Any advice on leathers?

[LiquidSilver]

hey all...just wanted to see if anyone had some input/experiences/advice on good riding pants. Not the jean type, i have some of those and while way comfy, i feel a little unprotected in them. Visions of knee caps and butt cheeks laying around...bad deal. I dont plan on ever needing to be protected by leathers...but then again who does? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Batman]

IF you're looking for just riding pants, I would go with a Two piece, or at least the bottom part of a two piece. That way when you feel like you need to upgrade, or want to do a track day, you've got the 360 zip pants/suit. I wasted money on a leather jacket and textile riding pants, only to have to buy a two piece later.....:2cents:

[KnightReiteR]

I just got my Alpinestar A-10 Airflo textile pants a couple days ago and like them so far. Im still wondering on the fit though. The inseam seems to ride high and the legging ends short.
I wasnt sure if A* did that intentionally or if I got the wrong size(50 EU). Regardless, they seem very comfortable, move a lot of air, and are rain repellant. The liner is very comfortable too and where the legging ends my boots cover perfectly.
I expect them to be perfect for summer riding.

[LiquidSilver]

Thanks for the advice... I now see that i already screwed up...but easily fixable. I already have the top half...just dont like the rocket bottoms now that ive looked at them more. What's your take on a onesie? (sorry i just wanted to use that word:nerd: ) okay on a tracksuit?

[KnightReiteR]

Well just in my opinion i dont see using a onepiece practical being that I dont go to the track (yet). Plus when the summer heat sets in, its going to suck ass unless you've grown accustomed to sweating like a pig.
Two piece just makes more sense if you're riding around oregon. More freedom of movement, you dont look like a dork when you hop into a Safeway with a onepiece, and you dont kill youself by heatstroke are some of the things I think of.
Im not a veteran of this kinda thing so its just my 10cents.
Also if you get higher grade two piece, you can still use them for future track days.

[LiquidSilver]

Nick...I will look into the A* textiles...you say they fit a little strange...are you a taller guy? I'm 6'2" and would just a soon avoid the highwader/mantoe situation. I have problems finding pants as it is that fit waist wise as well as length and inseem wise. Guess i'm just built funny. Thanks for the input, though...will definately give the A* a peek.

[roadrunner]

What's your take on a onesie? (sorry i just wanted to use that word:nerd: )


hehehe onesie.. i love my one piece. its got a great liner that comes out for cleaning and it allows the suit to slide on over whatever im wearing at the time. it came with armor all around and the deal for puck to atach to. theres a front part and a bit undet the arms that is perforated and it is awesome. ive used it on track and off. its seen heavy rain as well as 100+ degree temps. i found the one piece to be the most versitile(sp) for me. for super cold days id throw my one piece rain suit over and was perfect. for the ass hot days i would wear minimal under clothing and water myself down. sort of like a rolling swamp cooler with the wind and water. ive never been too hot or too cold in the thing. if you have a choice between a bit tight or a bit loose id go tight because they do a bit of stretching. my only issue is that the thick leather in the ass area makes my back hurt like heck. there is not alot of movement which at times is a good thing because it gives you some support but for me this is due to my back injury. to help in that area i wore some of those gel padded cyclist shorts... on the extra hot days especially at the track i stuffed those blue gel ice packs in the low back area and they make long snake-like ones that were perfect for the arms. the long ones were also good to roll up in a bandana and tie around the neck for a bit of insta cool as well. i love the way i feel in my 'onesie' (one piece). its like stealth mode and it is then that i feel most safe. i got my suit (a honda team suit) at newenough dot com and it was a last year model for much much less than original price. theres another guy on this site thats got the exact same suit though ive never talked to him and dont know where he got his from. anyways... at the track when i was done with my run i would shed the top have and tie it around my waist. never had to worry about where i put my jacket. i supose this just about covers the basics... good luck finding what you like.

[tlrmike99]

I have both, and there are times where I wear the 2 pc. But after getting a 1 pc. that fits nice.. I love it. Mine is a Komodo leathers Mesa suit, and it has two zippers making it EASY to get in and out of, and lots of Perf, so it's coll when your riding, even in the heat.


Anything will be hot on a 90+ degree day sitting at a light.

[YOMAMAR6]

i have the joe rocket perf pants with 360 zip that matches my perf joe rocket jacket fits good.

[rickster]

You pretty much get what you pay for in this area. I like the feeling of security I get from wearing a 1-piece (leather suit, that is; lol). Yes, I'm a little heavier (ok, a lot heavier) than I was when I bought the suit 9 years ago so it's a little tight (ok, it's pretty tight) and it does get a little hot (ok, it can get real hot, even with the perfs.) if the weather's just right, but I'd rather sweat than bleed; it's easier to replace electrolytes than plasma.... For my $$$ a Helimot suit can't be beat. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Now if I could only have the bike back that matched these leathers (the 888-:mecry: sob!).

[Xusia]

I crashed last September in a 2 piece and it came apart. Pulled the zipper clean off. Not very reassuring. I also have a 1 piece that unfortunately I also crashed in previously and it suffered little damage. I suffered no real injuries either time, but for my money I'll not be buying another 2 piece. 1 Piece all the way. Oh, and DEFINITELY get perforated. You won't be riding hard in cold weather (unless you are an idiot), so you have less need of leathers then. If it's early and the temp is a little low when I leave the house, I just wear some long johns under the perforated leathers and I'm fine (I take them off later when it warms up...).

[KnightReiteR]

safety wise one-piece are excellent......if you're a commuter they dont make much sense IMO.

you got to also understand, the people that feel they need to wear one-pieces are usually those that ride a lil more "spirited" than us normal folk.

im not doubting that a one-piece is superb in what its designed for, I just dont see myself riding to work in one.

[Xusia]

OK. I've read the whole thread now and I'd like to set a few things straight. My apologies in advance to anyone I may offend - that's not my intent. I simply want to ensure accurate information is presented here.

1. The only real difference in convenience between 1 piece and 2 piece leathers is that a 1 piece is more difficult to put on and take off, and less comfortable to lounge around in. 1 piece leathers do not inherently offer less freedom of movement - it depends on the specific leathers and how they fit (and you should get ones that fit properly, style or color matching be damned). I have both and my 1 piece is FAR more comfortable and allows greater freedom of movement than my 2 piece.

2. Leathers are NOT necessairly hotter. As I stated previously GET PERFORATED leathers if you plan to use them in the summer (you will thank me later). As long as you are moving even 10 mph it's like they aren't even there from a heat perspective (this may vary a bit from suit to suit - my 1 peice is a Joe Rocket and it can actually downright cold at times if the temp is below 80). If you do plan to ride in the winter, I recommend a textile suit. Have you noticed racers wear rain gear over their leathers for wet races? It's because leathers aren't very weather proof (especially the perforated ones!). Textiles are generally much better at weather proofing and warmth, but as in most situations, this is not universally true.

3. All tracks allow 1 piece leathers. Some tracks and/or track day sponsors do not allow 2 piece leathers. If this is a consideration, you should check with the specific tracks AND the track day sponsor regarding the rules for safety gear.

4. If you care what people think about your safety gear, your head is in the wrong place. That kind of thinking results in injuries. Protect yourself - who cares what you look like. I'd rather look like a power ranger (sorry Bobby!) than to limp for the rest of my life from a lost kneecap because I was concerned about what people thought about my safety gear.

5. Dress for the crash, not the ride. You NEVER know when something could happen. Just peruse this forum and you will realize things happens all the time. Call me crazy, but I think commuting is more dangerous than spirited riding because if something happens in traffic, there is a greater likelihood of a more serious injury. I can personally attest to how well leather protects you from asphault, gravel, etc. I shudder to think how you would fair hitting a car, truck, etc., leathers or not. I also believe when you commute it lessens your awareness because you "get comfortable" and let your guard down. Regardless of what you believe, know there is potential danger everywhere regardless of your riding style and protect yourself from it as much as possible.

OK, that's it. Hopefully I didn't offend anyone! :)

[TAT2D]

No offense taken Brian.http://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/newsmilies/yes.gif
I just upgraded to a one piece for two reasons. 1. Dayglo leathers that match your bike are cool, till you are trying to say "I swear it wasn't me!". Then you are in more trouble for lyinghttp://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/standcorner.gif

2. I had some reservations about the attaching zipper on the 2 piece suit. It actually seperated on me while riding one day. I may not have gotten the little tab all the way into the zipper base before I zipped it up, because it hasn't happened again, but it has been something I've worried about ever since.
Now, excuse me while I go break in my new one piecehttp://eugenesportbike.com/forum/images/smilies/newsmilies/rad.gif

[KnightReiteR]

And Im lookin into gettin one if I can scratch up the dough. No offense taken here. I just like to consider pros and cons (and tend to voice them more than I should) and you proved some obvious big pros in why I and LiquidSilver should get a 1 piece.

I just didnt see it being practical for me at my point/level in riding and saw it as more of inconvenience. Plus the price tag on some of them hurt my eyes.:D Although, the price for a jacket+pants are relatively close unless your looking at race replicas.

Thanks for your experienced insight Brian.

Now excuse me while I go look for a new 1 piece:rad:

[MTS620]

Thanks for the advice... I now see that i already screwed up...but easily fixable. I already have the top half...just dont like the rocket bottoms now that ive looked at them more. What's your take on a onesie? (sorry i just wanted to use that word:nerd: ) okay on a tracksuit?I had a leather shop in Springfield attach my Dainese jacket to my Joe Rocket pants. Only cost me about $35 so don't worry about not having the zippers match. It's easy to fix.