silly season,its started

[simonm]

I'm glad you were armoured up and came out of it ok.  Good luck.

[jon]

Glad you are ok.....


Bet you were glad of that hi-viz eh? Wasnt long ago hundreds of thousands of us protested against compulsorary hi viz (among other euro legislation).

[Revilo18]

I'm pretty much against anything compulsory - so would've been there along side you at the protest if I ever left London. Wear a hi vis in London rush hour traffic so that (nearly) everyone sees me. But if someone told me I HAD to wear it - I'd be pissed.
 
You should be able to do what you like in this life as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.

[Streetbudgie]

I think you're alone in that judgement.  Textiles are nowhere near as good as leathers, they just give you waterproofing.

I doubt you'll listen to anyone else's opinion though, so go on believing that.

You're absolutely right

I won't listen to your opinion

[Simon.Pieman]

I think you're alone in that judgement.  Textiles are nowhere near as good as leathers, they just give you waterproofing.

I doubt you'll listen to anyone else's opinion though, so go on believing that.

You're absolutely right

I won't listen to your opinion

 Why is it that every motorcycle racer wears leather and not textiles?
 I've done a bit of racing in my youth and had a few tumbles, my leathers literally saved my skin. How many crashes have you had in your textiles?

Si

[simonm]

I think you're alone in that judgement.  Textiles are nowhere near as good as leathers, they just give you waterproofing.

I doubt you'll listen to anyone else's opinion though, so go on believing that.

You're absolutely right

I won't listen to your opinion

 Why is it that every motorcycle racer wears leather and not textiles?
 I've done a bit of racing in my youth and had a few tumbles, my leathers literally saved my skin. How many crashes have you had in your textiles?

Si

Give up dude.  Science/reality isn't their strong point.

Just to compound my point I'll quote Wikipedia, which whilst not being the best source is good enough for me.  "Top-quality motorcycle leather is superior to any practical man-made fabric for abrasion protection and is still used in racing" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leather).

Leather is more durable and provides superior protection with the negatives of being too hot and not being waterproof.  One big fall in textiles and if they're not ruined you threw a 6.  Leather will withstand multiple crashes.  Valentino Rossi wears leathers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dainese).


I'll not be drawn in to this any more 

[Revilo18]

everal years ago there was a magazine test (in the Motorcyclist) to compare the abrasion resistence of motorcycle riding gear materials, notably textiles vs leathers. The test was conducted by placing a heavy weight on top of the materials, and dragging it behind a car with heavy rope to see how far it would go before a hole wore through. Unsurprisingly, leather was the most durable. Kevlar was next, but only slightly behind the leather. Furthermore, leather does not melt from friction, it will cushion your fall more than textiles and offers the best protection against a road rash. The fact that leather also lasts through multiple crashes whilst textiles will probably only last through one, says a lot about the difference in protection and impact between the two materials. It is undesputable that leather offers better protection in the case of an accident

[Raymy]

Watch it be disputed

[Razgruff]

by placing a heavy weight on top of the materials, and dragging it behind a car with heavy rope to see how far it would go before a hole wore through

I remember Ride mag did a similar test some years ago but I think they used a belt sander.

And there are differences in the types of leather to, Kangeroo being the best I think, but memories not as good as it was

[Raymy]

I started a thread on the old board a good while back about makimg your own gear. Rapturous response to it obviously.  Or not.
Anyways I found this guy in europe made a website on it amd tested out different materials with a spinny spinny stone bench grinder.  Interesting site. Should maybe go look for it again cos I still fancy givin it a shot. I got access to industrial sewing facilities if I need em so the thought has always been there

[bri h]

Do you think the wife would notice if i cut a suit out of the sofa.

[bri h]

Mind you theres not much protection to had from velour.

[simonm]

I hear creme eggs are pretty good protection


http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,7646.msg74058.html#msg74058

[bri h]

Ha ha you right si there is a use for them..

[dBfazer600]

Just come across this with an awesome helmet and one armed rider
 

Fz1 Ride 150+

 
Daz
 

[slimwilly]

Well he should pass the MOT with horns like that,  i counted two arms, there may be more, you gotta laugh at the sorts that bikes attract, we definately are not all from the same mould

[Slaninar]

I fall down a lot. Off motorcycles and bicycles. Got hit by a car while riding bicycle 4 times, once on a motorcycle.


I love riding without helmet and protective gear. But when I do, I ride accordingly. Never over 40 km/h. Like a bicycle. And carefully. Avoiding heavy traffic etc. I often ride more safe without helmet and gear for that reason. Heat doesn't bother me so I ride a lot slower in the summer when I'm not packed. When I put on leathers, I often catch myself going faster and faster.


Riding bicycle at 80 km/h (downhill of course) is a lot more scary and dangerous than riding motorcycle 100 km/h, and what protective leathers do you see cyclists wear? Helmet and gloves if really conscious.

Point is that everyone chooses for themselves and risk is a relative thing. 4 times hit by a car on a bicycle lane, green light - couldn't be "safer". Riding in the middle of a crowded car lane, I'm a lot more alert, adjust riding accordingly and never had any accidents. Figure that out?

Having said all this, whenever I DO fall, I wish I had ALL the possible gear on me, but the fact I ride safer and more carefully when just in shorts and fast goggles is true. So each to their own. Ride, enjoy life and help bikers when they need it - give advice on good equipment if you can, but don't judge people for not wearing full leathers.