ATN: Cheap quality leather (and other stuff)

**phil_elvey** · 30th March 2004, 21:25

I just received today a set of Dainese leathers that I brought over the internet from a Co called Motorace (www.motorace.com). They are awesome! 2-pc black suit with all the armour (real decent stuff, too) and they look the shit. The whole lot cost me $1100! Hundreds less than if I had gone to buy a suit of similar quality here in NZ. As you can probably guess, I am stoked.
Only took a week from ordering (had to wire the funds through) to getting the goods on my saliva drenched doorstep. I had no problems dealing with them and would recommend them to anyone. I only looked around their site for leathers (they sell Dainese and IXS, a US brand), but I'm pretty sure they have many other items like all the synthetic jackets etc. Well worth a look if you're in the market for some new riding gear.

**fzr400rr** · 30th March 2004, 22:41

Yep, now that the dollars strong you can do that sortta stuff. What do ya reckon your leathers would've costed 3 years ago when the USD was at 37cents.

**tlronny** · 1st April 2004, 11:53

Just as a matter of interest - I recieved a pair of Honda leather pants today from www.cycledeals.com and they came in at under $NZ390 which I thought was pretty good.
There were no hassles and it took about 2.5 weeks from start to finish.
I will definitely be buying any stuff off the 'net from now on (or until the US$ drops).
I reckon the local stuff is hugely overpriced !

**festus** · 1st April 2004, 12:15

Yes buying local does cost a lot more!.
How did you get on getting the right fit?. I see that as a bit of a issue, esp with a jacket, you want to get the fit right...........

**White trash** · 1st April 2004, 16:43

IMHO locally made leathers are of higher quality.

With the exception of, wait for it, Harley-Davidson gear.

I had a Shoei jacket that was supposed to be the ducks nuts but was majorly inferior to my Natural Wear jacket. Just stylier to look at.

**k14** · 1st April 2004, 16:52

Originally Posted by White trash

IMHO locally made leathers are of higher quality.

With the exception of, wait for it, Harley-Davidson gear.

I had a Shoei jacket that was supposed to be the ducks nuts but was majorly inferior to my Natural Wear jacket. Just stylier to look at.

So your telling me that a local company makes better quality leathers than my $2000 italian made spidi's?

**White trash** · 1st April 2004, 16:59

Sorry, should have read "in most cases", my mistake.

But, in saying that. Have you fallen off in your $2000 itallian made Spidi?

A very close friend of mine, who is also an accomploshied road racer, bought a new set of Spidi race leathers last year.

One tumble later (about 140kph) and they were split at the seams so badly he had to borrow a set to continue the meeting.

My Leda leathers (ex Robert Holden) have been down the road so many times it's not funny. I still wear them to retro style fundays on my SRX.

My Natural Wear jacket is unmarked! after a 200kph spill at Tokoroa 6 years ago however the Shoei jacket disintergrated at 80kph.

How many top level road racers wear off the shelf leathers? Sod all. They're built to a budget and you're paying for the name, my friend!

**Marknz** · 1st April 2004, 17:06

Originally Posted by k14

So your telling me that a local company makes better quality leathers than my $2000 italian made spidi's?

I'd have to agree with WT on that one... NZ & Australian made leathers (mine are Tiger Angel from Melbourne), are far better quality that anything you'll get from Europe or the US. And I'm let to believe, and stand to be corrected, that you can't get replacement zips for Dainese leathers anywhere other than from Dainese.

**k14** · 1st April 2004, 17:15

No, i havent been for a tumble in them (hopefully i wont) but i bought them with the impression they were in the top few quality and safety wise. Also thinking that if the top motogp and sbk riders wear them, then they must have been good.

Guttered about that.

**White trash** · 1st April 2004, 17:23

They are good leathers, just off the rack.

Top level racers have those companies tailor make them. That's the difference.

Stay upright, it'll never be an issue.

**SPman** · 1st April 2004, 19:03

My Spyke (Italian) leathers are made in Indonesia!!!!!

They are really comfy, but, 1 minor spill almost rooted the top of the shoulder seam.....Hope i dont have to rely too much on their durability!.....Tiger Angel next , I think.

LB · 1st April 2004, 20:21

Originally Posted by White trash

My Leda leathers (ex Robert Holden) have been down the road so many times it's not funny. I still wear them to retro style fundays on my SRX.

Which set of Robert's leathers have you got WT? (just curious, as I remember most of the ones he had.....)

**SPman** · 1st April 2004, 21:01

Originally Posted by Lynda Blair

,,,,,,(just curious, as I remember most of the ones he had.....)

Hmmmmm.... an interest in race riders, leathers.....Hmmmm

**SPman** · 1st April 2004, 21:05

Originally Posted by k14

............................
Guttered about that.

And I thought ESOL students had trouble with english.......

**XRNR** · 1st April 2004, 21:41

Yep,

Like that brand, well made. Been down the road in my Natural wear jacket lots. Put lots of holes in it too. Replaced lots of panels still like it. Always been repaired by Scarlatti Leathers. (Gets the holes cause its been down the highways were the road is surfaced with a cheese grater, not the smooth as, race track)

Wife's got Natural wear 3/4's + Jacket too.

Hearsay, says that NZ leather (itself) is very good quality tough leather, better than what other countries produce.