IOM leather suits vs MotoGP Q?

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gman74

gman74

Joined
May 14, 2012
Messages
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Location
Julington Creek, FL
Not sure if there will be a definitive answer for this but I'll ask anyway. Curious why riders at TT Isle Of Man wear leathers very baggie and any other race circuit (ie:MotoGP) suits are tight fitted. I was taught a tightly fitted suit will provide better protection. If you go down you won't break bones as easily and if the suit is baggie it catches as you flip. Comments?
If you watch YouTube videos their leathers are flapping in the wind. Disclaimer, I have not watched IOM this year. I'm basing my question on past years.
 
The purpose of a tight fitting suit/jacked is so the armor that is built into the suit won't move around on you when you fall. You want the armor in the place where it's suppose to be also you won't feel like a parachute.
 
There are many riders who don't have the armor attached to the suit itself. Rather, the armor is fitted onto a tight fitting base layer of sorts (think Under Armor).

Like this:
motorcycle_gifts_06_0910-md.jpg


The only thing flapping around in the wind is the leather itself - the armor is still secured to their bodies, just through a different mechanism.

As for aero, I don't know why you'd want a baggy suit.
 
Last edited:
Because most of those guys are low buck priviteers and buy leathers off the rack, you don't see Dunlop, or McGuiness and the other top pros with baggy's that would create too much drag.
 
centeroff said:
Because most of those guys are low buck priviteers and buy leathers off the rack, you don't see Dunlop, or McGuiness and the other top pros with baggy's that would create too much drag.
Click to expand...

This was my thought as well. The guys with support have fitted leathers like normal. The others appear to be wearing whatever they could find off the rack.
 
centeroff said:
Because most of those guys are low buck priviteers and buy leathers off the rack, you don't see Dunlop, or McGuiness and the other top pros with baggy's that would create too much drag.
Click to expand...

No actually they were mostly the ones that I was referring to.
99% of us on this forum aren't rich professional riders and we have fitted leathers to the best of our ability. Not arguing your point in a disrespectful way, but I don't think it's due to funding.
 
Only rider I can remember seeing with loose leathers was Cameron Donald last year, ITV4 mentioned it a few times. Apparently it was because he had removed his chest protector because it was a bit restrictive, hence it was looser & the flapping! I suppose it's rare to see the Moto GP boys not tucked in behind the fairing which is more common at the TT when they're wrestling the bikes around.

Otherwise I'm not aware of any real differences, watched the Superbikes off the start line and all the riders had the usual brands of one piece leathers. Older TT videos show more riders with custom made leathers from BKS or Crowtree but I guess with advances in technology and the flex from cooling panels mean most can get off the peg ones pretty close and get adjustments made if needed.
 
The TT guys need room in their leathers for all the beer they drink at the Pubs the night before and after the Race :D
 
Stw said:
:D.. I think hes on to something....
Click to expand...

The GP guys have to maintain that 125 lbs figure so no beer! That is why Rossi is not winning anymore he has to lug around 136 lbs (not as light as he used to be)
 
MotoGP guys leathersuits are custom made for them (at least the alpinestars ones are). Alpinestars even has technicians on site to adjust them as necessary.
 
gman74 said:
No actually they were mostly the ones that I was referring to.
99% of us on this forum aren't rich professional riders and we have fitted leathers to the best of our ability. Not arguing your point in a disrespectful way, but I don't think it's due to funding.
Click to expand...

Ive been watching the highlights and Guy Martin's leathers were loose on him as well this year....
 
Maybe the TT guys like the spaceman fit!!

I'm sure they have a lot more clincher moments, so it would give a little room to dissipate the odd parp :p
 
11ninenine said:
There are many riders who don't have the armor attached to the suit itself. Rather, the armor is fitted onto a tight fitting base layer of sorts (think Under Armor).

Like this:
motorcycle_gifts_06_0910-md.jpg


The only thing flapping around in the wind is the leather itself - the armor is still secured to their bodies, just through a different mechanism.

As for aero, I don't know why you'd want a baggy suit.
Click to expand...

When I was racing supermoto, I had the Alpinestar version of this armor. It is pretty uncomfortable to wear when you are constantly moving around on the bike. It definitely works wonders on crashes though. I raced with armor like this under motocross gear, so when I crashed on asphalt I loved that stuff.
 
iceman said:
Ive been watching the highlights and Guy Martin's leathers were loose on him as well this year....
Click to expand...

Hey Iceman

What channel are you watching the highlights ? I had a quick scan of the guide but did not find it

I do not have foxtel though. cheers
 

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