In need of leathers (2 peice suit) what to go for?

[ollienotts]

Hi guys!
Passed my test last friday started looking at getting my 1st big bike (had a 125 before) and am looking to get either a gsxr600 or zx6r, but plan on sorting out the leathers 1st.

I've decided to go for a race style 2 peice suit, been doing a bit of internet browsing but really don't have a clue what to go for? I like the style of some of the dainese ones, but they are £500+, I was hoping to get a suit for no more than £350 - £400, so here's where I need some advice.

Are the more expensive suits worth the money? obviously you can't put a price on safety, but saving money where possible is always good too! Or am I better off looking at the £300 - £400 suits? Got any reccomendations?

Cheers in advance

[fatpies]

Some expensive suits are not worth it.

Dainese are defo not worth it. They use single stitching and the leather is paper thin. They were good but sold their souls.

What you want to do is go to a Hein Gericke shop and try some stuff on and write down your sizes. Try the HG own brand stuff and the Arleness stuff as well.

THEN you go and buy something off ebay, the more freakish your body size then the cheaper things tend to be. I'm a waif.

And its a cheap introduction to biking. I got a full grey HG leather suit for £80 as it was a freakishly small size.
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"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[ollienotts]

[fatpies]

[ollienotts]

[fatpies]

I had an RST set of trousers once, they were quite well made but they erm shrank in the wash and became too tight. Twas ok I bought them for £10 off a guy at a car boot sale.

Weiss never used them before.

The difference between leather and textile from what I gather and read on here is:

Leather slides as it rubs against the road it partially melts and thus it slides. Which is good if you have somewhere safet to slide like on a race track.

Textiles like codura grip the road and cause you to tumble. Which is supposed to slow you down faster thus preventing you sliding under or into something.

Though this is just theory as I haven't tested it and have no desire to test this either!


Humps are supposed to create a more aerodynamic profile in a racing crouch and thus if you have it on the road you are teh gheyers
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"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[ollienotts]

[Radis]

I have a weise retro leather jacket, very good quality, thick leather. Not tried the trousers though.

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/15034

For £100 I think it is a cracking piece of kit.

[Codemonkey]

Bad timing! If you'd gone to the NEC bike show last weekend you could have got a decent set for anything upwards of £200. I got a supposedly £400 Arlen Ness jacket for £150 from the Hein Gerike stand and supposedly £300 trousers for £190 from another.

For what its worth, when I was originally looking for clothing when I started out, J&S in Doncaster had a massive selection, and if you are not too fussy with having the latest colour scheme's, some were well within your budget.
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Test Passed 10/05/2011 Current bike: XJ6-N

[P.addy]

I've tried leathers in the cold... I froze

Keep checking ebay, its hit and miss but I bought my RST thing from there a few years ago for £35

[DaveB]

I bought a 2 piece leather suit from the NEC for £200, very pleased with it but it's too bloody cold this weather for it The trousers are fine, better than the jeans I was wearing, but the jacket it too ventilated for the winter, even with it's lining in. Sticking with my textile jacket until the spring.
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Mod 2 passed 26/10/2011
Current ride: 2014 Triumph Street Triple R. Previous, 2007 Triumph Daytona 675, 2007 Triumph Street Triple, 2011 Derbi GPR125r.

[mr jamez]

What size/how big are you?

I've got a dainese two piece and a hein gericke two piece that I would like to sell but cba to ebay
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NSR 125F > BROS 400 > NC30 > BROS 400 > Trumpet S4 > '97 VFR 750

[Bike Bunker]

RST Tractech leathers matching boots,gloves,jacket and trousers all for £480 in a variety of colours

[von1papen]

Some old leather jacket for 20 quid and a pair of akito leather jeans for 7 quid, job done!

[T.C]

I know I posted this some time ago, but for the benefit of new members, it may prove helpfull.

Over the years, during my time as a motorcycle policeman and then an accident investigator, I have taken a particular interest in how protective clothing performs in the event of a crash.

Without doubt leather is still the best protective material to be wearing on a motorcycle. However, when it comes to buying a new set, it never ceases to amaze me how often dealers will try and talk you into buying the latest 1 piece race replica suit rather than listening to what your requirements really are.

Now my requirements are very simple, I want a 2 piece suit that is the correct fit, comfortable (once it is broken in) and well made from a good quality hide. Although a bit of colour is OK, I like my leathers to be subtle rather than in your face! Not too much to ask is it? Well from a number of dealers I have spoken to recently, perhaps it is.

I recently went in search of a new set of leathers since my current suit was starting to get tired, and although I could have gone down the tailor made route and had any colour my heart desired, I am usually quite fortunate and can get a good set of leathers off the peg to the specification I require.

On this occasion all five dealers tried to push me into buying the latest race replica 1 piece. Firstly this would have done no favours for my slowly increasing waistline, and secondly I really have no desire to walk or ride around all day with a big lump sticking out from between my shoulder blades. These suits may be ideal for the track day guys, but I don’t do track days, I ride a Blackbird not a GSXR1000 and I often spend up to 10 hours or more in the saddle.

But there is a more serious side! 1 piece suits are designed for use on the track where everyone travels in the same direction, with nice large run off areas and, importantly, none of the road side furniture that you get on your average A class road.

In the event of an accident, medical help is usually with the fallen rider before they have stopped sliding, and everything is contained within a tightly controlled environment. On the road however we are not afforded that luxury. In the event of a serious crash we could be waiting for a considerable time before medical help arrives.

This is where the main issue arises between wearing a 2 piece and 1 piece. A well fitting leather (and this can apply equally to jacket and trouser combination) will, in the event of serious injury, act as a splint for broken bones and, in some cases, reduce blood loss. With a 2 piece, if the rider is suffering from lower body injuries the trousers can be removed quite easily allowing medical personnel quick and easy access to the injury and minimizing the amount of discomfort suffered by the rider. If there is a combination of lower and upper body injuries and it is obvious that, for example, the rider has broken his collar bone, then the jacket can be left alone as it will be supportive leaving the paramedics to concentrate on the area most in need of attention.

Put the rider into the same scenario but this time wearing a 1 piece. The leathers will not be able to be easily removed without great discomfort or the risk of further injury to the rider. Although the paramedics may be able to eventually cut through the leather to gain access to the injured part of the body, this will be time consuming and, in the golden hour, could prove to be critical.

Then there is the issue of practicality. How many times have you been to an event on a hot or even just a warm day, and seen riders walking about with their 1 piece race suits tied in a knot by the arms around their waists, while those who choose to stay covered up tend to look like they are carrying a couple of kilos in their underpants? This is due to the different stress panels on a 1 piece compared to a 2 piece since the 1 piece is designed for the racing/sports bike crouch.

2 piece leathers actually keeps their shape better for longer, not to mention the fact that when you are off the bike you can remove your jacket and remain more comfortable.

The issue of 1 piece versus 2 piece leathers has kicked off many lengthy discussions during presentations I have made to motorcycling clubs up and down the country, and I could take up another two or three pages going into the pro’s and cons of the two styles, but suffice it to say, Mr Dealer, when someone comes into your shop asking for a 2 piece, please respect their decision, the chances are they have considered the options and are not as convinced about the virtues of a 1 piece as you are, some of us like to dress for safety and comfort!

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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[T.C]

And this may help as well

Protective Clothing (leathers)

Head injuries, although often the most serious, are not the only injuries motorcyclists suffer. Leg and arm injuries are common, and leg injuries in particular can be serious often causing permanent disability.

Under the EC personal protective equipment directive, a series of European standards were developed for motorcyclist protective clothing that was designed to.

1. Prevent or reduce laceration and abrasion injuries.

2. Prevent or reduce impact injuries such as fractures, broken bones and joint damage.

These standards marked with a CE mark are essentially to help riders distinguish between clothing that offers a minimal level of protection, and garments that may look similar but offers very little if any protection at all.

Unfortunately for many riders, the buying of new leathers is often no more than a fashion statement as opposed to a desire to maximise their protection, but, contrary to popular believe you can be fashionable and protected.

As with helmets, there are accidents and injuries from which even the best or most expensive clothing will not protect the rider for various reasons. It is therefore important not only to try and reduce the severity of the injury as best as you can, but also ensure that the garment is comfortable, does not impede the movement of the rider and will reduce the affects of fatigue thereby aiding concentration.

Leather is still regarded as the best form of protection against injury when riding a motorcycle. They are made from a natural material, which is breathable, abrasion resistant and supple. Like a crash helmet, they cannot offer total protection from injury, but they can reduce the severity and long term affects if they fit correctly.

Leather garments can be made from 4 different animals, Cow, which is the most commonly used, Goatskin, Buffalo or kangaroo skin.

Cowhide is the preferred choice of most manufacturers. It is heavy duty (compared with the others). It is hard wearing, and in the main the manufacturers use 1.4mm thick hides, which means that in the summer weather with the thickness and all the padding they can get hot inside.

Buffalo hide is often used on cheaper garments and this can be felt in the overall quality when compared to other leather products. Buffalo is tough, will last well but it tends to be a very stiff leather and can take some time to bed in and soften up.

Goatskin although worth considering as an alternative for summer use is very difficult to find in the UK. It is considerably lighter and more flexible than Cowhide, and many consider the goatskin to be stronger than cowhide due to the fibres being more closely knit together than cow skin. The downside is that goatskin stretches a lot quicker than cow so it may require specialist tailoring on an annual basis.

Kangaroo is probably the least known of the hides used although they are being used more regularly in very hot climates. The hides are supple, light and quite tough, but it has been found that they can react with sweat particularly when worn by riders who perspire freely. If this were the case then you would probably be well advised to look elsewhere as you may find your suit literally coming apart at the seams.

For those considering purchasing leathers for the first time, the question often asked is whether to purchase a suit/jacket combination, two piece suit or a 1 piece racing suit. The choice comes down to individual preference, but here are a few points that you may find useful to consider.

1. A jacket and trouser combination is probably the most popular choice for the majority of riders, and, they can be worn singularly or in combination. However, many jackets (not all) have a Thinsulate lining for warmth retention together with a quilted lining. Many riders complain that they overheat in warm weather which can ultimately affect concentration. However, this combination is ideal if you are an awkward size or on a limited budget.

2. A two piece zip together suit can be a good choice for a number of reasons.

They can normally only be worn as a complete garment thereby maintaining your crash protection.

They come in a number of colour choices therefore conspicuity can be enhanced.

They are normally lighter than jacket/trouser combinations which for some means they will be more comfortable for summer or warm weather use.

When stopping for a break, the jacket can be unzipped from the trousers thereby enhancing comfort when away from the bike.

They maintain their shape and size better.

They often have features such as perforated leather to allow air to pass through in warm weather, stretch fabric panels behind the knees, waist and inner thighs which again can enhance warm weather comfort.

On the downside, it is worth bearing in mind that:-

They can normally only be worn as a complete suit.

They can take a while to break in and mould to your shape.

They are not particularly warm in the colder weather.

There are not as many pockets as in a jacket/trouser combination, which for some may be a good thing.

The colours tend to be more flamboyant than jacket/trouser combinations.

1 Piece suits are the other alternative often favoured by those who ride Supersports or participate in track days. Whilst offering a fair degree of protection, for road use they have often been deemed impractical as you cannot separate them when away from the motorcycle, but more importantly in serious accident situations, the emergency services have occasionally experienced difficulty in rendering an effective diagnosis or treatment simply because they cannot cut through the leather to tend to the riders injuries, or they cannot risk removing the garment without fear of causing further injury. This of course comes down to a matter of preference.

Leather is abrasion resistant, and its main function is allow you to slide, thereby reducing friction. From new, leathers should fit as tightly as possible to allow for stretching and moulding to the wearer’s shape. If the leather is a poor fit then there is the possibility that as the rider slides down the road, the friction caused by the road surface will cause the leather to snag. This could cause a flailing limb to snag and whilst the torso is still travelling at speed, the flailing limb will slow down too quickly and can result in severe injury. On the plus side, a good fitting leather can slow down any potential blood loss, particularly internal blood loss, or it can at least stem the flow until medical help arrives on the scene.

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident as a result of which you are injured (and we all hope that it doesn’t happen), at least you can be comforted that the severity will be less than if you were wearing non protective clothing, and the sympathy you receive from the emergency services and Hospital will be far more favourable than your compatriot wearing his jeans and trainers.

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It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[TheSmiler]

Not really a two piece leather suit, however they do match up. What I'm referring to is the best leather jacket I have ever worn Akio V-Force. Brought my jacket for £100 brand new from a local shop, could of got cheaper online second hand.

Anyway the jacket keeps me nice and warm, great zips on the pockets and adjustable for winter riding or summer riding by having two main zips.
(ladies jacket below only because it was best picture I could get)

https://images.esellerpro.com/2189/I/202/31/medscaleAkito-V-Force-Leather-Motorcycle-Jacket-1.jpg

Information
• 1.2-1.4mm premium quality full grain cowhide
• Removable CE armour at elbows, shoulders and back
• Zipper connection for secure attachment to pants
• Twin zip system at breast of jacket
• Zipper closure system at cuff
• Accordian stretch panelling at shoulder blades
• Satin finish comfort liner
• Original belt adjustment at waist
• Quad outer pockets
• Double layer leather panelling at lower back
• Studded adjustable collar
• YKK zippers exclusively used throughout garment


Also the trousers

https://my.frooition.com/090324/images/akito%20v%20force%20jean.jpg

Information
V-FORCE LEATHER JEAN
• 1.2-1.4mm premium quality full grain cowhide
• Removable CE armour at knees and hips
• Zipper connection for secure attachment to jacket
• Accordian stretch panelling at waist, back and hips
• Leather and knitted textile stretch panelling at calf
• Satin finish comfort liner
• Adjustable waist belt
• Twin outer pockets
• Zipper closure at ankle
• YKK zippers exclusively used throughout garment

Here is the website so you can see a better image of them
https://www.alexbuckinghammotorcycles.com/#/akito-clothing/4535182606
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet