Perforating Non-perf Leathers

[swampduc]

I did a track day today here in south Louisiana. The temps were in the mid-90's and sunny. By the third session, I had to come off a couple laps early, in part because I was being slow roasted in my non-perf leathers.   
I love my leathers - they're an '08 Corse 1-piece that I got a great price on from another member. I asked around to see if anyone knew someone experienced with work on riding leathers, wanting to see if I could get mine perforated. One person stated that they wouldn't recommend altering my leathers that way, as the strength would be compromised. He said that, when a manufacturer plans to perf a suit, they use thicker leather to maintain integrity. I've never heard that before. Opinions? Advice? Think I can get away with having my current suit perforated? I'd hate to have to buy a 2nd suit, but it gets pretty damn hot down here.

Thanks.

[El Matador]

I did a track day today here in south Louisiana. The temps were in the mid-90's and sunny. By the third session, I had to come off a couple laps early, in part because I was being slow roasted in my non-perf leathers.   
I love my leathers - they're an '08 Corse 1-piece that I got a great price on from another member. I asked around to see if anyone knew someone experienced with work on riding leathers, wanting to see if I could get mine perforated. One person stated that they wouldn't recommend altering my leathers that way, as the strength would be compromised. He said that, when a manufacturer plans to perf a suit, they use thicker leather to maintain integrity. I've never heard that before. Opinions? Advice? Think I can get away with having my current suit perforated? I'd hate to have to buy a 2nd suit, but it gets pretty damn hot down here.

Thanks.

The only advice I can give you:

Start shopping. Ducati.ms has some pretty good deals on their gear for sale section.

The only time I've heard of someone perfing a non-perf was a vanson suit that a member here named Ash got. He was not to pleased with the result.

IIRC he had ordered a perfed suit and since they did not have any in stock, they perfed a regular one. The result was that the holes were bigger and further apart than the normal perforation and it did not work so well. I seem to remember that the leather was a different thickness so they could only have a certain amount of holes per square inch. Apparently, the leathers ended up looking like crap and the functionality was questionable at best

[redial]

the thought has crossed my mind on very hot days concerning my sidi vertigo corsas. (hole punch and a hammer?)

anyways as el matador said, i figured it would be impossible to make look nice

[He Man]

id sell it and get a perfed one. why did you get a non perfed suit?  i didnt even know people made those!

[swampduc]

id sell it and get a perfed one. why did you get a non perfed suit?  i didnt even know people made those!

Got a really good price on it. It was great at Deal's Gap in early May, and at a track day in April. It just isn't so great now 

[somegirl]

id sell it and get a perfed one. why did you get a non perfed suit?  i didnt even know people made those!

Non-perfed is for people like me...when it gets up to 100 degrees, like this weekend, I take the lining out of my jacket.

[Buckethead]

Ahem...

Might I recommend:



Note: do not try to perf leathers while wearing them.

[swampduc]

Ahem...

Might I recommend:



Note: do not try to perf leathers while wearing them.

Don't worry, I'll wear a helmet 

[OT]

Places like Newenough, motocycle closeout, etc, run sales all the time.  You might consider a 2-piece suit with perf jacket and non-perf pants...the pants can be worn all year and the jacket is great for warmer weather.

BTW - where in so la?

[He Man]

Non-perfed is for people like me...when it gets up to 100 degrees, like this weekend, I take the lining out of my jacket.

its a 1 piece track suit though. and dman 100 degrees to remove the lining? my linging is out by the 50s.

[DesmoDiva]

B had his suit perf'd by Syed Leathers in FL.

I believe it was $200.00. 

It turned out well.

My custom suit is also from them, as well. 

Good workmanship, so-so customer service. 

PM me for more info. 

[swampduc]

Places like Newenough, motocycle closeout, etc, run sales all the time.  You might consider a 2-piece suit with perf jacket and non-perf pants...the pants can be worn all year and the jacket is great for warmer weather.

BTW - where in so la?

I live in Houma, a little over an hour southwest of New Orleans. Lived in NOLA before Katrina, and BR after for a couple years.
Thanks for the info, DD - pm incoming!

[Raux]

take a look at some of the stuff you can wear under the leather  that cools you. we wore some stuff recently on a trip and it was like wearing airconditioning. AND anything under 80 degrees it was COLD. we got it at a BMW store.

[swampduc]

Well, I ended up getting a set of perf'd leathers from Pedro-bot. They are working out well. I tried a cooling vest from Cyclegear; it helped some but only for an hour (this was in 100+ temps). I couldn't fit my back protector with the vest on, so I only wore it for a day or two. Now I just gotta decide whether to keep the Corse (non-perf) leathers - they're just so damn nice!

What were you wearing for cooling, Raux?

[Raux]

Well, I ended up getting a set of perf'd leathers from Pedro-bot. They are working out well. I tried a cooling vest from Cyclegear; it helped some but only for an hour (this was in 100+ temps). I couldn't fit my back protector with the vest on, so I only wore it for a day or two. Now I just gotta decide whether to keep the Corse (non-perf) leathers - they're just so damn nice!

What were you wearing for cooling, Raux?

the stuff is made of Polyamide. here's something similar
https://441.bmw-riders-gear.com/BMWRA_products.asp?page=3&mm=By+Function&c=Touring&sc=Underwear&m=MC-Riders&r1=&md=&a1=ON&d1=ON&i1=ON&p1=1&p2=12&s1=72607704690-BMW&bplo=&bphi=&printpg=1