Easiest way 2 bump up a size in leathers?

Are you trying to get some custom work done to the suit or do you need a new suit? I can help you with the latter.

 

What size are you looking for? I have a Dainese Crono 56 I am thinking about selling.

I had to change sizes for this coming year also, but went down a size because I have lost a little weight luckily.

 

If you're like most of us average joes who don't look like models and aren't all that proportional, one option is to have it modified. My suit was tight from the waist up to the chest area, so I had it enlarged 1" on each side, and then it fit much better. Can't remember how much that option was, but I want to say around $150 or so. I paid more but that's because I also had a wrist zipper replaced and patched up some damage on that forearm and also put my name on the back with leather letters. I think everything including shipping was around $270 but I could be off by a bit, I don't remember for sure.

 

Going up is always more pricey because they have to add material typically. It's hard to match the colors and there is a lot of work involved, as all the stitching has to be redone where you're adding material. I've had great luck with Sport Bike Leather service.
I'm not a typical size. I usually have to buy larger and have it tailored down. To shorten the sleeves and legs and make a few other adjustments typically runs about $250-$350. I also have my name put on at that time. This year I'm going custom. By the time I source a deal for a top level suit, order it, ship it, tailor it I could have bought a full on custom suit.

Also note that every companies sizes are a little different. RS Taichi no matter what their sizing says, does not have a suit big enough for me. I would consider Alpine Stars the average. For larger builds, I've had good luck with AGV. In MotoGP leathers, I'm 48. In AGV I'm 50. In Teknic I think I was 52 or 54. My current Arlen Ness are 54 I believe.

You definitely want the suit to fit correctly. If the armor isn't in the correct places, it can't do it's job. If the suit is to baggy, it can fold over and grab skin in a crash. OUCH! Having to much extra material in the legs or arms means it won't be as comfortable and could make normal movements difficult and hinder operation of the controls. Spend the money and do it right the first time on a good suit. Take care of it with cleaning and conditioning and it will last you a few years.

Cheaper suits may not hold up as well in a crash. Replacing a suit after every crash gets expensive, especially if you have to have it tailored each time. Same goes for the leather smith you use. Find one that knows motorcycle racing leathers. Make sure they use the right thread materials and they match the layering / stitching design of the manufacturer, so it hold's up well, like it was designed to do.

 

^Those are all good point. Regarding sizing, I'll add that each (or most) company has a sizing chart on their website. I know Alpinestars, Dainese, and others do. Since they all fit differently best thing to do is check the chart for the suit you're interested in and measure yourself.

Makes sense that removing material is cheaper than adding, however adding is not bad as long as you don't have to do much, just enlarge a bit like I did. In that case they can use that stretchy material (can't think of the name now) that's often used in non-impact areas, instead of using leather, and putting it in areas that are less likely to rub on the ground. The only reason I had to do that is because unfortunately I gained some weight since I bought the suit and it was becoming too tight.

 

I just got my leathers back from lizzy leathers. She added more room in the stomach area for my. I went from tight leathers to now I have some extra room. It took about 3 weeks but that included Christmas and new years week.