You ask/you answer: How much safety gear do I really need?

I do not want to hark on about skin all over the road, but wish to try and be constructive about what is a serious problem of heat exhaustion, and bring about ideas to prevent that while having a degree of safety, I have been to major bike stores but have not seen anything in Europe, but searching in the USA , I found these jackets available in California, and I guess it can get very hot and humid there, AGV SPORT AEROMESH JACKET, FIELDSHEER MACH 1 JACKET, FIRSTGEAR MESHTEX JACKET, JOE ROCKET PHOENIX 2.0 JACKET, OLYMPIA SPORTS AIRGLIDE MESH TECH JACKET, REX MARSEE FULL FLOW MESH JACKET, all these jackets range from US$120-199, a price that is not bad, but importing them will incur customs charges, unless they can be soused within Europe, The concept is simple -- thicker fibers on the exterior fabric utilise a more open weave so that air flows directly onto the rider.

Read more: http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/mesh_jacket_comparison/viewall.html#ixzz1wWPHJSqj

It was 38°C here a couple of days ago – no way I am wearing leathers or similar. Settled on a textile mesh jacket (with back, shoulder and elbow pads), Kevlar reinforced jeans, and the face shield on my lid fully open. Probably enough protection for the 50 mph and lower road speeds I was going. Worked fine in the ~15-mph off-road spill I had.

Run to work, lid, boots, gloves, draggin jeans, leather jkt.... in summer when really hot an airtype jacket (nowhere near as good as leather but its 35C and you have to compromise) still better than the shirt brigade for protection! ride outs, full leather... touring a goretex suit - not fun having 500 miles to do in a soaked through set of leathers - worst part is there still soaked the next day!