View Full Version : Thoughts on BKS (not custom) Leathers?
I've been looking around for a one piece suit and ended up trying on the BKS Sphinx in J&S Acc in Brum, it fitted brilliantly with nice big stretch panels in all the right places. I've tried on a few other A* and Dainese suits but thought this BKS one was brill, only thing is the price and that I have heard a few iffy things about the new BKS, anyone had much experience with them?
Cheers,
Peter
hardhat_harry
09-10-11, 11:53 PM
BKS are Frank Thomas now and their quality has gone down (so has the price).
SUPERSTARDJ01
10-10-11, 08:32 AM
My BKS Silverstone suit is now 2 yrs old and no issues at all, no fraying, no missed stiching very well made.
hardhat_harry
10-10-11, 10:46 AM
My mate bought one in the George White sale about 4 weeks ago, fitted in the shop but not on the bike. As he had done 4 race laps George White wouldn't exchange them (after lots of faffing around).
He took them to our local bike leather alterations shop JOYDA who told them they are rebadged Frank Thomas as they come from the same stable and they arent too bad but not great.
They did say stay away from Alpinestars for a while now and very recently Arlen Ness as they have lowered there quality very recently.
They do rate my Hein Gericke leathers when I got them altered but they are about 5 years old now.
I thought Frank Thomas went bust and they are now owned by J&S Accessories?
hardhat_harry
10-10-11, 12:26 PM
From MCN
"The Thomas Group is parent to the Motrax, Frank Thomas and BKS off-the-peg brands, and has been in administration since late-January"
peterco
10-10-11, 12:54 PM
From MCN
"The Thomas Group is parent to the Motrax, Frank Thomas and BKS off-the-peg brands, and has been in administration since late-January"
http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/images/headerlogo.png (http://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/)
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About Frank Thomas
J&S Accessories acquired the Frank Thomas brand in February 2011. The brand has been established for 30 years and is at the pinnacle of the motorcycle industry. Frank Thomas continues a tradition of craftsmanship and excellence with exemplary design and fantastic quality of manufacture; we have added a speedy distribution service that covers all of the UK. With each product our aim is to combine excellent design with serious functionality.
We are proud to be able to provide our fellow riders with high quality riding kit at a sensible price. Frank Thomas products are available in all of our 12 J&S Accessories stores as well as our Internet shop; we also have a major National dealer network which has over 50 dealers. Check out our range today, you won’t be disappointed.
hardhat_harry
10-10-11, 01:01 PM
Yes I know that Frank Thomas was bought by J&S as well as Motrax, I assume the BKS off the peg brand was taken by them as well.
Wideboy
10-10-11, 08:11 PM
My BKS Silverstone suit is now 2 yrs old and no issues at all, no fraying, no missed stiching very well made.
+1 same suit, got my suit nearly 3 years ago with the silverstone gloves, im guessing soon after they went over to frank thomas as most people started slagging them off. i treat mine like crap (literally), never been cleaned, out in all conditions including snow, been over a car bonnet and down the road in the jacket and gloves with barely a mark on either..... despite all that the only problem with them now is my gut has increased alot so i struggle to get in them but im going to shift that as they are still **** awesome leathers.
it was between that and a dainese suit but the BKW felt to have alot thicker material as well as thicker armour. The silverstone gloves are the thickest and most rigid I've worn personally, not everyones cup of tea but i like that
if you can find a good quality suit second hand or before twonk thomas got their mits on them its worth it
Thick leather does not always equate to good leather. You can get some horrendous quality thick leather and some exceptionally good thin leather. Same goes for armour - you could have a 2 inch thick piece of crap armour between you and the tarmac, it'll perform worse than a 1/4 inch of good quality stuff.
As soon as BKS sold out to FT the quality of the leathers went down the toilet as production stopped being primarily made to measure and everything available in the shops was made in Pakistani and Chinese sweatshops alongside all the other FT rubbish. Lots of people were fooled by James Toseland wearing a suit identical to those on sale in the shops, but the two were very different (he wouldn't have got on a bicycle wearing an off the peg BKS suit). Brian Samson, formerly of BKS, pretty much only supplies the emergency services now.
he wouldn't have got on a bicycle wearing an off the peg BKS suit
Any advice on a good make then? I've tried a few on and the BKS was the only one that fit well.
Costly...but if so where would you suggest?
Scott or Hideout. Both do M2M and off the peg stuff that is very well made.
they might not be as costly as you think.
how much is a set of 'otp' BKS leathers £600?
i would recommend http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/
i have had a bit of a crap experience with these people but my requirements were a lot different from other people as i'm only 5 foot feck all. the quality is great and they have a looooot of happy customers (mainly racers) the leather is top quality and the stitching is all double stitched. you can get a personal set made but make suer that you put it down in writing exactly what you want. don't get them to put their armour in get as they use knox stuff which although good is uncomfortable as feck, instead buy good quality replacement armour from forcefeild and get them to put that in but get them to fully stitch it it. they don't like doing it and will come out with 'but and ermm' but insist on it.
forgot to add... they take ages to make stuff as they are very very busy so its usually about 6 weeks
at the end of the day they will make you a blooody good set of leathers :-)
hardhat_harry
10-10-11, 10:14 PM
Scott quality has gone down the pan too.
Held Leathers crash well.
Ixon are good leathers for not much dosh.
Gimoto loads of racers use but I believe they are only MTM
Lindstrands by Jofama are the ones I am getting next (or Held) they are excellent!!
oh and Hein Gericke leathers (made by Hein Gericke) dont know if they still make 1 piece suits anyore
www.jofama.se (http://www.jofama.se)
Scott quality has gone down the pan too.
In what way?
I see quite a few sets of Scotts regularly and the owners don't seem to have any complaints
I thought they all halted production and j&s are just satisfying remaining warranties.
I tried to start a thread with rated leathers in it but it didn't work as people have different experiences! I can only speak for hein gericke and have kit that's lasted over 3 years despite being in an accident (textiles). And my arlen ness leathers feel like good quality too
hardhat_harry
10-10-11, 11:38 PM
In what way?
I see quite a few sets of Scotts regularly and the owners don't seem to have any complaints
We were having a chat at Oulton (well it was started at Brands Hatch and continued at Oulton) last week about the very same thing well not quite, it was more about how well Leathers crash.
This was all started by one guy who had bought some Arlen Ness Leathers at the start of the season and had to crashes each resulted in the leather wearing through and needing a repair. Previously he had Gimoto leathers for +10 years with many crashes and no repairs required.
The Lindstrand leathers had survived may crashes over a couple of years similar with Held.
Older Scott stuff crashed well but a couple of guys complained about newer stuff (this years mainly).
I'll have a look at the above mentioned MTM ones,
Anyone have any experience with HALO Leathers?
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