Textiles Vs Leathers?

Originally Posted by A wise man once

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

Originally Posted by Cloggsy

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

I'm already wearing my coat

well.. err yes. it is...

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

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

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!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by 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!!!!!!!!!!

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.

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 )

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

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

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