Protection!

[Fulhamatt]

Hi guys, passed mod 2 today and already have some Spada textile protective gear from riding my 125 around, i'm due to pick up my new bike (Stunning GSX650F) on saturday morning and thought I would have enough money leftover to buy a set of leathers. But I haven't.

Wearing textiles is better than wearing no protective gear.... Right?! I dont intend on skimping on leathers forever, just a couple of months and I don't intend on trying (and failing) to ride like Valentino Rossi either, just thought it would be interesting to hear what other people think.

[Aaron]

I think most people would only have textiles during the wet weather anyway. Although i don't know how sturdy yours look.

If you wanted leathers even in the rain then you'd need an oversuit too. otherwise i think the cold and discomfort would be more likely to cause an accident anyway.

[PhatDad]

Textiles all year round for me as I can't afford leather and to be honest wouldn't buy leather other than a jacket anyway. Textiles suit me fine and aren't any worse than leather really are they?

[BBTBB]

Both leather & textile offer their own benefits. Textiles are comfy & waterproof and still offer good protection via inbuilt armour to major joints. Leather is better for slide resistance but isn't weatherproof!

Textiles are absolutely fine although if you can afford to I would suggest leathers

[Gixer jme]

This is the first year in my 4 years I've been riding I've Been and bought leathers. Loads of people wear textile loads wear leather wear what you comfy in aslong as it offers you protection.

[Guest]

I wear textiles or leather, as long as you have some armour in there, there just as good, if not better (at least they're waterproof...)

[j4ff]

I wear both,depends on the weather and the mood.

You can buy gortex waterproof leathers......ca..ching.

I dont feel as protected in textiles,one off and theyre usually torn whereas leathers will last a few tumbles.

[Aaron]

You just have to be careful and check out what areas are armoured, etc, etc. Alot of the manufacturers use terms like 'ballistic' nylon and stuff to evoke thoughts of bullet proof fabrics and all sorts. They're just marketing tricks.

At the end of the day it all comes down to a risk assessment and a decision of what's worth while. The safest option is to not ride a bike at all. You've got a bike so get what protection you can afford.

I don't wear my leather trousers (or textile) on my trip to work because it's only 2 miles and it's a pain in the arse to get completely kitted up. It's a risk assessment and a decision made considering the benefits and risks of going without on a short trip.

So... you got textiles. You can't afford leather right now. Textile is way better than nothing AND is standard when wet anyway. So be happy in your textiles

At sometime in the future you can re-run that risk assessment and decide whether to spend your spare cash on a new dvd player, or some leathers. But i don't think there's any reason to worry for now.

[Fulhamatt]

Cheers guys! I'll have fun in what i've already got for the time being then! I'm quite surprised actually at the response... Taken a bit of a weight off my mind anyway.

My textiles weren't the most expensive, I think it cost me about £120 for the set, but they are armored in all the critical places (Knees, shoulders, Elbows) so i'll just enjoy riding for the time being.

[Ian G]

Well done on passing and stunning choice of bike (im biased) what colour did you go for. ive only got textiles as tried leathers and didnt feel comfortable wearing them

[lingy3]

1st off well in on pass,

New at it all myself, got leather jacket off ebay,textile 1 from aldi.

Got to get decent jeans or leather 's

[Fulhamatt]

Well done on passing and stunning choice of bike (im biased) what colour did you go for. ive only got textiles as tried leathers and didnt feel comfortable wearing them

 

Cheers Ian, Thanks for the reply to my PM by the way, helped me choose the GSX

I collect it tomorrow morning, it's an 09, 4500 miles, Scorpion can, mint condition and has 13 months left on manufacturers warranty, it's in Blue, white and red, but obviously the newer, lighter blue. Off the top of my head, I think it's £4200, I thought that seemed a great deal, but perhaps could have got a cheaper one by looking around a bit.

I really can't wait, i'm so excited!!

[Ian G]

roughly same age and mileage as mine i got the blue n silver the scorpian can sounds lovely especially the burble on the over run

[Fulhamatt]

roughly same age and mileage as mine i got the blue n silver the scorpian can sounds lovely especially the burble on the over run

 

Well, i've just finished my first full tank on it, did about 155 miles I think over the weekend - My first impressions are very good! Seemed very eager to drop into corners at first and I was really thrown by turning at low speeds because i've been used to a naked 125 where I can actually see what the front wheel is doing, but now i've got used to it and love it.

I'd read a lot of negative feedback about the weight, but dry weight is fine, with a full tank I found it to be a bit of a pain in the arse.

And yes, the scorpian can does sound beautiful!!! All in all, I feel like its the perfect bike for me for the time being!