updated pics of my bike

[civic95]

Don't let them get to you, never ride above your limit.

[David88vert]

I have lots of gear, including a mesh jacket and gloves. I personally have not been a crash test dummy in all of these years, so it has done well for me. :-)

That being said, I have several friends that have been down in mesh, and they have been down in leather. While mesh is obviously not as good as leather, I have yet to see a quality mesh jacket rip.
Example: A couple of years ago, one of the guys even looped it at over 90 and slide a long way in his mesh - staying on the asphalt the whole time. The jacket did not rip. It was an old JR Phoenix.

IMO, saying that all mesh jackets are junk is incorrect. They are great if you are just riding around town on a hot day. Much better than just a T-shirt (like you see a lot of people). I'd rather be cool and focused and not wreck, than thinking about how safe (and hot) I am in leather, and then wreck.

BTW - If you are wearing leather only, are you wearing a real CE2 certified back protector? I mean, after all, if you aren't, that's just not safe.
And before anyone gets upset, my point is - some gear is better than no gear at all, and type of gear is suited to a specific task. I wouldn't get on the track in anything less than full leathers, with back protector, etc. But that's not practical to ride 10 min over to a friends house at 45 mph. I choose my Draggin Jeans, JR mesh, and Sidis for that.