Re: Officially Licensed STAR WARS: Movie Replica Motorcycle Suits. Big Reveal added 1
... now, the SITH will RIDE again!
STAR WARS
Darth Maul: Leather Cafe Racer.
Special thanks to Andy.
Hey David...awesome to be seeing some updates on this stuff....the replica TK armor suit looks killer.
I have a few practical questions from a riding perspective because I WILL be wearing this stuff on the street/track.
Thickness of the hides used? 1.2 - 1.4mm is the standard for abrasion protection, I assume the hides that you use will be at least that thick?
Has there been any testing done to ensure that the stitching won't blow out in a fall? I had witnessed a crash at the track this past Summer where a rider low-sided and slid across the tarmac, and the stitching down the side of his suit just blew apart....resulting is some nasty road rash. How sturdy will the stitching be? Any crash simulation testing done?
Will the Imperial jacket be zippered for pants? Can that be an option?
Very stoked to get one of these!:thumbsup
Hey Kev,
All great questions, and yes. Everything is tested, and meets all fire safety standards as well. We have certification in hand because everything we produce IS tested.
Our 'Movie Replica' products in particular are far more protective than any minimum standard or general garment by the simple fact of the protective nature of our form molded leather application.
All of our hides are as you've stated, around 1.2-1.4 mil thickness is the standard for riding wear so yes...however, anything that is form molded is in and itself 'armor'...even without the inner CE body armor these goods are unlike anything else seen or currently used in the market.
While many tell us we've created a market with our products...to be frank, I believe the market has always been there. We simply introduced a practical way of making these goods that not only appeals to that specific fan base...but is absolutely and without question protective outside of the CE armor within.
Now, our testing aside...here's an open letter to Universal Designs Ltd and Warner Bros. from a customer of ours...who was unfortunately in a rather violent crash last year, 2010...and wearing our Batman TDK Motorcycle suit.
To the fine folks at UD Replicas, Warner Bros. ET Al.
Last Wed the 13th of October I was headed home and was T-boned by a car while riding my motorcycle, in a intersection. The speed of both vehicles was about 45 MPH. The reason I'm telling you this, is that I was wearing one of your very spacial armored Dark Knight suits at the time, and it saved my life! Literately! The shearing, tearing, brutal impact, not only with the car, but flying, sliding, and tumbling for over 100 feet, would have severely, if not fatally, injured me. Pieces of motorcycle exploded everywhere!
The biggest benefit right off was that there was absolutely NO road rash, that is abrasive injury to my skin, at all. I ended up with a bruised left thigh, minor sprained wrist, Bruised left thigh,and a broken right collar bone. The only reason for the broken collar bone was a pair of suspenders I had on to help hold the pants up.(I ordered them a little too big) It was the adjusting clip on them, resting on the collar bone, that caused the broken clavicle. The suit held up better than I did. One small hole in the mesh on the right knee, never made it through the spandex underneath,and the CE armor I'm sure saved me from at the least, a pair of broken knees. There where also small scuffs on the shoulders, And that is it! Remarkable! I had to have a metal plate put on the collar bone to mend it, but considering the alternative, a very minor cost over what have could been! This suit, with a style everyone instantly recognizes, not only made me an instant celebrity among the general populace, pleased and surprised countless young people in their cars out on the highways, and garnered great compliments from the riding community I have meet with, Is also is a very functional protective armor that every rider should have. It greatly improves survivability should everything go wrong.
Way to go Warner Bros. for licensing this product! It is a great way to promote, and put the Dark Knight out there before the public eye, in the best light possible. In this case the Batman definitively saved a life out here in the real world.
And thank you, David Pea, and the hard working folks at UD Replicas for manufacturing this amazing suit! I will definitely purchase more of your fine products in the future.
I am also attaching pictures of the bike and suit before, and after the accident.
D**** ****,
Reno, Nevada
Here are some pics...
Before
After
While our goods 'look' the part, we certainly don't cut any corners safety and protection wise. The details and look are only part of what we do. Our products truly are functional...and while no one can predict the outcome of a fall or crash, sadly in these instances there can be no claims or guarantees to the fact, however...offering the best protection is and must be our standard.
You guys have heard me say this a million times already...while we work very hard at making these garments LOOK like the movie suits, simply put they are not costumes. :thumbsup
Great questions Kev, thanks again for asking.

thumbsup:thumbsup
David