Dainese leathers and fit (or lack thereof)
Mattrazzo
full leathers. I'm 6' tall, 180 lbs, and a 34" waist. Fairly average I
would assume - at least not misshapen. According to their chart, I'm a
European size 54. Fine. I'll take one of those. (BTW, I have a
Dainese 52 jacket that fits great)
When they came I tried 'em on. They were incredibly tight all over and
then when I got it over my shoulder, they pulled from my crotch to my
shoulders, but only in the front. I couldn't even stand upright with
them on. I got into a bike riding position and the front pull went
mostly away, but they still squeezed the crap out of me. Obviously
they don't fit.
So I sent them back for a set of size 58 (the only other size they
had). These I got on (they weren't strangling tight like the 54s) but
they still were tight front shoulder to crotch. BUT they were baggy
around my legs and arms and I had a huge amount of material hanging
around my back. For $1,800, these things should fit.
So my question is, what should I expect? I see racers on TV and the
suit fits them like a glove standing up or on the bike. Am I simply
not cut out to wear Dainese? Should I get a custom set of leathers?
--
Dan Mattrazzo
------------------------
'99 Ducati 900SS
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
Doug Welty
bit longer than their sizing. For $1800 though youi could have a custom
suit built be several companies. You might check Vanson, and on the west
cost Helimot makes very high qualtiy leather suits for the money your
spending. Other than that you could pay to have the suit altered, but I
would try to get a suit that fits right. Your spening good money, so
make sure you get one that fits or you'll be pissed everytime you go
riding and your groin goes to sleep. Kind of takes all the fun away.
Doug
Eddy Hops
Dainese also fit somewhat narrow across the shoulders, and if the suit is one
of the newer ones with the injected armor, keep in mind it won't break in as
much. The leather laminated to the armor is not allowed to stretch.
I can relate to your puzzlement over your jacket size, I have an old size 52,
It's the top of a two piece that was the predecessor to the Dainese Luce suit,
that fits me perfect (course it has ten years of breaking in) but my size in
one piece is 58! That's why my last years' model Techno 56 is up for sale,
sitting in my closet.
John D.
Chris Geary
<matt...@my-deja.com> decided to enlighten the rest
of us and spake thusly:
>
>So my question is, what should I expect? I see racers on TV and the
>suit fits them like a glove standing up or on the bike. Am I simply
>not cut out to wear Dainese? Should I get a custom set of leathers?
>
>--
1) try a size 56.
1.1) if everything fits snugly, but the torso is still
a little short, it may stretch and fit perfectly after
3 months. leather stretches.
2) if that doesn't work, consider a two piece suit.
different sized jacket & pants might be what you need.
3) for nearly $2k, you should look into custom
leathers. Z custom leathers has a site. i'm sure
someone will be along shortly with the URL.
Pro racers all have custom stuff. that's why it fits
perfectly.
good luck.
--
cge...@amug.org
cge...@uswest.net
www.amug.org/~cgeary
DOD # 64737
Honda RC31
Sorry to disappoint, but
I am NOT nor have i EVER been
an entrant in the Mr. Gay UK contest
SCOTTY916
and short when worn alone and when zipped to pants you get uneasy feeling in
the crotch area once on bike they fit much better but jacket is still a
little tight arms of jacket seem slim as well as its hard to wear anything
under it once its cold as far as quality my suit is 10 years old and leather
is first starting to dry out another high point is not one stitch has undone
suit has held up amazing even after being soaked several times fit is only
downside for my $ next suit will be custom vanson or z- leathers good
luck
Doug Welty
in the torso, and it never got any better. Eventually I had it tailored.
Leather will stretch while under tension, but if it's uncomfortable now
do expect it to get better later own. If it's only slightly
uncomfortable now then it might stretch to your shape, but it's a $1800
gamble.
Some Guy on a Bike
> When they came I tried 'em on. They were incredibly tight all over and
> then when I got it over my shoulder, they pulled from my crotch to my
> shoulders, but only in the front. I couldn't even stand upright with
> them on.
A properly-fitting one-piece leather racing suit should not allow you to
stand upright in comfort. If they did, they would not fit properly when
on a race bike.
> I got into a bike riding position and the front pull went
> mostly away, but they still squeezed the crap out of me. Obviously
> they don't fit.
Correct. Size 54 is too small for you in their sizing.
> So I sent them back for a set of size 58 (the only other size they
> had). These I got on (they weren't strangling tight like the 54s) but
> they still were tight front shoulder to crotch.
Like they should be, per above.
> BUT they were baggy
> around my legs and arms and I had a huge amount of material hanging
> around my back. For $1,800, these things should fit.
Sounds like you need a 56 in Dainese. Ordering a size that's wrong for
you doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the leathers.
> So my question is, what should I expect?
Order the right size and enjoy.
> I see racers on TV and the
> suit fits them like a glove standing up or on the bike.
Hint: They're almost certainly wearing a different set of leathers on
the podium than what they were wearing on the bike.
> Am I simply not cut out to wear Dainese?
Try a 56 and see.
> Should I get a custom set of leathers?
At the price you stated, you could get a nice Vanson 1-piece and have
change. A custom-fitted suit will always fit better.
Some Guy on a Bike
> I would disagree with this statement.
Have you tried leathers that fit perfectly when standing up? They'll
crush your crotch and strangle you when you sit on a sportbike.
> When you by the measurement kit
> from Vanson for example, or if you go to their booth at a show and get
> measured, the torso measurements are done while standing upright,
Which is the only way to be sure of getting accurate measurements. They
then adjust these when they manufacture your suit, depending on which of
the riding position boxes you check.
Steve Melander
> fitting suit, I can with my suit.
Which riding position box did you check?
Steve 65
Doug Welty
form Vanson for example, or if you go to their booth at a show and get
measured, the torso measurements are done while standing upright, so
walking upright should be as comfortable as any thing built to your
measurements.
Some Guy on a Bike wrote:
>
Doug Welty
fitting suit, I can with my suit.
Some Guy on a Bike wrote:
>
> Doug Welty wrote:
>
> > I would disagree with this statement.
>
> Have you tried leathers that fit perfectly when standing up? They'll
> crush your crotch and strangle you when you sit on a sportbike.
>
> > When you by the measurement kit
> > from Vanson for example, or if you go to their booth at a show and get
> > measured, the torso measurements are done while standing upright,
>
Erik Astrup
>Should I get a custom set of leathers?
Always. You could get a top of the line set of Vanson's
with your own choice of colors, designs, your name on the back,
full armor etc for less than an off the rack suit. Figure $1500 and
you will have pretty much the best suit they make.
And, best of all, it will fit YOU perfectly. In fact, they guarantee it.
I would never spend that kind of money on a suit off the rack.
YMMV.
---------------------------------------
Erik Astrup - Team Iguana Racing (Ret)
1995 Triumph Tiger
1997 Triumph Speed Triple
"It's such a fine line between stupid and...And clever."
http://www.mother.com/~eastrup/
---------------------------------------
Demetrios
> You might not have an "off the rack build". Your torso might be just a
>bit longer than their sizing. For $1800 though youi could have a custom
>suit built be several companies. You might check Vanson, and on the west
>cost Helimot makes very high qualtiy leather suits for the money your
>spending. Other than that you could pay to have the suit altered, but I
>would try to get a suit that fits right. Your spening good money, so
>make sure you get one that fits or you'll be pissed everytime you go
>riding and your groin goes to sleep. Kind of takes all the fun away.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And this may lead to erectile dysfunction. Takes a heck of a lot of
the fun away...
Desmoface
>fitting suit, I can with my suit.
>
Yeah, while my custom vanson one piece is tight, i can stand/walk uright
fine...Id suggest getting a refund and getting a custom suit....you'll get a
nice custom for a lot less then 1800 bucks and if its vanson or z custom, it'll
be a better suit then the dianese.
steve
98 916
Eddy Hops
A Dainese Luce suit has good armor and fits fairly comfy when standing, or
sitting on a VFR, but will bunch up ALOT when in an aggressive/race position on
a 996. The D. Safety Pro or other "race" suits fit on the Duc great, but if
you don't bend forward somewhat when standing you'll split your balls...
John D.
markzx9r
identical in size to you, but purchased a Luce suit in size
54 because it was a street suit, not a full racing suit.
just like a glove. excellent product, the best of many
that I tried. good luck mark
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Simon Doherty
>So I sent them back for a set of size 58 (the only other size they
>had). These I got on (they weren't strangling tight like the 54s) but
>they still were tight front shoulder to crotch. BUT they were baggy
>around my legs and arms and I had a huge amount of material hanging
>around my back. For $1,800, these things should fit.
>
>So my question is, what should I expect? I see racers on TV and the
>suit fits them like a glove standing up or on the bike. Am I simply
>not cut out to wear Dainese? Should I get a custom set of leathers?
First, I agree with other posters who recommend a custom suit. You'll
get a really nice one for $1800.
Second, I have a Dainese belzebu suit size 56 (bought cheap). This
suit is designed for sport riding/racing. As such is it cut to fit
the body while in a crouched position. When these suits are on the
rack you can clearly see the "bends" at the knees, elbows etc. And
you can clearly see the difference between a race and a sport/touring
suit.
Before the suit and I have warmed up the crotch is tight. I find
that once I've ridden for half an hour or so I can stand up without
discomfort. So as the leather gets warm it streches to form a (for
me) perfect fit. But every time I put on the leathers it back to the
monkey walk until they heat up.
Besides, why are you walking around in your leathers. If your
stopping for a while pull your arms out and let the suit hang.
Simon Doherty
98 R1
Dan Nitschke
> Besides, why are you walking around in your leathers.
If there's room to walk around in your leathers, they're
kinda big. I'd get 'em altered.
> If your
> stopping for a while pull your arms out and let the suit hang.
But... pulling my arms out *truth*. And getting them
back in the socket is no fun, either.
--
/* dan: The Anti-Ged -- Scary Git, IY (tm) #1, YJP #1, LCDB (tm) #1 */
Dan Nitschke | || peDA...@best.com || | nits...@annuncio.com
.. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . ..
No fight left or so it seems; I am a man whose dreams have all
deserted... I've changed my face, I've changed my name, but no
one wants you when you lose. -- Peter Gabriel, "Don't Give Up"
Demetrios
wrote:
>Simon Doherty wrote:
>
>> Besides, why are you walking around in your leathers.
>
>If there's room to walk around in your leathers, they're
>kinda big. I'd get 'em altered.
Nonsense... I personally like walking back to the seat area. Kick back
and relax in my leathers enjoying crumpets and scones whilst
travelling at triple digit velocities. Get extra-stiff armor in the
elbows to keep from tankslapping.
>> If your
>> stopping for a while pull your arms out and let the suit hang.
>
>But... pulling my arms out *truth*. And getting them
>back in the socket is no fun, either.
That's because you haven't upgraded to quick-release sockets. Get 'em
at The Home Depot (tm).
Mattrazzo
The consensus from people all over seemed to be that if a set of full
leathers is tailored for race tuck (like the Dainese ProTech is), you
won't be able to comfortably standing up in them. The torso is cut
short in the front and crotch so that it doesn't bunch up when on the
bike. I felt pretty good about this generally being true, but needed a
little more.
I contacted Z Leathers. My question was: "If a suit is tailored for
racing, should you be able to comfortably stand up?" The response
was: "The professional roadracers have very snug fitting leathers that
are tailored to fit best in a tight tuck and not standing up straight.
If you wish to have a more comfortable suit for standing and riding, we
can give you that."
While Z leathers was not coming out and saying it, I think we are all
in agreement here. There will always be a compromise in some position,
but you can't be 100% comfortable in a race tuck AND standing up. When
I think about it, I do notice how much my jeans bunch up when I am in a
tuck and it makes complete sense now :-)
Thank you all for the great feedback. I decided to try the 54 Dainese
back on and they fit great on the bike. I've decided to keep the
54's. It has excellent armor and top quality leather and they look
awesome.
--
Dan Mattrazzo
------------------------
'99 Ducati 900SS, '95 Saab 900S
'99 Land Rover Disco, '67 Land Rover 109 IIA
Doug Welty
couple of beers halfway thru your ride, then don't get a race tailored
suit. Good to know.
Doug
motoboy
leathers (red/white/gray) which cost $1600 + new, size 56, which I need to
get rid of (too tight for me). Make me an offer....
Eddy Hops
I've got a like new Techno B/W 56 for $1000 if anyone's interested, same
reason. Had to move up to a 58
John D.
son...@my-deja.com
An interesting thread. I've uploaded a few details of the new Dainese
'T-Age' suit with Titanium protectors onto our site. It's not actually
available for a few months yet but has a stretch panel in the chest
area, I would assume to address the 'off bike comfort' issue. I haven't
seen one yet, but the boss had a look at one at the Dainese factory last
July and was impressed.
http://www.sondel.co.uk/newdaine/2000.html
The existing 'Pro Tech' suit has extensive stretch panels (pleated
leather) around the back and under the arms to improve comfort and
flexibility, the 'T-Age' goes one step further.
----
Regards Chas Wilder
Sondel Sport Ltd, London UK
http://www.sondel.co.uk