Bike Leathers

benneh

benneh

benneh

Soldato
Joined
9 Apr 2004
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Just looking for some advice really. I'll be purchasing a gsxr 600 in the coming months and I'm not really sure which way to go with leathers.
How much more protection is offered with a 1 piece suit over a 2 piece?, in reality. My primary concern is safety really. I'm leaning towards a 1 piece, figuring if I'm sliding down the road and the 2 parts haven't separated I'll be glad that I'd lived with the inconvenience factor.
Next thing I suppose is manufacturers quality. I've seen quite a few race replica suits from korea/china etc on the interbutts that seem to get a good review, and money is a concern, but I'm not going to skimp, and obviously different manufacturers employ different hard plastics and whatnot for protection. Recommendations appreciated there.
I was set on black, colour wise, but a few people have suggested that black might not be the best colour being as I want to remain highly visible, which makes sense. Is this the case in the real world?.
Size wise I'm 5'10'' and just under 10 1/2 st, I'm pretty skinny, are any manufacturers more likely to cater to that or are the size systems all pretty much the same?.

Lots of questions!, any advise appreciated :).
 
It all depends on what you have to spend.

If not a lot i would go down the second hand route , have a look on ebay Belstaff , scott leather , dainese

If a little more try these brands new , if even more try some custom made leathers http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/

What PPE do you currently have or is the gsxr your first bike?
 
The gsxr will be my first road bike. I used to ride trials and motocross but that was in my late teens, I'm 26 now..

I've actually been offered a set of dainese leathers (second hand), they're in Suzuki blue/white, not sure whether I really want to wear matching leathers lol. But they fit well and are in great condition. Budget really is ₤5-700. Less the better obviously, but I realise how important they are..
 
benneh said:
I was set on black, colour wise, but a few people have suggested that black might not be the best colour being as I want to remain highly visible, which makes sense. Is this the case in the real world?.
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Full Black leathers.....wait till the sun shines on a very hot day :p
 
Great bikes, what year size?
You know you want the matching leathers :P

It really depends what kind of riding you will be doing?
If your going out for a sunday blast then I would say one piece.
Just going out round town either....

I use both, for a propoer blast I tend to gear up in my one piece, although if I'm just heading into town, or its raining the two pieces textiles.
 
I don't quite understand your question re visibility, but black is certainly not a high visibility colour, and if I was riding a bike I would definitely want to do everything I could to be visible.

Rgds
 
Mon said:
Great bikes, what year size?
You know you want the matching leathers :P

It really depends what kind of riding you will be doing?
If your going out for a sunday blast then I would say one piece.
Just going out round town either....

I use both, for a propoer blast I tend to gear up in my one piece, although if I'm just heading into town, or its raining the two pieces textiles.
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I have no idea what my measurements are :D, I'm being measured up next week. Tbh I have no idea about my potential riding habits, it will be mainly weekend blasts with some opportunist weekday fun, I'll be keeping a car so I wont be using the bike day to day. But at the same time when I am riding the bike I'll be hopefully riding around the country. Wish I could afford some kinf od textile solution too but not at the mo, I'll just have to hope for exclusively dry, not too hot not too cold days ;P.
 
I wear Wolf leather trousers and a textile jacket almost all the time. They've got a full connecting zip, so the jacket won't ride up if I bin it, unless I suppose it's incredibly spectacular. I feel leather bottoms and textile top is the best all round kit for general riding, but then I commute.
 
As mentioned it does depend what you're doing, it's very useful to be able to take the jacket off rather than being stuck in the full 1-piece (or get changed fully), and if you get ones with matching zips they connect together and shouldn't seperate...

I've not crashed in 2-piece stuff though, but I do (or did) use 2-piece stuff on the road, even after getting a 1-piece. For the racing I have to use the 1-piece and it's been down the track twice now and apart from some scuffing it's fine, and that's a cheapo Hein Gericke own brand suit...
 
go with something branded like Dainese or Wolf whichever you go for.

i've seen a set of RST ones fall apart in a 50 mph highside and had their back ripped open. i've crashed my bike 10+ times at up to 160(most 4th gear or above) mph and my Wolf Shadow leathers never let me down. not ripped open once which is what you need. hence why i bought 3 sets!

on the road it doesnt matter what you wear as you will have your dipped beam on all the time. thats what a car driver will see.
 
Cheers guys. I had looked at a set of RST leathers helpimcrap, due to the price, but that's quite worrying. I was reading about Wolf Shadow leathers and someone on a forum mentioned that if you buy at Harpers in Forest Gate (London) you can have a set custom made for similar money (circa 5-700 which is in budget) by the Wolf guy, so that's promising, plus they look quite nice. Any recommendations for helmet brands?, obviously I'll go and try on a bunch for fit, but recommendations from people with track/fast road experience is always welcome.

I do think I'll go for a 1 piece, the inconvenience is a pita, but I wont be riding every day, and I can always get a set later on if it gets annoying.
 
Another alternative to look at would be Teknic leathers. Plenty of people use them in the race paddock and a nice set can be had for £500 (£350 with ACU discount). I've extensively crash tested them and they hold up very well. :D

Edit: just noticed the helmet question.

Go for the brand that fits your head best. I can't even get an AGV to fit but a Shoei is snug and lovely. Find the brand that base their shell on a model with the same sort of shape head as you!
 
benneh said:
Cheers guys. I had looked at a set of RST leathers helpimcrap, due to the price, but that's quite worrying. I was reading about Wolf Shadow leathers and someone on a forum mentioned that if you buy at Harpers in Forest Gate (London) you can have a set custom made for similar money (circa 5-700 which is in budget) by the Wolf guy, so that's promising, plus they look quite nice. Any recommendations for helmet brands?, obviously I'll go and try on a bunch for fit, but recommendations from people with track/fast road experience is always welcome.

I do think I'll go for a 1 piece, the inconvenience is a pita, but I wont be riding every day, and I can always get a set later on if it gets annoying.
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helmet brands follow one simple overlooked rule - get one that fits properly. an illfitting one might kill you.

i used to have OGK, Arai and HJC. the arai and OGK are a similar fit as is, i believe, the HJC. I can recommend the HJC as i kissed a van which broke a lot of me. the fact i didn't have brain damage says it all!!!! it was the FG14(the numbers right) and its since been replaced by the 15 and the 16 i think.
 
Dureth said:
Go for the brand that fits your head best. I can't even get an AGV to fit but a Shoei is snug and lovely. Find the brand that base their shell on a model with the same sort of shape head as you!
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I found exactly the same thing no helmet fitted me bar the shoei.

As other have said it's all about the fit.
Also don't over look gloves and boots, Hands and feet are usefull!

Oh and benneh remember have fun, I'm sure you will. I Remember the first few proper rides I had on my GSXR, good times!
 
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Mon said:
Also don't over look gloves and boots, Hands and feet are usefull!
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Hands hit the ground first & wear through a lot faster than your bum.



Helmet -> gloves -> leathers -> boots.


Buy the best you can afford, BUT they must fit properly or they're sod all use.....
 
I have 2-piece textiles and 2-piece leathers.
The textiles are used for riding to and from work and when the weather is not the best.
The textiles are more practical, as there are numerous pockets etc.
The leathers are great for when it's warm and you fancy a blast, but you roast like a chicken when you are stood in them.

I couldn't find a set of 1-piece that fitted me properly (6'4" and 17 1/2st), that is why I went down the 2-piece route.

Helmets are exactly as described above.
Years ago I had a Nolan and it was fine. When I got the Gixxer I bought an AGV and unless your head is the size of a pea, they are not the most comfortable.
I tried both Arai and Shoei helmets on at the bike show and for me the Shoei was the better fit.

Good boots are pretty much essential as if you slide off or the bike falls on you, the boots can offer decent protection to your ankles and shins.
Heine Gericke are meant to have a 70% sale at the moment iirc, so have a look there.
 
Hein Gericke have an A* suit for £400 at the moment - complete bargain (£700-800 usually?) and you can also get a further 5% off by registering at their 4theride.co.uk website

I use a 2 piece Dainese textile suit at the moment which is absolutely brilliant, but i might take advantage of the offer above in preparation for some track days next year
 
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Got an alpinestar 2-piece that I have been using for over 3 years now and still going strong! and its been down the road twice now and only scuff marks.

I also have a BKS one Piece but that was damn expensive but after my off at Rockingham few weeks ago has been well worth it, cleaned up really well and I wasnt hurt at all so the armour in it I also highly rate!

I am also going to buy a Arlen ness Kangaroo suit on thursday :p cant say no for £500!

Also highly rate Alpinestar gloves! have had a few over the years and they have nearly all been down the road at some point and have stayed in one piece!
 
Fireskull, exactly how often do you fall off? :D.



/browses the Heine Gericke site (edit, hot dagn they have an outlet down the road..)
 
haha :D well once on my SV about 4 years ago! then a low slide on diesel 2 years ago then a high side at about 5 mph :/ about 4 months later, then nothing untill rockingham few weeks ago :p all realtively slow and not much damage, thought I do ride at least 350 days a year :p and nail it on track days! so thats quite low compared to others :p
 
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