Leather!
 

OMO, advice needed! I have an old 1990s Frank Thomas leather jacket, but it's been in the attic for years now as I've never found it very practical - hot, heavy and bulky (stays in shape when you take it off and is impossible to carry). I bought a textile jacket and have been using that recently, either over textile trousers or jeans depending on the chance of rain.

I'm sure with modern (and better quality) leathers, this would be less of a problem. I'm also doing less commuting and more riding for pleasure, so being waterproof is less of a priority, but I do feel leather would give better protection.

I'm definitely considering buying a new leather jacket (and maybe trousers). What are your thoughts? I'd particularly be interested to know from people who ride in leathers near all year round:

1. In high summer, are they too hot? In rain, how long do they survive?

2. What are good manufacturers to look at? Specifically, less race-oriented.

3. Is there anything to look for e.g. suppleness or water-resistant treatments?

Thanks!

Re: Leather!
 

Hard to answer about how hot they are because that would depend on your personal tolerance. I have one piece perforated leathers which I seldom wear because they are usually too cool for the UK. I have a jacket from Scott leathers (Barnard Castle - they may do eye tests now :) ) which has a removable liner and I never remove it for the Summer. I always feel the cold and so wear textile in the Winter.

I recommend Scott Leathers: https://www.scottleathers.co.uk/

A made to measure jacket cost me a little over £300 about 2 or 3 years ago.

Re: Leather!
 

A couple of questions;

What season(s) do you mostly ride in?
What features do you need/want the jacket to have?
What's your budget/ideal spend for the Jacket/trousers?

Re: Leather!
 

Cheers - that sounds like a bargain! I used to feel heat more than cold, but in my old age I think it's more the other way round.

Re: Leather!
 

I typically ride all year round, but have textiles for winter (and commuting if I ever do that again) and so I'd say three-season.

Features - I'm not sure, I guess ventilation, no need to be waterproof, pockets which are useful but don't make it look like you have a GS and a collar which fastens without velcro which attaches better to helmet straps than the jacket.

Budget - hard to say. I would pay more for good quality, particularly if it's higher quality (lighter/stronger) or would last longer. I'm guessing for a jacket £300-500 is about right.

Re: Leather!
 

Based on your seasons, i'd say you want something that is more warm weather orientated (vented/perforated). And then go down the 'modular' route for when you need it to be warmer/weatherproof. EG a windproof fleece to wear under, or a lightweight breathable laminated jacket to wear over the top.

Suggestions of a fleece

suggestion of a laminated lightweight waterproof jacket

Those are what i use in the warmer seasons when wearing my textile mesh jacket.

Motolegends have a good selection of Leather jackets, usually they are of the higher end brands, and some potentially are about style/look over functionality. (FYI if you find anything they sell cheaper elsewhere, they beat the price by 10%)

Re: Leather!
 

Cheers, I'll keep that in mind. I did have a look at motolegends, but it's a bit of a journey and I'd want to try things on - bikestop.co.uk is close to me, so that's where I'd like to buy from (J&S is closer, but ...)

I quite like the look of this one, but it's not vented ...

https://www.motolegends.com/jackets/...ket-black.html

Re: Leather!
 

I always try stuff on too, and either buy it from that store (i try to shop from smaller sellers, if i can) or from somewhere i have a preference/existing customer relationship.

It might still be an ok jacket in the summer, depending on how good the vents are.

Re: Leather!
 

I prefer a hybrid solution. A textile jacket and leather trousers. (Bear in mind I'm a tourer/commuter/road-rider rather than a sunday-blast regular or racetrack resident.)

I think a well-fitting pair of leather trousers is hard to beat, like a second skin. I'll be looking at made-to-measure for a new pair soon (to make sure the fit is really good - I've always struggled with off-the peg fit). For me, they'll be touring biased construction though - I don't really need modern race-style with masses of body armour etc. that can be bl**by uncomfortable and annoying when wandering around off the bike at favourite destinations. Haven't really looked hard for a maker yet, but Scott and Hideout were on my list to enquire further about. I'm prepared that I will have to 'bed in' any new leathers.

However, I'm a textile jacket convert. Having worn both types over the years, I just find textile jackets a bit more comfortable in general (yes, this is strangely opposite to my feelings about trousers). I think they're a more flexible solution for the variable weathers and temperatures we have in the UK. Of course, the trade off is that if they're roomier to deal with jumpers etc, they may be a bit less protective in a crash.

Re: Leather!
 

the original old frank thomas stuff was good but i fear the stitching will now be less effective, the leather will still be fine after a good saddle soap.

thumbs up for Scott leathers. a fully made to measure suit will set you back 500 upwards and i recommend a custom to your spec superbike suit. going to get measured up is a must though.

what ever you do dont buy stuff off ebay etc.etc and stay from anything made in china.

Re: Leather!
 

Cheers. I'm definitely not going to buy anything on ebay!

Re: Leather!
 

Whatever you buy, check the protection it offer on the scale of A-AAA. And check what armour it comes with. D3O ideally is what you want to have as standard, or upgrade to.

Re: Leather!
 

Most of them seem to be AA, which I find a little odd as you can get AAA denim jeans, but maybe it's a higher standard for jackets. I quite like the Knox armour, but the D3O I have is incredibly soft.

Re: Leather!
 

AA is still a good level, and is what most good textile jackets achieve. Usually for AAA (IIRC) it is the 'slide test' which most fail on, as the abrasion resistance at that level is really high.
I'm a big fan of the D3O armour. Got it in my new jackets last year and its much more comfortable to wear, and should offer more protection too.

Re: Leather!
 

Well, for what it's worth.. I've had just about every kind of bike ware over 46 years of biking and tbh ... I'm now a 100% convert to textiles, I now have the Frank Thomas storm outfit, it's a bit on the 'touring' side of style but it's got lots of pockets, removable winter liner, 100% waterproof, full body armour, sleeves, cuffs, waist are all adjustable and above all ... really comfortable. I wouldn't even think about changing back to leather now
Just my opinion but we'll worth a look.
I got all my kit from J&S in Maidstone, really competitive prices too.

Re: Leather!
 

Adding a post into here as a bit of potential food for thought.

On my recent search for a better summer/warm weather jacket which offers a good level of protection, i came across the Klim Marrakesh.
It's a completely mesh jacket (but not in the traditional way), made from 1000D material and is AA rated safety. The material is a 4 way stretch Cordura so it fits to your body (similar to the way a good leather jacket should).

I ended up buying one as it seemed the best offering out there. In a close second was the Rukka Raymond/Raymarine. They're a similar price of £350/£370 a piece.
I've not tested it yet due to the cold season we're currently in, but will update when i eventually do.

Re: Leather!
 

i have a couple of hoodies I wear till it's cold enough to go grab the waterproof leather I picked up a couple of years ago, before that it was textile jacket all year round and leather trousers/kevlar jeans.

the AA rating is a bit fudged compared to the older standards however. The hoodies I have are all on the older EN 13595 standard.

Roadskin do a reasonably priced Hoodie and it's not 'Too Warm' to wear in the summer, even under a cut or similar. Heck, even the Harly 'Riding Shirts' have managed to get the EN17092 certification!

https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocia...fety-standards

Re: Leather!
 

Decent quality motcycle leather jackets are best for abrasion resistance but not really waterproof and sweaty in really hot weather, but I like mine when weather is right. Usually wear 'reasonably waterproof and breathable' RST textile jacket most of the time though. Treat my leather with neatsfoot oil and beeswax cream,forget what it is called, I got from Morrisons.