Leather or textile jacket and trousers?

LRJimmy · Jun 22, 2020

T.C said: ↑

Race suits are skin tight as much as you can only go so far before it starts to cut off the circulation, but in any case, 1 piece are designed differently because of the racing crouch and position on the bike.

On top of this, leather will give by up to an inch to inch and a half over a very short period of time which is why you look at the majority of riders in 1 piece it looks like they have sh1t themselves when they are off the bike because the arse goes all baggy due to the difference in stress areas.

With a textile suit, you cannot get the tighter fit because there is no give in the material. You could add in loads of elasticated panels but this would compromise the integrity of the strength of the garment.

1 piece suits are designed for use on the track where everyone travels in the same direction, with nice large run off areas and, importantly, none of the road side furniture that you get on your average A class road. In the event of an accident, medical help is usually with the fallen rider before they have stopped sliding, and everything is contained within a tightly controlled environment. On the road however we are not afforded that luxury. In the event of a serious crash we could be waiting for a considerable time before medical help arrives.

This is where the main issue arises between wearing a 2 piece and 1 piece. A well fitting leather (and this can apply equally to jacket and trouser combination) will, in the event of serious injury, act as a splint for broken bones and, in some cases, reduce blood loss. With a 2 piece, if the rider is suffering from lower body injuries the trousers can be removed quite easily allowing medical personnel quick and easy access to the injury and minimizing the amount of discomfort suffered by the rider. If there is a combination of lower and upper body injuries and it is obvious that, for example, the rider has broken his collar bone, then the jacket can be left alone as it will be supportive leaving the paramedics to concentrate on the area most in need of attention.

Put the rider into the same scenario but this time wearing a 1 piece. The leathers will not be able to be easily removed without great discomfort or the risk of further injury to the rider. Although the paramedics may be able to eventually cut through the leather to gain access to the injured part of the body, this will be time consuming and, in the golden hour, could prove to be critical.

Then there is the issue of practicality. How many times have you been to an event on a hot or even just a warm day, and seen riders walking about with their 1 piece race suits tied in a knot by the arms around their waists, while those who choose to stay covered up tend to look like they are carrying a couple of kilos in their underpants? This is due to the different stress panels on a 1 piece compared to a 2 piece since the 1 piece is designed for the racing/sports bike crouch. 2 piece leathers actually keeps their shape better for longer, not to mention the fact that when you are off the bike you can remove your jacket and remain more comfortable.

The issue of 1 piece versus 2 piece leathers has kicked off many lengthy discussions during presentations I have made to motorcycling clubs up and down the country, and I could take up another two or three pages going into the pro’s and cons of the two styles.

It does come down to personal preference, but give me a 2 piece every time.

I will try and post some case studies up later if you are interested.
Click to expand...

Very well put @T.C

Lozzy · Jun 22, 2020

Don't forget that in the summer heat....the third option.....Darwin Adventure Gear can be very comfortable.....

Kindly demonstrated here by ex Mr Lozzy

SimonRR · Jun 22, 2020

So much easier to cut off in the advent of being in an RTA too, win win

Kentblade · Jun 22, 2020

All I can add is that from my own experiences of going walkabout on the track a number of times at indecent speeds I want as much cow as I can get between me and the blacktop, friction burns are pain, but the alternative is unbearable, so a vote for decent leathers, and 1 piece all day long.

On the road it’s a mix of textile and cow.

Leather or textile jacket and trousers?

LRJimmy Active Member

Lozzy God Like

SimonRR God Like

Kentblade God Like

Share This Page

Useful Searches

Leather or textile jacket and trousers?

LRJimmy Active Member

Lozzy God Like

SimonRR God Like

Kentblade God Like

Share This Page