custom made leathers

[GEm]

I have given up hope of ever finding a set of leathers that will actually fit me properly - so am going to bite the bullet and have some specially made for me.

1:Has anyone here had custom leathers made? If so were you happy with them, what would you tell someone to look for/ask for? How much roughly did they cost?

2: can you recommend someone in the London/Northern Home Counties area who I could go to?

Thanks
G

 

[ChasMill]

Hideout Leather in Saffron Walden















You also get your inside leg measured by and very "trim" young lady if you play your cards right.

Ask Wapping of this Parish.

 

[Backroader]

I have had a set of made to measure 2 piece BKS Leathers for about 12 years. They still make bespoke leathers plus they also have a tie up with Frank Thomas for cheaper ready to wear sets.

Mine are bloody thick and made of around half a dozen cows I reckon......too thick really in the middle of summer in Spain, Italy etc. Comfort and fit is perfect and to a certain extent you can choose the colourways. Cannot say as to their crashability as I've stayed upright in them.

BKS supply a simple zip-in summer mesh lining and also a full top thermal lining for the winter (well most of the year then). Cost me over £1,000 donkey's years ago but worth every penny. Just starting to have a few loose threads here and there but they offer a refurbishment service.

I went to their head office in Devon to be measured but I think various dealers around the country will do that for you.

So - BKS Leathers are costly but thoroughly recommended by me !

 

[Neil W]

Unfortunately a bit far away from you but I can recommend AM Leathers in Barnard Castle , I've a two piece set that are now 12 years old and as good today as when I bought them.
I would NOT recommend Scott leathers as two mates went down for the made to measure service paid extra and the kit did not fit and staff blamed them !!!!!.

 

[Beak Freak]

I can thoroughly reccomend Crowtree Leathers. I know there was talk of them closing, but accoridng to their Facebook page they are still making made to measure leathers. Fantastic quality and value for money. Worth going just to see the demo of the crash protection!

They have been used by loads of TT racers, so if they are good enough for them, then I guess the protection must be pretty good

Contact details here 01507 602099 for any info on our 100% made to measure leathers.E Mail [email protected]

 

[Budweiser]

Hideout made of kangaroo and worth every penny. 3/4 years old about £1200 from memory

 

[ogri-nic]

BKS do supply to most of the police forces....
however they do cost, i believe its from about £1400, but they are ce approved and guaranteed for 5 years.

i have an issued one and although i prefer cordura for off duty, it is good kit

 

[GEm]

Hi

Thanks for these. Not sure about having my inside leg measured by a lady being a treat. The reason I need to get custom leathers is I am a very petite lady built along the Jessica Rabbit lines. So small but very curved, so nothing that fits the chest or hip area fits round the waist. I am getting a bit tired of not being able to unzip my jacket because my trousers fall down. Also every pair of trousers I have are about a foot too long. I will follow up on the recommendations (plus the avoids).

I like the idea of different linings too and being able to choose your colours. I fancy silver and black to match my bike (before you all snigger - I know that matching bike and leathers don't make you a good rider ;-)! )

 

[Mutley]

A mate had a set of Crowtrees. He was keen on track days and did a little light club racing. He crashed in them three or four times at realtively high speed and got nothing but surface scuffing. They even checked them over and replaced a couple of worn through stitches for him.

 

[zoltan]

BKS do supply to most of the police forces....
however they do cost, i believe its from about £1400, but they are ce approved and guaranteed for 5 years.

i have an issued one and although i prefer cordura for off duty, it is good kit

This is a BKS Police suit (new) , fantastic quality but heavy ( 11kg) . The trousers are a bit baggy and the offer a service to adjust them . I was fortunate to buy this suit of a retired PC ( he received it 6 months before leaving the Service) and fits perfectly.

 

[GEm]

llkgs!!!!

I can see I am going to have to choose the materials very very carefully.

I have printed off this thread so I can follow up on all the recommendations. It would be so nice to have a jacket and trousers that actually fits me (and were I dare unzip the jacket without the trousers falling down

 

[ChasMill]

Hi

Thanks for these. Not sure about having my inside leg measured by a lady being a treat. The reason I need to get custom leathers is I am a very petite lady built along the Jessica Rabbit lines. So small but very curved, so nothing that fits the chest or hip area fits round the waist. I am getting a bit tired of not being able to unzip my jacket because my trousers fall down. Also every pair of trousers I have are about a foot too long. I will follow up on the recommendations (plus the avoids).

I like the idea of different linings too and being able to choose your colours. I fancy silver and black to match my bike (before you all snigger - I know that matching bike and leathers don't make you a good rider ;-)! )

Didn't read your profile when I posted about Hideout.
I bought all of Mrs ChasMill's bike gear from them - highly recommended.

 

[GEm]

Ok - when I get the leathers I will get Mr Em to take a piccie of me in them (with bike) and help me post it so you can see the results of the advise. I've just looked on iPhoto and the only pics of me other than head and shoulders are swathed in big fleeces and clothes that are clearly someone elses as they drown me!

 

[jeff]

I have had a set of made to measure 2 piece BKS Leathers for about 12 years. They still make bespoke leathers plus they also have a tie up with Frank Thomas for cheaper ready to wear sets.

Mine are bloody thick and made of around half a dozen cows I reckon......too thick really in the middle of summer in Spain, Italy etc. Comfort and fit is perfect and to a certain extent you can choose the colourways. Cannot say as to their crashability as I've stayed upright in them.

BKS supply a simple zip-in summer mesh lining and also a full top thermal lining for the winter (well most of the year then). Cost me over £1,000 donkey's years ago but worth every penny. Just starting to have a few loose threads here and there but they offer a refurbishment service.

I went to their head office in Devon to be measured but I think various dealers around the country will do that for you.

So - BKS Leathers are costly but thoroughly recommended by me ![/Q


Same experience. Had mine for 10 years. Do a lot of riding in the sun so went back to Exmouth and had extra perforations put in jacket and jeans. OK now up to 28c over that ok if you are moving but you start to cook when stopped. Seen club and BSB riders come off with same suit and walk away unharmed.

 

[sanqhar]

+1 for BKS

I've had mine since 1993 must have done over 175,000 miles in them (till 2005 I was doing 13 to 14,000 miles a year commuting and holidays. They are like a second skin. I'm lucky to be about the same size as Brian Sansom and a few years ago (before the Frank Thomas buyout) bought at the NEC a prototype textile jacket made to fit him. I had the zips changed on my original jacket and trousers and now have the perfect combination for summer, leather trousers and textile jacket that zip together and all leather for winter (although now I am retired I seldom venture out in the darker months)

Quality kit.

Well worth the trip to Exmouth (I did it from Suffolk)

tom