Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Any of you hipsters ride w/ motorcycle armored leather jackets for protection?

If so.. can you recommend any? :)

alpinestars here. they have vents to keep you cool.

Well, not on my bike...my tight black clothing and trendy hair keeps me safe:D. But x2 on the alpinestars stuff, top quality.

I worked with a bunch of motorcyclists this past summer and they showed me all the current motorcycing clothing (I asked). Most of it was made of Cordura (the same thing your messenger bag is made of) with plastic armor underneath.

Wearing leathers for protection sounds a bit more like you just want to look cool.

I worked with a bunch of motorcyclists this past summer and they showed me all the current motorcycing clothing (I asked). Most of it was made of Cordura (the same thing your messenger bag is made of) with plastic armor underneath.

Wearing leathers for protection sounds a bit more like you just want to look cool.Leather is still best at protecting your skin from asphalt, but synthetics have come a long way, and can be cheaper or more comfortable.

Wearing motorcycle gear on a bike sounds horrible. Hell, a regular jacket ends up uncomfortable and hot.

back when i was a motorcyclist, i wore alpinestar and joe rocket.

do you guys exercise in leather
?

I worked with a bunch of motorcyclists this past summer and they showed me all the current motorcycing clothing (I asked). Most of it was made of Cordura (the same thing your messenger bag is made of) with plastic armor underneath.

Wearing leathers for protection sounds a bit more like you just want to look cool.

Plus, he gets into Club Ramrod for free.

doesn't anyone remember matt hoffman's early days?

http://www.23mag.com/mags/fs/fs8703.jpg

Leather is still best at protecting your skin from asphalt, but synthetics have come a long way, and can be cheaper or more comfortable.

Wearing motorcycle gear on a bike sounds horrible. Hell, a regular jacket ends up uncomfortable and hot.


aaaahhhhh leather, it has saved my skin several times (streetluge/speedboard)...




i really like joerocket gear

Leather is decent for protection, but there are some new synthetics that are as much as 11x as abrasion- and cut-resistant as leather is beginning to surface in motorsport clothing.

I'm partial to Joe Rocket when on a scooter.

Kevlar mesh for abrasion resistance + ventilation.

See Draggin Jeans (http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ACCESSORY_1) for the mesh shirt, Icon Field Armor (http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Icon_Field_Armor_Short--35-ICON05-3.html) for the shorts, and get some industrial cut-resistant Kevlar gloves (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/categories/safety/hand-protection/cut-resistant-gloves-and-sleeves) WITH the Gripper Dots to complete the outfit. Not quite as cool (style or temperature) as Lycra and significantly heavier, but if you go down there is no comparison which is better.

There are also Kevlar mesh motorcycle jackets of heavier weight than the mesh shirt and full length pants if you want more protection, more weight, and more insulation in cold weather.

If you wish to go custom, among the best is Langlitz Leathers (http://www.langlitz.com) in Portland, Oregon. Take the trip there, they'll take all sorts of measurements for a perfect, one-of-a-kind fit. It is truly the "Cadillac" of leather jackets and they only build six garments per day in their factory. I was on a waiting list for a couple of months and then flew out there for the appointment. Goathide was my selection for a little more flexibility and water-resistance without a strength penalty. The slightly more pebbled grain of goathide (not pictured) is especially sharp:


http://www.langlitz.com/images/columbiaoptionshr.jpg
...
http://www.langlitz.com/images/9%20LL%20Col%20Dip%20Back.jpg...http://www.langlitz.com/images/13%20LL%20SB%20Belt.jpg

Leather is decent for protection, but there are some new synthetics that are as much as 11x as abrasion- and cut-resistant as leather is beginning to surface in motorsport clothing.

Id like to say that leather is more than "decent" for protection when on a sport bike on a track so it will be way more than overkill for anything you can get yourself in on a bike.

Although it will offer all the protection you need I would spend the money on something that will be more breathable and better in all weather (ie precipitation). If you really need 1.4mm of cowhide, elbow pads, shoulder pads, and a spine protector I suggest you look into another hobby.

ps - I own a Joe Rocket race jacket. They can be had cheap at the end of season because sponsors and color schemes change if you really still want one.

I worked with a bunch of motorcyclists this past summer and they showed me all the current motorcycing clothing (I asked). Most of it was made of Cordura (the same thing your messenger bag is made of) with plastic armor underneath...

Cordura and ballistic nylon also good, but be certain it is not coated with polyurethane which in a crash at speed melts on your skin and can make things much worse. Some links: Link1 (http://motoport.com/saveyourhide.pdf?Merchant_ID=ALL&Merchant_Fax=760-752-9317&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499) Link2 (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/353879/the_benefits_of_a_kevlar_motorcycle.html)

Some reportedly relatively cool heavier motorcycling wear available from Brosh (http://www.brosh.com/new/default.asp?Page=Main&L=1) and some others (http://www.waterjets.org/vegan_motorcyclist.html#Jackets)

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My other bike is measured in cc's, not cm's.

Id like to say that leather is more than "decent" for protection when on a sport bike on a track so it will be way more than overkill for anything you can get yourself in on a bike

My point is simply that synthetics have come a long way so leather is not necessarily the only option.

I've got a couple old leather jackets I bought for motorcycles and scooters (and also just to wear cuz I like them) but they are waaaay too hot for me on a bike. totally uncomfortable. if I'm only riding 20ish minutes and it is winter no problem. anything beyond that I'll need to get rid of it along the way....

sounds like a way to encourage heat stroke. Couple times I skid across asphalt, I can understand why one would consider using such.

I'd like a mesh synthetic jacket, with a network of nylon ribs to allow you to slide on asphalt without getting hurt a lot. With good design, it could be made both light and well ventilated, while still offering good road rash/burn protection.

Ummm .. Leathers seem a overkill for roadrash. Especially since no amount of leather protects you from the things which really hurt (like broken bones and teeth and concussions).

I just try not to crash. However, if I were to wear armor, it would be Joe Rocket because that's what my gf's dad wears, and he's the kind of guy who would make good decisions about that sort of thing.

Oh, I get it! If you give a suggestion for a jacket then you admit to being a hipster!

Okay, on topic - check out the impact jacket - http://www.impactjackets.com/

It has a CO2 cartridge in it that is triggered during a crash and inflates the jacket with air. I've been thinking about getting one just for bicycle riding, although I'm not sure the trigger mechanism will work so well (getting out of the saddle, skidding/skipping, etc. would interfere).

I dont ride with them, but Vanson makes some pretty gorgeous jackets (sport category):

http://www.vansonleathers.com/

Stay away from the lower end (bottom tier or two) of Joe Rocket stuff, the stitching tends to be pretty bad, and will shred even under "mild" conditions of crashing and/or use. The higher-end stuff is VERY good quality.

Generally, leather stuff will survive a crash and still be wearable, unless it's a really bad crash. The Cordura/Mesh stuff is "one-time use," like a helmet. It'll save your a$s, but it's toast afterwards. When I hit a gravel patch in a turn and went down at 30+mph on my motorcycle, my leather jacket was fine with a few minor scrapes, but my riding pants, which were top-of-the-line Cordura were ruined.

For cheap but good, you can't beat Alpinestars or Teknic. Check out www.newenough.com for closeouts on MC gear all the time.

not that i'm proud of it, but about 10 years ago before i realised lights, helmets, and reflection were good things, i was hit by a car (at night, in the rain) while riding with a leather jacket on. i was able to turn at the last second, and took the impact from the side of the vehicle against my side. i was shooken up, but there was no damage. i remember my arm and shoulder feeling very padded, but i've since upgraded to something a little less cumbersome, and a little more visible...

My point is simply that synthetics have come a long way so leather is not necessarily the only option.Can you post some links? As far as I know all the racers are still wearing leather, and they're usually the ones to snap up any safety innovations - they even have no trouble getting a new suit made after each crash so durability is not a concern.

http://www.superfabric.com is one of the more interesting ones. It's pretty new still, so while it is being used, it still has a lot of growth before it makes a large market penetration. I've handled some samples and went so far as to do my own informal cut and abrasion tests on it and it's pretty amazing stuff. The puncture resistance on some of it is so high that I actually wonder how one goes a bout sewing the stuff...

If someone can find that old pic of Chris Moeller doing the no footer over a hip with one of these biker jackets on, ill paypal you a nickel. :)
Does anyone else even remember it?
BMX Plus around 1991

http://www.wfmu.org/LCD/26/gfxlcd26/immortal.jpg

dunno bout leather jackets or whatever...but, I'd rock bmx pads n ****...haaaardcore...be bustin' rearview mirrors with my elbows and **** if they didn't wanna give me room...lol

I have a joe rocket jacket, I like the fit and it doesn't look overly "crotch rockety". I haven't ever crashed whilst wearing it, hopefully I'll never find out how good it is in that reguard.

I ride motorcycles as well and wear Vanson Leathers.
At high speeds, cordura has been known to "melt" due to friction...think burning the ends of a nylon cord...now imagine pouring melted nylon on fresh road-rash....like I said...I wear leather!

I have a nice custom made Icon jacket a friend got me when i still had my rocket. Ive since sold that, but because the jacket is one of a kind, i kept it and use it for colder days. It has saved my dumb ***** more than once now.

To clarify one aspect of this conversation:

Leather of a thicker cut and the newest cordura fabrics have similar abrasion resistance. Leather is still preferred in track racing (motorcycle) and on the road by some because when you are in a high speed get-off, leather is less "slippery" against pavement, so you will slow your slide into all those pesky immobile objects quicker. Or at least you'll be going slower when you hit that highway divider. Ouch. I agree with the comment above about leather being multi-crash rated, as well.

i beat up a hells angel and took his jacket

doubtful

doubtful

haha

deathhare on continual bs patrol

doubtful

for reals
when i used to hang out with hunter

If so.. can you recommend any? :)

If you wear motorcycle protective clothing while riding a bicycle, you deserve to be hit.
http://www.jossip.com/gossip/200512-diehipstertee.jpg

Let me put my flame suit on now.

I have a leather left over from my motorcycling days. It works nicely for riding my bike, although I don't use the pad inserts very often anymore since I don't feel as though I need them - I'm not doing 110 on a highway on my bicycle. The leather is more to keep me dry & warm, and to keep my skin intact, than for padding.