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Hey everybody, still a squid, I got a leather jacket for christmas, before I was considering riding, and so I got a jacket with no armor and no reflective elements. I was wondering if it would be easier/cheaper to put reflective material on my jacket, or if I should play it safe and get a new ($$$) armored jacket that stands out.

Not an immediate issue, just curious. I really like my current jacket, and I'd hate to end up never wearing it because it can't protect me properly.

Riding gear is one of those things. In cars, your riding armor is the cage of metal that surrounds you. On a motorcycle, all you have between you and everyone else is whatever is on your body. So if you want to trust your life and body parts to an unarmored jacket, go for it. That's your choice.

However, it's my recommendation that you do get an armored jacket. Yes, the armor is only a few pieces of really dense plastic on the shoulders, elbows, and back area... But I wouldn't want to hit the ground without that stuff.

Use what you're going to use. A leather jacket is better than a cloth t-shirt. Be careful nonetheless.

Keep the leather jacket and wear it when you're not riding...

But definitely get yourself a good riding jacket, etc...

Any excuse for new gear is a good excuse. Get a new jacket with armor, be a little more safe.

Thumper wrote:Any excuse for new gear is a good excuse. Get a new jacket with armor, be a little more safe.

Haha, I would imagine so, but new gear is also more money spent. I'll probably go with an armored jacket once I actually get myself a bike.

Kuhnfyoozed wrote:

Thumper wrote:Any excuse for new gear is a good excuse. Get a new jacket with armor, be a little more safe.

Haha, I would imagine so, but new gear is also more money spent. I'll probably go with an armored jacket once I actually get myself a bike.

it is more money, but if you shop around you can get things at very reasonable prices. for early fall/spring/summer i have a joe rocket alter ego jacket that i got off ebay for $50.00. on the really hot days we have it is still hot. but i think i'd be hot even if i was naked with our hot humid summers.

for winter, i got a fieldsheer over at triangle cycles in durham. it was $120.00 and it's plenty warm for winter. i'm not riding this week cause of the snow/ice spots that could be on the ground, but other than that, i've been riding this winter. the only thing i'm missing is some really good warm winter pants. i'll wait until next winter for those.

i'd get a new jacket... but, you could use the same one. i would just suggest you get some sort of armor to wear under it. i'm sure but the time you price that, you'll realize that you might as well just get a jacket. and as far as color... you could get a neon vest (like road workers) to wear over your jacket. it has reflective strips on it for night and is bright for the days.

BUT, ride like no one can see you. i'm not saying that you shouldn't try to be seen, but don't count on it.

oh, and team powersports in garner has a pretty good selection of gear.

I'm brand new to riding, but many years of experience as an EMT scraping bikes and riders from tarmac tells me the first riding jacket should make you look like a christmas tree (visibility) and give you as much protection (armor / abrasion resistance) you can get. ESPECIALLY while you working the basic skills when first starting out. My first riding jacket is dayglo yellow/green (my kids started making vomiting sounds when they first saw it) with scotchlite all over it, and armour at the corners/back. I KNOW I will be laying my bike down as I work to improve my riding skills - I just want to be sure that I have a better chance of walking away from it. I also added small scotchlite squares to the back and sides of my helmet to help the blind cage riders out there in spotting me. Sorry, Mate I didn't see you MY A$$!
I learnt the value of visibility working wrecks on Interstates at night. BE SEEN!

Lou

Yes I also have a leather and armor jacket. I wear the armor when riding and the leather when I'm not. My pants are also leather, but very thick leather. They may be hot in the summer months but I'd rather sweat alittle then bleed ALOT. Just my two cents. Eventually I will get a leather jacket with armor but we all know what they run

dean owens wrote:i think i'd be hot even if i was naked with our hot humid summers.

Hopefully you have some reflective tattoos. But then again, I doubt people would have trouble noticing you.
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