RST Isle of Man TT Grandstand Leather Suit

Tested by: Mike Cowton / RRP: £449.99 / rst-moto.com

The intention never was to try and ride like a

TT racer, but merely to wear a one-piece suit that offered excellent protection and day-long comfort… and

I found it in this latest offering from RST. What particularly drew me to the suit was the fact that it offered a less aggressive stance than RST’s TracTech Evo suit (I recently sold mine), thereby allowing the wearer to adopt a more upright stance. That said, unless

I plan for any track days in the near future, the limited edition TT knee sliders will no doubt remain pristine as I can see little point in getting one’s knee down scraping Britain’s roads unless I am planning on showing off… or have the bike slide from under me, for that matter. Heaven forbid if I do, but the suit, which is part of the RST IOM TT Collection, is CE Certified to Level A, and comes with CE Level 1 back protector, shoulder, elbow and knee armour, plus pocket only hip armour and TPU shoulder cups. Oh yes, and should I be dumped unceremoniously on the bitumen having accidentally fallen on my backside, the seat area comprises double layered cowhide leather protection.

The main outer four-way stretch material is constructed of leather, with soft Neoprene race collar and cuffs, and a fixed comfort inner mesh lining allows for a welcoming flow of air within the suit, definitely improving the comfort factor, something I noted on some of the particularly hot days that we enjoyed this past summer. Other notable features are triple stitching, and two useful large inner pockets. Without doubt, this ergonomic suit, a revamped version of the brand’s functional R-18 suit, oozes quality. Compared to my previous TracTech Evo suit, the relaxed, less aggressive fit of its cousin has meant that I can walk around in more comfort, the four-way stretch panelling allowing for a full, free range of movement. And it returns to its natural shape when I am back on the bike.

Oh yes, must not forget the MAX central zipper, along with a Velcro fastener at the suit collar to keep the zip in place and away from the bike’s tank when riding in a tucked position, thereby reducing the chances of the zipper scratching the tank. Similar zippers are also found at the ankle, with a wide enough opening to comfortably get the suit on and off. The suit is available in black or black/white, in sizes M-5XL/40-54/Euro 50-64.