Textiles Vs Leathers?

[twotime]

What are the main differences then? in most of the pics on this site you guys seem to be wearing leathers.

I have waterproof armoured textile clothing as I bought it originally to ride a scooter. Is it as good as leathjer in an off? or better? or not as good?

comments and advice please! I may go and sort myself out some leather in the near future if worth it

[Anonymous]

Leathers are tons better for abrasion protection - I think that's the main reason people wear them.

[M.C.]

textiles are supposed to be very good but you never see a racer wearing textiles always leather so draw your conclusion from that

[Jabba]

textiles are supposed to be very good but you never see a racer wearing textiles always leather so draw your conclusion from that

But if you can only afford one or the other, go the "waterproof textile with removable thermal lining" route and save for the leathers. Ask Rossi about being cold in saturated leathers :thumbsup:

[embee]

...or you can get combined items which are basically textile but with leather patches at the main abrasion points, elbows, shoulders, knees, hips. For example the Hein Gericke Spader jacket. This is probably a pretty decent compromise design for everyday use.

The only textile I've seen which seems to be abrasion resistant to a similar degree to leather is the "armacor" by the Goretex folks. I've seen it shown in some BMW clothing and some Rukka, but at a price :shock:

I did come across this German site with some discounted Rukka stuff, but still pricey.
http://www.biker-land.de/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=167&osCsid=936f9c9326afd1ce3659607d1ed664ee

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

And whatever you have, make sure there's armour in it... Hospital informed me that only reason I didn't smash both kneecaps was because my biking jeans had armour at knees (and hips)... neither my leathers or textile kit had that armour...

[northwind]

In bad weather textiles offer better primary crash protection-in other words, since you'll be warmer and more comfortable you're less likely to crash. Abrasion's less good than leather but still not bad- I came across a guy who'd dismounted his blade on a sliproad once at about 80mph (he reckoned) in cheap-ish HG textiles, and while he was pretty dinged up he had no serious injuries. Full armour's a total neccesity- I was wearing my Belstaff cordura trousers when I slipped in my driveway and fractured my hip, that's a 0 mph walking injury. Leathers give slightly better impact protection as well as better abrasion protection so hip, knee, and elbow armour just aren't negotiable IMO.

Oh yes, leather survives crashes better- my leathers have survived a 70mph slide on the track and a 30mph trip through a gravel verge with the bike on top of me, and are still perfectly wearable and safe. Try that in cordura...

[Tris]

This discussion always puzzles me.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you're sliding then leathers are going to be better than textile.

Problem I see is the most of the time we are talking about road riding so there is a better than even chance that we will hit something solid before we stop sliding.

Thefore it seems to me that you might as well textile for the better weather ptotection and zip in liners plus as SVeeedy Gonzales said
And whatever you have, make sure there's armour in it...

Tris

[454697819]

This discussion always puzzles me.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you're sliding then leathers are going to be better than textile.

Problem I see is the most of the time we are talking about road riding so there is a better than even chance that we will hit something solid before we stop sliding.

Thefore it seems to me that you might as well textile for the better weather ptotection and zip in liners plus as

SVeeedy Gonzales said
And whatever you have, make sure there's armour in it...

Tris

I have to dissagree slightly...

Most textile and leathers now have ce approved armour in pivital impact and slide pints, elbows knees back etc...

i have had the unfortunate experiance of testing my textle jacket ad trousers, and in both instances they have come up trumps,

textiles are designed to give you a platform to slide on using the ce armour, the jacket may heat up and melt away, but this stops the heat being transfered through the leathers into your skin.... and that can be nasty as you end up sticking to the jacket..... ewwww.

my opinions are based on my testing of textile. along with my uncle swoping after he saw a textile jacket that had been used on a race track and slid along for many meters... it was in taters... but the bloke would have recieved severe burns if he had been wearing leathers....

as for puncture resisitance.. that i have neer thank god discovered... and hope i never will...

i feel its down to what your comfortable wearing.. good textile is no cheaper than leathers... but personally i guess its al little bit more versitile.... added to that you can throw it in the washing machine.... :)

[Cloggsy]

slide pints

Isn't that what they do in Bars in John Wayne Westerns :?:

:roll: I'm already wearing my coat :oops:

[Sudoxe]

The best motorcycle protective clothing is what you will wear.


You can have the best custom made, 1 piece 3inch thick kangaroo leathers with re-enforced nasa made armour. But if it takes half an age to get on and off at each end and weigh two tonne your not going to be wearing it all the time.

"Just popping down the shops...it'll be ok"...Smack, oh that suit wasnt very protective when it was hanging up in the cupboard.

So you have to weigh up what is practical for the type of rideing you do.
I have textile gear at the moment but will get a 2piece leather in the future in addition to my commuteing gear.

Dan

[454697819]

slide pints

Isn't that what they do in Bars in John Wayne Westerns :?:

:roll: I'm already wearing my coat :oops:

well.. err yes. it is... :D

how ever, after some slide pints, its essential that your jacket contains slide points...... to prevent any injury during the wobbly walk home..

[Kate]

I now have both though I'm still trying to break in my leathers. I have already chucked the bike down the road and slide for a bit in my textiles - Rukka trousers and Belstaff jacket and both did a great job. Without the Rukka trousers I definitely wouldn't have a kneecap.

If you are a little short on the cash, I would suggest going for the best textiles you can afford as they are all weather wearable while I don't think wearing leathers during winter is advisable.

[Ceri JC]

In bad weather textiles offer better primary crash protection-in other words, since you'll be warmer and more comfortable you're less likely to crash.

A key point. I think a lot of people discount comfort as the preserve of old blokes on bmws and softies, whereas the 'hard' image of racing and sports bikes suggests that extreme heat, cold, back ache, acheing wrists and fatigue are all things you should grin and bear. I really think that fatigue is a huge factor in how well you're riding and that whilst leathers are great in a crash, it's better not to crash in the first place. Don't get me wrong, I'll get some leathers in the end of season sales for trackdays etc. next year, but for day to day riding, I'll stick to textiles.

[jump]

for me, I can wear my work clothes under my textiles.. wouldnt be able to do that with leathers...

[viner]

Having recently bought an RST textile jacket with approved ce armour in all the right places I feel more comfy in it than my leather jacket, especially in this weather.
BUT I must add that I think all this chat about whats best for sliding down the tarmac is a bit off........surely the object of the exercise is to ride your bike and not to fall off of it?????
To my way of thinking, if you fall off you're doing something wrong!!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D

[Carsick]

Having recently bought an RST textile jacket with approved ce armour in all the right places I feel more comfy in it than my leather jacket, especially in this weather.
BUT I must add that I think all this chat about whats best for sliding down the tarmac is a bit off........surely the object of the exercise is to ride your bike and not to fall off of it?????
To my way of thinking, if you fall off you're doing something wrong!!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D
Fair enough, then why do you wear gear that has any abrasive protection at all?
Dress to crash but ride not to crash and you'll get the best results, I think.

[Pervytwin]

Hoping I don't sound like a complete snob here!

I wear my leathers for my every day commute, even with the comments I get when I arrive at work, I don't like to ride wearing textile stuff. I did once or twice when it was really hot recently, to be honest I didn't feel safe, exposed even.

I won't criticise those for choosing textile gear 'cos if you're comfortable, it's true you will ride better and with better concentration. Wear what you are comforatble with out of Motorcycle specific clothing from a Decent brand. Use RiDE magazine for good opinions on what's good or not (though they don't seem to rate Dainese :evil: )

I have my ways and I'm going to stick to them, and yes even in winter, just put some waterproofs over the top and you're sorted, warm and protected :D

[Moo]

I always wear my leather jeans but swap between the leather jacket and a gortex one the best of both worlds.

[kwak zzr]

dont they both have to be CE approved anyway? to pass a certain standard? :roll:

[northwind]

Nope... You have to be CE approved to be allowed to describe the product as safety equipment, but there's no actual need for bike gear to be CE approved.

[kwak zzr]

i c :?

[Ping]

I've got armoured leathers and avoid being soaked through with a one piece waterproof that I wear over my leathers in rainy conditions. Works a treat. Acts as a windbreak if the air's chilly so you stay warm as well as dry.

:D

[northwind]

I hate riding in waterproofs... Sliding around on the seat, sweating like a pig... Fine in deep winter but otherwise they're horrible, IMO.

[embee]

I hate riding in waterproofs... sweating like a pig...

they MUST be breathable.

I can thoroughly recommend anything made of "Flexothane". Totally waterproof but breathes like Goretex. It's what I wear over leathers and there's no problem with condensation inside.

[ophic]

i've got HG textile/leather mix. Don't know the name, see avatar. The removeable waterproof lining goes on the inside, so i don't get problems with sliding around, and its goretex so i don't sweat. The bad bit is if it starts to rain, I have to drop my pants to put the waterproof lining in. Oh and everything in your pockets tends to get a good drenching too :(

[jon]

does anyone rate these for wearing over the leathers?

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productInfo.aspx?catRef=551393

I've a 2 piece alpinestars suit and if nothing else, i feel safe with 15lb of cow on my back which is good mental protection. Sometimes get a bit chilly and i'd like some textiles to wear instead but i found the above and am considering that.

I do the commute to work off and on, thinking about it full textiles might be wiser. Anyone recommend anything?