Draggin vs Leather for a newbie

[LilSel]

I have some draggins n I ride with them as opposed to kevlar pants if its hot as the draggins aint so hot in summer... do what you feel is best for you...

good boots are a must... there is quite a bit of kevlar in the draggin jeans...
but alas... diff strokes for diff folks

[gijoe1313]

Or just buy a set of draggin's to fit over your choice of leather or cordura

heck, I went the whole hog and even got Draggin' to make me a custom jacket out of the same pattern for my pants! (molten red! )

natch, will be getting leathers as well ... but I will be getting a custom design made up to reflect my personality! So, if money ain't a prob, get both!

[Gman71]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

[Stickchick]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

Talk to Quasi, he gave me my leather pants from measurements I gave him. He is very accomodating.

[Nasty]

Thanks for all the feedback, it seems like it could be a long shopping trip to motormail, shame you can't try on the quasi gear in Auckland.

Do I understand right that no matter how much kevlar and armour may be in Draggin jeans, leather is stil much much better in case of you-know-what ?

Hamilton is not far to go to see Quasi ... !!

[BMW]

I see tht you are in Auckland - a good place to start would be motomail - they have a large range of all the different options and you will be able to pick their minds and try on all different types of leggings - leather, draggin and cordora (sp?).

Have a look thru the reviews section on this forum also - there are some good reviews on specific types of clothing.

Welcome to the KB!

I agree but prefer stuff with armour. that way the impact does not hurt to much!

[puddy]

No, I made a point of wearing full gear with all the armour top to bottom day in day out when I was a n00b.

I've only recently got to the point where I feel comfortable riding around town in jeans in summer. It's just one of those choices you make eventually once you're comfortable enough on the road, seen all the heavy-traffic situations that a city can throw at you, have had a few bins, and generally know how things go.

I'll grab some Draggins shortly, however. I don't fancy going for a slide on my arse in the Levis.

I've ridden somewhere between 300000 and 400000 kms, 130000 kms of which have been on 1000cc sportbikes........wonder when I'll get comfortable enough to make the choice not to wear one of the two sets of motorcycle gear that I have at home, and just wear jeans? Maybe 500000+ kms will do it.
Sorry random, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.
But to the new dude that asked the original question, leathers are better than draggins. Rossi wears leathers, not draggins, and definitely not jeans. Not wearing all the gear is like not wearing your seatbelt, because you're SURE that you are not going to have an accident today. ALL THE GEAR, ALL THE TIME.
Good luck!

[Quasievil]

Hi Dude, go see QUASiMOTO Auckland Distributor , link is here for his details, he has the whole range there for you to look at, Including Kevlar Sliderz Jeans and Leather options as well as the new Leather/Cordura combo Jacket n Pants with the KNOX armour.

http://www.bikestore.co.nz/

PM me if any queries

[jrandom]

Sorry random, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

Mmm, I didn't mean to imply that it's inevitable that riders make the choice I'm making, just that eventually one makes that particular judgement call one way or the other.

Certainly if one was in one's first year on a bike, etc, it'd be foolhardy to go out without full gear, simply because bins do seem to happen at a greater frequency when one starts riding.

Edit: And I should note that the choice between jeans and full leathers is the only compromise I ever make. Armoured jacket, gloves, helmet and boots are non-negotiable when I get on a bike.

[discotex]

Edit: Oh and whatever you do make sure you try the stuff on you're buying before paying for it

And try it sitting on a bike (preferably your own). You won't know how/where it will bunch and ride up until you're on a bike.

If the shop won't let you walk outside to try it take your business elsewhere.


As for kevlar vs codura vs leather this is how I think of it.

Leather - The best protection you can get if armoured. Will be usable after a bin as it is so abrasion resistant. Good armour to save your knees, elbows and shoulders. Not so waterproof (although fine in light rain).

Codura - Generally one time protection if you go for a good slide. Once it's ripped it's useless. Generally as good armour as leather but could move around as it's not tight. More waterproof. Easier commuting gear as it fits over normal clothes if you buy big enough.

Draggins/Kevlar jeans - Better than nothing. Better than jeans. Way worse than either of the above unless you get that armour as well. Even then it's probably debatable as they transfer heat.


I wear kevlar jeans to work (with codura jacket), codura jacket and pants on the open road, and in the wet.

Was glad I picked a wet day to get taken out by a car........ Legs are still sore and I'm glad I had the hip padding in the codura pants. I do wonder how I'd have fared in my kevlar jeans.

Planning to get leathers for open road and trackday riding in the next month or so.


If you go with kevlar jeans just remember it's a big compromise between comfort/style and protection. Only you can make the call on your own acceptable risk level.

EDIT: Just read you'll (the OP) be a fair weather rider and want the best... Leather all the way then. Go one-piece if you want to be cool

[cushty]

Hi Gman,

I was in the same position as you a few months back, in the end I bought a Halvarssons Jacket and pants. When I was looking at what was the best non- leather alternative this is what kept coming back. RIDE magazine tested it amongst 16 other suits at it came out top "a fabric suit matching the performance of leather for the first time since RIDE started testing in 1995", they tested it for warmth, waterproof, comfort, abrasion, seam burst and impact strength. Unfortunately I don't think you can source them in NZ...This is the top end of the price range.

[heyjoe]

I would recommend leather for anything on the open road. You can't do better than leather hide for abraision protection. I am meaning motorcycle riding grade leathers not lightweight fashion clothing. I am talking gloves, jacket, pants & boots. Have you seen what hitting the hard tarsealed road does to ones skin with ordinary clothing on looks like? I have, when my wife came off years ago and slid on her side in a slide. It took all the skin of her leg down one side from hip to ankle. Weeks of painful changing dressings & saline washing everyday followed and its not fun to watch either.

I use leathers pants for open road riding and Draggin jeans for just around town. I am not really going very fast around town. I always wear boots of some kind for ankle protection and leather gloves of some kind - depending whether its open road or not. Leather jacket is always used.

The earlier post by discotex is pretty much how I would generally recommend. I can't really comment about Cordura clothing as I have never owned any but what he says sounds logical to me.

I am sure you will get varying answers to your question from people who have different attitudes and preferences. The final decisions are yours. It's your skin. Enjoy your new hobby and ride safe.

[Dodger]

Sigh,
Whens Quasi going to be in Wellington. (I missed the last visit)

[The Stranger:Me]

Edit: And I should note that the choice between jeans and full leathers is the only compromise I ever make. Armoured jacket, gloves, helmet and boots are non-negotiable when I get on a bike.

I guess that makes good sense, wear the least protection to cover an area most likely to get damaged, head aside.

[jrandom]

I guess that makes good sense, wear the least protection to cover an area most likely to get damaged, head aside.

It makes terrible sense. Of course. I fully admit to being a dumbarse. Yup, I'd rather avoid daily sweaty discomfort and risk horribly painful road rash.

Riding a pushy on the road for years tends to skew you toward simply accepting road rash as a risk that gets lived with.

Open-road riding, I'd never wear jeans. Much more chance of a high-speed bin.