Leather or fabric?

[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:1221001236v=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.