Now I returning to biking, it seems that all the clothing advertised in the comics features built-in body armour.  If anyone wears body armour routinely, I would be interested to know your thoughts - is it comfy to wear? Can you get it on under standard leathers? What sort of protection does it give?

I am due to get some new waterproofs before too long, and any info would be helpful.

Cheers

--

2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

The majority of these garments hold the armour within internal pockets of the outer layer. It is important that the fit is correct (snug fit) and if possible look at jackets with sleeve adjustment so you can incrementally tighten up the sleeve area to keep the armour snug to your arms and shoulders. No point having it in the jacket if it swims about on you. In the event of a spill it will move and not protect the areas it is meant to.

All manufacturers use different styles of armour, the protection is the same (meeting or exceeding the standard) but the materials used to gain the certificate differ dramatically.

Most manufacturers also use their own design even though the armour manufacturer may be the same, so don't always assum that armour from one jacket can be swapped to another, they may be a different size/pocket size.

Independant armour such as back protectors etc are obviously worth having, but they tend to be the race type full length jobs which can be uncomfortable as well as costly.

You can also buy mesh shirts with full armour sown in which when worn allows you to wear casual stuff over the top if you want, mainly worn by off roaders, motardeers and snow boarders.

If waterproofing is not an essential, but a leather, alwayd best for its abrasion properties and will almost certainly contain armour. Don't be hoodwinked into too cheap though, there are different grades of leather, the majority cowhide, varying thickness's (average is between 1.2mm - 1.5mm) and the garments robustness will depend on stitches per inch the quality of the thread and seams/burst strength, look at triple or double stiched seams. Kangaroo leather is growing more fashionable these days as the process to drum dye etc has become easier. Kangaroo hide has a higher abrasion resistance than cowhide so for the same level of protection can be made thinner (1mm-1,2mm), however it is costly and predominantly found in race suits and gloves. (weight and comfort)

If the garment has to be waterproof, a textile jaxket is the only option. Cordura is tough and there are a multitude of technical hard wearing fibres out there in the market place, Remember you get what you pay for. For my money you can't beat Gore-tex for waterproof membranes but there again is a multitude of plaigerised own brand drop liners in the market place. Sympatex is also a quality product.

Hopefully that answers a few questions, probably poses loads more, but could witter on for ages so post a reply if I can help your buying choice any further. Glad to help if I can. Spent too many years in a motorcycle dealership flogging clothing so have a reasonable well of knowledge willingly share.

'Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That's why God made fast motorcycles'. - HST

Love the sig.

--

2003 ST1300 Pan Euro
1995 Yam XT600E
http://goingfastgettingnowhere.blogspot.com/

If you're leathers are still serviceable there are probably a few tailors out there who specialize in motorcycle clothing, who would be able to secure CE armour retrospectively into the suit. Most dealers should be able to supply body armour separately, Knox is the most well known brand.

If you are ever near West Sussex I know a man who can, but I'm sure a post on the forum may produce a more local service.

Try and find Dupont Cordura, it's the pukka factory gear (should have swing tag) and is naturally of a better quality. The denier is also important for this stuff, the tighter the weave the better in terms of strength and abrasion resistance.

Best of luck with the new bike.

Le Grand nez.

Leather is great, as Bignose said, for its abrasion properties. You're likely to have stopped rolling before the leather gives way. But make sure you get a decent one, cheap jacket means cheap materials, same as helmets. You need one that's adjustable all the way around you so it can compensate for what you're wearing underneth. Currently, I'm wearing a Frank Thomas Cafe Racer (Lucky 7) Jacket and it's fantastic. It's a snug fit, looks great and the armour is thick and non-obtrusive. I'd highly recommend it.

The textile is a Hunter, fully waterproof jacket. I have a set of trousers that go with the jacket too and if it's pi$$ing it down outside but you have to use the bike... wear textile (or cordura or however it's spelt) This stuff is amazing. I get o work and I'm completely dry underneth. It's windproof so I was warm for the ride too... plus it has armour where it counts. You won't win any style awards but at least you'll be warm and dry when you reach your destination.

The only real let down with both jackets is the fact that there is no real back protection. Again, Bignose pointed out it's just a soft foam layer and he's spot on. Quite how that'll protect you I don't know but you can buy Back protectors for under £100 and it'll fit under most leathers, including 1 piece leathers.

Not really body armour but I suggest getting a Buff or neck protector of some sort too. Very handy for the Winter.

Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer ... in gold! 

Ride safe, and look out for the Rainbow of Death!

^{There're only 3 kinds of people in the world, those who can count, and those that can't.}

^{Roses are red, Violets are Blue, I'm a schizophrenic ..... and so am I!}

^{Take pity on the man who invented the drawing board, when he screwed up, he had nothing to fall back on.}

^{Stuff everything, I've always got my bike.}

I have a feeling i'll have to resort to large childs sizes!!

The car in front, is now behind!

I am sorry to say Ems that armour in the arms and on the knees are all standard sizes, the only thing I know to do is go to a bike clothing shop and ask if they have any small armour spare, I know they do its wether they will flog them to you for a couple of quid. I would also suggest you take yours out as a size comparison but I seem to remember they are all the same size, I have some childrens armour here for elbows if you are interested in trying them, send me a pm with your address and i will post them to you FOC as thats what forum buds do for each other, hopefully they will fit and you will have a more comfortable ride...

..............................................................................................

Its not the years of your life but the life in your years...or thanks to Black Dog, Its not the men in your life but the life in your men"....

www.yam-xt.com