Just because a garment is called a “leather race suit” does not make it “safety gear”.   The type and quality of the leather and the way it is put together is what affords the protection. On line commerce has made shopping easier and more competitive, as well as the items sold cheaper. But, on line commerce has also opened the flood gates of opportunity for unscrupulous merchandisers and cheap manufactories!

Before, you buy that” bargain” on line, consider its construction. What type of leather is used?  Is it really cowhide or some animal skin that will shred like paper when you hit the pavement, or smell like you took a dump in the suit when it gets wet?  How is it sewn together? An item of protection is only as good as its “weakest link”.  How many times are the seams stitched?  Single stitching with cotton thread is fine for the “NASCAR”  “leather” jacket you buy at the truck stop, but you want more when you “high side” at 110 MPH!

What about the areas of the suit that are at the most at risk; i.e. the butt, hips and accordion stretch panels?  Do these areas have extra leather reinforcement?  You’re right, that is not essential until the second 50 yards of a pavement slide!

Check the armor in the suit. Does it have a “C.E.” rating?  If it doesn’t, then you might as well use the foam packing out of the last eBay order you received.  “C.E.” means the stuff does what it is intended to do.  Products that are C.E. rated cost more…so check to see if your “bargain” suit uses “C.E.  Armor”, because if it does not, it may prove to be “not so much a bargain”!

“How bout” that stretch material?  Is there a little tag that says “Scholler Keprotec”?  If not, there is an excellent chance, your health insurance, if you are lucky enough to have any, will be paying for a skin graft!

What we are trying to make you understand, is that you cannot “judge a book by its cover” or a race suit by the picture on line. Be an “educated consumer”.  Is saving $200.00 really worth the risk?  Consider the KOMODO Challenger Race Suit-$699.00. www.komodogear.com

Just wanted to say thank you for having such a high quality product.

On July 17, 2009 I was rear ended at a stop light in Montgomery, Alabama by a vehicle. I was thrown 40 feet over the vehicle in front of me. I was sent to the hospital with a neck collar and the whole 9 yards. After the hospital was through with all of the CT scans, X’rays, MRI’s etc. I ended up with only a bruised lung. All of the doctors were afraid I had a possible broken neck from the injury. No doubt in my mind yourceno leather jacket had saved my life. The rear support in the jacket had prevented my neck from being snapped back during the accident preventing any neck injury at all. Not to mention the only damage the jacket took was a little scuff and a very minimal amount of thread was cut from the slide (less than an inch came undone at the rear seam). I was amazed at the durability and the quality of your jacket.

Thank you for all of the hard work and effort you have put into your jackets. I can’t thank you enough.

Kirk

Aero hump or no aero hump?  Do you ride on the street, do any track days or are you the hardcore weekend warrior and race?   If you ride on the street, the aero hump may be an issue if you ride with a passenger as it can prevent them from holding onto you effectively; otherwise it is a great safety feature.  Aero humps are not necessary for track days, as most riders use track days for pure recreation and a back protector will suffice just fine.  For the weekend warrior who races, aero humps are absolutely necessary!

Back protector?  Never leave home without one; worth their weight in gold!  Back protectors are highly overlooked by street riders, but will save your life.  Make it a habit to wear one as they do protect your spine to a very high degree.

Zippers matter so look for genuine YKK zippers; stainless steel and nylon based are usually the gold standard.