Sh3p wrote:When I started riding in college i didn't know better like most, so i was guilty of squidding often. I had a Shift Octane leather jacket my mom sent me money for (when she heard i bought a motorcycle lol) and a Shoei RF-1000 helmet. I had just scraped together the $2500 budget for my 99' ninja zx6r (bike #1) at the time and didn't have the foresight to think about gear money.
Almost two years later i have my first crash 1 block away from my apartment. Old guy was on his cellphone and made a very late left turn on red, T-boned me into the curb. Was wearing an Icon Contra textile jacket, A* gloves, jeans, coverse chucks. The jacket saved my skin, but was shredded in 2 spots from abrasion, the armor was poking out and eventually was falling out of said holes. Had to trash it shortly after, i thought about getting it repaired but no money and motivation to do so.
The jeans and converse did nothing, in fact they barely had any damage, the asphalt transfered its pain right thru the cotton and into my skin, there were bits of skin on the inside of my jeans where i had rash. It was a very weird sight the first time it happened, it was also proof that street clothes do absolutely nothing for you when you fall.
Later in life, on bike #2 (Ninja 636), riding in downtown LA on the way home I was making a left hand turn and a mercedes comes speeding in and makes a right hander into my path, i braked hard and lost grip, went for a 20mph slide on my ass/thigh and gracefully stopped at a parked car. Was wearing Icon Strongarm kevlar jeans, the kevlar saved my ass for the most part but because it was so baggy/loose the coverage was not complete and i did get 2 burn spots on my leg where there was no kevlar weave to protect. Jeans were still useable after that, but i gave them away because of the ill fit.
Most recent accident, bike #3 (SV1000). Group ride in the canyons, lowsided in a decreasing radius turn, plowed into the guardrail at about 40mph. Was wearing an Icon Overlord jacket, Drayko Drift jeans, A* short gloves, and A* SMX4 boots. The left glove exploded on impact with the guard rail when i doubled over the bike into it, the CF split plate over the knuckle shot into my hand between index and ring finger, and left a 30mm hole (ala wolverine, but only one hole and no cool blade came out). Windscreen of my bike punched thru the mesh vent panels of the jacket and cut me in the left pectoral. Drayko jeans took all the abrasion from the short slide, no rash or scrapes otherwise. Replaced the jacket and gloves, still wear the boots and jeans.
In my time riding i've gone thru some gear. Had taken claims and had insurance money buy brand new stuff. I find that for the long term rider, the most economical choice is well built comfortable leather gear that will last you multiple seasons/years. Textile is great, breathes better, and can be lighter / more comfortable, but leather has 10x the abrasion resistance that textiles do. Some textiles last multiple crashes but alot are admittedly one-crash use pieces. ***Revzilla is a great source to check out gear before you buy and their video reviews are top notch, they give honest opinions and will tell you flat out "this jacket is a one time use only". Given the price of textile vs leather, i find its always worth the extra $ to shell out for the more protective and longer lasting leather version. There are many textile garments that have the same ratings as leather but will usually also be around the same price, if you are absolutely against leather. I have found time and time again that moto gear is a "you get what you pay for" situation like most purchases are. I have many older friends that ride Goldwings or ADV bikes and wear the old school full textile jumpsuits and swear by them. Most important is how much it will protect you, and how well you fit/feel in it, the rest is kind of unimportant details imho (color, look, relative price)
I'd like to reiterate that good gear is good gear, textile, leather, or otherwise. But for quality, multiple crashes, and long lifetime, leather is proven. For gloves, full leather all the way. I recommend gauntlets for more slide potential. I can tell you 1000x "if you crash, dont put your hands out" but 99% of the time when you go down it will be the first thing you do, put a hand out to brace yourself. just dont bother with mesh gloves or mesh with plastic/rubber, mesh explodes and has low tinsel strength.
What a great post and as I have just bought my first ever powere bike I have not yet bought clothing and had decided on light, comfy gear at as minimal a price as I can get away with.
HOWEVER, your great and experience has completely changed my thinking. I won't hide my head in the sand and think 'it will never happen to me'. I will go and get some serious gear, with serious protection, even at serious money.
Thanks.. might be the best thing I ever read if/when I skid off!