View Full Version : Questions on leathers
I am thinking of getting leathers later in the year and i had a few questions.
Are leathers more suited for summer riding?
Are they cooler than textiles, or warmer?
Do leathers offer more protection than textiles?
Are leathers comfy?
I was thinking of the Alpinestars octane http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
Is this a good choice?
Thanks.
SoulKiss
09-01-09, 11:28 AM
I am thinking of getting leathers later in the year and i had a few questions.
Are leathers more suited for summer riding?
Tend to be a bit on the warm side in Summer.
Are they cooler than textiles, or warmer?
Depends on the conditions and the leathers.
Do leathers offer more protection than textiles?
Well you are not allowed to do a trackday in textiles - go figure the rest out :)
Are leathers comfy?
If they are comfy when you buy them they are probably too big, but once they wear in they are great.
I was thinking of the Alpinestars octane http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
Is this a good choice?
Dunno, all mine are made to measure rather than off the shelf.
Thanks.
Hope those answers are of some help
Dunno, all mine are made to measure rather than off the shelf.
Just out of interest, where do you get your made to measure leathers? I only have textiles at the moment and think the added protection of leathers might be worth the investment.
SoulKiss
09-01-09, 11:49 AM
Just out of interest, where do you get your made to measure leathers? I only have textiles at the moment and think the added protection of leathers might be worth the investment.
Not going to be of much use to you I fear, but.
www.msw.co.nz
St Kevins Arcade
Karangahape Road
Auckland
New Zealand.
They use Forcefield armour inserts the the knee's, hip, elbows and shoulders and can do a built in back protector, but recommends using a separate one due to the fact that they are longer and give better protection due to them ultimately tucking into the back of the trousers.
Works for me as I was over there visiting the in-laws and the exchange rate was favourable......
The 1st set I got have survived 3 offs (one highside, one lowside and one "weeeeee over the bars I go") with superficial scuffing and some stitching going (decorative stitching) - they were also totally waterproof on AR07
Could they not post the leathers, after you done the measurements yourself?
SoulKiss
09-01-09, 11:55 AM
Could they not post the leathers, after you done the measurements yourself?
I suppose they could but they really prefer to
a) take the measurements themselves
b) make up a calico pattern
c) adjust said calico to get it closer to being right
d) make up the pattern in leather
e) do a fitting, marking for adjustments
f) do another fitting, marking any further adjustments needed
and will continue to adjust until you are happy with them.
I was in for about 4 fittings in total, one a day for a week.
Just because you can provide them with 4 measured points, doesnt mean that the points in between will be the same for everyone
Oh and most of the adjustments were done with clothspegs/clips and roughly drawing with chalk rather than measurments
muffles
09-01-09, 11:56 AM
I am thinking of getting leathers later in the year and i had a few questions.
Are leathers more suited for summer riding?
Are they cooler than textiles, or warmer?
Do leathers offer more protection than textiles?
Are leathers comfy?
I was thinking of the Alpinestars octane http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
Is this a good choice?
Thanks.
I think most textiles tend to be warmer because they are designed to be worn in cold/wet weather, but I don't have a great deal of textile experience (only bought a set last year).
That set of leathers, in terms of quality, should be fine - I think I have a predecessor of that suit, it's 3 years old now. Fit is important though, so you probably want to try them first...
Just because you can provide them with 4 measured points, doesnt mean that the points in between will be the same for everyone
Only 4 points?
When I had my MJKs made Graham measured me in about 30 places with my arms and knees bent and straight etc.
I suppose they could but they really prefer to
a) take the measurements themselves
b) make up a calico pattern
c) adjust said calico to get it closer to being right
d) make up the pattern in leather
e) do a fitting, marking for adjustments
f) do another fitting, marking any further adjustments needed
and will continue to adjust until you are happy with them.
I was in for about 4 fittings in total, one a day for a week.
Just because you can provide them with 4 measured points, doesnt mean that the points in between will be the same for everyone
He's an odd shape though....
:o :batman:
SoulKiss
09-01-09, 12:00 PM
Only 4 points?
When I had my MJKs made Graham measured me in about 30 places with my arms and knees bent and straight etc.
I was referring to the ability of average "Joe Public" to take more than 4 accurate measurments of themself.....
The average Joe Public is an idiot who can't use a tape measure
yorkie_chris
09-01-09, 03:28 PM
Are leathers more suited for summer riding? Yes, as not very waterproof, but more protective than most textiles, if you get good leather.
Are they cooler than textiles, or warmer? Depends which ones you're comparing
Do leathers offer more protection than textiles? If you are comparing good leathers to crap textile then yes.
Are leathers comfy? Yes if you get some which fit nicely.
I was thinking of the Alpinestars octane http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/shop/product_info.php/cPath/1_120/products_id/3526
Is this a good choice?
Thanks.
Big advantage for leather that I can see is leather tends to survive a few crashes. Many textile suits will not.
Dunno about A* but it's not a make I would trust.
Big advantage for leather that I can see is leather tends to survive a few crashes. Many textile suits will not.
Dunno about A* but it's not a make I would trust.
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
SoulKiss
09-01-09, 03:39 PM
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
As posted in the other thread on leathers that is currently going.
You really think that Rossi wears off the shelf consumer grade A* kit????
Gazza77
09-01-09, 03:39 PM
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
That's the key word. They're not buying their own of the peg stuff. ;)
yorkie_chris
09-01-09, 03:40 PM
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
They are walking adverts... wear custom made high quality suits with a badge on them. Means sod all.
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
Don't believe the hype.
You really think that Rossi wears off the shelf consumer grade A* kit????
I don't think Signor Rossi wears any Alpinestars kit - Il Dottore is very heavily sponsored by their arch rivals in the crap motorcycle clothing game, Dainese.
Why don't you trust Alpinestars? A lot of moto gp riders are sponsored by them.
James Toseland wears BKS leathers, but since they got bought out by Frank Thomas I wouldn't touch a single thing with a BKS badge on it. The sponsoring of MotoGP riders is merely marketing hype. If you could see some of the things some of the riders do with their kit you'd be amazed.
When Toseland was still riding a CBR600 he was wearing MJK leathers. He then got a signed deal and paid by Wolf to wear theirs. If you look closely at photos of him on the podium in his first year with Wolf you'll see a nice row of holes around the glued on Wolf badges on his leathers. Those holes spell out the letters MJK. There's nothing wrong with the Wolf leathers he was sponsored to wear, but he knew and trusted the MJKs so just had the badging changed.
There was also the famous incident where a Shark sponsored rider had an Arai painted up with Shark graphics and logos because he wouldn't put a Shark anywhere near his head, but was happy to take their money. Arai used that as an advert for a while.
Like I said before, don't believe the hype.
There was also the famous incident where a Shark sponsored rider had an Arai painted up with Shark graphics and logos because he wouldn't put a Shark anywhere near his head, but was happy to take their money. Arai used that as an advert for a while.
Like I said before, don't believe the hype.
lol thats hillarious! Couldn't people tell by the shape? Sharks have a distinctive look.
I havn't made a mistake getting my A* t dyno have i?
lol thats hillarious! Couldn't people tell by the shape? Sharks have a distinctive look.
I havn't made a mistake getting my A* t dyno have i?
You'll ony know if you're daft enough to throw it up the road. Lets hope it never comes to that
I just got a set of alpinestar vector leathers, I luv em and reckon most ordinary shape people can do with off-the-shelf suits. They have loads of perforations over them and it makes quite a difference to the cooling - great for here in Spain but not a UK winter! Graham
SoulKiss
10-01-09, 02:20 PM
I just got a set of alpinestar vector leathers, I luv em and reckon most ordinary shape people can do with off-the-shelf suits. They have loads of perforations over them and it makes quite a difference to the cooling - great for here in Spain but not a UK winter! Graham
"2000 perforations let the blood and guts flood out" - Leathers by Tetley :p
Or something like that.
The perforations should be considered to be lots of little sticky-out bits that the road can grab onto and rip apart.
Of course, practicality must be weighed against protection..
Otherwise I would be having a chat with a mate that makes plate armour :)
Jousting anyone?
yorkie_chris
10-01-09, 02:50 PM
Heh, sounds fun. Would be ace to do it around town knocking wing mirrors off.
Just out of interest, where do you get your made to measure leathers? I only have textiles at the moment and think the added protection of leathers might be worth the investment.
I know Crowtree Leathers in Louth, Lincolnshire make made to measure leathers. The only thing with them is they look a bit "retro" (or the ones I've seen have been), alright if you like the style though and the reviews I've seen about them are very good.
Bunks
Balky001
10-01-09, 06:30 PM
I know Crowtree Leathers in Louth, Lincolnshire make made to measure leathers. The only thing with them is they look a bit "retro" (or the ones I've seen have been), alright if you like the style though and the reviews I've seen about them are very good.
Bunks
Are Crowtree still about, I thought they closed down a year or two ago?
muffles
10-01-09, 06:36 PM
Are Crowtree still about, I thought they closed down a year or two ago?
If they were the ones that were generally regarded as the best MTM company....then yes ;) (I couldn't remember their name)
Are Crowtree still about, I thought they closed down a year or two ago?
They were still in selling stuff about 6 months ago. I went in and spoke to them as I was just thinking of getting a bike. He was on about sutting up but as far as I know he hasn't yet. If anyone wants to know I'll find out for definate, I only live a couple of miles from the shop.
Bunks
Dave20046
10-01-09, 07:11 PM
I have the octane suit, it's really comfy and looks nice. That's about all I can say about it as I've never crashed on the track in them. but for day to day riding I'd say they were okay as I crashed at about 40 (more impact than abrasion) and they protected me reasonably well. (flexipanel on the crotch was painful though, wish it had of been more protective). However I wouldn't spend £530 on them, I think you can get much better made ones for that. Mine were £350 I think. Custom made appeal to me.
They were still in selling stuff about 6 months ago. I went in and spoke to them as I was just thinking of getting a bike. He was on about sutting up but as far as I know he hasn't yet. If anyone wants to know I'll find out for definate, I only live a couple of miles from the shop.
Bunks
THe story was that Crowtree were honouring prior orders but not taking on any more. It may well be worthwhile giving them a call to see what the score is.
I really rate Crowtree
vBulletin® , Copyright ©2000-2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.