Alpinestars Monza
Alpinestars have hit the nail on the head with their new one-piece, the Monza.
It’s made from 1.3mm full-grain leather and is cut for a relaxed fit. It features CE approved armour in the elbow, shoulder, knee and shin area.
The mesh liner is removable and washable, not that you’ll ever remove it. It features high-density perforation in the chest area to aid cooling too.
It’s available in four colours: Black, White, Orange and Tricolour (pictured). Very stylish indeed.
Price: £599
Arc-On Corse
Arc-On Corse
Another budget suit with a decent specficiation. The Arc-On Corse is made from 1.2-1.4mm leather and features removable Knox CE-approved armour in the knees, shoulders and elbows.
The legs and arms are pre-curved for an ergonomic fit. Mesh lining features an anti-bacterial coating to keep it from turning into a petri-dish.
There’s a racing hump, ventilated shoulder areas and perforated leather in the chest panels to aid cooling. Good suit, well-priced.
Price: £399
Arlen Ness LS1 8308
Arlen Ness LS1 8308
Sounding more like a scientific calculator than a piece of essential motorcycling gear, the LS1 8308 employs 1.3mm full-grain leather treated to offer more abrasion resistance.
There’s Magnesium external armour on shoulders, elbows and knees and internal CE-approved armour as well as a low-cut collar and neoprene cuffs.
Developed with Ruben Xaus it has YKK zips throughout, fully removable lining, race hump and a fire retardent finish.
Clearly, Xaus has had some influence here.
Price: £699
Berik LS1 8320
Berik LS1 8320
Sounding more like a flight to Germany than a set of leathers, the LS1 8320 from Berik is a well made, mid-priced, one-piece very similar in spec to the Arlen Ness LS1 8308, but a couple of hundred quid cheaper.
It’s made from full-grain 1.3mm leather and features CE armour in the shoulders elbows and knees. All seams are double or triple stitched for extra burst protection.
Fully removable lining, aerodynamic race hump and YKK zips throughout. A good-looking suit and well priced too.
Price: £499
Bering IRO
Bering IRO
The Bering IRO is from their affordable range and it’s a basic, no frills suit. Made from 1.2mm leather. it features CE approved shoulder, elbow and knee protection, hip foam and tibia protectors too.
It has a removable mesh lining and when the only thing left that you can mention is its inside pockets, you know this is a suit made to a price point.
Does the logo on the knee remind anyone of the Autobot face in Transformers? No? Oh well, it’s just us again...
Price: £430
Dainese Red Line
Dainese Red Line
Dainese’s best looking suit for 2010 is the Red Line. At £879 it’s not cheap, but then Dainese never appeals to penny-pinchers.
Made from 1.3mm D-Skin leather with trademark Dainese double-zip front fastener. Armour in shoulders, elbows, knees and shins with external titanium.
So you can even look stylish as you spark your way into the gravel trap. Removable, washable liner and double-calf zip. Dainese – the stylemonger’s choice. Our design guru Barry would frame it.
Price: £879
Frank Thomas XTi II
Frank Thomas XTi II
By name alone, we presume this is in some way fuel-injected. A budget suit offering similar spec to some twice the price.
You can’t fault the features: 1.2mm full-grain leather with Arma-Flex CE approved armour in the knees, shoulder and elbows and pockets to fit armour in the back and hips too.
It’s not just triple stitched either, it’s quadruple stitched in some areas too. Anti-bacterial, YKK zips and titanium external shoulder armour. Now, where do you put the petrol?
Price: £399
Gimoto GP Stripes
Gimoto GP Stripes
Gimoto has a range of eight one-pieces and the GP Stripes is an entry-level number. At £999 it’s hardly an entry level price.
Made from 1.3mm leather, and featuring CE-approved armour in the elbows, shoulders and knees. The GP Stripes also features a removable lining and an aerodynamic hump.
It feels well made, but at £999 it’s got some stiff competition. It’s available in five different colours. You can also have it custom made for an extra £250.
Price: £999
Halo SBK
Halo SBK
At £1199, you need an SBK budget to afford these SBK leathers from Halo.
But they do come packed with decent features. Made from 1.4mm leather quadruple stitched with Kevlar seams, the suit features Forcefield armour in the elbows, knees, shoulders and back and titanium and cabron fibre external protectors on knees, elbows and shoulders.
There is a neoprene collar for added comfort, a removable lining and durable YKK zips. This is a good suit.
Price: £1199
Hein Gericke PSX Competition
Hein Gericke PSX Competition
This no-nonsense one-piece from Hein Gericke ticks all the boxes you’d expect for a £500 leather suit.
There are no frills on the design side of things but its 1.2mm full-grain leather feels well stitched together.
There’s a CE-approved back protector and CE protection on shoulders, knees, elbows, and collar-bones.
Removable/washable lining and a couple of pockets to keep your wallet safe too. Typically dependable Hein Gericke fodder.
Price: £499
Held Slade
Held Slade
Held have beefed up their offerings over the past year and now have a strong range.
The Slade is made from 40% kangaroo leather and cowhide. Those poor old kangaroos don’t know it but their hide is lighter and almost twice as as strong as cowhide.
It features armour in the back, shoulders, knee and elbows and upgradable hip protectors.
There are two inside pockets, a back hump and perforated leather panels to help cooling. A solid-feeling suit. In a good way.
Price: £699
RST Fusion
RST Fusion
Nothing in the spec betrays this suit’s price. It’s made from full-grain 1.3mm leather and features CE-approved armour in the shoulder, elbows and knees.
Each panel is double or triple stitched with bonded nylon for improved burst strength.
Neoprene lining to the collar and cuffs and the front panels are perforated to aid cooling. A great suit for anyone on a tight budget.
Price: £329
Segura S-Race
Segura S-Race
This suit from Segura was allegedly being developed by Regis Laconi last year up until the horrific WSB crash that broke his back.
Presumably, there was still some development needed. It’s made from 1.2mm leather and features CE approved armour in the shoulders, knees and elbows and titanium external sliders on the shoulders and knees and some venting on the front.
Let’s hope good old Regis doesn’t break his back again this year.
Price: £699
Spyke Blaster
Spyke Blaster
Spyke’s new one-piece for 2010 is a great looking bit of kit and well made too.
Constructed from 1.2mm leather with Kevlar flex zones. The Blaster also features removable CE armour in the shoulders, knees, elbow and back with external armour on the knees and shoulders for added impact protection. With perforated leather on the chest and a removable lining, you’ll keep cool too.
Now with a decent importer, we’ll wager this suit will be a popular choice this year.
Price: £599
Weise Tornado
Weise Tornado
Clearly, you’re someone who wants a plain one-piece. How do we know? Well, you’re reading this aren’t you?
In 1.1-1.3mm leather with CE-approved armour in shoulders, knees, elbows and back.
Plastic external shoulder protectors and 3M reflective piping on the front of the suit for hi-vis inner peace.
Removable and washable lining and YKK zips. It’s got it all really, including stealth looks.
Price: £399
