Leather advice

[spyderchick]

Dudes and dudettes, just a reminder as we come to the end of the season, check those leathers over to see if they will be in any condition to be used next year. I've had a few questionable sets come through here lately, and they were borderline.

If your leathers feel 'crispy' or like jerky, time to replace them.
If they have a few crashes on 'em, check them over for integrity.
Get 'em cleaned.

BB has posted the way to do them yourself, you can take them to a dry cleaner, (make sure they use leather process cleaning), or you can send them to Barnacle Bill, myself, or any place else you can find that will clean them. You need to get the sweat and grime out of them in the off season so they don't get eaten by the salts and minerals.

Now is the time to start planning for next year. :)

[cbr600_mj]

Alexa,

I have a question for you, if I may ask.

If I were to be in the market for a new set of leathers, what brands would you recomend?

And when trying them on how snug should they be with a back protector on as well.

Thanks for your help!

Mike

aka Swampting lol

[Xian_13]

'lexa...

When applying patches with a staple gun....
Do you have any recommendations for staple size?

J/k

XIII

[spyderchick]

What brand to choose depends on your budget, how often you ride and the fit.

My basic hands down fav suit is still the RS Taichi. After that, there are different suits within most brands that will work. My value pick right now is the Hein Gericke Celtic suit for under $600, but as it's getting close to the end of the season, bargains will be coming out of the woodwork. Start looking for deals with in the next few weeks.

Word of caution: don't fall for those eBay ads of 'custom' suits for $400. They are mostly poorly made Pakistani suits, and not suitable for racing or aggressive trackdays. If you want a truly custom built value suit, go to Barnacle Bill. If you want blingy custom, NJK leathers can deliver.

When it comes to fit. it's what you're comfortable with. Suits should be snug, but not tight. Too loose will cause flapping, and worse still, your armor could move out of position during a crash and cause injury upon impact. The best way to judge if a suit fits is if it doesn't come to mind when you're riding in it. If you feel yourself adjusting stuff when on the bike or becoming uncomfortable to the point of distraction, you'll need alterations.

[spyderchick]

'lexa...

When applying patches with a staple gun....
Do you have any recommendations for staple size?

J/k

XIII

Yes, first, make sure you use a really toxic epoxy cement to hold the patches down. Next I would advise using 3/8" staples applied with a pneumatic staple gun. Wearer can be in suit, but that's optional. If that doesn't work, 8mm nuts and bolts should work as well. 

[Jeff]

Alexa, do you have thoughts on Fieldsheer?  Of the off-the-rack suits I've bought, I've had 3 sets of FS leathers that fit well and crashed VERY well.  Bang for the  buck I've always liked them...

[Noidly1]

Gorilla Snot works great for patches too...

[Burt Munro]

'lexa...

When applying patches with a staple gun....
Do you have any recommendations for staple size?

J/k

XIII

X,

Depends on whether you're wearing your leathers while applying the patches.