What makes leather better than textile in jackets?

[swbarnett]

For commuting every day and a no hassle get up and go a textile is the better and easier option.

I used to wear textile for daily commuting until I bought one of the QMoto Black Rock jackets. By itself it's OK in the rain but I needed a rain jacket on top. That was until I discovered "BoneDry" (http://www.bonedrynz.com). A few coats of this and the leather can cope with a pretty heavy downpour.

[Robert Taylor]

Also my experience of injuries related to motorcycling has made me very cynical of the claims made around the safety benefits of said gear by manufacturers. All I can say for the gear I've been wearing in road accidents is that they prevented me from suffering gravel rash. It didn't help much with internal injuries, fractures or permanent, crippling joint injuries.

That then raises the argument about adding spine protectors, chest protectors and strategically placed armour to protect shoulders, elbows and knees etc. Certainly massive improvements in these areas have happened over the last few years and you generally only see it in the higher priced gear.
Yes it is all a major cost but if more traumatic injuries occur because the safety gear worn was either totally inadequate or ''substandard'' ( and then who defines that? ) then its a cost to ACC and other taxpayer funded agencies. We all moan about ACC funding and levies ( some of it justified ) but as a group of society we need to be more responsible. That starts right with the kids I see riding to school on their scooters in shorts and sandles. That is just not on and WE are all paying for the end result of a spill.

[scumdog]

LEATHER!

Cos nobody makes textile jackets with tassles...

[James Deuce]

That then raises the argument about adding spine protectors, chest protectors and strategically placed armour to protect shoulders, elbows and knees etc. Certainly massive improvements in these areas have happened over the last few years and you generally only see it in the higher priced gear.
Yes it is all a major cost but if more traumatic injuries occur because the safety gear worn was either totally inadequate or ''substandard'' ( and then who defines that? ) then its a cost to ACC and other taxpayer funded agencies. We all moan about ACC funding and levies ( some of it justified ) but as a group of society we need to be more responsible. That starts right with the kids I see riding to school on their scooters in shorts and sandles. That is just not on and WE are all paying for the end result of a spill.

Had all those in my last set of Quasi leathers including a separate spine protector. I rather think you're preaching to the converted, especially around the personal responsibility area. I also had decent boots with decent ankle and shin protection but still ended up with a rooted right ankle. My HJC HQ-1 (Carbon Fibre - their top of line helmet when I bought it - bought becuase it was the best fit of several helmets I tried on including more "famous" brands) was split almost in half. You can't quantify what injuries decent gear saves you from only the injuries you end up with, hence my cynicism especially given that my last accident was investigated by SCU and I departed from the bike at between 60-75km/hr and there was no indication that I'd been doing anything silly.

I still think it's massively unreasonable to expect someone to spend between $3 and $4.5k on gear, which is what everyone seems to be saying. You can "protect" yourself (not really - you can protect your skin, that's about it) for a lot less than that. At the risk of opening a can of worms, you can do a lot better on the cost front if you import it yourself, but I try to support local distributors and retailers, so I pay the extra.

[p.dath]

Bell Helmets used to run an ad something like ''If you have a $10 head wear a $10 helmet'' I dont see any of the MotoGP and WSBK riders wearing any of the cheap brands of leather that are budget price. I think theres several very plausible reasons for that.

To be fair, I think you need to also consider the use of the helmet.

A MotoGP rider also has to consider the risk of a high speed accident (by high speed, I mean considerably faster than NZ's open road speed). Your obviously in a similar situation for your needs.

e,g. Some people only ride around in 50km/h streets, and may not feel they need a $1000 carbon fibre helmet - and may be worse off by using such a helmet (because it wont flex and absorb as much energy in a low speed accident as a comparable plastic helmet).

[Urano]

I dont see any of the MotoGP and WSBK riders wearing any of the cheap brands of leather that are budget price. I think theres several very plausible reasons for that.

the first of those being: "the brands pay".

[Paul in NZ]

If Moto GP riders were buying their own gear and bike I suspect you might see a slightly different standard...

My feeling is that all road accidents are a bit different as the environment is uncontrolled so the gear requirements also differ. At best you are always in a compromise set of kit. Racing is very different.

Also to be considered is the gears duty in preventing an accident. If we are headed off around the south island we tend to wear touring textile kit. Its much more adjustable temperature wise and rain resistent meaning we are more comfortable and hopefully safer.

Our feeling is that the biggest danger to our lives is hitting solid things so armour is a must have - road rash hurts like a bitch but skin grows back.

Of course the best piece of riding kit you can have is the ability to sit on your ego and the second best is that squisshy grey thing inside your head...

[Robert Taylor]

the first of those being: "the brands pay".

Are you 1000% sure about that????

With suspension in MotoGP and WSBK Ohlins dont sponsor anyone. They all have to buy the product and service contracts and I can tell you its not peanuts we are talking about. Its a business that has to pay its way.

[Robert Taylor]

If Moto GP riders were buying their own gear and bike I suspect you might see a slightly different standard...

My feeling is that all road accidents are a bit different as the environment is uncontrolled so the gear requirements also differ. At best you are always in a compromise set of kit. Racing is very different.

Also to be considered is the gears duty in preventing an accident. If we are headed off around the south island we tend to wear touring textile kit. Its much more adjustable temperature wise and rain resistent meaning we are more comfortable and hopefully safer.

Our feeling is that the biggest danger to our lives is hitting solid things so armour is a must have - road rash hurts like a bitch but skin grows back.

Of course the best piece of riding kit you can have is the ability to sit on your ego and the second best is that squisshy grey thing inside your head...

I had a road accident at 140k and stopped abruptly, injuries were minor. A colleague had one at 50k and again stopped abruptly. He suffered major breakages and spent months in hospital and recuperation. So there are indeed many variables.
I think its a no brainer that your protective gear ideally needs to be of as high a standard as possible to cover all bases

[Big Dave]

The best solution I have found so far for winter is wear a textile overcoat over the top of a leather Jacket. Only ever needed a tee under it all.

In milder weather - I choose the one most suitable for type of ride and prevailing conditions.

[Big Dave]

Rev-it sponsor Tony Elias and they are mid price level.

[BurningPlastic]

I've always worn leather on road and more often, textile offroad (as it's easier to wash the mud off).

I prefer the extra cushioning leather provides for hitting the road surface and it also doesn't flap around. If it's raining, I just put on my normal windbreaker/rainjacket over the leather and it works perfectly. Leg-wise I actually use waterproofed snow pants as they're easy to get on and off and are comfortable to wear over other trousers for extended periods.