Advice on leathers please

**Sniper** · 27th September 2005, 15:32

Originally Posted by duckman

I've got a Spidi set and love it.

It really will come down to you trying on different sets and seeing what fits your "body type" the best.

Also the colour will probably influence you the most ... go on laugh ... I bet it bloody will!!!!

It does...

**James Deuce** · 27th September 2005, 15:34

Make sure the seams are double stitched and the armour sits exactly where it is supposed to.

**Sniper** · 27th September 2005, 15:38

Ok, thanks Jim, (STUPID question) but how will I know the seams are double stiched. Different threat or ?

**Hitcher** · 27th September 2005, 15:38

Hmmm. That may explain the chaffing...

**Hitcher** · 27th September 2005, 15:39

Originally Posted by Sniper

Ok, thanks Jim, (STUPID question) but how will I know the seams are double stiched. Different threat or ?

FFS. Take your mum with you, She'll know.

**MotoEquip** · 27th September 2005, 15:40

Originally Posted by Sniper

PS: MotoeQuip (TonyB) I may very well not buy these leathers so I definetly have you as my first supplier!.

Well recovered ;-)
Mine aren't due in till early November. If you can't wait it's not a problem.

**Sniper** · 27th September 2005, 15:41

Originally Posted by MotoEquip

Well recovered ;-)
Mine aren't due in till early November. If you can't wait it's not a problem.

Not that I mind waiting. I just wanted to try on and check out some leathers before buying. What brand are yours?

**MotoEquip** · 27th September 2005, 15:58

Originally Posted by Sniper

Not that I mind waiting. I just wanted to try on and check out some leathers before buying. What brand are yours?

Good plan. Mine will be branded "Minotaur" after the mythical monster with the
head of a bull and the body of a man. It's my brand, which I hope to eventually sell overseas as well. They'll have a silver/grey bulls head logo on the shoulders and knees, and 'Minotaur' on the forearms. Pics of the first ones off the production line will be posted as soon as I get them.

**vifferman** · 27th September 2005, 16:19

Originally Posted by Sniper

Ok, thanks Jim, (STUPID question) but how will I know the seams are double stiched. Different threat or ?

Stu, I tried to find an excellent illustrated website I'd seen that showed the different seam types, but couldn't. Basically, the simplest seam is where two panels are just overlapped and sewn together with one line of stitches. If the stitching is abraded through in a slide, the panels come apart. Another bad kind of seam is where coloured panels are added to make the suit pretty, but are not sewn on top of the main suit, but just overlaid at the edges. Because the coloured panels stick up, they catch and the edges get worn away in a slide, and the suit fails.
The best types of seams have panels sewn together back-to-back or front-to-front, then the leather is folded over the top of the stitching, then there are one or more rows of stitching through the folds. Then even if the top layer of stitches is worn through, the suit maintains its integrity.

The simple answer if you don't know what to look for is to buy some recognised brand, check out the label on the suit for info about the construction, or check out their website for what they say about the way that suit is made. Look for kevlar or equivalent thread (not waxed cotton or nylon, both of which have low abrasion resistance), seams that show they've been folded over to hid one or more layers of stitching, and feel the abrasion-prone areas like elbows, shoulder, seat, knees, etc. to make sure they're genuinely two or more layers of leather, not just panels sewn on to look like they're double thickness.

**placidfemme** · 27th September 2005, 16:25

Originally Posted by Sniper

Does anyone have pics?

PS: MotoeQuip (TonyB) I may very well not buy these leathers so I definetly have you as my first supplier!.

lol only 3 pages late in my response... heres a pic of my spyke leathers

**jrandom** · 27th September 2005, 16:27

Originally Posted by placidfemme

lol only 3 pages late in my response... heres a pic of my spyke leathers

mmm, black.

bet you look dead sexy on your ZXR wearing those.

**placidfemme** · 27th September 2005, 16:29

Originally Posted by Fish

mmm, black.

bet you look dead sexy on your ZXR wearing those.

the pants give me baggy ass syndrome... most pants do lol but the jacket is a perfect fit

nice and heavy too

**jrandom** · 27th September 2005, 16:32

Originally Posted by placidfemme

the pants give me baggy ass syndrome... most pants do

more pies, girl, more pies. listen to the people who know.

Originally Posted by placidfemme

but the jacket is a perfect fit

nice and heavy too

theres just something... sumptuous... about wearing a nice heavy leather jacket, isn't there?

**Quasievil** · 27th September 2005, 16:34

Well couldnt let the chance pass me by, this is my Brand

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...678#post359678

Im getting them in as you all no and I got a heap just arrived so if your interested let me know, you wont be disappointed with the quality or the fit they are extremely well made.
My supplier wont tell me who but he makes for a leading european brand, like most big names they are made offshore in Pakistan or similiar. Good thing to my ones will cost you $500 for a set , cant complain about that huh ?