I just got a new textile jacket. Where before I had to support myself from a foreward lean, I now have to hold myself from going backwards from wind blast. Does a tighter fitting leather jacket have less of this sail effect or is it about the same? Is there any remedy for this other than laying on my tank, which is not to comfortable?
2007-11-01 11:59:54 · 11 answers · asked by Bob 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
I wear both textile and leather. The leather definitely slips through the wind better. The textile gets yanked around more.
Anything with a snug fit will cause less wind resistance.
Good quality textile with padding has the same crash resistance as leather. In fact, an unpadded leather is not as good as padded textile. Padding (especially spine area) for either type is a very good idea, and won't make the jacket any less aerodynamic.
2007-11-01 12:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by ducatisti 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, for wind effects, leather jackets are much better. Leather also offers more protection in the event you crash or fall. We are not allowed to post links I don't think, but check out Ghost Rider Leather (add a .com after that), no spaces of course and see a good selection of biker leather. I'm not sure if there is any way to really remedy the problem with your textile jacket, it is just lighter than leather and therefore more wind prone. Good luck to you, my friend and ride safe!
2007-11-01 12:19:49 · answer #2 · answered by Ghost Rider Leather 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wear both leather and textile jackets and can see no difference in the sail effect.
I have seen some sail effects on loose-fitting jackets (both types) however.
Just make sure the fit is snug. Make sure no wind can get under the jacket or in around the sleeves or neck. If your jacket is "puffing" out in the back, that means air is getting in somewhere.
One of my kids puts elastic bands around the sleeve ends to eliminate that leakage. Tacky, but it works.
2007-11-01 15:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by Wyoming Rider 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like a poor fitting jacket. My textile jackets are the same as my leather jacket, as far as sail effect.
2007-11-01 13:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by Beavis Christ AM 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a tough question without knowing what you are riding, where and when. I like leather for its protective qualities and for its comfort in a wide range of temperatures. In a sliding crash, nothing holds together as well or as long as leather to ward off road rash. However, if you are an all-weather rider, leather gets wet. Textiles can be (but aren't necessarily) waterproof. For my money, the best combination of crash protection and weather protection is the Aerostich Roadcrafter. The Aerostich Darien gives better weather protection, without quite as much crash protection. Motoport, Firstgear, Olympia and Tourmaster are other brands that offer good quality synthetic textile touring gear. Motoport, in particular, has an excellent reputation for crash protection. Off-road and dual sport riding presents a whole additional range of considerations. Crashes are more likely, but probably at lower speeds. You are going to be working harder on your bike, so the weather equation is much different. leather will definitely be too warm and too heavy. So will a full touring suit like the Roadcrafter. Cost is another consideration. A Motoport or Aerostich suit is going to burn up most of a $1000 bill. Touring leathers can cost that much or more, even twice as much. You can buy cheaper riding gear, but in general, you get what you pay for. If you are a casual rider, there is plenty of less expensive gear that will give you decent protection. If you are going to spend a lot of time on your bike, then some higher-quality gear is well worth the investment. Experienced riders tend to accumulate gear. Some of it wears out, some, uh "shrinks" as we age, but the more we ride, the more we find that one set of riding gear just doesn't cut it for all conditions.
2016-04-01 23:24:37 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My experience is that a sail is a sail. Properly fitted clothing catches less wind.
I went from leather to textile. The only difference for me - I stay drier.
2007-11-01 13:11:41 · answer #6 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's got to be snug fitting or the wind blast will make it ballon up in the back, and u will be fighting the wind all the time....makes for a tiring ride eh. besides textile wont stand up to a slide like leather will.
2007-11-01 15:32:14 · answer #7 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's why I like leather! When a jacket comes in 10 sizes instead of just 4 (S-XL), it's bound to fit you better.
2007-11-02 02:08:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the better the fit the less sailing effect you will have
2007-11-03 01:48:27 · answer #9 · answered by VTR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the sail effect to save on fuel.
2007-11-01 14:21:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋