So I've been looking into a leather jacket and wanted to spend no more than $250 on it. I have now a -Speed and Strength Moment of Truth SP Mesh Jacket- which works fine but wanted the benefits leather offers (would probably get a perforated one since I live in California). My dilemma is, should I buy a leather jacket?...
OR
Spend that money on a Custom led tail setup, Renthal UL bars, bar ends and possably new grips?...
Help me make up my mind.
P.S. If a leather jacket (which I'm kinda leaning towards), any suggestions?
Are you a posser or a rider? Sorry for the offending comment. But I'd say leather jacket all the way. Though I'm not sure what kind of jacket you'll get for 250. I know I've crashed in mine several times and I do not think for a second a textile jacket would have held up well or at all.
For those days you know you'll be taking more risks than normal a good pair of riding pants is also a good idea.
I'm sure everyone else here will chime in. For sure you'll be able to make an informed decision shortly.
For what it's worth, ive been entirely satisfied with my textile gear. It has good abrasion resistance and good armor built in. I dont really expect it to survive a crash, i think of it as sacrificial in nature like my helmet...but good textile gear may suprise you.
Its also warmer than leather in the cold and cooler in the heat, dries much quicker after getting caught out in the wet...etc.
Leather does have s slight advantage in abrasion resistance, but not much...and loses some of that every time it gets wet.
Imho, buy a decent textile jacket & pants...
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what's the reasoning for the leather jacket? what benefits are you looking for that the mesh doesnt provide?
Like Touring919 stated, It'll last/save my skin in an event of a spill possably a bit more than textile and depending on the fall, last longer. But than again The Shadow puts out several good points aswell and I enjoy what I have now.. But the thought of added protection is my motavation.
And to answer Touring919s question on the status of my riding, -no offence taken- I ride for the enjoyment of it. I don't need to take every corner at max possable speed and don't wheelie every chance I get, but do enjoy canyon/mtn roads now and than.. I still have about 1/3" chicken strips, but this is also my first motorcycle and am still working on/warming up to getting that low cornering. Judge for yourself.
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I am not sure what you get in leather for $250 so I would vote for saving a bit more and have a wider variety of Leather to check out. I have crashed in textile and it did its job but is then throw away.
I dont have any experience with those, but when Im looking for a real-world review i first look at webbikeworld.com/reviews and if I cant find it there Id do a google search for it on advrider.com...with over 100,000 members, they almost always have the straight skinny on virtually anything.
I will say that rider comfort is key, if you crash while having your cuffs unfastened and the zipper open you will have less protection than if everything is all fastened up, regardless of whether you are wearing leather or textile.
Good luck!
.
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I would also go with a leather jacket before I got the taillight, bars, and grips. I won't speak for all textile, but many are disposable in a crash - "one and done". There are guys that crash in leather numerous times at the track and are still using the same gear.
The downsides to leather have been stated above - warmer in the heat, not as warm in the cold, more expensive, etc.... Keep saving your pennies and try both on at a local shop. I commute on my bike a majority of the time so after a couple years I eventually went with textile for cold/wet and leather for nice days.
i bought my icon merc thats all leather for like 180 bucks on ebay. Best 180 bucks i have ever spent. And it's not one of those lame ones that have all the stupid skulls and crosses ans shit that looks like i just walked out of a tapout store.
I recently wrecked in my leather and it did it's job perfectly. It's got a few more character marks, but still in good condition. Then again I found it at a garage sale for $12.50, looked online later and found out that it's $400 retail. If you can find another deal like that get both.
Awesome! Thanks for all the input and advice. Now to find a jacket that isn't at my belly button when I stand up and/or half way up my back when I lean forward (me being 6'5").
Brenner182, I really like that jacket. Plain black is what I'm looking for in leather.
Thanks for all the web sights too! There on my "favorites" now!
Hi,
I have a, all black, like new, unworn, with key tag, Vanson full perforated sport rider jacket. I can post some pictures if you are interested. Almost forget it is a size 46 US.
Awesome! Thanks for all the input and advice. Now to find a jacket that isn't at my belly button when I stand up and/or half way up my back when I lean forward (me being 6'5").
Brenner182, I really like that jacket. Plain black is what I'm looking for in leather.
Thanks for all the web sights too! There on my "favorites" now!
haha yeah man. I'm a big fan of the modest look as opposed to the gear that just screams pull me over.
Hi,
I have a, all black, like new, unworn, with key tag, Vanson full perforated sport rider jacket. I can post some pictures if you are interested. Almost forget it is a size 46 US.
Yah you can post some pictures. What were you looking to get for it?
If you are looking for protection i would ask the guys that have laid their bikes down and ask them what they were wearing and how it held up.
i have your same mesh jacket as well as a leather. the textile is cooler but i feel better when wearing my leather.
From my experience a quality textile jacket will protect you just fine but they're pretty much one crash and you're done. I was wearing an armored speed n stregnth textile when I went down at about 75mph on the highway. Not a scratch on me but the jacket was toast. I replaced it with a perf leather one. Only problem leather is so much hotter. Almost unbearable during a 110 degree Texas summer so I got another textile for the summer months.
You will look so much cooler looking wearing a leather jacket...lol
...except while you're visibly red in the face and sweating away the last drop of your body's moisture from overheating, while trying to down a gallon of water (or some sugary thirstquencher...they have good marketing for you to buy into as well) at a gas stop before you expire... but that's just a technicality, and your extra super-high level of protection will be so worth every drip!
You will quickly find that you're not satisfied to have just one riding jacket, I predict...just like the rest of us. Check back in here after a year and let us know what you think.
.
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You will quickly find that you're not satisfied to have just one riding jacket, I predict...just like the rest of us. Check back in here after a year and let us know what you think.
QFT!!! so far i have 1 textile jacket, 1 leather perforated jacket with removable liner, 1 1-piece track suit, about 4 pairs of gloves, outer wear textile pants and always looking for more gear.
I'm looking at picking up the icon regulator stripped vest here once taxes come back. I know it does not offer arm protection, but i want it so at least my chest/ back is covered for those summer days that are just to hot for the full leather coat
Google- ...too true haha
sml2727- my alter ego is citing with you.. maybe
brenner- never thought of that route, but I figure I'll have the breathable textile for those days.
also like the shadow mentioned concerning sweating like crazy.. I do live in So Cal and our winter consists of one day of rain a week for a few months and 75* the rest of the week... needless to say about summer. hmm...
brenner - Suggestion. If it's too hot to ride in a full coat, don't ride.
I live in NorCal and ride in a 2-piece set of leathers; it's never been too hot to ride in them... even when it's in the 90's. Just keep moving.
The internet has a story to tell about gear if anyone is listening.
The short version: Inexpensive gear can work. Or it can fail. Expensive gear does work, and rarely fails.
brenner, dont get a vest dude, protect your arms! get yourself a decent full mesh textile jacket. you wont even notice you're wearing it and you'll get the full benefits of protection that a vest wouldn't and couldn't give you.
textile jacket was the best thing i bought..i find its much warmer then leather.....a leather vest is a great investment that i wear under a shirt or light jacket on summer nights..keeps chest warm
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