Product review: Harley-Davidson Triple Vent System jacket

Motorcycles and wind tunnel testing go hand in hand, but it's not often that jackets are also factored into the equation. But that's what Harley-Davidson has done to develop its new Triple Vent System (TVS) jackets.

When the company embarked on Project Rushmore to deliver an extensively updated range of Touring models in 2014, many hours were spent working out the best way of channelling cool air onto the rider through the vents on the windscreen and fairing. It was an exhaustive process and, with all that air stream intel, Harley-Davidson then set about developing a jacket that knew exactly where the soothing air was coming from.

The TVS jacket was the end result, and it's all about keeping the rider's torso cool. The premise is that if your trunk's not in meltdown, the rest of your body will hold up.

The Bikesales Network recently took possession of the ‘Evolution' TVS jacket before flying out to the 2015 Harley-Davidson model launch in California. As well as the unique vent structure, the Evolution has a waterproof cowhide leather shell, body armour protection at the elbows, shoulders and back, eight pockets and a 3M Scotchlite reflective material on the top half of the jacket. The main pockets are a decent size, and will easily fit an overflowing wallet and phone.

America's most populous state was certainly warm for the launch but not overbearingly so, with the bulb hovering around 25 degrees for most of three days - but then shot up to about 36.5 as we rolled into Los Angeles on Interstate 101.

The first thing I did before the launch began was to remove the full-sleeve quilted liner, and the jacket still felt comfortable – no annoying internal stitching or anything to make it feel ‘rough'. I also opened the three 30-centrimenter zippered vents, with the leading vent located lowest and each succeeding vent extending higher onto the jacket sides. But even if you forget, there are tassels on the zippers so you can open the two front runs on the fly, even with riding gloves.

Comfort and ventilation is superb, and even when it was 36.5 heading into LA I wasn't working up a sweat or feeling irritable. The length of the jacket is also spot on, as it doesn't scrunch or feel clumpy at the base - but doesn't ride up your back at the same time to leave exposed skin.

Launch done, it was home to Australia – and in particular the cold of Victoria. I live north of Melbourne, and it was 1.5 degrees heading into work on my first day back. It was the perfect opportunity to try out the Evolution again, with the liner reattached of course. That's a simple exercise – just a zipper and two buttons at the base of each sleeve.

For the trek into Melbourne I wore a t-short and cotton long-sleeve shirt underneath the jacket, and closed the three vents. I wasn't cold, not even a little bit, and if I'd attempted the same exercise in my normal textile jacket I would have been snap frozen. I've now found a new winter jacket…

TVS is currently available in six styles of jacket for men, and two for women. Prices start from $491 for men, and $386 for women. For more information on all the TVS jackets visit harley-davidson-motorclothes.com.au/category/triple-vent-system/#1.