Opinion Please

Hi all,

Whats your opinion on One Piece Race Leathers for road use?

Also, whats your opinion on the Alpinestars Carver suit (I've seen the 1 piece advertised at £499 local to me). Alpinestars quality etc.

Thanks

 

I have an aplinestars one piece suit that I use for the road and love it although can prove tricky when needing to make a pit stop But find it very comfortable to wear and as with anything Alpinestars I think it is top quality the only reason I want to try Dainese next is for a change.

 

I tried on several suits off the peg this weekend.

RST - was too baggy round the waist
Dainese - was to short in the body
Alpinestars - fitted perfectly (or as near to perfect anyway)

So tried on their top level suits but I dont really want to spend a £1000 on something I intend to wear occasionally on a summers day ride out or track day.

If the Carver entry level is good enough, then £500 is on the money for me.

 

I've always loved having a 1 piece for the road, feel very secure in one! Just feels right.

Friend just went from a 2 piece to his first 1 piece and wouldn't go back he said

 

I'm guessing that you're relatively slim then because I found the same as above, and didn't want to spend £1000 so got a made-to-measure for £800.
My guess as to the sizing differences is: RST is British so make suits for the average British male (slightly overweight), Dainese is Italian and make suits for the average Italian male (slightly shorter in the body and in the head).

 

Guys, any more opinions? Lots of views but not many putting pen to paper on this?

Dont mind if its negative, just be constructive thanks

 

I'm five foot eleven inches tall, 13 stone, 46 chest and 34 waist. I think I'm fairly average to be honest, but have broad shoulders and a long reach on my arm.

I know race suits restrict your standing up posture, but I dont want that. I want to be able to walk around, chat and have coffee with lunch stops and not feel like an ape.

 

I've heard about Crowtree custom leathers, and one guy I know has had his for years and swears by them,

But I dont know if I want the hassle of deciding exactly what style I want, what leather, colours, zippers, humps, no humps, protection etc etc etc that comes with designing a custom made suit.

An off the peg decent suit will probably do me for what I want it for..... and yes there is an eliment of posing involved

 

The other issue is....

I dont know if its better to look like a dirty bastard biker dressed in black leather covered in flies and a flourecent green safety vest (as I normally look) on a new gleaming white Daytona 675R.

Or if its better to look like a designer label dude on a new gleaming white Daytona 675R

Havent figured that out yet.

 

I'm looking at getting my first one peice too, so interested to see what people have to say. I love the Spidi track pro, but not sure if I wanna stretch that far!

 

Ref that comment, I used to work in a Motorcycle Clothing specialist, just want to check what you mean by the Dainese being too short in the body?

Please bare in mind that with 1pc they are actually cut as 'race' suits generally (well all the better brands are) and are shaped so that when your in the sports position (ie your stomach is over the tank) you don't have excess leather etc. You should have been in a position where your arms were rolled forward a touch (ie tight across the chest) and slightly bent back because that's the position you will need to be comfortable on the bike.

If you want longer body and slightly more forgiving fit then 2pc is the way forward. Please bare in mind though that the suit needs to be tight, it wil give at least 10% and so it needs to be almost uncomfortable.

If the sales guy knew what he was doing he would have kept you in it for 10 mins to let your body heat get through it and talked you through all the other options to give you chance to get used to it.

Also make sure the legs are the right length, 1.5 inches above ankle bone is perfect as there designed to fit in race boots.

 

Thanks for the comment Phil,

Yes the guy in the shop did tell me its designed to feel comfortable in the race position, and that they are uncomfortable when stood up straight.

However, I dont want that design really. Its just too compromised for when your off the bike doing other stuff.

I've got a track day booked in April at Donnington Park, so this is also why I'm looking around at the moment.

I'm currently using a two piece RST Slice jacket and jeans zipped together and thats fairly comfortable (46 chest UK, 34 waist UK)

I was just thinking of getting a one piece that fitted similar?

 

For me, with Dainese, I couldn't stand up in them as the body was too short for me though the waist was spot on. The backside was very roomy too, looked like I had piles!
If you do want a perfectly fitting 1-piece then going custom made is probably the only option. It's less time to specify the various bits than going to several stores to find one that fits (ish).
The Carver is going to be considerably better protection wise than a 2-piece, and that's a good price too. It's just down to the look, which is personal.

 

Yep, fair play, tbh RST have a more general fit than some.

You will find that some of the Italian brands tend to have smaller legs etc, I can't get in Texport leathers, I can't even fit my legs in them. I have a 1pc Joe Rocket suit which does the job well but you just need to try them.

I would say that if you get a quality 2pc like Alpinestar of the like they should fit you perfectly and you will be really comfortable, just keep looking and best of luck mate.

Obv I meant all my comments as positively as possible and don't want to come across arrogant, just want people out there to be buying the right stuff and having fun (even though I haven't worked in the bike shop for years now)

 

PS. The great thing about custom made is that they often build them so they can be altered, and they often do deals to look after you in the event of a heavy Christmas or a trackday spill.

There are companies out there like Hideout who are doing a great job, many others also.

 

Yeah i have the dainese laguna seca one piece and have the same baggy arse you talk about when standing but in a bike riding position they feel perfect.I have thought of taking them somewhere to adjust around the arse if thats possible.

 

They were baggy for me even in a race crouch!
Yes... I'm saying you have a fat arse.

 

Any more thoughts or opinions?

Especially on Alpinestars quality reputation?

 

Jackets/suits are great - I crashed in my Triumph branded Alpinestars and they're just scuffed.
Boots on the other hand! :?