Leather vs. Textile 60mph lowside shredding test

[Dan Alexander]

Originally Posted by totomoto

Did you wear the textiles in your avatar underneath? That may explain why your legs were cooler than your upper body.

I go Commando when I'm on the bike

[Mambo Dave]

Originally Posted by Dan Alexander

Leather (like your skin) breathes better than nylon / goretex does

I'm finding it difficult to believe that a nylon mesh wouldn't allow more air flow, and allow for more evaporation of sweat, than sealed leather.

Now if you compared it to nylon/goretex/some-type-of-rain-proof-jacket, then yeah... but that's not a fair comparison as most leathers aren't as rain-proof as nylon-based rain wear... so it's comparing two totally different systems.

[Gruesome]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

... sealed leather.
....
as most leathers aren't as rain-proof as nylon-based rain wear...

You really owe it to yourself to research a bit what's out there. You don't need to 'seal' the leather, you just coat the fibers, exactly like on a breathable membrane. Except you get the tear strength and abrasion resistance of leather. Plus much better ability to hold protectors in the right spot, without feeling stiff or crinkly.

[Dan Alexander]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

I'm finding it difficult to believe that a nylon mesh wouldn't allow more air flow, and allow for more evaporation of sweat, than sealed leather.

Now if you compared it to nylon/goretex/some-type-of-rain-proof-jacket, then yeah... but that's not a fair comparison as most leathers aren't as rain-proof as nylon-based rain wear... so it's comparing two totally different systems.

Who mentioned nylon mesh? Who mentioned the need for it to be waterproof?

I stated my leather pants were cooler than my Stitch jacket which is made of nylon/goretex laminate You don't have to believe me but why not try it before forming an opinion.

BTW, most nylon mesh will disintegrate when contacting pavement which is the basis of this discussion.

[Bad Dad]

Originally Posted by Dan Alexander

Who mentioned nylon mesh? Who mentioned the need for it to be waterproof?

I stated my leather pants were cooler than my Stitch jacket which is made of nylon/goretex laminate You don't have to believe me but why not try it before forming an opinion.

BTW, most nylon mesh will disintegrate when contacting pavement which is the basis of this discussion.

What he said!

[tattoogunman]

My primary issue with leather is the lack of color, it's mostly just black. The few that I've found over the years that were lighter more visible colors, had a tendency to have logos or other writing all over it, large dark colored graphics, etc. To be fair, I haven't look at any in the last five or so years, but from the few stores that I've wandered in to, things don't seem to have changed too much. I know you can wear something hi viz over the leather, but I'd rather not have to do that. Just me mind you

[seevtsaab]

Originally Posted by Mambo Dave

As ugly as it would be, has anyone ever seen a leather / textile mix ? The protection of leather in the most needed areas, the open flowing textile for cooling in others... and probably really, really ugly looking.

The Rev-It Gear pants seem to fit the bill, but I haven't had a serious get-off to test. Mesh panels at thigh (front) and calf (rear) provide enough ventilation for me and the remaining leather plus snug cut seems like it would keep armor in place and provide good abrasion resistance. Wifey has Rev-It Ignition jacket and it provides same.

[Dan Alexander]

How about Icon leather / mesh stuff, a little out there fashion wise but I think it's pretty good gear.

Comes in different colors too.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-compound-jacket

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/i...nd-mesh-jacket

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/i...mesh-overpants

[massrider]

Originally Posted by Bad Dad

What he said!

I would like to know the story behind this picture, Speed of the crash, surface crashed on and injuries sustained?
I have the same jacket but don't wear it anymore, I went to Hi-Viz, but it does look like the leather panels held up well.

[Dan Alexander]

Looks like there was some pain involved in that one

[keiji]

Originally Posted by massrider

I would like to know the story behind this picture, Speed of the crash, surface crashed on and injuries sustained?
I have the same jacket but don't wear it anymore, I went to Hi-Viz, but it does look like the leather panels held up well.

The leather panels look fine, it's just a problem that you can't really control where you hit. Means hybrid jackets are still one use deals most of the times anyway.

[holeshotz]

Took a header at 65mph , slid approximately 45 feet on my shoulder before ending up in a ditch. Bike was totaled , broke my left collar bone and right scapula but here i am talking about it thanks to my stitch

Seriously though as you can see in the pics the only damage to the suit was on the left forearm,










Hospital bill ouch

[Dan Alexander]

Wow, the most pain must have been in getting the bill

Thankfully we embrace socialism up here

[Pongo]

amazing protection good for you.
I hurt myself that bad slipping on steps.

[Bad Dad]

Originally Posted by massrider

I would like to know the story behind this picture, Speed of the crash, surface crashed on and injuries sustained?
I have the same jacket but don't wear it anymore, I went to Hi-Viz, but it does look like the leather panels held up well.

Speed= 60MPH. Road surface, rough asphalt Wisconsin county road. The story, Went for an awesome ride in March of this year when the temps were in the high 70's ! Record high temps! I was on my 06 GSXR1000 and My friend Kenny was on his 05 V=Strom 1000 and we were on our way home from a a 350 mile day ride, i'd just texted my wife to tell her I'd be home within the hour. 15 minutes later while coming out of a sweet left hand corner I crested a small sharp hill and was on the gas when from my left I saw the deer coming full bore, for a split second I thought I could stay on the gas and miss it. This thought was immediatly replaced by a brace for impact! I hit the deer in the front shoulder and the bike swung out to the right, at this point I thought I could save it. Kenny who had a front row seat to the action pointed out that the deer was attached to the bike and there was not gonna be a save this time, ha-ha. The slide was for around 40 feet when the deer fell, got dragged under the front of the bike causing a nice high side. I'm sketchy after the landing, Kenny says I flipped over and landed on my back slid a little and ragdolled over on to my front. The bike did a nice flip and landed with the left peg and foot rest on my left foot and the bike coming down diagonaly across my back and clipping the right side of my helmet, the bike surfed on me for a good 50 feet before coming off and sliding to a stop, I continued on for another 50-60 feet before coming to a stop in the middle of my lane. Injuries were some nice melted plastic burns on my arm, a black left foot with a couple broken bones, a concussion, Bruising, and total soreness. this is gonna be long but heres the gear report,
Before.
After.
Jacket did O.K., the leather held up allright though one of the shoulder patches almost came off all the way.





The arm with the plastic, polyurethane burn, scab.
A small scab on my right knee where the armor must have shifted, the Kevlar did its job but it melted the poly coating.


The pants were Sliders Summer Kevlar reinforced pants, They did a good enough job that I bought the latest version as replacements.









The boots were midline Oxtar's, did a great job.



This is the top of the boot it flatend out but I believe the Oxtar's metatarsel guard system prevented more foot damage.

The helmet, a Shark RSR2 did a great job.




6 year old TourMaster gloves had some seam failures but for there age did a decent job.






The Bohn Pro Racer back protector save the hell out of me! Other than a small hole worn through the lycra its still good to go.
.

So thats it. I was wear all my usual gear and came out in pretty darn good shape, I took out my V-Strom 2 days later and got in a 100 mile ride before the soreness sent me home. And heres the replacement bike, all set up for a 17 state, 2 canadian provance trip this July!

.

Sorry for punctuation and grammar mistakes.