RST leathers ?
Discussion
RST gear here. Worn everyday for some months now. Some of the threading has come away in a superficial section and the outer polish is a bit thin, other than that it's fine. Haven't binned it yet so can't comment beyond that.
It's all CE marked at the end of the day so I don't understand how it's going to "fall apart"? From what I've read, there's really no empirical testing of safety gear (outside of helmets, which still isn't very scientific!) beyond the basic marking and anecdotes, which really aren't much use.
I think price is the big factor here. You can have a Dainese jacket, or a full set of leathers with armour, both tested to the same standard. If you can afford better, buy better, but if you are weighing up which bodyparts you would rather keep then buy cheaper and cover yourself entirely.
I would imagine the RST stuff is less likely to be reuseable after a spill due to the finish, but as for the extra abrasion and impact resistance, even if it exists, you're probably going to be long dead before you get to make use of it.
Not that I'm an expert by any means... Just going off what I've read!
It's all CE marked at the end of the day so I don't understand how it's going to "fall apart"? From what I've read, there's really no empirical testing of safety gear (outside of helmets, which still isn't very scientific!) beyond the basic marking and anecdotes, which really aren't much use.
I think price is the big factor here. You can have a Dainese jacket, or a full set of leathers with armour, both tested to the same standard. If you can afford better, buy better, but if you are weighing up which bodyparts you would rather keep then buy cheaper and cover yourself entirely.
I would imagine the RST stuff is less likely to be reuseable after a spill due to the finish, but as for the extra abrasion and impact resistance, even if it exists, you're probably going to be long dead before you get to make use of it.
Not that I'm an expert by any means... Just going off what I've read!
blade7 said:
Heard the same about some of the Italian stuff without the cheap, latest RST gear seems a lot better than the earlier stuff.
Had mine over 6 years, the leather looks as if it's in danger of wearing through before any stitching/zips etc lets go.Never crashed in them though.
Been really chuffed with them for the money I paid. Only stuff I've had a problem with is Spada.
CE marking normally just means the armour in the suit is up to standard.
There is a CE standard for suits, which covers abrasion resistance, seam burst strength, impact resistance of armour and how well the armour stays in place. Only very few suits meet this standard (Hideout, Zac, Crowtree, made-to-measure BKS and some Halvarssons).
Other manufacturers actively lobbied against CE standards, which is interesting ... More recently, I read that some manufacturers lobbied the EU to lower standards on motorcycle gloves.
In Ride magazine's last test, the RST suit came a creditable
fifth, which was well ahead of the Italian brands in safety scores. Alpinestars did poorly in tenth place. Dainese came second from bottom! Spada came bottom, incidentally.
There is a CE standard for suits, which covers abrasion resistance, seam burst strength, impact resistance of armour and how well the armour stays in place. Only very few suits meet this standard (Hideout, Zac, Crowtree, made-to-measure BKS and some Halvarssons).
Other manufacturers actively lobbied against CE standards, which is interesting ... More recently, I read that some manufacturers lobbied the EU to lower standards on motorcycle gloves.
In Ride magazine's last test, the RST suit came a creditable
fifth, which was well ahead of the Italian brands in safety scores. Alpinestars did poorly in tenth place. Dainese came second from bottom! Spada came bottom, incidentally.
Edited by SVS on Sunday 26th June 14:28
My friend often rides in fairly cheap gear and used to have an RST suit. Came off at over 140 at either bishopscourt or kirkiston I cant remmeber which and the leathers were scuffed badly but he still used them for a few more races. Nothing split or burst and it held him together ok.
His Arlen Ness suit he has now is even better seemingly.
His Arlen Ness suit he has now is even better seemingly.
I've got rst 2peice leathers (bottoms only) and i've not had any problem, still in one peice and i wear them near enough daily. My 1 peice leather suit has had a off and hasn't damaged much at all and my rst gloves seem to be in good nic after 2months of owning a set.
Few of my mates said the gloves fall apart and i've seen from experience if your a bit big the groin stetchey stuff on the leather trousers can tear. I'd recommend them tho.
Few of my mates said the gloves fall apart and i've seen from experience if your a bit big the groin stetchey stuff on the leather trousers can tear. I'd recommend them tho.
SVS said:
CE marking normally just means the armour in the suit is up to standard.
I find it very unlikely that it's just applicable to armour.You buy a set of leathers. They are designed and sold to protect you in the event of an accident. They need to be CE marked as such.
There may be additional CE marking on the armour but the leathers have to meet a certain quality standard.
I have 2 piece RST set. Fit could be better but that's mainly down to me not trying enough variations on size. Comfy enough.
Stitching on centre zip seam on jacket did not seem to expand with my stomach ?? Damn, but a visit to a good saddlery bloke sorted it for £15.
My main gripe is that the pockets for the armour are a bit over-sized I reckon- although I have got Dainese "hard" shell bits in but they are still standard shape/size. Hence the shoulder armour needs a bit of 'comfort adjustment' when you put the jacket on.
Otherwise good for the money (about £260 IIRC) but not crash tested (yet :fingerscrossed
p.s. seems to be a fair few BSB lads using them including one S Byrne Esq.
Stitching on centre zip seam on jacket did not seem to expand with my stomach ?? Damn, but a visit to a good saddlery bloke sorted it for £15.
My main gripe is that the pockets for the armour are a bit over-sized I reckon- although I have got Dainese "hard" shell bits in but they are still standard shape/size. Hence the shoulder armour needs a bit of 'comfort adjustment' when you put the jacket on.
Otherwise good for the money (about £260 IIRC) but not crash tested (yet :fingerscrossed
p.s. seems to be a fair few BSB lads using them including one S Byrne Esq.
Prof Prolapse said:
I find it very unlikely that it's just applicable to armour.
You buy a set of leathers. They are designed and sold to protect you in the event of an accident. They need to be CE marked as such.
There may be additional CE marking on the armour but the leathers have to meet a certain quality standard.
You might find it unlikely but its only the armour that is CE marked.You buy a set of leathers. They are designed and sold to protect you in the event of an accident. They need to be CE marked as such.
There may be additional CE marking on the armour but the leathers have to meet a certain quality standard.
Very few leather suits meet CE standard. Same story with gloves etc.
Monochrome said:
Prof Prolapse said:
I find it very unlikely that it's just applicable to armour.
You buy a set of leathers. They are designed and sold to protect you in the event of an accident. They need to be CE marked as such.
There may be additional CE marking on the armour but the leathers have to meet a certain quality standard.
You might find it unlikely but its only the armour that is CE marked.You buy a set of leathers. They are designed and sold to protect you in the event of an accident. They need to be CE marked as such.
There may be additional CE marking on the armour but the leathers have to meet a certain quality standard.
Very few leather suits meet CE standard. Same story with gloves etc.
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