| Author | Message | ||
     Bondatomic |
Hey guys, I am a new badwebber and am also new to track riding. I live in central Iowa and ride an '09 1125R. I'd really like to get into doing track days and have been looking into equipment I'll need. Anyways, my question. What do you guys recommend for a leather suit? I am 6 ft with a 34" inseam. Thanks in advance. John | ||
| Bondatomic |
I should mention that I am looking for between 800-1000 bones. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Welcome. I have a Spyke suit, it's been pretty good, been down a couple times, I think the wear could have been a bit better, but it did protect me properly. Gearhead has a new Teknic that he seems to like, only used one race weekend so far. I'll see if I can get him to chime in here. BoomerM2 has a RS Taichi, very nice. Troy (no bwb) is in a Teknic, has a couple years use on it. My next suit will probably be an Alpinestars. www.sportbiketrackgear.com has a good selection and pricing, and also has nice video reviews of the products. Really helpful in trying to gather information. All the guys I mention are either in Waterloo or Cedar Falls also. Follow us here: www.ifmracing.com Hope to see you around. | ||
| Gearhead |
This is my new suit http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no =2098 We're basically the same size, height and inseam - I'm wearing a size 48. pm either 99buellx1 or me if you're looking for trackdays or more info. Welcome! Also check out our riding blog at www.waterloofast.blogspot.com | ||
| Paint_shaker |
My Fieldsheer suit has been road tested. Held up excellent! | ||
| Trojan |
Any of the major brands will be good (Dainese/Alpinstars/Fieldsheer/Teknic/Spyke/Scott etc) and even some budget suits are excellent. I don't know if you have Hein gericke shps over there but their budget race suits are very highly rated. Vanson are very good too but I find their suits very heavy compared to Dainese etc. A lot of the US made suits have solid armour fitted rather than flexible CE approved Euro armour, which is lighter and more comfortable to wear. It is also considered to be better at crash protection in most cases. | ||
| Buellrcr |
How about agv good suits and reasonable price I have two suits held up good | ||
| Xl1200r |
My Vanson leather is a two piece and I really like it, though it is basic. You could be in a one-peice for your budget, but you'll wait months to get it. Some say it's worth the wait. My friend uses a suit from Pilot leathers. I'm going to go with them for my next one as they let you pick whatever colors you want, will sew on any patches (including making ones for your name) and as well some other things for no extra charge. I think they start at $900. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
I may have found my next suit. http://www.alr-moto.com/ Ayden Lee Racing. They are also having a sale right now, $400 - $800!! | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
Check the trackday provider's classifieds. Many of them unload their rental suits at the end of the season. I bought an A-stars suit from NESBA that looked as if it had never been worn. The WERA board is another good source for used gear. If you want high end; I'd look at Komodo. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Also, the ALR suits are headquarted in Ames Iowa. | ||
| Slaughter |
Consider used with features such as the cervical "hump" - that looks like a fairing behind the helmet. Check the discussion boards for WERA, CCS, AHRMA, NESBA and other race organizations that might be nearby. Classifieds are a great resource. Besides, buying used and repaired leathers, you can show up with "credibility scratches" instead of a pretty new Power Ranger suit. Newenough.com will often have what you're looking for in new/old stock. ULTIMATELY, you may want to consider alterations if you can't get them to fit properly (some of us with "non-standard" bodies can't be fit perfectly) Alterations are usually $300-ish plus materials. Seriously though, get a padded "hump" and spend the money on a good spine protector. My neurologist said that my hump saved me from being paralyzed from the chest down. Minor spinous process fractures on C6 and C7 instead of fractured spine when I ended up tumbling with the bike landing on top of me. Like anything else, options in leathers, helmets, gloves and boots is like buying insurance... | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
The hump is for protection? I always thought it was supposed to be aerodynamic or something? How are the Frank Thomas suits? I know they're aren't the best, but for a track day here and there for $300? | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Both. | ||
| Froggy |
I got one from Cycle Gear last winter for $300. No pockets, can't open/close any vents (has perforation), and a pain in the ass to take on and off. I find it to be useless for the street, but if the weather is good and you are on the track, I don't see any issue. | ||
| Duggram |
I started with Frank Thomas, low-sided twice and they were used up. Wife got me a set of one piece NJK's for $1600 (what's your body worth?). They are track tested at Willow at over 160 mph. Good leathers. Whatever you do, don't get used leathers! Think about the last guy that sweat in them. And you can't get that shit out (at least not in my head). For your first trip to the track, using the rental/loaner leathers is ok if you put plenty of baby powder in them. I put baby powder in mine everyday I use them. Keeps em from getting that fowl leathers smell others complain about. | ||
| Duggram |
Woops! Steve, didn't see your post before I made the above. How do you get used leathers clean? Anyway, can't agree with you more about the hump. Also Kelsey (NJK) talked me into getting a sewn in back protector too. Now all I do is jump into my suit/boots and I'm ready. OP, I hope all the info you get here helps. This really is important stuff (leathers, boots, gloves, helmet). | ||
| Slaughter |
I just send leathers back to Z Custom who made them. Once a year seems to work for cleaning. I use underarmor the warm times, winter I use Hot Chilis. Tends to help a little in keeping the body-nastiness in check. | ||
| Buellishxx |
If you want some great suits at sale prices check out the link below. http://www.arlenness.com/c-1304-leather-suits.aspx We have had 2 years of racing with their cheapest 2008 model and they have proven to be very crash worthy, and easy to fix. Our repair guy was quite impressed with their quality. I distribute them in Canada, but you guys in the US can get a great deal on them directly from their site. Here's their sale prices as of last week. You can call them and ask for Scott Sears (tell him Chris Crump sent you there) or order them from me and I'll save you another 10%. 2010 KANGAROO SUIT, MG/TI 979.95 M2 SUIT 699.95 SUPERMOTO SUIT, BLK/WHT 538.95 WOMENS SUIT, BLK/WHT/PINK 559.95 WOMENS SUIT, MG, BLK/SLVR/WHT 629.95 2009 AN RACING BOOT 132.95 RX RACING BOOT 188.95 AN RACING GLOVE 83.95 CARBON KNUCKLE GLOVE 69.95 RR GLOVE 104.95 SS GLOVE 90.95 AN SHORTY GLOVE 31.95 AN SHORTY MESH GLOVE 30.95 RIDE JACKET 209.95 AN1 JACKET 139.95 | ||
| Duggram |
Sweet! I have to check this out. Thanks | ||
| Hurricaneleah |
FYI - although the aero hump offers additional protection, its aero benefit is arguable based on my experience. Back in 2003 at Bonneville, my alpinestars suit with aero hump was 2.6mph slower than my Vanson suit with no hump. The hump only works if it is sealed to the back of the helmet, otherwise it just creates additional turbulence behind the helmet. Some computational fluid dynamics work John Fox at Buell did during 1125R development validated our aero hump Bonneville experience too. I have had excellent customer experience with newenough.com for all sorts of riding equipment. customer service is first class..... | ||
| Knickers |
Can't say enough about my Vanson suit. I've had 5 crashes in it including a nasty tumbling high side and this suit just keeps on tickin. They're built a little heavier than other suits but its well worth it imo. Just got it cleaned and conditioned by Barnacle Bill's - he's running a $50 special this fall. Details over on the wera bbs classifieds. | ||
| Boomerm2 |
This is one of the reasons I bought the RS Taichi suit. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4FvAOt9lDM&feature =player_embedded | ||
| Slaughter |
Speed and Strength $719 Speed-and-Strength, one piece with hump and full armor INCLUDING Spine armor - and knee pucks. | ||
| Jbolt |
Does anyone have any experience goin down with the speed and strength suit? I've been looking at this one for a while but I've been waiting to see some reviews on it. | ||
| Slaughter |
Jbolt - I'm looking into it for a friend who is asking these same questions. I'm posting that link on our racing board here for Willow Springs... see if anybody has any 'puts on it. | ||
| Slaughter |
Speed and Strength Review (Rider Magazine) Seem to be about $700-ish from a few sources. Nice thing is that it's being sold complete - spine, "hump" and armor and sliders. | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
For a cheap suit you wont find a better price than THIS | ||
| Walt221 |
www.texportusa.com | ||
| Willkill |
Have any of you had any experiences with the Heroic Racing suits? | ||
| Slaughter |
Shawn Higbee and Jason DiSalvo are two who race Heroic. | ||
| Tougelabs |
Hey if anyone is interested in Heroic I work with Todd so please feel free to contact me. I am running a few group buys on other forums for suits gloves as well as our boots. |
