What protective gear?

[smartroad]

I have done a lot of reading on if it is better for go for leather or textiles. My ultimate decision is to go for a textile jacket and leather trousers.

My thoughts for this are that a textile jacket offers water and wind profing better then that of a leather jacket. Also given the english weather it would make sense to have something that is water proof! Also they tend to be less expensive then leather. The trousers would be leather as leather appears to be far harder wearing should I fall off at speed and I have a pair of waterproof trousers that can go over them should it start to rain etc.

Is this an okay idea as a balance between protection/water resistance/price?
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I need a bike, bugger, only got A2 how will I deal with only 33 horses

[BigChris]

It really is a personal preference. Whatever you go for make sure you've got full CE approved armour, including back protectors.

Personally I have both textiles and leather, weather depending what I wear.

I feel safer wearing leather, since its a tighter fit and means pads are less likely to slip out of place.

That said, i've never fell off yet, so cant say which is safer when you need it most.

Finally, big bucks does not mean better quality! Shop around, choosing what fits, not the name.

[Reppyboyo]

Buy the best kit you can afford.

If your going to be rideing in all weather, your better off with a full Textile set for now.

I have 2 sets of kit myself.
For my commute I have a textile jacket, Draggin' Jeans (kevlar lined in areas), helmet, gloves and boots.

For anything else I have Rev'it RS2 leather jacket & Rev'it Pulse leather trousers, as well as the usual helmet, gloves and boots.

[Itchy]

What they said though as stink says

Leather = slide
Textile = grip and roll = faster decelleration

hence forth

Textiles better for city riding

Leather better for track

its often not the thing that makes you come off that kills you but what you slide under.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Dazbo666]

[smartroad]

cheers all! I think I will go with my plan and then upgrade as and when money allows to full leathers for good weather, textiles for bad
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I need a bike, bugger, only got A2 how will I deal with only 33 horses

[Villers]

If I was to be buying new gear again, I would go for something similar to the hein gericke suits that combine the two. They are textile and goretex suits primarily but the major areas such as elbows and shoulder are coated in leather giving you the best of both worlds. Ive crashed in both my textiles and leathers and have not since wore textiles as I felt that the armour shifted too much and I got major friction burns through them. I feel safer in leathers especially when combined with my back protector!

Depends on your budget though bud! Whatever you do though make sure that it fits well!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[veeeffarr]

I've just bought a Frank Thomas Titanium Fusion 2 pc textile suit and I can't rate it enough.

The jacket it is really fitted, nearly as much as some leathers I tried on and it's really really warm as well.

£239 and it's cover in zip vents, reinforced panels, thick, CE approved armour. a generous back protector (soft).

It also zips all the way around as well as having a tab at the back that zips partically.

The lining also zips up as well as the outside of the jacket, for added warmth.

I did have to go for large pants and a medium jacket, as I found the medium bottoms didn't fit with the liner out and jeans on.

Furygan textile stuff looks quite good too, they didn't have pants in my size though so I gave them a miss.

Also bought frank thomas kangaroo gloves with textile outer and a leather palm, comes with a neoprene liner, nice and warm.

I do like the look of leathers, but I figure that most of the time on the road you'd be better stopping than sliding.

[smartroad]

Toby, where did you get yours from?
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I need a bike, bugger, only got A2 how will I deal with only 33 horses

[froggeh]

[Reppyboyo]

I would think that "grip and roll" would end up with some bad injuries at speed.

[thefallenange...]

[wilbur]

IMHO a full race suit is overkill for popping out for the paper.

A jacket (leather) with body armour is my preferred route.

You can get re-inforced denim jeans.

Track days or long blast one piece leathers (with armour)

Just my opinion, you will get no consensus on this one.

[i_am_tim]

check out the sale section in your local bike shop, i picked up a £280 arlen ness leather jacket for £160!

i figured you get what you pay for, so a jacket thats supposed to cost that much should be better than one thats only supposed to be £150

it shows too! nice substantial armour that doesnt move around at all, barely any damage to the jacket and none to me after a 40mph flip over a central island

still need leather jeans though, anyone know a good set for £150 max?
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previous bike: 2000 Aprilia rs 125 - SOLD

current bike: 2001 Yamaha R6 - sweeeeet

[veeeffarr]

[smartroad]

[smartroad]

[KTM Gordo]

For all-year, all-weather use, Cordura or similar is ideal as they're usually waterproof, and if you get over-trousers, you can put them over your normal clothes so you don't have to do a striptease when you get to the office!

Hein Gericke kit is excellent value, and very well made. I used their kit almost daily for five years, without breaking it - it was still warm and waterproof if not a little shabby (never crash-tested it though!).

HTH
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Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[Itchy]

[dew]

IMO if you planning to commute to work then textiles trousers are worth considering. Saves you changing and all when you reach office.
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