How do you know the right fit?

[NinjaCowgirl]

Got a great Christmas present - Teknic Women's Venom Leather pants. I've ridden in textile pants for the past two years - been great; no complaints. Have a goal of going to a track day this summer so I got these pants. I'm 5'5' and normally wear a size 3/4 or max of 6 in street clothing. These Teknics are size 8 and really, really tight. I can bend down ok in them, but I can't swing my leg over my bike. Is this a normal thing and do I just spend quality time breaking them in? Or do I admit they don't fit right? There is both ego and money involved here so it's serious - sorta

[TnNinjaGirl]

FWIW I find my motorcycle gear to be a few higher than my normal clohing. My Teknic 2 piece about 2 sizes larger than my day to day wear. I've worn other brands that had a much wider gap. That's just my experience. @ally99 among others might have some feedbacl

[rasta]

While leather definitely expands a little as you wear it, I think you should still be able to hop on the bike the first time you wear them.

[alex.s]

if its refundable maybe get a different size?

if its not refundable you could try getting it wet and then putting it on and trying to do squats. should stretch things out

[antiant]

If you can't get over your bike with them, then it doesn't fit and creates a potential safety hazard. Get gear that fits.

[cuong-nutz]

If you can't throw your leg over, than they're too tight to begin with. See if you can exchange it for a larger size.

[ally99]

Though leather will break in somewhat, you know after putting them on if there are "break-in-able". They should fit very snugly, especially the first time or two you wear them. BUt they shouldn't hinder movement or be too hard to button.

I find gear to be sized differently from my regular clothes too. Other than my X-small helmet, I go up a size with most moto gear.

[adouglas]

If you can get the zipper up, good.

Not being able to swing a leg over... seems a bit much.

Leather WILL stretch quite a bit, but there are limits.

I bought a race suit last year and did all I could to break it in and stretch it... but it's just not quite big enough. It's up for sale, (cheap!) and I'm getting a suit a size larger.

One tip that is bizarre but which DEFINITELY works is to wear the pants while taking a warm 20-minute shower (no kidding) and then wearing them as they dry. Prepare to wear them for hours... and it'll take two days before they're thoroughly dried out.

A bit of a process, but no question, it does result in some stretch.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by NinjaCowgirl

Got a great Christmas present - Teknic Women's Venom Leather pants. I've ridden in textile pants for the past two years - been great; no complaints. Have a goal of going to a track day this summer so I got these pants. I'm 5'5' and normally wear a size 3/4 or max of 6 in street clothing. These Teknics are size 8 and really, really tight. I can bend down ok in them, but I can't swing my leg over my bike. Is this a normal thing and do I just spend quality time breaking them in? Or do I admit they don't fit right? There is both ego and money involved here so it's serious - sorta ;)

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

FWIW I find my motorcycle gear to be a few higher than my normal clohing. My Teknic 2 piece about 2 sizes larger than my day to day wear. I've worn other brands that had a much wider gap. That's just my experience. @ally99 among others might have some feedbacl

Pictures would help figure this one out.

If you are going to the track you want to be able to move around on the bike and be comfortable with no distractions from gear that doesn't fit right.

[TnNinjaGirl]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Pictures would help figure this one out.

How about a video?

Link to original page on YouTube.

[csmith12]

[TnNinjaGirl]

I recommend being able to fit in them with Under Armor or yoga pants or something underneath. Trying to get leather pants off of your legs after a day of riding is almost impossible.

[leed]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

I recommend being able to fit in them with Under Armor or yoga pants or something underneath. Trying to get leather pants off of your legs after a day of riding is almost impossible.

+1 Actually legs aren't so bad for me. I have short legs so I step on the pant legs with the opposite foot and pull my leg out that way. But the uppers are impossible without a base layer, especially with a longer torso [not enough room to stand up straight]!

But I have to agree, it sounds like they are too tight. Motorcycle gear is cut very different from brand to brand for different body geometries and builds, so don't worry about your ego I think your ego would take a bigger beating if you got all suited up and couldn't get on your bike because the gear is too small, hahaha.

Leathers should be tight enough to be uncomfortable off the bike. But once you get on your bike most of the discomfort should go away and you should maintain most of your flexibility too! Or at least after they've broken in a bit.

[fishdip]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

How about a video?

Link to original page on YouTube.

I leave disappointed no pics of vid.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by fishdip

I leave disappointed no pics of vid.

She did it in the dark.

[Alex]

Sounds too tight to me. Need to not only be able to swing a leg over to get on, but being able to bend your knee quite a bit at times as you move around on the bike.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

How about a video?

Link to original page on YouTube.

let me fix that for you.

[TnNinjaGirl]

Mucho gracias Alex #2

[TnNinjaGirl]

Originally Posted by leed

+1 Actually legs aren't so bad for me.

Serious question... Are your legs hairy? My dude friends don't have problems with their gear sticking to their hairiness but my girl friends do have that problem. I'm thinking it might be hair related.

[alex.s]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

Serious question... Are your legs hairy? My dude friends don't have problems with their gear sticking to their hairiness but my girl friends do have that problem. I'm thinking it might be hair related.

my legs might be confused with some kind of wookie leg. most of me is covered in fur that is about as thick as shag carpet. sexy i know. but it makes getting sweaty leather on and off that much tougher because instead of just struggling to get it on and off, you're puling out hairs. now i refuse to wear leather on bare skin. under suit for me.

[leed]

Originally Posted by TnNinjaGirl

Serious question... Are your legs hairy? My dude friends don't have problems with their gear sticking to their hairiness but my girl friends do have that problem. I'm thinking it might be hair related.

No, actually my limbs are relatively hair-free compared to the majority of other guys with mountain man legs. Something to do with being Asian, haha.

But I guess it's really not that easy by any means, but in comparison to how much trouble I have pulling my arms out it's much easier. I would say 30% of the time I get too tired/lazy/sweaty and have to get someone to hold my suits arms to get them out.

[NinjaCowgirl]

Thanks TnNinjaGirl - I'm taking your advice on the Teknic sizes - and I sent these back today. Also thanks for the Under Armor suggestion too.

And thanks to everyone else for the suggestions - it was a great help! I live in Harley Land here and what few sportbike gear options there are around here are for the guys..BIG guys from what it seems in the few stores that carry non-Harley gear. Too bad the "hat backwards, flip flops, tank and shorts" "gear" doesn't work so well 'cause I could do this. Except for the backwards hat thing. Cowboy hats are just plain uncomfortable backwards.

So, the search for the perfect leathers continues....