Why leather is best motorcycle protection [video]

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Perceived Risk of Motorcycling & Cycling

  • Medical and hospital workers in the thread report horrific crash outcomes, saying it strongly discourages them from riding and from letting family ride.
  • Several commenters recount friends or spouses with life‑changing injuries from motorcycles and bicycles, often blaming distracted or aggressive drivers.
  • Others argue risk is acceptable if you value the joy/freedom of riding, framing it as a calculated lifestyle choice rather than a purely safety-driven decision.

Defensive Riding vs. “Bad Luck”

  • One side emphasizes defensive riding and statistics: in some countries a majority of riders report never having had an accident, suggesting careful habits can greatly improve odds.
  • The opposing view stresses that even perfect behavior can’t eliminate risk: oil spills, sudden left turns, hit‑and‑runs, and “one bad event” can upend a life.
  • Micromort comparisons are raised (walking vs. biking vs. motorcycling), with some using them to argue we tolerate many everyday risks; others counter that motorcycle consequences are uniquely severe.

Leather vs. Textile Gear & Armor

  • Many accept the video’s core point: leather survives sliding far better, whereas many synthetics are effectively “one crash only.”
  • Others push back with personal crashes in high‑end textile suits (Cordura, Kevlar, Klim) that performed well, saying modern textiles are “fine” at normal road speeds.
  • There’s debate over impact protectors: some find FortNine’s skepticism overstated; others credit armor (shoulder, back, D3O, airbags) with walking away from serious crashes.
  • Consensus: boots and helmets are non‑negotiable; feet and head are seen as particularly vulnerable.

Helmets, Airbags, and Practicalities

  • Strong pro‑helmet sentiment; multiple near‑death anecdotes reinforce buying top‑rated lids.
  • UK SHARP and similar testing schemes are cited, though some riders say real‑world crash footage is more intuitive than lab numbers.
  • Motorcycle airbag vests are discussed as promising but currently expensive; newer, lighter, user‑serviceable systems are seen as tipping points.

FortNine Channel & Style

  • Broad praise for FortNine’s production quality, scripting, humor, and long single takes; several non‑riders follow purely for the nerdy, educational content.
  • Some criticize occasional lack of nuance or “this is the one right answer” tone, especially on contentious safety topics, but overall enthusiasm is high.