Two-Piece Leather Riding Suits

TWO-PIECE LEATHER RIDING SUITS

CW EVALUATION

SEPARATED BY MORE THAN ZIPPERS

THE LATE MIKE HAILWOOD SPENT THE better part of his two-wheeled racing career cloaked in the most basic of black leathers. Padding was minimal at best, consisting of little more than a second swatch of leather at the shoulders, elbows and knees.

In the 14 years since Mike the Bike's untimely passing, roadracing leathers have progressed to incredible heights, offering comfort and protection well beyond that which Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini or even Kenny Roberts enjoyed. Street rid ers, too, can benefit from these advance ments, as evidenced by the 14 two-piece * leather suits shown here. When evaluating these suits, we neither crashed in them nor ripped them apart in the sterile confines of a laboratory. Instead, we focused on features, protection, quality and, of course, value. We've rated these suits according to the following legend:

* Poor ** Average ***Good **** Excellent ***** Best

AGV SPORT GRAND TOURING

AGV (5711 Industry Ln., Unit 38, Frederick, MD 21701; 301/663-4550) Price: $890

AGV Sport’s Grand Touring suit is manufactured in Italy by Corner. Top-grade, 1.2-1.3mm Italian cowhide is used throughout for its natural feel, elasticity and resistance to tear and abrasion, says AGV. Highlights include two interior breast pockets, a dropped back, reflective striping and a velcro-adjustable mandarin-style collar. The pants have a zippered, snap-close waist, two zippered handwarmer pockets and accordion panels above the seat and knees. Both garments are mesh-lined, and dual-density, molded-polyurethane foam covers the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees. Seams are double-stitched, with triple and quadruple stitching in high-impact zones.

Rating: ***~/2

A solid, nicely constructed suit with useful features.

BATES ROAD RACE TWOPIECE

Bates Leathers (3700 N. Industry Ave., Suite 102, Lakewood, CA 90712; ; 310/426-8668) Price $967

Bates Leathers uses only topgrain, 1.31.5mm, first-cut cowhide. Custom sizing and choice of colors is guaranteed, and each piece of leather is checked for strength, thickness and quality, says Bates. The Road Race Two-Piece employs closed-cell foam padding and a second layer of leather at the shoulders, elbows and forearms, hips and knees. A second layer of leather covers the seat. The mandarin collar is velcro adjustable, but open-mandarin and snap-closure collars are also available.

Additional options zippered vents ($15 each), perforations (large or small, $ 10 per section), oval-shaped spandex at the elbows or knees ($30 per pair), extra lining pockets ($11.50 each), outside pockets ($15 each) and striping ($60). A full repair service is available.

Rating: ★ ★★★ More expensive than standard, offthe-rack suits, but Bates' options, custom sizing and quality leather are worth the price.

BMW MONACO

BMW (300 Chestnut Ridge Rd., P.O. Box 1227, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675; 201/307-3790) Price: $1800

At a suggested retail price of $1800, the German-made Monaco suit is the most-expen sive in our comparison. But unlike the other offerings, the Monaco is waterproof, thanks in part to its removable Gore-Tex liner. The outer shell is vattanned, 1.2mm cowhide, specially impregnated to repel water and improve breathing. Removable, preformed Suprotect padding is fitted at the shoulders, elbows and knees, and there is a pocket for BMW's optional back protector. Breast and handwarmer pockets are complemented by a removable waterproof pouch. Additional features include a full-circumference zipper and a perforated liner. The Monaco is only available in black.

Rating: ***`/2

Protective benefits of leather, with breathability and moisture protection of Gore-Tex. Relaxed fit, but expensive and lacks hip protection and vents.

ERBO PRO STAR

Helimot European Accessories (1305 Old Oakland Rd., San Jose, CA 95112; 408/298-9608) Price: $1295

The Erbo Pro Star is manufactured in Germany from 1.2-1.4mm, top-grain cowhide. It has a padded, mandarinstyle collar, brass zippers, four zippered pockets and is fully lined. Graphics are sewn over the bottom layer of leather, not pieced together. The pants have an elasticized waist, a full-circumference zipper, accordion panels above the knees and seat and stretch Kevlar inserts behind the knees. Protection comprises plastic cups sandwiched between closed-cell foam at the shoulders, elbows and knees, with Erbo’s Kevlar-backed, multi-layer padding at the hips. Ventilation is supplied by thousands of tiny holes in the front of the suit. Several color choices are available.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

Excellent teatures and protec tion, but expensive.

DAINESE LUCE

Motorace (P.O. Box 861, Wilbraham, MA 01095; 800/628-4040) Price: $975

The Italian-made Luce is cut slightly looser than Dainese’s roadracing suits for a more-comfortable, off-track fit. Topgrain, 1.0-1.3mm cowhide is used throughout, and the jacket and pants are cut from the same hide to ensure uniform coloring. Foam-backed composite plastic is located at the shoulders, elbows, foreanns and knees, with a layer of closed-cell foam at the hips and shins. The Luce is the only suit in the comparison with standard replaceable knee pucks. Other features include a mesh liner, a full-circumference zipper, three zippered exterior pockets, a reflective strip across the back of jacket and accordion panels above the knees and seat. Double leather covers the seat, and extra-long leg zippers and perforations behind the knees are standard.

Rating: ★★★★

Solid, well-tailored, functional suit. Only available in black.

FIELDSHEER LAGONDA

Fieldsheer (485 East 1 7th St., Suite 400, Costa Mesa, CA 92627; 714/642-6877) Price: $900

Made in Korea using 1.2-1.4mm, drum-dyed cowhide. Fieldsheer's "safety" stitching-one seam folded and stitched within another, leaving only one seam exposed-is used through out the suit. Features include mesh lining, a padded mandarin-style snap collar, one interior pocket, a dropped back and a full-circumference zipper. Memoryfoam padding protects the elbows, shoulders, knees and hips, and there are pockets for Fieldsheer's optional, closed-cell foam. Ram-air ventilation complemented by perforation in sleeves, under arms and behind knees. Available in three color combinations.

Rating: ***

Graphics match those of late-model sporfbikes. Minimal storage capacity.

HEIN GERICKE HYPERSPORT JACKET AND SQUADRON PANT

Intersport Fashions West (333 South Anita Dr., Suite 1025, Orange, CA 92668; 714/978.7718) Price: $926

In addition to its Firstgear and Vetter lines, Intersport Fashions West produces the Hein Gericke Limited Edition Hypersport jacket and Squadron pant. Both are manufactured in Korea from 1.3-1.4mm, top-grain, drum-dyed cowhide. Features include reflective panels, a velcro-adjustable mandarin collar, and full-circumference and 10-inch waist zippers. Plastic cups adorn the shoulders, elbows and knees, and a temperfoam backpad protects the spine. One inside pocket and two zippered handwarmer pockets provide storage space. The pant has an adjustable, elasticized waist, padded hips, accordion panels and anti-bunching inserts behind the knees. Both garments can be purchased separately.

Rating: **~*

Stylish, but price approaches that of custom suits. Good dealer availability.

MOTOPORT AKITO OLYMPIC

Motoport (6110 Yarrow Dr., Cortsbad,CA 92009; 800/777-6499) Price: $496

Motoport’s Akito Olympic suit is constructed from 1.4mm, drum-dyed goatskin, which, according to the manufacturer, provides higher tear strength and more abrasion protection than cowhide. The mesh-lined Olympic includes a full-circumference zipper, a snap-down mandarin collar and double stitching at critical seams. Ventilation zippers are located in the arms and back. Removable TriArmor (plastic membrane sandwiched between foam) protects the back, shoulders, elbows, forearms and knees, with a layer of foam at the hips. Knee sliders are sold separately. The Akito Olympic comes with a two-year guarantee, and the jacket and pants can be purchased separately. Several color combinations are available.

Rating: **~/2

Bargain priced with good features, but lacks the feel and luster of cowhide.

HELIMOT FLASH

Helimot European Accessories (1305 Old Oakland Rd., San Jose, CA 95112; 408/298-9608) Price: $1150

The Flash is manufactured in San Jose, California, using top-grain, 1.52.5mm, competition-weight cowhide. Protection consists of molded plastic sandwiched between closed-cell foam at the shoulders, elbows, forearms and knees. At each hip is a waterproof combination of closedand opencell foam backed by Kevlar. Zippers are underlaid with leather in all exposed areas. Two zippered interior pockets are standard. Included in the price of our suit were accordion panels above the seat and knees, and Kevlar inserts at the crotch, elbows, behind the knees and under the arms. Venting costs an additional $80$120. Graphics are applied over the base leather, not by piecing sections together. Helimot offers a complete repair service.

Rating: *****

The best of the bunch. An outstanding suit with top-notch features, fit and protection.

PRO SPORT PRO STREET

Nichols Motorcycle Supply (4135 W. 126th St., Alsip, IL 60658; 800/323-4488) 1 Price: $272

At $272, the Pro Sport Pro Street is the leastexpensive suit in our comparison. It is manufactured in Pakistan from drum-dyed, 1.4mm, split-grain cowhide, and nylon stitching is used throughout. Pro Sport's Proform padding-a high-density foam-covers the elbows and knees. Additional features include a mesh liner, a snapdown mandarin collar, a full-cir cumference waist zipper and accordion panels above the seat and knees. The Pro Sport Pro Street suit is available in three color choices.

Rating: *~/2

Construction and fit below industry standards. Lacks extensive padding, but a good deal for the money.

TEKNIC MAGNUM

Specialty Sports Limited (5905 Belding Rd., Rockford, Ml 49341; 714/642-9038) Price: $680

Teknic’s top two-piece offering is the Magnum sport-touring suit. It is produced in Korea from 1.4mm, drum-dyed cowhide, and has a velcroadjustable mandarin collar, a full-circumference zipper, double-stitched seams and accordion panels above the waist and knees. Sponge rubber padding and a second layer of leather covers the shoulders, elbows, knees and hips. Dual-density foam is also available, and will slip inside the liner pockets. Underarm vents and perforated forearms supply fresh air. The Magnum is available in five color combinations.

Rating: ***

A good, mid-priced suit. Color choices match current bikes.

VANSON SPORT RIDER

Vanson Leathers (213 Turnpike St., Stoughton, AAA 02072; 617/344-5444) Price: $848

Vanson uses top-grain, 1.21.5mm, drum-dyed American cowhide in the manufacture of its two-piece Sport Rider suit. Both jacket and pant are fully lined, and can be worn separately or zipped together using the attached 10-inch panel. Vanson racing armor is located at the shoulders, elbow, forearms and knees, and can be removed through a zipper in the liner. Underarm holes and zippered exit vents provide ventilation. The pant has ribbed expansion panels above the knees, two zippered pockets and one snap-close hip pocket. Legs are tapered to fit inside riding boots. The jacket can be purchased in a wide range of colors and graphics; pant is only available in black.

Rating: ★★★★

l Leather is of high quality, as are f zippers and stitching. Custom sizing is available. A very good value.

VETTER TURN 2

Intersport Fashions West (333 South Anita Dr., Suite 1025, Orange, CA 92668; 714/9784 7718) Price: $474

Manufactured in India using drumdyed, 1.1-1,3mm, topgrain cowhide, the Turn 2 jacket boasts rotated sleeves, a dropped back, nylon lining, an elasticized waist with a iull-circumference zipper and Intersport’s patented ventilation system. The shoulders and elbows are foam padded, as are the hips and knees. Two-ply nylon thread is used at all seams. The pant has accordion panels above the seat and knees, and perforations behind the knees. Both are backed by a comprehensive warranty.

Rating: ★★

Good choice for budgetminded rider, but lacks pro tective benefits of more-expensive suits.

Z CUSTOM LEATHERS VOYAGER

Z Custom Leathers (15902 Manufacture Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92649; 714/890-5721) Price: $1030

Z Custom Leather’s two-piece suit is called the Voyager. It is manufactured from 1.2-1.3mm top-grain, vat-dyed cowhide, finished to Z’s specs. The jacket has an action back with perforated facing, and zippered air vents in the chest, back and biceps area. A two-piece waistband and sloping back covers the full-circumference waist zipper. There are two external cargo pockets and one inside breast pocket. A second layer of leather and precurved, anatomically correct closedcell foam protect the knees, shins, elbows, forearms and hips, with foam only at the shoulders. A second layer of leather blankets the seat. All zippers are brass. Options include piping ($30), plastic armor ($25 per pair) and coolvent stretch inserts behind the knees ($35). Prices includes custom sizing and a dry-cleanable finish. A full repair service is available.

Rating: ****

An excellent custom suit with good features and a reasonable price. □ ^