Advice re new jacket

[Firecat]

Hi all

I've been using the same biking jacket my entire biking life (most of the last 15 years) which is a big bulky heavily padded thing that makes my look like the Michelin man (and has, I gave no doubt, saved me injuries from the minor accidents I had on my first bike) and was the price for stopping my mum worrying when I was 17

First question is, should I have replaced it by now? It is still undamaged to look at, but, well, is it like a lid where the padding loses its absorption potential, or is it more so long as there IS padding then it'll be fine (fine being relative obviously). I'm loathe to give it up unless I have to as, well, it's been with me my entire biking life.

Secondly I'm wondering whether I should get a summer leather jacket (so just decent leather without the huge padding) for when it's warmer, but never having had a 'light' jacket before, would I also need armor to compensate for the lack of padding? Does the jacket just stop you losing your skin, or are they cushioned too? Going to have a ride to a shop soon and see if I can get a bargain.

Thanks all!

[HotdogMcDraw]

Do you have a picture of the jacket?
____________________
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=284963 - What to expect on a MOD 1 (contains video footage) - Posted by BG5067

Honda Rebel 125 (L Plate Warrior) - Nov 2013 to Aug 2014, BMW G650 GS ABS - Aug 2014 to Current

[_Iain_]

If you keep your jackets for 15 years at a time it might be worth paying the premium for rukka etc
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[talkToTheHat]

The fabric of the jacket provides the abrasion resistance, the armour absorbs *impact*. The CE test is roughly equivalent to dropping a brick from a height of two metres.

You benefit from both of these things. That I've gone down in cheap textile trousers and worn through to the armour at the knee says that armour can provide extra abrasion resistance but that's not what it's supposed to do.

[-Matt-]

I'd agree with Iain, if you're going to keep it a decent time you might as well get something half decent if you have the cash available.

A problem I have personally with the textile ones being quite skinny is the flexibility of the outer fabric tends to make the armour/padding move around a fair bit [particularly in the trousers], which is obviously not good in an accident, although still better than nothing/something that will rip to bits on impact as its knackered.

I find some of the waterproof textile stuff to be just as warm as the leather jackets, which while not 'waterproof' can usually take a lot of water if theyre half decent. The textiles waterproof layers sometimes make it feel like you're wearing a tent and get covered in moisture.

Best bet is go down a large gear/bike shop and try a lot of stuff on and see how it feels and fits, especially if you've been used to the same jacket for ages it may be very hard to buy online [although it is usually cheaper] and get a good fit etc.

[BTTD]

If you've fed the leather and looked after the jacket it's probably still okay. If it's been left damp in a corner all the time then the stitching will eventually fail. Maybe.

Also yes, get a vented leather summer jacket with armour. I was in a not entirely dissimilar situation to you before getting a second jacket off ebay - a hein gericke job with perforations on the arms and vents. The fit was spot on and in the summer it is very very comfortable and cool.

[iooi]

Don't worry about the padding, as unlike a helmet. It does not get effected in the same way age wise.

Like "HotdogMcDraw" I would like to see a pic, or at least know which make it is.
Biggest issue with age and textile is the need to keep them clean and not destroy the inner layer that keeps you dry.

My jacket is now just over 2 years old and is dirty as hell... Never get a light colour again.... It needs a good wash and clean.
But as this is the UK, the lack of good sunny days to leave it out to properly dry out is a major issue.
Given I need it 4 days a week for commuting.

I have a leather jacket for the warm days, but have only warn it a couple of times and its just as warm as my textile.
____________________
Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Firecat]

Thanks all for the advice, I'll post a pic of my current jacket later and you can gasp in horror and exclaim 'and you still ride in that?!?'

(Hopefully not as, like I say, it's got no visible signs of destruction, no rips or stitching loose, other than both of my wrist zips have snapped off years ago).

I will definitely check out a shop and try things on, I just wanted to be clear as to whether I will still need armor (clearly I do!).

[Firecat]

It occurs to me I never said, my current jacket is leather, not fabric.

[/img]

Not sure if that tells you what you want to know, I've gone over it and looked hard and there is a little frayed stitching, but purely around the un armoured bits like the inside of the upper arm, and even then it's not coming apart, just a little thread showing.

I've tried to keep the leather treated and none of it has gone hard or particularly discoloured, so I assume I've done the right things.

[Clanger]

My kit is ancient too. I am by no means worried about it. I think I have just saved myself a wodge of cash by being frugal. The only things I've updated in recent years are waterproof socks, gloves and lid.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[FriendlyEllis]

Is that the original one Ken Boon used to wear? 😋
____________________
Honda CB600F Hornet 2013 -> Kawasaki Z1000SX ABS Tourer 2015

[talkToTheHat]

I've worn a nice HG textile jacket for about 2 years. It's going a bit furry in a few places but the pockets are useful. But I've gone back to using a hand-me-down leather jacket with falling apart pockets because it's cooler on hot days (as long as I'm moving). Got some leather trousers as an experiment, owning some hand-me-downs and some decent textiles and not looked back. Got called out today on a mission of mercy, threw my textile trousers ona s was cleaning the leathers at the time, and my leather jacket with my trusty HG waterproof over-jacket. Comfortable on top. Horrible case of wet-out on the trousers and really cold.

Yes textiles are more convenient, but really surprised by how much more comfortable I was in leathers and a non-breathable over-jacket.

[BTTD]

When I said I was not in a dissimilar position to you, I didn't realise you had an almost identical jacket to me! It's thickly padded right, but no proper armour?
I've added velcro patches inside mine for hein gerick thin rubber armour as a sort of update to it, and put in a long connecting zip for tousers. It's now my winter jacket, and while it doesn't have all the fancy features of newer jackets it does the job. I found it too hot for the summer, so went for a perforated / vented job as I said before.
I'd have no qualms continuing to use that jacket, but equally I think you'll be seriously impressed with the newer stuff out there.

[Mudshark]

mine's is at least as old, been treated with nikwax leather waterproofer a couple of times recently so keeps the worst of the weather out as long as you're not out all day, been down the road a couple of time way back, it's still OK but just looks it's age, the salesman in BMW recently made a comment about the DoD patch on it (yeh well that ages it right there), well padded but no proper armour, so like you I'm thinking about a new version, let us know what you end up with if you do.

[gorillaonabik...]

Have you washed it?

I have noticed a difference in protective quality in terms of the kit made 20 years ago and today. For example, the Belstaff leathers were thick leather but the armour was rubbish - more padding than actual armour.

For my 11 year old Tuareg jacket, I now have Forcefield in the back which is much better than the antique, stuff which seems to have disintegrated over the years. https://www.advrider.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=9751&stc=1&d=1037095065
____________________
FZR400 (blown engine), ZXR750 (blown engine), ZX6R (accident), CBR600 which had engine issues after which I learned to change gear..., CBR900, CBR924 (stolen), CB600, CB1300 (everything blew up), BMW K1300GT (written off, hit from rear while stationary), Bandit 1250 for a couple of months, Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (nicked) and somewhere in there, I wrote off a Ducati 748 at Cadwell.

[Clanger]

[TheSmiler]

I've worn my leather jacket for over 3 years not that long but I aim to keep wearing it till I retire or if it gets cut from me. The only thing I actually worry about if I'm being honest; is the lining in one of the pockets has gone.

Apart from that I've worn it in heavy rain and snow, doesn't smell and doesn't let water in. I've worn textile clothes and they have ended up getting the pocket items soaked.

Plan in the future to get a patch/painted with smiler and an image on the back.
____________________
CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[GrumpyGuts]

All I can say is do not get RST.

I bought a £130 textile jacket about 8 months ago and already the stitching is coming apart
____________________
My Bikes: Lifan Beat 125cc '11 -> Suzuki B120P '76 -> Suzuki EN 125-2A '08 -> Honda CG 125 '04 -> Honda CB600F Hornet '98 -> Kawasaki ZZR 600 '99 -> Kawasaki GPZ 500S '95 (Current)
Theory test passed - 09/02/2012 >>>> Module 1 passed 24/07/2012 >>>> Module 2 passed 24/10/2012