What Type of Jacket

[anonymous-user]

I'm going to be getting my first bike very soon (once I pass my DAS) and am slowly getting kit together. Bike probably going to be a KTM 640 (as long as test drive goes ok). Regarding jackets.... are leathers too hot and heavy to be comfortable in most of the time or is a textile jacket the way forward?

I'll be mainly riding evenings and weekends for short fun blatts and mostly in dry weather so all advice and experience sharing welcomed!

[dern]

Textile jackets often have a thermal lining which can be removed which makes them pretty versatile. On the other hand a leather jacket with a waterproof over jacket is pretty versatile too.

I think if I was only riding in the summer I'd go with leather but for all year round I'd go for a textile.

Regards,

Mark

[adiandvic]

Done the very same, got kit together building up to the test. Bought a textile with thermal liner you can take out. But I have to say in the hotter weather even with the liner removed the jacket was damn hot...... I have just bought a leather jacket to get round the over heating and will then go back to the textile.

Long winded I know... my advice go with textile for the mo' as the weather is now cooling and then get a leather for next summer.

[711]

I wore my leathers all this summer, and I was far too ing hot. I must have been dumping a litre an hour in sweat riding through the City, not joking. Various air flow textile jackets work well in town, but I'm not sure I'd like to have a high speed spill wearing one...

Now things are cooling down, the leathers are just right and as it cools into winter I'll add an EDZ base layer and / or good set of waterproofs, as much to keep the wind off as anything.

I know a couple of people who swear by Aerostich Roadcrafter suits as well, they adjust for temperature by wearing (or not wearing ) layers and body armour underneath...

Damn, you can spend more on kit than on the bike

[anonymous-user]

So one says textile for winter and the other leather and zip ins or waterproofs!!

I knew I shouldn't have asked

Oh well... maybe get both and see what I prefer in certain conditions. Yes it's expensive but boy, is it fun getting this stuff? Oh yes!!

[cossiemetro]

wear smooth leathers as the cloth jackets make more likly to get wind buffeted believe me i know thats why i sold mine anything over 70 mph and the ride is terrible IMHO

[bobthepsycho]

garyhun said:

maybe get both and see what I prefer in certain conditions.

If you can afford it, why not?

When I started out, I bought textiles for the waterproofness and they were slightly cheaper. But, although waterproof initially, they soaked up the water, got bloody heavy and took ages to dry. Then I came off my bike at about 20mph on a roundabout and the textiles parted like the red sea - huge rips in the leg and arm. So I bought a set of leathers and a cheap waterproof - water just runs off the plastic, leather keeps me a lot safer.

I'd recommend leathers if you can afford only one set of clothing with some thin waterproofs for those rainy days.

[anonymous-user]

I have certainly changed my thoughts on this after reading some of the threads on here. I'm going to start out with some nice meaty leathers and some ligh waterpfoofs.

Question re fitting. I found a great leather jacket the other day... quite tight on though (but snugly comfortable). Is it best to get a snug fit with leathers or do you have some movement in them like normal clothing? As I have yet to be able to try while biking just not sure how leathers should fit!

Thanks for your suggestions peeps!!

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 17th September 09:23

[bobthepsycho]

garyhun said:

Is it best to get a snug fit with leathers or do you have some movement in them like normal clothing? As I have yet to be able to try while biking just not sure how leathers should fit!

Leathers should be tight when you first get them as they can 'give' by up to ten percent. Also, the leather will be quite stiff initally, so when you try something on, you should feel very restricted, but not painfully so. Best is to ask whoever is selling them to you. I found I was trying a size to big (my normal size) whereas a smaller size felt really tight. Shop bloke put me right.

If you can try them on a bike, do. Leathers are cut to suit a riding position, not a standing position. Try crouching down with your arms on imaginary handlebars for a better idea.

[anonymous-user]

bobthepsycho said:

Try crouching down with your arms on imaginary handlebars for a better idea.

I bet I'll look good doing that Seriously though... thanks for the advice. I was standing upright when I tried jacket on last week... guess it's obvious to the experienced rider!!!

[SVS]

garyhun said:

I'm going to start out with some nice meaty leathers and some ligh waterpfoofs.

Hi there,

For a lightweight and esaily transportable waterproof, I can recommend the Alpinstars Eclipse Tech Over Jacket:
www.alpinestars.com/moto/jackets_e

It doesn't flap about like most other waterproofs, but fits snugly. I bought mine from:
www.cissburyleathers.com/

Cheers

Edited by SVS on Sunday 17th September 14:28