You’ve finally upgraded your old hand-me-down leather motorcycle race suit to a brand new one, but there’s just one problem – it feels a size too small! The tightness in the forearms, thighs, calves, and torso (especially the chest) is almost unbearable, making you wonder if you should just return it. But before you give up on the suit, consider that it might just need some breaking in.
After all, form, fit, and function are essential factors when it comes to selecting the right motorcycle gear, just like with the bike itself. So, how do you break in a motorcycle race suit and get it to fit comfortably without compromising its protective qualities?
To break in a motorcycle race suit, wear it around the house and while riding a motorcycle, repeatedly stretch the restrictive zones, soak it in water and condition the leather to restore the essential oils for flexibility. The truth is, there is more to giving that cowhide, goatskin or kangaroo leather a proper stretch than meets the eye.
7 Essential Dos on How to Break in a Motorcycle Race Suit
Here are some lessons we’ve learned in our quest of any proven method to relax the leather on a new racing suit:
1. Fit, Before All Else
One common newbie mistake that you should avoid, especially if you’re a rider who just got a racing suit before your first track day, is buying a size too small and expecting it to stretch significantly after the break-in period. Sadly enough, this hardly ever happens since good motorcycle leathers are thicker than 1mm with a Young’s modulus of 51MPa, meaning they have very high resistance to stretching.
You can take accurate measurements of your body and consult size charts before making a purchase for a fitting race suit that will also break in easily. Or, even consider investing in a custom-sewn racing suit, which not only guarantees a perfect fit but also presents the opportunity to add airvests and custom graphics.
Despite these options, it can still be challenging to understand the standard race motorcycle suit sizing chart, as measurements can vary between Euro and US sizing and between individual manufacturers’ designs. To help you navigate this, we have included an international size chart for racing suits that provides measurements in inches, giving you a harmonized picture of the size you need in both European and US markets.
First, the equivalent upper body measurements:
International Size Chart for Racing Suits with Torso, Chest, Arm, and Neck Measurements in Inches
Size Torso (in.) Chest (in.) Arm (in.) Neck (in.)
48 21 39.25 22.5 19
50 21.75 41.25 23 19.5
52 22.5 43.25 23.5 20
54 23.25 45.25 24 20.5
56 24 47.25 24.5 21
58 24.75 49.25 25 21.5
60 25.5 51.25 25.5 22
And then the same sizes, but considering body measurements from the waist down:
International Size Chart for Racing Suits with Waist, Inseam, Hips, and Knee Measurements in Inches
Size Waist (in.) Inseam (in.) Hips (in.) Knee (in.)
48 35 29.25 40 18.5
50 35 29.75 42 19
52 39 30.25 44 19.5
54 41 30.75 46 20
56 43 31.25 48 20.5
58 45 31.75 50 21
60 47 32.25 52 21.5
As an expert in this field, I can tell you that gear that fits too loosely is unsafe in a crash. There’s a good reason why professional-grade “race-fit” gear is custom-made for riders and feels uncomfortably tight in some areas while appearing baggy in others, especially when not properly adjusted on the track.
On the other hand, if your gear fits poorly, it will not provide adequate protection in a crash as the armor can move around, seams can unravel, and loose fabric can get caught on the pavement, causing serious burns or making you tumble instead of smoothly sliding. Additionally, ill-fitting gear can create a “sailing effect” with excess fabric flapping in the wind, which increases frictional drag and reduces your performance on the track.
For a younger rider, you have the obvious advantage of growing into your leather racing suit as it ages and stretches. You can get more miles off a snug-fitting one provided you don’t have a crash. But as you grow, you may need to upgrade to a larger suit to maintain proper protection and performance on the track.
2. On With It Then, Wear Your Gear to Break It In
It’s as simple as it gets. The quickest way to break in a suit is to dare to be in it and in for it. A few hot track days will do the trick, but some hardcore enthusiasts will have you do full body workouts in your new suit. Better still, wear it around the house going about your chores, or you could take it a step further and think outside the box by actually sleeping in it.
Yes, you read that right! If you’re up for the challenge, try sleeping in your leather motorcycle race suit. It’s a super dedicated approach, so you can reserve it for special occasions like a night out at a biker hangout.
Another trick we’ve seen over the years is to use some extra undergarments as under-armor so that there is room to spare when you take them off for the big day. That’s also how to break in a motorcycle helmet and leather boots, but before I digress. Yes, the bottom line is makers can’t custom fit every suit, so you kind of have to work it in yourself.
3. When Stretching Leather, Moisture Is a Frenemy
Wetting motorcycle leather with a damp soft fiber cloth. Moisture should be used sparingly to allow leather to stretch without washing off the internal oils that keep the leather functional.
Careful! While moisture helps leather to stretch a considerable amount, soaking it would also strip its natural essential oils that allow it to last around 20 years. Repeated wet and dry action can cause leather suits to dry out, shrink, crack, and peel. Think of that before jumping in the shower with your AGVSPORT Podium II Race Suit!
That being said, a high-quality racing suit can easily withstand a generous splash, allowing you to confidently ride in the rain or even utilize the age-old technique of wetting your leathers with warm water to facilitate movement and flexibility.
But there’s no need to rely solely on your body to break in the suit. With spare inner tubes, you can simply stuff them down the legs and arms of the suit, spritz it with warm water, and inflate the tubes to gently stretch out the leather. This can be done for as long as necessary, but remember to condition the leather afterwards to restore its natural suppleness.
Wondering how to do that? Read on!
4. Dry and Condition Your Motorcycle Race Suit
Having used water moisture to stretch your leather, conditioning and moisturizing with special formulations is your best hope for keeping your gains and preventing it from turning bone dry and brittle.
Most applications involve spraying down the suit, but you can also work in the ointment with a soft sponge. Also, sun your leathers whenever you can do so in the summer heat to soften them and allow oil to seep in. The result, supple and smooth leather with sheen not dripping in excess conditioner.
Top Picks: Best Leather Conditioners for Motorcycle Suits
Best Leather Motorcycle Suit Conditioner Size (Ounces) Average Rating Availability
Chemical Guys Leather Conditioner Kit 6.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Leather Honey Conditioner 8.45 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Colourlock Aniline Leather Care Cream 1 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Weiman 3 in 1 Deep Leather Conditioner 8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Meguiar's G18616 Gold Class Leather Conditioner 16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Obenauf’s Heavy-Duty Leather Preservative 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Lexol Leather Conditioner 16.9 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Bick 4 Leather Conditioner 16 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Leather Honey Leather Conditioner is the best formula due to its long-lasting effects and ability to soften and restore leather. Bick 4 Leather Conditioner, on the other hand, is the softest conditioner that gently conditions without leaving any residue. Meguiar’s G18616 Gold Class Leather Conditioner is the best value as it provides excellent conditioning at an affordable price.
Meanwhile, Chemical Guys SPI 109 16 Leather Conditioner, similar to the Weiman 3 in 1 Deep Leather Conditioner, is the best kit that comes with all the necessary products for cleaning and conditioning leather. For heavily used leather motorcycle suits, Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP is the strongest conditioner that provides intense conditioning and protection. Other top picks include Colourlock Aniline Leather Care Cream and Lexol Leather Conditioner.
A word of caution, though, leather for a motorcycle racing suit could be kangaroo, cowhide or goatskin derived and each source has its own type of conditioner. Goat and lamb skins are softer and require lighter fashion lotions while cowhide and kangaroo require the heavier all-weather stuff. I would recommend a lanolin based leather conditioner for goatskin suits. But all pro riders in your cell may swear by a different conditioner, so follow your suit maker’s instructions as well as directions on the specific conditioner. It will do!
5. Roll It
Try rolling your leather garments into a ball and spreading it out repeatedly for a couple of minutes. You can also hang it out to stretch with light dumbbell weights. I found these two techniques while scouring the interwebs as I often do to bring you the best tips and tricks. I haven’t tried out personally, but I feel they make sense.
The only downside I can think of for this rolling method is the creases and perhaps cracks that might appear if you are overzealous. It’s nothing some tender love and care won’t fix down the road even by simply hanging with a proper padded hanger. A little creativity doesn’t hurt as long as you keep calm and be gentle.
CAUTION! The following two methods have the potential to both damage leather and remove ink from patches, labels, and lettering.
I have never personally used either of these methods, so it’s crucial to weigh the risks carefully before attempting either of them:
6. Consider Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has been a tried and true method for breaking in leather baseball gloves, and catchers have sworn by it for generations, including the Yankees star catcher, Rodriguez. Even in the days of the wild west, ranchers and cowboys used this technique to get their gloves game-ready.
But when it comes to breaking in a motorcycle race suit, rubbing alcohol may not be the most practical solution. The downside is that it evaporates quickly, which means you would need a significant amount of it to drench your entire suit and still have enough time to put it on. We recommend saving the alcohol for problem areas like the crotch, knees, shoulders, and neck where it doubles as a deodorant.
You can easily and cheaply find rubbing alcohol in your neighborhood. But if you have some extra dollars to spare, you may want to consider purchasing one of these recommended rubbing alcohol options online.
Top Picks: Best Rubbing Alcohol Products
Best Rubbing Alcohol Size (Ounces) Average Rating Availability
Amazon Brand - Solimo 99% Isopropyl Alcohol 16 (Pack of 1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Hydrox 70% Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol 16 (Pack of 1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Swan 70% Rubbing Alcohol 16 (Pack of 1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Dr. Fred Summit Rubbing Alcohol 16 (Pack of 1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Pro Tip: When using any of these rubbing alcohols, lower the concentration to 50% to prevent damage to your leathers. For even greater caution, consider diluting the rubbing alcohol further to 25% by mixing it with water. Use a small cotton ball or the tip of a washcloth to apply.
7. And As a Last Resort, Try Abrasive Techniques
Sweat it out or drench it in water, nothing is as invasive as wearing leather down with abrasives. I’m not talking 60 grit coarse sandpaper (that would be insane), more like taking steel wool or nylon abrasive pad to sooth problem areas, which are typically also high-wear zones like elbows, shoulders and around seams. You still have to ride in it between scrubs to achieve meaningful improvements.
And if you don’t mind the slight discoloration, have a great deal of patience and elbow grease, you should get through it in a couple of days.
Common Breaking in Motorcycle Suit Don’ts to Keep in Mind
Racing suits are built for endurance and sheer strength and so breaking one in can be a pretty daunting task. A few hours in and you might feel like you are not getting any results with the mild methods above. It’s no wonder that a few erroneous sources on the web suggest that you throw the following harsh treatments at the new suit. But violence is rarely the answer!
And so, we strongly advise against doing any of the following to your race suit:
- Don’t apply harsh cleaners and reagents not formulated for use on leather garments
- Don’t throw your race suit in a washing machine or dryer (ouch!)
- Don’t use a mechanical rotating brush to abrade your leather suit
- Don’t clamp down and stretch your leather with ratchet straps
- Don’t drench your leather with excessive water or cleaner
- Don’t apply too much conditioner or cleaning product to clog the stitching and perforations
- Don’t perforate your own leather, it’s impossible to determine how many holes or what sizes are still safe.
Don’t overdo any of the Dos we gave above. If it’s all not working, you may have a fitment issue after all! But again,
Just How Tight Should Motorcycle Leathers Be, When Is It Time To Call It Quits?
Even persistence has its limits, so if none of the methods listed above seem to work, then you may be having a fit issue. Unfortunately, you may have to replace the suit with a larger sized one that fits. I can’t stress enough the importance of picking the best fit race suit for your weight and stature from this list:
Top Picks: Best Motorcycle Race Suits
Best Motorcycle Suit Size (Inches) Average Rating Availability
AGVSPORT Ascari-RC 40-54 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Alpinestars Racing Absolute 36-54 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Rev’It Quantum 44-60 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ RevZilla ➤
Cortech Adrenaline GP 36-54 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
Dainese Misano 2 D-Air Perforated 40-60 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RevZilla ➤
Sedici Corsa 48-60 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ RevZilla ➤
Joe Rocket Speedmaster 7.0 38-56 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazon ➤
The Dainese Misano 2 D-Air and AGVSPORT Ascari-RC stand out among other highly rated options, like the Sedici Corsa, Alpinestars Racing Absolute, Rev’It Quantum, Cortech Adrenaline GP, and Joe Rocket Speedmaster 7.0, due to their advanced technology and excellent protection, which make them top choices in motorcycle race suits in 2023.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q: How Do You Break in Race Leathers?
To break in race leather leathers, put them on and exercise in them doing repetitive stretches. The leather will adapt to your natural figure and body movements and with continued use, break in.
Q: How Do You Break in a New Motorcycle Jacket?
To break in a new motorcycle jacket, you can ride in it through rain, or roll it up into a ball and then stretch it out repeatedly until it loosens up. Just staying in the jacket even when not riding and doing stretching movements will help it break faster.
Q: How Should a Motorcycle Suit Fit?
A race suit needs to be snug. Not too tight that it inhibits rider’s natural movements to control the bike but also not too loose that it causes the sailing effect or grabs on pavement in case of a fall. racing leathers should essentially “fit like a glove”.
Q: How to Soften Motorcycle Leathers?
To soften motorcycle leathers, apply essential oils formulated for conditioning leathers or simply use commonly available oils such as mink and coconut oils. Sunning the leather for a couple of minutes ahead of time will help open up pores so the oils seep right in.
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