Textile vs Leather Debate

I'm plannning on purchasing either a set of textile riding gear or leathers here shortly.

My questions are,

what's safer?

what should I be looking for when for commuting purposes?

Is it possible to find quality used gear?

If I purchase new, what are some watch outs?

What is a realistic price to pay for quality in both arena's?

I can't seem to get a straight answer from folks when I ask. Some say textile is better as long as it has proper padding, and it's warmer. Others say leather is the only way to go because if you hit the pavement it slides and that it is much more conforming and comfortable. I want to go with the safest, most cost efficient, and comfortable gear in that order.

Input would be appreciated.:wink:

 

Safety: You want a set of perferated leathers, with the built in armor. You can wear rain gear over them if it's wet. Do you see :couch2: any professional motorcycle racers wear anything else? No one is racing in textile.

Cost Efficient: Well the efficient word is different and makes the answer dependant upon your efficiency criteria. It's subjective :juggle: . Cheapest and safest may well be inversely proportional . List the stuff you want to make the riding gear "safest". :ranger: Do your research to find at least three (3), but no more than seven (7) candidate outfits.

Comfortable: This is also subjective. :juggle: You'll need to actually try stuff on since me saying the size 9 shoe fits, is likely different for you. I happen to have a wide foot and Nike's size 9 is too tight, Adidas size 9 is fine. You have to try stuff on. You'll also need to figure out if you want a one-piece or a two-piece suit that zips together. What is your current rate of expansion? (are you gaining weight each year?) do you want to be able to add junk to the trunk and just zip on a larger "truck"? :redface:

No need to post additional responses folks, I've got this covered. :closed_2: :wink:

-----
That said, I commute in a 'stich Roadcrafter. I have a different set of constraints.

------
Freak'in Stuka said the same thing I did.... can I change my answer now?

 

Leather was great on the track because you fall off fairly often and you go for loooong slides on occasion. On the street, I wear an AeroStitch two piece and it is comfortable from 30 degrees to 85 degrees, versitile, lotsa pockets, vents well, highly visible, splits into just a jacket or just pants, eliminates the need for carrying a rainsuit, you can put it on in 30 seconds and take it off in less. Way more practical.

Made in USA. They repair it when you crash in it, they even do alterations when you get bigger.

Can't say enough good about it. I wouldn't go back to leather for the street unless I was riding in canyons at 99 percent.

My two cents...

 

As a Georgia native I can understand the debate because it's not fun baking in leathers on a summer day.

However, a great solution to that I've found are jackets with perforated leather in strategic locations so that you can still cool off while keeping your safety level up.

 

Leather (IMHO) is best. Go with Dainese...the Italians KNOW leather. It is rather simple. Like lots of things in life, you have to make your own decision. But, leather is best for me!

 

Well for me leather is still the more reliable choice and different types of leather/animal hide does offer better abrasive protection. I commute to work and I like naked leather that is properly lined so it does offer good protection and is warm in the winter (I plan on getting heated gear for next winter or wearing thermals underneath). There are some Excellent textile products and that is some of what I wear in the summer months in NYC. In the Winter I commute to work on my bike and I wear my Cortech Dekker leather pants that have CE armour in the knees and hips. I sometimes wear my FirstGear Sport Touring Overpants and use EVS knee and shin armour underneath. In the winter I usually wear one of my leather Shift or MotoGp jackets with CE armour (I also wear either the TourMaster Elite gloves or my Teknic Lightning waterproof winter gloves (armoured)). Sometimes I wear a full sleeve liner from another jacket underneath which helps keep me warm. In the winter I also wear a Cortech DSX Denim jacket that has armour (very warm jacket). In the summer I usually wear my MotoGp Grid pants that are a Textile/Leather combination with armour and I also wear my Shift Torque Jeans or Joe Rocket Steel jeans with the EVS knee and shin armour underneath. I generally commute to work in the summer wearing my FirstGear Sport Touring Overpants with the EVS armour underneath. I also wear a PowerTrip preforated Leather jacket (no armour), Shift M1 leather jacket (armoured) in the summer and have a Mesh-Tex Honda GoldWing jacket that is also armoured (plan on getting the AGV Leather/Tex-Mesh Jacket or the Shift Airbourne Tex-Mesh jacket). In rainy weather I usually wear my Fieldsheeer Moto Textile jacket (armoured) that offers some wet weather protection and has a warm zip out lining. Today I ordered the Xelement Cordura and Leather Motorcycle Racing Pants that offer knee and shin armour ($59.95) from LeatherUp. I know I am a clothing horse, but I do not pay full price for anything and find some good deals online as closeouts. I generally would not recommend used riding gear, but that is just me. As far as boots go I like the Alpinestars sport boots that are waterproof and I also wear my RedWing motorcycle boots that are water resistant. Also, looking to get a pair or preforated leather racing pants (armoured) for trackdays this summer (may get the Frank Thomas leather sport riding pants (armoured) from a local store).

 

Emon07, you have the gear! Right on! The right tool for the right job. I have a similar amount of camping clothes but just have the basics for the bike. Nothing like having a wardrobe to choose from.

:drum: (Hey an icon I can REALLY get into! Being a drummer I can relate!)

 

Thanks Nung - It is all about time and accumulation because I am a poor working stiff. Pays to do some research and visit shops and try on stuff. Some companies make apparel for smaller/thin people and other companies make apparel for more full sized people. The crusier gear is generally good for larger people, but armour is usually lacking in the crusier apparel. Not too much of a big deal if you make an investment in some under the clothes armour.

 

Well, in my opinion...

Oh, wait. Nozzle said no...

Never mind!

 

Thanks for all the input guys.

I'm going to head to the bike shop this weekend and check the breathable leathers and possibly a textile jacket to go over the top. I've got the helmet picked out already an Arai Vector.

I purchased my boots last weekend, a pair of Alpinstar Edge's. Tested them out last Sunday on my little hoopty bike and their really comfy. I'm trying to stay busy until I can purchase the new ride mid April.:thumb:

 

Since you specifically mentioned commuting, look no further than an Aerostich Roadcrafter suit. I don't think there is a way to make selecting riding gear any easier.

Now, when the subject turns to what's safer, leather beats textile every day of the week & it's a no contest win. The only problem with that? It's not too easy to commute in a one piece Vanson or Kushitani.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

how many old girlfriends have burned circles on their legs from that style exhaust guards?

 

I commute year round, freeway speeds, an hour each way, sumer sunshine and winter rain. Have three, two piece suits. Leather perforated for summer, leather for spring and fall, and textile waterproof for our winters. I also have a cheap rain suit for when I down pours cause the textile, even though reportedly waterproof, is not in real heavy rain. There is no perfect gear for all occasions. If you can afford them all...great, otherwise you have a decision to make.

 

leathers that is why the roadracers drag racers flat trackers and moto wear it tex is good but h8 to be in that in a high speed crash.....................you can wear rain gear over your leathers plus they look cool i have alpine star jacket it has a removable liner for summer its vented has they hump on your back for areo and back protection elbow and shoulder forearm protection. and it just looks cool wife talked me into it was gonna go joe rocket tex try them on you will feel the difference also the leather will break in and form to your body then it fits like a old baseball glove.....hope you find what your after buy online no tax free shipping..............vfr world rocks..

 

Thanks for all your input guys.

I purchased this today.:wink:

Was going to buy an Arai at the shop but happened upon this on Craiglist last night. It's in perfect shape and the guy only wanted $250. Considering I was going to plunk down $375 for a base model, I'm pretty happy that I found this.

 

It's an RF900.

 

Today, for the first time ever, I rode in full leathers. I purchased some Joe Rocket Speedmaster perforated pants to match my Speedmaster jacket.

I know this will sound insane, but this outfit makes me a better rider. I get what I can only describe as "SuperMan Syndrome". I had the feeling of total invinceability while wearing this. I was smoother & faster thru turns. I was totally relaxed & comfortable. When I nearly killed myself 60 minutes later (look in "Anything Goes" for the USAF Sport Bike Course thread), I felt stangely reassured that I was as protected as I could possibly be.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2: