Knowing how to measure for motorcycle leathers is the key to a made-to-measure race suit, because the suit is only as good as the numbers you send. This guide covers every measurement Racers Arena asks for on a custom leather race suit, how to take each one, and the mistakes that cause a tight collar or short sleeves. It complements our earlier post on how to choose the right size in motorcycle race suits, which covers picking a standard size.
Racers Arena is an independent manufacturer. Our suits, including replica-inspired designs, carry no official license, team affiliation or endorsement.
What you need before you start
- A soft fabric or plastic tailor’s tape that reads in centimeters, not a metal workshop tape.
- A helper. Back, shoulder and length measurements are far more accurate when someone else holds the tape.
- Thin, close-fitting clothing such as a base layer, so the tape sits on your body and not on bulky fabric.
- A mirror, so you can check that the tape stays level.
- Paper or your phone to write each number down straight away, using the exact labels below.
- Your race socks, if you are also ordering boots.
How to stand while you measure
Our measurement sheet asks you to keep the tape snug but never tight, breathe normally, and stand upright with your feet together for the lower body, with every circumference level with the floor. Measure standing up, even though you ride tucked. Race leathers are cut for a tucked riding position, so a suit that feels close when you stand will feel right on the bike. That is why the pattern accounts for the tuck, not your tape. The one exception is the sleeve, which you measure over a slightly bent elbow. When you order, tell us whether you ride track days, club races or road, and we adjust the pattern for that.
Step by step: the upper body (11 measurements)
These are the exact labels on our race suit measurement sheet, with the instruction we give for each one. All values are in centimeters.
- Wrist: Around the wrist bone.
- Fore Arm: Around the widest part of the forearm.
- Bicep: Around the largest part of the upper arm, relaxed.
- Neck: Around the base of the neck.
- Chest (under arm pit): Fullest part of the chest, tape level under the arm pits.
- Waist (at belly button): Around the waist level with the belly button.
- Shoulder width (at shoulder bone to bone): Across the back, shoulder bone to shoulder bone.
- Back length (neck to waist): Base of the neck straight down to the waistline.
- Elbow to wrist: Elbow point to the wrist bone.
- Sleeve length (shoulder to wrist): Shoulder point over a slightly bent elbow to the wrist.
- Shoulder (neck to shoulder bone): Base of the neck out to the shoulder bone.
Tips from experience: take the chest measurement after a normal breath out, not with your chest puffed up. For the neck, slip one finger under the tape so the collar will not choke you when you tuck your chin. For shoulder width and back length, stand with your arms relaxed by your sides while your helper measures across and down your back.
Step by step: the lower body (10 measurements)
Stand straight with your feet together. Keep each circumference parallel to the floor.
- Hips: Around the fullest part of the hips and seat.
- Thigh (10cm from crotch point): Around the thigh, 10 cm below the crotch point.
- Knee: Around the center of the knee, leg straight.
- Calf (18 cm from knee point): Around the calf, 18 cm below the knee point.
- Ankle (at ankle bone): Around the ankle bone.
- Knee bone to ankle bone: Knee bone straight down to the ankle bone.
- Waist to knee length: Waistline down the leg to the knee.
- Side length (waist to ankle): Waistline down the outside of the leg to the ankle.
- Inside leg (crotch to ankle): Crotch straight down the inside of the leg to the ankle.
- Total length (neck to ankle): Base of the neck down the body to the ankle.
For the thigh and calf, measure down from the crotch point and knee point first, mark the spot with a small piece of tape, and then measure around. For the length measurements, have your helper hold the start of the tape at the waistline or neck, and let it run straight down without pulling it tight against your leg. Measure the inside leg in bare feet or socks, not in boots.
General details (3 entries)
- Weight: your current weight in race condition, in kilograms.
- Women only (under bust measurement): around the body directly under the bust, in centimeters. Leave it blank if it does not apply.
- Age: in years. Together with weight, this helps our pattern makers confirm the pattern and grading before production.
Common measuring mistakes
- Measuring over clothes. A hoodie or jeans can add several centimeters, and the suit will come out loose.
- Pulling the tape tight. Snug is right. A tape that digs in gives you a suit that is too tight to tuck in.
- Letting the tape tilt. A chest or hip tape that dips at the back reads larger than you really are. Check it in the mirror.
- Measuring yourself alone. Back and length measurements are the easiest to get wrong when you measure yourself.
- Mixing units. Send everything in centimeters, except weight in kilograms.
- Using your clothing size. Street sizes vary by brand and are not a substitute for body measurements.
- Skipping a second pass. Measure everything twice. If two readings differ, take a third and use the middle one.
Standard sizing or custom sizing?
If your measurements line up well with one column of our motorcycle leather race size guide, a standard size is the simpler route. On the suit product pages, standard sizes run from US 36 / EU 46 to US 50 / EU 60, in a Men’s or Women’s fitting. Standard sizes can be exchanged within 14 days if unworn and in original condition.
Choose Custom Size if you sit between columns, have a long torso or long legs for your chest size, or ride with an airbag or back protector that changes the fit. Custom Size adds $59.99 on the product page, and the suit is cut to your numbers. Because it is made only for you, a Custom Size order counts as a custom order and is non-returnable.
How to submit your measurements
There are two ways to get your numbers to us:
- On a suit product page: choose Custom Size in the Size option, for example on the Pedro Acosta Red Bull KTM MotoGP 2026 suit, and place your order. After you order, we send you a detailed measurement form with instructions and diagrams.
- In the custom builder: our custom race suit builder has a measurement step with the same labels as this guide. Your build gets its own Build ID, and production runs against that Build ID and your measurements. The builder also has its own measurement guide.
If you want your own design, name or race number, browse our custom leather race suits. For replica-inspired MotoGP designs, see our MotoGP 2026 replica leather suits buyer’s guide.
Timeline once your measurements are in
Every suit is made to order. Custom orders take 16 to 20 business days in production, then about 6 to 8 days for delivery. Full details are in our shipping policy. If you have a race or track day booked, send your measurements early enough to allow for that.
Measurement checklist
Print this or copy it to your phone, and fill in the last column as you go.
| Measurement | Unit | Your value |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist | cm | |
| Fore Arm | cm | |
| Bicep | cm | |
| Neck | cm | |
| Chest (under arm pit) | cm | |
| Waist (at belly button) | cm | |
| Shoulder width (at shoulder bone to bone) | cm | |
| Back length (neck to waist) | cm | |
| Elbow to wrist | cm | |
| Sleeve length (shoulder to wrist) | cm | |
| Shoulder (neck to shoulder bone) | cm | |
| Hips | cm | |
| Thigh (10cm from crotch point) | cm | |
| Knee | cm | |
| Calf (18 cm from knee point) | cm | |
| Ankle (at ankle bone) | cm | |
| Knee bone to ankle bone | cm | |
| Waist to knee length | cm | |
| Side length (waist to ankle) | cm | |
| Inside leg (crotch to ankle) | cm | |
| Total length (neck to ankle) | cm | |
| Weight | kg | |
| Women only (under bust measurement) | cm, optional | |
| Age | years |
Frequently asked questions
What units should I use for my measurements?
Use centimeters for every body measurement, kilograms for your weight and years for your age. The Racers Arena measurement sheet asks for those units, so convert any inches before you submit.
Do I need someone to help me measure?
Yes, if you can. Our measurement sheet asks you to have someone help with the back measurements, such as shoulder width and back length. It is very hard to keep a tape level across your own back.
What if a measurement falls between two standard sizes?
Our size guide says to send both values. The team will confirm the fit with you before production starts, so you do not have to guess which size to round to.
What happens if one of my numbers looks wrong?
We review every set of measurements and contact you if anything seems unusual before production starts. That check is one reason it pays to measure twice and note anything unusual about your build.
Can I return a suit made to my measurements?
No. Custom orders, including Custom Size, are made for one rider and are non-returnable unless there is a manufacturing defect or an error on our part. The 14-day exchange covers standard sizes only.
How long does a made-to-measure suit take?
Custom orders take 16 to 20 business days to produce, then about 6 to 8 days to deliver. In practice that means planning on roughly four to five weeks from confirmed measurements to your door.