Leather or fabric?

**Swoop** · 4th December 2007, 16:10

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** · 4th December 2007, 16:42

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!

**skelstar** · 4th December 2007, 16:44

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** · 4th December 2007, 16:45

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** · 4th December 2007, 16:48

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:Me** · 4th December 2007, 16:55

Originally Posted by Ocean1

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 and not here you wouldn't have these problems

**shurik** · 4th December 2007, 17:01

Originally Posted by Squiggles

mint.

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

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** · 4th December 2007, 17:01

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:Me** · 4th December 2007, 17:12

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** · 4th December 2007, 17:20

Originally Posted by vifferman

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** · 4th December 2007, 18:32

Originally Posted by The Stranger

If you were buying your motorcycle leathers from here and not here you wouldn't have these problems

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** · 4th December 2007, 18:36

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 .