Leather or fabric?

[shurik]

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site and to motorcycling altogether. After battling a number of girlfriends and parents over the times on the cons of getting a bike I have finally got my license and recently bought a motorcycle. :2guns:

Now I need the kit to go with it, as I pretty much only have the helmet at the moment.

The question is what to go for - leather or fabric gear. What would you recommend and what are the pros and cons of each? My considerations are not being too hot in summer :sweatdrop while not freezing in winter :cold:, although of course the level of protection is probably the priority.

I am keen to hear your experiences and recommendatons.

Thanks!

[vifferman]

I used to wear just leathers, but they had crappy armour, were too hot in summer/not warm enough in winter, and not at very waterproof. After I bought my textile jacket, I wore my leather jacket once then sold it.

Ideally, you'd have multiple suits: leather, perforated leather, and textile. But who can afford that? :spudwhat:

Leather provides better abrasion resistance protection, but less protection against the elephants. However you can always put a cheap waterproof suit over it for that.

I wear both - my jacket and pants are both textile and leather, and give me (relative) coolness in summer cf. leather (courtesy of vent zips and breathable fabric), are warmer in winter (courtesy of removable thermal liners), and are waterproof, so I don't have to worry if the weather changes.

A critical thing is fit and good armour that won't move away from the bit it's supposed to protect. My pants have knee and hip armour, and leather in critical areas, and my jacket has duel-level armour in elbows/forearms and shoulders, and a built-in back protector, with a pouch for an accessory back protector. There is also leather on lower arms and shoulders for abrasion resistance.

[Cajun]

Honstly for first set of gear i would suggust a full gortex suit, if you plan on riding all year round, and in rain and what so have you, since with the gortex gear they have a thermial lining you can take out in summer if you get hot and are water proof and like

If you are only gonna be a fair weather rider, go for leathers.

I personally have full set of both, i normally wear the gortex jacket around town, and pants if raining, and the leather are for when i am going out of town.

[Ocean1]

I used to wear just leathers, but they had crappy armour,

Yeah, why is that? They've usually got at least spine padding, and sometimes elbow padding but I don't recall seeing a leather jacket with the full hard armour inserts usually available with gortex...

Your custom setup sounds like close to the best of both worlds, does anyone offer something like that off-the-shelf?

[MaxCannon]

I'd say some good quality textile gear is the best bet.

I recently got some Revit textile pants from Motomail and they are great.
Breathable yet still waterproof and with a liner for winter.
Huge improvement over the Rjays pants I had before.

You don't have to spend a fortune but buy good stuff to start with as you'll just end up having to spend more to replace crap gear in the future.

[Pwalo]

Go for a decent fabric jacket and trousers. Leather is great, but the fabric gear is much more practical.

Lining in for winter, out for summer. It's waterproof, and even protects pretty well if you are unlucky enough to have an accident!

[vifferman]

Your custom setup sounds like close to the best of both worlds, does anyone offer something like that off-the-shelf?
The stuff I've seen is farknexpensive: the Spidi Gran Turismo jacket to match my pants is $1100 RRP. :shit:
There also is/was some Macna stuff (from the Netherlands, and also expensive) available that had leather in abrasion-prone areas, excellent venting (zip-off waterproof panels with mesh underneath). The only thing was the Macna pants I tried had knee armour that didn't seem that great. Whereas the Gran Turismo pants's's armour locates positively on the knees (almost feels like it's suctioned on), that on the Macna could move around a bit. Easy enough to change, but you shouldn't have to for the price.

I've sort of got a problem now, in that my jacket has features that are readily available at a reasonable price. It's very rare in NOT having a waterproof liner - the fabric itself is breathable and waterproof. Or at least it was - I now have to apply silicon spray once or twice a year.

I'm hoping for a new jacket for Christmas/my birthday, as the current one is a bit tatty-looking. It still does its job well, but makes me embarrassed to wear it.

[jrandom]

One-piece leathers are best on the bike and in crashes.

As soon as you're not in a full one-piece, you're compromising, so it becomes a matter of what's most comfortable and will still look after you when you fall off.

Kevlar-lined jeans and an armoured leather jacket are best for summer. Get some MX style knee armour to strap on under the jeans and you're all set. Knees almost always cop impacts in a crash.

I say kevlar-lined jeans simply because armoured leather pants are a huge pain in the arse to put on, take off, and walk around in, particularly in hot weather. It's the knee armour and protection from road rash around the hips and thighs that's important.

For winter, as above, but zip the thermal lining into the jacket and chuck waterproof top and bottom over the lot.

Once again, when it comes to gloves, I'd recommend a good pair of sturdy armoured leather ones suitable for summer, and then a pair of PVC over-mittens for winter.

On the whole, I'm not a fan of cordura. It looks poofy and stupid and is never as warm, cool, or waterproof as you'd like it to be.

[Nasty]

Money has lots to do with the decision. Leather though good costs more quite often. I found that my codura gear is fantastic and after a year of riding I have added leather to my wardrobe ... I still use the textile gear in rain ... I think go textile first and then add other bits and bobs as you go.

[vifferman]

Money has lots to do with the decision. Leather though good costs more quite often.
It doesn't have to.
My second leather jacket was purchased secondhand, for a lot less than a cheap textile jacket costs.
And I bought a pair of leather bike trou from CashPerverters for the vifferbabe for $50, then a whole two-piece leather suit for $240 on TardMe.

[maxworldbiker]

Ah! Welcome to the ever-raging clothing debate! What type of gear to go for is very much personal choice and, as with all raging debates, there are merits and drawbacks in both camps. For what its worth, I've been riding 32 years in leathers, and I've never found them to be all that much of a problem for comfort, because I have a set that fits me comfortably without being tight or baggy, so the air flow is adequate whatever the weather. I just wear layers underneath to suit the weather as best I can judge it, and I wear wets over the top when needed that don't take up much space in the luggage. I also have a fabric armoured jacket, which has a detachable liner. Thats great in summer, and I'll often wear it instead of the leather jacket on a hot day, with vented leather gloves in place of my winter 2x2 finger ones that are awesome. The one thing I will NEVER NEVER change from tho is wearing leather pants, because I'd rather be a little hot than scarred for life by taking the chance and hoping no crazy cager is gonna see my ass as a target, or not see it at all, which amounts to the same thing. I wear shorts underneath in summer, or leggings in winter, and as someone else whose worn leather all their riding life once told me... its easier and faster to wash sweat off than grow new skin. Leather trou are an extra 12 layers of skin if you come off, and I believe its the best insurance you'll ever pay for because I've seen firsthand enough mangled lower body parts thanks to kevlar not going the distance (literally!) and hospitals digging gravel and God knows what else out of wounds that might have been prevented if the riders had worn leather instead. One decent "off" on an unforgiving road and fabric's not fit for much. Why do racers tend to wear leather? Worth thinking about. Leather keeps on going, in most cases. My jacket I bought second hand in as-new condition thirteen years ago is still as good as the day it was made, with a few wee scars to mark its passage through life. Its my mate, its part of my riding history in a way that a fabric jacket will never be, and I bought the leather trou brand new, twelve years ago. $400 made my eyes water at the time but looking back I have to say its the best money I've ever spent.
My advice would be to try both. If you have friends that will lend you what they have for a test-ride, take advantage of the opportunity before you spend your hard-earned dollars. If you're still undecided after giving them both a whirl, hit up TradeMe for an affordable set of each.

[98tls]

Leather trou second hand off ebay,as new $100 US.Teknic textile jacket $500 from any good bike shop,a pair of $10 pull over waterproof pants from the warehouse keep me as dry as any textile pants ive ever had,and they are small enough to fit under rear seat when not in use.

[Quasievil]

Coretex, Goretex ???????? dont ya mean Cordura ?

Get the best your budget will allow mate, think if your a commuter or a sunny day rider, Cordura for commuting and leather for riding for fun.

We can fit you out in gear from $150 to over a Grand for a race suit, pm me your sizes if you like

[skelstar]

If you're battling girlfriends then you're going to need something a bit tougher than Leather...

[Squiggles]

a number of girlfriends

mint. :lol:

I wear leathers, would like to get a fabric jacket, but will stick with the leather pants :)

[Swoop]

Have a look at Motohause in Kingsland. Kerry carries the "Motoline" stuff, and I'm very tempted myself. The jacket has 2 removable liners for when things get crappy and then even crappier!
Bloody good price as well.

Textile in summer = whiffy! Wash them frequently!

[PrincessBandit]

I started with leather jacket and jeans, but as soon as finances allowed went to cordura jacket and pants. Leather jacket kept riding up my back - not so great in colder weather, and it wasn't so great when caught unexpectedly in rain. My RJays do the complete works, zip out inners; and when i got caught in rain storm in Tirau on weekend (hail and all) was dry as a bone when I arrived in Taupo. Would definitely recommend if you can only afford one outfit!:scooter:

[skelstar]

If I had just gone and got the good stuff at the start I wouldn't have 4 fricken jackets blah blah... but then I insisted to everyone at the start that I was only going to be commuting :)

[cruza]

Its a hard one, I've gone back to leather, but I'm not a every day rider, just rallies and blats, full leathers and carry cheap one piece rainsuit. Cordura is good, You do get what you pay for, probably better choice if your riding every day. What ever the decision , all ways wear it and buy the best you can afford.

[fireliv]

Hey welcome aboard the site!!!

Before that decision you need to decide what kind of rider you are and also what you wanna spend.

I use courda, but I mainly commute shorter distances and the track doesnt interest me.
My partner is into long distance trips, so has leather.

Work out what you are and buy for you needs.

[The Stranger]

Yeah, why is that? They've usually got at least spine padding, and sometimes elbow padding but I don't recall seeing a leather jacket with the full hard armour inserts usually available with gortex...


If you were buying your motorcycle leathers from here (http://www.quasimoto.co.nz) and not here (http://www.theden.co.nz/) you wouldn't have these problems

[shurik]

mint. :lol:

Not that i am such a gigolo - just been wanting a bike for ages and ages:wait:

Thank you all for your input, I'll have to do a bit of searching around now to see what the prices are like for each option.

Any suggestions on how much an average kit would/should cost?

[diddie17]

As your first set I would definitely go with a decent cordura set up. They are weather proof and as such usable all year round. Liners can come in and out for both summer and winter use.

If the bike bug hits hard then you are likely to do what I and many others have done and get a set of leathers as well for the best of both worlds.

I decide based on what the weather looks like in the morning whether to go with the cordura or leathers.

Either way, get the best you can afford.

[The Stranger]

Search is your friend.

Most who wear leather don't go back, save yourself the money and get leather from the start.

Leather is cheaper, safer, lasts longer and is waterproof for about half an hour. You can cover it with a cheap rain suit if you want also.

One piece is probably safer, however for road riding I would go for a 2 piece - easier to take a dump.

[rphenix]

T I now have to apply silicon spray once or twice a year.

I only use beeswax for water protection is silicon spray better? What brand and where do you buy it? I've heard of silicon spray for lubrication but thats about it.

[Ocean1]

If you were buying your motorcycle leathers from here (http://www.quasimoto.co.nz) and not here (http://www.theden.co.nz/) you wouldn't have these problems

:laugh: Yup, did look at Q's stuff after I posted that, and saw the bit about hard inserts. Will keep it in mind when the time comes but for the meantime I'm happy with my Teknic jacket and pants. Got the jacket (top of their line) for $60, it'd done one tour of the west coast.

Wonder if them Gstrings come with hard inserts...

[homer]

definately go for the textile jacket, trousers ,boots when you can
there hot as when its warm and great in the cold ,make sur ethe neck is high when done up mine does up right to the chin ,also make sure you can get a fleece on under the jacket in the winter or when its cold ,so id get a bit bigger than you need .
gloves id go for leather there going to be the most important, in the event of a crash id rather have leather gloves .
Mine are about 10 years old and i got some "snowseal" and rubbed heaps in to them . They also have some nylon waterproof covers that simply stuff in the glove....they have an outside pocket zips up .
A cold wind and the hands are the first to get cold .

[The Stranger]

Wonder if them Gstrings come with hard inserts...

Whatever (http://www.theden.co.nz/shop/for-girls/strap-ons/beginners-strap-on-forhim-feti) floats your boat I guess.

[98tls]

I'm happy with my Teknic jacket and pants. Got the jacket (top of their line) for $60, it'd done one tour of the west coast. :niceone:Great score.

[Ocean1]

Whatever (http://www.theden.co.nz/shop/for-girls/strap-ons/beginners-strap-on-forhim-feti) floats your boat I guess.

Thought you wern't into plastic dude...

[Solarwind]

I wear an Aerostich Roadcrafter one-piece cordura textile suit. It takes less than a minute to get into and out of, due to the clever positioning of zips, and you can fold it up and store it in a sports bag. It's mostly waterproof, only leaking a little bit around the zips (which are covered with flaps sealed with velcro) in a heavy downpour. It's not skin-tight like leather, so you can wear layers of clothing underneath it in winter, and it has vents you can unzip for summer use to improve cooling. Protection-wise it isn't as good as leather of course, but it isn't far off, it does come with armour on the joints and optional armour inserts for the back and hips. I imported mine from the factory in the US (www.aerostich.com) and didn't have to wait as they had one in my size available, otherwise there can be a wait of several weeks as they make them to order (custom colours, sizes etc.). They're a good all-round suit for commuters and touring year-round, for high-speed riding (ahem, only on race tracks of course) I would get a leather suit instead, www.quasimoto.co.nz have some good deals. BMW and Spidi make some similar-quality textile gear but will cost you just as much to buy in NZ as importing an Aerostich from the states.

[vagrant]

I have a leather 2 piece, about 16 years old now. I tried a set of textiles but didn't feel comfortable in them, I slid round to much on the seat, and the jacket was way to loose with the the liner removed.

I am in the market to replace my leathers but haven't found anything I really like yet.

I am going to Nelson over Xmas, so might have a look at this,
http://www.thunderbike.co.nz/shopn:SP:1221001236:pv=TBIKE,pg=15121,co=CLI

[Blue Velvet]

Before that decision you need to decide what kind of rider you are and also what you wanna spend... Work out what you are and buy for you needs.


What ever the decision , all ways wear it and buy the best you can afford.

+1

Spending good money might hurt the wallet at first but good gear lasts. Make sure the gear fits and feels comfortable.

[HungusMaximist]

^ I agree, spend as much as you can afford aye, and quality gear always outlast the shitty cheap ones ten fold.

There is a huge market for motorcycle apparel so do some research before to avoid disappointment. Borrow certain gear from your motorcycle mates (for now and save up for later) if you have to and I am sure people on kb are able to hook if you up if you ask nice enough.

Personally, I went with the water proof textiles first because it was more suited to my riding style as a commuter during the week but most imortantly it shielded me from the fikking Auckland rain.

But you see, what stopped me from blowing budget from all the gear I bought is that I haven't paid full price for any of them. It was all through major clearance sales and some second hand stuff (first rate stuff and bit of luck really). Btw, I am a student so I don't have much to blow so yep.

[Monkeyboy]

I've tried every combo there is, for around town I use my cordura stuff but it has hard armour in the elbows, shoulders and knees and a built in back protector.

For the open road riding touring/fanging I have a one piece leather race suit and I use a PVC rainsuit if it rains. I also have a proper back protector that I wear.

Cordura always eventually leaks. I've ridden from CH-CH to Blenheim in pouring rain and not got a drop on me, however several years later the same gear leaked like a sieve when I rode from Wanaka to Hokitika in the rain.

[Mikkel]

I got a 2 piece leather suit and I really enjoy it. The jacket and pants zip together and that gives you the freedom of getting a pair of kevlar reinforced jeans to go with your leather jacket on warm days around town. So on hot days when I'm just shooting around town I rarely bother about the leather pants.

As has been mentioned above - if you get something with armor pads it's only added protection if it can't move around. So make sure you get something that fits you very well - i.e. make sure you try it on, move around in it, go sit on your bike, etc.

Remember that you get what you pay for and that it doesn't matter what you might get at some point in the future - it doesn't protect you unless you're wearing it NOW! Get the best you can afford... Also, remember that your feet/ankles and hands are delicate items that are very important to your mobility!

[johnnyflash]

Had Leather, still have the jacket, and whilst I still do the leather on the odd occassion locally, its just not the all round weatherproof, or warmth that I get from the fabric/kevlar, removable inners that roll up real small tops and bottoms, even mid winter on the desert rd in ice /snow conditions its majic. well worth the investment

[YellowDog]

If you are going to come off, then fully armoured leather is what you need. You can get a made to measure suit for around $1500 from Kerry at MCSW (Motorcycle Safety Wear) in St Kevin's arcade, Karangahape Road.

I wear leather all year round and have a suit with tough armour. If you come off with anything other than snugly fitted leather, you may find that the critical armour moves and will not protect you. Material is great for winter but will not provide critical protection in a high speed situation. Just my opinion.

Good luck.

[Renegade]

i bought cordura pants and jacket.

i got knocked off my bike at 55kph after about 3 months of owning it, the armour did its job great however the cordura wore through on the hip bone of the pants and the elbow and shoulder of the jacket,

by no means is the jacket or pants wrecked but im thinking if i had bought a leather jacket it would still be A-ok and not worn through.

[heyjoe]

I prefer leather pants and jacket and gloves. Reasons are that its tougher and lasts for ages as long as it is cared for. I have had an 'off' with leather on and was glad I did. No skin injuries and just scuffing on jacket. Not so keen on cordura but have not worn it so cannot comment from personal experience. I have Draggin jeans for around town. They fit that bill. If you decided you don't need any of the above protective clothing (and going with plain clothes/ jeans) then I guess I would call you stupid. I have seen the injuries sustained by people who have made those decisions thinking they will be ok. It's not nice. My parting comment - If you can't decide - continue with your research to help you decide but do make a decision on some form of protective clothing and wear it. It's your skin. Look after yourself.

[Renegade]

i see qausi has a jacket and pant combo that is half leather half cordura, and at a great price

[Coyote]

Yeah, why is that? They've usually got at least spine padding, and sometimes elbow padding but I don't recall seeing a leather jacket with the full hard armour inserts usually available with gortex...
Isn't that because you buy back protectors seperately?

[phoenixgtr]

If I had just gone and got the good stuff at the start I wouldn't have 4 fricken jackets blah blah... but then I insisted to everyone at the start that I was only going to be commuting :)

So what you got now Skel?

I'm currently going through the search for a good leather jacket

[Ocean1]

i see qausi has a jacket and pant combo that is half leather half cordura, and at a great price

Whasit called? Can't see it on his site...

[Winter]

Leather for the top half of your body is the way to go mate, and whatever your comfortable in down below (leather/cordura)

Go see quasi mate (www.quasimoto.co.nz) His stuff is great and saved my skin when I binned.

[discotex]

Leather for the top half of your body is the way to go mate, and whatever your comfortable in down below (leather/cordura)


I used to think the same but it seems your arse and legs are most likely to need abrasion resistance and armour.

The ride forver site has some interesting stats on risk to the different parts of the body plus info on different gear etc.

http://www.rideforever.co.nz/gear_up/risk.html

If anything you probably want armoured leather pants with whatever on top.

[Moki]

Whatever you choose, get the best QUALITY you can afford. Don't just go for the cheap brand name knock-offs from China. Look around and listen for recommendations based on the type of riding you are planning to do.

[rocketman1]

I have a R-Jays leather jacket and Spool trousers, the Jacket is great in winter all I do is put a thin pullover under it and I'm warm as toast.
It can get a bit hot on a very hot summers day but I just open up the zips and it helps to cool down. I dont ride alot if its wet.
The fabric trousers are fine summer & winter, but I do worry a little about protection if I ever came off.
I am looking around for a cheap set of leather trou with a bit of padding and knee armour.
Too be sure i believe you would have too be safer copying what the Moto GP and superbike riders use , plenty of leather & padding.
If fabric was better they would be wearing it as it would probably be lighter, but they dont, so ask yourself?

[Biggles2000]

I have a foot in both camps.

Fabric water proof winter weight lined suit for wet and cold conditions, cant think of the brand but it has an armadillo on it and its great in bad weather. In spring a "dusty" leather jacket and usually dragon jeans. In summer a dragon jacket and jeans. I do have a pair of leather pants but don't wear them anymore. I also have a dry rider over jacket and pants that pack down to nothing that I take on summer trips.

[grusomhat]

i see qausi has a jacket and pant combo that is half leather half cordura, and at a great price
This stuff http://www.quasimoto.co.nz/products/?product_id=57 ?

I just bought that and it arrived yesterday. Fucking brilliant looking stuff and it all looks nicely stiched. Stuff I got though was a bit small so I'm sending it back to 'em for a larger size.

I also picked up a two piece leather suit from an ex-biker. Brilliant looking stuff and he charged me extremely reasonable. So now I've got codura and a leather suit for less than $1000 couldn't ask for much better :D.

I plan on wearing the condura round town and short trips. But anything out of town will probably be the leather which also came with wet weather gear.

[EnzoYug]

My leather jacket and boots have survived 4 crashes / bins. 2 of those were high speed and 2 were also bike vs cage.

I've never had the time for leather pants and as such I've had to replace fabric / kevlar pants 3 times. When I went down in jeans I got horrible, terrible burns. Don't wear jeans. Leather is the way to go for safety. If you want convenience think about fabric - but it won't last. It's a one-shot gig.

[vifferman]

I've crashed a couple of times wearing leather pants and a textile jacket. The jacket ended up with small holes abraded through the Cordura which needed patching, whereas the pants needed only a touch-up with shoe polish to fix them.

[Swoop]

My leather jacket and boots have survived 4 crashes / bins. 2 of those were high speed and 2 were also bike vs cage.
Hopefully you replaced your helmet after each of those?

[EnzoYug]

I doubt I'd be talking coherently about it afterwards If I hadn't. I like my brain. And it's always nice to go new-helmet shopping.
I used the crashed ones as trophies!

[EnzoYug]

I've crashed a couple of times wearing leather pants and a textile jacket. The jacket ended up with small holes abraded through the Cordura which needed patching, whereas the pants needed only a touch-up with shoe polish to fix them.

No shit? Maybe I'm buying the wrong pants. Or maybe I'm sliding on my as too much...

[Jorja]

Yeah, why is that? They've usually got at least spine padding, and sometimes elbow padding but I don't recall seeing a leather jacket with the full hard armour inserts usually available with gortex...

Your custom setup sounds like close to the best of both worlds, does anyone offer something like that off-the-shelf?

My leather jacket (quasi) has full armour. Never had a problem with being water proof either. Was more wet around my boots and gloves.

Mind you I chose it for the size and price. None of the codura fit properly cause of my height.

[Pixie]

Coretex, Goretex ???????? dont ya mean Cordura ?

Get the best your budget will allow mate, think if your a commuter or a sunny day rider, Cordura for commuting and leather for riding for fun.

We can fit you out in gear from $150 to over a Grand for a race suit, pm me your sizes if you like

Cordura was originally a rayon fabric made by Dupont.It is now a nylon material.There are a whole bunch of synthetic fibers,with different brand names in use in motorcycle safetyware.

Goretex is an expanded PTFE (teflon) breathable membrane.Other breathable membranes used are Reissa (DriRider),H2out (Spidi) Nibo (Orina) etc.Some of these are expanded polyurethane membranes

Go on admit it.Apart from the latent sexual thing leather is crap.It's too hot or too cold or too wet.
I also refute that quality textile ware is inferior to leather in abrasion resistence

[nick69]

I was in a bad accident in September which left my in a coma and a lot of injuries. I was wearing BMW textile gear which saved me from worse injuries. I came off at more than 80kmh onto the road and other than broken bones i only got a gash on my shoulder. I have always had leathers but my job supplied the textile BMW kit which is bloody brilliant. I cannot tell you enough how good this kit is and really versatile aswell. I wont wear anything else now. Buy the best you can cos at the end of the day you only have one body. Luckily i was wearing a BMW helmet aswell which saved my life! you can see from my avatar picture!

[discotex]

I was in a bad accident in September which left my in a coma and a lot of injuries. I was wearing BMW textile gear which saved me from worse injuries. I came off at more than 80kmh onto the road and other than broken bones i only got a gash on my shoulder. I have always had leathers but my job supplied the textile BMW kit which is bloody brilliant. I cannot tell you enough how good this kit is and really versatile aswell. I wont wear anything else now. Buy the best you can cos at the end of the day you only have one body. Luckily i was wearing a BMW helmet aswell which saved my life! you can see from my avatar picture!

Shit that sounds like a nasty crash. Is that the same kit that Charlie and Ewan wear on the Long Way Round/Down on their beemers?

[Nagash]

Well I would hope it's deadly obvious does (actual fact here) absorb more shock and can withstand alot more friction burning than textiles. This does not mean to say that textile is unsuitable, it does the job to an amazing standard aswell just leather does it that extra bit better.

Obviously leather is heavy, hot, uncomfortable, tight, bulky, unflexible, usually not good when it gets wet, needs more care, costs more, but it does look cool and it protects you better (I feel like I could walk away from getting hit by a bus when i'm in my full leather's, boots to neck-warmer.)

Textile is more comfortable, easy breathing, light, you may get away with it in public, still not completely water proof and you're not really a true 'biker' (I jest) but they definately do the job. Oh, and they're cheaper!

So i'm all for leather.. but if I had the cash I wouldn't mind a pair of draggin' jeans and a textile jacket for those short, summer trips.

~Nagash, Out.

[Okey Dokey]

Like many others, I recommend the best leather you can buy. I'm so glad I got a good quality 2 piece leather suit years ago. I always wear it when I go riding. Accidents happen, and leather is the best protection. Usually the gear can survive a crash and still be used, where as textile is pretty destroyed after an off.

Good luck!