Help me make my mind up

I presently wear a leather amoured jacket & trousers but need something
waterproof now and then.

I have some waterproof overtrousers now so do I buy a plasticy waterproof
jacket to put over my leather jacket or buy one of those amoured waterproof
textile jackets with removable lining for the summer.

Being a newbie muppet on a limited budget your expert opinions would be
great.

Ta, D

 

Leathers with plastic overjacket will give you maximum protection. Amoured
textile jackets will not protect you as well - despite their claims. Your
call.

 

Have a look in camping shops too - if you just want something waterproof
(and breatheable is good to) then
sometimes that stuff can be just as good as motorcycle stuff and cheaper
too.

 

Yes

HTH

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www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

you've performed near identical crashes wearing both types of kit,
then?

For commuting in the winter, I wear armoured waterproofs, because
they're warmer and less hassle to get on and off than
leathers/overjacket/overtrousers. This way you also get a
semi-presentable jacket to wear at lunchtime. Sure, there's not as
much abrasion protection as leather, but I don't tend to be going that
fast anyway. When I crashed the CD200 back in december, I slid for
ages - at least 8m (this was the distance between me and the bike when
we'd stopped sliding). There was no damage whatsoever to my Dainese
armoured all-seasons jacket, or to my Hein Gericke armoured waterproof
trousers.

I have worn full leathers with waterproof overall thing - but it's a
total **** to get on and off, and so you don't tend to wear it if it's
dry when you set off, and then inevitably it pisses down and soaks
your leathers.

In the summer, I just wear jeans and a paddock jacket, and if it rains
I get wet.

 

The armour in my Akito jacket is better than that in my leathers - of
course, abrasion resistance is probably one of the key things to factor in
as well.

I've worn my Akito Python jacket for about 12 months daily (based on two
winters, when I tend to wear it most of the time both on and off the bike
as it's so warm.) and only just found that the elbow on one arm is
leaking, probably due to wear in the stitching of a joint.

 

You've seen GP racers without leathers then?

You're talking about convience. I was talking about maximum protection.

to be going >that fast anyway.

So you can choose when you have your accidents then, cool.

And if you fall off?

 

sure - it's all about compromise. If you wanted "maximum protection"
you wouldn't be riding a bike in the first place.

err, no - perhaps I wasn't making myself clear enough for you. I wear
the armoured waterproofs when commuting - there's no where on my
commute above 40mph zone and most of it (90%) in a 30 zone. Impact
protection is more important at those sorts of speeds, and the armour
in my waterproofs/paddock jackets is at least as good if not better
than in my leathers.

It only hurts a bit, IME so far.

The above is when I'm commuting, or just pootling around. If I'm going
for it, on the 'blade, I'll wear full leathers.

 

I've never seen GP racers in waterproofs.

 

No, but then I've never seen someone commuting to work at 190mph either.

 

and if you wanted convience then you'd go in the car.

But are your waterproofs a tight enough fit to keep the armour in place?

I think the oddly eared Mr Thomas just has the one bike and as a relatively
inexperienced rider he'd be better off with something over his leathers.

 

Thats cos they got there before you set off.

 

Err excuse me, I'll have you know there is nothing odd about my ears... they
both stick out with perfect symmetry

( ) o o ( ) I thank you, D
^

 

err, no - I work in central London...

yes, though it's down to the shape and placement of the armour itself,
rather than the tightness of the jacket.

 

You rip your jeans. No biggie.

 

Likewise.

 

There is also the kevlar lined jeans type of option if one is worried,
optional in black, for those wot can wear denim at work.

 

David Thomas wrote

Not the cheapest option I know but have a ride up to Ilford over the
weekend and get yourself a matching set of HG textile waterproof armour
and keep the leather in the wardrobe for the 3 months of the year when
you can wear them.

And for those know nothing cunts who claim cordura don't work, all I got
in my off last winter was a small scuff mark on the right shoulder,
which is where I made contact with the ground first.

 

Hmmm. You're all obviously a lot tougher than me, though I seem to recall
Bear having all sorts of problems with one of his paws after falling off in
jeans. History doesn't record whether the jeans were ripped or not.

 

I switched to wearing leather full time five years ago. Drive all year
round, this time of the year I wear a plastic overcoat from a motorcycle
shop, has a nice soft-inside collar and velcro fastener over the zips.
For trousers I use the pants of my 15 year old bicycle rainsuit. The
overcoat also keeps the wind out, which keeps me warm. Only need a
sweater when it is freezing, otherwise I just wear a shirt. Change my
leather trousers for normal trousers and shoes at work.

In the summer the leather can be a bit warm, but then I just need to
speed up a bit.

Cheers,