KUSHITANI RACING SPEC.
NEXUS3
New Racing Suit Pattern
Since our founding, we have continued to evolve by incorporating feedback not only from the All Japan Championships, but also from the world’s premier racing stages such as MotoGP and WSBK. Our mission is not merely to achieve higher speed, but to create racing gear designed for survival — pursuing the highest levels of performance and reliability.
why KUSHITANI?
Engineered to protect speed.Crafted to create strength.
Every KUSHITANI racing suit embodies global feedback and Japanese craftsmanship, evolving continuously to meet the demands of the world’s top riders. Designed in Japan. Proven on the world stage.
Toward the Summit of the Podium — and Beyond
The moment Ai Ogura crossed the checkered flag, the fierce energy of his ride melted into a quiet joy. Behind every raised fist was the pride of a rider who had fought to the very end, believing only in himself. For nearly seventy years, KUSHITANI has stood at the heart of the world’s greatest racing stages — dedicated to the relentless pursuit of protection, performance, and craftsmanship. Our journey begins with the voices of athletes. Their feedback is refined by the hands of our craftsmen, tested in battle, and reborn as innovation. Ogura’s racing suit, for example, features a single-piece leather shoulder — a choice made purely for mobility and durability. Hidden within each stitch are countless trials: securing freedom of movement, avoiding snags, preparing for the unexpected fall. Every detail exists to support the rider’s fight. All that we have learned now takes shape in the NEXUS 3 suit pattern — a next-generation racing suit design that defines our new standard. And still, we continue to challenge — toward the top of the podium, and to the summit of the world — together with those who dare to race.
PROTO- CORE LEATHER
Uncompromising Quality, From Hide to Leather
From the selection of raw hides, we identify the true potential of each material. Tanning at peak freshness preserves the leather’s natural strength and character. This process forms the foundation of our pursuit of uncompromising quality.
Hides are graded into five levels at the chrome-blue stage
At the chrome-blue stage, which occurs after the leather has been tanned with chromium salts, every hide undergoes a meticulous five-step grading process. We carefully examine each piece for imperfections or signs of deterioration, ensuring that only the finest, top-grade hides are selected.
Split for Strength & Flexibility
For thick cowhide, we slice the leather through its central portion to attain the precise thickness required for strength and flexibility. This technique maintains the natural properties of both the grain (surface) and flesh (underside) layers, allowing only the most balanced section to be incorporated into our products. By using exclusively the “core” layer, we optimize both wearability and protective performance.
Soft & Supple Finish
During the drying process, each piece of tanned leather is carefully hand-stretched onto metal frames known as punch plates. This artisanal method ensures that the natural variations and unique characteristics of every hide are respected—something impossible to achieve with machine drying. Through meticulous, hands-on adjustment, we bring out the perfect suppleness and softness in each leather. It is this craftsmanship that guarantees unparalleled comfort and freedom of movement in every product.
Water-Repellent & Long-Lasting
Thanks to our water-repellent treatment, the leather retains its internal oils and dyes, preventing them from fading or bleeding. This ensures that the leather’s natural texture and character remain intact over time, while minimizing maintenance. Years later, the superior quality and finish of our leather are immediately apparent when compared to conventional products.
Low-Water-Absorption Leather – Dries Quickly
KUSHITANI leather suits feature a water-repellent finish combined with advanced oil-retention technology, helping the leather resist moisture absorption. Whether in rain or sweat, the leather dries quickly, maintaining lightness and comfort even during back-to-back rides. The result is a consistently luxurious wearing experience, ride after ride.
Airbag System
Tech-Air®７
Based on technology developed in top-tier racing, including MotoGP, this fully independent motorcycle airbag system delivers high performance on both the track and everyday roads. The system is self-contained—just turn it on, and it works without any connection between the bike and rider. In the event of a fall, it instantly inflates to cover the shoulders, chest, and back with a large-volume airbag, while the built-in back protector provides additional protection, helping to prevent serious injuries.
hit-air®
In the event of a crash, the moment the rider separates from the bike, the connecting wire activates the airbag system inside the suit. The airbags deploy instantly to protect critical areas such as the shoulders, back, and chest, absorbing and dispersing impact to minimize damage. The system is designed to allow natural movement, ensuring the rider can assume a safe posture without excessive restriction, even during an accident.
KUSHITANI NEXUS 3 Suit Pattern – Key Enhancements
Building on the NESUS 2 suit pattern, NESUS 3 integrates numerous precise updates developed through extensive experience in MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3, WSBK, ARRC, and the All-Japan Championship. Every enhancement is designed with the rider’s essential needs in mind, delivering refined performance and safety.
Re-designed Inner Lining for Comfort and Mobility
To maximize the supple comfort of the leather suit, the inner lining has been completely redesigned. Stretch materials and a 3D pattern move naturally with your body, significantly improving mobility while riding. Optimized to function as one with the suit, this innovative lining incorporates insights from professional racing to enhance rider focus and comfort. Excellent breathability and moisture-wicking properties keep you comfortable even on long rides.
Seam Design Optimized for Airbag Deployment
The airbag system is designed to protect riders in the event of a fall, and its effectiveness relies on precise suit construction. Seams and reinforcements are optimized so the fabric does not interfere with airbag deployment. Every seam is stitched at least twice, high-stress areas are stitched three times through the same needle holes, and reinforced leather is applied and stitched four times where needed. Overlapping layers and seam thickness are minimized to reduce damage to the suit. All improvements are based on feedback from professional riders and real-world testing.
Upgraded Ergonomic Fit
The new 3D pattern reduces excess material while significantly improving fit. It allows the leather to move naturally with your body, minimizing wind noise and resistance. Designed with the rider’s forward-leaning posture in mind, the suit provides a snug, body-hugging feel when riding. Joint mobility has been carefully checked, and stretch materials are strategically placed where needed. Based on feedback from the racing scene, every detail has been refined to achieve an optimal balance of mobility and protection.
Reinforced Construction for Airbag Deployment
Leather suits designed to work with airbags require structural adjustments. When the airbag deploys, significant expansion occurs inside the suit, concentrating stress on areas that are not typically reinforced. KUSHITANI addresses this by reinforcing the leather around these expansion zones. Key areas are doubled with extra leather, and seam lines are minimized to reduce weak points without splitting parts. At the same time, the thickness, stretch, and seam patterns of the leather are carefully balanced to maintain comfort and freedom of movement. This approach ensures both safety and wearability.
Optimized for Aerodynamics and Comfort
Constant improvements aim to balance aerodynamics with rider comfort. The shapes of the back hump (aero hump), injection-molded parts, and sliders have been refined to enhance stability and balance while riding. Material choices in overlapping and flexing areas, such as gloves, reduce stress from friction. Areas prone to pressure, like the neck and cuffs, have been redesigned to minimize contact with the skin. Attention to these details ensures long-lasting comfort, helping riders maintain performance even on extended rides.
The Suit Fits Exactly the Same With or Without the Airbag
The suit is designed to fit exactly the same whether the airbag is installed or not. This is made possible by a 3D pattern that anticipates the shape change during airbag deployment, ensuring a comfortable, non-restrictive fit. The “Proto-core Leather” used in the suit is supple and highly stretchable, moving naturally with the body and the protective gear. This structure allows full mobility while riding, while still providing the necessary clearance for the airbag to deploy correctly in the event of an accident. The result is a design that delivers both protection and fit without compromise.
"Your One-of-a-Kind Suit, Crafted Exclusively for You ."
A number of professional riders have collaborated in the development of the NEXUS 3 suit pattern, providing invaluable insights.
