Those who follow MotoGP or any form of road racing motorcycle series know the importance of a leather riding suit. The reason why a rider who loses control of his bike at over 300kmph, sliding 200-300m in the process and still manages to walk away without as much as a scratch on the body is leather. It is the only material used in riding gear that slides when it comes in contact with tarmac. Mesh, textile or kevlar cause abrasion and tearing. That’s why sport riding enthusiasts work hard and save up to buy a quality suit for their weekend thrills.
Also Read: Gear Review: Ixon Falcon: One-piece Leather Suit
Wearing leather in our tropical weather is a recipe for disaster, especially when you are attending track days at MMRT, Chennai or at Kari Motor Speedway, Coimbatore. Hence, cleaning and storing the suit when not in use is key in increasing the longevity of the gear. Here’s how you do it effectively:
The items that you will need to clean your leather suit are a small mug of water, microfiber cloths and either leather riding gear cleaners or transparent leather shoe polish (black one would also work if your suit is mostly black).
Also Read: Riding Gear Cleaning Tips - Helmet Care
Wipe the suit clean of all dust particles that might have settled over time before cleaning the suit. Dab a small end of the microfiber cloth in water and start cleaning small sections of the suit. Don’t wait around for too long for leather to absorb the water, wipe it dry immediately. Remember, water is leather’s kryptonite.
You might also want to use a soft toothbrush to clean certain spots of the suit like the zippers or the velcro cuffs. But usually, the microfiber cloth does the job.
Also Read: Riding Gear Cleaning Tips - Boots
Unlike other materials, leather also needs nourishment to retain its suppleness. You do not want leather to crumble up or harden which will make the item itchy or uncomfortable while wearing. Hence, you get leather cleaners like this Motul M3 Perfect Leather specific for this task. All you need to do is squeeze a little solution on the end of a dry microfiber cloth and again, apply it in sections. Buff out the extra solution left on the surface. The same can be done with leather boot polish. Use the transparent one for obvious reasons.
Once this process is done, ideally wear the suit once and flex it out. This will ensure that the suit is loose and ready to use when needed.
You could then either pack it and store it in a kit bag or just let it hang in a cool dry place. Follow the same procedure for a two-piece suit, leather jackets and pants.
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