Leathers - one piece and advice.

Ricky_t · Post by **Ricky_t** » Dec 5th, '07, 20:22

Hi all,

I am doing the llandrow track day next year but my textile jacket is not acceptable on the track so i need to buy a leather jacket.

As i prefer my textile jacket on the road i have decided to go for a one piece suit.

I am thinking of getting the Dainese Monza or Dainese Nitro.

I went to the NEC bike show and there were so many manufacturers and leathers ranging from £75 to £1000 and I became a little confused and felt they were quite expensive at the show. I want to buy a suit without compromising on safety for a few quid.

1) Is dainese the best and safest manufacturer of Motorbike leathers?
2) Is spending £s on a one piece suit sensible?
3) Any other recommendations and what do you wear on the road and track?

deej · Post by **deej** » Dec 5th, '07, 20:55

Its all down to personal choice on brands and also how much your prepared to pay/have to spend

my personal choices would be dainese/arlen ness or alpinestars as i beleive in the old saying the more you pay the beter you get and in my opinion i'd say thats definetly true with leathers and helmets.

i have come off in a dainese and a berik suit and not had any problems with the quality of the leather and the stitching. my mate came off at 45 wearing a top of the range frank thomas 1 peice and it ripped to shreads so he ended up paying jerry to repair and re stitch them all. she wasnt too impressed with the quality of that suit.

r1dave · Post by **r1dave** » Dec 6th, '07, 05:42

AGV Sport made to measure £385

Bladerunner · Post by **Bladerunner** » Dec 6th, '07, 11:28

I run Hein Gericke in Taunton, we specialise in motorcycle clothing and I have been in the trade 10 years aswell as racing with BEMSEE for 2 years.

In answer to your questions Dainese is not the best manufacturer out there, they are quite good but you pay a big premium for the name, as you do with Alpinestars. If you want the best you have to look at the likes of BKS, Crowtree and Hideout made to measure suits, although these are also very expensive, but you do get what you pay for.

As someone else has already mentioned I would recommend Arlen Ness, their suits are about as good as it gets for 'off the peg', and they are one of the few suppliers that actually sell the same spec suit as they supply their racers: £899 gets you their top of the range kangaroo leather suit which is exactly the same spec as the suit worn by Shinya Nakano when he had his famous 200mph crash in MotoGP. If you do not want to spend that much bear in mind that their cow leather suits are much cheaper but still very good quality, you get a lot for your money. If you need any more convincing just buy this weeks MCN and look how many racers are wearing Arlen Ness, and remember what I said about the suit they sell being the same as the suit they supply their racers.

I'm sure someone will point out that I do sell Arlen Ness, however I also sell Alpinestars amongst others, so I am giving you an honest opinion and not trying benefit myself. I wear Arlen Ness myself aswell. Hope this helps.

bambam · Post by **bambam** » Dec 6th, '07, 13:54

so which one r u at the shop.r u the one that does arai lid advice.
is pete still there with his manky duke

Funky · Post by **Funky** » Dec 6th, '07, 15:05

Are BKS the guys in exmouth that you can order the made to measure stuff and design it yourself on the website?

little nick · Post by **little nick** » Dec 6th, '07, 15:06

I went with BKS - made to measure for a little over £!000 - money well spent - it's a lovely pieve of kit, worth every penny.

I had to go made to measure as I am only 5'2" & off the peg don't fit. I was looking as best part of £8-900 for good off the peg, so spending £200 extra was not too bad!

BKS are local aswell

Bladerunner · Post by **Bladerunner** » Dec 6th, '07, 21:28

bambam wrote:so which one r u at the shop.r u the one that does arai lid advice.
is pete still there with his manky duke

I'm Adam, I am the Arai tech guy, younger one with the Fireblade. Pete is still there, he's still got all 3 of his Ducatis, he loves them, but he's also just bought a Buell Lightning aswell.

deej · Post by **deej** » Dec 6th, '07, 22:08

think the cheapest bks suit is now 1400quid which is a lot to spend on your first suit especially if you dont like/enjoy the day. set yourself a budget and stay within it

Blimey · Post by **Blimey** » Dec 7th, '07, 21:56

Also things to consider here other then makes is what you want out the leathers. I personally would only go for a 2 piece as its easier when out doing rideouts. Just take the top off in the summer and chill when walking around rather then havin a baby grow hanging around your waste.

I have a Alpinstars 2 piece and crashed and slid on these on a trackday and felt confident and they are still doing strong

BKS are in Exmouth

age · Post by **age** » Dec 7th, '07, 22:08

I have wear an Arlen ness i piece and I have to say it's a great piece of kit. I have not crashed in them so I can't tell you how good they are.

My Mrs loves the stretch pannels in them as they show off me man hood (on a very hot day).

Age

julian · Post by **julian** » Dec 7th, '07, 22:11

If you get a 2 piece, look to see how the zips attach. I would always go for the suits with the zips attached directly to the leather, not attached to the lining. I’m sure their fine, just feel leather is stronger than fabric. I’m no expert though………………..

Blimey · Post by **Blimey** » Dec 7th, '07, 22:14

Yeah but AGE mate don't you think 1 piece looks tooooo babygrow like on us NORMS

I know it makes the man hood look bigger, But its quality not quanity

How ever its spelt, wheres this spell checker i have been asking for, for years now

age · Post by **age** » Dec 7th, '07, 22:22

Blimey wrote:Yeah but AGE mate don't you think 1 piece looks tooooo babygrow like on us NORMS

I know it makes the man hood look bigger, But its quality not quanity

How ever its spelt, wheres this spell checker i have been asking for, for years now

TART

Ricky_t · Post by **Ricky_t** » Dec 7th, '07, 22:57

Thank-you for your mixed advice. I am going to price up, just a dainese leather jacket and have a look at BKS. I only want the one leathers for trackdays only and although i want a decent set of leathers over £600 is out of the question since i will only use them occasionally.

Amrik