ATGATT Wannabe - armor

[Gunzer]

I'm a new rider with about 1K miles on my pearl white '06. Currently I ride with an Olympia textile jacket ( in hi viz green - important to me ), an Arai Quantum II lid, gauntlet style gloves by Scorpion, jeans and leather work boots.

While looking into garments like draggin skins for their perceived abraison protection against the asphalt belt sander I ride over, I began to develop a need for body armor. The Olympia jacket provides some upper body armor and road rash protection but I'm concerned about impact / crash protection for my lower half as well.

Bohn Armor undergarment armor looks interesting for both torso and hip / leg protection but does not seem to protect against abraison. My funds are limited and I prefer to be as informed as possible before I drop cash on expensive gear.

High visibility, protection from road rash, and impact protection are things I desire in riding gear. I understand the risks associated with riding can not be eliminated but I prefer to dress for the crash.

Please weigh in with your experiences with or preferences for the type of gear I am looking for. I am a casual rider so far, no track days for this 40yr old father of two, not yet at least.

Thank you,

Gunzer

[crustyrider]

congrats on you ride. you look like you got it covered.

[Jericho941]

There is no real substitute for cowhide. Modern textile jackets have come a long way, but leather will resist abrasion better than anything else. I believe that any of the armor products like you are talking about are designed to help with impact protection more than abrasion.

I haven't been riding very long either, and have been fortunate enough to not have first hand experience with motorcycle accidents yet. Leather can be found affordably through a variety of online retailers that you may have already been introduced to. Watch the clearance sections for good gear for cheap.

[betarace]

leather is the only thing that you can really count on, and you should wear it all the time. as far as back/chest protection, I use the AlpineStars bionic vest/protector combo all the time - track/street/video gaming.

Alpinestars Bionic S2 Protection Jacket - Read Reviews and Buy at KneeDraggers.com

Tech Back Protector - Alpinestars Official Store

all are good, and useless if not worn. get something you will wear all the time

[derstuka]

As was mentioned, (quality) leather gear is the best protection, always hands down, however, that being said....there is some very good textile gear out there. Textile can be more versatile, as in offering protection along with greater warmth, can be waterproof, AND usually is a lot more comfortable to live with on hot days, long trips...etc.

[Joey_Dude]

I got to back everyone here saying leather is the best choice. However, like you, I'm not a real hardcore track racer and you'll probably never see me riding against Valentino Rossi.

What I've found works for me is perforated leathers and a two-piece suit that zips together. That provides me a great compromise with comfort during hot days and ease of putting it on and off. I wear a two piece zipped leather suit to and from work and when I get to work I can take the whole outfit off in minutes. Oh and I wear my work outfit underneath so there's no need for going to the bathroom for a change.

Leathers can be expensive though and motorcycle shows are a great source of deals. Not only that but you can actually see the product and try it on instead of crossing your fingers with online orders. True, you can return the item by mail but it's a hassle I'd rather avoid.

Plus leathers, when taken care of, can literally last you forever. Textiles, on the other hand, have a limited life span and depending on how much you abuse them a decent textile outfit can last you about two-three years.

Hope that helps and enjoy the ride!

[crustyrider]

well the leathers didn't last the cow very long. (joke) I agree leaather is the way to go. I also have a 2 piece set of leathers. they are comfy even in the summer time In LA traffic. the joe rocket stuff is ok. I have a set of that to

[Scubalong]

There are some hard shell from Icon to protect you from impact, I am not sure if it work. Imagine you are hitting a tree or the pavement at 40, 50 miles an hours............

[34468 Randy]

well the leathers didn't last the cow very long. (joke)

Poor comparison. People don't go around pulling on your teete while you are wearing the cow's leathers either.

As overstated. Leather's the best. And as Joey suggested the two piecce perforated is a good compromise covering many bases. I have three. Solid leather ,Perforated Leather and a good textile. The full leather I believe offers the best protection but the perforated has its place. In the winter rains, I have to trade off some of the protection from trauma for the pretection from the elements. Its called risk management. But in these times, maybe I would not have purchased all three. If I had a choice of just one, I would probably go for the solid leather two piece. Most of them have vents and I can put up with the heat...here in Vancouver anyways. Down south, this obvioulsy may be a different story.

[MrJoelieC]

I wear Letaher AGV pants all the time whe I ride in to work... I get chuckled at a lot by my coworkers when I come in and it's 90 degrees outside... But I have an alergy to those wire brushes they use on you to scrape out the wounds you get... I currently wear a textiule upper jcaket especially in the summer but I'm thinking about a leather AGV to mach my pants zipper connection for both Track Days and colder weather..

Riding in Novemebr this past year was cold with the textile. I should get better gloves... I do not have gauntlets but I do have a nice set of Olympa gloves with Carbon fibre knuckle guards..

As to Why I want leather? Put it to you this way.. I have a freind who races Motorcycles on Louden and a few friends who have track day bike... In the 5 odd years that they have been doing htis each has fallen at least once and in only one instance was a leather jacket needed to be repaired.. My one buddy slid for 20 feet on pavement then hit the gravel and eventially the ore barrier... He still wears the suit as it barely looks broken in even after that... So leather get's my vote for most durable....

[SilverSurfer800]

I have crash tested a good textile jacket and pants at 35 mph and walked away without a scratch (not on the VFR). I agree that leather is the best but don't shy away from a quality textile suit or 2 piece. It's important that they zip together so the jacket doesn't ride up on you.

You also might want to look at this guy for a custom leather 2 or 1 piece suit. Pricing is great and he has a lot of great feedback on another website. Check the link at the bottom of the page for his catalog. I've seen a few of his suits up close and they are of excellent quality. I plan on purchasing one as soon as I lose some weight. I'd feel bad killing that many cows at my current size...

Custom Leather Suit link

[drewl]

I wear an AStars leather armored jacket and AStars armored denim jeans. The jeans are lined with a kevlar like material and have ce armor in the knees.

[Titanium]

There are some hard shell from Icon to protect you from impact, I am not sure if it work. Imagine you are hitting a tree or the pavement at 40, 50 miles an hours............

The one thing I dislike about the Icon line is that none of it is CE approved. Icon hasn't released any testing and they have small print that states this.

As of right now I have a leather-tex jacket by First Gear. It has Leather in the elbow and shoulders with additional soft padding in those areas. It came standard with soft non ce approved pads in the elbow and shoulder pockets. I have replaced them with some ce pads from my other jacket which is a MotoGP vented leather jacket. As for pants I have a set of textile teknic spirit pants for the cool and cold day riding. They also have ce armor in the knees along with soft padding in the hips. I think I'm going to pick up the matching jacket to the pants since it just went on sale and I really like the pants. They are more of a touring set up than a sport type suit. But the jacket comes with CE in the elbows, shoulders, and BACK! Should be perfect for cool to cold riding! For the summer I hope to either pick up a two piece leather for the weekends/track days.

As you can tell I put more weight on what type of armor that comes with the jacket/pants. I think one of the biggest differences that hasn't been mentioned so far as for the differences between leather and textile comes is the outcome after the crash. Leathers in most cases can be repaired. As for textile, once it has been down in a decent crash they are pretty much toast. I have seen riders that have leathers that have been down several times and have been repaired by a real leather tech and still take them out to the track. I would prefer all of my stuff to be leather but I'm in the real world and can't have everything I want. I can't say I settled for some of the stuff I purchased but rather that I believe it will do the job if need be.

[RVFR]

Gear is like tires and oil, lots of variations. But one thing is clear, leather is the way... Power Ranger up ;)

all thou, if I could, I'd like to try these new Zylon jeans,,, But$$$$$

Kushitani Collection subgroup

[Hotbrakes]

I use $20 MX knee pads under jeans if I'm not wearing leather or a jeans/textile with pads pant combo. Textile doesn't last long on pavement. I also wear an Icon Field Armor back protector under the soft foam padding in my jackets.

When I'm "riding" and not really doing anything else (errands, stopping somewhere, sitting in traffic, etc.) I wear a leather suit. Currently looking for a 2 piece that fits a little better than my snug 1 piece. Leather also drastically reduces wind fatigue on long rides because it is stiff.

[300shooter]

I'vr got leather and textile jackets, just trying to settle on which pants now, I definitely "feel" more protected with the leather, also I picked up the Icon back protector, seems like a pretty sturdy unit, works well for my "grizzly' too, roll tested that last year and walked away fine except for the bruised ego. Now if I'd had it earlier when I ate my fairing on a hidden hole I definitely wouldn't have had my neat black and purple tattoo from my neck to my nuts for a month

[SLOVFR]

Textile will save you but a one time shot....ask me how I know......





And be sure to wear your mp3 on your arm....doubles as an arm slider..

[34468 Randy]

. Now if I'd had it earlier when I ate my fairing on a hidden hole I definitely wouldn't have had my neat black and purple tattoo from my neck to my nuts for a month

What's the tatoo of?

[crustyrider]

[QUOTE=34468 Randy;147064]Poor comparison. People don't go around pulling on your teete while you are wearing the cow's leathers either.

how do you know?

[34468 Randy]

Fair enough....I guess. But then, you know, I don't know if I really want to know if you know I know. You know?

[betarace]

try this place too:

New Enough Motorcycle Apparel sells motorcycle jackets, pants and suits, boots, gloves, helmets, etc :: New Enough, LTD

[Joey_Dude]

Fair enough....I guess. But then, you know, I don't know if I really want to know if you know I know. You know?

I don't know how I know but that's funny!

[34468 Randy]

I don't know how I know but that's funny!

You have to understand, in this day of mis-understanding, I undertsand you understood. Understand?

[300shooter]

What's the tatoo of?

The "tattoo" kinda looked like the chinese translation for " dumbass white guy that went over the handlebars going too fast down trails he didn't know". That's what happens when you get 500 ATV riders together on the muddiest weekend of the year, wouldn't miss it for the world.

[34468 Randy]

The "tattoo" kinda looked like the chinese translation for " dumbass white guy that went over the handlebars going too fast down trails he didn't know". That's what happens when you get 500 ATV riders together on the muddiest weekend of the year, wouldn't miss it for the world.

Capisch....

[FearIsGood]

You also might want to look at this guy for a custom leather 2 or 1 piece suit. Pricing is great and he has a lot of great feedback on another website. Check the link at the bottom of the page for his catalog. I've seen a few of his suits up close and they are of excellent quality. I plan on purchasing one as soon as I lose some weight. I'd feel bad killing that many cows at my current size...

Custom Leather Suit link

Thanks for this referral, too bad I just completed my Astars gettup. . . I could have saved hella $$$$$. I'll keep this to pass on to others.

[Slothrop]

Gunzer -
Welcome aboard and it's good to hear that you want to take your gear seriously. Leather works best for me, but there is good textile stuff out there too. (Aerostich suits have a lot of miles on them.)
But whatever you do, get something on your legs ASAP. In a crash, jeans are no better than pantyhose. (And to all you smartasses: No, I haven't tried wearing pantyhose. Yet...)
Also good to hear you've got gloves on. My brother rides without them and it makes me cringe whenever I see it.

[yoda6669]

yodasmile I agree with everyone here, leather is the way to go. I got an Icon Pursuit in perforated leather, living in TX the weather here gets really hot on the summer. I've rode with it on temp over 110, as long as I was moving the air was able to go trough the holes in the jacket. When you stop is a different story, it get's hot quick, but I would preffer to be better protected than feel hot. Regardless, if you feel hot, just drink water.

[FearIsGood]

When people ask (about leather) "Aren't you hot?" I always reply "Yeah, but feels better than a skin graft."

[34468 Randy]

When people ask (about leather) "Aren't you hot?" I always reply "Yeah, but feels better than a skin graft."

Or..."Yes...I don feel kinda hot. I suppose I my not wearing something else, or nothing at all. Some of them actually end up feeling nothing at all!"