Good leather?

[hordak]

How do you tell if leather is good enough for riding and not just decoration to make you "look cool." Is there any standard thickness for riding or do you just go of the feel and weight? This might be a problem if buying on line.

[mgdavis]

If I recall correctly, the standard is 1.8 mil thickness. Stay away from the "fashion weight"(Wilson Leather) leather, it won't hold up in a slide.

[Dragon on Wheels]

I think riding leather should have some form of armor in certain places (elbows, shoulders, back, maybe others). As far as thickness, I think I read somewhere that they range between 1.1 - 1.4 mm, but I'm not positive about that.

I currently only have a textile jacket which is for the summer, but I'm going to be looking for a leather one soon because I think the leather ones should be warmer and it's getting quite cold outside.

[hordak]

If I recall correctly, the standard is 1.8 mil thickness. Stay away from the "fashion weight"(Wilson Leather) leather, it won't hold up in a slide.

So i'l have to wear two wilsons jackets


Nah I have a nice Joe Rocket armored jacket but want to find some cheap( inexpensive )riding pants. I don't think I need anything too hard core right now as I only ride around base and the top speed limit is 30 mph but I am in the market for something better then jeans or BDUs.

[mgdavis]

You might look into something like the "Draggin Jeans", jeans with kevlar reinforcement. They generally include pockets for knee armor, I think. Textile overpants might be another option for you. I don't know how many leather pants are out there, other than the racing leathers.

1.2 mil might be the standard, I'm not quite sure. Either 1.2 or 1.8, I think.

[slimcolo]

I don't know how many leather pants are out there, other than the racing leathers.

Almost all companies that make motorcycle clothing carry leather pants. (Dallas,Hein Gerke,Tecknik, Joe Rocket) Dan at Stone Lake Leather even makes heavyweight leather bib overalls.

In North America most leather is sold by weight in ounces with each ounce being equal to 1/64 inch. Not sure about Canada but this is how it's measured in the States,Mexico, and Guatamalla.

In most of Europe it is measured my thickness in mm. (most motorcycle clothing uses this as well as European sizes) In India/Pakastan and the Orient they will use both. Also tanning and dyeing methods will vary from one country to another. (most manufacturers buy leather that is already tanned and dyed from more than one source)

Also find out what they make their leather out of. Cow,Elk,Bison,Horse, and Water Buffalo are good. Deer,pig,sheep and goat are either to thin or to soft.

[mgdavis]

slimcolo- Good to know, but you got your quote wrapped around the wrong text. Threw me off for a few seconds.

[slimcolo]

TMW went down on me while I was writing this last night and would not let me edit or anything else till today(even log in) The quote is on the wrong part!

[BRUMBEAR]

I bought technik chicane leather pants for $213.00 they will zip into any leather or mesh jacket and they came with pucks as well

[TorontoBoy]

Here are motorcycle leather thickness that I compiled from manufacturers web site for everyones reference. Seems like Japanese use thicker leather, and Europeans use thinnest.


Kushitani 1.5-1.6mm
RS Taichi 1.5mm
Nankai 1.4-1.8mm

HJC 1.2-1.4mm

Joe Rocket 1.4mm, 1.7mm
Teknic ???
Vanson 1.5mm
FieldSheer 1.4-1.6mm
Gericke 1.2-1.3mm

AGV 1.5mm
Alpine Stars 1.2-1.4mm
Dainese 1.2-1.3mm
Clover 1.2-1.3mm
Spidi 1.2mm
Spyke 1.0-1.2mm

http://www.bcsportbikes.com/forum/showt ... hp?t=11250

To a point, thicker cow will give you more protection, but will be stiffer, hotter and heavier. You don't want to look like a pannier bag wearing 7-8 oz leather. I can't back this up but when you crash the leather abrades and acts as a lubricant to allow you to slide while saving your own hide. Cow is good. Lamb is not. Supposedly kangaroo is very good.