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Leather is top notch, when riding out of the city. You'd assume that it'll be uncomfortable.. Sticky and stiff. Yes the initial break in will take some time. But once done, there is no better protection than leather. Invest in one good leather jacket/ gloves/suit/ pants. They will pay for themselves in the long run. I bought a Astars mesh jacket and trust me at high speeds it puffs up. Which is never a good thing. I am investing in a perforated leather suit. Nothing better than that for sure.

For general commuting purposes and weekend pleasure rides on a sub-250cc bike, as the OP seems to be, leather is simply overkill and expensive. Unless he's a Duke/RC200 rider with corner-hunting every weekend in mind, textile gear is more suitable.

Great, which suit have you in mind? About the Astars mesh, looks like you bought a size or two too large! I have the Triumph Misano pants and Mugello jacket (both leathers). My jacket collar still feels stiff , obstructing neck movement which does somewhat hinder my cornering vision. Doesn't get too hot (wore in as late as early April mornings ). I feel my textile Cramster K2K is hotter and sweatier, and most people overstate the leather "hotness" - no, not in terms of fashion quotient! YMMV, as they say.

True true. In the city it makes sense for leather rather use a mesh jacket for sure. In fact with Bombay heat, I'd rather not use the jacket. A pair of gloves and the helmet does just fine. I absolutely cannot meet my clients sweaty and dirty. It's just hygiene.

The Astars is absolutely the right fit. And with the available straps I tighten it further. But the moment I am in the higher triple digits things get a little weird. It constantly affects my riding thinking about this. Have a triumph leather jacket which honestly haven't worn even once. But I guess a suits a suit. And the protection that it will offer seems matched to nothing else. Talking to biking brotherhood to get one made to fit me. As getting the right fit in a suit is tricky business as well. Hopefully that works out brilliant.

slightly OT. bought a pair of Pro-Biker gloves from snapdeal size L. Unfortunately looks like i need XL gloves (so this would be a good gift for someone) :)

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The quality looks good and the velcro also seems to be stitched with double lining.

Afaik these are not going to serve the basic safety requirements. They are as good as not wearing gloves. Just my two cents

Very aptly put mate. I have a set of two riding gears, one is a pure mesh riding jacket while other is a semi leather mesh riding jacket. The heat factor has to be considered while riding within the city where speeds seldom hit 80 KMPH. This is where mesh jackets do their job well. I always feel a jacket should be like the helmet, snug fit as well as comfortable. The mesh jacket I use comes with multiple tightening Velcro bands and push fit buttons. Once snugly fit they neither buffet nor puff up while cruising at speeds of 90-100 KMPH. The other semi leather jacket I have is hot and heavy which I have reserved for winters (which one seldom feels in a city like Bombay) and multiple day touring. I also use a textile water proof riding pant which has adequate safety but gets really hot during summer. So to overcome this I have another set of knee/shin guards which I wear over my regular denim. I am planning to buy a mesh riding pant soon for the versatility it offers. But there's no denying about leather and its properties.

Agree and disagree.:thumbs up They would adhere to basic safety requirements of speeds <40 kmph. Maybe good for cycling/BMX/roller skates. They do have knuckle, finger tips and finger joint protectors (albeit hardened elastic plastic).
They would not be good for Motorcycle riding. The palm pads are not that great. Vibrations transmit easy. Opinions from my experience :)

If perforated and well/scientifically vented, and provided you are wearing the right base layer/compression fits underneath, leather is just great.

If not, it can very quickly becomes a slow baking oven, with waves of heat rising up from the neck area and into your helmet to bake your face. To near heat stroke point.

Been there, baked that.

Please do not get one of the "made to order" Indian riding suits stitched. I have seen more than a few and they do not come close to the branded stuff. And do not cost a whole lot less, if you pick up the branded stuff directly abroad or on a good close-out. I rode recently with a guy who had on a Rev-It full leather suit he picked up for just 25K from the US.

Actually, these are what I wear in the city, and for many short rides, as well as in the rains. I've fallen on the track with them as well. And I have the scratches on the hard plastic guards on the palm area to prove that yes, they do work. And do work pretty well.

Very comfortable. Quick drying. And very convenient to take off and put back on. In fact I carry them in my jacket pocket/saddle bags even when riding with full leather gauntlets. As back-up, in-city, wet-weather alternatives.

And I usually pick them up for 350 bucks. So I can keep picking them up without worrying about the price. I have a brand new Monster one in black and red waiting for my current blue and black ones to develop a few more finger ventilation holes before I retire them! :)

Hmm. I guess the finish will not be absolutely at par. agree:
But the suits that i like are upward of around 90k. I have spoken to a few guys who had these made and they haven't had any complaints per say. Also i think with custom made suits, people tend to go overboard with design/ colors and general aesthetics. I am not doing that, just a simple 1.3mm cowhide, perforated black suit coming up with CE rated armor. Will give it a shot. If i don't like it, cupboard is the place where it will rest. May be next year will try and get a full fledged branded suit when i plan to travel. :)

Its not just the finish.

There is a HUGE amount that goes into making biking gear. The technology is mind boggling. From the type of stitches, the stitch locks, the threads, the treatment to those threads, and the thread holes, to the different materials used, layers, the cut and the fit, the armor type and quality and placement and coverage, the individual areas of stretch and stress and circulation, the back protection, the pre-curving. I could just go on and on and on .

Its a massive science. And I would any day trust a brand like say Rev-It or RST or Dainese, even Alpine Stars (though its lower in the pecking order to these), than I would even top flight Indian and Pakistani (they make great suits) manufacturers.

And when you say 90K, I would say eyes closed go for the expert stuff. You get what you pay for with international brands.

Cheers, Doc

Absolutely right doc.
You can't go wrong with what Dainese or any of the big guys have to offer. Though I wouldn't lean towards Astars at all. SPIDI is another brand which I really like and in the future thats going to be the suit I want. It's just that I have spent quite a bit on the bike and other stupid stuff. Should have planned better and been less impulsive I guess. Hence will have to wait for my bonus to come in so as to even think about a branded suit. Which I will get in the long run for sure.
I am absolutely irritated with the mesh jacket. Have to use a backpack, strap it to me so as to have that jacket in place. I have a triumph leather jacket and will be using it this weekend. Let's see how that goes.

Can you share some details on the Indian suit please Odeen ? Is this the Chennai guy?

Any photos? Is the armor only CE or Knox ?

How much is it costing? Are you guys pooling numbers together for a Mumbai visit for a detailed fit?

Performance Racing Store carries AGV Sport riding gear in India, jackets are mesh/textile jackets usually are in the range of 5.5 - 7K odd. Check for PRS' channel partners in Bangalore, you could probably try some gear before having to order it online.

Hey Doc.
Ok thats a valid point on the armour. I have yet to discuss the armour used for the suit. Which i will look into.
There are a couple of guys in Chennai and Bangalore. The one i got in touch with have a Facebook page, Biking Brotherhood Gear. Do have a look.
Vikas Rachamalla (hope i have got the spelling right) on youtube, has put a video of a jacket that he got from the guys and is extremely happy with the quality.
For fit there is a chart that i need to follow. If i happen to come to Pune, then his colleague can take the necessary measurements or even i can get that done following the chart sent. From a cost POV will know once i have given all necessary requirements. :)

A couple of prominent riding groups from Pune including mine have got our leather suits made from BBG, Chennai. My group has made 2-pc suits. The quality is ok, nothing great to write home about. Some people liked them, some did not. There were sizing issues with the pants for most of us but these were rectified by them. Only thing going in their favour is the price. Its half of what one has to pay for an Astar or a Dianese.
No harm in buying a set till you save enough dough to buy a branded one.