Author Topic: Leather v Textile  (Read 5677 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Leather v Textile
« on: January 13, 2022, 08:41:38 am »
An interesting video from Motolegends
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cW9QvQOtW_g

Offline black-k1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2020
  • Karma: +23/-2
  • An Original Old Git.
    • View Profile
    • The Old Gits
  • My K bike model:: ex K1200S, K1300S Sport & K1300S Motorsport owner. Now a Kawasaki H2 SX SE owner
  • Modifications and add-ons:: Upgrade to Kawasaki H2 SX SE! Almost 220bhp at the wheel! BST Carbon wheels and Sargent seat
  • Location:: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2022, 09:56:33 am »
Indeed, an interesting review but, like all opinion based comparisons, tends to miss some of the important elements and exposes personal bias.

There was no mention of fit, especially with good leaders, and the fact that well fitting leathers are MUCH better at holding the amour needed to protect against impact in the place on the body it's supposed to be.

There was no mention of the fact that, in general, for a given price, leather garments generally offer a a higher safety certification than textiles.

The point on comfort was very much his opinion and was very dismissive of leathers. I've done many 600+, 12 hour days in my leather suit, ridden in temperatures ranging from high 20's to around 10 all while in no more discomfort than my textile clad fellow riders, and often suffering less discomfort than them.

I've ridden in cheap leathers, cheap textiles, expensive leathers (BKS made to measure) and expensive textiles (Hein Gericke Master V, BMW Street Guard, Klim Carlsbad ) and there is a reason my go-to suit, whatever the journey, including touring, Sunday afternoon blasts and commuting, is my BKS leathers.

That said, whatever works for you is what you should wear.
Correct rear brake use is scientifically proven to shorten stopping distances in EVERY road situation.

European Motorcycle Tours since 1998
The Old Gits - www.old-gits.org

Offline chriscanning

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2473
  • Karma: +34/-41
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: K1200r Sport
  • Modifications and add-ons:: BST's Wilbers Kehedo Rexxer Puig Akra
  • Location:: Junction 7 M6
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2022, 10:27:07 am »
Always worn a textile jacket with leather trousers...other half has a Rukka and i’ve got a Klim Both got Dainese keeks, couple of years ago I decided to have a custom pair trousers made..only cost 600 quid...i’ll cut a very long story down...and ended up giving them away..and they currently reside with their owner in the SoF...hey ho one lives and learns..or be it at a cost.

Offline richtea

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4371
  • Karma: +47/-3
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: K1300S
  • Location:: Banburyshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2022, 01:59:27 pm »
There was no mention of fit, especially with good leaders, and the fact that well fitting leathers are MUCH better at holding the amour needed to protect against impact in the place on the body it's supposed to be.

Exactly this.

I dared to buy some textile trousers for winter, Rae - oooo. Richa ones that normally would fit me reasonably well in the leg. They did, but the armour (D3O which I do quite like) was so tiny and poorly positioned that any crash would have shifted the armour or just whacked the bone to the side of it. They went back.

A good fit covers both angles of comfort and safety. But that doesn't automatically mean leather any more, I'd agree - maybe some custom textiles for winter use. 30% extra gets them made-to-measure.

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2022, 02:27:16 pm »
Look out for textile with adjustable armour Rich  :winkthumbs:

Offline richtea

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4371
  • Karma: +47/-3
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: K1300S
  • Location:: Banburyshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2022, 05:35:24 pm »
Look out for textile with adjustable armour Rich  :winkthumbs:

And extendable legs & arms?

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2022, 06:05:30 pm »
I have a pair of Furygan trousers with adjustable knee armour, I am sure there are others. Sportsbikeshop are very helpful.
I can feel a trip/meet coming on  ;D

Offline richtea

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4371
  • Karma: +47/-3
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: K1300S
  • Location:: Banburyshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2022, 06:12:00 pm »
I have a pair of Furygan trousers with adjustable knee armour, I am sure there are others. Sportsbikeshop are very helpful.
I can feel a trip/meet coming on  ;D

The Richa trousers had plenty of adjustments - but not enough. I did consider putting my own armour in (CE level 2 natch) but the pockets for the armour were too small. Nice and warm they may have been, but that's not enough.

I guess if you're normal-sized it's not such a problem.

Maybe a visit to Motolegends is needed. Or in my case Moto Leg Ends.
« Last Edit: January 13, 2022, 06:13:33 pm by richtea »

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2022, 06:35:33 pm »
That could be a trip and they do perform adjustments  :winkthumbs:

Offline Matt

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2789
  • Karma: +20/-2
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
  • Modifications and add-ons:: Oberon slave cylinder, 3D printed nav mount
  • Location:: Berkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2022, 07:40:25 pm »
That could be a trip and they do perform adjustments  :winkthumbs:

They insisted they get my leather jacket adjusted to fit and then the armour pockets were secured in the right places too. Love that place when I've got money to burn!
"Why was the spider disappointed after browsing the web? Because he couldn't find any fly downloads!"
Claude.ai effort at an original joke - 2022

Offline andym2

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 200
  • Karma: +1/-0
    • View Profile
  • Location:: Stratford on Avon (District, the town is 'Upon' )
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2022, 10:30:05 am »
What you really want is an MMC suit (see The Expanse, S2, Ep1).

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2022, 11:51:25 am »
What you really want is an MMC suit (see The Expanse, S2, Ep1).
Save us the bother and elaborate  :winkthumbs:

Offline Matt

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2789
  • Karma: +20/-2
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: KTM 1290 Super Duke GT
  • Modifications and add-ons:: Oberon slave cylinder, 3D printed nav mount
  • Location:: Berkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2022, 12:28:02 pm »
Is that the one Bobbie/Bobby wears?

If so we're going to need bigger engines, it's a heavy thing!

@Rae it's what one could describe as a futuristic suit of power armour. Imagine what Boston Dynamics will be doing in a few years if the world insists on humans remaining in the kill chain. That's pretty much it.
"Why was the spider disappointed after browsing the web? Because he couldn't find any fly downloads!"
Claude.ai effort at an original joke - 2022

Offline raesewell

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6034
  • Karma: +56/-5
    • View Profile
  • My K bike model:: Yamaha FJR (2013)
  • Location:: Normanton West Yorkshire
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2022, 12:52:34 pm »
Something like Ironman ?

Offline black-k1

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2020
  • Karma: +23/-2
  • An Original Old Git.
    • View Profile
    • The Old Gits
  • My K bike model:: ex K1200S, K1300S Sport & K1300S Motorsport owner. Now a Kawasaki H2 SX SE owner
  • Modifications and add-ons:: Upgrade to Kawasaki H2 SX SE! Almost 220bhp at the wheel! BST Carbon wheels and Sargent seat
  • Location:: Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, UK
Re: Leather v Textile
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2022, 01:04:59 pm »
On the safety front when comparing leather with textiles, remember that we can only judge relative safety by the testing the various suits are approved under. While many textile suits now achieve the new EN 17092 standard, very few manage the older, tougher (and thus better?) EN 13595

https://www.bksleather.co.uk/textiles/suits

From the BKS page it would appear that bike plod only want to use the older, higher standard. My view would be that if the new standard is not good enough for the emergency services then why is it deemed good enough for us mere mortals? After all, the damage from hitting the road at 60mph doesn't differentiate according to your occupation.
Correct rear brake use is scientifically proven to shorten stopping distances in EVERY road situation.

European Motorcycle Tours since 1998
The Old Gits - www.old-gits.org