and ride mainly in the lakes aree of N.Central Minnesota... Global Warming is going to have to kick in to high gear if I'm going to see 100 degree wind in my lifetime.

[redxblack]

I wear a rev'it air jacket when it gets hot and that works for me. If I had an extra $2k, I'd probably get another bike and fix it up.

[NAKID]

hahaha, i know that feeling all the well, but when the wind is 100 degrees, the feeling doesnt exist.

Yeah, I've actually felt hotter with the perforated jacket. My gloves are perf'd and it felt like little blow torches!

[Exar Kun]

Are we talking a full A/C unit with compressor and everything?  Until later in this thread I thought we were talking about a liquid filled vest that ran on something similar to an S2R's oil cooler, almost like a liquid cooling system for a computer.  With enough capilaries, a highly conductive fluid of some sort (I'm sure you guys have that worked out), a pump and a radiator, wouldn't that be enough?  I'm not saying I wouldn't dig on AC for the bike, but even at a grand it seems steep and even a bit overkill.  With a little research it seems like you could bring the price down to around a little more expensive than a heated jacket system. 

It is a full on A/C unit. With just a liquid to air heat exchanger like an oil cooler you wouldn't be able to get below ambient temperature. So on a 100° day the circulating water would be <100°. You need the A/C unit to bring you below ambient temp. Pure water is the best liquid conductor you are going to get.

I appreciate all the info guys, and unfortunately there is not much I can do with the price point at this stage of the game.