Draggin vs Leather for a newbie

**Gman71** · 12th November 2007, 14:26

Hi All

Just got my L's and my very first bike arrives tomorrow, (GSX250) I have learnt soooo much form reading these posts over the last few weeks- thanks.

..so as I now have to go and buy loys of gear

I'd like your thoughts as to whether to buy Draggin jeans (with armour) or leather pants.

I will be a fine weather rider only as this is my new toy, not my transport to work. Money not so much the issue as the best thing to keep me safe in the worst scenrio

but would be nice to be able to blend in a bit if you know what I mean.

thanks for the sound advice I know will follow.....

UPDATE: Thanks to all for the great advice.Ended up biung a full set of leathers from QuasiMoto

and I love them- the safest things to be in obvioulsy, maybe some jeans later in my career........

**Nasty** · 12th November 2007, 14:36

Only a choice between the two ... why limit yourself?

**Gman71** · 12th November 2007, 14:41

Happy to consider whatever will keep my legs/knees etc the safest they can be naturally....

**Stickchick** · 12th November 2007, 14:50

I'm a newbie and I have just got kitted out with Quasi Leathers, Jacket and Pants. Best buy I personally think

**Tank** · 12th November 2007, 14:53

I see tht you are in Auckland - a good place to start would be motomail - they have a large range of all the different options and you will be able to pick their minds and try on all different types of leggings - leather, draggin and cordora (sp?).

Have a look thru the reviews section on this forum also - there are some good reviews on specific types of clothing.

Welcome to the KB!

**jrandom** · 12th November 2007, 14:57

Cordura? Just say no.

Nothing crashes as well as leather, and a good set of waterproofs over leather will keep you much drier in heavy rain than a cordura two-piece ever will.

**Nasty** · 12th November 2007, 15:05

Originally Posted by Gman71

Happy to consider whatever will keep my legs/knees etc the safest they can be naturally....

Thats good .. cos it rains in Auckland lots of days and draggins ain't waterproof ... so you would need overtrou (which are easy to carry). I had draggins pants, overtrou and codura jacket for a year before getting some codura pants. I now have leather pants and jacket as well. So pick and choose depending on the weather.

I agree that motomail is worth checking out ... I enjoyed my hours there when we visited last.

**jrandom** · 12th November 2007, 15:11

For commuting around Auckland, now, I'm all about jeans (should be Draggins, but they're Levis at the moment, my bad) and light Rev'it overtrous when it rains, plus my leather Quasi jacket and Rev'it waterproof over-jacket.

Warm as toast and dry as a bone when the sleet starts coming down, and easily put on and removed as weather conditions change during the day, plus you don't have to change trousers when you get to work. Carrying a spare set of pants and getting in and out of full leathers is a right pain in the arse.

**Stickchick** · 12th November 2007, 15:13

Originally Posted by jrandom

For commuting around Auckland, now, I'm all about jeans (should be Draggins, but they're Levis at the moment, my bad) and light Rev'it overtrous when it rains, plus my leather Quasi jacket and Rev'it waterproof over-jacket.

Warm as toast and dry as a bone when the sleet starts coming down, and easily put on and removed as weather conditions change during the day, plus you don't have to change trousers when you get to work. Carrying a spare set of pants and getting in and out of full leathers is a right pain in the arse.

So when you were a newbie you just wore jeans? I know that getting in and out of leathers are a pain but I would prefer to know that I have covered myself well enough when I fall off. it means one less thing to think about.

Just my 2c anyway

**hospitalfood** · 12th November 2007, 15:15

leather for cold/wet?(or textile)/long high speed rides.
Draggin for cruzin/hot/sunny.
you will probably want everything, i have leather and textile ( both with armour ) and want draggin jeans.
when i get draggin jeans and wear them it will rain.

**jrandom** · 12th November 2007, 15:16

Originally Posted by Stickchick

So when you were a newbie you just wore jeans?

No, I made a point of wearing full gear with all the armour top to bottom day in day out when I was a n00b.

I've only recently got to the point where I feel comfortable riding around town in jeans in summer. It's just one of those choices you make eventually once you're comfortable enough on the road, seen all the heavy-traffic situations that a city can throw at you, have had a few bins, and generally know how things go.

I'll grab some Draggins shortly, however. I don't fancy going for a slide on my arse in the Levis.

**fireliv** · 12th November 2007, 15:18

I would definatly go and try them on as suggested. I only have courdra pants which are fine but would like some draggins as well. Phoenix has draggins to wear round town, and leathers for the longer trips. He also just carries some wet weather pants to through over.

Have fun picking what suits and welcome to KB

**007XX** · 12th November 2007, 15:18

Originally Posted by Nasty

Thats good .. cos it rains in Auckland lots of days and draggins ain't waterproof ... so you would need overtrou (which are easy to carry). I had draggins pants, overtrou and codura jacket for a year before getting some codura pants. I now have leather pants and jacket as well. So pick and choose depending on the weather.

I agree that motomail is worth checking out ... I enjoyed my hours there when we visited last.

Agreed for the Draggin jeans not being waterproof...however, should they be treated with a product called Nickwax (very good value), they become very water repellent...I'm not sure wether i'd go as far as to say waterproof, but always a good option...

Cycletreads on teh Shore is very much worth going to as well...I heard they are having a sale on at the moment...

For me, anything that has a serious armour in it. That is the one thing that bothers me about the draggin: the absence of armour. Scares the bejesus out of me!

**The Pastor** · 12th November 2007, 15:20

After crashing in draggons, i'll only ever ride in leathers.

unless its like to get gas etc etc then i'll ride naked (much to the dlight of the girl at the counter hehe)

**Mikkel** · 12th November 2007, 15:22

I rode for about a month wearing normal clothes before I got my leathers. And I wouldn't recommend it, I could easily have been unlucky and I did have one near miss. That opened my eyes and made me realise that I needed my leathers NOW! (ATGATT!)

As jrandom said, nothing will protect you better than leather - but leather isn't just leather. There are many brands and models. Personally I chose a set of Alpinestars and I love the stuff! I am however considering getting a set of Draggin cargos for the daily commute and running around town since they are a bit more casual

Edit: Oh and whatever you do make sure you try the stuff on you're buying before paying for it