Need recommendations for one-piece leathers....

Hey guys -

I'm shopping for a leather suit. I can spend a couple of thousand, but have no interest in paying a premium just to buy a "label".

My riding is mostly street - but here in NV, there's some rather high-speed open road riding, too. I intend to do a few track days, too.

It gets d*** hot out here, so I'm VERY interested in a well designed ventilation "system" - and that probably means lots of perforation....

Any suggestions???

Doug

For that kind of money, get one custom made! Don't buy off the shelf, unless you really find one you like.

I have a friend & his wife who both had custom suits made from Helimot & they highly recommend them. I have seen 'em & they are very nicely made!

http://www.helimot.com/aboutus/index.shtml

Waiting to decide about ordering my own. Researching also!

dbrown, Apr 30 2006, 05:31 PMHey guys -

I'm shopping for a leather suit. I can spend a couple of thousand, but have no interest in paying a premium just to buy a "label".

My riding is mostly street - but here in NV, there's some rather high-speed open road riding, too. I intend to do a few track days, too.

It gets d*** hot out here, so I'm VERY interested in a well designed ventilation "system" - and that probably means lots of perforation....

Any suggestions???

Doug

well, at the track i crashed while wearing my vanson suit. my leg was trapped under the bike for a good portion of the slide. no damage to me. minimal damage to the leathers.......

jim

dbrown, Apr 30 2006, 02:31 PMHey guys -

I'm shopping for a leather suit. I can spend a couple of thousand, but have no interest in paying a premium just to buy a "label".

My riding is mostly street - but here in NV, there's some rather high-speed open road riding, too. I intend to do a few track days, too.

It gets d*** hot out here, so I'm VERY interested in a well designed ventilation "system" - and that probably means lots of perforation....

Any suggestions???

Doug

I just bought a one piece myself, and did a significant amount of shopping around before I decided on an Alpinestars SMX2 suit. It was on sale for a little under a thousand. I also have a two piece Vanson, but its extremely thick and hot. I really wanted a Spidi suit, but I had some issues with the quality of their gloves. I've worn Dianese suits (they rent them at the Kevin Schwantz School): they're nice, but not necessarily better than the Alpinestars. I almost went with RS Taichi -- some friends swear by them, but they are having some distribution issues right now. If you want a fully perforated suit, the SMX2 may not be your best bet, although it does have a ventilation system that works okay.

Take a look at Frank Thomas. I have the 2-piece Strike suit and have already crashed tested it dry.gif . It held up beautifully. As a matter of fact, I still wear it. They are not too expensive; I think I bought mine for around $600.

If you're interested in custom, take a look at Barnacle Bill:

http://www.racingleather.com

I just had a custom one piece made and looked at Vanson, Barnacle Bill, Helimont and a couple of others. After talking with many people, I decided on Zooni Leathers out of San Jose, Calif. The work is impeccable, timely, detail oriented and the owner is just one hell of a nice guy.

As far as off the rack, the only one I am familiar with is Frank Thomas. After buying the suit for the other half, we noticed stitching coming undone etc. Then, reading some stuff on the internet, also confirmed problems with stitching.

The Zooni Leathers are guaranteed for life on the stitching, even if you crash them. the price was about $1400.

Thanks for all of the good info guys!

My only reservation about a custom suit is the time required to travel to ....wherever.... for measuring / fitting. But I guess it might be worth the investment of time.

Keep the shiny side up!

Dude you're in Vegas... call Greg at Freddie Spencer's 643-1099 and tell him Will Smith sent you... He will get you an awesome deal on some Vanson leathers... and then just run down to the Speedway and pick them up.

[image: user posted image]

Thats me on saturday at Spring Mountain raceway in Pahrump on 4/29 in my Troy Lee designed Vanson leathers that Greg sold to me for $650. I had a red vest on over it but they are white, grey and black. Perforated all over to get good airflow and it works pretty good as long as you're moving.

dbrown, Apr 30 2006, 10:29 PMMy only reservation about a custom suit is the time required to travel to ....wherever.... for measuring / fitting. But I guess it might be worth the investment of time.

Only traveling you have to do is from Henderson to Las Vegas Motor Speedway fing02.gif

Wingspan, May 1 2006, 02:19 AMIf you're interested in custom, take a look at Barnacle Bill:

http://www.racingleather.com

Second this... I'm on my third set of leathers now... and need a new set. If I was going to spend a grand, I'd get a Barnacle Bill set... no question.



Unfortunately, I'm probably not gonna be able to spend a grand...

I have a Fieldsheer Tungsten that is well made and well under $1k. Perfed and even has the speed hump on the back. They were $700-800 three years ago.
You might find a closeout somewhere for a lot less. Look at Brockton's.

Ernie

I pretty much wasted my Prexport leathers this past weekend, so am looking for a new suit, too.

Custom leathers are great, especially if you are not "off the rack" built. But if you are more or less regularly sized, you typically get more features in a standard suit for the same price.


Has anyone seen/tried these suits from "GP Leathers" sold on e-bay for $499? Repsol Honda Leathers (Other styles available.) There is some convincing feedback from CCS riders.

(BTW: CycleGear has Frank Thomas Strike suits on closeout at $299. Strike 1 Piece Suit )