Clothing Questions??

[w8pmc]

Have pretty much got to grips with the new Fireblade, in as much as i don't st myself every time i look at it & have now covered nearly 500 miles. Running in service due soon so will be getting the Honda quick shifter fitted, a rear hugger & single seat conversion.

Anyhow, the one thing i'm still struggling with is the clothing as i really don't feel comfortable on the bike wearing a one piece, the boots & the gloves purchased when i got the bike. I possibly didn't investigate sufficiently & was drawn by what the Honda dealer sold as i got 25% off all clothing at POS with the bike purchase.

Helmet is fine & very comfortable, but the clothing i'm really not getting on with. Could be due to my more senior years, could be the weight of it or even just the fact it's still fairly new so may start to give a little over time, but it's definitely reducing my enjoyment on the bike as i just can't get comfortable. Boots don't fit comfortably over the leathers & neither do the gloves. I'm really struggling with this as find myself trying to make slight adjustments to the clothing whilst i'm on the bike & that's far from ideal.

One piece is this:

https://www.alpinestars.com/products/road/suits/ch...

Boots are these:

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...

I obviously want maximum protection, but i feel what i've chosen totally compromises on comfort for the protection & that's not working for me.

[phil4]

I've got the SMX boots and love them.... but then that's how this works I guess.

I'd strongly suggest getting along to the closest place that has biking gear in larger quantities, and then start trying stuff on. Remember if buying any sort of trousers (eg. kevlar jeans), that as you've likely got your legs bent, that they need to be a bit longer than when you're standing and have a straight leg. Likewise as you'll be bent over a bit, and arms out.. the gear needs to be the right size doing that.

There's little point buying something you have to squeeze into and which restricts your movement, better to try a larger size or some other better fitting brand. Similarly if it's hanging off you, the other way around.

Clothes sizes seem to be a complete work of fiction, what's XL in one brand is XXL in another, so it just takes time to get what works for you.

Edited to say: you might then have fun making things work together. As I mentioned I love my SMX boots, but there's no way I could tuck anything into them, and conversely my one piece doesn't have enough room to go over the boot. So I'm sorta snookered, and looking at the SMX-plus boots. In other words, even for someone with a small collection of gear, it's not all straight forward

Edited by phil4 on Wednesday 29th May 17:02

[w8pmc]

phil4 said:

I've got the SMX boots and love them.... but then that's how this works I guess.

I'd strongly suggest getting along to the closest place that has biking gear in larger quantities, and then start trying stuff on. Remember if buying any sort of trousers (eg. kevlar jeans), that as you've likely got your legs bent, that they need to be a bit longer than when you're standing and have a straight leg. Likewise as you'll be bent over a bit, and arms out.. the gear needs to be the right size doing that.

There's little point buying something you have to squeeze into and which restricts your movement, better to try a larger size or some other better fitting brand. Similarly if it's hanging off you, the other way around.

Clothes sizes seem to be a complete work of fiction, what's XL in one brand is XXL in another, so it just takes time to get what works for you.

Edited to say: you might then have fun making things work together. As I mentioned I love my SMX boots, but there's no way I could tuck anything into them, and conversely my one piece doesn't have enough room to go over the boot. So I'm sorta snookered, and looking at the SMX-plus boots. In other words, even for someone with a small collection of gear, it's not all straight forward

Edited by phil4 on Wednesday 29th May 17:02

Glad it's not just me then

So what do you wear with your SMX boots if you can't fit anything in or over them? My Challenger V2 i can just about get inside my boots, but it is a little restrictive & not very comfortable, not a cat in hells chance of getting them over. The same scenario with my gloves as the original pair wouldn't close round the cuffs on my 1 piece & the 2nd pair i bought although better fitting in that regard as they have a longer wrist section are not as comfortable on my hands, even being the same make & same size as the first pair.

[Zarco]

Sounds like you need to wear-in the leathers and get new boots and gloves.

[dern]

I've got a v2 suit and I really like it. It's taken 3 track days and a few hundred miles to bed in.

We're all different though and you definitely need to try all this stuff on together and make sure it all works together. There's no point in me buying boots without wearing my leathers for example as I can't get my calf's in leathers in some boots whereas they feel fine without leathers.

[DuckSauce]

I bought my leathers on ebay, so already run in and they are farely comfy. The trousers only just fit inside the boots, I find it takes a bit of wiggling around to get the comfort just right. My gloves fit under my textile jacket, but not my leather jacket. I think I need gloves with a bigger gauntlet

[Battlecat]

To help improve the fit of the leathers, perhaps go to a motorbike leathers alterations specialist and see what they can do. They might be able to add a couple of stretch panels or something. Could be worth a visit and conversation with them.

I’m in a different part of the country so afraid couldn’t recommend one near you.

[Codotuk]

I’ve found alpinestars trousers are too track orientated - big shin pads uncomfortable to tuck into boots.

I’ve gone for furygan 2 piece as they seem more road spec. I can wear the trousers over the boot which is more comfortable (but I look like a knob)

alpinestars do the best fitting boots.

[Zakalwe]

You’ve got to try a few different brands ideally, first suit I tried was an Alpinestars and it just didn’t work for my physique at all. In a Dainese now which suits me better, same nominal size. Arms and legs could be a touch longer ideally but my boots and gloves cover everything. I couldn’t even get my legs in the Astars properly

[w8pmc]

Zakalwe said:

You’ve got to try a few different brands ideally, first suit I tried was an Alpinestars and it just didn’t work for my physique at all. In a Dainese now which suits me better, same nominal size. Arms and legs could be a touch longer ideally but my boots and gloves cover everything. I couldn’t even get my legs in the Astars properly

It was Dainese i had years ago when i last had a motorbike & never had an issue with them. That said i'm a different shape 15yrs on & the Honda dealer didn't stock Dainese so i was drawn by the discount & after a quick fitting the AS seemed fine, it's only now i'm using the bike that i'm finding they're not working well together.

As said, perhaps i head to a store that has a massive range & look for a 1 piece that feels considerably more comfortable & will fit under my AS boots without issue.

Could always sell the AS 1 piece to recoup some money as only been used 5 times.

[phil4]

w8pmc said:

Glad it's not just me then

So what do you wear with your SMX boots if you can't fit anything in or over them?

I've got two choices that work, some kevlar jeans, which easily go over, and some RST textiles which go over. However the one piece suit... I just have to fudge the calves, not zipping them up as they don't go in or over. I've also some road leather trousers, same issue, so haven't worn them.

SMX plus I think will solve my issue, but will need to try 'em with my trousers tucked in first

Seems like you've got the right idea though, go somewhere that has plenty of choice and try lots on. As you can see from above, I've managed to work out options that work. Now I just need to get them all working

[Codotuk]

I’ve got the smx plus boots and find the inner bootie sock comes up too high with legs tucked in.

IMO the best boots for tucking in are the sidi’s I’ve got the roarr boots too and they have calf adjustment so can be loosened even though they are done up.

But they don’t feel as nice as the AS boots and they are quite narrow in toe section so have to size up if poss.

[Zakalwe]

Yeah my Sidi Rex boots have bags of room to tuck in, even with the little extra material you get with Dainese suit to boot legs. You might even get a Dainese suit over your SMX, that’s what they’ve been designed to do anyway

Edited by Zakalwe on Thursday 30th May 08:50

[Zarco]

I've got Sidi boots as well as it happens (with calf adjustment). No issues getting a comfy fit.

I had assumed the OP had larger calfs than me!

[Dog Star]

I only ride sportsbikes, but unless I'm doing a trackday they full leathers and kneeslider look is not for me at all, they look daft *especially* the sliders and off the bike they are uncomfortable, hot, impractical and look ridiculous.

I'm all for good protection but even on a sportsbike it's good aramid jeans (Rokker in my case, I even have a waterproof pair), good but casual looking biker boots (Styl Martin) and a decent leather jacket with back protector or a waterproof Hein Gericke. All this stuff is armoured etc and the main thing is that it's comfy and practical to wear - especially off the bike. Most of my riding is holidays and long trips and the thought of slogging through some interesting tank museum in leathers - no thanks.

[Pothole]

Is there a branch of J&S near you?

[phil4]

Codotuk said:

IMO the best boots for tucking in are the sidi’s

Zakalwe said:

Yeah my Sidi Rex boots have bags of room to tuck in

Zarco said:

I've got Sidi boots as well as it happens (with calf adjustment).

Thanks all, will try some Sidi's too

[shoestring7]

One piece leathers really only make sense on track, especially as a good motorcycle jean is as protective or more so. Teaming those with road orientated jacket makes sense, although they won't be any good in the cold and wet, for that you need to be looking for a good technical textile set-up.

If you want to stick to dead cow, then look for a two piece waterproof touring suit; Halvarsson now do an excellent jacket+pants called Celtic, and there's the Rukka Coriace if money is no object.

[Prof Prolapse]

w8pmc said:

I obviously want maximum protection, but i feel what i've chosen totally compromises on comfort for the protection & that's not working for me.

As you've clearly grasped, in reality "maximum protection", is down to more than just CE marking and abrasive resistance, it needs to be balanced with comfort.

If you're riding all day and your leathers are pissing you off, or your hands are too cold, or your boots are chaffing, that's a distraction. That's a percentage, however small, that is no longer devoted to concentrating on what you're doing. Personally I think that's very important, but that's me, I don't even have the radio on whilst I work on anything important. I believe in giving things the attention they deserve.

These days I just wear reinforced jeans and a textile jacket, all the best gear I can afford, but not as safe a tailored one-piece race suit. The bonus is all day comfort, and it makes me more likely to ride my bike as I don't dread the faff of my leathers, or walking around like I've shat myself when I stop the bike.

That's an important point as well, if you find the idea of putting on your immense safety gear off putting so much so it puts you off riding the bike, that's obviously not something you want, but leaving the bike in the shed remains the safest course of ensuring maximum protection from bike injuries. Life is about risk.

That said, personally I think it sounds like you need to gear some time, if not I wouldn't stress, try some new gear. The old stuff will keep for trackdays etc. where higher protection is far more of a priority.

[SteelerSE]

I have Alpinestars trousers and I had to get some of the foam removed from the shin to allow the boots to fit comfortably. The leather place I went to did a great job and says that many of the leather providers have gone this route and it is causing issues with boots for people.

Strange really as the trousers are massively too tight to get boots under them. Very odd.