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So when you've bought your leathers what's the best and quickest way to break them in?

As some of you will know I got some mtm leathers from Hideout. As they should be they are a figure hugging (and there is a lot of figure to hug) but because of this and the thickness of the leather they are consequently quite stiff and currently a little uncomfortable to wear for long periods.

Today was the first time I've actually been out in them (I thought I'd better see how comfortable they are before setting off for Brands Hatch tomorrow). It felt totally alien as I've never had such tight leathers before (but at least they won't move around in an accident).

So how do I get them to soften up a bit to make them more comfortable? The advice from Hideout is that they will take 100 hours of wear before they break in properly and then I'll be back in 6 months for them to take them in a bit as they will slacken off.

One thing that did surprise me was how warm they are (maybe because there is no room for any drafts to get in). With just an EDZ suit a t shirt and the thermal liner in I was quite comfy on a day I would normally have at least another layer with my other kit on.

Thanks TC. I've been wearing them round the house a few times (thankfully no-one has come to the door whilst doing that!) but this was the first time actually on the bike.

Unfortunately I cannot find boots that will allow me to get my leathers inside them and still go far enough up my legs to give any protection above the ankle for my lower shin (the bit below the padding in the leathers) so I've always worn them outside. Because of this I got them to measure round the boot so its as close a fit as possible to reduce the chance of snagging.I know its not ideal but better than having oversized boots.

Thats a good looking suit. Nice one.

Elegant and understated but individual, just like me

I was at Brands on monday but didn't hear your leathers creaking

I wear a Texport Gocchia 2 piece which didn't require any breaking in at all. It's maintained it's shape over 2 years and about 15K miles.

That looks like a fine suit you're wearing I've never seen a set of Hideout's in the flesh

Question:
When buying Trousers, is it advisable to buy a pair that you can fit OVER your normal clothes so you can take them off when you get to work?

I tried buying a pair of cordura(?) (non-leather, padded) and the pairs that fit the leg (Knee pads over the knees) are WAY to tight in the waist regardless if I wear my trousers under them or not.

And if they do fit my belly (kindly donated by Mr Bud. Weiser) then the legs are far too long and the pads end up round my shins- even if I squat down as far as I can get.

Does this mean I'll need to go tailor-made for my trousers or am I looking in the wrong places??

I believe you can get some kind of wax for leathers. It's meant to help with cleaning, but what actually happens is that it soaks in and makes the leathers "softer". Guy at my local dealer swears by it. Can't remember the name, but it's basically a type of saddle soap in mushy form.

HTH

UWL try J&S, if I can get cordura stuff to fit there so can you. They also do different leg lengths from lanky git to short arris so there should be something to fit.

Biker Paradise, afraid I wasn't on the bike on Monday so wasn't in my leathers. Seemed a waste of time getting kitted up just to move it from the Thistle Brands Hatch car park to the bike park across the road so I just walked the 200 yards to the gate instead.

That'll be why then :tounge:

Hello All

I am new here, but got myself a Leather Jacket/pants combo at the NEC for good £££££ last Nov.

I haven't used it much yet bcosof the Cold, although on some nice sunny days i went out to try it out.

At first it felt like i would not be able to move, so i did use it a few times around the house, try to stretch as much as possible with the 2 parts zipped together, etc.

It did take a few tries but they are now becoming confortable.

since it is my first ever proper 2 parts leather suit, I do not have a base for comparison, but i guess it is getting there.

Spring is here so i will soon know it,,,,

I tried on some leather trousers today and they seemed to fit well apart from the knee pads were hanging under my knee when i was standing up.

The salesman said thats how its supposed to be so that they cover your knees when you're on the bike, but my first thought was what will happen if i'm sliding down the road? The knee pads won't be much use then?

I tired doing a search, can anyone confirm where the knee pad should be when standing up?

Any help much appreciated, don't want to buy the wrong fit !!!

Surely someone on here has leathers!!

I assume you had boots on with the trousers

as they tend to keep the pads higher up

Guilty as charged m'lud (CBR-Rocket).

Yeah, sliders are below the knee when you are standing up. When you get on the bike your trouser leg rides up and the slider will be where it should be.

One point - sliders are not for protecting your knees when you get flung off in an accident as has been questioned, they are for protecting your knees when you are 'doing a Rossi' and making yourself look a total prat on a Sunday afternoon. Read that to mean when, sorry if, you can get your knee down (which is actually quite difficult and needs more effort to acheive than if you were riding normally).

And yes, I wear leathers but without sliders! I don't need them as I can get round corners perfectly well without needing to see sparklies and frighten the natives.

Dazza - I didn't have any boots on! Once i put them on they were fine!! I jsu need to get some scrapes into those knee sliders now!!

Angle grinders are good for making you look like a hero - so long as you grind them in the right direction or you will look like a contortionist!!!!
Mike (Takes me all my time to get my feet down never mind my knees!)

the best way (or so i'm told)
is to hang of a playground roundabout
and get the kids to push you round