Textile vs leather jackets
Discussion
After losing a fair bit of weight, my old Dainese leather jacket is far too loose now and I need a new one.
Tried on various leather Dainese jackets and wasn't really happy with how any of them felt. Tried some Alpinestars ones too and for some reason they just don't seem to fit me nicely.
I tried on one of these as well - https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/... - and it felt great.
I'm a fair weather biker, don't ride in rain or winter, is this sufficient for just road riding March-October? I ride a Panigale 959, road only, fairly fast at times but generally short hoons.
What do you reckon? Happy to try other brands too.
Tried on various leather Dainese jackets and wasn't really happy with how any of them felt. Tried some Alpinestars ones too and for some reason they just don't seem to fit me nicely.
I tried on one of these as well - https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/... - and it felt great.
I'm a fair weather biker, don't ride in rain or winter, is this sufficient for just road riding March-October? I ride a Panigale 959, road only, fairly fast at times but generally short hoons.
What do you reckon? Happy to try other brands too.
There are three main reasons for buying a jacket (or any other piece of motorcycle clothing):
1. Accident protection;
2. Weather protection;
3. Style;
If the jacket (and not just the armour) is not CE approved then you have no way of judging it's ability to protect you in an accident other than a combination of blind faith and gut feel. That said, leather is nearly always better than textiles with regards to providing crash protection.
If rain protection is not high on your priority list then as a "general purpose" jacket (not designed specifically for very hot or very cold conditions) then it should do fine.
The style is something only you can comment on (although it looks pretty smart to me!).
If all of those parameters are met for you by this jacket, and you're happy with the price then ... why not?
1. Accident protection;
2. Weather protection;
3. Style;
If the jacket (and not just the armour) is not CE approved then you have no way of judging it's ability to protect you in an accident other than a combination of blind faith and gut feel. That said, leather is nearly always better than textiles with regards to providing crash protection.
If rain protection is not high on your priority list then as a "general purpose" jacket (not designed specifically for very hot or very cold conditions) then it should do fine.
The style is something only you can comment on (although it looks pretty smart to me!).
If all of those parameters are met for you by this jacket, and you're happy with the price then ... why not?
Personally, every time ive tried textile stuff, I end up with it burnt on the exhaust or engine parts of the bike somewhere. Maybe im just so used to leather/denim .....
...get off bike throw jacket over it, come back and the sleeve is burnt on the exhaust
try textile trousers, smell burning at traffic lights, get home and half the bottom leg inside is left on the exhaust etc
So im still a leather jacket and kevlar jeans kind of guy ....
You can get leather jackets with waterproof liners in these days. I wouldnt go all day in the rain with one, but for the odd period of rain when you get caught out they are fine.
Depending on what style you prefer, take a look at Helstons (french brand) most of their jackets have a waterproof liner, kevlar, CE armour etc. I have had one for a few years and use it all year except when its warm i.e. most of the time in the UK
motolegends or sportsbikeshop have a huge range to choose from
...get off bike throw jacket over it, come back and the sleeve is burnt on the exhaust
try textile trousers, smell burning at traffic lights, get home and half the bottom leg inside is left on the exhaust etc
So im still a leather jacket and kevlar jeans kind of guy ....
You can get leather jackets with waterproof liners in these days. I wouldnt go all day in the rain with one, but for the odd period of rain when you get caught out they are fine.
Depending on what style you prefer, take a look at Helstons (french brand) most of their jackets have a waterproof liner, kevlar, CE armour etc. I have had one for a few years and use it all year except when its warm i.e. most of the time in the UK
motolegends or sportsbikeshop have a huge range to choose from
Tiggsy said:
black-k1 said:
That said, leather is nearly always better than textiles with regards to providing crash protection.
Better in a slide (although top end textiles are good) but crash (as in impact) is down to the armour, not the material holding it next to you)RizzoTheRat said:
But leathers do tend to be tighter fitting than textiles so hold the armour in place better. I wear my textiles over the top of trousers/jumper so they have to have a reasonable amount of space in them, which means more space for the armour to move around.
That's always my concern, textiles having room for extra layers.Personally, I stick to leathers, base layers under as it gets cold but either wear a textile jacket over - with no liner or body armour. Have taken to wearing a motocross waterproof jacket over leathers as a good compromise.
Again, unlined waterproofs over leather jeans.
matthias73 said:
Today I wore:
Thermal base layer
Down jacket
Leather bike jacket
And over the top I had a north face expedition parka designed for artic weather.
And I was still freezing.
It's so cold up north I've taken drastic steps and brought the bike inside! That's right, into the actual house.
The most important thing for keeping warm on a bike is not the number of layers but the removal of drafts. Having a 1 piece or a an all around zip together suit will make a bigger difference than just adding more layers.Thermal base layer
Down jacket
Leather bike jacket
And over the top I had a north face expedition parka designed for artic weather.
And I was still freezing.
It's so cold up north I've taken drastic steps and brought the bike inside! That's right, into the actual house.
Also worth ensuring neck, wrist and ankle areas are draft free.
I recently bought a textile jacket and trouser combo and they are so much warmer than my leather stuff.
I got the RST paragon v stuff so nothing too fancy, i've worn it down to 0 degrees so far and just had a t-shirt on underneath and turned up at work absolutely fine, not even a slight chill. As has been said i think it's all about keeping the draft out which the paragon stuff seems to do well.
Being a fair weather rider though i'd go with leather all day long, much more comfy and better in the event of a slide. And not to mention how you'd look on a panigale in textiles!
I got the RST paragon v stuff so nothing too fancy, i've worn it down to 0 degrees so far and just had a t-shirt on underneath and turned up at work absolutely fine, not even a slight chill. As has been said i think it's all about keeping the draft out which the paragon stuff seems to do well.
Being a fair weather rider though i'd go with leather all day long, much more comfy and better in the event of a slide. And not to mention how you'd look on a panigale in textiles!
Edited by MrGman on Monday 20th November 17:32
I also have an old leather jacket and was thinking to throw it already, but maybe there is a way to save it somehow? It would be much easier if it were of textile, but with leather I have no ideas what could I do. With a textile jacket, there are many different way how can restore it, especially if you have a textile finishing machinery, you can easily replace some parts of it and make it look nice and esthetic. I already did something similar with a T-shirt, so I already have some experience restoring old textile clothes.
Edited by Harris15 on Tuesday 18th May 13:37
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff