Kevlar Suits

[Dawg68]

I use draggin liners... I’m sure most folk on this site are aware or have seen the adds on the web. Same stuff...Dupont Kevlar.
Draggin Liners
If you get the top and bottoms you own an entire Kevlar suite...no matter what you choose to wear overtop you have Kevlar protection. I prefer the versatility of the liners over a single suite.

 

[barbagris]

I have seen reports of different types of fabric suits melting from friction and causing severe burns but not any made of Kevlar. Maybe some more folks will post some testimonials?

The Kevlar WILL NOT MELT. But if it's a good long skid on a dry road then it is going to get VERY (literally blisteringly) hot. And depending on the liner this could be prejudicial to exposed skin.

Nylon can melt - the mfr goes on about plastic linings being bad, but ime hot Nylon can stick to burning skin. And I get very wary of half truths in marketing (I was a professional smoke screener for years) - what is omitted we often infer (and usually incorrectly if the marketing is good). When I start to infer - I question.

I think tbh you are doing the correct thing by using the suit as an over-suit and wearing jeans - if it were me I'd wear a long sleeve shirt too. Cotton or silk. I certainly WOULD not ride with exposed skin next to the fabric. I gave up the over-suit concept of riding many many years ago. Even today I hate wearing a separate waterproof over suit. It's a matter of taste.

Armour is totally essential in a non impact absorbing suit. Should come with ALL the armour - period. It is a personal peeve of mine when I see "can be upgraded". CE approved pads are cheap to make. Leather itself absorbs small knocks.

Finally - leather suits are designed to be worn close fitting. This is ime quite important in case of an impact in preventing soft tissue damage. It's like a compression bandage.

 

[Rocket3Pilot]

Likey the style, but it do look hot for a ride in the 85 to 95 temps.
Here is the test - DO any of our Texas, Louisiana or Florida riders use this???

You kinda have to see this material up close to get the idea? I had a friend who's had it for a few years and even standing next to him I thought it looked really hot until he took it off and held it up to the light. OH, wow, that's a lot coarser weave than I had thought and very clear how well it would ventilate.
It's way effective and on long rides you have to consciously stay hydrated because you don't feel hot yet you're wicking away body moisture at a pretty good rate. From that first picture, with my son, we rode from Tulsa 90 degrees out to Vegas 100+ and there is absolutely no way I would have been able to take it with leathers.
The zip in liners make it's temperature range wider than leather however the fact that you have to stop and put them in makes it a little bit of an anticipation thing. I typically will ride down to about 50 degrees before converting to the liners. The liners are water proof but not really that practical as rain gear per say because you have to completely undress to zip in the liners and it's a little goofy to think of you rain suit being on the inside?It does work though, just not that handy. And as soon as you get up to say 70 degrees you gots to stop and take out the liners.

Once you try it on a long trip, you'll never go back to leather. For short rides in the 60's and 70's leather is great. I just don't think it's as versatile for long trips where packing is a strategic issue.

Here are 2 pictures of the weave held up to the light. One from the outside and the other from the inside. You can also see how the back armor is held in a velcro'd pouch. Hope this helps the description.