Huge improvement in my riding...due to...?
 

...New leathers! If you feel a bit cramped in your current set or feel its time to change...do it...DO IT NOW!

On Yer Bike had an open evening today...so I popped over early after work to see what they had going on. Not much to be honest, but I did evetually give in to my demons and purchased some new Dainese leathers...which they had up for £200 less than rrp.

The diference between these one pice jobbies and my old two piece cheapies is truely amazing!

I have tried on several makes and find the dainese to be a great fit...and once moving on the bike...I'm slightly gobsmaked.

I suddenly have the freedom of movement to clamber all over the bike, hang-off here and there...knee out...the lot! I guess this also meant more control, less tension, better body position...etc. It felt 200% better than ever before.

This is coming from someone who is yet to get their knee down, however...I'm not suprised it has been so hard in my old kit..it was soooo restrictive by comparison.

So the ride back (I kept the new gear on and left mine at the shop !) from OYB to Oxford along the 4011, a road many of you know well, was the best ride I have had to date on two wheels.

Just had to share it as I am still grinning.

Roll on Monday:roll:

[Edited on 20-7-2005 by Harv748]

Nice one ;)

Keith Code ( twist of the wrist ) said he gained two seconds a lap by getting new leathers. :cool: :cool: :cool:

You'll be wanting a spot in the next group up then :)

Glad they've made such a noticeable difference for you, Harv. My experience of one piece leathers tailor made, compared with Dainese 2 piece, is:-

Pro - I've got the best possble lightweight armour available and Kevlar inner (only £130 extra).
Con - not good for road riding because it's a struggle to get my leg up onto the pegs due to tightness - may ease up.
Pro - can wear a back panel in these which was not possible in the 2 piece which had no room for a back panel.
Con - have to get help to get out of them and going for a pee is a major hassle.
Pro - They probably look more professional than my 2 piece
Con - they cost twice as much.

I mainly bought them because I thought I may be racing in the DD next year. Now that I've decided I'm not, mainly on account of events this year, I wish I'd bought a tailor made 2 piece. But hey ho - when I'm a famous writer/lawyer I'll be able to buy new leathers on a whim :D:D:D

Ruth

I know we discussed this but i think my brain got sucked out somewhere en route so can you tell me again where you got them etc.

Your rear looked particularly good (can i say that :puzzled: )which for one peice leathers is well worth the investment in my view :D


If anyone else is looking for a set of one piece i have a set of Alpinestars going up for sale

[Edited on 20-7-2005 by Lily]

Thanks Lily :lol::lol:

MJK - Flitwick GLF Accessories - ask for Graham Falcke - tell him Ruth sent you - 2nd thoughts, don't, he'll probably bump up the price :D. 01525 717009. He's very good at his job so I'm happy to recommend him.

PS your arse looks mighty fine too ;)

This thread is getting a bit arsey.

Glad you got something fashionable finally Harv! :smug:

I'm sure there would be no shortage of volunteers :devil:

I usually get roped in - oh, the things I do for this club! :D ;)

good on ya harv

im looking for new leathers but only coz i put on more weight, thats married life for ya ??

so is a 1 peice a looser fit than a 2 peice or is it just in the mind. i dont like the look of the fuss it takes to get out of a 1 peice when you stop at a pub for lunch etc but if it makes riding easier then go for

p.s. harv whats this with not getting your knee down, its a peice of cake on your old bike and yes im loving it now

Its just a case of never REALLY trying that hard, and feeling that it was not really possible in the gear I had anyway. That was part of the reason why I decided to get some new leathers...over the past 18 months or so doing CSS levels 1/2 and several TD's it has become aparent that one of the key things holding me back now is my body position, and something as simple as a new, well fitting set of leathers has made a world of difference.

Now I wouldn't be at all suprised if I lose my knee down virginity as soon as monday.:smug: the difference is that great.

As for the 'ol 748...good to hear its still going strong...are you doing Cadwell?

dont think new leathers would sort my body position out and let me get my knee down:(

not doing cadwell but may try to fly over after the gp and say hello to you lot, depends on how were feeling after the rest of the weekend really !!

you'll find a lot of benefit of getting your knee down,with my knee down i can carry about 30mph more corner speed through my loacl twisites than i did before, my only problem know is getting stuck behind a erratic amte on a il4 that blasts down the straight but cant corner for toffees but is so unpredictable you wouldnt knwo where to pass him.


bradders if im 16.5st and get my body into position im sure you can

ball of foot on outside of peg acting as a pivot, so your leg is parallel to the floor, arse cheek off the seat ( alot as it feels weird at first ) and keep your head up looking where your going and you'll soon touch the knee down. i was trying everything until i did the ron haslam school and the only thing i wasnt doing was cornering with my foot on the outside of the peg, once i got that sorted i was laughing, hope this helps you

I would like some too...But I still havent found a one piece, that fits well,that I like or at the right price:(

1-piece good!
 

I had my 2-piece converted into a 1-piece for the racing by 9-lives in Guildford.
I never used to feel comfy moving round the bike too much, not so much the Mike Hailwood school of loosely sitting still on a bike more like a feeling of being cut in half at the top of my thighs :o , it hasn't helped me get my knee down, that's more to do with my back being too rigid (well it does have a certain level of built in carbon & titanium reinforcement!), but I'm fast running out of toe-sliders :devil:

i agree with you mark, one piece leathers make a huge difference. when i changed from 2 piece to one piece i kept my old ones as i thought i would use them from time to time as they are more user friendly. being able just to take top half off etc. but one piece are designed to be comfortable ON the bike and NOT walking around etc. anyone serious about sportsbike riding should at least try them. even if you are not a trackday fiend/racer.

Ruth

If you haven't already done so, try wearing an undersuit. Not only will it keep you cooler in the warmer weather, you'll find your one-piece suit will slide off fairly easily.
Mike

well i bit the bullit this weekend at the gp and bought the berik/arlen ness motogp 1 peice suit for the reduced price of £329.99, got it in red and will look good with my new arai haslam rep. felt really weird trying it on but once doing the rossi style peg grab ( in the changing tent) it felt so much better, hopefully it will make a improvement but my biggest thing will be to lose a bit of weight then i'll be just fine. roll on silverstone next bank holiday