How much protection?

[Wil]

I'd like a bit of advice on clothing, if I may...

At the moment, clothing wise, I wear a lid (obviously), leather summer gloves (triumph), a non descript armoured textile jacket, normal jeans and some german para boots. I've got some cheap waterproof over trousers which I don't forsee lasting 5 minutes too.

I'm going to be commuting down 20 miles of motorway every day to work in all weathers when my bike is fixed, to work in an office. What gear should I be looking at, considering I'll be dressed in office clobber underneath. I'm conscious at the moment that while my clothing should be fine for a trip to the shops, its probably not going to help me much if (god forbid) I come off at motorway speeds.

Should I be looking at leathers, or is it impossible to wear office clothes underneath?
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'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

[njd27]

I find that in hot weather the best plan is not to wear the office clothes. I wear technical long-sleeved T-shirts under my jacket instead. Then my shirt is nice and fresh to put on at the office.

[c_dug]

Agree with njd27, in hot weather wearing anything more than shorts and t-shirt just results in sweaty clothes, much better off sticking the shirt etc in a bag and changing at work

cant really help on the kit as im only using cheap stuff myself

c_dug
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Damon]

id get yourself a 2 piece textiles kit and a back protector.
Then just bung all your office clothes in a bag and change at work.

[Wil]

Are textiles going to offer enough protection at motorway speeds? I do prefer them from a practical point of view, especially if they're waterproof...
____________________
'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

[c_dug]

abrasion wise you should be fine in textiles as long as your not doing really silly speeds, the advantage of (properly fitting) leathers is that you tend to slide rather than roll meaning less chance of broken bones and dislocations.

c_dug
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[njd27]

[Wil]

Ok, textiles and some proper bike boots it is then. Thanks everyone!
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'07 Triumph Speed Four

Aw look, a baby driving a car. And look, there's a dog driving a bus!

[c_dug]

on the subject of boots i can recommend sidi vertigos i find them very comfortble and theres tons of protection all around the boot also despite not being labled as waterproof they're yet to leak on me and ive ridden through some pretty nasty rain.

Can also recommend sidi black rains which my dad has used for 3 or 4 years now and they're still going strong even after an off, £70 well spent me thinks

c_dug
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Damon]

Back protector too

honestly, they have save many peoples lives. I wouldnt do a 20miles journey without mine.

My 2p

[krebsy]

[scanny]

[njd27]

Steel toe caps are actually a pretty bad idea on the bike. If you get in a impact where the boot receives a blow from underneath, the toe cap can pivot around and cut off your toes

[virus]

[mr jamez]

[Wiggy]