Leathers and Texiles both have there there good points and there bad points but for every day riding or even a thrash out into the country side on a hot day what do you prefere and why?
Most of my riding gear is Icon (and I can't praise it highly enough!).
I have leather jacket and leather overtrousers for high speed/inclement weather and a (very short) textile jacket (with zip-off sleeves) for warm weather worn with Icon kevlar jeans.
If it's really warm, I just wear my Bulletproof hoody or long sleeve t-shirt which both have built in (but discrete) protection.
Also have a load of thermal riding gear both separates and one pieces. When I am riding I want to be as comfortable as possible which is why I have given myself as wide a choice as possible with my kit.
Must admit, I love riding on a hot Summer's evening on a deserted road with the wind flapping around a long sleeved t-shirt... feels kinky!
yep... always leathers when the weather's ok. Armoured gortex when it's a bit dodgy/cold.
Feel 'safer' in leathers (I know it's prob not much difference....just phsychological really)
He heh... I ain't saying nuffin!
Getting back on topic (or maybe not) my leather jacket is so supple and tight fitting that it feels like a second skin anyway.
And I love the way it creaks with every movement of my body...
But the textile wins when it is hot as it is much easier to wear/carry when I have reached my destination. Really need to lay off the choccies when I wear it though, it is super tight and super short (like a bolero jacket).
leathers always for me.................got heavier armoured set for cooler weather/winter and can get me layers on underneath too so nice and snug. Lighter weight set (tassels, Harley trousers) for summer riding..............always cool yet still look the part and in my head, offer some protection too (although probably is only in my head in reality lol!). Protect both sets with Renapur.....after about 5 applications they're fairly water tight and you can see it running off them but need to reapply every so often too! Always wear a full face lid tho..............plus proper cruiser boots.............feels safer and more comfortable to ride in anway, but that's just me and my preferences - each to their own!
I've only got my leathers so can't really comment, I do find my leather trousers somewhat 'restrict' my ability to climb aboard a fully loaded bike, so was thinking of textile bottoms after chatting to Roachy about hers a while back at mine. Thanks for all the tips on makes/textiles when I do get around to buying some - guess at the end of the day though you buy the best that you can afford. I did however notice in a bike mag this week that the most expensive isn't always necessarily the best
I have Old BMW textile bottoms and a JTS jacket. Last JTS jacket lasted 5 years for £85. Too many people chase labels ans as Nut so rightly states, you don't always get what you pay for.
I used JTS under a recommendation, quite Happy with them and no, my 1 piece will not be seen in public again! lol
I have 1 of each leather and textile jackets and pants, normally i feel comfortable in my kevlar camo pants with either jacket,sometimes the WN kit is tempting too.
awwwwwwwww, so the babygrows never going to be seen again Jim ?!!!
I've always been happy with my JTS purchases, thanks for the recommendation and lift to get them last year Jim
I use leathers & textiles for different types of riding or journeys. I have a Frank thomas 2-piece leathers which I much prefer for good weather,any journey,or for poor & indecisive weather I use a Frank thomas armoured textile jacket with Weise armoured textile trousers. All have removable thermal liners anyway,in case it is a bit cooler. I also have a set of old matching(to the bike) 1-piece leathers with no armour which are still comfortable to ride in-trouble is they have no pockets,which is a shame;nowhere to keep your wallet. At this years BMF I managed to pick up one of these mesh lightweight jackets with armour which was excellent for those scorching summer days we occasionally get. A flip front lid gives the best of everything if it has a flipdown sunvisor too.Riding with the front raised on a hot day certainly keeps you just that bit cooler.
The only leathers I've come close to halfway feeling comfortable in were a 2 piece Dainese set costing £550 in the sale - needless to say, I'm still without leathers.
I'm quite happy in my textiles, esp now I've got a goretex suit and I've swopped the knee armour for Hein Gerickes soft floppy stuff which is much more comfortable.
I will need to get leathers at some point though if I want to take my bike on the track - which I do.
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