Cheap Custom Made Leathers From The Internet

I used to discuss but found the shot-putt a bit easier

 

My only concern is fit. I had Vanson make me a jacket a few years back. They sent me a form showing me how to take all the various measurements, and there were loads! However, it still didn't fit properly and it cost me a fair bit to get it altered in the UK. I've not looked at the site, but if they use quality leather and proper stitching I can't see the issue.

 

Better than jeans and a t shirt.

Unless they've been tested to EU standards, or even BS standards or whatever standard that applies (which one would assume the branded gear does, although...) I just wouldn't trust them completely. But as I said, better than jeans and a tshirt.

Mind you that also assumes the testing is thorough. I have no idea. I rely on it without really giving it a thought.

Your skin. Your choice. Your responsibility.

My Dainese Summer Jacket - Made in Bulgaria, Autumn - Made in Bosnia. My Trousers and Boots - Made in Italy.

I don't care where they are made as long as they are made well and comform to industry standards to protect both me and the worker.

Ive been up the road enough times to value giving my skin and bone every chance I can.

Without certification you take a risk. It may be a calculated one that you win. Who knows. I'm not a suit builder.

 

Ive seen tools riding in tshirt and shorts, no gloves. Popping wheelies and hooning.

I won't even ride to the shops without being suited and booted. Shit can and invariably does happen when you least expect it and at its most inconvenient time. You might get away with it some of the time. Maybe get lucky and get away with it all of the time. Why take the chance? Its unnecessary and foolish. Ive had a vans rear wheel drive over my head.

Something is better than nothing. I see pics of guys on here in jeans and shoes. You takes your own chances in life Tom. You should know that better than most. Google suit construction and get better informed before committing. Know what you are buying into.

Then tell me coz I can't be arsed to look.

 

For armour the European standard no.s are EN 1621-1:2007 and EN 1621-2:2003. By law it has to have a CE mark.

Leathers have to be tested and approved to European Standard EN 13595-1:2002.

If they don't conform to these standards I'd stay well clear. Short term gain could be a long term loss if you had an incident and the insurers refused to pay out (injuries etc) because you weren't wearing CE approved clothing.

 

Ask the full time track day fellas and the racers if they'd wear em. They'd be the people i'd listen to.

 

Decent used leathers are easily available Spidi T2 Hydroback One Piece Race Motorcycle Leathers EU 46 UK 36 Exc Con | eBay

 

Just had a quick look at the site and I couldn't see any mention of armour or CE or euro standards, any reputable company would have that info at the top of their marketing, couldn't see any specs at all about the materials used either.

 

In fact I find some more info on the webshite - Quote "All goods are subject to a strict one month guarantee - this starts from the date in which the suit is dispatched." lol, bollocks to giving them any business.

 

Not for me. A decent suit lasts for years (over a decade) so it's not a huge investment in the scheme of things for a top notch one.
There was a time when Asian suits were made from Asian cows - the thin bony ones. I don't know if that is the case now. Then there is also the environmental problems from Asian tanneries (Italian ones are a lot stricter on this according to a programme I saw recently).
In the 80s I binned my bike at the Bungalow on the Island and found that my full leathers (this was the 80s, so the quality wasn't what it is now) were not all they could have been. My padded knee just shredded. Took them in to Manx Leathers for a repair and the bloke looked at them in disbelief: " I could rip that leather with my bare hands! This is the leather we use - and we put three thicknesses in the knees."

I got a bit picky about my leathers after that.

Having said all that, you'll probably be fine.

 

I notice in their "contact us" area of the website they give no address or location and only a mobile phone number by the look of it. I don't think that would inspire me with confidence, what do you do if you do have a problem or you just want a personal fitting?

 

Funny old thing, leathers. It's easy to forget that maybe 20 years ago no leathers had armour, and Frank Thomas was considered a top brand. Now FT is bargain bin stuff and even your waterproofs are armoured. It pays of course to buy the best kit you can afford, but not everyone can stump up a grand for a suit. It's also true that the right logo can add far more to the price than the suit is actually worth - BKS springs to mind.

But how can you tell without seeing/feeling the stuff in the flesh? The best leathers I've ever owned were made by Weise (British, despite the german-sounding name), the lining in my Dainese suit fell apart in short order, a pair of their gloves were just dire, and one of my longest-lasting jackets was made by Frank Thomas. I couldn't honestly say that I would buy any more Dainese kit, cos the kit I've used has fallen short. Similarly, I have 3 textile jackets, 2 RST and one Hein Gericke, the HG jacket is falling apart, not what you'd expect. Meanwhile a cheapo pair of textile trousers from City of Leather in London are outlasting all of them.

Truth is you can't tell at all. You can only assume that Dainese and Alpinestars use the best quality leather, you can only assume that non-branded stuff is made out of bin liners. Until you get the gear in your hands and take a bloody good look at it, assumptions is all you can make. Buy the stuff that looks and feels best to you, and pray to god that the bumph about CE armour, tough stitching and quality zips is true.

Personally, I reckon the money's better spent on riding lessons...

 

Neither am I, generally in life you get what you pay for, brand name stuff does have a premium price for that brand name, but the reason it has a premium is generally because it is better

Custom made - you need to go and be measured up properly in person

Don't want to pay premium price for brand name kit? other options look for sales for last seasons gear / discontinued lines or find a new up and coming brand that has top quality but does not yet command the premium price tag

 

Tough one...
You'll always get the "not invented" here brigade, same with cheap levers. Or you must be funding international terrorism if you buy outside of the US/UK!
As Nick says, what would worry me is the fit. I have a couple of sets of Wolf Leathers, not because I'm a fan of the brand, simply because if tried loads of different ones on and Wolf fit me just perfect!
Last year I mail ordered a set of Dainese Leathers, same (advertised) size as my Wolf Leathers, had to sell them on.
Poor fit and IMO pretty poor quality.

 

True in some cases.... But there is no doubt in my mind they we (the consumer) are robbed blind everyday on a multitude of products and services by clever marketing an a perceived value.