Bike Leathers
- Thread starter benneh
- Start date
You get wet and fast 
mainly on the fabric stretchy bits on arms and inside leg but those bits dry out quick, but I have to say I have got these alpinestar leathers completely soaked a few times and they are still in good condition, maybe its how they are dried dont know but I just let them dry normally and have not had to use any leather treatment yet.
And what I have is the old version of this as my daily commuter suit: http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
mainly on the fabric stretchy bits on arms and inside leg but those bits dry out quick, but I have to say I have got these alpinestar leathers completely soaked a few times and they are still in good condition, maybe its how they are dried dont know but I just let them dry normally and have not had to use any leather treatment yet.And what I have is the old version of this as my daily commuter suit: http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
Ah, I got some random leather trousers which are "waterproof" to an extent, but I got some really good actually waterproof things to wear over them, which are amazing.
But on my recent ride from Brand's, got caught in quiet a bad doupour, but when I got home, was quiet surprised how dry I was, was textile coat thing with some material inside, was freezing but actually dry, save for a random, stand alone wet patch on my belly o_O... I guess some sort of waterproof material over a leather coat is good? Was looking at some of that HG things, and they are somewhat above my disposable budget... *Sigh* oh well, maybe just a leather coat thing with some rainproof material over it.
But on my recent ride from Brand's, got caught in quiet a bad doupour, but when I got home, was quiet surprised how dry I was, was textile coat thing with some material inside, was freezing but actually dry, save for a random, stand alone wet patch on my belly o_O... I guess some sort of waterproof material over a leather coat is good? Was looking at some of that HG things, and they are somewhat above my disposable budget... *Sigh* oh well, maybe just a leather coat thing with some rainproof material over it.
I have a 1 piece waterproof overcoat thing but I dont bother with it in the summer its so warm I just sweat like hell even in the heaviest of rain! so usually I just wear a waterproof overjacket, or waterproof fleece if its a short journey, dont really bother with waterproof trousers as they never seem to get that wet, maybe its position of sportsbike but my trousers are normally pretty dry.
And HG have some big deals on a lot of stuff atm but only in store not on their site so its probably worth going to your local store see what they got.
And HG have some big deals on a lot of stuff atm but only in store not on their site so its probably worth going to your local store see what they got.
Soldato
- Joined
- 26 Aug 2003
- Posts
- 24,290
My waterproofs cost me about £30 for both bits, I think. It's Ixon stuff, I bought it for MX but waterproof's waterproof! I don't usually pack it though, my rides tend to be a few hours tops, so even getting soaked through isn't life threatening. They do fold up pretty small though, I keep meaning to jam them under my seat but I forget.
Ah, theres an HG shop in town, I think, but yeah il take a look. Will need remember to get some of those lights too. Shame last two month have destroyed my finances somewhat, will take a bit to recover from that 
But cool, il take a look some spare weekend.
But cool, il take a look some spare weekend.
Hi,
I have both a Daniese one piece and Dainese two piece.. Which i can use on either a leather Jacket or regular Dainese Jacket..
One piece is non-perforated.
Now which got the more use? Most definately the one piece... BY FAR, here's why.. The two piece is no where near as comfortable.. However this does depend if you are riding or walking around?
For riding the one piece is cut as if you are riding, and has elasticated material on the crotch.. So leaning the bike over you have much more freedom of movement.. The two piece has leather on the crotch, so stretching your leg out feels restricted..
Off the bike the one piece feels a little too tight, and its purely for a day on the bike and not for walking around a shopping center..
As for if you should go for perforation or non, my vote is for non.. England is not really warm enough outside of 3months of the yr, and besides you are always moving and thats enough to keep you cool during those three months.
One piece is also mainly for a sports bike.. Sitting upright and it all becomes very tight.
My vote is for a quality one piece suit, and eventually get a 2nd two piece for other times.. THOUGH it has to be said..No leathers are going to save you... AT ALL.. Don't let that kid you... An impact will do that, whether your leathers have all the back protection, knee protection blah blah blah in the world... Actually if i'm honest, the only real crash i had in which could have potentially been serious, i was just wearing a pair of jeans and a bomber jacket, and both held out fine...
Leathers will save you from some road rash, but that's about all.
I have both a Daniese one piece and Dainese two piece.. Which i can use on either a leather Jacket or regular Dainese Jacket..
One piece is non-perforated.
Now which got the more use? Most definately the one piece... BY FAR, here's why.. The two piece is no where near as comfortable.. However this does depend if you are riding or walking around?
For riding the one piece is cut as if you are riding, and has elasticated material on the crotch.. So leaning the bike over you have much more freedom of movement.. The two piece has leather on the crotch, so stretching your leg out feels restricted..
Off the bike the one piece feels a little too tight, and its purely for a day on the bike and not for walking around a shopping center..
As for if you should go for perforation or non, my vote is for non.. England is not really warm enough outside of 3months of the yr, and besides you are always moving and thats enough to keep you cool during those three months.
One piece is also mainly for a sports bike.. Sitting upright and it all becomes very tight.
My vote is for a quality one piece suit, and eventually get a 2nd two piece for other times.. THOUGH it has to be said..No leathers are going to save you... AT ALL.. Don't let that kid you... An impact will do that, whether your leathers have all the back protection, knee protection blah blah blah in the world... Actually if i'm honest, the only real crash i had in which could have potentially been serious, i was just wearing a pair of jeans and a bomber jacket, and both held out fine...
Leathers will save you from some road rash, but that's about all.
My own experience:
Frank Thomas – pretty decent off the shelf leathers, the one piece I had was fine, but had quite a bit of extra material in the arse area, the price was good at the time (about £450), I later decided that I wanted a bit more convenience so sold them and got a two piece set – again good quality and fit, and other than being cut off in hospital they stood up well in a crash.
BKS – my second two piece, and frankly, they were pants – I had the correct size but the jacket was far too tight on the chest and the waist zip was difficult to do up, you also couldn’t mix and match this set as you could with the FT stuff, so I wasn’t able to get a large size jacket (next size up was a bit too large though!). Sold these after a few thousand miles in the, at quite a loss (lost about 60% of what I paid for them).
Berik – my current leathers, and frankly, the best I have ever owned. These are a two piece again, and like the BKS ones are missing the outside pockets, meaning everything is stored on the two inside ones. The leathers are off the shelf ones again, but fit amazingly well, easy to get on and off with comfy fit and hard wearing knee sliders (the FT ones disintegrated pretty fast).
Before choosing the Berik ones I looked at many other brands, Alpinestars were similar quality, but carried a higher premium, likewise the Dainese stuff did too, RST was cheaper however, but the armour seemed far too soft to me.
If I were in the position to buy another set, I would probably go for a one piece as I already have the two piece – if I were to only own one set though, it would have to be two piece, they are very secure so wont part in a crash and you have the added benefit (most of the time) of better storage and the ability to take a dump without being a contortionist
Scort.
Frank Thomas – pretty decent off the shelf leathers, the one piece I had was fine, but had quite a bit of extra material in the arse area, the price was good at the time (about £450), I later decided that I wanted a bit more convenience so sold them and got a two piece set – again good quality and fit, and other than being cut off in hospital they stood up well in a crash.
BKS – my second two piece, and frankly, they were pants – I had the correct size but the jacket was far too tight on the chest and the waist zip was difficult to do up, you also couldn’t mix and match this set as you could with the FT stuff, so I wasn’t able to get a large size jacket (next size up was a bit too large though!). Sold these after a few thousand miles in the, at quite a loss (lost about 60% of what I paid for them).
Berik – my current leathers, and frankly, the best I have ever owned. These are a two piece again, and like the BKS ones are missing the outside pockets, meaning everything is stored on the two inside ones. The leathers are off the shelf ones again, but fit amazingly well, easy to get on and off with comfy fit and hard wearing knee sliders (the FT ones disintegrated pretty fast).
Before choosing the Berik ones I looked at many other brands, Alpinestars were similar quality, but carried a higher premium, likewise the Dainese stuff did too, RST was cheaper however, but the armour seemed far too soft to me.
If I were in the position to buy another set, I would probably go for a one piece as I already have the two piece – if I were to only own one set though, it would have to be two piece, they are very secure so wont part in a crash and you have the added benefit (most of the time) of better storage and the ability to take a dump without being a contortionist
Scort.