Leather suit: Difference between revisions

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There is no question that leather is a safer material in a crash than textile. If it weren't, you'd see people racing in textile suits. If you're planning on spending time at high speeds, especially on a track, you should consider a one-piece leather suit. Why one piece? Again, it's safer. You don't have that exposed midriff thing going on, and you'll know that every part of your body is covered, except that which will be under your helmet, boots, and gloves.

For everyday riding, textile is usually more practical for most people. It is easier to get into and out of, and ~~it's usually not quite as~~ hot. But leather holds the armor in place better and will help preserve your skin when you go sliding at high speeds.

For everyday riding, textile is usually more practical for most people. It is easier to get into and out of. Many people find leather to be heavy and hot. But leather holds the armor in place better and will help preserve your skin when you go sliding at high speeds.

One of the problems with a one-piece suit is that you have to shrug out of the upper half when you want to go to the bathroom. This leads some people in the direction of a 2-piece, especially for touring. If you get one of these, make sure there is a 360-degree zipper between the pants and jacket, for added safety. That said, getting out of a one-piece isn't really hard if you're wearing appropriate underwear (see below).

Most serious tourers in this club have textile suits such as the [[Aerostich Roadcrafter Suit|Aerostich Roadcrafter]]. Most people who regularly head for the track have leather suits, although they often wear textile when touring or commuting.

==Fit==

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Custom does mean patience. Lead time will vary depending on season and business levels. These took a little over three months from ordering to arrival. If you want to deal with a motorcycle enthusiast who's trying to grow a new business, and not some faceless company, you should consider Spartan Leathers.

==Points to ponder==

Observations by [http://www.ninja250.org/Bokonon Bokonon]

For being at a track, there is nothing better than a good leather suit. I don't think I like my leather suit on the street, though.

Before you plunk down the money necessary for all that dead cow, make sure you know what you're getting into. Try them on, walk around, sit on a bike if you can, and see how it feels. Leathers aren't usually required for track days (check), so you can probably go to one with regular gear. Ask the people there about their experiences with leathers, and try to get some advice. If a friend has a suit, pick it up and see how heavy it feels. Try it on, if possible (realizing that suits are often sweaty and stinky).

My suit fits me well. It tucks into boots and gloves very well, and the armour stays in place. However, fitting that well doesn't work for me on the street. It's harder to see everything that's going on, as I can't move as well as I can with textile gear, even with a silk undersuit on.

Leather is heavy. My suit tends to get pulled down from my shoulders by gravity. This makes it even tighter, and makes turning my head to check the lane behind me, or to see up the side street at an intersection, much more difficult than with a regular jacket and pants. Some people agree with this; others don't have this problem. It's probably exacerbated by my being middle-aged and the weather always being hot and sticky where I live.

You should also consider the kind of weather you usually ride in. The torso of my leathers is perforated, but the legs aren't, and after an hour my legs not only get hot, but the accordion bits behind the knees become uncomfortable. At the track, you usually stop and cool off at least once an hour. That might not be the best way to enjoy an afternoon on the backroads.

I'm keeping it for track days, though. Leather is more abrasion-resistant, and turning your head or otherwise swiveling your body isn't as important on a track. I don't have any problems moving side-to-side in my suit, which is where the majority of track movement is.

You have to wear what's comfortable for you, or you won't want to ride as much.

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 There is no question that leather is a safer material in a crash than textile. If it weren't, you'd see people racing in textile suits. If you're planning on spending time at high speeds, especially on a track, you should consider a one-piece leather suit. Why one piece? Again, it's safer. You don't have that exposed midriff thing going on, and you'll know that every part of your body is covered, except that which will be under your helmet, boots, and gloves.
-For everyday riding, textile is usually more practical for most people. It is easier to get into and out of, and it's usually not quite as hot. But leather holds the armor in place better and will help preserve your skin when you go sliding at high speeds.
+For everyday riding, textile is usually more practical for most people. It is easier to get into and out of. Many people find leather to be heavy and hot. But leather holds the armor in place better and will help preserve your skin when you go sliding at high speeds.
 One of the problems with a one-piece suit is that you have to shrug out of the upper half when you want to go to the bathroom. This leads some people in the direction of a 2-piece, especially for touring. If you get one of these, make sure there is a 360-degree zipper between the pants and jacket, for added safety. That said, getting out of a one-piece isn't really hard if you're wearing appropriate underwear (see below).
+Most serious tourers in this club have textile suits such as the [[Aerostich Roadcrafter Suit|Aerostich Roadcrafter]]. Most people who regularly head for the track have leather suits, although they often wear textile when touring or commuting.
 ==Fit==
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 Custom does mean patience. Lead time will vary depending on season and business levels. These took a little over three months from ordering to arrival. If you want to deal with a motorcycle enthusiast who's trying to grow a new business, and not some faceless company, you should consider Spartan Leathers.
+==Points to ponder==
+Observations by [http://www.ninja250.org/Bokonon Bokonon]
+For being at a track, there is nothing better than a good leather suit. I don't think I like my leather suit on the street, though.
+Before you plunk down the money necessary for all that dead cow, make sure you know what you're getting into. Try them on, walk around, sit on a bike if you can, and see how it feels. Leathers aren't usually required for track days (check), so you can probably go to one with regular gear. Ask the people there about their experiences with leathers, and try to get some advice. If a friend has a suit, pick it up and see how heavy it feels. Try it on, if possible (realizing that suits are often sweaty and stinky).
+My suit fits me well. It tucks into boots and gloves very well, and the armour stays in place. However, fitting that well doesn't work for me on the street. It's harder to see everything that's going on, as I can't move as well as I can with textile gear, even with a silk undersuit on.
+Leather is heavy. My suit tends to get pulled down from my shoulders by gravity. This makes it even tighter, and makes turning my head to check the lane behind me, or to see up the side street at an intersection, much more difficult than with a regular jacket and pants. Some people agree with this; others don't have this problem. It's probably exacerbated by my being middle-aged and the weather always being hot and sticky where I live.
+You should also consider the kind of weather you usually ride in. The torso of my leathers is perforated, but the legs aren't, and after an hour my legs not only get hot, but the accordion bits behind the knees become uncomfortable. At the track, you usually stop and cool off at least once an hour. That might not be the best way to enjoy an afternoon on the backroads.
+I'm keeping it for track days, though. Leather is more abrasion-resistant, and turning your head or otherwise swiveling your body isn't as important on a track. I don't have any problems moving side-to-side in my suit, which is where the majority of track movement is.
+You have to wear what's comfortable for you, or you won't want to ride as much.