Leather or Lace?

[jrandom]

Leather is definately the ONLY option in my opinion.

+1.

I've crashed in cordura, fuck that shit, it just doesn't work very well at all. I'll ride in a leather jacket and compromise on jeans for comfort on the road - if you wear MX knee armour under them they do just as good a job as cordura. Which is to say, very little. Personally, I just try not to crash. Much.

However.

Compromises are for pussies, so a couple of days ago I ordered myself a new (black, of course) Quasimoto one-piece.



I'll post a review of it after the next trackday.

Anyhow. Attention all n00bs: Buy leathers, put waterproof rain gear over the top of them when it rains. You'll end up going that way eventually, so bypass the inevitable "but cordura looks to be so much more [whatever]" stage and get yourself properly sorted to start with.

[Gizzit]

Yes ..... no argument from me .... I will definitely be getting leather trou and jacket.

As a young rider, I never owned anything more than some cheap leather gloves, work boots, and denim jacket and jeans, open face helmet, and I was just bloody lucky I never really hurt myself badly!

The cordura gear I have, is a step up from ordinary denims in that it has armour, is more comfortable, and reasonably waterproof.

I have waterproof rain suit already, just haven't used it much so far, using cordura gear. When it's been really pissing down and I'm commuting ... I have the brightest fluro yellow coat you've ever been blinded by, and waterproof over trou. A I live in Northland, that will get plenty more use now - with leathers.
Cheers.

[Rob Taylor]

Get leather ,without a doubt the best product to wear.I have been down the road a few times and bugger all damage to my gear,just scuffing...

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I have both, and like the many have said I decide on the day what I will wear if its cooler I will wear the Coudura that has the armour in the hot spots) and on the hotter days leather...

I have never had a bin in Coudura (and have not intentions on testing it... wood I need wood) So I can't comment on it, But put it this way I would rather wear Coudura than just standard denim. And if you bin and its only got a hole in the jacket and not you then its done its job. Remember after a bin you in theory should be getting a new helmet as well.

I have had a bin wearing full leather, it still got a slice through my leg, and my trousers were well needed more than a patch and few stiches. Was this due to poor leather, (maybe...) or just bad luck that I slide across a certain stone a certain way, but it was also common brand name at the time. How would have Coudura stood up to that bin, well probably a little bit worse for wear but remember it half the price of leather.

As James Deuce has said, I also recommend.
www.quasimoto.co.nz

[scumdog]

Tassles.
Whatever ya wear ya gotta have tassles.

[Jantar]

I have both, and like the many have said I decide on the day what I will wear if its cooler I will wear the Coudura, hotter days leather...

As James Deuce has said, I also recommend.
www.quasimoto.co.nz

I also have both at home, and decide on the day. However cooler days I wear leather, and on really hot days I may wear cordura if its only a short ride. I'll still wear leather if its a long ride.

I bought the cordura for use in Aussie on the Postie Bike Challenge. The surgeon who worked on me afterwards commented that my injuries would not have been as serious if I had been wearing leather, but I already knew that.

[Moki]

Leather is best....as long it is good quality and thick- not like some that come from thin-skinned chinese cows. I use both cordura as well as leather gear, but I find that Leather is best. Wet weather just means that I slap the Rev'it! PVC shell on top. best of both worlds

[Gizzit]

My wife and I both bought leather jacket and trou from Quasi today, and they appear to be really good quality. We also both got a Knox Aegis back protector which are nice and light and fit really well. I also got a chest protector for the next time I feel the need to do a swan dive off the bike ... so as not to puncture lungs with my ribs!! (quickly touches a large piece of wood, and crosses legs and fingers, etc! lol).
So we are decked out now with good riding gear. We are glad we spent the money on good gear. I just have to find another helmet I like now, after my old Shark S500 got destroyed in my recent "bin".

[Macontour]

I am going down the same track at the moment. 8 years away from bikes and don't think my 25 year old leather jacket is up to it now. Its time for some armour and my leather pants are way too tight and no armour. I still like leather because it is "old school" but I think modern gear is probably more practical. I have spent hours looking at all sorts of stuff and hjust give up because theres too much choice.
When I first started riding I had ex MOT overtrou, gauntlets, a bright fluoro green Kawasaki nylon jacket, an oilskin parka,a helmet made in Waihi and some ugly boots!
I may have to check out the Quasi gear, it looks good on their website.

[naphazoline]

if safety is the key,then it's leather for me.
if it's good enough protection for racers,then it's got to be the shit
some of the high speed crashes that they have got up and walked away from,is testament to that
also,knowing i'm properly protected,is more important to me then being waterproof.

ya don't see rossi and co. wearing cordura

[Gizzit]

...... snip ....

I may have to check out the Quasi gear, it looks good on their website.

Gear has come along way! I used to ride in just an old open face helmet, denims and workboots and sometimes gloves !! ... but that was a long time ago! More recently, Cordura gear with armour in it ..... but since I binned my bike, ..... leather is what I feel much more confident in.

I would advise you to check out Quasi's gear. It is "solidly" built! I know it will take a little while to break in to be nice and soft .... but it has a very secure feeling about it, with really good armour.
If you can't afford his gear, there a couple of others that can provide other options.

I would also recommend the back protectors. Probably most people don't use them on the road, but it's even more important on the road, than on the track .... if you think about it. They are light weight and protect your spine.
I read an interesting article in another forum about a guy who was saved from being in a wheel chair for the rest of his life, because of his back protector. He was just out for a ride with a mate somewhere on the north west side of the bridge, and came around a corner, avoided a guy walking on the road, and went under a car. Something that can easily happen. Dr said if it wasn't for his gear, he'd be dead or crippled. I hadn't ever thought about a back protector before. Since reading that article and reading what others had to say .... well for me it's a no brainer!! We now have them, and I will use mine even commuting. I'm an RN. I've seen people in the wards fucked up totally because of accidents. I don't want that!!

Good luck with choosing gear.
Cheers,
Grant.

[retro asian]

I just recently found out you can easily wear Boardies under leather pants!!

[raftn]

I just recently found out you can easily wear Boardies under leather pants!!

OKay..........who let this one out!

[Gizzit]

OKay..........who let this one out!

Yup ...... that one scared me too !!!! lol

[tacos]

LEATHER!!!! 1 - its fuckin brilliant shit - saved my ass wen iv come off.. couple wee scathes but its sweat.. 2 - animal were put here for a reason... im sure of it... milk and meats good but the protection and resistance so sliding is way beter then my synthetic jacket.. another animals skin is like a second skin too keeps ya warm and snug... and 3- leather enhances a woman ass like nothin' sorri ladies but its gota b put out there...havent ya ever been in a shop lookin at gear an a lady is lookin at sum gear.. ya descretely watch to c the end result... so worth it even if ya get caught..i can safely say chicks in leather is probly one of the main reasons i ride...