These are mine, just putting it out there...still got the ZX14, no race bikes anymore for me. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170555939977&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Your text to link here...

How big a guy are you - height, weight, etc.?

Now, or when I bought 'em! LOL!!! They fit me pretty good when I was 220-235 range, 6"2 height. Now, no way! haha

No problem. Thanks for the info.

Steve

Well I'm PMing a member my thoughts on leather gear and though I might as well share since this thread is shortand someone may search it.

Any other thoughts on leather gear? What do you think about proper fit?

My Alpine Stars pants are perfect for me. They fit close but they are not tight. They look good are comfortable and I feel safe wearing them.

not all sizes are uniform in any clothing. One brand of 56 will be smaller than another brand. I have found the size charts to be really accurate though. If you look on the sites, they will tell what measurements fit what size garment. Get a tape measure. Be honest and don’t second guess. If you’re wearing a 34 in jeans, that will be way too small for MC leathers. 36 jeans are too big for me but a 34 is tight on my waist. I was pretty shocked when I used a tape measure to find the actual diameter of my waist around my hips and even more so at navel height. ….but leather pants are $400 and I learned my lesson buying a 33. My Cortech size 33 pants are so damn tight I have a hard time getting my feet up. I actually could wear a pair of jeans that fit like they do though—it has everything to do with the material. This is heavy stiff leather. That accordion stitching doesn’t stretch so easily at a point. I think my A** pants are at least 35, maybe even 36 and they fit just right and are look great on me too (not that I'd go walking around town in them).

stiffness—MC leather is thick and stiff. Harder to move. It’s a toss up between mobility and safety.

pants-jacket zips—not all zips are the same. There are larger and smaller zips and you need the same size on both pants and jacket. You also need to have the the zipper and tongue oriented correctly to one another. You can buy zips from some suppliers to match dif jackets to dif pants.

Leather pants will often stand up straight like a wall in back when you lean forward. If the pants are the right size, There is no avoiding this. LOL wear black spandex pants underneath or use the zip. —Also avoid a short waisted jacket.

waist length—A longer waist is good. Jackets often are cut with the back dropping a couple nches lower than front. I wish my Laguna jacket had that feature.

perforations—this is good for leather. It doesn’t impede the abrasion resistance and it is a lot cooler. Also looks really cool.

Stretch panels and accordion stitching—Look for these. Stretch panels in the arms and between shoulder/chest are normal for race gear. Looks less protective but it’s in an area where abrasion is less likely to occur. Also stretch panel in crotch of pants. If you are relying on these items to stretch so the garment fits when you are standing, it will be way too tight when you sit.

arm length—if the arms are too long when you are standing, this will be just about right for the sport riding position. Too long in the arm is good. Just right in the arm may be annoyingly short when you ride.

collar— Don’t go for a wide collar when fully zipped. Looks like it would be cooler but it will be choking you all the time you are moving over 40 mph. Look for the more typical inch high small collar with the fastener. It is inevitable that velcro will wear out but you can replace that part. A collar snap is nice but not usually easy to find.

All good info Rook.

I've only had experience with two sets of leathers, one 2 piece and a recent 1 piece.

The 2 piece was a local store purchase where I could try it on. This was quite helpful as I never would have ordered anything that said 3XL. It's a SHR brand that's very well made. It has Keprotec in all the right places and a camel back built into the hump. Bladder and tube included. At the time I was 245lbs at 6'-3" and the suit being perforated the break in time was quick. The zippers were of the large tooth YKK but unfortunately sweat and salt eroded the right wrist pull.

Last spring however my wife called me fat (inside joke, she really didn't) I lost 40 pounds in two months and needed to replace my suit, if not the pants. After the weight loss the shoulders fit in the jacket and obviously the height was still fine but leather pants shouldn't fall down past your ass when they aren't attached to your jacket. I thought about suspenders as I really like the suit and even tried to find matching pants with no luck.

Decided to take a chance on eBay with a used but almost new Frank Thomas suit. Now I know the name doesn't carry a lot of credit but at $75 for a one piece perforated I could always sell on CL or at a local track.

I went from a 46 chest to a 44 inch and bought the new suit in 44. The suit showed up and I was pleased and surprised at the quality of leather and overall manufacturing. Of course the liner was basic and the zippers of the small tooth kind but for $75 I was very happy.

Trying on a 1 piece for the first time was reassuring for safety reasons as I no longer was worried about the jacket and pants coming apart. Though that is highly unlikely I know.

New suit was snug and I won't be able to gain much weight but 'like a glove' is a term that applies. Flex panels in all the right places and the neck is roomy.

I did replace the armor with the armor from my other suit. It was a little bigger and thicker making the suit a little tight but after a few rides I see the fit being perfect.

In hind sight I know I got lucky and it's always preferable to try leathers on but if you're willing to take a chance and looking to spend a little less than retail look to eBay. Ask the seller a lot of questions and request lots of high res pictures if buying used. If buying new ask for pictures with the seller holding a measuring tape to critical areas of the suit. This should give you a decent feeling if the suit will fit or not.

It's a SHR brand that's very well made. It has Keprotec in all the right places and a camel back built into the hump. Bladder and tube included.

...now if they would only invent something to accommodate the inevitable result of staying well hydrated in a one piece suit.

I thought about suspenders as I really like the suit and even tried to find matching pants with no luck.

Trying on a 1 piece for the first time was reassuring for safety reasons as I no longer was worried about the jacket and pants coming apart. Though that is highly unlikely I know.

One piece suits are often saggy in the butt to allow for a forward lean. IDK how this helps in a crash though. I guess it's a compromise. The moto GP suits sure don't look saggy ever though. Must have very large flex panels in the lower back.

* Last updated by: Rook on 3/19/2017 @ 12:26 PM *

I own both Alpinestars and AGVsport both of which I think have a superb cut and fit.

Two piece and a one piece.

What are you guys thoughts on the riding jeans with pads? Still not as safe as leather I'm sure. I wasn't ever really that worried about riding gear until I bought this bike. I've definitely changed several habits since the purchase. Wearing a helmet at all times on all of my bikes being one.... Growing up is a strange thing!

'What are you guys thoughts on the riding jeans with pads?'.high sides stress many bones on impact...they can snap bones just from joints flexing.lowsides,usually only the joints and skin get affected.light leather or reinforced jean material w/padding will help and be fine imo.if you get nailed by a cage or hit something solid,not much is gonna save you from bone damage.idk what you're wearing(unless it's a suit of armor!)

i think unless you're wearing a kevlar suit...or something made to not flex on impacts,you'd remove the freedom of riding.just about any decently stout suit will be fine for abrasions.i think yes,even jeans with armour in the knees and such places.the always hope one won't nail a tree or vehicle is the crap shoot.i haven't seen any ridable gear that will stop bone fracturing completely.you take your chances when riding.you ride defensively and pay attention.the hope is you won't encounter any 'hits' that would crack or snap bones.i have several riding combos.possibly stiff leather might help in fracturing,depending.but i'd say the common body armor would need to be covering places like leg bones and arm bones.good flexible but thickish gloves will help stop digit fractures.if they fit snug.same with leathers.snugness to try and stop bone flex in an impact.almost impossible with so many ways an impact can occur.you hope for the best,that's how i think anyway.twisting of limbs,ankles,wrists,necks...they will all snap given the right forces.can't get away from that.i quit worrying about that stuff...i ride in a way that truly minimizes those scenarios.unless someone hits me,my wrecks would most likely be slides.which doesn't really jeapordize bone structure.maybe not high sides,but low side getoffs...they're fairly 'safe'...i think.unless of course,you hit something stationary.i just try and THINK when i'm out there.think offensively/defensively...what could be up ahead.that's the best way imo.consider the scenarios in my head at any given time.i do that alot.i've gone off the road a few times,even hit things doing that.but i haven't ever had a lowside.couple of highsides...yep.they were somewhat mild compared to moto gp and such.ive been fortunate for sure.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 3/22/2017 @ 2:28 PM *

I have several pairs of Kevlar lined pants with and w/o pads. They are not that much cheaper than basic leather riding pants. I have a track day leather suit for the fun stuff

Last year I was on a group ride of about 8 riders. Various bikes and levels with me and an R1 out front. The gentleman on an SV650 right behind me was trying to keep up and ended up in the rhubarb, through some bush and ended up flying into the only pile of sand for 100 miles at the side of the road. He was wearing Kevlar jeans and a textile jacket. No pads in the knees and as a result ended up with a nasty bang from the one bigger rock in the nice soft pile of sand he was lucky enough to land in.

Now, there is no way of knowing what or when or if you'll crash but for me putting leather between me and the furniture when on spirited rides is just peace of mind. Personal choice for sure and yes, bikes are dangerous, but mitigating risk is something my family appreciates. Pluses and minuses really.

when out on a serious run, I'm always full alpinestars leather down..better to protected then not

Yea I'm sure there are many scenarios that nothing will save you. I always try to watch out for others. Never rely on anyone to see me first. I've only recently started acquiring some gear. I have a decent jacket, gloves, boots and helmet. I defiantly feel safer when wearing it. The boots are sure different as far as shifting goes! Do you guys adjust your shifters to accommodate boots or just kinda have to retrain yourself to ride in them

my boots make shifts harder too. one thing you can do is convert to racing shift pattern.

I didn't even realize that was a possibility. I think it's more inexperience than anything on the missed shift and bouncing the rev limiter... I'll try just riding with my boots more. I think getting used to them and breaking them in will help. Should be a good habit to have anyways. My Harley has a heal/toe shifter (which I never use, need to pull the heal part off). I don't see the advantage to it other than keeping from scuffing the toe of your boot.

Every single day I deal with people who are injured in various activities. Motorcycles are quite common of course, especially now as the temps start to rise. I have a few simple tips from over 26 years in EMS.

Wear a helmet ALWAYS! (If you have a family not wearing a helmet is the most selfish thing you can do)

Leather will not prevent a fracture, but soft tissue injuries (road rash etc) greatly complicate and extend the healing time.

Helmet

Boots are not mandatory, but I always wear them (Tennis shoes provide not protection)

Jeans, well unless they are abrasion resistant then they are just leg covering. They may provide protection in a parking lot fall, but anything over 15 mph and they last less than a second or two.

Helmet

Oh and Helmet helmet helmet a real one too.

Accidents happen and so does life, we need to mitigate the risks we take in all our activities. We can do this and still have fun and live to tell the stories. When people are injured the burden is not only on the patient, but it affects the entire family and extended family. Life changing or life ending accidents are painful, extremely expensive and stressful. I see it every single day.
Ride safe and smart.