- This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by mikatollah.
Textile or Leather
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November 6, 2010 at 11:07 pm #4263ziberzabaParticipant
I was wondering what people here prefer for gear in terms of material. I know leather is tougher and more likely to be able to be reused after a fall, but I also know that leather won’t breathe as well as textiles. What do people think? I’d also like some ideas on riding pants. Right now I just wear heavy gauge jeans, but I’d like to have something with a little more protection, but I don’t want to go with chaps. Anyone have any good recommendations that won’t leave me looking like a fool when off my bike?
November 7, 2010 at 12:33 am #28744Jeff in KentuckyParticipantThe best is leather with armor under it under 80 degrees F, and textile in the summer when leather is too hot except for racing. It is best to go to a store and try on several, to see what fits you the best, both for fit and looks. Here is one possibility:
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/0907_crup_olympia_bonneville_jacket/index.html
November 8, 2010 at 4:48 pm #28754JackTradeParticipantis to go with amored mesh overpants.
I wear Fieldsheer Titanium Air pants over jeans. The pants are mesh with full textile on strategic points (knees, butt, hips) and with armor on the knees and hips. In the summer, I wear them w/o the liner, in the winter with the liner in.
Not as durable/protective as leather to be sure, but a decent compromise between protection and comfort, and as a plus, you can take them off at your destination so you don’t look like you’re heading to a nightclub…
November 8, 2010 at 5:43 pm #28755eonParticipantWhat kind of temperatures and climates are you riding in? That probably has a big impact on what gear works for you. Living in the NW I went with textile, but could probably have gone with leather as I ended up wearing rain gear over the textile anyway. I ended up with Rev’IT gear which I think looks good, but I guess that all depends on what you like. Apart from liking how they look I like the fact the company puts safety at the forefront of their marketing. Their higher end stuff they claim is more abrasive resistant than leather.
If your focus is more on looking like normal clothing then kevlar jeans with armor underneath would be my minimum requirement.
November 8, 2010 at 11:14 pm #28756ziberzabaParticipantI live in MN, so when I start rinding in the Spring it can be as low as 30 in the morning. By Late July into August it can be 90+ in the afternoon. Right now I just use my friends spare gear. It’s ok in the hot summer months, but just doesn’t offer enough when cold. Also, I rarely ever go on the freeway. The 250cc just scares that hell out of me at those speeds. So if I’m not going over say 55 mph (mostly 30-40 mph) Would textile with a removable liner work best? I’m just trying to avoid buying 2 sets of gear. I’ll have to invest in my own stuff once my friend sells his bike (which I have also been using), and have to buy my own bike. What about pants? Would those Kevlar jeans with removable knee and hip armor be a good choice? I really like the sound of those. I’ve also seen “chino” styles I would probably wear too.
November 9, 2010 at 12:33 am #28757eonParticipantRiding in those temperature extremes it’s hard to see how you can avoid two sets of gear if you want to be comfortable. In 90+ temps you really need mesh jacket/pants to get as much air flow as you can. In 30′ you would want no airflow, and at 40mph the windchill would be very severe. You might get a textile combination that could just about handle it but it wouldn’t be as good as separate summer/winter gear. Having said that I wear my mesh jacket all year with a rain jacket over the top in the colder months. With plenty of layers underneath I get by but then it’s not usually too cold here (Seattle) and I am behind a large windshield. At 30′ with no shield I would freeze.
What gear you get is in large part a very personal choice. I cannot say if Kevlar jeans would be a good choice for you. Personally they don’t offer enough protection for my liking and I would only wear them for low speed trips where I needed something practical, say like a trip to work or to meet friends. If I’m going out on a ride I like something more substantial. If you add in armor they are not necessarily any cheaper than a pair of good textile pants.
November 10, 2010 at 12:28 am #28760TrialsRiderParticipantBelstaff is a name, long time synonymous with the highest quality motorcycle clothing available, historically famous for their ‘oilskin’ jackets in Enduro circles, Belstaff manufactures foul weather gear made from very heavy gauge cotton fabric, impregnated with wax to render it waterproof. Their leather jacket line is also extreme high quality, but caution, you want very deep pockets to afford these products. … Check out their web site including the movie trailers section and you will recognize many featured jackets.
November 12, 2010 at 7:08 pm #28771mikatollahParticipantI wear an Aerostich Roadcrafter most of the time. With the electric liner it is good down to about 40 degrees. Above 85 or so I switch over to a padded mesh jacket and padded denim. I have a First Gear mesh that has excellent air flow but does not provide anywhere near the protection of the RC. I also have a Darien jacket and insulated pants for temps below 40. Don’t get many opportunities to use them here in Texas, and for the most part we can ride year-round with the right gear.
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