barncooseboy 237 Posted April 14, 2014 Looks like the FIM are going to change the regulations for 2015, already announced for grasstrack. All riders will have to use leather race suitrs New Spec silencers will have to be used, current ones are only licenced till end of 2014 season. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 14, 2014 Looks like the FIM are going to change the regulations for 2015, already announced for grasstrack. All riders will have to use leather race suitrs New Spec silencers will have to be used, current ones are only licenced till end of 2014 season. I honestly believe that Leathers are far safer than Kevlars. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted April 14, 2014 I honestly believe that Leathers are far safer than Kevlars. How many times have you tested Kevlars and leathers? I suggest they clamp down on kevlars/leather with holes in before this, admittedly not so common these days but you still see it from time to time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted April 14, 2014 How many times have you tested Kevlars and leathers? I suggest they clamp down on kevlars/leather with holes in before this, admittedly not so common these days but you still see it from time to time. I wonder why Moto GP has stuck with leather? And I have asked this question before, Moto GP riders have a big back protector 'hump' in their leathers, why don't speedway riders? Didn't receive an answer, previously. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SCB 0 Posted April 14, 2014 (edited) The hump is aerodynamic. Nothing to do with protection. A quick google suggests that medical people don't like them, they get in the way and are a nuisance. Edited April 14, 2014 by SCB Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HenryW 1,178 Posted April 14, 2014 The hump is aerodynamic. Nothing to do with protection. A quick google suggests that medical people don't like them, they get in the way and are a nuisance.Yes, it's mainly aerodynamic and MotoGP riders will usually wear separate back protectors underneath the leathers. I'm sure Martin Smolinski used to use one when racing longtrack. I'm not sure if he still does. As for MotoGP using leather; I think the simple fact is that leather offers better abrasion protection and that is far more important in MotoGP than speedway. A rider never slides very far on the track before hitting a fence in speedway, but they can slide a long, long way in MotoGP. If speedway riders want to move on to the lightweight kangaroo leather that MotoGP riders wear, their costs will increase greatly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BluTiger 21,700 Posted April 14, 2014 Yes, it's mainly aerodynamic and MotoGP riders will usually wear separate back protectors underneath the leathers. I'm sure Martin Smolinski used to use one when racing longtrack. I'm not sure if he still does. As for MotoGP using leather; I think the simple fact is that leather offers better abrasion protection and that is far more important in MotoGP than speedway. A rider never slides very far on the track before hitting a fence in speedway, but they can slide a long, long way in MotoGP. If speedway riders want to move on to the lightweight kangaroo leather that MotoGP riders wear, their costs will increase greatly. Should be cheaper for the Aussie boys tho.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
A ORLOV 8,628 Posted April 14, 2014 Should be cheaper for the Aussie boys tho.. Is that how they jump out of the start ? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ray Stadia 1,071 Posted April 14, 2014 The hump is aerodynamic. Nothing to do with protection. A quick google suggests that medical people don't like them, they get in the way and are a nuisance. Very interesting SCB, thank you. I am surprised, but there you go. I suppose if leather is more expensive. it adds more pressure on riders costs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FAST GATER 853 Posted April 15, 2014 IMO "if" leathers are safer and offer more protection ( I am not saying they do) then prehaps the extra cost would be worth it against the present race suits.Would the leathers last longer( I know that riders have team ones in some cases and may move about more these days) but IMO as with helmets they should offer the best protection possible.i have heard that leathers are heavier and more awkward to ride in but I am sure riders could adapt .Also if the rider wishes to he may be able to wear a oversuit to resemble the present race suits to be covered in sponsorship and personalised to their own tastes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foamfence 2,917 Posted April 15, 2014 Looks like the FIM are going to change the regulations for 2015, already announced for grasstrack. All riders will have to use leather race suitrs New Spec silencers will have to be used, current ones are only licenced till end of 2014 season. I thought they were having to wear pine cones when I read the headline. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The White Knight 9,039 Posted April 15, 2014 IMO "if" leathers are safer and offer more protection ( I am not saying they do) then prehaps the extra cost would be worth it against the present race suits.Would the leathers last longer( I know that riders have team ones in some cases and may move about more these days) but IMO as with helmets they should offer the best protection possible.i have heard that leathers are heavier and more awkward to ride in but I am sure riders could adapt .Also if the rider wishes to he may be able to wear a oversuit to resemble the present race suits to be covered in sponsorship and personalised to their own tastes. I don't see any problem 'adapting' they had NO choice years ago. Leather was the only material available for long enough. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vince 9,458 Posted April 15, 2014 Think the biggest issue is riders doing so many meetings now that getting a set of kevlars clean and dry via the washing machine is more practical than leathers which are a pain to maintain. The protection thing isn't so cut and dried as with kevlars riders wear a very good undersuit with built in armour where under leathers it used to be a minimal back protector. Seems to me there is an increased risk of abrasion injuries but they are probably at least as well protected for everything else. Having said that I wear leathers because I 'feel' better protected but that is a personal preference and I never ride several times a week. My opinion is that the riders are in the best position to decide on what protective clothing they wear and should be allowed to make that decision. The silencers was always going to happen and doubtless will happen again before too long. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andrewrunagall 35 Posted April 15, 2014 I did hear a while ago that a former SGP rider was complaining that one of the reasons that the FIM want everyone to wear leathers is because Armando Castagna (who is one of the officials in the Grands Prix these days) owns a large stake in a leather company in Italy and that he's pretty much doing the same as Briggs with the whole dirt deflector thing. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barncooseboy 237 Posted April 16, 2014 Armando lives across the road from a family who own a large leather company, I believe it is a family owned business and when I was last in Italy he did not own any of the company. Armando and most of his brothers own a hotel/restaurant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
