VROOM VROOOOOM BRAP BRAP

[Bompalompalomp]

I know jeans aren't ideal, but the second payday hits I'm getting either Draggin Jeans with padding or leather trousers.

[foofighterjim]

Why not go for textiles rather than leather? I know leather looks better but you can get water resistant textiles that will keep you dry on a shot commute or you can go the full gore tex route if you are into the longer distance stuff (leather or textile for gore tex), however gore tex does cost a bit. There are few things that will make you more miserable than being soaked through in December on the way to work with the wind cutting right through you. Also very hard to concentrate and still feel your fingers in those conditions.

[Norphy]

I'll admit that I'm not a biker but wouldn't leather be more resistant to road rash than most textiles bar kevlar?

[Bompalompalomp]

I got my leather jacket for free from a friend who used to ride pillion. I'm a vegetarian so I'm not massively keen on buying new leathers anyway, that's why I think I'll go for kevlar jeans. I've seen a nice goretex winter jacket at the shop, though.

[pcstru]

Watch world superbike, motoGP or basically any bike racing. Those guys know that at some point they are going to be going down the road sans bike on their arse at speed. As far as I know, they all wear leather. There is probably a reason for that.

[foofighterjim]

Watch world superbike, motoGP or basically any bike racing. Those guys know that at some point they are going to be going down the road sans bike on their arse at speed. As far as I know, they all wear leather. There is probably a reason for that.

 

There is but they are also wearing one piece suites, knee sliders and have built in air bags! They are also routinely riding at 180mph+. Good quality textiles are just as efficient in protection for standard road use and are superior for comfort, warmth and water proofing. Have you ever watch Long Way Round? They aren't wearing leather are they.

[Tesla]

I have one of those big metal protective suits you can wear, can't remember their name though.... i think they're called cars??

 

 

 

 

please see this as a joke/sarcasm

[pcstru]

There is but they are also wearing one piece suites, knee sliders and have built in air bags! They are also routinely riding at 180mph+. Good quality textiles are just as efficient in protection for standard road use and are superior for comfort, warmth and water proofing. Have you ever watch Long Way Round? They aren't wearing leather are they.

I personally use a gortex/kevlar jacket with armour/padding and leather trousers but I don't believe the jacket would be as good as a leather one. It will develop more friction than leather so will generate more heat and cause me to roll. I think comfort is a secondary consideration - you basically made that choice when you get on a bike. Still almost anything is better than a pair of jeans.

[scotyboy56]

I agree, don't crash it. I had a 50cc Trial bike lookalike and I crashed that a few times. Made me scared to ever ride a bike again, but was some of the best times of my life on my bike with my mates. I think I still have my old bike trousers and jacket kicking around somewhere that I'm never gonna use if you want them

[Garacesh]

I have one of those big metal protective suits you can wear, can't remember their name though.... i think they're called cars??

Whilst I'll agree they offer superior protection, you'd struggle getting on a bike wearing one of those.. There has to be some practicality there, too!

[abillybob]

Haha this takes me back to my Scooter years I had a little Peugeot Speedfight 2, put Speakers inside it, completely stripped it re-built it, new panels, exhaust the lot... got a 70cc big bore kit and installed that it would do 65MPH although when getting to that speed it did use to shake violently haha. I crashed that thing so many times I can't recall the amount, the worst was when I went head on to a car ended up breaking cheek bone, collar bone and got left with a lovely big scar on the right of my stomach.

 

The other time was when I was travelling to my ex's house and it was that Winter with the horrendous snow fall drove back in snow though fell off multiple times (I was only doing like 10MPH so it never hurt knocked my bike up a bit though) after a hard year of it's life with me it started to fall apart the cast iron engine had a crack through it, the exhaust was falling off and the chassis was bent. I sold it for scrap and made £40, but I loved that little bike.

 

Here's some pictures for you all to enjoy, this was of the crash and me stripping it afterwards and fixing it up.

 

 

[foofighterjim]

It will develop more friction than leather so will generate more heat and cause me to roll. I think comfort is a secondary consideration - you basically made that choice when you get on a bike. Still almost anything is better than a pair of jeans.

 

I don't want to derail the thread but I will say that you are less likely to roll with textiles as they won't bite into the road surface like leather does, you slide (I know from experience). Comfort reduces fatigue therefore is beneficial to concentration making the event of the off less likely in the first place. Its all about the right equipment for the circumstances, good quality textiles are a better choice for all year, all weather riding than leather (hence my opinion and choice of clothing).

[TechMonkey]

Hmm, I'm hoping my bike gets sorted before the big freeze comes. Grip warmers are a lovely luxury if you ride when cold but as mentioned, if there is a vague possibility of ice on the road I'd just not bother. I made that mistake once and had to fit a new oil pan and add some more war wounds (to the bike luckily, only my pride is injured). Who knew how long you could stay upright when the back wheel decides it wants to be the front wheel going down hill?!

 

Bike looks a beaut.

[Garacesh]

I crashed that thing so many times I can't recall the amount, the worst was when I went head on to a car ended up breaking cheek bone, collar bone and got left with a lovely big scar on the right of my stomach.

Starting to understand how you reversed into a skip now..

[laserblazer]

I once came of my bike on a wet concrete road and was sliding along on my arse thinking "This should be hurting". When I stopped and picked myself up I had 4 half-crowns (shows you how long ago) in the back pocket, which acted as a buffer. Mum had to repair the pocket.

[Andrew_C]

Without doubt, leather offers more protection against road rash. However, against that you need to trade off practicality and weather protection. I own a two piece set of leathers, two fabric jackets, one with large mesh panels, one pair of warm over trousers, and one pair of kevlar jeans. I seldom use the leathers due to that "practicality" issue. The jeans are really only just warm enough in the mornings at the moment.

 

 

I read somewhere that the reason racers wear one piece leathers is so that the whole rider ends up at the hospital in the event of a serious crash.

[diddylord]

very nice, I had one of those as a first bike as well, brilliant little things.

Well done and the CBT and getting the bike and Enjoy it.

Just need to get rid of the L plates now.!

[Miscbrah]

i think that will only hurt people who drive 2.0L + Petrol cars who cant do above 30mpg......

 

2.0 16v turbo petrol.

 

Hurts indeed.

[arwen]

OOo nice bike! I tried to have a go on one of them at the bike show at the NEC last year, but as I could only get my toes on the ground the instructor didn't feel comfortable teaching me :-(

 

I am however going to be getting a little Honda MSX125 sometime soonish, which I can reach the ground on!

As my partner has a bike I've already got most of the kit, and I can certainly vouch for textiles being a great option. I like my leathers, but they do get rather warm, and are not the most comfortable things to wear. And they are also pretty cold on chilly days too. I got all my stuff of ebay, at a fraction of the new prices and it is all like new. If you are going to be riding in the dark/wet/misty days then definitely get from hi-viz stuff. I got a hi-viz Hein Gericke textile jacket from eBay for the grand sum of £30. Alternatively, a hi-viz building vest works too, but they do flap around.

[woodham]

congratulations on getting a bike, everyone should at some point.

 

my advice would be

1. leathers always and gloves one or two piece just make sure they fit properly as a baggy jacket will move ride up in the event of a "get-off" and be as much use as a chocolate teapot. Leathers tend to be fixable where as textiles tend to go in the bin after a bit of road rash

2. In the event of said “get-off” when you think you’ve stopped moving count to ten befor you try and get up it’s funny for everyone but you to see someone try and run at 20-30mph you cant. I tried that one on a track day it bloody hurts.

3. Make eye contact at junctions never assume that anyone has seen you

4. Have fun bikes rock. I love my 88 plate Honda nc23

[Andrew_C]

Hi-vis; Don't assume that you suddenly become "visible" to myopic Volvo* drivers. They will look straight through you and pull out claiming they didn't see you. Some research (that I can't verify, but it was on the internets) claims that drivers see hi-vis and assume it is "safe, say a road-sweeper. However, if you present yourself in the same situation wearing Angel's colours, then they perceive you as a "threat" and stay put.

 

That said, I wear a vest with 3/4 sleeves and lots of reflective tape most of the time.

 

 

 

* Other makes of cage are available.

[pcstru]

Hi-vis; Don't assume that you suddenly become "visible" to myopic Volvo* drivers.

 

I hope all this isn't be putting @Bompalompalomp off. Riding a motorbike is a fantastic way to travel; fun, rewarding, thrilling - the whole exhilarating and yet a cheap, responsible way to travel. Leathers, helmet, high vis, headlight on (dipped please), are very small differences you can make to the overall risk. The biggest single factor - 99% of the risk, is YOU and how you ride. (If that wasn't true, I'd never get on a bike again).

 

Motorcycle Roadcraft: The Police Rider's Handbook to Better Motorcycling: Amazon.co.uk: Phillip Coyne, Bill Mayblin, Penny Mares: Books

 

Is well worth the £8. Avoid the later edition.

[Andrew_C]

And on top of Roadcraft, when you've few miles under your belt and think you know how to ride, book yourself onto a "Bikesafe" day. Great fun, and instructive too.

[hardtailstar]

i think that will only hurt people who drive 2.0L + Petrol cars who cant do above 30mpg......

 

thats me

[newpersn]

thats me

 

Im doing well to hurt people

 

1.7cdti astra. (Pile of crap) does around 50-60mpg. ...

 

Back on topic.

 

I see too many bikers overtake in many dangerous places back and forth work. I've almost clipped one as he was speeding that fast on a blind hill bend and there was a car parked up at the top of the hill.

 

 

Please ride safe. I (and the rest of the edugeek) don't want to hear that a edugeeker has been involved in a serious accident.