First set of Leathers or other protection

First topic message reminder :

Hi all,

It has become high time for me to get some proper protection as my existing kit will not offer much protection in the event of an accident and also as I am now regularly commuting back to London which is a round trip of around 240 miles.

I am an absolute novice when it comes leather or other protection, but to help narrow the criteria the following will probably help:

1.Budget is not huge as I am a student, maximum 400-500 pounds at absolute most probably 300-400 would be more manageable but if there is a significant gap between the protection offered by kit that is 1 or 2 hundred pounds dearer than Im willing to stretch a bit more cash.

2. I heard leathers offer the best protection but are not waterproof and can crack. Also with the budget would it be advisable to get kit that will be usable all year round rather than 2 sets of kit (winter-summer).

3. It needs to be practical as I use the bike to commute every day. Do i go for leathers or other type of protection.

4. Kit required are Jacket and Trousers (or full suit depending on what is recommended), Boots, Gloves and other protection. Already have a decent helmet.

5. I am about 6 foot tall, relatively slim and about 11.5 stone (although starting to hit the gym and planning to gain a stone or 2 over next 6 months)

Thanks in advance!

Ollie

past-it wrote:I've got a set of Hein Gericke water proof 2 piece leathers, soft armour, removable liners, and i would never use them to go to and fro work because leather is a pain to clean and when they're wet they take ages to dry. So for every day riding I wear a Hein Gericke textile jacket, hard armour and removable liner. Its been cleaned twice in 6 years and the only place I get wet is a area by the left hand chest vent. As for the bottoms I wear a cheap set of textile trousers and on longer trips in heavy rain (10 miles plus) the only bit that gets wet is the bit you sit on [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] so I wear yellow/reflective over trousers from Tool Station ( £8 ). Under the textiles I only wear normal working clothes and in 6 years of riding I've never felt cold, chilled at times but not cold. The bike has heated grips and I wear Hein Gericke 2 finger gloves in cold weather. The fairing on the Cat is very good at protecting the rider if you are traveling at the speed limit.

I'll pop in to tool station for a look at dem £8 yellow over trousers.
Sounds like a bargain.

One thing I don't recommend is a one piece rain suit , yes there's no gap for water to get in , but I find it inflates and pulls you backward at speed which is not a nice feeling

One thing I don't recommend is a one piece rain suit , yes there's no gap for water to get in , but I find it inflates and pulls you backward at speed which is not a nice feeling

At least if you come off you might float back to the ground

HEHORE wrote:One thing I don't recommend is a one piece rain suit , yes there's no gap for water to get in , but I find it inflates and pulls you backward at speed which is not a nice feeling

and not great if you need the toilet

stevedj2000 wrote: and not great if you need the toilet

Who's to know?

Drysuits ain't great if you've been on the sprouts either.
All that gas either marinades you, or comes out in a great green cloud when you unzip it.

-edit- God forbid you're just lighting up a snout at the time.

Wooster wrote:Drysuits ain't great if you've been on the sprouts either.
All that gas either marinades you, or comes out in a great green cloud when you unzip it.

-edit- God forbid you're just lighting up a snout at the time.

That's how Rosco lost his hair.

I've got plenty thanks very much.
Just not much on the top of my head.

Back, crack, nasal and aural and airse a plenty.

I've got plenty thanks very much.
Just not much on the top of my head.

Back, crack, nasal and aural and airse a plenty.

Not a good image whilst your eating your lunch!