| Author | Message | ||
     Greg_e |
So I was thinking of getting a new set of riding clothes and saw some Cortech stuff at the Honda shop where I finally got my 9R inspected (raining and didn't want to go to the dealer 30 miles away). So I started looking at the Cortech Adrenaline gloves in white/black, HRX series 2 jacket in white/black and HRX series 2 pants. Then I looked at prices and saw that I could buy an AGV leather 2 piece or 1 piece suit for about the same and I'm torn between the security that tried and true leather construction offers, and the lighter weight and zip out ventilation of the textile stuff and hope I don't have to try the abrasion resistance on the road. I like the minimal graphics of the Cortech and can probably get a decent price from Bumpus. Anyone ever put a decent textile suit to the test and willing to talk about the good, bad, and ugly?. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I love leather, especially my Vansons! But, living here in South Florida we need protection AND ventilation! I prefer textile armoured jackets myself and leather gauntlet gloves! | ||
| Greg_e |
I can do leather pretty much all summer, but when I look at the graphics on most racing style clothes I just want to get sick. The advantage of textile is dropping them in the washing machine to easily remove the stink, and as mentioned the airflow in the summer since it does still get hot (and humid) here. | ||
| Larryjohn |
I've never tested them but I really like my motoport kevlar pants. They are supposedly as good or better than leather in abrasion and tear resistance, but I don't know that firsthand. I consider them to be the best of both worlds. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I really don't have a preference - I own and use both regularly. I only have a slight preference for textile because it CAN be waterproof for a lot less money than leather can. I find myself wearing textile more and more on the street (track is always leather), but if I feel like just wearing my jacket (which is leather), I do regardless of temps. I don't find one hotter than the other. | ||
| Prowler |
After many years of thinking that leather was the way to go, I coughed up $120 for a Teknic "adventure style" long textile jacket on sale and haven't looked back. I think of all those years of freezing my butt off in expensive H-D leather gear and it makes me laugh. The textile heavy gear is cheaper by a lot and much more comfortable and warmer in cold weather, but still very breathable in the summer with the vents open. My opinion only..... (Message edited by prowler on October 31, 2009) | ||
| Greg_e |
With the products I'm looking at the price is nearly the same. The Cortech HRX series 2 suit is about the same as I can get a 1 piece or 2 piece AGV leather suit, so price is not really the consideration in this comparison. I am finding that the Cortech sizing is really short and I may need to toss then as an option, too bad because I like the minimal graphics on the HRX pieces. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I've crash tested the hrx series 2 pants along with the Buell mesh jacket. It was around a 40 mph or so low side. I walked away without a scratch. Both pieces are still wearable, but I do plan to get the hrx jacket next year as I like the design of the shoulder area better than the Buell mesh. I can post up pics of the gear if u wanna see it. | ||
| Birdy |
I use both...well all three types of gear and it's all Fieldshear. Fits good not much "HEY LOOKS AT ME" graphics on it and it was all on sale at a catalog company that's near by. Leather, Textile and Mesh In fact I'm so pleased with the gear that they have a different style leather jacket that I'm thinking about as the one I have is perforated and I'd like one that wasn't for the colder days. Gloves I would rather have leather but do have a pair of mesh and leather one for real hot days...I don't use them often. | ||
| Greg_e |
If Cortech has long/tall sizes I'll probably buy a set very soon. | ||
| Luftkoph |
tourmaster/cortech make nice stuff,but if you can find teknic its real nice or has been for me. | ||
| Brumbear |
I got em both but i feel a little better in the leathers to be honest | ||
| 4cammer |
Take some time on Adventure Rider and see what they say in regards to the Motorport stuff. Not the best looking kit, but if it is 1/2 as good as they say...also made in the USA. http://www.advrider.com/forums/ http://www.motoport.com/ | ||
| Niceguyeddy |
I've an hd textile...I also have an Avolution Buell leather. I far prefer the leather with a performance shirt under it. Great combo... | ||
| Greg_e |
The Motoport Kevlar is damn expensive. But I like that they have detailed measurement data so you give them the correct sizing info. After spending most of the day looking for stuff, I'm getting the impression that to get anything that fits me well I'm going to have to go with custom stuff. Seriously disappointed that there are no long/tall sizes in this stuff. How the hell much can adding an extra 2 inches to the sleeves and legs cost when making a textile product? | ||
| Danger_dave |
There is no right answer. Leather is better in some circumstances - Textile is better in others. Best thing is to have both. | ||
| Myzen |
Motoport may seem expensive initially, but they do offer a 7 year warranty on their products. They will repair it for you free of charge. To me it is the best gear period. I have the kevlar mesh jeans and jacket as well as their gloves. | ||
| Greg_e |
I guess it might depend on whether I could get them custom sized for the price or if it is just off the rack. | ||
| 4cammer |
Myzen, how are the gloves in the summer? I am thinking of getting those for next season as my Lee Parks are getting a bit tired and I want some additional protection w/o looking like a MotoGP wannabe. | ||
| Teeps |
Not cheap but check out Bates Leathers. They'll make them just about anyway you like. Just takes $$$$$$$ | ||
| Milt |
This looks like a good place to ask... I'm looking for riding gear that will 1) Protect me 2) Be wearable in the Midwest summer 3) Be warm enough to extend the riding season by a few weekends - let's say to when it's about 40 F. 4) Acceptable at the track Too much to ask? Is is possible to 'layer' riding gear like hikers and climbers do? | ||
| Jim_williams |
Milt, Motoport, as mentioned above, does it all. I might sell a Large stretch Ultra II jacket with the liners. Not sure yet. PM if interested. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I've crashed in my Aerostitch, it worked fine. Plenty of pockets and ventilation, easy in/out. | ||
| Crackhead |
Look at the tourmaster side. The Intake air series 2 is available in tall in black and high viz yellow. The Venture Air and Flex pants is available in tall in black. Both have zip out rain liners and insulation. The flex pants also convert from textile to mesh, while the Venture Air doesn't come with the zip in textile panels. I have the Venture Air pants, intake Air 2 jacket and the Transition 2 Jacket. The transition 2 jacket in tall is only available in black. It is a great 3/4 jacket, i have used it for my winter commute at highway speeds for 45-60min in 35 degrees and it has work great with a neck gaiter. The Venture Air paints needs a wool cap stuffed in the crotch because the air flow in the Blast freezes my crotch. The rain/wind liner are just a little to short though to use with my 8" military boots. Using a set of riding boots you will be fine. Unfortunately i wanted to ride my Blast as soon as i bought and didn't want to wait for the tall Intake air jacket to arrive, but it works good to. My gloves are from the Cortech side though. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Cortech series 2 pants, post crash--     And the Buell mesh jacket--   | ||
| Ratbuell |
I ride textiles most times, just because they stay temperature-neutral. Leather tends to magnify ambient temps - it gets hothotHOT in hot weather and stiff and frozen in cold; textiles stay fairly unaffected. I also like the fact that most textiles now come with some sort of reflective welting on them, and that the occasional spritz from an aerosol can of tent waterproofing keeps me nice and dry  | ||
| Greg_e |
The Cortech looks like it made it through the slide pretty well. | ||
| Myzen |
Greg_e everything is made to measure, they can fit any size. Wayne will have you take specific measurements and the jacket will fit like a glove. They do use some standard sizes with their patterns but make size adjustments accordingly. I needed a little extra room in the mid section and they made the adjustment for no extra charge. With the jeans, he asks that you send him a pair of your jeans that you wear all of the time and mark the knees for the knee pad placement. They then make an exact copy of them. When I got them and put them on, they were a perfect fit. It does take anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks to get the product but well worth the wait. I have seen on their site that it says there are additional up charges for certain sizes and so on but I am not sure exactly what they are. Call Wayne and talk to him. He is extremely knowledgeable and quite friendly. I have heard that people have been on the phone with him for over an hour discussing his product. If you are in California, you can even go see him, see the product being made, and get measured for you order. 4commer, I have grown to love the gloves. Initially, they were uncomfortable (pressure points on my fingers causing my finger tips to tingle) and awkward to wear since they are a little bulkier than leather gloves. After about 3 rides and getting them wet, they started feeling really good. Now they are by far my favorite gloves (I also have Helimot kevlar gloves and like the Motoport's better). I read on another forum that it is necessary to get them wet and wear them until they are almost dry for them to stretch to your hand size. For summer, they did put some vents in the knuckle protector but they do not flow a ton of air. To me it is not unbearable at all. When your hands sweat, it can be a little difficult to get them on. I have worn them all summer in the Oklahoma heat and won't wear anything else. One thing I didn't like was the material they used to add grip on the palm of the hand and on the fingers. It seemed too slippery. I ended up getting some liquid rubber material used to coat tool handles and put a light coat on with a paint brush. That gave just enough stickiness. Good luck with your purchase if you decide to go that way. |
