Tom Sykes Kawasaki Ninja Motorbike Riding Leather Suit

The Tom Sykes Kawasaki Ninja Motorbike Riding Leather Suit is finished in the Kawasaki Ninja colours Tom Sykes raced in during his time with the team.

This suit reproduces that design in full-grain cowhide, cut to your own measurements, with CE Level 2 armour at the shoulders, elbows, knees and back. It suits track days, circuit riding, fast road use and collectors who want the livery made properly rather than printed onto a thin shell.

Outer Shell

• Full-grain cowhide leather, 1.3–1.4 mm, for high abrasion resistance — kangaroo 0.8–0.9 mm available as an upgrade
• Kawasaki Ninja team colours reproduced in leather patchwork, cut and stitched from coloured hide so the design cannot crack, peel or fade like print
• Pre-curved sleeves and legs with race-fit ergonomic panelling for a natural riding position
• Triple safety stitching throughout with high-strength bonded nylon thread
• Original YKK zippers at the front, sleeve cuffs and ankles
• Kevlar stretch panels at the crotch, behind the calves and under the sleeves
• Accordion leather stretch across the lower back and above the knees for a forward racing crouch
• Reinforced leather at the shoulders, elbows, forearms, hips, knees and lower legs
• External CE certified protectors over the shoulders, elbows and knees
• Removable external knee sliders with hook-and-loop attachment

Inner Shell

• Removable CE Level 2 shoulder, elbow and knee armour certified to EN 1621-1:2012
• Dedicated back protector compartment with a removable CE Level 2 protector certified to EN 1621-2:2014
• Breathable 100% polyester mesh lining for airflow and moisture management
• Two internal pockets for phone, wallet and small essentials
• Fully safety stitched interior
• Removable internal lining available as an optional upgrade

Armour Specification

Armour is KeepTech, independently tested and certified by Ricotest, European Notified Body No. 0498, Pastrengo, Italy, under EU Regulation 2016/425 as Category II PPE, CE and UKCA marked. Level 2 transmits about 20 kN in the standard impact test against roughly 35 kN for Level 1.

Riders and Bikes

Most often ordered by riders on the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, ZX-6R, ZX-4R, Ninja 650 and Z900. The cut suits a sportbike riding position and works equally on Honda CBR, Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R, Yamaha R1 and R7, Suzuki GSX-R and Ducati Panigale.

Additional Customization

• Leather options: full-grain cowhide, kangaroo or Monaco hide
• Stretch material: standard Kevlar or Schoeller-Keprotec® upgrade
• Fitting: race, regular or relaxed
• Perforation: non-perforated, fully perforated, partially perforated or selective panel ventilation
• Construction: one piece or two piece suit
• Inside lining: fixed or removable polyester mesh
• Colours: Kawasaki Ninja scheme or fully custom combinations
• Logos: leather patchwork or printed
• Personalisation: rider name, racing number, team identity or custom text
• Speed hump: optional small, medium or large
• Matching equipment: matching gloves, boots and leather accessories
• Custom fitting: standard sizing and tailor-made measurements for men and women

Size and Fit

Cut to a close, performance-focused racing fit. Review the full size chart before selecting a standard size, or send your body measurements for the tailor-made option at no extra cost.

A new suit should feel firm standing upright and correct once you are sitting on the bike. Full-grain leather relaxes and moulds to you over the first few rides. Fit is a safety feature, not a preference: a loose suit lets armour migrate off the joint it protects during a crash. Riders wanting more room through the chest, waist or legs should choose a regular or relaxed fit rather than a race fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What armour does this suit use?
CE Level 2 at every position — back to EN 1621-2:2014, and shoulders, elbows and knees to EN 1621-1:2012 — tested and certified by Ricotest, European Notified Body No. 0498, Pastrengo, Italy.

Can you match my Kawasaki’s exact colour?
Yes. Send a photograph or the paint reference and the leather is dyed to match as closely as hide allows. Kawasaki shades in particular are hard to reproduce in generic coloured leather, which is why custom matching is offered.

Can I add my own name and race number?
Yes. Rider name, race number, team identity and custom text can all be applied in leather patchwork rather than print.

Can this be made as a two piece suit?
Yes. The same livery can be produced as a two piece with a full 360-degree connecting zip that runs the whole way around the waist. Specify it at the time of order, as it cannot be converted afterwards.

Should I choose cowhide or kangaroo leather?
Kangaroo at 0.8–0.9 mm gives comparable abrasion resistance to cowhide at 1.3–1.4 mm for noticeably less weight, which is why most professional racers use it. Full-grain cowhide is harder wearing over many seasons and costs less.

Will this suit fit a woman rider?
Yes. The suit is cut to your own measurements, so it is made on female proportions rather than scaled down from a men’s block — which is the usual reason off-the-shelf suits fit women badly at chest, waist and hip simultaneously.

How tight should a leather race suit feel?
Firm and slightly restrictive when you stand upright, and correct as soon as you sit on the bike. The suit is cut for the riding position, not for standing. Leather then relaxes and moulds to you over the first few rides — a suit that feels roomy when new will be too large once broken in.

Care Instructions

• Clean the exterior with a soft, slightly damp cloth
• Use a suitable leather cleaner and conditioner when required
• Do not machine wash, tumble dry or bleach
• Remove internal armour and lining before deep cleaning
• Dry naturally, away from direct sunlight and artificial heat
• Store on a wide hanger in a cool, dry place