New Steet Gear

[mayflowerjeff1]

Looking to get new street gear and am not sure what to buy. I have always worn leathers in the past but none felt very comfortable the always either bunched up at the waist or were to long in the sleeves or both. I also hate not being able to move around. Ive looked at textile but I just dont know how it would hold up. I dont care if it tears apart and I have to trash it as long as I walk away alright. I dont ride in rain much either so thats not a concern to me. Usually its hot weather riding and when it cools down I just wear my thermal underwear under my leathers. Thanks

[cornercarver]

Up to 100mph, any well made textile suit is going to protect about as well as leathers. Into triple digits, it is still possible to construct a textile suit that can withstand the abrasion, but the material is likely to feel heavier and not be much more comfy than leathers on a hot day. I know aerostich claim that they've seen suits that have been crash 'tested' at 120mph, and they certainly feel thick enough to do the job. BMW actually tests their riding gear on crash dummies (presumably, they tos them out of a moving vehicle), although I don't know what speeds they test up to. I've also seen plenty of leathers that were so cheaply made that they wear through or tear seams at even fairly low speeds. If you buy a quality item, you get quality protection. Buy the cheapest thing you can find, you'll get cheap protection. If you want comfort, your best bet is to go custom made, regardless of whether you buy leather or textile. Aerostich will custom fit a 1 or 2 piece suit, as will any number of leather makers. I recommend Helimot, personally.

--sam

[beansoup]

Abrasion resistance is only half the story. Those armoured inserts don't do much if they move around on impact, which is what happens with a lot of ill-fitting textile suits. Buy a decent set of leathers, and get perforated hides if you're worried about overheating.
---
I know it's fashionable to claim that synthetics are just as good these days, but have you ever seen a professional racer wear 'em? Gets pretty hot on a racebike, you know.

[stinky]

I'd keep trying on leathers until I found a suit that fit properly - if you can't find a good fit, then have one made. It will be a bit more expensive, but a good suit will last for years and you have to consider how much your hide is worth.

I looked a long time before I found a leather jacket that fits really well and I can wear with my jeans when I'm riding around town or to work, and a full suit for rides in the twisties. I spent more than I really wanted to, but I have no regrets.

[cornercarver]

Originally posted by beansoup
Abrasion resistance is only half the story. Those armoured inserts don't do much if they move around on impact, which is what happens with a lot of ill-fitting textile suits. Buy a decent set of leathers, and get perforated hides if you're worried about overheating.
---
I know it's fashionable to claim that synthetics are just as good these days, but have you ever seen a professional racer wear 'em? Gets pretty hot on a racebike, you know.

There's no question that leather offers superior protection at the highest speeds. However, if you do more with your bike than head out for a Sunday ride, they just aren't practical. Ever wear leathers for 8 hours a day for 14 days straight in 90 and 100 degree heat? I cringe at the mere thought of the stink. I've done that in my textiles at least once a year for the last 4 years and never had to do more than scrape the bugs off and maybe throw it in a washing machine if things got ugly. My experience with quality textile gear is that it isn't any cooler than leather (especially if it is waterproof), but it is much more convenient, purely due to its design brief. I suppose you could make a casual fitting leather touring jacket with 6 pockets and vents all over it, but it would cost a fortune and weigh a ton. The design brief for race leathers is just very different from the design brief for multipurpose textile gear, and that is where the true difference lies. Also, rumour has it that you will see pro racers wearing those Dainese textile suits that are cut just like leathers (including one whose initials are VR, if the sales guy at my local dealer is to be believed - probably not). These days, it is more about the design of the product than the material it is made of.

As for my daily commute. I am not about to strip down and struggle into leathers before heading to and from work every day. If you want truly multipurpose protective riding gear, textiles are the only way to go. As for armour sliding around in a crash...that's why I recommended getting high quality custom fitted gear. My aerostich armour does not move around enough to expose my shoulders, elbows and knees, even though the suit is large enough to go on over street clothes and even a thermal layer up top. The armour pads are significantly larger than the armour in my custom Vanson leathers for exactly this reason. The 2-piece zip together 'stich was half the price of my 2-piece zip together Vanson leathers. Both were custom fitted and the fit of the 'stich was WAY (not even in the same ballpark) better, too. In fact, the Vansons are back at the factory being remade as we speak cause the original fit was so bad (now you know why I recommended Helimot!). Besides, the armour is for initial impact with the ground. What happens to it once you are sliding is of less consequence (until you hit that tree, fence, etc. anyway).

If you only do day rides and hang at the local biker gathering on Sundays, leathers are clearly the way to go, but only if you can afford the best. Dollar for dollar, I'd take a textile suit over most (all?) leathers up to the $1000 price range.

-sam