This week, we were pleased to welcome a group from Dorchester and West Devon Advanced Motorcyclists (DWDAM) to our factory and showroom in Exmouth for a behind-the-scenes look at how a BKS motorcycle suit is made.
The visit was organised by one of the group’s members, who is also a BKS customer. Eleven members rode down to Exmouth, where they were met by BKS founder Brian Sansom and General Manager David Westerman.
The tour began in the showroom, taking the group through each stage of our production process and showing how a suit progresses from measurements and body scanner imagining through to an initial design and on to the finished garment.
In the pattern-making area, the group were introduced to the processes involved in creating the patterns used to produce our bespoke garments. From there, the tour continued into the cutting room, where we explained the differences between the fabric we use and why panels are constructed in a certain way, we talked about the differences between cowhide and kangaroo leather and why a rider may choose one over the other.
The group were also given a demonstration of how we produce the concertina stretch panels used in our leather suits. These panels are an important part of the construction, allowing the suit to move with the rider along with providing additional space for the deployment of Alpinestars Tech-Air systems if fitted while maintaining the close, precise fit of the suit.
From the cutting room, the tour moved into the sewing room, where the group were shown the specialist machinery and techniques used to assemble our garments. This included a demonstration of our tape-sealing machine, which is used to seal garment seams after stitching to help maintain their water resistance and protect against the elements.
The final stage of the production tour took the group into our finishing room, where the suits are prepared for their final inspection and despatch. Here, they saw how linings and armour are fitted, garments are cleaned and finished, and each suit is checked before making its way to the customer.
We finished the visit back in the BKS showroom, where Brian shared the story of BKS and its journey from humble beginnings to the company it is today.
From starting out making clothes in his mum’s spare room, complete with an unmistakable Adam Ant-inspired look, Brian has spent more than 40 years building BKS around his passion for design, craftsmanship and rider protection.
Brian also talked about the evolution of motorcycle clothing as PPE, from BKS’s early adoption of the Cambridge Standard through to becoming the first UK company to produce a CE-approved motorcycle suit. He explained how standards and testing have developed over the years and why BKS continues to take a more demanding approach to certification.
Today, BKS continues to certify its motorcycle suits to EN 13595, the established professional-use standard originally developed for high-performance protective motorcycle clothing. While the newer EN 17092 standard has become the predominant certification route across the mass motorcycle clothing market, EN 13595 sets a different and more demanding benchmark for areas such as abrasion resistance, burst strength, tear strength and seam performance.
This commitment to higher levels of protection is part of what has defined BKS throughout its history. Over the years, the company has produced suits for police forces, royalty and some of the most accomplished riders in motorcycle racing, from legendary Isle of Man TT competitors to World Superbike champions, examples of these suits hang in our factory today showing the heritage of the company.
Back in the showroom, the group also had the opportunity to see the other specialist brands we stock alongside our own products, including Daytona boots, Schuberth helmets and FIVE gloves. We talked about why we choose to work with these particular brands and the importance of offering products that complement BKS equipment. Like BKS, each of these brands focuses on what they do best, dedicating their expertise to producing specialist products within their field. Whether it is Daytona’s handmade motorcycle boots, Schuberth’s helmets or FIVE’s motorcycle gloves, they are all brands built around specialist knowledge, craftsmanship and a commitment to doing one thing exceptionally well.
It was a pleasure to welcome DWDAM to BKS and to share an insight into what goes on behind the scenes. We hope the group enjoyed the visit as much as we enjoyed showing them around.
