Protective Gear...
Discussion
DanBoy said:
Obviously, this is the kind of market where you get what you pay for.
Any recommendations (preferably from people who have crash tested their gear) and guidline prices?
Nope you dont always get what youve paid for at all, lost of pricey gear is just for the label.
Ive crashed twice in Hien Gerick leather & its been ok, tho they're not the best, but certainly not teh worst, but all I could afford.
For real pratical crash testing by class 1 loons you prob need Mel or Bennyboys advice
Search the bike forum with leathers as a keyword, we've discussed this a few time on here.
Most important thing with lids is to make sure they fit. There are also reasonably priced synthetic suits that are up to the job, the Spada Podium was a recent Ride magazine test winner that I remember. I'd say do your research and buy carefully and it shouldn't cost a fortune, but don't skimp.
Steve.
Steve.
Hi Dan,
Well, I'm a bit of a stickler for Spyke leathers. I bought a 1 piece set in 1999 for about £700 and I've since crashed in them probably 9 or 10 times. Of these times, it's only gone right through the leather twice. Fortunately, it has soft and hard padding(a little like armadillos, hard on the outside and soft on the inside).
I've now replaced these leathers (with another set of spykes) purely because my mates were nagging at me to get a nicer looking set without any scrapes on them. I still wore the old ones this morning though on my ride to work. I can highly recommend them.
As for boots, I've gone for Sidi vertebrae (£120) which seem to be pretty good although I did fracture a toe last year when I crashed and kicked the floor pretty hard after going over the highside.
Lid-wise. I've now got a Roof(£240), although I've had AGV and Arai in the past. AGV's are heavy, but quiet and well ventilated. Arai's are lighter, but more expensive (£350-ish) and noisy. The Roof is quiet, but like the AGV, it's heavy and ventilation isn't great.
For gloves, I've crashed in Swift Dynatecs (£80) on about 8 occasions and they've always stood up to it. I replaced them with Alpinstars GP Plus (£100-ish) which seem to be doing a good job with only 2 falls behind them so far.
Have a look at:
www.cissburyleathers.com/products.asp?Currency=GBP&Cat=25&Man=10
Well, I'm a bit of a stickler for Spyke leathers. I bought a 1 piece set in 1999 for about £700 and I've since crashed in them probably 9 or 10 times. Of these times, it's only gone right through the leather twice. Fortunately, it has soft and hard padding(a little like armadillos, hard on the outside and soft on the inside).
I've now replaced these leathers (with another set of spykes) purely because my mates were nagging at me to get a nicer looking set without any scrapes on them. I still wore the old ones this morning though on my ride to work. I can highly recommend them.
As for boots, I've gone for Sidi vertebrae (£120) which seem to be pretty good although I did fracture a toe last year when I crashed and kicked the floor pretty hard after going over the highside.
Lid-wise. I've now got a Roof(£240), although I've had AGV and Arai in the past. AGV's are heavy, but quiet and well ventilated. Arai's are lighter, but more expensive (£350-ish) and noisy. The Roof is quiet, but like the AGV, it's heavy and ventilation isn't great.
For gloves, I've crashed in Swift Dynatecs (£80) on about 8 occasions and they've always stood up to it. I replaced them with Alpinstars GP Plus (£100-ish) which seem to be doing a good job with only 2 falls behind them so far.
Have a look at:
www.cissburyleathers.com/products.asp?Currency=GBP&Cat=25&Man=10
If you're not bothered about looking great, then I can recommend Crowtree leathers. Thay are bloody heavy, but have 3 layers of leather around you arse for sliding down the road.
A lot of fashion leather like die-easy or alpinestars seem to pop seams as soon as they hit the deck, but it's your skin at the end of the day.
After seeing a lot of mates break ankles badly (permanent walking sticks, etc), I now only ride in a boot with in-built ankle protector. I use Daytona Evos. For gloves, I use a german brand called 'Held'. They're expensive but feel substantial when compared with a/stars and the like. BKS do very good gear, but at a price.
Try Manx or MW leathers as well. OR look round a club racing paddock and see for yourself what seems to crash well!
A lot of fashion leather like die-easy or alpinestars seem to pop seams as soon as they hit the deck, but it's your skin at the end of the day.
After seeing a lot of mates break ankles badly (permanent walking sticks, etc), I now only ride in a boot with in-built ankle protector. I use Daytona Evos. For gloves, I use a german brand called 'Held'. They're expensive but feel substantial when compared with a/stars and the like. BKS do very good gear, but at a price.
Try Manx or MW leathers as well. OR look round a club racing paddock and see for yourself what seems to crash well!
fergus said:
If you're not bothered about looking great, then I can recommend Crowtree leathers. Thay are bloody heavy, but have 3 layers of leather around you arse for sliding down the road.
A lot of fashion leather like die-easy or alpinestars seem to pop seams as soon as they hit the deck, but it's your skin at the end of the day.
After seeing a lot of mates break ankles badly (permanent walking sticks, etc), I now only ride in a boot with in-built ankle protector. I use Daytona Evos. For gloves, I use a german brand called 'Held'. They're expensive but feel substantial when compared with a/stars and the like. BKS do very good gear, but at a price.
Try Manx or MW leathers as well. OR look round a club racing paddock and see for yourself what seems to crash well!
Crowtrees...... Absolutely. From less than £700 for a full made to measure set. Total quality, if you send them down the road, they'll rebuild them.
Spend a few extra quid and have the soft armour built in, it's so much nicer than breaking bones!
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