JACKETS & GLOVES

[Robell]

Busters are one of the bigger online sellers here.

That jacket looks decent value, tho you do get what you pay for.
More expensive kit will be better made and last longer, tho that one should be fine, provided you're not setting off around the World 

[cgblueman]

I agree with Robell but also it doesn't have any back armor, for me this is a must mate.

[HappyFrog]

I have a Weise fully armoured jacket and trousers - armour on shoulders, spine, elbows, knees and extra protection on hips. Also Weise armoured gloves. Got a highways approved hi viz jacket which goes over the top of everything.

[Andy]

For me its black leather jacket and nothing but. I own 5 or 6 leather jackets but only one exclusive for riding. My riding jacket has some armor in the arms, reflective piping & vents. Gloves are leather Kevlar for cold days and textile leather for the hot ones. I've noticed European riders tend to favor textile over leather. Here leather is still more common the textile for street bikes but almost exclusively textile for dirt bikes.

Can anyone explain why Europeans favor textile over leather, is it fashion or function?

[HappyFrog]

I'd not really thought about the textile/leather argument but I suppose cos leather, although definitely looking the right thing, is heavy, and needs a lot of looking after to stay waterproof and functional. Poorly maintained leathers will come apart like wet cardboard if you hit the deck at speed.
And good leathers are extremely expensive, although would last a lifetime.
Interesting point you make.

[hl3013st]

HappyFrog

I'd not really thought about the textile/leather argument but I suppose cos leather, although definitely looking the right thing, is heavy, and needs a lot of looking after to stay waterproof and functional. Poorly maintained leathers will come apart like wet cardboard if you hit the deck at speed.
And good leathers are extremely expensive, although would last a lifetime.
Interesting point you make.

and the textile is more breathable

[Lennairn]

Anyone know where I can order silk under gloves on line?

[HappyFrog]

Fowlers of Bristol sell silk inner gloves online, £8.99, and they're pretty nice, I have some.
Www.fowlers.co.uk/shop/Weise-silk-inner-glove-12149

[cgblueman]

Lennairn

Anyone know where I can order silk under gloves on line?

Maybe I'm missing the point mate but why would you need an inner glove? Obviously to keep warm but my point is that if you have a decent enough pair of gloves, is there really any need? I got a pair of Nordcap gloves only €20 and they are great so far.

[Andy]

  owning a few pairs of proper riding gloves for different weather conditions is best. Silk gloves must totally be a UK thing, I can't see them being that much warmer.