Leather suit: Difference between revisions

Line 12:

You want leathers to be on the snug side (almost tight) so as they break in they fit to your body. They should be tight enough so that the armor will not move when you go down. Look at some of the pictures of the pro racers; theirs are TIGHT. You also want to account for room to allow a [[Back protector|back protector]]. If you're looking for a one-piece, keep in mind that they may be manufactured based on seating position of the bike, meaning they may fit oddly while standing straight up. Find out how they feel when you're sitting on a bike.

Leathers may take a while to break in. If you have a reasonably average build you should be able to find some good-fitting "off the rack" leathers. If you have ~~a little (or a lot)~~ more cash, there are places that make custom leather suits. All brands fit differently and are sized a bit differently as well. Try them on, or plan on sending a few back until you get the right fit. Try on as many brands as you can to see which fit you best.

Leathers may take a while to break in. If you have a reasonably average build you should be able to find some good-fitting "off the rack" leathers. If you have more cash (although not necessarily,see below) there are places that make custom leather suits. All brands fit differently and are sized a bit differently as well. Try them on, or plan on sending a few back until you get the right fit. Try on as many brands as you can to see which fit you best.

If you usually ride in hot weather, or are the kind of person who sweats all the time in the summer, you may want to get perforated leathers. These have tiny holes all over them to let air in while you're moving.

Line 18:

Plan on wearing either thin silk long underwear or some kind of space-age wicking material [[Boxers or briefs? Summer under-gear wear|under the suit]]. Silk doesn't hold an odor like synthetics sometimes do, and it's a lot easier to clean silk or polyester than leather. Underwear helps make your leather suit easier to put on, take off, and keep clean. It also helps with body movement, as the leather won't be sticking to your skin.

Once you get a good-fitting set of leathers, you may not be able to get warm clothes under them, but you can always wear warm stuff on the outside. It won't look quite as good, but would you rather be cool or freezing?

Once you get a good-fitting set of leathers, you may not be able to get many warm clothes under them, but you can always wear warm stuff on the outside. It won't look quite as good, but would you rather be cool or freezing?

You don't necessarily have to clean your leathers, but you should invest in some [http://www.lexol.com/lexol.html Lexol] leather conditioner. Lexol has been recommended as the best of its kind by seasoned riders. Conditioning will help break the suit in faster, and if you regularly use it you shouldn't have to use any kind of cleaner on it. There are good leather care tips on the Lexol site, in the auto and horsey sections.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 You want leathers to be on the snug side (almost tight) so as they break in they fit to your body. They should be tight enough so that the armor will not move when you go down. Look at some of the pictures of the pro racers; theirs are TIGHT. You also want to account for room to allow a [[Back protector|back protector]]. If you're looking for a one-piece, keep in mind that they may be manufactured based on seating position of the bike, meaning they may fit oddly while standing straight up. Find out how they feel when you're sitting on a bike.
-Leathers may take a while to break in. If you have a reasonably average build you should be able to find some good-fitting "off the rack" leathers. If you have a little (or a lot) more cash, there are places that make custom leather suits. All brands fit differently and are sized a bit differently as well. Try them on, or plan on sending a few back until you get the right fit. Try on as many brands as you can to see which fit you best.
+Leathers may take a while to break in. If you have a reasonably average build you should be able to find some good-fitting "off the rack" leathers. If you have more cash (although not necessarily,see below) there are places that make custom leather suits. All brands fit differently and are sized a bit differently as well. Try them on, or plan on sending a few back until you get the right fit. Try on as many brands as you can to see which fit you best.
 If you usually ride in hot weather, or are the kind of person who sweats all the time in the summer, you may want to get perforated leathers. These have tiny holes all over them to let air in while you're moving.
@@ Line 18: / Line 18: @@
 Plan on wearing either thin silk long underwear or some kind of space-age wicking material [[Boxers or briefs? Summer under-gear wear|under the suit]]. Silk doesn't hold an odor like synthetics sometimes do, and it's a lot easier to clean silk or polyester than leather. Underwear helps make your leather suit easier to put on, take off, and keep clean. It also helps with body movement, as the leather won't be sticking to your skin.
-Once you get a good-fitting set of leathers, you may not be able to get warm clothes under them, but you can always wear warm stuff on the outside. It won't look quite as good, but would you rather be cool or freezing?
+Once you get a good-fitting set of leathers, you may not be able to get many warm clothes under them, but you can always wear warm stuff on the outside. It won't look quite as good, but would you rather be cool or freezing?
 You don't necessarily have to clean your leathers, but you should invest in some [http://www.lexol.com/lexol.html Lexol] leather conditioner. Lexol has been recommended as the best of its kind by seasoned riders. Conditioning will help break the suit in faster, and if you regularly use it you shouldn't have to use any kind of cleaner on it. There are good leather care tips on the Lexol site, in the auto and horsey sections.