Leathers - what do you use and why?

coullstar · Post by **coullstar** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:43 pm

My current leathers are a bit past there best after a few falls so I am looking for some new ones for the road, the old ones will be used for the racing.
I have used Wolf since starting biking and found them to be brilliant and very durable even after the two or three spills. Not into one piece or brightly coloured leathers either. Might even try a Cordura jacket.

Not too bothered about labels either, as long as they do as they say on the tin so to speak.

Let me know your experiences please.

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:57 am

I had hand made Scott leathers to start with. Lovely with real silk lining, but they were secondhand and that was some 20 years ago!

I also had Spyke. They are good but I did have the lining seperate from the leather on the leg and the zip tah on the front finally went after 3 years.

I now have british made Wolf leathers..and love them to bits. Very well made, the factory will do alteration for you if you need to and they have a removable thermal lining, something very handy up here.

All the armour is Knox, including the back protector and after 4 years all zips, seams and linings are still solid.

Coully · Post by **Coully** » Mon May 14, 2007 6:30 pm

I've worn cordura/ fabric gear from day one, I can see the point of having leathers but to be honest for the amount of riding i do in all weathers it's more sensible to have kit that will do everything. I got frank thomas gear when i was 17 for my scrambler and to be honest it shows it's age now (given i'm 25) soft back pad, elbows and shoulders etc, the salopette breeks are woefully under armoured. I now use clover (got a jacket hand me down from my elder brother and managed to find a set of almost matching trousers in shirlaws and can honestly say they're the mutts nuts for what i do. Leather's good but if fabric is what you're fter then just make sure it's got plenty armour and suits what you do. Hope this helps.

Tyke · Post by **Tyke** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:13 pm

I know leathers have to be zip-together for track days, but are you allowed zip together leather trousers then an armoured fabric jacket?

coullstar · Post by **coullstar** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:45 pm

Not as far as I know.

jbrebel · Post by **jbrebel** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:45 am

If you are looking at textiles check out the Wolf racing textiles. Cut is the same as leathers so good for your 675 and has armour in all the right places.

Oh and I can confirm that they stand up pretty well if the worst happens

I still use 2 piece leathers but really like my textiles for keeping the water/wind out on the colder days

dale123 · Post by **dale123** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:27 am

Hein Gericke seem to have a pretty good range in, own brand and stuff. The Arlen Ness stuff aslo looks good.

Ive used Kushitani, a few Spidi and now Berik. Other than designer leathers, if they look well built they generally are, and like all things you get what you pay for. A good fit thats tight enough to keep the armour in pace where it should be, but comfortable enough to let you relax is important too. Size them when sitting on a bike, and with a back protector on.

Wolf always struck me as heavy, well built leathers too. Scott also make quality stuff.

Post by **Gazza** » Tue May 15, 2007 8:32 am

I have Carrera one piece and Wolf 2 piece. Both very good.

As Dale says, most important is making sure they fit well. No point falling off and finding the shoulder protector moves half way down your arm or the knee protector revolves around to the back.

Post by al » Tue May 15, 2007 12:06 pm

dale123 wrote:Wolf always struck me as heavy

jbrebel · Post by **jbrebel** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:42 pm

Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian) ( Super Nanny ) wrote:
dale123 wrote:Wolf always struck me as heavy

Don't think this outfit will suit Graeme - bright colours and all :I can't believe it's not butter!

yelloisfriedegg · Post by **yelloisfriedegg** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:45 pm

When Niall Mackenzie was racing BSB Ingrid & I were lucky enough to spend the day testing at Knockhill at the same time as the Cadbury's Boost team , just 4 bikes on the track all afternoon it was amazing

The Sun newspaper were doing an article about Ingrid being the only female racer in Scotland (at the time) and because she had an old set of Niall's leathers they wanted a photo of the two of them together in new and old stuff etc.....

anyway , my point , at the time Naill was wearing leathers that said "Wolf" all over them apart from when you looked closely the badges on the neck strap and just inside the zip were all "RS Taichi" like the old set that Ingrid was wearing , it was fairly obvious that it was a Japanese race standard suit with "wolf" badges sewn on to keep sponsors happy , based on this I would say that Mr Mackenzie did not trust his 'erse sliding down the road in a set of "genuine" Wolf leathers

Never had a set myself but if they are not good enough to wear when you are getting them for free like Spuds was I don't think I would bother

.........I've also seen quite a few racers wearing Arai helmets with all sorts of different manufacturers stickers on them instead of the Arai badge , in fact I remember one particular racer getting into trouble for it when his picture appeared in a magazine wearing what was very obviously an RX7RR with an "HBC" sticker on it :I can't believe it's not butter!

Post by **Gazza** » Tue May 15, 2007 12:48 pm

yelloisfriedegg wrote: Never had a set myself but if they are not good enough to wear when you are getting them for free like Spuds was I don't think I would bother

I suppose if I was getting leathers for free I wouldn't be wearing Wolf either.

coullstar · Post by **coullstar** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:01 pm

jbrebel wrote:
Big Kneed Al (master of the emergency stop & "stand up" comedian) ( Super Nanny ) ( Super Nanny ) wrote:
dale123 wrote:Wolf always struck me as heavy

Don't think this outfit will suit Graeme - bright colours and all :I can't believe it's not butter!

Dont know, might have to grow my hair and slim down a bit.

Post by **RK6** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:56 pm

I use a Cortech HRX two piece, bought from Kneedraggers.com very good service excellent pricing and quick delivery!!

Jacket is 3 layers for all weather conditions (even ours)
It has external and internal armour in back shoulders and elbows. Leather and textile mix, its water proof, its sexy and its black and white, what more can you ask for??

Trousers also really welll made, all black and has slots for pucks. also a leaher textile mix and also fully waterproof!

dale123 · Post by **dale123** » Tue May 15, 2007 2:58 pm

Going off at a tangent, it happens with exhausts too. Akropovic state they are the only manufacturer who doesnt pay to provide their exhaust (to WSB), or pay to have their stickers put on others systems.

However they do provide plain branded exhaust systems to race teams, which other manufacturers then pay the team to have their logos put on.

Makes you wonder doesnt it?

Dickie · Post by **Dickie** » Tue May 15, 2007 4:19 pm

If you go to Crowtree leathers in Louth you'll see any number of suits being made and promptly plastered in Alpinestars badges.

coullstar · Post by **coullstar** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:39 pm

Well Ive one road tumble, and three track falls in my Wolf leathers and never had a problem. They do fit very well and I would like to get the same but TBH Im leaning towards Cordura, just for a change.

John, how much was your Wolf jacket as thats the sort of thing Im looking at?

procee · Post by **procee** » Wed May 16, 2007 9:40 am

I've an old (2002) pair of Hein Gericke 'space' leather troosers, a newer pair (2003) of pro sports troosers as a spare with matching jacket.

Textile jacket is a Spada, textile trousers are currently Spada, but they are too baggy round the knees for my odd body shape (short and round) so need to change them. They'll be up on Ebay or somewhere as soon as I get ones in my size (only worn for 10 X 20 minute trips to and from work really).

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:37 am

coullstar wrote:Well Ive one road tumble, and three track falls in my Wolf leathers and never had a problem

I think you do!

..staying on ya bike!

jbrebel · Post by **jbrebel** » Wed May 16, 2007 11:07 am

coullstar wrote: John, how much was your Wolf jacket as thats the sort of thing Im looking at?

Think it was about Â£135 after discount? There are matching trousers to make it 2 piece with full length connecting zip.

Give me a shout if you want to check it out etc.

coullstar · Post by **coullstar** » Thu May 17, 2007 12:41 pm

Backs 400 wrote:
coullstar wrote:Well Ive one road tumble, and three track falls in my Wolf leathers and never had a problem
I think you do! ..staying on ya bike!

How do you know where the limit is unless you go past it.

Road - Big stone on corner, fall off at 40mph, write off bike

Trackday 1 - Warm up lap, cold tyres, oops.
Trackday 2 - Inters on soaking track, new bike, cold tyres again
Trackday 3 - Wets, finding limit, went past it!

Managed to get myself an almost brand new decent Astars jacket from a guy at work, he only wanted Â£20!!! Gave him Â£40 though.

Backs 400 · Post by **Backs 400** » Thu May 17, 2007 1:10 pm

coullstar wrote: How do you know where the limit is unless you go past it.

I know my limit...thats why its been in the garage for most of the year!..I can't believe it's not butter!

DarrenR · Post by **DarrenR** » Sun May 20, 2007 11:06 am

ive had my wolf 1 piece leathers for almost a year now and havent had a problem with them. i had 2 piece alpine stars ones before and they were better finished but almost double what i paid for the wolf ones.

id buy wolf ones again and from what ive read in mags they come quite highly rated

ellonbiker · Post by **ellonbiker** » Sun May 20, 2007 7:04 pm

Dickie wrote:If you go to Crowtree leathers in Louth you'll see any number of suits being made and promptly plastered in Alpinestars badges.

I've heard a rumour that Mr"Crowtree" is retiring this year so if you want a set of these I'd get your finger out.

I wear Alpinestars two piece on the road(cos I'm a poser!) and I've track tested my Texport one-piece a few times to no ill effect

MadG · Post by **MadG** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:35 pm

Crowtree wont take any orders now. I tried last week.