One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test

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One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test
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One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test

One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test
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Nothing beats a one-piece leather suit on the racetrack. At the start of the season, PS is testing eight one-piece suits for up to 800 euros – with some amazing results.

Mathias Heerwagen

03/20/2012

Are one-piece leather suits slowly dying out? If you believe Hein Gericke and Louis, it looks like it – both no longer offer one-piece suits in their catalogs this year. The demand is too low, at least among road drivers. On the racetrack, however, a one-piece is still the measure of all things. We want to know whether customers can get a safe and comfortable station wagon for less than 800 euros and whether it is suitable for the racetrack.

PS editors wear a leather suit almost every day, but we can only assess the various models professionally in their complex design. So an expert has to work. There is hardly anyone who knows more about leather suits than Stefan Rottger from Skill-Skin. He has examined around 6000 station wagons in 25 years; this test is the ninth that Rottger and PS do together. While three colleagues posed for the product photos on the following pages, only Stefan Rottger slipped into the station wagons for the test. His figure corresponds to the average motorcyclist – and he is size 52.

An initial positive result: the quality of the leather has improved steadily over the past few years. Double layers of leather in areas at risk of falling are now just as standard as safety seams. The manufacturers have learned a lot. What is often lacking, however, is the fit. Of course, you can’t expect a station wagon for less than 800 euros to fit like a tailor-made one. A correct cut is a prerequisite for a safe combination. Because only if the protectors are close to the body and do not slip can they protect the joint. This applies to the shoulder and elbow as well as to the knee. And what use are the most modern soft foam protectors with the best residual force values ​​in the shock absorption test if the protector rotates away on the first contact with the asphalt and releases the bones? In this test, we therefore pay particular attention to the fit.

First of all, the Ixs Jerez has to show what it can do. It convinces with a good cut on the upper body and hips. Even with the back protector strapped on, the suit sits neatly. The upper arm and legs are long enough. However, the Jerez is less suitable for tight calves, a calf stretch would be desirable here. So the fit is right, how about the security? Knee and elbow protectors are in tightly sewn pockets, they stay where they belong in the event of a fall – very good. On the shoulder, however, the protectors only hang loosely in inner lining pockets. The lining can slip in the event of a fall, especially on smooth functional underwear, and the protectors no longer protect the shoulder. While the stretch inserts in the crotch are made of high-quality Schoeller-Keprotec, savings have been made on the arm – there is no abrasion-resistant material. Overall, the Jerez is a good touring suit for road use. However, due to the weak points mentioned, it is not recommended for the racetrack.

Maybe the next one-piece suit for race training? the Berik Ripper for 699 euros makes a good impression not only because of the thick leather. When you wear it, you immediately notice the racing cut – shoulders, arms and legs are clearly pre-curved. In size 52, the Ripper is perfect for slim riders from 1.75 to 1.82 meters. The suit sits comfortably on the thighs and calves, the built-in hip protector is easily noticeable, but does not bother you. Criticism: The protectors on shoulders, arms and knees are only attached with Velcro. While the knee is cut tight and the protector does not allow movement, the forearm is clearly too wide. The protector can be twisted without great effort – the elbow would not be protected here either. Therefore, the Berik Ripper disqualifies itself for the race track, but the sporty road driver gets a station wagon with a very good price-performance ratio and an almost optimal fit.

On the next test candidate, the imprint “Racing Technology” gives hope for a good result. Our tester slips into the FLM Top speed and immediately complained about the inner lining that slipped out of the sleeve. It is far too long and too wide, and it is very open at the crotch. That could perhaps be overlooked if the whole station wagon was not completely cut off. A fit cannot be recognized as such: the knee circumference is not only much too large, the knee is also cut flat and not curved, as it should be for the protector. The same thing on the forearm: about 15 centimeters too much circumference causes the sleeves to flutter. In the event of a fall, the protector would be twisted immediately.

It is not just the cut that is lacking. Theoretically, no shoulder protectors are installed in the top speed. Because the protectors that are only attached to the inner lining are certified exclusively for knees and elbows – which is also stated on the label. The next surprise follows when we remove the remaining protectors. Polo bought from three different manufacturers – only average goods, as the shock absorption tests prove. The fact that abrasion-resistant Schoeller-Keprotec was used in the stretch areas cannot change the poor overall impression of the FLM-Kombi.

Anyone who thinks it will get better now is mistaken. The Ixon Pulsar Air is the correct length for size 52 and sits well on the shoulders. However, all other dimensions do not fit at all. Forearms and knees are far too wide – in the event of a fall, no protector would stay where it belongs. The upper body is too long and folds in the driving position. The hips in particular are cut extremely wide – they are more like 58 than 52, and leather is sticking out on the sides. A carelessly processed inner lining, an incorrectly positioned knee slider and the stretch fabric that is too wide under the arm are not indicative of quality.


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


Army car

Holger Hertneck and Helmut Faidt from the protector manufacturer Sas-Tec check the protectors of the test suits for us.

As a reminder, our expert’s figure is pretty much the average motorcyclist. And yet most of the test suits show more or less serious errors in the fit. At least now we are wondering whether the developers of the station wagons ride a motorcycle themselves or have taken a close look at how the second skin should fit. So far, the results have been rather disappointing.

The Rev’it Bullit then initially makes a good impression. Soft leather, clean seams and a solid workmanship – that’s how it has to be. Unfortunately, the size information is not correct at all. Although the length of the station wagon corresponds to a 52, the circumference is more like a 56. On the shoulder, chest and waist, the leather flaps on the body. As with the other candidates, the knees on the Rev’it are cut way too wide and offer the protectors hardly any support. The middle-class stretch on the shoulder was sewn incorrectly – it hardly stretches in the direction of pull. The pockets sewn into the lining house the shoulder protectors. Similar to the Ixs Jerez, however, they can slip on functional underwear. So far, a back protector has not been installed in any tested station wagon, the Rev’it Bullit is no exception. Even if you retrofit a back protection, you will not get one hundred percent security. The pocket for the back protector is much too short – the lower back remains unprotected. Incidentally, this applies to all eight station wagons tested.

the Spyke Command RAC then offers a perfect cut on the upper body and waist. Good leather, neat workmanship and correctly placed stretch elements under the arms give the suit even more points. The leather is close to the calves, but it is still not uncomfortable. The expert is satisfied and speaks of an almost perfect station wagon. There is only criticism for the slightly too wide upper arm and the poor impact values ​​of the elbow protector.

Is it going on so well? the Dainese Stripes Estiva immediately impresses with its great fit. The arms are shaped extremely in the driver’s position – a real racing cut. As with almost all test candidates, however, the forearms on the Dainese are cut too wide. The protector would turn away. For years the Italians have been relying on hard-shell protectors with only average residual strength values. If modern soft foam protectors were used, the combination would be a real tip.

The best comes at the end, even if Stefan Rottger starts with criticism: “Sew in the protectors and we have a decent leather suit here instead of Moto-Fashion!” That is the main problem with the Axo Indy. While the knee protector sits well, the shoulder protector in particular only hangs loosely in the lining. When the soft foam protectors are at body temperature, they slide backwards and no longer protect the shoulder.

Otherwise, the Indy is convincing all along the line: A perfect, tight-fitting cut that still allows freedom of movement; Optimally positioned mid-range stretch material and neatly processed leather and seams leave nothing to be desired with the test winner.

PS judgment:

Sporty road drivers can get relatively usable station wagons for less than 800 euros. In almost all models, however, there is a lack of fit and therefore security. Because only if the protectors sit correctly and do not slip can they protect the joints. Therefore, none of the station wagons is recommended for tough racetrack use with an increased risk of falling. Despite the CE standard, the high residual force values ​​of the protectors are no longer up-to-date – something urgently needs to be changed here.


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

Axo Indy.

Contact 
Heidger Motorsport Trading, 79117 Freiburg, Tel. 07 61/2 17 39 96
www.heidger-motorsport.de
price 
758 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
46 to 58
Protectors 
S, E, H, K *

Conclusion
Perfect fit with a close-fitting cut, but still good freedom of movement. The Axo Indy deserves praise for its very good soft foam protectors – no test combination has better ones. But: The protectors hang loosely in the inner lining, they slip quickly, especially on the shoulder – and cannot protect. With a little more detailed work and sewn-in protectors, the station wagon would also be suitable for the racetrack.

PS judgment: Good


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

Berik Ripper.

Contact 
Sales by Held GmbH, 87545 Burgberg, Tel. 08 321/66 46 0
www.held.de
price 
699 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
48 to 58
Protectors 
S, E, H, K *

Conclusion 
With the Ripper, the sporty road driver receives a solid station wagon with a very good price-performance ratio. It impresses with its robust leather, abrasion-resistant stretch inserts, good fit, removable lining and good protectors (only type A on knees and shoulders). Only the forearm is cut too wide – the protector can twist too easily in the event of a fall.

PS judgment: Satisfactory


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

Dainese Stripes Estiva.

Contact 
Dainese Deutschland GmbH, 80809 Munich, Tel. 089/35 39 67 66
www.dainese.com
price 
749 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
46 to 58
Protectors 
S, E, K *

Conclusion 
Decent quality at a fair price: good leather, perfect workmanship, real racing cut and great fit give the station wagon many points. If Dainese made the forearms even tighter and moved away from the outdated hard shell protectors, the Stripes Estiva would also be something for the racetrack. Note: A Dainese size 50 is roughly equivalent to a 52 from other manufacturers.

PS judgment: Satisfactory


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

FLM top speed.

Contact 
Polo Express Shipping, 41363 Juchen, Tel. 021 65/84 40-400
www.polo-motorrad.de
price 
from 789.95 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
50 to 54
Protectors 
E, K *

Conclusion 
The most expensive station wagon is also the worst. Non-certified shoulder protectors, type A knee protectors that are too small, bad values ​​in the impact test, a much too large and poorly processed inner lining – unfortunately there is not much positive to say about the top speed. After all, high-quality stretch inserts are made, metal hard shells shine on elbows, shoulders and knees, and the lining is removable.

PS judgment: Poor


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

IXON Pulsar Air.

Contact 
MT Recker, 53340 Meckenheim, Tel. 022 25/88 86 80
www.mt-recker.de
price 
679 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
48 to 58
Protectors 
S, E, K *

Conclusion 
The Pulsar Air from Ixon is more of a touring suit and not for the racetrack. While the length is correct and the suit sits well on the shoulders, the hips, knees, calves and forearms are cut much too wide – the protectors would slip if you fell. In addition, the residual strength values ​​in the impact test are borderline high, especially on the knee. Positive: removable lining, cuffs made of neoprene and large type B protectors.

PS judgment: Sufficient


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

IXS Jerez.

Contact 
Hostettler GmbH, 79379 Mullheim, Tel. 076 31/180 40
www.ixs.com
price 
679.90 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
46 to 58, long sizes: 98 to 114
Protectors 
S, E, K *

Conclusion 
Solidly processed, good fit, knee and elbow protectors are in sewn-in pockets – the Jerez impresses with many details. The shoulder protector is too small (type A) and also only hangs loosely in the lining – that’s better. Ixs is one of the few manufacturers to offer long sizes. Footballers should choose a different combination: the calves are quite tight, calf stretch would be desirable here. Overall, the Jerez offers a lot of station wagons at an affordable price.

PS judgment: Satisfactory


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

Rev’It Bullit.

Contact 
Rev’it, 5340 Oss (Netherlands), Tel. 0031/412/69 67 40
www.revit.eu
price 
699.99 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
46 to 58
Protectors 
S, E, K *

Conclusion 
The impression is ambivalent: soft leather, great workmanship with clean seams on one side, a completely wrong fit on the other. Almost everything on the Bullit is cut way too wide and wobbles around – you must try it on in the store, a size 52 is more like a 56. The protectors are only average – that can be done better. Great: an optional drinking bag can be accommodated in the hump.

PS judgment: Sufficient


One-piece leather suits up to 800 euros in a comparison test


mps photo studio

Spyke Command Rac.

Contact 
Spyke S.p.a., 36061 Bassano del Grappa (Italy), Tel. 0039/424 51 12 40
www.spyke.it
price 
699 euros
material 
Cowhide
Sizes 
48 to 60
Protectors 
S, E, K *

Conclusion 
A real racing cut, clean workmanship and good stretch material characterize the Spyke. For 699 euros, the Command is a solid station wagon. In size 52, it should fit slim drivers up to about 1.83 meters. The expert only criticizes the choppy inner lining and the somewhat too wide forearms. If even better protectors are installed, the station wagon is even suitable for the race track – it is not like that.

PS judgment: Good

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