Perforated Leather vs Mesh Jackets. what say you?

[vyruz]

can i take that perforated leather jackets, or simply leather jackets, for the matter, often do not come with armor? elbow, shoulder, back, chest etc..

 

in that sense, is armor better or is "thicker skin" better?

 

If you're looking at brands that do motorcycle-specific jackets, they should come with at least CE armour in the shoulders and elbow areas. Some will even come with padding in the back and chest for that little bit more protection.

 

As for armour vs thicker skin, they serve different purposes as I understand it. Armour provides better impact resistance (e.g. slamming your shoulder and elbow when you first hit the ground, resulting in cuts and possible broken bones). Leather provides better abrasion resistance (e.g. sliding down the road on your back and arms after you hit the ground, resulting in your skin being abraded/worn away).

 

This discussion has re-ignited my interest in upgrading my textile jacket to a perf leather one. I really like Alpinestar's Indy jacket:

 

http://www.bikebiz.com.au/product_images/q/065/alpinestars-jacket-indy-black__57651_zoom.jpg

 

Slightly thinner leather (1.1mm as opposed to the usual 1.2mm-1.4mm), extensive perforations in the torso area, arms and back. CE elbow and shoulder armour as well. Listed price is US$400. Regina have not brought this in as yet. I might take a gamble and buy one from eBay in the US. IIRC, there are quite a few at S$550+$60 shipping (thanks to the low US dollar). As long as they have a good returns/exchange policy, the only downside I can see is the delay between ordering and receiving.

[DeusExMachina]

No matter how perforated the leather is, when you're caught in slow moving traffic, it is still going to be warmer.... much much warmer than a mesh jacket.

 

I save my leathers for up North. Or maybe a cool night in SG (it's getting rarer now...) if I'm meeting a couple of pals somewhere.

Riding in SG with leathers on? Fuuck that. I don't wanna arrive at my destination drenched in my own sweat.

Textiles are much better for that.

[CSV]

hmm, i guess to each his own. some say leathers are hot some mention cooler.

 

i was considering leathers because of the abrasion resistance as well as style factor.

 

but leather do not provide impact protection as in the slam when you fall. so a hybrid is probably best.

 

leather jacket with ce approved armour in all the right areas. anyone has any idea where?

 

dainese has one with titanium shoulder pads, that one looks cool....and i think cost around 400-500? saw a guy wearing it there.

[DeusExMachina]

Actually both leather and textiles provide the same impact resistance, which is to say, none.

Impact resistance is dependant on the armor that your jacket is equipped with.

 

Here's a thought. On the track, when you fall you're likely to be at high speed and need the abrasion resistance.

On the open highway, ditto. If you skid and fall, you're likely to slide at high speed too. Along with the possibility of meeting hard objects like the kerb or something else.

 

On local streets, your speeds are generally low. But the chances of a meeting between you and a hard object (or getting rolled by a car) is much much higher.

Abrasion resistance or impact resistance? Nothing can save you from instant deceleration with an immovable object.

[KeraKing]

hmm, i guess to each his own. some say leathers are hot some mention cooler.

 

i was considering leathers because of the abrasion resistance as well as style factor.

 

but leather do not provide impact protection as in the slam when you fall. so a hybrid is probably best.

 

leather jacket with ce approved armour in all the right areas. anyone has any idea where?

 

dainese has one with titanium shoulder pads, that one looks cool....and i think cost around 400-500? saw a guy wearing it there.

 

400-500 uk pounds probably..

[dark_angel]

actually depends on ur riding style, budget and preferences.

 

If got like to weave in n out of traffic, cup corner like GP racer, personally think got leather, mesh or armour also no use.

U really need very good insurance coverage for that kind of riding style.

 

For me, i just use mesh due to my budget, riding style (ride cool n get home in one piece) as well as box cannot swallow the leather jacket n i dun like to carry jacket ard also.