Gear for pillion

[Neon]

I'm moving up to my full license soon and most probably a slightly bigger bike so I can pillion the wife and go touring with a bit of gear. Thinking about starting to amass some gear for her so she can pillion safely, but have a dilemma. Given I am not sure what kind of success I am going to have getting her on the bike regularly, the question is: shell out for leather or textiles?

Leather: Pros - protection, comfort, stylishness (very important) and longevity. Cons - cost, weather resistance, can't wear normal pants under leathers easily (this could be an issue when it comes to going places - "I'm not standing around for hours in leather pants!"

Textiles: Pros - cost, weather protection, can be worn over regular clothes.
Cons - protection, stylishness.

I think she has a preference for leather, but suiting her up from scratch is going to be $1K+ including gloves, helmet, boots. It's a lot given that she may decide she doesn't like it. Of course she will like it, but we are talking about risk mitigation here.

Maybe the answer is textile pants, leather jacket. Thoughts?

[Henk]

I'm sure you are going to get lots of advice that says leather or nothing.
However in your case I'd go the leather cordura route you have suggested. You can always upgrade later. I wear that combination every day on the commute to work and don't have any issues with it. Weekend rides it's full leathers but they can be uncomfortable and impractical when you're not actually on the bike. I'm also not sure how the precurved pants would work in a pillion as opposed to rider position on the bike.

[Neon]

I'm sure you are going to get lots of advice that says leather or nothing.
However in your case I'd go the leather cordura route you have suggested. You can always upgrade later.

Yeah I've got a full set of both textiles and leathers and most of the time I prefer leather jacket, textile pants so maybe I've answered my own question.

[Quailboy]

I have done as previously suggested and got Leather jacket and cordura pants. (only because mum offered to buy me a jacket so I conveniently picked a $900 Alpinestars one!)
Which might be stupid cause if I'm gonna slide I'm gonna slide on my legs/arse I guess?

It sure would suck to buy $1k worth of gear and use it for 20mins and have to sell it for half the new price.

[duckonin]

For your pillion the best of gear, in the event of a mishape they are well protected, a bit less to worry about...Take care ride safe...

[CookMySock]

I'm gunna get cruicified by the ATGATT crew for saying this, but if you just want to see if she likes it, then some strong pants/jeans, lace-up boots, any jacket, and some quality knee and elbow armour (80 bucks max) will do for some quiet trips down to the cafe/beach/lake (insert other favourite place).

Of course, if you are going to hit the state highway north and hoof it a bit, this wont be enough, but possibly thats not her thing anyway.

Best of luck. It's awesome taking the mrs for a ride.

Steve

[Henk]

Or you could bludge some gear off a mate for a couple of days to see if the co-pilot is going to climb on the back more than once and then decide. If it's going to a once in 18 months occurance jeans may be enough, I've crashed in em couple of times and can still walk.

[Her_C4]

...... If it's going to a once in 18 months occurance jeans may be enough, I've crashed in em couple of times and can still walk.

I can't

[Henk]

Would better trou have helped?

[bobsmith]

Come on... Cordura isn't too bad as long as you aren't going too fast.

I've come off around 100 (maybe slightly faster?) on my cordura and managed keep much more skin than when i've fallen off my bicycles...

Hmmmm.... saying that it depends on how much is acceptable to you. When I came off my bicycle I was doing 40km/hr and I lost a lot of skin and I was in pain for a longggg time. But the cordura still saved me being in the hospital for an overnight visit.

[Her_C4]

Would better trou have helped?

Yep - with armour. The bike bounced on me (my knee) a couple of times before it slid off down the road. I was wearing jeans for a 'quick ride' around the block and to get some petrol.

Even though it was a low speed low side, I still do not recall exactly what happened, I DO know that I curse my decision to wear jeans that day as some days I struggle to walk properly let alone ride.

Who knew

[Henk]

Fair enough. Im not one of the ATGATT mob. regularly ride in jeans and have done for about 20 years, can't see that changing.
Would be a shame to drop serious coin on top line gear for the pillion if she decides that one ride is enough in my opinion. Of course that doesn't count for much.

[klingon]

Textile jackets don't have to look bad. In fact I have two textile jackets (one for winter & one vented for summer) and they are both quite feminine in their tailoring. Not as sexy as leather of course, but perfectly adequate and not bad looking.

I say get her a (nice, feminine) textile jacket & trou. Even if she only comes out riding with you once every 18 months, you will know she is comfortable and protected. And if she does want to come out more often (or get her own bike! Woohoo!) then she can get leathers or whatever a bit later down the track.

[Bikernereid]

I have spent years pillioning with riders and I have been using textile trousers over jeans and tights for in the winter with plenty of jumpers and a leather jacket. I have my own helmet and good gloves and have recently invested in some new good leather trousers. Have the option to what I wear that way.

If you don't want to splash out you might want to borrow the gear from a friend but make sure that if she doesn't have bike boots that she atleast has something like good hiking boots that protect her ankles. Also borrowing a helmet that fits properly is a must above all else.

If you can buy some gear on trade me or such sites so that it wont cos you an arm and a leg to kit her out provisionally that is an idea. At least that way is she doesn't like it wont cost you a forture and you can resell it and is she does like it then you always have spare gear.

[Neon]

I'm starting to think that perhaps cordura tops/bottoms might be a good option. I have no issue buying helmet, gloves and boots, might go for second hand boots though. She's a size 8 in both shoe and waist, so shouldn't be tooo difficult to find stuff on TM.

Good comments people, thanks!