Opinions / experiences on a set of leathers please.

[Bike_Nutter]

Hi forum buddies.

I've been thinking about getting some leathers to, "upgrade" from my textiles that I've had for 2 years now.

I have upgraded all the armour inserts to CE level 2 Forcefield gear, but would like the added slide protection (and cool factor, ill admit haha) of a leather set. I already have SIDI boots.

I've had no luck on 2nd hand gear sites, not to mention I have been warned about the structural integrity of the stitching etc on older/2nd hand gear, so I'm veering towards a new set.

My budget would be about £400 absolute tops, and would prefer to spend less, even £300, but not at the expense of performance. If you're going to buy a set of leathers, you may as well get the right set, correct?

I would like a general / commuting 2 piece that is capable of sports touring and track days. It would also be great if it doesn't look too Transformer, so I could wear the jacket with some kevlar jeans when going out local in the evening.

It seems Richa and RST gear fits my price and performance requirements. Advice or experience of entry level / budget gear please?

Many thanks. Nutter.

[Bibio]

these are very good for the money

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=8

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=9

no silly knee sliders. made in the UK etc.etc.

[andrewsmith]

these are very good for the money

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=8

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=9

no silly knee sliders. made in the UK etc.etc.

This
Just bought a venom jacket and it's good

written with a biro

[Fordward]

And they do sizes for short fat people :-)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Specialone]

I rate the rst leathers, bought my wife a set 3 years ago and it's thick leather and well made.

[maviczap]

I rate the rst leathers, bought my wife a set 3 years ago and it's thick leather and well made.

Yep, my RST two piece is made from nice thick leather, so another vote for them.

Gt them 2nd hand off Ebay for under £100 quid

Bargain of the century was a brand new Joe Rocket one piece suit for £59, again another Ebay purchase

[veenee]

My vote would be for Richa - although cannot recommend leather trousers from them as I never had any. Textiles are good though, and I really like leather jacket (http://www.richa.eu/products/leather-jackets/rotar/) I've got.

[Bike_Nutter]

these are very good for the money

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=8

http://www.scottleathers.co.uk/prodpage.asp?ProductID=9

no silly knee sliders. made in the UK etc.etc.

Is this gear, "Scott" as in, "Scott-oiler" the old school MX company?

[Bike_Nutter]

Umm another question I failed to ask on the first post.

I would imagine you have to try this gear on? Who would spend such an amount and also requiring a snug formed fit without knowing it fits well? You don't want the hassle of posting returns, if they even do so...

Ebay is a gamble unless you know intimately the gear you are buying?

[NTECUK]

There's often a size difference and fit, even in same makes. Best try them out and don't forget to do the bike pose too.

[kiggles]

leathers are the hardest thing to buy. my advice and what I use:

- 2 piece arleness suit £500 (time of purchase) use it for work everyday
- 1 piece arlenness suit £550 (time of purchase) use it for weekends and trackdays and for work if other one is wet.
- i also wear a additional back plate for both suits even if it has a bit of foam there already (keeps me warm and safer)

I wear full cloths underneath both suits (tracking/ thin trousers, and a light jumper hoodie if its very cold)

the trick to getting what you want is going to a store and try it on. If you find a set you like either buy it, or shop online for the exact size, same make etc and buy it. different manufactures make sizes different. (i am skinny and arlenness stuff is good for skiinny people). but i always try it on, if you ever come across the "perfect jacket" in the right colours and fits amazing buy it. as often finding the same product is hard.

if you plan it for work i recommend wearing what you would wear to work and put leathers over the top and be comfortable.

so basically in this order of important:

- find 2 piece leather suit with CE armor
- comfort (try it ON!!! and love the fit)
- style (does it look the way you want?)
- price (this should be last as you can buy online. £500 for something perfect is better then £200 for okay)

[Bibio]

Is this gear, "Scott" as in, "Scott-oiler" the old school MX company?

no. Scott Leathers was originally TT Leathers from IOM which was IIR founded in the 50's then went threw a few owners and a name change to Scott Leathers when the current owner took over in the late 70's.

they have always had a good name for quality and a looooot of racers use them. the leather is not your thin crap from china and everything is double stitched and made in the factory at Barnard Castle.

[yokohama]

I got a pair of these trousers. Pretty good leather and well-made. No problems so far. Order a waist size bigger.
the company do a matching jacket that will zip on but I can't comment on that.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Armoured-Leather-Motorcycle-Trousers-Skintan/dp/B00630RV9Y/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_t

[NTECUK]

RST is sold by J&S they have. Shops around the country.
There leathers slide just fine along Essex Roads :s.
And still wearable after

[Bike_Nutter]

There's often a size difference and fit, even in same makes. Best try them out and don't forget to do the bike pose too.


Cheers mate, will do. Looks like ill be spending some afternoons riding around town to shops then, fun times hehe

[Bike_Nutter]

leathers are the hardest thing to buy. my advice and what I use:

- 2 piece arleness suit £500 (time of purchase) use it for work everyday
- 1 piece arlenness suit £550 (time of purchase) use it for weekends and trackdays and for work if other one is wet.
- i also wear a additional back plate for both suits even if it has a bit of foam there already (keeps me warm and safer)

I wear full cloths underneath both suits (tracking/ thin trousers, and a light jumper hoodie if its very cold)

the trick to getting what you want is going to a store and try it on. If you find a set you like either buy it, or shop online for the exact size, same make etc and buy it. different manufactures make sizes different. (i am skinny and arlenness stuff is good for skiinny people). but i always try it on, if you ever come across the "perfect jacket" in the right colours and fits amazing buy it. as often finding the same product is hard.

if you plan it for work i recommend wearing what you would wear to work and put leathers over the top and be comfortable.

so basically in this order of important:

- find 2 piece leather suit with CE armor
- comfort (try it ON!!! and love the fit)
- style (does it look the way you want?)
- price (this should be last as you can buy online. £500 for something perfect is better then £200 for okay)

Firstly, thanks a lot for your comprehensive reply.

Are you saying that leather jackets don't come with slots for armour? That can't be right, can it? I was hoping to transfer my Forcefield pieces over...

I noted that some items come with thermal liners that can be removed, so hopefully I can pick up a set that includes that, or I can wear my ski-liners/thermal undies/Ron-Hill jogger bottoms etc.

Agreed on the cost, buy cheap, buy twice as the saying goes.

I'm the kind of person that researches how many ply my toilet tissue needs to be, I'm sure to get the right gear in the end! :smt098

[Bike_Nutter]

no. Scott Leathers was originally TT Leathers from IOM which was IIR founded in the 50's then went threw a few owners and a name change to Scott Leathers when the current owner took over in the late 70's.

they have always had a good name for quality and a looooot of racers use them. the leather is not your thin crap from china and everything is double stitched and made in the factory at Barnard Castle.

Very informative, great to have nerds on board, just kidding ;)

Cheers! :)

[Bike_Nutter]

There leathers slide just fine along Essex Roads :s.
And still wearable after

You talk from experience? haha.

Safe riding! Nutter

[NTECUK]

You talk from experience? haha.

Safe riding! Nutter
Maybe!!!

[Jayneflakes]

Here is another option, I am currently in Thailand and looking around hardly anyone wears shoes, let alone leathers to ride. What we did was to go and see a Leather specialist Tailor and the wife had some custom jeans made in a deep brown thick leather. All of the seams are double stitched and the leather is suitably heavy, but far too hot for here. The Jeans and the jacket came to 16 000 Thai Baht which is about £250 and they are tailored just for her, so fit perfectly.

I have lost some weight and my leathers no longer fit and now have a four inch gap between my belly and the button, so I am having mine adjusted and relined with new (less smelly or wee stained) fabric along with my jacket and that should cost less than £50.

Have a look on line and see what you can find. St Michaels who we used offer an on line service, but although they did a fabulous job, they did take their time so we cannot recommend that that much.

For me, I like my leathers, they feel nice and strangely softer on my skin than my textiles. They have better abrasion resistance and when polished up are great for administering some punishment to a local sub! :smt079

My textiles although a good brand are only really used when it is raining heavily because I find them to be uncomfortable, bulky and hot. Also while locking my bike up after a ride, I brushed against the exhaust on the wife's bike and promptly melted a hole through the leg of my trousers. :-({|=

[kiggles]

leather and Armour slots I'm not so sure about. most leather jackets will have a removable back plate which is like a square piece of sponge which some poeple replace with a harder insert such as forcefield. But I would suggest leather jackets with built in Armour are better as they will stay in place as removable ones could slide around.

I have bought 3-4 sets of leathers in my time. and own 2 pairs. But generally like my 2 piece the most as its comfortable, its good looking and got the protection. (which i have tested a few times in falls). My one piece is very nice but only good for track days and rides of about 1-2 hours long. and they are in two different sizes.

I know its past your budget, but after buying your first perfect pair everything else will seem crap. You might even buy a nice race suit which is a tighter fit and looks better. But you will know your perfect brand, size, and what you want. I only buy one type of suit now and don't bother with anything else, which makes ebay/gumtree buying alot easier as i know if it fits or not. personally check these brands out for leather protection:

- arlen ness / berik (think made in same factore so size are similar)
- daniesse (not my thing but might be yours)
- RST (heard alot of good things of them, armour is good and style is great)
- alpine stars (about same as rst different style)

there few other makes out there who makes suits similar to these but meh. these are good stuff. i looking for a 2012-2013 arlen ness magnezium jacket but i cant find the one i tried on in a shop ages ago any where!

loads out there but these

[Bike_Nutter]

Here is another option, I am currently in Thailand and looking around hardly anyone wears shoes, let alone leathers to ride. What we did was to go and see a Leather specialist Tailor and the wife had some custom jeans made in a deep brown thick leather. All of the seams are double stitched and the leather is suitably heavy, but far too hot for here. The Jeans and the jacket came to 16 000 Thai Baht which is about £250 and they are tailored just for her, so fit perfectly.

I have lost some weight and my leathers no longer fit and now have a four inch gap between my belly and the button, so I am having mine adjusted and relined with new (less smelly or wee stained) fabric along with my jacket and that should cost less than £50.

Have a look on line and see what you can find. St Michaels who we used offer an on line service, but although they did a fabulous job, they did take their time so we cannot recommend that that much.

For me, I like my leathers, they feel nice and strangely softer on my skin than my textiles. They have better abrasion resistance and when polished up are great for administering some punishment to a local sub! :smt079

My textiles although a good brand are only really used when it is raining heavily because I find them to be uncomfortable, bulky and hot. Also while locking my bike up after a ride, I brushed against the exhaust on the wife's bike and promptly melted a hole through the leg of my trousers. :-({|=

Now that IS thinking outside the box, hmmm, food for thought. I have known people in the past that have got cheap/free holidays out of wanting other large ticket items and figuring to go elsewhere in the world for it (rhinoplasty in India £600 - UK £3-5000) and funny enough, I have been thinking about a long haul trip (been to Thailand 10 years ago) but not this summer, more a next winter thing, too long to wait.

Well done on the weight loss, 4 inches! I tend to keep a steady weight (I work in health and fitness) so I have no worries about leathers losing their fit fortunately. Wee?!?!? Ewww, race days I hope! ;)

Laughed at the BDSM comment, I know what you mean about leathers, some women find it sexy, some think we are knobbers, I'm not concerned with the latter half. My current bit of fluff already thinks I look great in my biker gear, I can't wait to see the reaction with a nice fitted leather jacket and jeans haha!

Melted your trousers? Heavy on the wrist were we Sir? ;)

Thanks for the fun and informative response mate, cheers! :)

[Bike_Nutter]

leather and Armour slots I'm not so sure about. most leather jackets will have a removable back plate which is like a square piece of sponge which some poeple replace with a harder insert such as forcefield. But I would suggest leather jackets with built in Armour are better as they will stay in place as removable ones could slide around.

I have bought 3-4 sets of leathers in my time. and own 2 pairs. But generally like my 2 piece the most as its comfortable, its good looking and got the protection. (which i have tested a few times in falls). My one piece is very nice but only good for track days and rides of about 1-2 hours long. and they are in two different sizes.

I know its past your budget, but after buying your first perfect pair everything else will seem crap. You might even buy a nice race suit which is a tighter fit and looks better. But you will know your perfect brand, size, and what you want. I only buy one type of suit now and don't bother with anything else, which makes ebay/gumtree buying alot easier as i know if it fits or not. personally check these brands out for leather protection:

- arlen ness / berik (think made in same factore so size are similar)
- daniesse (not my thing but might be yours)
- RST (heard alot of good things of them, armour is good and style is great)
- alpine stars (about same as rst different style)

there few other makes out there who makes suits similar to these but meh. these are good stuff. i looking for a 2012-2013 arlen ness magnezium jacket but i cant find the one i tried on in a shop ages ago any where!

loads out there but these

Some great food for thought there, thanks a lot.

Unfortunately, I don't have the benefit of hindsight and experience like yourself, hence being on here asking the good fellows and fellow-ess' for their 10p worth to help me on the right track.

Since I've been into biking, I've always liked RST gear and styling. It's at a good price point for me, and most of their range is within budget... I know ill end up spending more than planned, I like good gear!

Best thing for me is try on, try on and try on some more. Leather are less forgiving in terms of fit I would imagine, and ill also take note of looking for fitted armour. I'll bleed shop keepers dry of their knowledge before I reach anywhere near the wallet pocket.

Do you know if RST are British? A Brucey if I can support local business in the bag..

Thanks again mate. :)

[atassiedevil]

Might want to take a look at Armr Moto too, i've their textile gear and it's been awesome. British made, not massively well known, but so far i have not had a bad review of their gear seen. Made by people who ride bikes, for people who ride bikes.

They do leathers as well. Look pretty tidy for the money.

http://www.armr-moto.com/product-category/mens/leathers/

[kiggles]

RST leathers seems the way forward. go out find a set you like and buy them and spend more time riding!