USA 
Brazil 
Germany 
France 
Italy 
Switzerland 
Sweden 
Spain 
Great Britain 
Norway 
Russia 
South Africa 
Japan 
New Zealand 
Australia 
The Tom Sykes WSBK 2018 is a replica inspired by the leathers of Tom Sykes, the British rider who raced for Kawasaki in the World Superbike Championship. Leather Collection makes it hand-stitched and made to order, for sportbike riders, trackday riders and WSBK fans who want a race suit with Kawasaki colours.
Key Takeaways
- Tom Sykes won the 2013 World Superbike title and spent nine seasons with Kawasaki, ending after 2018.
- All 34 of his race wins came on Kawasaki machinery.
- The suit is a replica inspired by his Kawasaki look, not equipment issued by the team or rider.
- Race suits are classified under EN 17092, and armour under EN 1621; check the product page for markings.
Tom Sykes and Kawasaki in World Superbike
As reported by Crash.net, Sykes joined Kawasaki at the start of 2010, won the World Superbike title in 2013 and was runner-up in 2012, 2014 and 2016. All 34 of his race victories came on Kawasaki machinery, and the partnership ended by mutual agreement after the 2018 season.
The suit takes its design from the 2018 Kawasaki look. It is inspired by Sykes's racing gear and is not issued or connected to the rider or the team. Fans of gear can see related replicas in his own collection, and riders who want matching Kawasaki styling can look at the range.
Leather for Track and Road
Leather remains a standard material for race suits because it resists abrasion in a slide. Beyond the material, a suit works for trackdays or spirited road riding only if it fits in the riding position: the arms should reach the bars without the sleeves pulling, and the suit should not bunch at the knees when crouched. Specifics such as seams, lining and armour should be read from the product page.
What the Standards Say
The MCG CE certification overview explains that EN 17092 classes motorcycle clothing as AAA, AA, A, B or C, with AAA the most demanding. SATRA adds that class B gives class A-level abrasion protection without impact protectors, while class C covers impact protectors only, with no minimum abrasion protection. Joint protectors fall under EN 1621-1, where Level 2 allows lower transmitted force than Level 1. Track organizers may set their own requirements, so riders planning trackdays should check those as well.
Matching the Set
A Kawasaki World Superbike look can be built from related pieces. The covers his team-mate's era, and the is a jacket option for road use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tom Sykes?
Tom Sykes is a British rider who won the 2013 World Superbike Championship. He joined Kawasaki at the start of 2010, finished runner-up in 2012, 2014 and 2016, and took all 34 of his race wins on Kawasaki machinery. He left the team after the 2018 season by mutual agreement.
Is the suit issued by Kawasaki or Tom Sykes?
No. It is a replica inspired by his Kawasaki WSBK look. Leather Collection makes it hand-stitched and made to order, and it should be treated as inspired gear rather than equipment issued or connected to the team or the rider.
What does EN 17092 mean for a race suit?
EN 17092 is the European standard that sorts motorcycle clothing into classes AAA, AA, A, B and C. AAA is the most demanding class. Class B gives class A-level abrasion protection without impact protectors, while class C covers impact protectors only, with no minimum abrasion protection. A replica style does not imply a class, so check the product page.
How should a race suit fit?
It should be snug without restricting movement. In the riding position the sleeves and legs should not pull, the suit should not bunch behind the knees and elbows, and armour should sit over the joints. Leather softens with use, so a close initial fit is normal.
Written by the Leather Collection Editorial Team.
