which leathers

[mikeapm]

I need to get myself 2 piece zip together leathers for my first track day next year but don't really have much knowledge of good and not so good brands. I see the megestore in swindon is selling Richa and RST jackets and trousers that might be in budget. Any ideas and opinions gratefully received. Cheers. Mike

[Dabz]

My Richa leathers are still going strong after about 7 or 8 years so highly recommend them

[Wes]

Always wear RST, good quality, last well and a decent price.

[wiltshire builders]

Without a shadow of a doubt the best leathers that money can buy are........
THE ONES THAT FIT YOU PROPERLY!
That is the only thing that matters.....that and not matching them to your bike. Blurgh!

[Wes]

Im there (Llandow) with a few others, if you get stuck for anything, pop on over :)

[Rabb]

Wes is spot on - fit and comfort in leathers is all that matters.
I have always done leathers (I dont have any textiles in my wardrobe - and I never have)

Go try some on. They are like boots / shoes - some will fit your body and others just wont.
I have tried the following - Richa, RST, Alpinestars, Arlen Ness and Dainese.
For my body shape and sizes Arlen Ness are the best fit - but you may find that RST leathers fit your shape better.
It just a case of trying some and going with comfort.
If you go for a mid range set you won't find too much difference in quality i.e. Double stitched and Triple stiched in stress areas - Kevlar stiching, crash protection e.t.c.

Comfort and fit is everything.

When you put them on they should be tight because they will soften and stretch with use (so tight is good)
- but they must be comfortable to wear. With a two piece suit fit is important (with a one piece suit it is even more important)
And sizing on all manufacturers is different - thats why you must try before you buy.

P.S. If you buy a one piece that's nice & tight "don't eat all the pies" as you will have problems getting into it and it's a very expensive exchange jobby :-)

[mikeapm]

Thanks for suggestions. Will definitely only buy if a good fit. I found Richa viper trousers were a good fit and comfortable and hub jacket was okay. Not sure about the non leather panels some of the jackets have. I get that this might help with comfort and cooling but wonder how they would stand up to a slide. My current jacket feels more substantial than everything I tried on today- trouble is the zip to join the trousers is only very short. Perhaps I could just spend the money on sale tailor to put a full zip on rather than new leathers. As for colour coordination I already fail as I have a red bike and blue lid.

[mikeapm]

Hi wes. I presume you have been before. Do you ride there or take the bike on a trailer or van?

[wiltshire builders]

I had a zip put on my BKS jacket. Simple enough as you can stitch it to the fabric.
If you have to put a zip on the jeans you'll need a leather specialist.

As for the stretch panels on modern stuff. They're usually on the crotch and inside leg. If that's dragging along the road then a little road rash will be the least of your problems.

[Wes]

Hi wes. I presume you have been before. Do you ride there or take the bike on a trailer or van?

All the above mate, used to ride my road bike over, now ive got a trackbike i will either trailer, or if theres a few mates going, will hire a van togeather