Textile or mesh?

[Mr.Goodwrench]

hello everybody. I'm new to the forum and new to bikes.

I am looking to get a jacket and some pants to ride in and was just wondering what everybody would suggest more of...textile, or free air mesh?

[JOSH]

Glad you asked that question, Im in the same boat your in. What is best guys and gals????

[Fisdu]

When do you ride? If you ride during hte winter, don't go mesh. My mesh is cooler riding in than riding with out it. It actually helps cool me once we get moving in the summer.

[JOSH]

What about saftey? Im sure that textile is safer but what do you think ?

[FZWon]

I've always used leather in the winter and Fisdu is right; the mesh jacket actually feels cooler than no jacket when you're moving during the summer.

[Fisdu]

Originally posted by JOSH
What about saftey? Im sure that textile is safer but what do you think ?

Both should have armor in them, so they are both will give you great protection if you go down with them on. Check Ebay, I got my Field Sheer for around $100 and the leather one for $125 shipped.

[DrHengle]

leather, leather, leather. If you have any track time in your future plans then definately leather. Once upon a time I had one of the air mesh with armour. Definately cool and comfortable, but I never really did really feel comfortable with what might happen if it ever met the pavement. never found out, Ive heard they are good for one crash and hold up well, but.... If I knew in advance that my butt was taking the asphalt express and got to choose, Ill take my chances in the leather.
D

[fireblade1]

I agree with Darin. Leather is the best option for safety. It takes so much more punishment. Remember one thing, a crash can create a slide and any impact or slide can create heat. Any significant amount of heat will melt textile materials. Leather usually allows the heat to transfer to your body a bit, but stops 90% of it. I have a TiMax jacket by Icon. I have personally witnessed a crash that had a slide that melted the sleeve of the jacket. Jacket was ruined, but his arm was ok. A mesh jacket will absolutely disintegrate during a slide. They melt so fast that there is no way that I'd trust a mesh jacket in a crash after seeing the TiMax melt. Of course you could always buy the body armor for added protection. Try on the different kinds before you make the decision.

[Fisdu]

Originally posted by DrHengle
leather, leather, leather. If you have any track time in your future plans then definately leather. Once upon a time I had one of the air mesh with armour. Definately cool and comfortable, but I never really did really feel comfortable with what might happen if it ever met the pavement. never found out, Ive heard they are good for one crash and hold up well, but.... If I knew in advance that my butt was taking the asphalt express and got to choose, Ill take my chances in the leather.
D

Well put Doc!! If you are interested in the BEST protection, go leather!! Keith will be able to tell you that the mesh does not hold up well to limbs if you hit a ditch with trees.

[JOSH]

Originally posted by DrHengle
leather, leather, leather. If you have any track time in your future plans then definately leather. Once upon a time I had one of the air mesh with armour. Definately cool and comfortable, but I never really did really feel comfortable with what might happen if it ever met the pavement. never found out, Ive heard they are good for one crash and hold up well, but.... If I knew in advance that my butt was taking the asphalt express and got to choose, Ill take my chances in the leather.
D

Doc,I definately have some half mile track time in my future. Back when you did ride the streets in the summer heat did you wear leather? I agree that the track should be a leather issue. But I want to be safe on the streets and cool in the summer. Do they make very (VERY) very ventilated leather jackets for summer use? It just so happens that I want all black:D Its looking like I'll have one of each depending on the type of riding I'll be doing

[Beau "Bo"]

lol fireblade i have personally BEEN in a motorcycle accident that melted my nylon jacket AND about a 3 inch layer of skin on my gut. since i was only wearing a windbreaker when i went down i wouldn't know which is better, but i do have a leather jacket i would be willing to sell for cheaper than retail.

[srtpntman]

My 2 cents. It has to comfortable, period. If you buy the leather, then find it too hot to ride, it will hang in your closet and not be worn until Fall. It's better to buy something you know you will wear, not might wear. I have both leather and mesh. The mesh is very comfortable in the summer. With that being said, let me add this. My riding style has change in the last few months. I don't ever plan on wearing jeans to anything other then a trip to Adobe or someplace quick. Any road riding, I'm going to hack the leathers as long into the summer as possible. That extra protection is worth it. I may end up riding with the leather pants, and the mesh jacket, not sure yet, but I do like the extra protection of the lethers on my lower body parts, (plus my mesh pants don't have any knee pucks). Your legs will be taking the majority of the road abrasion if you do down, just ask some of the guy on here who have had that happen and see how much of the Levi's were left. Don't buy it unless you make a promise to yourself to wear it. If it's hot, drink lot and lots of water. You can't really tell how much sweat you're loosing on a motorcycle or a bike for that matter due to the wind causing rapid evaporation.

[i2bu]

I bought a First Gear Leather Tex jacket off ebay. It has leather and padding on the elbows and shoulders, and padding on the back for your spin. The rest of the jacket is a cloth material. It also has a liner inside that snaps in and out and there are several sippers for venting. I have NO troubles staying warm on the colder days (40 - 45ish so far). On the nice days with the liner out and all the vents open it has kept me plenty cool. My only complaint on it is the collar has a velcro strip that kind of rubs on my neck.
I am still saving for pants so I have no advice there.
I would diffently check ebay though. If you don't know your size go to a motorcycle shop and pick what you want and then search ebay.

[fireblade1]

I can personally vouch on leathers. Especially since I went down wearing a brand new set of race leathers. Ticked me off so bad! All I wound up with after the 8 foot drop was a bruised knee and a small scuff on my left elbow. Oh, and a trashed bike. There are plenty of two piece leathers that have vented fronts if you are looking for pants too. I picked up a new 1 piece Teknic Chicane for $349 at my door. I'm sure you could find a perforated front jacket or vented jacket for fairly cheap if you hit eBay and use lots of discretion. Good luck on your decision.

[mercutio80]

I have an Aerostich textile suit that I wear 90% of the time. It has a few vents in it, and I've worn it in 90+ degree weather without a problem.

On the occasions I don't wear the 'stich, I wear a perforated leather jacket. It gets hot when stopped but cools off quickly once the wind starts moving.

I bought a mesh jacket when I went to Sturgis two years ago and almost never wear that thing. I just don't feel protected in it.

[gixxxer351]

I've got intimate with the pavement wearing both mesh and leather, but not textile. if I was to decide for you I would go with leather. I understand what Jack sais about it being hot in the summer, but once you hit the ground you will find the minimum amount of pain and road rash to be a huge incentive and will want to wear it. I wear mine every day regardless of the weather. once you start moving the jacket stays cool and when you stop you can always take it off.

[gixxxer351]

Here's something realy inexpensive from http://newenough.com


Teknic Lightning Jacket $139 Red, Blue, Yellow or Black

Anatomical pre-curved racer cut
Constructed using top-quality drum-dyed cowhide
Forearm stretch panels of Schoeller Keprotec from wrist to chest for better fit and comfort
Climate Control Vent system allows you to adjust airflow for various conditions
Elbow crash padding is integral in the elbows, and removable armor is included in the shoulders; also there is a pocket for the addition of removable armor in the elbows
Snap-out quilted vest liner for added insulation and use in a variety of conditions
YKK nickel zippers provide better zipper life and burst strength

[DrHengle]

Josh, I only wore the mesh mabey 6 times. I just did not feel safe in it. I had a leather first racing jacket. It was not perforated but did have the zippered vents and when actually riding it was not uncomfortable at all. around town it sucked. Miserable stuck at a stop light on a sunny day. So due to a lack of self discipline I rode in town with out a jacket some. Id tell myself Im just puttering around and Im NOT doing anything stupid. I ended up out at the stunt zone riding wheelies in jeans and a wife beater and got way, way, way out of shape. I somehow managed to save it, but after seeing the pics, reality set in. I chalk it up to a learning experience and wear the gear religiously now. Jack is correct, if the leather is going to hang in your closet then its not the best protection. Leather can be a bit uncomfortable at times so if you go that route commit to yourself to wear it.

[gixxxer351]

And these pants for $85 in Red, Yellow or Orange stripes


Honda Leather

Race Pants
Top grain full weight (1.3mm) leather
Removable Core-Comp armor in knees and built-in foam padding in the hips
Pants ready for optional knee sliders
Pants zip to leather race jacket
Full circumference and short rear zippers

[Klondike]

the mesh jacket i had on left me fine on my crash and to be honest i would feel as safe in my former leather jacket

[Klondike]

i also find mesh to be more comfertable in terms of flexability. it also holds its shape leather can stretch out over time one reason why i will never buy fully leather gloves again

[Mr.Goodwrench]

Nobody has said anything about textile really though. I understand leather is the hottest, and mesh is the coolest...let me ask this, do they all for the most part have vents in them that can be closed and opened? I'll be riding whenever I can as long as it's not too cold or wet outside.

i guess what I was really looking for is what the difference is between textile and mesh. I hadn't even considered leather.

Thanks for the input.

[gixxxer351]

Mesh is more comfortable, but has no protection against the wind in cool or cold weather. Textile is more like a tough denim and although most jackets do, not all of them have vents. I still say go with leathers.

[gixxxer351]

Originally posted by DrHengle
leather, leather, leather. Id tell myself Im just puttering around and Im NOT doing anything stupid. I ended up out at the stunt zone riding wheelies in jeans and a wife beater and got way, way, way out of shape. I somehow managed to save it, but after seeing the pics, reality set in. I chalk it up to a learning experience and wear the gear religiously now.
Here's what D. was talking about. I was there and boy was that scary. As I said before I wear my leather jacket every time I get on my bike. I wold rather be a bit hot or uncomfortable than have a sh!t load of scars all over my body.

[mercutio80]

Compared to mesh, textile is a bit more versatile. You can always layer clothes under textile for cooler weather. My 'stich is also what they call water resistant, which means it isn't 100 percent water proof but close.