| Author | Message | ||
     Boogiman1981 |
Has anyone bought off of topgearleathers.com? I am not in a place where i can go try things on. and wont have time to wait for shipping later. so i need an online place for my leathers and preferably boots too. already have gloves and a lid. | ||
| Ogobracing |
My two cents worth: You get what you pay for. Leathers in the $300 and $400 range are not going to give you much protection. A friend bought a set of low cost leathers and they were shredded -- stitching ripped out, holes wore through, etc. -- in a simple low-side. A couple hundred more and you will start to get real protection. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
thats fine. if they give me one down im good with that. i am out in Iraq right now and wont need them very often. jsut need to know about this company. i know the quality issues i am looking at with that kind of $$ and that is not the question | ||
| Zac4mac |
I bought a used Motoport suit from a co-worker for $100 when I got my Firebolt. Never wore it until I got my 1125, had to dye it black - didn't care for the "squid" colors. Some web searching, says it was pretty pricey new, hand sewn in England. I had a 20-25 mph low-side last fall, scuffed them a little, but no holes. The suit is a little big, but good on length, so I "pad-up" a bit, which helps too. Zack | ||
| Dave_bogue |
I have bought a lot of leather from www.newenough.com. Very good photos and descriptions. Highly recommended. Dave | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
the site i found for motoport says made in cali and they are kevlar not leather. i am not married to leather. they are still a little more than i want to spend though at 8 bills. really don't want to spend more than 5 for my first suit. not new to bikes but new to sport bikes | ||
| Jaimec |
Questions like this would get far more activity if you posted them in the "Quick Board" where everyone goes, and not here where (theoretically) only us water-cooled Buell riders lurk... | ||
| Jdugger |
Kevlar (like nylon) will get very hot in a long slide and melt into your skin. I'm no expert, but I recommend good, old-fashioned, time-tested, quality leather. $800 is a lot less than repairing busted ass. | ||
| P_squared |
If you're shopping at a certain price-point, then make sure it's mostly leather. The parts that are not leather (expansion panels), make sure they're keprotek (sp?) or similar style fabric. You can find decent deals on eBay, Craigslist, etc. when folks are cleaning out their closet. If you have the time to shop because you don't need it NOW, then take the time to make sure you know all of your measurements & what suit(s) you prefer, then shop accordingly. Just my $0.02 & YMMV. | ||
| Daggar |
Motoport claims to have the highest tear, abrasion and seam strength of any riding gear. It won't melt like nylon. And it's blended Kevlar, not straight Kevlar. I just wish I could afford their suit. | ||
| Whynot |
In the shopping around vein, as P_squared said, there's often a lot offered at good prices on the bike forums and craigs. I got a $400 Alpinestars jacket for $150 that is like new. I've bought a lot of lower priced gear, in-store and mail order, was disappointed, returned a lot of it, sold some, etc., and finally coughed up $1100 for Dainese 2-piece. In effect, by buying the cheaper stuff first, I didn't save anything, but just paid a whole lot extra you could say for the Dainese. Just my way of looking at it, but I know what you're saying, too. The final straw was when I ordered some Joe Rocket leather pants from newenough -- well made, fit perfect around the waist, but the legs were HUGE and that meant that the knee armor would be useless. Anyway, newenough has maybe the best return policy -- check it out. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Brice - My suit is all leather with armor inserts, spandex behind the knee, double thick leather at elbows, knees and shoulders. The leather is heavy and thick, it's around 10 years old. I put a scale together in the garage just now - 7.1 lbs, referenced to a gallon of water. Since I can't change the reference weight, I change the arm length.  Z | ||
| Pariah |
Zack, that's awesome! I have a Cycleport/Motoport Kevlar two piece suit. I have lowsided at Texas World Speedway in it going about 50mph. Minor damage to the $800 suit, repaired by Cycleport for about $100. I had some minor skin abrasion on my elbows, from wearing a short sleeve shirt more than anything. The worst synthetics you can get are the cheap polyurethane coated variety, which melt on your skin. But the Kevlar and Cordura stuff is good. I'm a fan of non-leather material. It breathes well, and doesn't need the maintenance of leather to ensure integrity. As technology improves, leather will be a thing of the past... | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
zac that's awesome and much appreciated. one of the things i hadn't really thought much about is the regular oiling and such that leather needs and i wont be able to provide. as i wont be there. perhaps i need to save a little more and get that one from motosport that's all Kevlar so i get the protection and the ease of use | ||
| Dave_bogue |
"I'm no expert, but I recommend good, old-fashioned, time-tested, quality leather." ============================= I agree. I live in Florida; it's hot and humid. I wear an armored perforated leather jacket and solid armored leather pants on Sunday morning rides. The perforated leather cools surprisingly well as long as you are moving and the solid leather pants act as an insulator from engine heat. I'm not sure, but I think the vast majority of racers wear leather, not synthetics. If I go sliding down the pavement, the leather will be shredded, not my skin. I have a motto on my 'Sunday Ride Information' posts, "Dress to crash, but don't". Dave Sunday Group Rides on the best winding and scenic roads in west central Florida | ||
| Gregtonn |
...Since I can't change the reference weight... Sure you can. If you have a measuring cup or shot glass or even an empty oil bottle with graduations on it. One ounce water=one ounce mass. G | ||
| Highlander51 |
Motorcyclecloseouts.com has Fieldsheer Radar 1 one piece suits for $349.00. I think this suit sells for $599.00. Looks like a good suit, anyone use one of these? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
You don't have to spend a lot to get a good set of leathers. I was able to put together an $800 set of leathers for $300. You just have to keep your eyes open. | ||
| Buelleaver |
does anybody have any experience with the Joe rocket GPX Type R Two Piece Race Suit that new enough is closing out for $485? looks like it might not be a bad deal. (Message edited by buelleaver on June 23, 2009) | ||
| Garrett2 |
i'll be honest, im shocked by a lot of what im hearing on here of people not wanting to spend more than 400 bucks or sometihng. my skin is dang near priceless to me. i went for the best - VANSON. no comprimise. just paid for the best insurance i could in case i go down. wasnt cheap (used jacket + new pants = approx 900 bucks), but i have no worries of poorly constructed product newenough.com rules. hit them up ifyoure looking for a steal and want to work with excellent people who know what they are talking about | ||
| Mainstreamer |
Because Kevlar is light, it is the premium choice for bulletproof vests. A variant of Kevlar called nomex is fireproof and may be used by fireman or people responding to disaster situations. I've owned a Motoport kevlar suit in the past, very high quality kit. Kelvar will NOT melt in a slide..... and leather will NOT stop a bullet! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Garrett, It isn't about not wanting to pay the price, it's about trying to find a set of leathers that don't completely suck at a price you could afford. Many people can't afford to spend $1200 on a set of premium leathers, so for them it's finding a $900 set of leathers at a price they can afford, $400. If money were no object, we'd all have hand stitched kangaroo leathers crafted by nude exotic women from Bolivia. Unfortunately, I spent $300 for leathers that originally cost $900 and are probably 85% of what a set of Vanson leathers would provide me. The alternative was no leathers at all. Even sucky leathers provide more protection than none at all. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Fieldsheer Radar 1 one piece suits for $349. I have a Fieldsheer suit that is probably one step below the one in question. It is built like a tank with very thick leather (1.6-1.8mm)--looks like the Radar 1 is a bit thinner. Honestly, I would like the thinner leather as would be more pliable and lighter. The Fieldsheer will is adequate and for the price a bargain. | ||
| Chameleon |
My first bike was totaled and the Vanson leather jacket didn't have a scratch on it... Worth the $600 price tag. I also rolled down the street in my Vanson nylon mesh jacket and it, too, was without any damage whatsoever. Vanson has earned my trust. They've got some discount deals going on at their website. Worth checking out. http://vansonleathers.com/ | ||
| Pariah |
Who needs nude? The Bolivian skirt-wearing women are equally sexy...  BTW, here's a good read: http://motoport.com/save-your-hide (Message edited by pariah on June 30, 2009) |
