Leather vs Cordura/Textile - Beginner Gear

[pritch]

It escaped my memory but there is also waterproof leather now, but it hardly comes under the "beginner" category.

Also, I have yet to actually set eyes on it but it should be starting to appear here soonish if only mostly on the high end branded gear like this:

http://www.rukka.com/lfashion/rukka/...E?OpenDocument

[bkker]

Well if anything this thread has opened my eyes to qmoto gear
if only I had money..

[Biggles08]

Track riders seem to avoid spinal injuries so they must wear something protective.

No neck protection...just a bloody good back protector seems to do the trick :-)

[Quasievil]

Well if anything this thread has opened my eyes to qmoto gear
if only I had money..

hi Dude, we have some mean as specials at the moment, Qrace Spec Rapid Jackets at $250 !!

[yungatart]

i have Cordura and leather.
I have been down the raod wearing a combination...the leather pants ground through the knees to the lining. the cordura jacket has a scuff mark.
Having said that I think that my bottom half hit the ground a lot harder.
I prefer leather for comfort and ease of wearing especially when it is hot, but Cordura is warmer in winter (plus I can get more stuff on underneath) and waterproof.
Your choice really.

[Winston001]

Scorp - the other thing to remember is that motorcycling is a passion which evolves with you. That means your tastes, ideas, and budget change over time. Today you might be just as well to buy cheapish gear knowing that in time you'll replace it. Buying the best stuff straight away may not work if you get the wrong sizes, put on weight, find its uncomfortable etc.

You can get good protective clothing (textile) to start with without breaking the bank.

[steve_t]

Scorp - the other thing to remember is that motorcycling is a passion which evolves with you. That means your tastes, ideas, and budget change over time. Today you might be just as well to buy cheapish gear knowing that in time you'll replace it. Buying the best stuff straight away may not work if you get the wrong sizes, put on weight, find its uncomfortable etc.

You can get good protective clothing (textile) to start with without breaking the bank.

Interesting you say that Winston. When I got my first jacket it was a Strada Giro Textile Jacket. A few months later I got my Qmoto Leather Jacket which is more comfortable and hopefully far more protective, and I just kept thinking "Why didn't I just buy good stuff from the get go that will last me ages? What a waste of money buying cheap stuff and upgrading (in a relatively short space of time)." Luckily I sold the Giro jacket quickly and didn't lose too much money on it

[Mustek]

The guys at the shop I talked to say leathers will last more than one crash but cordura won't. Personally I have Revit synthetics.

[Metastable]

Sorry I haven't read the entire thread, so maybe a bit of a repeat here.

I have both. I prefer leather, 1 piece as well. All my 1 pieces have been perforated and I'm comfortable well into 30C+. If it is cold or rainy, I also have a waterproof windbreaker, that I throw over. It cuts down the wind and under the leathers I'll wear a dryfit type material. That was good enough for a recent trackday were temperatures were in the single digits for most of the day.

Another thing to consider is to use something like full armor with your choice of jacket:


I have a friend that wears this and loves it.... dunno I have never tried it. I will always wear a hard back protector similar to the one you see in the picture.... regardless if I'm wearing my Cordura or my 1 piece. The Cordura is more comfy if you plan on doing some walking etc.. On the bike the leathers are more comfy.

[cindymay]

I prefer leather for a number reasons and the first one is use. I don't commute, my riding is for pleasure and I like good gear (don't we all?). If I did commute then there are so many advantages with cordura with the main ones being; waterproof and work clothes can be worn underneath. Some on here have claimed they can wear other clothes underneath leather but that means bulky and poorly fitting leathers. My idea of leathers are ones that fit firmly so everything stays in place and I look good. If your riding is pleasure only then you can't go past well fitting quality leather.
BTW I look great in my leathers - no pictures offered.

I prefer leather for comfort and ease of wearing especially when it is hot, but Cordura is warmer in winter (plus I can get more stuff on underneath) and waterproof.
Your choice really.

Leather molds to the body and gets more comfortable with use.

The guys at the shop I talked to say leathers will last more than one crash but cordura won't. Personally I have Revit synthetics.

I don't plan to crash and gear only lasting one crash is not a big issue as that will be only one cost - others being replacing the bike, helmet, body parts.

[GOONR]

.... I look great in my leathers - no pictures offered.

Hey, that's not on, saying you look great but no pics. Pics are mandatory to back up such a claim in KB land.

[cindymay]

Hey, that's not on, saying you look great but no pics. Pics are mandatory to back up such a claim in KB land.

I put up a studio pic when I joined the site. That was a mistake as evidenced by a number of comments. Want to see me you have to ride with me.

[Neon]

My experience was I bought some good quality textile gear to start with, then got kitted out in Quasi's leather gear later. I use both because unfortunately you do have to compromise sometimes. I go full leathers as much as possible, but in the dead of winter commuting it's just not warm enough. And if people tell you to put a jumper or jersey on under your leathers, your leathers don't fit properly. I've crashed in both. Last time I remember thinking "I'm real glad I'm in a 2-piece and gloves with palm sliders" as I slid down the road. Moral of the story - textiles as a first though for learning, leathers second when you start feeling the need to fang it sometimes. IMO.

[Winston001]

Interesting you say that Winston........."Why didn't I just buy good stuff from the get go that will last me ages? What a waste of money buying cheap stuff and upgrading (in a relatively short space of time)."

Well said and its horses for courses. When I was young I couldn't afford good gear so wore a ski jacket and jeans. Today you can get a textile jacket, trousers and boots from Trademe for less than the cost of a good new leather jacket. Later on the gear is still saleable (if looked after) and upgrading becomes affordable.

But as you say, if you really enjoy motorcycling (as we do) then buying the good gear straight up is sensible. Scorp mentioned budget so I was trying to think in those terms.

[Scorp]

The decision over how to protect yourself seems almost harder than choosing a starter bike, probably because there's so much choice out there, and so much to consider: quality, cost, visibility, material, usage, flexibility, season... and so on.

Despite that, the advice given by everyone here... all of it, has been incredibly useful in helping me to make my mind up. And I hope it has helped/will help other noob KBers too.

Thanks for specific advice in particular to Winston (good luck with the healing!), R Sole, firefighter, Quasi, Biggles08, DB, Kiwifruit, stevet, p.dath and pritch. Even the conflicting advice on material and brands helped me come to a decision.



I thought seriously about starting off with cheaper Cordura then moving on to more expensive leather, however, in the end, I figured this would both cost me more money in the long run, and given that I'm more likely to spill early rather than late, possibly cost me some skin/pain too.

So I have opted for some 1Tonne leather gear (Terminator jacket and a pair of leather sports pants). I would have loved to go for Quasi's gear but (sorry Quasi) on balance it seemed just a bit too much of an extravagance for someone who will never go racing. There's always compromises involved in these decisions, and in this intance I know I've gone for second best rather than what probably is the best out there. Still, 1Tonne seems to be very good gear. And as someone who's going to be happiest cruising and touring rather than racing, I hope it turns out to be a wise compromise. I'll let you know how the delivery and first trial goes, plus the long run too.

In the meantime, thanks again to everyone who responded with advice. I really never expected as much help from so many good people. Just goes to show what an awsome site KB is, and what a great bunch of people there are on here.