Originally Posted by robwod

If you are talking about leather (jacket, gloves, chaps, boots), it's more a case of protection against a spill. Road burn can be extremely nasty and car drivers are typically unaware of anything outside their little bubbled cockpit when it comes to motorcycles. Some, of course, dress up in ridiculous Sons of Anarchy wannabe type attire, but for the most part, I would say the leather is safety equipment above all else.