Leather pants. Advice, recommendations?

[Big Dog]

Im a cheap ass. I buy on sale then haggle. That way when sliding on my ass I know the gear will hold. Don't buy gear that you cant look at first.

Wear gear for the slide, not for the ride.

Last couple of trips to Motomail they tell me I can't have leather except in Berik. My budget doesn't stretch that far and there is less leather in the units coverage wise.

A to see it in person? No one will order in for me to try unless I give them cash up front because of my size. Go 6 Auckland stores I shall not shame because I understand why.

Quality wise the only doubt I have is the elastic in the back of the calves on the terminators.

The units I have seen in person have all been high quality leather. Higher than some fancy brands but also very heavy duty. Unlike many fancy brands.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

As I've said I own half a dozen bits of their gear and it has always been great. It's a well known and respected NZ brand.

Do you happen to have either of the units I am looking at?


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[p.dath]

Where is it made?

China I believe, like most other motorcycle apparel.

[Big Dog]

China I believe, like most other motorcycle apparel.

Almost all brands have their kit made in lowest tender factories in Asia. Sometimes the fancy brands are exactly the same kit except for the logos, and maybe the colour of the stitching. Often gear for one brand will be sourced from many unrelated factories. Most factories supply more than one brand.

Much the same as a Westinghouse fridge may have been manufactured in the same factory and with the same part numbers as a Simpson. Just different handles and badges. One manufacturer sells their designs or brands to anyone paying. Or sometimes one designer sells his design to many factories.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[skinman]

it is possible to go & see 1 Tonne in person if you make prior arrangements. It is a nice ride too.

[Big Dog]

it is possible to go & see 1 Tonne in person if you make prior arrangements. It is a nice ride too.

A long one, but a good one.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[1tonne]

Our motorcycle jackets, pants, boots and race suits are all made in Pakistan. NOT CHINA. They are made to very high standards. I have even had people from other motor shops come and purchase our race suits over there own suits that they sell. We have also had people from the NZ Police crash investigation unit come and purchase our gear for personal use. These people would only purchase quality as they see what can happen if they don't.

[Erelyes]

Another thing to always consider is how well the pants are secured.. Modern idea is popper studs and velcro will be secure..... YEAH?

Fair point. I haven't seen too many that are just poppers and velcro though, they are usually that for the 'flap' and then have a zipper underneath. A locking zipper always helps too. On which note...

We have also had people from the NZ Police crash investigation unit come and purchase our gear for personal use. These people would only purchase quality as they see what can happen if they don't.

Got a question regarding the zips on your leather pants/jackets though. Do you use the locking type zippers on any of your gear? They are the type where once the 'puller' is folded back over, the zip can't be undone. (Example)

[GrayWolf]

Fair point. I haven't seen too many that are just poppers and velcro though, they are usually that for the 'flap' and then have a zipper underneath. A locking zipper always helps too. On which note...



Got a question regarding the zips on your leather pants/jackets though. Do you use the locking type zippers on any of your gear? They are the type where once the 'puller' is folded back over, the zip can't be undone. (Example)

Good point Erelyes,
I should have been more 'exact' ..
yes most have a zipper for the 'fly flap' but the waistband securing IS popper/velcro and I can safely say the majority of the pants in the shops do NOT have high quality 'locking' zippers... Once the 'waistband' becomes undone? There is a high risk of the pants sliding down your arse if you slide headfirst or roll, which CAN happen.
It's cost saving and fashion, rather than going the full way for security and safety...... coz the public expect 'value for money'......

[Big Dog]

Our motorcycle jackets, pants, boots and race suits are all made in Pakistan. NOT CHINA. They are made to very high standards. I have even had people from other motor shops come and purchase our race suits over there own suits that they sell. We have also had people from the NZ Police crash investigation unit come and purchase our gear for personal use. These people would only purchase quality as they see what can happen if they don't.

Given you are in the thread I feel it is fair to ask: of the two pair I am currently agonising over which would you choose for yourself if you were in my situation? Ballistics or terminator? And why?

Situation:
Limited budget due to 2 under 2 and still recovering from first home purchase, so if I get it wrong I can't afford to replace for about 2 years.
Majority of riding 24-26,000 km per year are commuting, about 20,000 will be on the motorway.
Another 5-6000 pleasure riding.
On a mix of bikes but mostly a CB1300.
More concerned about safety than cosmetics.
As I can't afford to lose my license living 56km from work 99.999% of riding sensible (and below thresholds for speeding offences) even if some corners get a good serve.

Current plan is to replace ill fitting textile gear with leather that can be re tailored if necessary and a set I overs.

If I get it right, I will be coming back as and when I have budget for a jacket gloves and boots.
I currently have everything but it was all purchased back when I worked in gear sales and now most of it needs retiring. Retiring is something I hate about textiles. Even when they still look whole they can be well useless from wear and tear / uv.
I used to advocate them heavily when I was only travelling 16km to work. But now I want something more durable.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Big Dog]

Good point Erelyes,
I should have been more 'exact' ..
yes most have a zipper for the 'fly flap' but the waistband securing IS popper/velcro and I can safely say the majority of the pants in the shops do NOT have high quality 'locking' zippers... Once the 'waistband' becomes undone? There is a high risk of the pants sliding down your arse if you slide headfirst or roll, which CAN happen.
It's cost saving and fashion, rather than going the full way for security and safety...... coz the public expect 'value for money'......

Hence popularity of draggins. I still wear mine for short hops. I feel mighty exposed in tighter 100km corners though.


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[GrayWolf]

Hence popularity of draggins. I still wear mine for short hops. I feel mighty exposed in tighter 100km corners though.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

Well the 1Tonne bib n brace pants arrived today.
First impression. Hefty, good leather, good fit, just about exact for size selected.
Obviously due to the type of pants there are a lot of seams, again as commented on the Blackhawk Jacket there are a lot of seams where the stitching is 'exposed' rather than the better concealed type. Maybe in this day and age the cost of making gear with concealed seams is prohibitive?
The seams ARE double stitched though. The knees do have armour, but no padding at the hips.
They have elasticated panels on the calfs, and are a close fit on the legs but good for the body.
I will oil them and use them for a while to see how they 'wear in' for comfort.
If they prove reasonable (which for the price I will expect they will) I will be purchasing at least one more pair.

So if that helps in choosing between the Terminator, or bib n brace pants?

[Big Dog]

Well the 1Tonne bib n brace pants arrived today.
First impression. Hefty, good leather, good fit, just about exact for size selected.
Obviously due to the type of pants there are a lot of seams, again as commented on the Blackhawk Jacket there are a lot of seams where the stitching is 'exposed' rather than the better concealed type. Maybe in this day and age the cost of making gear with concealed seams is prohibitive?
The seams ARE double stitched though. The knees do have armour, but no padding at the hips.
They have elasticated panels on the calfs, and are a close fit on the legs but good for the body.
I will oil them and use them for a while to see how they 'wear in' for comfort.
If they prove reasonable (which for the price I will expect they will) I will be purchasing at least one more pair.

So if that helps in choosing between the Terminator, or bib n brace pants?

Thanks Graywolf.
Unless they can do a set of bibs for under $190 delivered I am looking at the ballistics pants as opposed to the bibs. I will keep that in mind though when the time comes have a budget for something other than commuter pants. Much better for very long trips.
Keeps your core warmer etc.

Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[1tonne]

Given you are in the thread I feel it is fair to ask: of the two pair I am currently agonising over which would you choose for yourself if you were in my situation? Ballistics or terminator? And why?

They are very similar. One looks better with a sports bike (Terminator Pants) while the other style is for a casual rider or cruiser (Ballistic Pants).
On both pairs of pants I would not wear jeans underneather (some people do though) as they feel uncomfortable.
I personally like the Terminator pants more but that is because I currently ride a sports bike.

Got a question regarding the zips on your leather pants/jackets though. Do you use the locking type zippers on any of your gear? They are the type where once the 'puller' is folded back over, the zip can't be undone. (Example)

Our garments do not have the locking zip that Alpine Star uses. As already stated, most brands do not use a locking zip.

Obviously due to the type of pants there are a lot of seams, again as commented on the Blackhawk Jacket there are a lot of seams where the stitching is 'exposed' rather than the better concealed type.

The Ballistic Garments are double stitch but this does not detract away from the fact that they are quality garments. A lot of garments from other brands have double stitching (It is very common) and often stitching is exposed.
As for the Black Hawk Jacket and Pants. They have triple stitching in the main seams. Two of the stictches are visable while the third stitch is hidden. Some seams have double stitching where one stitch is visable and one not. If a leather pannel is only decorative it may only have a single stitch.

[Big Dog]

They are very similar. One looks better with a sports bike (Terminator Pants) while the other style is for a casual rider or cruiser (Ballistic Pants).
On both pairs of pants I would not wear jeans underneather (some people do though) as they feel uncomfortable.
I personally like the Terminator pants more but that is because I currently ride a sports bike.



Our garments do not have the locking zip that Alpine Star uses. As already stated, most brands do not use a locking zip.



The Ballistic Garments are double stitch but this does not detract away from the fact that they are quality garments. A lot of garments from other brands have double stitching (It is very common) and often stitching is exposed.
As for the Black Hawk Jacket and Pants. They have triple stitching in the main seams. Two of the stictches are visable while the third stitch is hidden. Some seams have double stitching where one stitch is visable and one not. If a leather pannel is only decorative it may only have a single stitch.

Thank you.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.