One-piece versus two-piece motorcycle leathers
If your riding skills have reached a high level, you’re probably thinking of doing a track day. If you have already done a few track days, you’re probably thinking of doing a few more – they are addictive!
Track Days = Mandatory Leathers (mostly)
If you want to do regular track days, your sports motorcycle needs to be up to standard. Your riding gear needs to be up to standard, too. Arrive without the correct gear at a track day and you will be turned away.
Most track day operators have specific requirements for participants when it comes to riding gear. Leather gloves, proper motorcycle leather boots and approved full-face helmets will be mandatory. Most operators will not allow riders on track with textile jackets and pants, insisting on full motorcycle leathers.
The reason for this is that leathers offer superior protection to textile motorcycle gear. Leathers remain the gold standard when it comes to closed circuit riding and racing at all levels. The one-piece leathers that MotoGP riders wear today are fundamentally the same as what racers wore 100 years ago.
While leathers are usually mandatory for track days, most operators will allow either one-piece or two-piece leathers. Each option offers similar levels of protection, but there are some fundamental differences.
What is a one-piece racing suit?
A one-piece leather racing suit is one complete garment and NOT made up of separate jacket and pants elements.
Advantages of one-piece racing suits
- Best protection available
- Minimal failure points
- Pre-curved sections for on-bike comfort
- Ventilated sections for airflow
- Aerodynamically efficient
Disadvantages of one-piece racing suits
- Impractical for daily commuting
- Usually not waterproof
- Uncomfortable to wear off the bike
- Difficult to put on and take off
- Expensive
A one-piece leather riding suit is designed to offer full body protection. Armour in the shoulders, elbows, forearms and knees enhances the leather's protection. Sliders in the elbows and knees serve the same purpose. Some riding suits offer extra features to enhance the leather’s protective qualities.
With a one-piece leather suit, things like zippers and adjustment points are minimised. This is because every point of opening or adjustment is also potentially a point of weakness. For the same reason, pockets are absent from a one-piece suit.
Compared to conventional motorcycle riding gear, racing suits are more of a purpose-built item. Racing suits are cut and shaped to offer protection and aerodynamic efficiency on a racetrack.
As riders are in a crouched position on a track, racing leathers have arm and leg sections that are pre-curved. This is to match the rider's stance. Leg sections are shorter for the same reason and also tapered to allow boots to be worn over the top. Additionally, stretch panels in the back allow for the bend at the waist and the fit at the front avoids bunching.
Most one-piece suits are ventilated for comfort but this also means they’re not waterproof. That’s why you see MotoGP riders wearing a plastic suit over their leathers during wet practice and qualifying sessions.
The design and construction of one-piece leather suits optimises rider performance on a racetrack but minimises comfort and usability off it.
When you’re next at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, have a look around the crowd. The guys and girls who’ve ridden to the event will mostly be wearing separate jacket and pant combinations. People in one-piece leathers will be at a minimum. This is because one-piece leathers are uncomfortable to wear for long periods off a motorcycle.
The factors that make one-piece leathers more comfortable to wear on a bike make them uncomfortable off the bike. If MotoGP riders appear to have a stoop or walk unnaturally when off the bike, that’s because of the design and construction of one-piece suits.
When standing, one-piece leathers can pull on the shoulders and feel loose in the backside. When sitting, the curved arm sections make it hard to straighten or stretch your arms.
Finally, one-piece leathers are designed to hug your body, but that makes them hard to put on and take off. As such, some of the simplest things, like going to the toilet, become difficult.
What is a two-piece racing suit?
A two-piece leather racing suit is made up of a separate jacket and pants. It is NOT one complete garment.
Advantages of two-piece leather racing suits
- More practical for frequent riding
- Versatile – can be worn separately
- Pre-curved sections for on-bike comfort
- Ventilated sections for airflow
- Less expensive than one-piece leathers
Disadvantages of two-piece leather racing suits
- Not as protective as one-piece leathers
- Usually not waterproof
- Not as aerodynamic
- Additional zip/attachment points can be uncomfortable
A two-piece leather riding suit is designed to provide full protection. Its internal armour, external sliders and other features are often the same as a one-piece leather suit. The main difference is that a two-piece suit is made up of a separate jacket and pants. These can be fastened together using a zipper around the waist.
While not as secure as a one-piece suit, a two-piece suit still offers very good protection in a fall. That’s why most track day operators allow participants to wear them.
Two-piece suits are sometimes cut and shaped less aggressively than one-piece suits, so there is a slight trade-off there in terms of efficiency of the suit on the bike. Off the bike, the two-piece suit comes into its own, though.
As the two sections can be unzipped for greater comfort when sitting or standing, it's more versatile. Two separate pieces also allow riders of unusual body shapes to mix and match sizes of jacket and pant to find the best fit. This is usually impossible with a one-piece leather suit.
Most two-piece leather suits don’t have the same level of ventilation as one-piece suits. That’s compensated by being able to unzip the pants from the jacket to allow airflow around the body.
Finally, the “dual purpose” nature of two-piece leather suits means they can include pockets and other practicalities for daily riding. One-piece suits lack this versatility.
So which is better – one-piece or two-piece?
Your choice of leather riding suit should be decided by the riding you’re likely to be doing.
If it’s commuting, sporty weekend rides and the occasional track day, then go for a two-piece. This combination is generally more comfortable for day to day riding. For less extreme riding situations, you can also leave the pants behind and just wear the jacket on its own.
If you’re doing track days regularly or considering club level racing, then go for a one-piece. It offers more protection and no chance of separation during a fall on a track.
Be Prepared to Pay for Protection
Once you’ve figured out which type of leather racing suit is best for you, DON’T take a shortcut on price. Choose the very best you can afford, as the extra you spend now will pay for itself later.
Look for a reputable, established brand, like Ixon, Alpinestars, Dainese, RST and Spidi. Other good brands are out there, too.
If you’re buying your first leather riding suit, choose a bricks and mortar retailer. You can try on different sized leathers in-store and see how they fit and feel before making a purchase.
Buy online and there could be plenty of hassle sending ill-fitting gear back before establishing the right size. There’s the additional expense of returns and refunds, which may be more difficult with online-only retailers, too.
In terms of price, one-piece suits usually require an investment of $1,500 to $2,000 or maybe more. Pricing depends on the brand name, features and other factors, like provision for air vest protection.
Pricing for two-piece suits is usually in the $1,000 range. A two-piece suit with a full circumference zipper offers protection almost as good as a one-piece leather suit. A suit with a partial zipper offers only partial protection.
Be wary of ultra-cheap ($500 or less) pricing for either suit option. This usually points to a lack of quality in the leather used and the overall construction. Very cheap suits may not meet safety standards, either.
Leather Riding Suits to Buy
Ixon Jackal
The Jackal is the premium option of three available Ixon one-piece suits.
CE Certified AAA (the highest rating available), the Ixon Jackal one-piece suit features micro-perforated cowhide construction with secure stitching. There's double layer leather in the buttocks and foam coccyx reinforcement. Elbow, shoulder, knee and hip protection is built in, while the knee sliders adjustable and replaceable.
The Jackal has provision for a back protector and is compatible with the Ixon Ix airbag-UX03 vest (both available separately).
A removable mesh lining is standard and there’s provision for a hydration bladder in the aerodynamic hump.
Unlike most one-piece leather suits, the Jackal comes with two internal pockets.
Available colours include black, black/white, black/white/red and black/white/blue.
BUY the Ixon Jackal
For more one-piece leather riding suit options, click HERE.
Rjays Samurai III
The RJays Samurai III two-piece leather suit. It's still in production, which shows it's popular with buyers.
The Samurai III is made from A-grade quality, race weight leather. Jacket and pant attachment is by double stud and zipper.
Double stitching is standard and CE Level 2 armour is fitted in the shoulders, elbows and knees.
Legs and arms are pre-curved, but there are elasticated stretch leather panels in multiple areas. There are also padded neoprene sections in the collar, wrists and ankles for comfort.
The Samurai III also comes with two external and two internal pockets as standard.
