So how often should our gear armor be replaced?

[Baatfam]

Here is why I ask....
Pulled out an older, leather jacket I've always liked, but don't wear much.
Had trouble getting my arm in, and with some investigation, I found this.



Checked my fabric Joe Rocket jacket, and found the elbow pads had separated at the flexible joint.

Got two new sets on order, for these jackets....

 

[Brendan W]

It's the sugar in the lollipops what did it ?

 

[cowboyup3371]

I'm curious to see people's opinions myself

 

[Guest]

I have had this same thing happen with the foam stuff, lasts....maybe 2 years.

 

[Redman]

. . . . . , I found this.
.
.....

I will blame it on your awfull weather, and be glad I dont have to deal with it.

(joking)

Hum.... my jacket is fairly new, but I should inspect my riding pants.

Probably not a concern with older jacket that has the hard plastic cups.

 

[Gorminrider]

The pictured stuff must be really old! but otherwise I'm not suprised that the Joe Rocket pads fatigued at the joints. The type of foam used is probably prone to it. It's a lot to ask of foam to be stiff enough for an impact or abrasion and yet flexible at the same time.
I haven't looked closely, but I think the newer pads or the more expensive ones use different material nowadays?

 

[Baatfam]

The pictured stuff must be really old! but otherwise I'm not suprised that the Joe Rocket pads fatigued at the joints. The type of foam used is probably prone to it. It's a lot to ask of foam to be stiff enough for an impact or abrasion and yet flexible at the same time.
I haven't looked closely, but I think the newer pads or the more expensive ones use different material nowadays?

I'll find out soon, once the new ones arrive.
The leather jacket is at least 12 years old, maybe more.
It still looks great, though, as I didn't use it much. (And it didn't really fit for many of those years..ah-hem )

 

[Burque73]

My Gericke textile jacket that's over 15 years old has foam that's still pretty flexible. The foam is similar in thickness and density to those lock together floor tiles. Tested in a couple of oops moments of careless or neglectful side stand mishaps, it has saved my elbow. I've always wondered how it would perform at higher speed. Surely over time it degrades, even if not falling apart.

The Sedici and Iron Worker stuff from Cycle Gear has a more dense, but still flexible material. I don't notice a difference in five year old pads compared to new ones.

We've got a few Xelement and TourMaster jackets that are several years old and they're fine (to the touch) as well. Maybe storing in the house instead of the extremem heat and cold of the garage helps prolong their life.

 

[Baatfam]

I don't know....Last time I wore the jacket I didn't notice any issues.

My gear was always in a heated garage....but maybe summer heat. Still, I have other old jackets that seem fine.

 

[salty_monk]

I would move to the D30 or similar pads if I was replacing. The stuff in my Motoport stuff has held up well over at least 10 years, lots of use, lots of high temperature stuff....

 

[bwringer]

Five years is the outer limit I've seen, at least for textile gear that gets used once in a while. Usually something like a burst seam or a bad zipper sends stuff to the garbage, but I've seen foam armor fall apart a few times too.



I do have a Belstaff waxed cotton "Drizabone" jacket in the closet that my wife-to-be bought me for Christmas in I think 1995. It may be the coolest garment I will ever own.

It fits me once again, and seems to be in fine shape, and could be re-proofed easily to be as waterproof as ever. But it's so old-school that there's no armor, just a wee bit of quilting at the elbows with the tiniest hint of padding. I'm sticking to modern armored gear, thanks.

I also have my leather "biker" jacket from my high school and college punk rock days in the closet. It actually fits too nowadays, but it's even less suitable for actual motorcycling. And at a greying 52, I don't really have any business wearing it out in public unless it's Halloween, or the Dead Kennedys or the Descendents re-form and come to town.

 

[salty_monk]

The Motoport gear is very long lasting but also quite expensive to start with... not sure I would buy it without being close enough to have them customize it though

 

[Baatfam]

Just a quick follow up on this.

The Joe Rocket and the Power Trip jacket use the same armor, so I ordered a new set elbow and shoulder pads for both jackets.
They are on the bench know, waiting for me to fight them into place.

The interesting thing is none of our other gear seemed to have this issue.
All my wife's gear, and all my other gear, some older and some newer, are fine.

That's all I know....

 

[Guest]

I figure if it's the old foam type armor, it needs to be replaced. My tourmaster jacket (6 years old) has a foam back protector, it was thin to begin with and I'm looking to replace it soon. The elbow and shoulder pads are still fine.

 

[wyly]

I didn't wait for my Joe Rocket armour to deteriorate I upgraded to D30 armour. Great value and it's not that expensive and much better than what comes in the Joe Rocket.