drforsey@watrose.UUCP (drforsey) (02/26/86)
The time has come to get myself some full leathers, and I'd like some input from those with experience. One of my concerns is heat and breathability. I ride a Honda Sabre with a Sport Fairing; this beast can bake your thighs on a hot day. I'm wondering if black leather makes the rider significantly hotter than other colours on a sunny day. Sure, we all know black absorbs light and gets hot, but am I really likely to suffer more heat prostration in black than in any other typical colour (burgundy, dark brown, etc), or are you doomed to broil as soon as you wrap yourself in any leather from neck to toes? Also, is there any truth to this story that recently popped up on the net that black leather is tougher (than any other colour, all other things being equal, I assume) due to the process used in dyeing it? Has anyone had any experience with some sort of vented leathers? I'm thinking of something like a mesh insert in the legs to allow some cooling airflow. There could be a zipper to expose this, or a flap of leather which one can open, or it could be placed somewhere where you would be extremely unlikely to land if you wiped out eg back of calf, inside of thighs just up from knees, etc. Comments? Robyn Landers ...watmath!watrose!drforsey
alanj@orca.UUCP (Alan Jeddeloh) (03/03/86)
Not able to find anything off the rack that came remotely close to fitting, I had my jacket custom made by Langlitz in Portland. They will not guarentee anything other than black or dark brown. Apparently the colored dyes weaken the leather. I also had them make it out of goat -- the leather is lighter, cooler and and actually tougher than the standard cow. It was also $40 more (on top of $225, ouch!), but I figured it would be worth it if I could/would wear it in summer. *Start-of-Advertizment* As for the jacket, I couldn't be happier. The quality and workmanship are first rate. They've been making leathers since 1947 and that's all they do. They do mail-order business also. Langlitz Leathers 2443 S.E. Division Portland, OR 97214 (503) 235-0959 *End-of-Ad* -Alan Jeddeloh Tektronix GWD Wilsonville, OR 97070 (503) 685-3106
toddv@copper.UUCP (Todd Vierheller) (03/04/86)
[EAT ME]
Langlitz leathers will also make anything you ask for. If you have a
particular style of jacket or pants, they'll make it just like you ask.
(They also carry their standard stuff.) I had custom modifications made to
a pair of used pants (already fairly customized) for a minimal fee. They
make the leather jackets for the police in Portland and surrounding areas.
I bought my leather pants from Langlitz and my jacket from Wilson.
(I owned the jacket before I heard of Langlitz.) The difference in
quality of construction is amazing. The material that the (pouch type w/ zips)
pockets are made of on the Wilson jacket feel like I could push my hand through
with a little force. On my Langlitz pants the packets feel like they're
made of canvas. I keep all my stuff in the pants pockets because I know they
won't wear out. (There is something to be said for quality.)
When I was in the shop, they told another prospective buyer that if he
bought colored leathers he's probably have to replace them in three to five
years. The black ones last forever. I don't know why. I think the black
ones scuff less when you go down. I'd recommend
getting one set of leathers for winter, and a light leather jacket and chaps
for summer. My leathers darn near roasted me a few times last summer.
If you're going to wear leathers in the summer, remove any windsheild from
your bike to increase air flow.
If you're into cheap, cheap the used leathers in Larsen Leathers. You can
get their catalogue buy sending them a request. Look in the back of either
the AMA mag. or in the back of Rider. (I have a Motorcyclist here at work
and it's not in there.) If I remember, I'll post the address.
You can buy used suede jackets from Larson for as low as $25 (twenty-five
dollars).
Todd Vierhellerdhk@hp-pcd.UUCP (dhk) (03/07/86)
Chalk me up as another happy Langlitz customer. I highly recommend them.
Dustin Kassman
!hp-labs!hp-pcd!dhk
Hewlett-Packard
Corvallis, Oregon
PS. When I got my leathers I seem to remember that they said that black or
dark brown were the best colors because they wear longer (i.e. they
don't fade). But they will be glad to make leathers in just about any
color you like. If you want a little color in your black leathers just
have them stitch them with colored thread. BTW, I met a grey-haired
gentleman in the local Yamaha shop that had a set of Langlitz Leathers
on that looked like faded Levis but they were still going strong.gadfly@ihuxn.UUCP (Gadfly) (03/20/86)
-- > 4. Fit is crucial!! Your leathers need to fit you well when > you are riding your bike, not when your standing around... Good point! When you get measured, have a bike (or something you can straddle just like one) handy. I was amazed at how much longer pant legs have to be (and sleeves too, to a lesser extent) for a comfortable fit in riding posture. And if you're considering any riding suit with velcro closures, make sure the velcro strips are *at least* one inch wide. The skinny stuff just does not hold in a breeze. -- *** *** JE MAINTIENDRAI ***** ***** ****** ****** 20 Mar 86 [30 Ventose An CXCIV] ken perlow ***** ***** (312)979-7753 ** ** ** ** ..ihnp4!iwsl8!ken *** ***