Hi everyone, I'm planning on getting a bike next year, doing some research, looking at different products, and I had a question about jackets...

I figure leather probably offers the best protection since that's what pro racers wear on the track and stuff, but I saw a company offering nylon riding jackets. Does anyone have any experience wearing these? Are they warmer/cooler than leather? How much protection do they offer? Would they be okay for tooling around town at 30-40mph?

TIA!

 

If you can afford it buy leather but it should be a purpose motorbike leather jacket not a fashion item, my Alpine Stars Jacket melted when I had a slide while wearing it although I didn’t get any broken bones so draw your own conclusions on durabilty.

Within saying that a good nylon jacket is easy to grab and chuck on before you leave the house, you can wash nylon jackets and they tend to be a bit warmer when it snows or just chilly, however my old Nylon Jacket got very drafty and cold when it rained, Nylon jackets don’t tend to be very waterproof un-less specifically sold as "water proof", I find that most modern leather jackets have "breather" panels in them and the lining can be removed if required, the leather often gives shower proof protection as well.

Nylon jackets are a bit more comfortable and forgiving where as a good double panelled leather jacket can have you feeling a bit trussed up.

At high speeds the leather wins every time as the Nylon will flap about and balloon with air what could be a little distracting.

 

well if you think u will be tulling around 30-40 think again...not with a sport bike. with leather you can keep using it after your first flop. and nylon is pretty much trash after the pavement does its damage. there are more nylon jackets made for winter. leather cators more towards the hotter weather. i where both but leather just feels safer.

 

Nice reply about nylon Jim!

Just keep in mind that the leathers we pull off the shelf are worlds apart from the leather you'll see a top level pro racer wear...they get custom made and tailored suits made of the finest matrerials (probably Kangaroo leather).

 

if i were you, i would stick with leathers - get one size bigger then you, so in winter - you can wear a sweater underneath it and in summer, you got some venting in the jacket itself..

for nylon vs leather - never heard of nylon for jackets =/...

are you joking fretless? your saying kangroo's skin is tougher then croc? - even tho i wouldnt want to see a racer in a croc skin anyways, it would be like seeing dennis rodman in basketball.

 

I have both. They both have their own purpose. The leather is great. I wear that the most. If it gets chilly I just put on another layer. The textile I have is just for a quick ride to a neighbors house or such. Where if I go down its at like 25. I would stick with leather as much as possible. We all know that what we wear is what comes between us and the street, so don't get something just because its cheap. Make sure what you get is good.