BNI Qualifying Motorcycle Leathers/Racing Suit

[marew]

My husband will be trying for a run at BNI Speedweek. We aren't pro's, we're just working hard to fulfill this dream. I'm in charge of getting his leathers/racing suit put together. Anyway, after contacting BNI and reading the rule book, it's my understanding that they are quite strict about qualifying Leathers, i.e., perforations and venting limits.  The word from them is solid leather suits with no perforations or cloth where gasoline can get in. (does that allow for vents?)  BNI suggested buying a racing suit and having the vents covered with leather, but the suits I've looked at have so many perforations and vents that it seems easier to have a suit made (too much money$$).  How do you get a suit to qualify? or Where do I get qualifying leathers?  New or used.  Rent or borrow.  Any information will help me.  It would be a shame for my husband to go and not get to run because his leathers had too many perforations or cloth inserts.  I  want my husband to qualify and get his opportunity to run on the salt.  Thanks  marew

[JackD]

While you re waiting for a good answer, do a search on this site and get a flavor of what the people that actually ride and all the other sanction bodies are doing.
You will find they believe it is an inappropriate ruling 

[greg]

Bub's does have some advantages. Money left over on the leather purchase for a Nomex suit and the Casino. Search "Bracket Racing Leathers".

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I'll go out on a limb and try to answer your question instead of pointing you in other directions.  I'd consider lending my leathers to your hubby -- have done it for a good number of other racers, and others might be willing to lend theirs, too.  The SCTA/BNI has a system to assure that the rider at the line is wearing approved leathers -- didn't just borrow a set of "ok" leathers to get through inspection, then go back to his "NO GO" leathers for the run.

But before any of us can make a serious offer of leathers -- some dimensions of the aforementioned husband, please.  Height/weight/girth, etc, will make it easier for us.

If you really like this way of spending money (to go fast, I mean) there are a number of leathers manufacturers that make customer fitted suits -- and the cost is very similar to that of an off-the-rack suit.  If you're interested I could steer you to at least one of 'em.

Good luck.  Come visit Nancy and me at SpeedWeek, and by all means, plan to attend Salt Talks Sunday evening.

[donpearsall]

Marew, I had my leathers get disqualified by the inspectors in 2005. Too many perforations and expansion areas. I had to sit in my motorhome for a whole day sewing leathers with just a small needle and thread. I had bloody fingers after that. I was lured by the rule book that said "limited" perfs are OK. The inspector interpreted it as NO perfs. Do NOT take a chance and bring leathers with perfs and fabric on them no matter how small.

You can get a basic suit on ebay for a few hundred $$, then have a leather seamstress modify it. Total investment should not be over $400 -500.  It seems that the more expensive ones have the most holes and elastic in them.

Don Pearsall

[JackD]

Bub's does have some advantages. Money left over on the leather purchase for a Nomex suit and the Casino. Search "Bracket Racing Leathers".

Actually he probably means Carbon-X material as under wear that offers the real burn protection and is available through Jegs for example.
It is cheap insurance that actually works as opposed to all leather.
If you ever had a pair of hot leather gloves and hurried to get them off your hand and a leather chamois to filter gas, you will begin to understand the suitability of all "COW". 

[marew]

O.K. some helpful info and ideas so far.  As for Bub, we're in Italy riding the Dolomites in Sept.....don't cry for us........

Slim, an interesting idea, we might be up for the borrowing if all else fails, but I'd like for him to have the leathers he needs (just in case). His current gear just won't do.

As for said hubby, he is 6 ft , 210 lbs and I'd guess his waist to be about 38 and shoulders about a 44.

It would be nice to meet you all whether we borrow leathers or not.  Thanks.  I'll keep in touch. 

More ideas are welcome.   marew

[JackD]

It sounds like you are headed in a sensible direction.
Jack

[Stainless1]

Limited perforations generally means the area could be covered with the palm of your hand, only allowed on inside bend of elbow and backs of knees as far as I can tell. 

[panchop]

For what it's worth a complete custom set of SYED leathers made to SCTA specs cost me under $1000. That included what i considered minimal  optional protective features, the $150 oversize charge ( harrumph, harrumph...) and some lettering. I have discovered you are going to spend a lot of money, even on a budget attempt at LSR. Borrowed leathers are a great offer but there is a reason for leathers to fit correctly not almost correctly. They have to do more then get past tech, they have to do there job. I am no salt expert, nor even a veteran. but I have crashed , hard and fast. While i may or may not agree with the SCTA specs. Paying for proper fit and finish of protective gear is cheap compared to the possible results of doing it improperly. just my $.02

[joea]

your words are very appreciated Panchop..........!!!!!!!!!

if there is a will there is a way.........I believe my brother Jon
bought NEW lower end leathers for like $350 then paid a small
fee to have some areas oversewn with extra leather.....though
I wish they fit him better...

Noonans (still only one of those right..?) is a great example
of good fit imho.........the least chance of any extra leather
bunching up may allow for better skid and scrubbing of speed...
but may allow for great tumbling and preservation of intertia..human bowling ball record perhaps......

Joe

[landracing]

I got lucky and had an email alert about leathers for sale cheap I think I only paid $250, they were from  MPS Racing..Here is the link http://www.mpsracing.com/products/MPS/leathers.asp .  They were brand new all black. They only had limited supply, of even a more limited size at that time (2 years ago) I got the ones that would be the close fit to me. I took them to a leather seamstress and she fixed me up. I had some leather  sewn over the areas that needed attention. I was in a bind, it was close to speedweek and I had NO leathers. The previous years I had just borrowed Joe's to run with. Joe is correct. They do not fit the best, however they were cheap, and I paid $150 to the seamstress to make them legal, and I am racing. Maybe in future I will have them fitted better and alterations made. Right now though im not worried about it, I have others plans for the bike this year and money is better spent in other area's right now.

Jon

[JackD]

"It is like herding cats."

[firemanjim]

Just do some shopping on eBay and Craigslist.The older leathers generally have no fabric and much less ventilation holes. Just ask before bidding. I got my son's one piece Vansons for 95.00,near new.But he is all of 120 lbs, my 2 piece SCTA legal ones were 120.00 on eBay,and I just got a one piece set of Kushitani's for 110.00 on Craigslist.I am 185-- 5'8".None of em needed alterations to be legal.

[RayKimbro]

O.K. some helpful info and ideas so far.  As for Bub, we're in Italy riding the Dolomites in Sept.....don't cry for us........

<SNIP>

If you find yourself near a little mountain town named Budoia, northwest of Pordenone, there's an AWESOME little restaurant called "Il Rifugio" that you may enjoy visiting.  Go w/a BIG appetite, and don't be in a hurry to get anywhere else that night - you'll wanna be there for a while.

http://www.ilrifugio.net/