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Motorcycle Textiles
Motorcycle textiles were made for the UK - when it comes to wet weather riding, you can’t beat textile clothing to keep you dry and warm. Textiles are in fact, becoming increasingly popular all over the world as riders are beginning to note the improved weather protection that they offer from all extreme conditions – heat, cold and water. Textiles also offer increased usability in terms of pockets and vents. It is well regarded that leathers offer more protection than textiles, however this is not to say that textiles don't offer the rider protection - leathers just offer better protection. Nowdays the Aerostitch lines are so good that many track organisers are allowing them alongside leathers.
Motorcycle textiles are light and have an all weather capability: vents for when it is warm, liners for when it is cold and water resistence for rain. It breathes more easily than leather, and water slides off it like a ducks back. If you are into commuting then textiles will be right up your street.
I have sumarised all you need to know about textiles in the following sections:
- The types of motorcycle textiles
- Tips on buying textiles
- Where to buy motorcycle textiles NOTE: You can actually buy your textiles in this section!
- Mens and Ladies Size Conversions
Types of Motorcycle Textiles
There are different types of materials that have come onto the market but the two most common are Ballistic Nylon and Kevlar.
Ballistic Nylon
Ballistic Nylon is a thick and tough synhetic designed to be long lasting, resistant to abrasions, tears and scuffs. It was actually originally developed to protect the airforce from flying debri and shrapnel. There are many names and brands of nylon out there these days, however don’t be fooled by the marketing of the brands. Only Cordura Nylon or Dynatec of 620 Denier or above is suitable for motorcycle gear. (Denier refers to the thickness of the fibres in the weave and the higher the denier the higher the abrasion and tear strength.) Also keep an eye out for polyurethane – if this coated onto the nylon it may melt into your skin under heavy pavement friction.
Kevlar
Kevlar is very light and breathes very well. It slides on pavement the same way as leather and it actually handles friction heat better than leather. However, in order to give it the proper motorcycle abrasion strength, Kevlar must be woven together with Cordura and Lycra.
Tips for Buying Motorcycle Textiles
- Textile can be easily washed - just wash it in a commercial washing machine and if your gear gets a hole in it - just send back to the manufactures - most will offer a repair service
- When buying textiles you want to select gear with the highest surface of ballistic nylon that you can find. This is the reinforcing, heavy-duty, thick-weaved nylon that will provide you with additional protection
- You don't get gear made entirely of ballistic nylon as it would be very uncomfortable and restricting
- Good motorcycle textile gear will come with approved CE armour in all the crucial areas, and will have impact protectors in the jackets. Just check that the impact protectors don’t move around – if they do they wont provide much protection in a crash!
- Always choose motorcycle textiles that have vents for when it is warm and liners for when it is cold. The all round weather compatability of textiles is one of its greatest advantages
- The smoother the exterior of your gear is, the less likely tears and snags are. Avoid bulging straps or external pockets as these can easily catch on your bike
- Go for textiles with fewer joins and seems as these can burst open when you hit the road, so the less of these your gear has the better
- All zips should be covered
- You must be able to lock up your sleeves and trousers by a strap or zip to stop them from riding up in a crash – but make sure that the fastening are on the inside of the wrist or ankle
- Avoid accessories or decoration such as metal buckles and other hard or sharp objects on your textiles. They can scratch your paintwork and in extreme cases – could end up penetrating you.
- Make sure that your textiles are the right fit – if they are too tight they will restrict your blood flow and if they are too loose they will billow in the wind which can be very distracting
- It is also cheaper than leather – expect to pay between £220 and £1800 for your textiles
Where to Buy Motorcycle Textiles
- SPORTS BIKE SHOP have a great selection of mens and ladies textiles and you can search their product listings by make
- Weise Textile Jeans (Prices range from £69.99 - £119.99)
- Alpinestars Textile Trousers (Prices at £69.95)
- RST Textile Jeans (Prices range from £79.99 - £99.99)
- RST Ladies Textile Jackets (Prices range from £79.99 - £99.99)
- RST Mens Textile Jackets (Prices range from £74.99 - £149.99)
- Texport Textile Clothing (Prices range from £59.99 - £119.99)
- GET GEARED also have a diverse selection of textiles. They offer the following makes; VANUCCI, PROBIKER, STREETFIGHTER, MADHEAD, cYCLE sPIRIT,OUTDOOR and HIGHWAY. You can search their product listings by the following categories:
- Short Textile Jackets (Prices range from £44.99 - £169.99)
- Winter Textile Jackets (Prices range from £69.95 - £249.99)
- Motorcycle Textile Trousers/Overtrousers (Prices range from £44.96 - £139.99)
- Motorcycle Textiles Clothing Care (Prices range from £4.99 - £8.99)
Motorcycle Textiles Size Conversions
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NOTE: If, like many riders you are still stuck on the universal leather vs. textile debate, the read my section on textiles vs leathers for some clarification.