Leather v. Kevlar-- Another Motorcycle Thread

In My Humble Opinion
1

As some of you know I’m in the middle of taking motorcycle lessons, after driving around on a 50 cc scooter since last April.
Since I’m about to hit the streets and highways (!) I figure it’s a good time to upgrade what I wear. My leather jacket is still in serviceable condition, and throwing a gore-tex jacket overtop and a heavy fleece under it are fine for cold and rainy conditions.

But what about legs? I’ve found that long johns and jeans just aren’t cutting it, even with my old army surplus rain pants overtop. And I’m thinking if I do take a spill at speed that my jeans will just be so much blue lint to pick out of my road rashed thighs.

Which begs the question: Leather chaps? Leather Pants? Kevlar racing gear?

Which is better? Which is more affordable? Which lasts longer? I have no qualms about doling out cash (okay, I do, but if the gear lasts for 20 years that’s a fine investment, I figure), but I don’t want to blow a wad on something that will be threadbare in six months.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

2

You might be better off getting a riding suit of some kind. I personally ride with an Aerostitch, it’s mostly waterproof, except for huge downpours, and cool in the summer with room for clothing for winter. The down side, cost, and quite a bit for mine, around $800 I think.

There are other suits that you can buy though, First Gear comes to mind, Bellstaff is another. Your best bet is to look around at a motorcycle store to find what you like, a good amout of stuff is now waterproof.

Kevlar is not as good as leather in a crash, and neither are waterproof. They can also be hot in the Summer.

If your worried about crashing then leather is the way to go with the Kevlar and suits in second, I think Kevlar is supposed to be a little better, but not by much.

As for wear and tear my suit color, was red, has faded some, doesn’t bother me though. MY leather jacket has some broken zippers on it, mainly an anoyance. I don’t own any other suits, looking at getting one maybe though.

I’d say goto the shop and try some stuff on. I personally usually ride in my suit, though around town I use the jacket only. If your looking for over all comfort the suits are the way to go, mostly protecton then the leather is the way to go. Remember to look for compition weight leather, I think it’s 2mm thick.

Oh, there are places to buy on the internet, but if it’s only a few bucks more I would buy at a motorcycle store as it helps keep them in buisness.

3

I know that Dainese are going to introduce a new range of clothing made of synthetic meterials which are supposed to be more crashand abrasion resisitant then leather, and at lower prices than leather too.

Just doesn’t look quite as cool as leather and their leather stuff is just brilliant.

I stick with plain black leather, you look too much of a tart with the multicoloured leather on and when you get a differant bike you don’t worry about the colour match.

What you wear may depend upon the type and frequency of riding that you do.

If you commute every day then wearing a full on race suit which is already tailored into a race crouch is not likely the best thing, especially if you have to walk more than a hundred yards or so.
Same goes for the boots, full on race boots give you a walking gait like a crippled duck.
Sidi courier boots are good, you can walk around fairly well and they provide good protection, plus the metal end guards make superb scratch marks in cars and lorries when they cut you up.

If you do commute then two piece zip together leathers may be fine, but if you live in a rainy climate then its likely that man-made materials clothing is going to be a better option.

Aerostitch is one of the best that there is, wish it was easily available over here in the UK but one has to import it direct.

4

Having slid down the interstate in Dallas, with my BSA laying on top of me, I can speak from experiance. I was wearing a leather jacket, engineer boots, jeans, and fingerless gloves. I hobled away without a scratch.(it did tear a small cut on the elbow of my jacket, however…But I think that was from the gardrail. I banged up my knee a bit(hence the hobbling), but what hurt worse was having to yank the spark plug wires off my BSA to kill the motor (I had wired it up without a key switch, or a kill switch). I wear leather chaps in the winter, but when its 105 degrees outside, your chances of falling over from heat exhaustion outweigh your risk of road rash. Short answer, wear leather when you can, chaps and a jacket will usually do, unless you are driving like an idiot. And make sure your bike has a working kill switch…

5

If you can afford it, the Aerostitch is a good touring suit. It comes with body armor that will protect you in a slide, but not an impact. It’s really comfortable in the summer, because you unzip the underarms and the back to get the air flowing through it. It’s good for a drizzle though you will get wet in a downpour. I like the one piece suit, it’s got a good sleek look and is easy to get in and out of. It’s also very comfortable, compared to the Vanson one piece racer suit that I have.