Buying Leathers

[Guest]

Hello all, I am new to this area of the forums. I have been racing cars for years so I am attempting to dip my toe into some time on the track and a few lessons.

I can rent leathers for about $100/day from a local shop but I would prefer to spend 200-300 on some that I can continue to use. I have been shopping around Ebay for some time and sizing them doesnt seem too difficult if you have all of your measurements from a good tailor. However, I was just wondering if anyone can add anything that would be helpful when buying my first set, especially site unseen. Brands, features, other things to consider

[mmattockx]

I can't say much on sizing, I tried both my sets of leathers on in person before buying. I would say that you don't want to buy cheap ones, in the same way that a cheap helmet is a bad idea. They are safety equipment first and foremost. Make sure the suit has decent armor (usually CE certified/rated) and if you need to wear a back protector (many road racing organizations require it) you need to have room in the body to fit that as well. Look for venting/perforations if at all possible, leathers are unbelievably hot even on moderately warm days and I see your location is New Orleans, so you have a lot of days much hotter than that. Both my sets of leathers are Joe Rocket and I am happy with them. Decent quality, decent armor and a fair price.


Mark

[stetracer]

Aro Customs best fitting leathers I have ever owned. $600 for the set.

[stetracer]

Another look

[greg78gs750]

another option for the budget conscious is used on ebay, one can have them altered by a tailor (with experience in moto leathers) for a more custom fit and still be ahead

[Burque73]

I found some decent leather racing pants at a thrift store. First Gear is the brand. They fit me perfectly but I ride bikes that dont really warrant that type of gear. It sure would be great if you could use them. I wear a 29x30 or 32 pants.

[Big T]

You'll need to double or triple that $300 budget to get anything worthwhile in terms of protection.

Cheap leathers are cheaply sewn and mediocre quality materials

When you're sliding along the track and all of the seams are coming apart and your skin is grinding off, those $300 leathers are not going to seem like a bargain.

That's why when you look at race suits, you can easily spend 5 times your budget. You get what you pay for.

I'm on the WERA forum and a guy just posed the same issue and went with Syed Leathers

[trippivot]

mine are from Ebay -- seller exchanged both jacket and pants until I had a set that fit the way I liked them - under $400 total. inner pads and all - and I have been getting 3 years life out of them.

[tas850g]

i would recommend these if you can’t find a used suit: http://www.svrider.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382514

i have a pair of there gloves and they’re holding up better than the A* GP techs.

[argonsagas]

Hello all, I am new to this area of the forums. I have been racing cars for years so I am attempting to dip my toe into some time on the track and a few lessons.

I can rent leathers for about $100/day from a local shop but I would prefer to spend 200-300 on some that I can continue to use. I have been shopping around Ebay for some time and sizing them doesnt seem too difficult if you have all of your measurements from a good tailor. However, I was just wondering if anyone can add anything that would be helpful when buying my first set, especially site unseen. Brands, features, other things to consider

As you are in Louisiana it will be more than a little bit of a stretch, but I F you are in the Toronto area the first weekend in January, we have a BIG annual motorcycle show. (They bill themselves as the largest motorcycle show in North America)
With over 400,000 sq. ft of display and booth areas, almost anything you can think of, new, used and for almost any bike or personal use is available. Prices are often very good and still may be negotiable. Over the years I have purchased several helmets and a couple pair of boots at 1/2 and even 1/3 of their regular price, all brand new.

http://www.motorcyclesupershow.ca/

[Carter Turk]

I went into a local salvage shop yesterday specializing in mostly furniture and household items.
They surprisingly had three nice full suits (size 44-46-50) for about $600.
Looked to be a former racer at Willow Springs, by the name and patches.
One had a little crash damage that looked minor- all seams intact.
The other two looked barely used and all had speed humps, pucks, perforated mid sections and removeable liners.
Revit, and Pilot were the brands.
The scuffed one had a claimed $2600 retail price for $600, had no size, did not fit over shoulders, figure it was a 44.
I tried on all three, 6' 1' 240lbs, the 46 fit if I hunched like on the bike, probably no room for back protector, 50 felt better, but a little roomy in the mid section.
I scored my 48 AGV Sport at a pawn shop for $175, done about 8 trackdays in it.
Back protector fits in, though very difficult to get the last shoulder in it.
We have a local shoe stop place that does leather repair, had a new front YKK zipper and a leg to knee mod done to it for $50.