July 22nd, 2011, 12:09 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: miguel
Location: tx
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 ninja 250r Posts: 50
|
will a mesh jacket protect you from road rash??
i recently bought this 95$ BILT mesh jacket from cycle gear...
I realize that its a cheap summer jacket.. and the padding is pretty lame.. But will it save my skin from road rash if i go down?? |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 12:11 PM | #2 |
Always.
Name: Alex
Location: Calgary, AB
Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250, '05 GSX-R600 Posts: A lot.
|
If it's mesh then it will, it'll depend on how fast you go, since there is less; it'll be rated for lower speeds. I'd ask who you bought it from or simply return it if you don't feel safe
__________________________________________________
blink-182 |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 12:34 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
Location: Detroit, MI
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.
|
For $95 you can pretty easily get an excellent mesh jacket with CE armor and fine mesh. If you dont feel protected with it, like Blink said, return it and get one that you do feel comfortable with. Also, dont underestimate the ventilation in some textile jackets. They can be very nice as well and provide adequate protection.
|
|
July 22nd, 2011, 03:00 PM | #4 |
Professional belly dancer
Name: James
Location: Toronto
Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.
|
I don't know...and I hope to never find out.
|
|
July 22nd, 2011, 03:05 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Chris
Location: Pike County, PA
Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250, Vulcan 500 Posts: 50
|
don't they all have solid fabric where it matters most. the two i have do.
|
|
July 22nd, 2011, 03:12 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Eric
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.
|
My vega mesh jacket was great in my, low speed high side.
Landed on my shoulder and the padding worked great, even though I thought the cheap foam wouldn't do much. Mesh stayed great for the little slid it did take, besides the gravel in the mesh you couldn't tell where it hit and it washed out w/ wet paper towel. I've was told it would do good sub 30mph, anything over 50mph it will probably start to melt. So, I always have that in back of mind.
__________________________________________________
My replies are intended for street riding only, plz do not provide track only replies. Visit my new MotoVlog Channel !! |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 03:16 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Patrick
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2001 EX250 Posts: 16
|
In my experience it's really based on the quality of the jacket.
My fiance crashed during the MSF course last year. Against my recommendations she bought a cheap jacket from an online vendor. Even though she was only going around 20mph, her right arm had a long rash from just above her elbow up to her shoulder. Back in April, I went down at about 45mph in my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. Not exactly top of the line, but a decent jacket. For the most part the jacket did it's job. I slid off the road and onto the shoulder and only had a very small amount of road rash on my left forearm. In terms of protection, I think it goes Leather > Textile > Mesh. |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 03:19 PM | #8 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
|
Yes they can, depending on where you hit the road and what kind of material the mesh jacket has in that spot. Most mesh jackets have cordura or other protective fabric in the spots where you are most likely to come in contact with the road. The better mesh jackets have better protection over better areas. The cheaper jackets may also use a cheaper (non-dynex) mesh made of polyester that can melt under high friction and create problems for your skin. The BiLT jacket has 600D cordura in key spots, with CE approved armor in shoulders and elbows, and uses the polyster mesh. That is sort of bare minimum, but should be fine for speeds around town and most basic riding. I went down in a similar mesh jacket at low speed and it worked very well. I would be more hesitant about using it at higher speeds with challenging conditions, and certainly never on a track.
After much research, I've upgraded from my basic mesh jacket to one that offerers woven ceramic abrasion resistant impact points and dynex mesh, and I feel comfortable that it would protect me in a high speed getoff. To compare the road rash readiness of different materials, here is an excerpt from a blog post I've made: How Far Something Can Drag on Asphalt Before You Hit Skin: New 100% Cotton Denim Jeans -------------------- 3' 10" Balistic Nylon ------------------------------------- 3' 10" Leather, Lightweight, Nude Finish, 2.25 oz/sq. ft. --- 4' 3" Leather, Fashion Weight, 1.75 oz/sq ft. ------------- 4' 4" Two-year-old 100% Cotton Denim Jeans ------------ 4' 5" 440D Cordura Nylon ------------------------------- 18' 3" Kevlar 29 Aramid Fiber, Style 713 ------------------ 22' 1" Leather, Competition Weight, 3 oz/sq. ft. ---------- 86' 0" Tear and Abrasion Strength: CottonJeans ----------------- 4.5 pounds to tear 50 cycles to failure 70 Denier Standard Nylon----- 4.5 pounds to tear 165 cycles to failure 500 Denier Polyester---------- 8 pounds to tear 180 cycles to failure 200 Denier Standard Nylon---- 7.5 pounds to tear 275 cycles to failure 500 Denier Cordura----------- 22 pounds to tear 710 cycles to failure 620 Denier Cordura----------- 35 pounds to tear 1200 cycles to failure Competition Grade Leather---- 80-110 pounds to tear 1200-1700 cycles to failure 1000 Denier Cordura---------- 110 pounds to tear 1780 cycles to failure Kevlar----------------------- 1260 pounds to tear 970 cycles to failure Abrasion Strength - Taber Industries: Two-year-old 100% Cotton Denim Jeans ---- 168 New 100% Cotton Denim Jeans ------------- 225 Kevlar 29 Aramid Fiber, Style 713 ----------- 506 440 D Cordura Nylon ------------------------559 Leather, Lightweight, 2.25 oz./sq. ft.-------- 564 Leather, Fashion Weight, 1.75 oz./sq. ft. -----750 Senior Ballistic Nylon ------------------------817 Leather, Competition Weight, 3 oz./sq. ft. --- 2600 Seconds of Drag on Asphalt Before Getting Holes: Denim ---------------------------------0.2 to 0.5 Textile gloves -------------------------0.6 Most leather gloves---------------------1.0 to 1.8 Keprotec stretch material---------------0.9 Poor Kevlar-----------------------------1.0 Two layers of waxed cotton------------ 1.3 1.3mm thick cow hide ------------------3.8 Two layers of 1.3mm thick cowhide------18 Three layers of 1.3mm thick cowhide-----55 Two layers of Kevlar plain weave---------5.6 Suede ---------------------------------18 Boot leather (generally 2.2mm thick)-----20 Leather stretch panels------------------20.4
__________________________________________________
"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 05:33 PM | #9 |
Ninja chick
Name: Allyson
Location: Athens, GA
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 4
MOTM - Dec '13, Feb '15
|
Very informative post. Thanks Floyd!
__________________________________________________
Sometimes it's the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination. ~Drake Check out my Appalachian Trail journal, 2015! Postwhores are COOL! ~Allyson |
|
July 22nd, 2011, 05:36 PM | #10 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Colin
Location: Bay Area
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): '96 EX250 Posts: A lot.
|
Quote:
|
|
|
July 22nd, 2011, 07:06 PM | #11 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: T
Location: U.S.
Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): Current: '11 ZX-6R; Previous: '09 Ninjette; '08 ZX-6R (Ex-Wife '09 TU250X) Posts: 981
|
Quote:
I'm not gonna lie to you, though, it gets hot sometimes. I was sweating my rear off today. I guess the humidity did go up as we got a good two days of thunderstorms. On the bike while I was moving it was fine, which is usual. But man, I definitely longed for some mesh today while I was sitting in traffic. My wife has a mesh that she uses for summer and she seems to like it. She said she was cool on our ride out to the mall this evening. I however was still sweating my rear off, even though the temps had dropped. Damn humidity. If you can only afford one jacket, I would recommend something stronger than mesh. Otherwise keep the $95 jacket if you like it, and get something heavier when you need it. And as has been stated, there are plenty of quality mesh jackets available for around $100. Just be warned: Apparently it is very easy to get stung through mesh. My wife got stung today. This was the second time this week in as many rides.
__________________________________________________
R.I.P EthioKnight (Alex) |
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 08:25 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: john
Location: Palm Beach County, Fl Sligo County, Eire
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 ninja 250 street fighter, 2008 street fighter ninja 500, 2001 nsr 125 Posts: 812
|
$95 is not cheap for a mesh jacket. It's more like you way overpaid for a cheap jacket. Top quality armored mesh can be had for $125 and up. Many people talk about cordura which is a confusing thing to me, however I do know the "D" rated with a lower number (not Denier spelled out) is the best of them, just like "kevlar" , all kinds but which aren't that good unless it's made with aramid fibers. On top of everything you should know through rider awareness in most cases that you're "going down" and there are proper ways of doing even this ugly act. My high speed put down (yes I put her down) all I got was a broken pinky finger, that's how close i came to making a full 180 onto my back to slide properly. I dont buy coats without armor strap ins after frying my elbow against a wall in a 180 high speed turn, my elbow armor was just pushed aside and made useless. I don't take pillions nor do I sell to people I know, couldn't live with it. However I sold my CB750 to a guy in jeans and a members only, and ended up taking him shopping in Fall River, Ma. with his (mine) money to be better suited for the monster. And made him promise no steel toes on next work boots and they'd be over-ankle height, plus gave him an original KBC Drab Green with the single white star (still regret).
The community has had great responses for you. Personally, Bilt is crap, return it and get the cheapest top shelf mesh which right now is Vanson Air Mesh. Just get some cargo (pockets) kevlars, but with the aramid meave, and probably a 400 scorpion helmet (not really up on everything). Roo is supposedly best glove material but go with the Olympia Glove Co. (not olympia clothing co.). Remember I used the term "members only." Best thing I learnt was to get with your community before, not after purchases. Peace Out and good luck bro. |
|
July 23rd, 2011, 08:37 AM | #13 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
|
Agree with coondog about benefits of riding skills, and the quality of the Vanson jackets. Just to follow up on Cordura:
There are two things that matter in determining stength of the fabric, the type of fabric and its thickness. Cordura is a brand name for synthetic (and sometimes sythetic blend) fibers that are designed for durability and rough use. Its price/toughness is probably best, making it the most common fabric used for abrasion resistance in motorcycle gear after leather. The thickness is shown by the "D" rating, which is short for "denier", a measurement of the density of weave (the linear mass density of fibers at grams/9000 meters of yarn). You want the highest "D" rating you can get, because you want more dense fibers to better resist abrasion. 600D is minimum, 1000D is very good, 1680D is the really top quality stuff.
__________________________________________________
"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
|
July 23rd, 2011, 08:43 AM | #14 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Steve
Location: DFW
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R Posts: 294
|
I have an A* Air Flo mesh jacket, typical price of $175, has CE shoulder sand elbows, with solid material at the elbows and shoulder as well.
I lowsided going about 40. Hit my shoulder, but had no clue as the armor took the brunt of it and the only reason I knew was seeing the dirt on the shoulder. My left arm was sore, but tends to happen when you land on it. I had a small friction burn to my left elbow, but only because I had the jacket rather loose (not anymore!). Yes, mesh can, and does, work. |
|
July 23rd, 2011, 08:44 AM | #15 | |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
|
Quote:
Jeans, for example, are terrible for riding in.
__________________________________________________
"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 11:23 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
Location: Detroit, MI
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.
|
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 11:35 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: aj
Location: New York / PA
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 09 Ninja 250r aka Sheila (RIP), Red '10 Ninja 250r aka Sasha (Sold), White '13 Ninja 300 (To be Purchased) Posts: 855
|
As true as that may be, they're better than shorts - I've seen way too much of that around here
__________________________________________________
|
|
July 23rd, 2011, 11:44 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Brian
Location: Detroit, MI
Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Green Posts: A lot.
|
Even if you dont concern yourself with road rash and hard armor, wearing shorts and tshirts leave you with tanlines or worse, sunburns. Sunburns suck and tanlines take forever to even out. Atleast on me they do.
|
|
July 24th, 2011, 02:23 AM | #19 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: aj
Location: New York / PA
Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): Red 09 Ninja 250r aka Sheila (RIP), Red '10 Ninja 250r aka Sasha (Sold), White '13 Ninja 300 (To be Purchased) Posts: 855
|
+1.... they DO take forever!! and with sunburn you start peeling usually! its just an overall bad situation imho
__________________________________________________
|
|
July 25th, 2011, 04:02 PM | #20 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
|
I have a Cortech HRX series 1 jacket and is is, I suppose, the best of both worlds. It has hard armor and leather over the impact areas and mesh on the chest, back, and portion of the arms. Here is the latest HRX series 2 version: http://www.tourmaster.com/xcart/prod...tid=266&cat=25
I crashed once wearing it and it is still serviceable: Rash-ed up on the forearm/elbow and the fabric has a couple of small holes in the mesh stomach area from the slide. Saved my skin. An all mesh jacket may have worn through on the elbows/forearm during my slide.
__________________________________________________
"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer |
|
July 25th, 2011, 05:28 PM | #21 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: D
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
|
Quote:
Its interesting that old jeans do better than new ones. This also answers my concern that not all leather is created equal. I have had discussions with other riders that insist that leather is always better than mesh. If they are comparing best leather to best mesh, then its probably true. But according to your chart, its possible to have a cut rate leather jacket made out of stuff that wont do as good as a two year old pair of jeans.
__________________________________________________
My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED! |
|
|
July 26th, 2011, 03:53 AM | #22 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
|
Note also that 1000D did extremely well in the one test that included it, and 1680D Cordura weren't even tested. Nor was Superfabric, which is a relatively new woven ceramic, that I think would best all the other fabrics. The bias towards leather in motorcycling borders on religious zeal, when there really are great, safe, non-leather options available.
__________________________________________________
"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
|
July 26th, 2011, 07:19 AM | #23 |
Mr. 988
Name: Jeff
Location: Sandy, Utah
Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): One Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
|
A web search shows you can find the jacket for $160-$300. It is a bit pricey; however, it is one of the few mesh/leather combo jackets out there.
Jeff
__________________________________________________
"I'm the one that's got to die when it's time for me to die, so let me live my life, the way I want to" - Jimi Hendrix Cancer |
|
July 26th, 2011, 11:38 AM | #24 | |
Name: ...
Location: ...
Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): ... Posts: 999
|
Quote:
IMO, the mesh jackets are better than nothing and frequently the least expensive entry into protecting your skin, but keep in mind anything is cheaper than skin grafts. Oh, and I'm not a gear nazi. But, I do like to buy gloves, lots of gloves, mmmmmm gloves .... |
|
|
July 27th, 2011, 05:56 AM | #25 |
.
Name: rock
Location: greenville, south carolina
Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.
|
Most of the people I have seen down in textiles ended up a mess. Lots of rash and blood and the textiles are beyond ruined. Some come out better. Don't really need to read test results when you've seen real life results.
"I'm getting leather for now on" seems to be a real popular statement after going down in textiles.
__________________________________________________
Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up |
|
July 27th, 2011, 01:03 PM | #26 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: D
Location: Palm Beach, FL
Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250R, 2007 EFI Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 1
|
RE: "I'm getting leather for now on"
I have heard other guys say this as well, but they were all track whores. When they go down, its at 100+ mph. Another thing I have heard the same bunch say is "Mesh is for one time use only". Again, if you slide at speeds greater than 45 mph its probably true too. However, in my case, I have gone down twice at low speed and the jacket saved me from harm and is still in good shape.
__________________________________________________
My Ninja Blog Proud member of ABATE.My NYC Road Rage documentary - CENSORED! |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Muzzy Exhaust with a hole and Road Rash | eulark | 1986 - 2007 Ninja 250R Tech Talk | 27 | January 9th, 2014 12:54 PM |
Bilt Mesh Jacket?? | -kj- | Motorcycle Gear | 39 | July 26th, 2013 07:35 AM |
Womens SM Jacket Sedici 3 in 1 Mesh Jacket | krolinked | Gear-related | 0 | July 15th, 2013 08:00 PM |
[hell for leather] - This is the new Road Rash | Ninjette Newsbot | Motorcycling News | 0 | April 18th, 2013 01:00 AM |
WTB Mesh Jacket | Reyno2ac | Items Wanted | 11 | June 6th, 2012 05:40 PM |
|
|