What clothing on tour???

[vifferman]

When we went touring Up North at Easter, I wore what I always wear - my Teknic jacket and my (new at the time) Spidi GranTurismo pants. Both of these are textile with leather bits in abrasion zones, vents for warm weather, zip-in thermal liners, etc. The only other allowance I made for different weather was two pairs of gloves - "ordinary" and wet-weather, and a thin woollen top for cooler days.

[Paul in NZ]

In my day,I rode t'stralia under the t'tasman sea in my leathers and was dead of dehydration when I got there.

Luxury - sheer luxury.... Why, when I were yung

[vifferman]

Leathers and a one piece rain suit, unless you want to cook in cordura
thats my choice.

That's what I used to have before I got my Teknic jacket. The suit was friggin' awful - it didn't breathe, hampered my movements, and I slipped around on the seat.
Then I switched to the Teknic jacket, and leather trou with Motoline pants for when it rained. I used to dread wet weather as the pants were still slippery, even though they breathed better and were 100% waterproof. I wore the leather jacket once after getting the textile one, and it was so crap in comparison I sold it.

My ideal wear would be similar to what I've got now. My jacket now has leather on the lower arms and shoulders, doesn't need a zip-in liner for waterproofing, and has a built-in back protector, two layer armour, and 8 vents for summer. The pants are OK, but ideally would have leather on the knees and hips instead of just the seat. Macna pants do, but the fit and armour isn't as good as the Spidi Gran Turismo. I might get Kerrie at MSW to add some leather to these sometime.

[vifferman]

In my day,I rode t'stralia under the t'tasman sea in my leathers.

Like this?

[sunhuntin]

when i went south, i took:

2 pairs of jeans [draggins made up one pair and were for travel] the other pair was for walking, or if the draggins got overly wet.
2 tshirts, jersey. my usual double jacket [leather with demin vest over top]
sneakers for walking, cowboy boots for riding. and several pairs of socks. also underwear.

fingerless and also long gloves...

i would also suggest thermals or similar....got a lot colder than i expected and i ended up sleeping in my jeans a few times.

me being a shopper, i used some of the clothes i wasnt wearing to pack some crockery for mum to post them home. made more room as well.

[Idubbs]

last week we had every sort of weather they make, and some they were trialling to see if it sucked to ride in ..... a great success.

I have a cheap cordura jacket, with armour (crappy) and a zip out lining, and some vents. I had cordura pants but dont wear them as sweaty balls is only good when you are watching pr0n, and not riding for hours on end. Leather pants and gloves.

this time of year, usually even if its wet, its not tooo cold.

by the way, is cordura track day legal? or are you doing the HRC one at levels on 20 Feb for street bikes only. If so, I should be there.

Yup, it's the HRC track day at Levels 20th Feb. I'd like to wear full leathers on that occasion, but it's the other 11 days on tour that's got me figgurin'.. I don't think that they'll be too strict on corduras, as it's a "riders' development" day.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

On same trip as Night Hawk I got wet hands (fingerless gloves!) and wet down my front 'cos the water got in around my throat area.

Yeah buddy, but you are just a hard knuckle

[Blairos]

I too, am heading to the mighty South Island with 2 or 3 others on Feb 17th

I will be taking leathers, and a one-piece rain suit - like Quasi mentioned earlier (sorry I didnt get them from you mate) a large range of leather gear is now vented, plus my jacket zips to the pants, preventing "ride-up"

Looks like a healthy tribe of KB'ers are heading south around the same timeframe - I sense a catch-up could be set to take place somewhere in the mainland

[Quasievil]

like Quasi mentioned earlier (sorry I didnt get them from you mate)

DAMN YOU MISGUIDED FOOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



nah just kidding, my Jacket is vented (via zip) and pants are vented, so its awesome, throw in a QUASiMOTO one piece rain suit and my kit is dry comfy and safe, cant go wrong really

[jafar]

I am also going on a tour of the south island in Feb and have been pondering the same question myself . I am leaning towards cordura as we are going in one of the hottest months & cordura does breath a bit better IMHO . Also my dririder gear has the removable linings & the leathers don't.

[Quasievil]

Im not sure why people think Cordura breaths better? think, if its waterproof and it is, then it isnt going to breath, remember where air goes water goes, it simply doesnt breath.
In the Hotter months think of putting a chicken in a cooking bag and then sticking it in the oven, thats what its does, it is tightly sealed and allows no air to pass through the garment to the rider.
Sure some cordura has zips to allow air but if yours doesnt it will be terrible stuff to wear in summer.
Leather against cordura in summer , leather wins

eeeekk I cant stand the thought, sweaty crutch in tightly bunched up legs no room, hate the stuff, thats why Im selling the lot at $125 a piece, ya can take it people !!!

personal opinions of the author only expressed in this statement, no tests or google searches done to validate any claims made or suggested.
Basically a tired silly prick viocing his opinions to the world, Im harmless

[Idubbs]

Regard it fortunate or not, my cordura jacket is rather loose fitting, especially without the quilted liner. I can ride with it partially zipped to allow air to circulate on a hot day. Unfortunately I can't say the same for my cordura pants which will be ultra hot as it's ultra padded........ For the heat of summer I'm favouring wearing my airmesh jacket and pants which is absolutley fantastic (especially when you're stuck in Dorkland traffic), but the magic disappears as soon as the temp drops below 20 degrees and can only be worn selectively when touring. So......so far there's no real consensus mainly 'cos we don't know what the weather will be like. I'd love to take it all but I'll need a trailer (and I don't ride a Goldwing....)

[Krusti]

Just bought my Spidi GT pants. Took the liner out tho...slid around a bit much on seat. GT Jacket arriving soon. Have allways worn leather jacket and oilskin vest so will see how the Spidi goes. Bloody Iti sizings tho.....couldn't believe I'm an xxl!

Must be getting old...meon3 and myself have also just got heated gloves.....I know ...pansies. Will have to wait for winter for the true test on these tho...

[Devil]

I'll be definately using my Cordura gear. Love my Dririder Summit2 jacket and pants. Good vents, good liners, keeps me bone dry.
No contest.

[yungatart]

I have both leather gear and Cordura...on hot days my Cordura sticks to me so badly that Mstrs has had to help peel me out of the stuff..eek (not that he complains.. LOL)
Leather breathes far more, and is more comfortable, in my opinion.
Having said that, though, my Cordura is not vented at all!