Leathers

SCobraVT99 · 08-26-2006, 08:05 PM

What is a good inexpensive suit of leathers, or does anyone have one they might get rid of soon or want to get rid of? I need a 40 or a 42. Any suggestions?

GSXR RACER MIKE · 08-26-2006, 09:45 PM

Safety is not something to skimp on, having leathers is good, having poor leathers gives you a false sense of security. It would be much more beneficial to buy some high quality leathers on closeout and have protection that is truely good than buy some cool 'LOOKING' leathers for the same price that match your bike or whatever, but are really inferior.

I use to have a race suit that was a 'intermediate' model, not the worst or best, but good. That suit had double stiched seams through out and armor in the critical areas, I bought it as my 1st race suit at a season ending closeout sale and thought I had made a good decision by buying a somewhat better suit than I was originally going to buy. Though the suit was better than the other suits I was looking at for the money, there were other suits being clearanced out as well that were a couple hundred dollars more that were far superior suits. Instead of saving a little bit more money and buying one of the superior suits I bought the 'intermediate' level suit, that almost cost me some extra pain. In late 1999 I had a violent high-side at Road America which left me with a partially torn shoulder, that crash also exposed a weakness in my leathers after the seam on the side of the suit failed and split open about an 8" section of the seam exposing my body to whatever decided to grind against it. Luckily in my case I immediately went off the track and didn't spend much time sliding on the pavement, but had that been the case I would have had some really bad roadrash.

My next set of leathers were closeouts as well (suggested retail of $1200 - I paid $450 new), but this time I bought one of the top suits made by the company at the time. This time I focused on things like armor, leather thickness and quality, and of utmost importance - stiches per seam! My current suit has triple and quadrupal internally stiched seams thruout and much better armor. Also something to consider is some of the suits have removable armor and an opening in the internal liner of the suit so you can access the armor or have things like letters sewn onto the suit without damaging the internal liner.

I'm glad your looking at leathers, and at your age I understand the limitations of spending extra money, but this is 1 of those things you NEED to spend the extra money on! You will surely thank yourself for buying the better leathers if you ever have to use them and walk away with out any real injuries, or less injuries than you would have had with a cheaper suit. Good luck and have fun!

OFFICER737 · 08-26-2006, 11:40 PM

Like Mike said ^^^^^^^^^

Don't skimp on your leather if you can. Check around and look for closeouts on good suits. Check out the Motogp Cowhide suit. They are new this year and www.sportbiketrackgear.com has them on sale on sale for $549 I believe.

kevinwilly · 08-26-2006, 11:51 PM

Yeah, i'll whore up www.sportbiketrackgear.com as well. GREAT to deal with!

And that Motogp suit is top fucking notch. For the price, i doubt you'll find a better deal.

Anything you consider taking to the track should retail for at least a thousand bucks.

I'm personally having custom leathers made in the spring. It'll be about 1200 bucks, but that way i never have to worry about anything. Plus, they'll be totally unique. And i'm getting my name sewn on the back.

rsm · 08-26-2006, 11:56 PM

What do you wear under leathers? Is there some kind of special underwear?

OFFICER737 · 08-26-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinwilly

Yeah, i'll whore up www.sportbiketrackgear.com as well. GREAT to deal with!

And that Motogp suit is top fucking notch. For the price, i doubt you'll find a better deal.

Anything you consider taking to the track should retail for at least a thousand bucks.

I'm personally having custom leathers made in the spring. It'll be about 1200 bucks, but that way i never have to worry about anything. Plus, they'll be totally unique. And i'm getting my name sewn on the back.

Name sewn on it? Squid

I will say, the Motogp suit is well worth the coin!!!

OFFICER737 · 08-26-2006, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsm

What do you wear under leathers? Is there some kind of special underwear?

shorts, underwear, t-shirt, wife beater, under armour and a true undersuit

kevinwilly · 08-27-2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsm

What do you wear under leathers? Is there some kind of special underwear?

Most people wear under armour type stuff. Wal-Mart sells a similar product for cheaper.

(if you don't know what under armor is, it's the spandex type compression clothing. it wicks sweat from your body)

It helps keep you cool (increases surface area of your skin, thus more surface area for the air to suck heat from) and helps get in and out of the leather, and keeps you from chafing.

I just wear a t-shirt and boxers. But i don't chafe easily, and i haven't worn leather pants consistently EVER, and don't have any currently.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFFICER737

Name sewn on it? Squid

I will say, the Motogp suit is well worth the coin!!!

Would you really think the name thing is squiddly? i've never heard of that before... not that i care, i think it's cool. Hell, around here i've never seen a helmet on a rider. It's even worse than indiana was.

And doesn't that make THREE suits for you now? Fieldsheer, MotoGP, and didn't you buy one a couple months ago as well? i forget....

GSXR RACER MIKE · 08-27-2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsm

What do you wear under leathers? Is there some kind of special underwear?

I have seen everything from just wearing underwear to full body underwear to special clothing. I personally have a coolmax shirt which has ribs sewn onto the mesh shirt to provide an air gap between me and my leathers, not only does it wick away the sweat, but it lets air circulate as well. I also wear a pair of Spandex shorts under my leathers. I have seen Under Armor as a popular option presently along with the other similar wicking types of clothing.

Probably the biggest thing for me about wearing something under my leathers is for taking them off after your all sweaty, a layer between you and the leathers will definately help the process of removal.

OFFICER737 · 08-27-2006, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinwilly

Most people wear under armour type stuff. Wal-Mart sells a similar product for cheaper.

(if you don't know what under armor is, it's the spandex type compression clothing. it wicks sweat from your body)

It helps keep you cool (increases surface area of your skin, thus more surface area for the air to suck heat from) and helps get in and out of the leather, and keeps you from chafing.

I just wear a t-shirt and boxers. But i don't chafe easily, and i haven't worn leather pants consistently EVER, and don't have any currently.

Would you really think the name thing is squiddly? i've never heard of that before... not that i care, i think it's cool. Hell, around here i've never seen a helmet on a rider. It's even worse than indiana was.

And doesn't that make THREE suits for you now? Fieldsheer, MotoGP, and didn't you buy one a couple months ago as well? i forget....

Just busting your chops bro

I will have mine put on my race leathers as well. I have 2 suits but I also have an A* jacket and JR pants

kevinwilly · 08-27-2006, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OFFICER737

Just busting your chops bro

I will have mine put on my race leathers as well. I have 2 suits but I also have an A* jacket and JR pants

What name are you gonna have sewn on? Just curious....

officer737?

Cuz i'm getting KevinWilly.

(though that's actually my REAL name as well, not just my username on here.)

Oh yeah- by the way, check the thread i made earlier, i bought another bike today.....