Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > TRAVEL Hints and Tips
Safe kit- leather or fabric? Safe kit- leather or fabric?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Apr 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 11
Question Safe kit- leather or fabric?
Hi,
I'm going to start with my motorbike license in about a month (so looking forward to that ) and was wondering what type of kit ( jacket, trousers, gloves ect.) is safer: the ones out of leather or the fabric ones. Which ones are more effective is case of a crash/slide?

Cheers

PS: excuse any spelling mistakes please
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Apr 2007
BruceP's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: St Helens
Posts: 763
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guesswho View Post
Hi,
I'm going to start with my motorbike license in about a month (so looking forward to that ) and was wondering what type of kit ( jacket, trousers, gloves ect.) is safer: the ones out of leather or the fabric ones. Which ones are more effective is case of a crash/slide?

Cheers

PS: excuse any spelling mistakes please
You are going to get a lot of mixed opinions here, I am a fan of leathers and kevlar lined jeans.

Best bet is to talk to your riding instructor
__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Apr 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Langholm,Scotland,UK.
Posts: 155
Modern fabrics have give us a lot more choices Most good quality fabrics are nearly as good as leather these days, and in a lot of cases more versatile, more pockets, lighter weight, warmer and waterproof. I wear a fabric jacket complete with armour (and Gortex lining) and it has a thermal liner (which I have converted to a heated jacket), and leather trousers, jean style, my choice
As for crash protection, ultimately it is leather. But for it to be fully effective, it needs to be either zipped together (jacket and trousers) or be one piece leathers. Also the climate you will be riding in will be a big deciding factor
BruceP mentions kevlar lined jeans, I think these would be good in a warm climate (or for the tougher, younger riders;o) and would look good off the bike.
Loads of choices.

Trophymick
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Apr 2007
maria41's Avatar
The franglais-riders
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: UK
Posts: 1,185
both!
You'll probably end up buying both, with time!

But whatever you buy, buy the most expensive gear that you can afford.

Buying cheap will be a waste of your money as soon after you will think about replacing it by better quality (and more expensive) suit.

You get what you pay for!
__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Apr 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 59
Buy Quality
Agree with above post, spend as much as you can possibly afford by buying good quality like Hein-Gericke, keep an eye on ebay, Hein-Gericke have just sold over 100 lots of returns with minor faults, i picked up a Cruise GTX Gortex jacket for £60 , rrp £279 !!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 19 Apr 2007
John Ferris's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Reno,NV,USA
Posts: 560
Be sure when you try the suit on that you sit on a bike for a while.
I have seen people who get a size that looks good but it is too tight for riding.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 19 Apr 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 839
what to wear
I agree with the previous comments but in all reality you will need to adapte your gear with your riding style and climate( dual sport bike , race bike,touring bike,winter summer). I use different gear in the winter that I will use in the summer but they all have elbow,shoulder and back protection . I went down few times I believed that the protection did save my butt. I also will be very carefull about what helmet you will be getting.
Regarding jacket , I like to have the longer style because of the back protection they offer for the cold/mud/rain, I am a big fan of goretex but a rain suit is alway better, for the pants you can get some with knee protection ( good against cold and fall) you can look at dual sport gear as they are very resistant and confortable.
Good glove are also recommended ( summer pair with knocle protection and winter one in gortex if possible)

good luck
Hendi
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 19 Apr 2007
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
Do not confuse price with quality , expensive suits are not always the best .

leathers - http://www.ridetriangles.com/pdf/581/211873.pdf

safety information -http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/88.html

textile jackets --http://www.ridetriangles.com/pdf/513/199740.pdf
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Apr 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Norway
Posts: 37
I use my bike every day and for me it is important to have a jacket that I would use even when I drive down to the store 1 km away. So I went after looks and comfort because even the most protective jacket wouldnt be any good if you leave it at home.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 25 Apr 2007
illustratedman's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: UK/Kent
Posts: 65
Gear
I had a big accident in hein gericke textile gear and it stood up really well, a lot better than i did, check the quality of the armour in the clothing you buy ce approved etc and upgrade if necessary. I thinki may have come away from my crash better if i had been wearing my back protector as well so they're worth a look.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 26 Apr 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Cairo
Posts: 187
I think if you ride regularly and ride for many years you will find you accumulate a lot of gear for different purposes. I wear kevlar jeans and a soft smart-style leather jacket with thinnish summer gloves on short trips around town. On longer trips I wear the over-sized plastic/fabric gear with built-in protection, vents, zip-out insulation and the whole shebang. Around town I ride below 60 km/h and a bit of gravel-rash is more likely than broken bones. On the highway and off-road things are, of course, much different.

I agree with comments earlier that you should get good-quality, good-looking, comfortable gear so you are more inclined to wear it. A nice leather jacket will become something you will wear all the time, and with a pair of kevlar jeans it will do until you decide to spend big on the fabric stuff.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 26 Apr 2007
klaus's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Ehime-ken, Japan
Posts: 273
Motorcycle Clothing...
Hi there "GuessWho" and "willkommen"!!

Yes, it sometimesis difficult to choose the right stuff. I also got both, leather as well as textile, very satisfied! However, I use the textile stuff more often than the leather, mainly because it is lighter, has more pockets and so on. Buying the most expensive is in my opinion not necessary!! Especially with you living in "Deutschland" (Germany), why don't you check not only the Hein Gericke but also "Motorrad Louis" homepages. I got lots of my stuff from Louis, great service, great price and great quality. Besides, they also got sales where you can really make a bargain!!
__________________
Klaus D. Orth
A German in Japan
1992 Honda TA
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 4 May 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Germany
Posts: 11
thanks
Thanks to everybody who has answered so far with such helpful info
Klausdorth I've considered buying from "Motorrad Louis" and I also have a catalogue but I think it is better to try the kit out before you buy it and I'm afraid that there isn't a shop (filiale) near where I live.
But for now I can use my brother's jacket for lessons
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 4 May 2007
MarkE's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 87
Always, but always try it on first
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guesswho View Post
I've considered buying from "Motorrad Louis" and I also have a catalogue but I think it is better to try the kit out before you buy it and I'm afraid that there isn't a shop (filiale) near where I live.
Always try kit on before you buy - the cost of a journey is much less than the cost of replacing kit that doesn't fit. I was once foolish enough to buy a pair of trousers without trying them on, and the knee armour is halfway up my thigh! They are also not very waterproof, I guess they were cheap for a reason.

You mentioned gloves, and I think gloves are at least as important as your helmet because when you fall, you put your hands out to stop yourself. When I was learning a guy on the course turned up without gloves, and I was tempted to copy him until an instructor saw his bare hands. He asked (loud enough for us all to hear) "who is your best friend? And when you fall off and your hands are bandaged, will he wipe your arse for you?" It is not a pretty thought.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
how safe are the Balcans? and albania, kosovo & macedonia? trui_gaea Europe 24 17 Sep 2009 13:39
How safe is ColOmbia to ride? Punki-MunKi South America 8 21 Nov 2005 05:22
Australian Leather Toolbags Ian Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 3 1 Sep 2005 18:10
Safe place to store bike in Honduras PatOnTrip Central America and Mexico 4 21 Dec 2004 04:31
how safe are the Balcans? and albania, kosovo & macedonia? trui_gaea Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 3 5 Aug 2004 04:09

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:04.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top