newbie

[Jon Digital]

hi gang im new to the whole bike game and all that i aint got leathers as of yet could anyone recomend any decents names or textiles makes or even spacific leathers as i really dont have a clue on what to buy im seeing prices ranging from 100 to 600 and i dont know the wiser

and also what is the difference between a 2 peice suite and a 1 piece suite

bare with me on all the novices dumb questions im slowly getting the drift of this bike life style thing any recomendations is much aprichiated

[wheelnut]

In general the more money you spend the suit will be comfier using softer leather from kangaroos scrotums, and safer in the event of a major off. Having said that there is nowt wrong with an 100 quid suit.

A 2 piece suit consists of jacket and trousers, a 1 piece doesn't.

Go visit a local bike shop and try some suits on, sit on a bike with it zipped up and try a few for size.

It doesnt matter that if you walk around in the shop you feel like neanderthal man, they are supposed to be that shape.

[Jester666]

I agree with wheelnut. You will feel like a neanderethal with a one piece on. I got a set of Joe Rockets from my old boss for £50!! Only worn twice!! Then on 11/7/06 I found out how good they were. Check out my avatar for an idea. The leathers survived with battle scars and no split seams or threads! Generally the more you spend the better the quality but a £100 suit is still better than nothing!

Me First for the first time.................Welcome to the madhouse!!!! :lol:

[600+]

From personal experience I prefer the Gore-TEX suits. These are fabric suits not leather and they come in 1 and 2 piece.

The pros are that they don't need wearing in as leathers do and are a bit more comfortable with all the security u need. And they are waterproof as well (if you pay for a fully waterproof that is).

I have gone for Hein Gericke jacket and pants and have to say that they hold me dry even in the stormy weather we got lately.

Here is their link http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/ but the collection they have in store is much bigger.

Best of luck and welcome to the club:)

[Jon Digital]

thanks for the coments guys much aprichiated im now thinking about getting a pretty expensive 2 peice suite

um just another question is there a difference in protection with regards to 2 peice and 1 peice suites or is it just rider choice what ever you prefere (they both do the same job)

[Jester666]

If they are decent quality and have a long, strong zip to put them together there should be no difference. Track day organisers allow 2 piece suits so go for it!! :D

[Viney]

Things i have learnt in the years ive been riding.

You dont always get what you pay for. I know people that have brought expensive leathers only for them to fall apart, and cheap ones to last a lot longer.

If you can only afford one set of gear, then i would get a Textile jacket and leather trousers and a pair of waterproof over trousers. Covers all aspects.
Dont spend huge ammounts. £100-£150 for a jacket, and about the same for the trousers. My stuff gets used daily all year round. Last winter jacket is 4 years old and just started to leak...£100, leather pants, £89 from HG and again, the zip has only just gone...etc etc

Make sure they fit properly. Leather is always tight when new, but will break in the more you use it. According to Sam, leather strethces by 60% which is the next size. Something to remember.

Boots are always difficult items, but i would get a set of waterproof ones. Oxtars are pretty good and fairly cheap. Sidi black rains are/seem to be the boot of choice in london, but i have had 4 pairs now, with various success in waterproofing.

Gloves, well, you can never have too many pairs. Summer leather are a must, and a good pair of winter gloves, Hein gericke Panthans(lobster gloves £35ish) do the job, but over time, you will end up with a glove drawer...im on 8 pairs!!

This of course all depends on how much you will ride. If you commute, then you will end up having probably a textile suit and a leather suit, 2 pairs of boots, lots of sunlgasses, and so on.

HTH

[Rog]

Its not always about how much the leather suit costs. Ive read a couple of reviews of suits were spada suits (£199) have embarrassed some of the more expensive makes in terms of performance. From memory only a made to measure £1000 suit beat them .

If you do intend to use it on track days remember that most tracks will let you use a two piece suit, only if the zip that holds the jacket and trousers together goes all the way round. Some two pieces only have about 12 inches of zip at the back so watch for this.

I personally have a set of textiles and a two piece leather suit.