Question about Teknic Chicane 1-piece

Dear financial advisors-

You guys probably saw that NewEnough has their Teknic Chicane leathers on closeout for $325. If not, don't go buy them, 'cause I don't have mine yet! biggrin.gif

Does anybody have experience with these? It's their bottom line set. I plan on upgrading the padding to Knox CE soon after I get them. I've never even seen a set of Teknic leathers so I have no idea about their quality.

Next, I'm a little over 6' tall and weigh 170 lbs. I had a pair of JR GPX leathers that were size 44 and they fit me great (with a back protector). I'm leaning toward 44 in the Teknic too, but I'm concerned about the inseam. The JR GPX 44 had a 33" inseam and the Teknic Chicane 44 has a 31" inseam. Will they be too short?

I'm just looking for something inexpensive for the 2-3 times a year I'll ride with them. Mostly at the Dragon and the track.

I need somebody to convince me one way or the other. If it's a go then I'm ordering them today...

DarrenC, May 17 2006, 12:00 PMDear financial advisors-
I need somebody to convince me one way or the other.  If it's a go then I'm ordering them today...

I don't have a set... but I would if they had my "big" size in a decent color.

I have several friends that ride in thier one piece suits and all like them. I think it's a bargain for a nice suit.

If it is a matter of price then get them but here is my story (and I stickin' to it)

I came within an inch of buying one piece leathers but after a days consideration I decided that the one piece suit was just too impractical.

I wound up getting a two piece suit that zips together all around the waist. This way I got the pants size that fit best and the jacket size that fit the best.

I have worn the jacket with textile pants and the leather pants with a textile jacket and the complete suit at track days and extended rides.

Nothing gives you more confidence than leather when it comes to protection (not that kind of protection you sick-os) and good fitting leather just plain feels good to have on.

At 6 feet and 170 you may have a fit problem, I don't know but I am 5'9" with a 30 waist and 40 chest measurement. Nothing fits, so I was able to get 30 pants and a 40 jacket that goes well, but even that combo leaves me with a bit more room around the waist at the bottom of the jacket than I would like.

IntAceptor, May 17 2006, 12:17 PM
I came within an inch of buying one piece leathers but after a days consideration I decided that the one piece suit was just too impractical.

While I agree... I've had two piece leathers before... and I have a two piece textile suit now. The one piece leathers are, by far, the most comfortable garment when you're on the bike.

Thanks guys. The fit still worries me a bit. My JR set was 2-piece. I'm leaning toward the 1-piece for simplicity. Plus, I doubt NewEnough would let me get different sizes of a 2-piece on a closeout item. Not to mention to get the inseam I think I need I'd have to get a 40" waist when I usually wear a 32" waist.

The two inches difference you are talking about is going to be covered by your boots, right? You should be good to go.

Ernie

WERA910, May 17 2006, 08:07 AMI don't have a set...  but I would if they had my "big" size in a decent color.   

I have several friends that ride in thier one piece suits and all like them.  I think it's a bargain for a nice suit.

What's wrong, you don't like Lime??? goofy.gif

vfrurknee, May 17 2006, 01:04 PMThe two inches difference you are talking about is going to be covered by your boots, right? You should be good to go.

Ernie

Well actually, the JR were already halfway up my calf. I'm worried the Teknic will be above my boot. Too much of a fashion fo-pah (<- I have no freakin idea how to spell that).

WERA910, May 17 2006, 08:07 AMI don't have a set...  but I would if they had my "big" size in a decent color.   

I have several friends that ride in thier one piece suits and all like them.  I think it's a bargain for a nice suit.

You could also be less comfortable and order the two piece suit for the same price in your size. idea3.gif

I have an older set of Chicane 2-piece leathers (bought in 03), and I'm 6'1" and weigh between 170-185 depending on how in shape I am and how much bicycling I'm doing vs. riding the VFR.

I am not pleased with these leathers I barely ever wear them unless I'm at the track.

They are not built for anyone much over 5'11" you won't know until you try them on yourself but they are basically too "short" for me. And the 1-piece is supposedly "shorter" then the 2-piece in the same size. New Enough pushed me to get the 2-piece due to my height which was probably the correct thing to do.

For me the legs fit pretty good but the waist is huge, and I could probably use a bit more room in the thighs. (Typical fit, built for people with pencil stick legs & guts).

The arms and chest are also pretty tight and I am by no means huge upper body wise. I haven't put them on yet this year but I put a lot of time into upper body strength this winter and I'm quite worried I'm going to have even more trouble with them.

Also I don't know if this has changed but they are basically only good for the track, they breath pretty well due to the stretch panels but they are only comfortable from about 65-75 degrees. Go too much above that and you roast, too much below and you freeze.

For long riding on the street I would solidly not recommend them. For inexpensive track leathers they are fine. (Also they only have one tiny pocket in the jacket, a wallet & a few keys is the absolute max you can fit in that pocket, which is a problem for me since the VFR has no underseat storage.

Since it rains part of every ride here in New England I wear textile 99% of the time but I would really like to upgrade to some better leathers if I get the chance.

Good info Ben, thanks.

I just placed an order for the 1-piece. I emailed NewEnough and they'll do a credit/exchange if they don't fit even though they're on closeout(kudos again to those guys). If they're too short then I'll try the 2-piece option you suggested to get the extra length.

Thanks for the help. I'll keep you posted...

Yah the main thing is just the "height" as they basically top out on height around 6'. I decided to put up with it due to the cheap price and using it mostly at the track... but in retrospect now I think it was dumb. They really are fine at the track cause you wear them for 20-30 minutes and then come in and unzip to relax.

Up to you, New Enough obviously rocks and will let you send them back no problem.

Hey Darren,
Just an FYI....I ordered the "Lightning" two-piece suit from New Enough earlier this year and I needed to go a size up from what I normally wear.

They had a note about the fact that these suits ran on the smallish size...don't know if that's the same with the Chicane.

Anyway, I got the next size up and the fit is fine. It seems to be a good suit(armor, fit, leather thickness, etc.) and for the price which was about $500 at the time, I'd say it was definitely a good value for a quality two piece and fit my needs.

wera803, May 17 2006, 01:45 PMYou could also be less comfortable and order the two piece suit for the same price in your size.  idea3.gif

Are my leathers embarrasing you?

Are you coming up here to paint your fairings this weekend? If so I have to finish the half shafts and put the Porsche back on the ground. Let me know!


Ooops... offtopic.gif

uh, uh, VFR's R great! (Tony the Tiger voice).

I think new enough is great to deal with, they helped me and took back something from me before, no hassle!

I just got a Chicane Jacket off new enough's ebay auctions for $82! What a steal! That jacket is nice....I can't wait to do a review on it. The wife was very upset at me but a $280 jacket for a 1/4 of the price who can pass that up? beer.gif FYI intial quality is very nice and quite comfy. Very tight at the shoulders though