| Author | Message | ||
     Painkiller |
Been looking at getting a racing suit. Anyone know a good place to order from? | ||
| Eboos |
PM sent. | ||
| Slaughter |
Racing? Track day? Street/Track? Budget? I'm assuming you were talking racing in another thread so here's my take: A custom-built suit out here - Z-Custom (Santa Ana) or NJK (San Clemente) are both locally owned and manufactured - BUT they'll set you back about $1200 with no options. Add a hump and custom lettering and it's pretty easy to se $1500+ The good thing about either Z-Custom or NJK is that you can GO THERE and get measured and fitted and when you get your suit on the first time, you can get slight alterations made if needed. For racing, you WILL FALL - and if you are racing monthly more than once - YOU WILL FALL a few times a year. It is good to have a heavy leather suit that CAN be repaired. Kangaroo leather makes for more pricey suits and because of the smaller animal, has more seams and so requires more labor to build into a suit. I don't know if the CA laws have changed to allow import of kangaroo leather yet. Used to be you could only import whole suits; the manufacturers could not buy leather to MAKE suits - go figure... OK-I'll stop editorializing... sorry. If you are getting into racing, it is worth the money to buy a good suit... if you want to save a little, you can buy used and have it altered to fit. If used, I'd still stay with domestic: Z-Custom, NJK, Bates, Vanson, Syed So many of the others made "overseas" aren't quite as good as the name sewn on the high-profile rider's leathers - such as Dainese. The custom Dainese suits are made in Italy but their production suits are made in China. http://zcustom.com/ http://www.njkleathers.com/road_race_leathers.php Buy one with a padded aerodynamic hump. My neurologist said that is the ONLY reason I'm not peeing and pooping in a plastic bag attached to a wheelchair today. Z-Custom and NJK are the only ones I'd recommend here in CA... the over-the-counter brands you can get for $300 on ebay but you'd have to budget another $250-$300 for alterations... if they don't fit. Adolph at Z-Custom comes to Willow Springs for Saturday and Sunday race day if you're out then - or you can visit him or Kelsey at NJK to check out some of their "stock" suits in their showroom. Bates are also local, I just don't see them as much as in the past - though have heard nothing bad. (Message edited by slaughter on February 20, 2009) | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I just got an email yesterday from www.newenough.com They have a pretty good deal going on a nice looking suit. http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/leathe r_racing_suits/speed_and_strength/twist_of_fate_mo torcycle_race_suit.html I've not heard of this brand but appears to be decent and a decent price. NewEnough as ALWAYS done right by me. Brad | ||
| Painkiller |
Thanks again everyone. Those NJK and Z leathers look really nice... Not too much more expensive then the Alpinestars SP1 I was looking at... Plus its a custom fit... I won't be competitively racing just doing like 5-6 track days a year at places like willow, vegas and the auto club speedway, to actually commit myself to racing would require more time and $$$ then I could muster, plus the whole could deploy for a year right in the middle of the season thing could happen to, and that would really bite... Thanks again for all the info. -Joe | ||
| Eboos |
Thank you very much Joe. I hope you enjoy your suit. | ||
| Duggram |
Joe, I started last October as a trackday only rider and got a set of Frank Thomas one piece leathers from Cycle Gear. First trackday I low-sided and ripped up the FT's. Then I got addicted to the track and started racing. Sponsor says no way without good leathers. Got setup with Kelcy at NJK leathers. He took our order over the phone on a Friday night and I was wearing my new leathers two weeks later. It really is amazing how much nicer custom made leathers are. The fit and quality of materials really is noticeable. If you go this way do get the sewn in back brace and hump. Slaughter can attest to the value of the hump. BTW back in the 70's I had a set of ABC flattrack leathers that I let get away (giant mistake). They would still almost fit me now. If you buy the best you can now they'll be here when you get back, and then you will be that much ahead. | ||
| Diablobrian |
No short cuts when it comes to leathers. Pay now or pay later. | ||
| Josh_ |
I got a great new AGV 2-pc off eBay for $220 incl ship from the same outfit that supplies Keith Code with AGV student gear. Wish I'd gotten a perforated suit, but gotta love the price. |
