Buying Leathers?

[wayne800]

With the EC track day coming up next year thought it was a good time to start thinking about leathers.

Headed down to local store to try out some cheaper "ready made" gear. Big problem here. There's no easy way to say this - I'm not so tall at 5'8'' but these days I've become a bit beefy so when I try anything on big enough to fit the waist it's way too long in the arms & legs (look like a Daddy Long Legs). You can also hire stuff at the track but I reckon it'll be the same story.

I'm pretty sure I'll have to go tailor made. I called in to see a local guy who does this - DBT leathers. Nice bloke with a good reputation & who seems to do good work. Cost would be around $1800 & I'm guessing that it would be worth the money to go down that route.

Another alternative is to order from overseas. Most of this gear apparently comes from Pakistan. You pay your money (around $700), send in your measurements & take your chances. Even though this is much cheaper, I don't like the sight unseen aspect especially when fit is the critical thing for me. I think Betty/Jukie recently pre-ordered but (a) it was from Italy & (b) they had the advantage of going there to try on at pick up.

Anyone have some experience, words of wisdom or otherwise? (just don't mention the diet word). I'm Sydney based BTW.

[Raux]

there's somewhere online that you can get a suit made for 350 USD. you'll have to search the gear thread for 'cheap or inexpensive leathers'

EDIT: found it http://www.tiltcustoms.com/Home.html

you use their template to do all your measurements (say at a tailor shop) and send in the order form with your desired design, a deposit and i think it has 4 week turnaround.

i personally haven't bought from them. I bought from http://www.louis.de/_4038fa110c448466439a718194dd73f224/index.php?topic=artnr_gr&artnr_gr=208007

[Dannog]

Go 2 pieces. Its easy / cheap and off the shelf. especially if your an unusual fit (like me)

[Betty]

Hey Wayne, yep we sent our measurements but we were always going to meet up for a final fitting ... and in our case lucky we did.

Julie's in particular were miles out - as if they made her pants to my measurements. Other than that I think the hard part is knowing exactly where the measurements are to be taken ... for example where do you measure your calf or your ankle. We took heaps of measurements but its just a bit hard to know where to start and finish on each. For example, there was at least 4 measurements starting or finishing at the shoulder and not necessarily all at the same point.

Because of the armour and tight fit a centimetre here or there could make a big difference.

I also agree with Danno, two piece is good. You may be able to mix and match but just be mindful of being able to zip them together.

[Monstar_100]

im in the same boat...

the gear im wearing is all old stuff that my mate made when he did leathers, back then it was Quinn Leathers...

he is thinking of starting it back up with ace leathers... if a couple of you would like some leathers i could ask him to get is act together...

i would like my own set of leathers

[mattyvas]

A two piece is far easier to deal with, means you can wear the jacket alone for one.
But as said mixing'n'matching can be done. Zippers are cheap and easy to fix to make sure they attach.

In my experience MCAS is always a great place to shop, they are all bike riders and understand any issues.
As I said to Rob S a while back, go see Wil tell him I sent you in and he'll sort you out for sure.
You can get a top of the range jacket and just a pair of pants that do the job. Especially if you might not use the pants
all that often.

I am having a new jacket re-zipped to fit my shift pants at the moment all in Wil's good care.

[Betty]

In my experience MCAS is always a great place to shop, they are all bike riders and understand any issues.
As I said to Rob S a while back, go see Wil tell him I sent you in and he'll sort you out for sure.

Just to clarify is Wil at MCAS in the city?

[tonymtber]

Give this guy a try:
http://www.motoleathers.com.au/

Their products are made in Pakistan but the quality is very good.  I purchased one of their jackets a while back & its a good product & he is very helpful....& yes they will custom make to fit you.

Cheers
Tony

[mattyvas]

Yep MCAS City on Wentworth Ave.

[wayne800]

Thanks for the feedback - will follow up on these suggestions.

In summary:

2 for Tailor made via the internet
2 against
2 for tailor made but local
2 for "off the shelf" but in 2 piece

Consensus at its best on the OzMonster Board. 

[Big T]

Thanks for the feedback - will follow up on these suggestions.

In summary:

2 for Tailor made via the internet
2 against
2 for tailor made but local
3 for "off the shelf" but in 2 piece

Consensus at its best on the OzMonster Board.  

Just to upset the apple cart.....

I managed to get a 2 piece off the shelf that fitted me.

Went for the Ducati (Dainese actually..) Corse only because it fitted me.

Brand irrelevant, 2 piece highly recommended, just get one that fits you....  

[loony888]

i found 2 piece leathers to be a real pain, the overlap where they zip together is too bulky and in my case at least, wearing just the jacket didn't work because it was too short. i'm only 5'3" and finding leathers is impossible so i'm going to have to get a new set made cause i've_ahem_ out grown my current suit.

paul.

[Spider]

thinking of going to Tiger Angel.....anyone herd anything....

and I'll take a full ensemble of T-Pro Forcefield armour for it too.

[brimo]

I used to have a two piece from Mars in Melbourne, custom made, good price and no trouble for mods over the years as my waistline grew, and liners needed replacing.
Was just in the shop last week and the quality looks as good as ever, (sh!t, was it really 25 years ago I bought that stuff) one of the other things I particularly like is it doesn't have a big brand name stuck all over their gear.