| Author | Message | ||
     Slypiranna |
Alright...myself and a few of others are planning for spring. We are going to be riding on the street 90% + but also are going to enroll for track duty...with Certs and a race effort at the end...er beginning! Yup, a real team. Need advise on the best choice of cover up gear for our human bodies. Leathers or Textiles? One piece or two? Please understand, I'm a mechanic and WILL WORK in this suit/between the fun!? I don't care to get em dirty but have to be quick in the move... I'd also like to look at least, decent in doing so! A droopy a$$ doesn't fair well with the other sex! LOL! Our little effort is mainly comprised of gents with very slender 145ish/5-7" tall athletic builds. We want the perfect gear, spent ONCE to ride in both venues. Prefer to add our own advertising...not premade stuff with Joe mamma on the sleeves! Any suggestions from you racers/experienced riders/tuners out there? We'd like to understand the advantages to all input...as the entire group will be sportin' the same attire!...even that other sex... WE also plan on runnin' lite! Meaning, WE might have to show up somewhere in the lowers, as is...with only a fresh T-shirt change! I'm leaning on two piece custom per/white leathers...quick wipedown w/spray lube and a rag, good to go? Think John Force...understand the dirty part in that look? Figure we better plan know as to understand what budget should be set aside. Much appreciated. mm (Message edited by slypiranna on October 25, 2008) | ||
| Xl1200r |
Uh... I have no idea what you just said, but I'll try to give some advice. Anything worth racing in isn't going to be any good for pretty much anything else. Your range of motion is greatly reduced, so working in the same suit just isn't going to happen very well. It sounds like these are club suits, and if you'r going to be doing a lot of street riding, I would also suggest a 2-peice so that you can skip the pants if need be. To fix the range of motion issues, you could go with textile, but most track day orgs won't allow them except for the novice class. So again, my rec is 2-peice leather. I can only suggest Vanson based on 1st hand knowledge. Custom fit and custom graphics are doable, and the stuff is top of the line, but it's pricey, and be prepared to wait for it. A friend has just gotten a Pilot leather suit that he really likes. Less money the Vanson gear, one or 2 peice stuff, custom graphics and fit, etc. | ||
| Slypiranna |
Thanks for the input Xl1200r...it all helps...even if you have no idea what I just typed!  ...most don't!  I'm used to it! LOL! I appreciate your input just the same! Who else? | ||
| Jdugger |
For mostly street without compromising protection, 2 piece perf leathers are the way to go. Textile is generally only good for one crash. It disintegrates in the act of protecting you. Not a good choice for racing at all. | ||
| Redscuell |
I agree with 2-pce leather for uncompromising street protection, with pucks on the knees. It's what I wear on rainy days especially. On the other hand, my first fall at 65kph was in leather jacket, Draggins, and leather boots; and the result one bandaid on the knee. Now, for summer, with 30-40C days, I'm wearing the Draggins (yes, a new pair, but only for cosmetic reasons, the Kevlar is still 100% in the crashed pair) and a Teknic cloth jacket that is HEAVILY ventilated. It beats what the local yokels do in hot weather: just a helmet. | ||
| Slypiranna |
hmmmm. Great input! Any others? It's most appreciated by ALL! GOOD or Bad or even the UGLY!? WE are fixin' to put this one to bed soon!...and work the details/budget out! mm | ||
| Endoman33 |
if you can shell out for the vanson 2 piece go with that. if not get a 2 piece alpine star suit had great results with both products no complaints. i wear my vanson jacket to and from work and at drag strip, but track days and aggressive riding i wear my alpinestars one piece trust me wish i got the 2 piece suit. oh well hindsight is always 20/20. also get some type of underarmer shirt and short makes easirer to get in and out of plus helps with sweating and comfort another plus if you are wearing this type of material under your suit and crash the medics may not cut you out of them, they could just slid you out if your stable and have no serious injuries. just some food for thought!! | ||
| Slypiranna |
Thanks guys...looks like a two piece leather w/underwear or baby powder! Really, thanks for the input! It helped call a tie in our little group. This one is now in the bank! mm | ||
| Court |
Aerostich | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
There is nothing that has better abrasion resistance than leather, and it can be repaired after an "off". It's a no-brainer. | ||
| Court |
>>>>There is nothing that has better abrasion resistance than leather That's kinda right. The Aerostich is pretty much the equal in terms of abrasion resistance and much of my reasoning is from . . .
Leather are a pain in the ass on the street. I'd suggest, having been tossed in Aerostich my share of times, that it'd be wise to consider something you are more likely to actually wear. I never leave the house without full Aerostich with all the ballistic protection and full spine protection. . . mostly because I can put it on in less than 10 seconds. By the way . . . do some looking around. There have been tons of leather vs. Aerostich tests. One thing that came to mind is that the Aerostich tended to slide where leather caught and tumbled. No idea if that's true but there are as many studies as there are between dino and synth oil. | ||
| Jaimec |
I've had a couple of "offs" wearing the Aerostich Roadcrafter. I was uninjured in both instances, and Aerostich was able to repair the suit so that you could never tell it had been crashed. Court is right. Aerostich Roadcrafter. There is nothing like it. Don't know about general track days, but both Reg Pridmore (C.L.A.S.S.) and Keith Code (California Superbike School) allow their students to wear Aerostich suits in ALL levels. | ||
| Pariah |
I'd like to plug Cycleport's Kevlar stuff. They claim that their material is even stronger and more abrasion resistant than leather (or Cordura), which they prove scientifically with quantitative tear and abrasion strength numbers. And, unlike leather, this stuff breathes really well and doesn't degrade after getting wet. The Cycleport 1-piece suit is the only non-leather suit approved by FIM for professional racing, so this is a legit outfit! I also think it looks great, much less baggy-looking than an Aerostich Roadcrafter. A bit bulkier than a leather suit, but still sleek looking and wearable in all types of weather (it comes with a removable liner).  I've had a 40mph get off in my $800 Cycleport 2-piece suit, and I came through unscathed (some minor bruising on one shin and some minor skin irritation on my elbows, but I slid for a while over rough asphalt and was only wearing a t-shirt and shorts underneath). Cycleport did all the repairs to my suit for around $120, and returned it to me within two weeks. There are now high tech synthetic materials superior to leather. But folks don't want to take the chance, I suppose (and I can understand that). I have no choice since I'm a vegetarian and I avoid leather whenever I can. Nevertheless, I do think these kevlar textiles can be superior to leather, and I love my Cycleport suit (I'm wearing it in my profile pic--- sorry, no ass shot, but I have been told that my ass looks great in the suit--- thanks Mom!  ) Cycleport's web site is: http://www.motoport.com Their web site isn't so great, but don't let that detract from the exceptional quality of the product and the great service! (Message edited by pariah on October 26, 2008) | ||
| Pariah |
"There is nothing that has better abrasion resistance than leather, and it can be repaired after an "off". It's a no-brainer." Like I said, people don't want to believe it. But numbers don't lie... check out Cycleport's web site, mentioned in my previous post. Here's a link to their numbers: http://www.motoport.com/Page.Asp?Id=19 (Message edited by pariah on October 25, 2008) | ||
| Stevasaurus |
Pariah, Thanks for the information on the Motoport/Cycleport gear. You are right: That website is ROUGH. If you hadn't forewarned me, I would have backed out on the spot. When it's time for me to get new gear (probably next spring), I'll give these guys serious consideration. | ||
| Slypiranna |
Looks like we got a lot more to think about! You guys are the best! Thanks again for your help...mm | ||
| Tasmaniac |
Sly check with your track officials as textiles are speed limited over here Regards Brett | ||
| Pariah |
"Thanks for the information on the Motoport/Cycleport gear. You are right: That website is ROUGH. If you hadn't forewarned me, I would have backed out on the spot. " Steve: yeah, the web site is pretty raw. I think it's because they do most of their stuff over the phone and through one-on-one communication, with promotion being mostly word-of-mouth (and they just don't feel the need to have an on-line presence as much). The owner of Cycleport/Motoport is Wayne Boyer, and he'll actually spend time talking with you about your needs. Everything is custom in terms of measurements, and Wayne goes through this with you. He's a great guy... Cheers, Takis (Message edited by pariah on October 26, 2008) | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
One area people don't always consider is what happens to skin that's underneath leather or textiles during an abrasion incident. Having talked with many riders who have been down, I started to notice a trend in their experiences. Those who were wearing textiles reported having "burns" from their skin abrading against the inside of the textile material. I have not heard of this happening to riders wearing leather. This is not in any way scientific, but after hearing the same reports for years I believe it holds some merit. I'd like to hear what BadWeB members have experienced concerning this type of injury. | ||
| Hitman44139 |
After my recent get off..... I am replacing my street gear with Alpine Star 2 piece and probly use the same for the track. I know the mesh I have (not the best) would not have held up on the road or the track. The little 4X4 spot of rash on my arm is enough for me. Im spending the money to keep my a$$ safe. Rash hurts. 1 piece suites at the track kind suck IMO when its hot. Getting eared off and on is a pain. my .02 from my short time on the track. I learned alot from the crash...... Buy the best gear... | ||
| Redscuell |
I won't disagree with what redbuell has said about rug burns inside fabric suits; and add to that, that leather can't melt under the friction of sliding along the roadway (or in a fire!) like the synthetics will ( the body of Draggins is not synthetic). But I'm wearing the light, ventilated Teknic in summer because it's armoured and I can't take the heat/humidity in real leather any more during summer. | ||
| Slypiranna |
You guys now have me torn, no pun intended! I'm down to 2 pc leather or 2 pc motoport mainly due to the knowing that after spending this kind of money, we wouldn't be turned away from any tech. Heat is a concern in the summer. I'm afraid we are going to have to purchase just a pant sample and feel out the deal for a week. Great info guys! | ||
| Spectrum |
If summer heat is a consideration.. I had been told by experienced riders that perforated leather was much cooler than textile gear. I found this counter intuitive and very hard to believe. I bought a 2pcs set of Cortech leathers for a trackday. To my surprise the leathers were dramatically cooler than the textile gear. Nothing is cool in the hot summer when standing or not moving. The leather is probably hotter than textile for this. But once your rolling on the bike and have airflow around you, the perforated leather is considerably cooler. | ||
| Jaimec |
Be careful with perforated leather. After spending over $1,600 on a Vanson two-piece perf leather outfit, after less than a year I discovered the perforations weaken the leather considerably at the joints and it is coming apart by my wrists, elbows, and shoulders. If you do opt for perforated leather, TREAT IT OFTEN so it doesn't dry out!! As for "rug burns" wearing textile suits, it's specifically why Andy Goldfine recommends wearing long sleeves and long pants under the Aerostich suits. The people above are correct: textile doesn't protect against abrasion-generated heat the way leathers do. On the other hand, textile suits are MEANT to be worn over regular street clothing, most leathers are not. PS: I still own my first Roadcrafter II suit. Purchased twenty years ago in the Fall of 1988. I probably have logged over 200,000 miles in that suit and recently bought another one so I have one to wear while the other is being laundered. Best riding investment I've ever made! | ||
| Jdugger |
> I had been told by experienced riders that perforated leather was much cooler > than textile gear. I found this counter intuitive and very hard to believe I would agree with this, at speed. I find my perfs, even in 100F summer weather here in Texas, more comfortable than textiles. Unexpected by true. Now STANDING around BS'ing with the guys is miserable! | ||
| Court |
The good news is that there are TONS of tests and comparisons out there. The last time the bike and I parted company I slid for a long way without problem but I was in the perfect postion, flat on my back, well spread out, feet first and following the bike. I've had a number of Aerostiches and just recently broke out my old beater that's been around the country and it fits like slippers it's so comfy. I add all the pads and protection which makes it weigh a bit more but I love the things. | ||
| Sruzhyo |
Just to throw in my two cents. I used to rock the mesh gear, until I went down in it at about 25-30mph. Textiles/mesh (in my experience) are good for one crash. And NOT at high speeds. Some of the more expensive kevlar stuff these guys are talking about seem like they'll hold up, but the mesh gear I had was almost worn through. I didn't get burned, but I was going pretty slow, so I got lucky. Now during the summer I wear Joe Mamma (rocket) two piece perf. leathers. The pants have great air flow, and the leather jacket (blaster 3.0 I think) has regular leather all over, except for a panel on the bottom of the arms and down your sides, which is textile, but zips out with mesh underneath. I think it'd hold up great, but haven't tested it yet. All summer, I rocked the perf. leathers and yes it's hot, but it IS cooler than mesh gear. Weird, but true. I'd soak my shorts/shirt in water before I ride, and it's like AC, really cool and bearable. And this is in NW FL's 95+ temps with 85-95% humidity. You're gonna be steaming in any gear, so may as well make it good gear. The Joe Rocket gear (blaster perf. leather pants and blaster jacket) cost me a grand total of $400. They aren't custom fitted, and yes have rocket logos on them, but they're pretty a freaking sweet deal. For the track I rock an AGV Sport Forza two piece, which I'll wear all winter was well. They run larger than the sizing says, but are really comfortable. If I'm rolling to hang out for the night it'll be the rocket or AGV jacket, with Cortech riding jeans, boots et al. GL man | ||
| Jaimec |
I look at textile mesh gear like I do helmets: Crash once and replace. It's inexpensive enough that you can do that. I have a Rev-It textile jacket. Leather and armor where it counts, but plenty of flow-through mesh where you are less likely to scrape. Also has a zip-out waterproof liner for cooler weather. | ||
| Trac95ker |
I think the key to skin abrasion is wearing a tight suit. My riding jacket is pretty old and as a result it has gotten tighter over the years. It fits like a glove and in the last crash I had at about 80, I did not get any skin abrasion on my body. My boot was pinned under he bike and the leather wore completely through. I did get some bruising. I was wearing only a t-shirt and shorts underneath. IMO if the gear fits snug, then all the armor should stay wear it supposed to. It may also effect the abrasion on the material. If the leather is tight, more surface area takes the abrasion versus if the material folds and flap or pleat takes most of the damage. Totally based on my findings only. | ||
| Pariah |
Joe Mamma?!  |
