| Author | Message | ||
     G4string |
I am starting to stock up for next years track season. This is my 2nd season as a rider and my first season with the XB9. I wanted to spend this season getting used to the bike and stocking up on gear I need for the track. I realize that track day events require quite a bit of investing; gear, trailer, admission, etc, etc. What do you guys reccomend for suits, 1pc or 2pc. Also, I have found a couple of suits, Teknic, for $325 and $500. Both are two piece. http://www.newenough.com/teknic_chicane6_2pc_suit_page.htm http://www.newenough.com/teknic_lightning5_2pc_suit_page.htm Also, I have found Alpinestars 1pc and 2pc suits for about $600. How is the Teknic brand. Is the suit for $325 a steal? Should I spend the extra cash and get the Alpinestars stuff. I know you get what you pay for. But I am new to buying race gear and would appreciate your thoughts and opinions. Thanks!! | ||
| Rocketsprink |
I have a trailer I'm selling. Look in the Classified under Parts and Accessories. Can I interest you in a trip to Wisconsin?  As far as leathers. Go with the best you can afford. I'd go with the Alpinestar. I have a One piece Teknic. I went down a month or so ago in a practice session and the stretch panel on the inside part of the sleeve burned through. Spend the extra $$. | ||
| Bébèrt |
I always were an one piece suit and my track days are limited to daily commuting to work. The one I use is from ISX at about $1.000 in combination with an extra back protector   | ||
| Bébèrt |
I always were an one piece suit and my track days are limited to daily commuting to work. The one I use is from ISX at about $1.000 in combination with an extra back protector | ||
| M1combat |
If it's hot where you're at get something with perforated leather. The one I've got is the Moto-GP "compression" suit. http://www.indysuperbike.com/customer/product.php?productid=112282&cat=25870&pag e=1 You can find it cheaper. I haven't crash tested it yet... | ||
| G4string |
I found a 2pc Alpinestars TZ-1 on closeout for $450. I was hoping to find a Alpinestars 1pc GPU. But, I cant find one in my size. I think the TZ-1 will work. Anybody have any opinions on the Alpinestars TZ-1? | ||
| Slaughter |
Don't buy leathers without trying them on. They MUST fit tight - and if they don't have a spine protector, try them on while wearing the spine protector. IF you can afford the bucks - have a set custom fit. Full custom is gonna set you back $1000 to $1500 though. It will cost you about $250 to $350 to have a set altered if they don't fit too well (that being said, my first set were bought from a co-worker and I paid $250 to have them taken in - I was skinnier then  ) DON'T scrimp on helmet, gloves and boots! Alpinestars SMX, Sidi Vertebra I can vouch for as very crashworthy boots! Gloves with hard nuckle armor and palm padding are a must (trust me on that) You MUST spend some money on a good helmet - though there's a big debate on brands - it MUST fit your head tighter than you'd probably think a street helmet would fit. Suomy seem to be the lightest that I've tried on but Arai has literally saved my life twice. (Message edited by slaughter on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Yohinan |
This is a good question. It all depends. Just like you have your low end, mid, and high end cars ( examples; yugo??, mustang??, and 760 series BMW ) you have the same with leathers. I would say on the lower end you have ICON, Joe Rocket, etc. Mid would be something like Sidi??, Alpine Star, etc.. and hi end would be custom such as Helimot, Zooni, Vanson, etc... If it were me I would spend my funds on the best protection money could buy. Most will do the opposite and buy what will get them by tech so they can dump more money into the bike though. I would recommend staying away from a 2 pc suit for the track though. They are excellent for the street but on the track I would go with a 1 pc. You might be surprised what you have to spend for a custom suit. They can be had for close to 1200.00 now. That is a bargain if you ask me considering these are light years ahead of off the rack stuff, most of the time. Keep in mind a custom made suit will fit you perfectly and anything you buy off a rack will be a compromise in one way or another. If your seriously into racing then just drop the funds and buy the full set. I am headed up to Helimot within the next month to get my suit. If I cant get the suit for around 2500.00 then I will head over to Zooni's and get one made by them. They are around 1500.00 give or take some. HTH | ||
| G4string |
Keep in mind this is my first suit and my first experience on a track. I cant justify spending 1K on a suit. I have a good helmet (Shoie), and will buy good boots and gloves. The way I see it, I want something that will do an adequate job of protecting me if I go down. I want a suit, at a fair price, that will do the job. | ||
| Jackbequick |
Anyone else noticed the "droopy drawers" syndrome on some of the world class MotoGP riders when they are seen from behind off the bike? I don't question The Doctor's riding skills but his racing suit looks funny as heck seen from behind when he is on foot. Rossi had a good weekend and still appears unbeatable if his bike does not fall down or quit. The racing is getting close and this year could be one of the best finishes ever with several people in contention. I'd like to see Stoner or Edwards win the next one just to tighten it up some more. http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/mo/standing/500/index.html Jack | ||
| Spike |
I tried on a Teknic Chicane 2-pc at a trackside vendor that was on sale for $350-400. The fit was decent and the leather felt heavy enough, but I decided to hold off and ended up with an Alpinestars GPU 2-pc for $550. The GPU suit is noticeably higher quality, which is to be expected for ~$200 more. I crash tested it in a low side last year, it held up fine and the suit didn't need any repair. There are plenty of guys riding and crashing with Teknic suits, so I wouldn't shy away from them if that's what fits in your budget. I haven't tried the TZ-1 suit, but when I bought my GPU suit the TZ-1 was more expensive so it should be slightly nicer than the GPU. If it fits well $450 would be a deal for a new Alpinestars suit. | ||
| Diablobrian |
For the track a one piece is best. No waist zipper to break in a crash. On the street a 2 piece. more versatile. I got a 2 pc. first gear suit from newenough.com buy the best gear you can possibly afford. It's cheap compared to a hospital visit. | ||
| Slaughter |
Jack, the leathers are cut to fit when in the riding position. They tighten up when you "assume the position" You'll feel the same thing happen at your knees when walking in the leathers - it's just that with the hard armor in the knees, it's not as obvious as the "ghetto sag" in the rear. (Buttless chaps are for walking) And I am watching MotoGP - just to see if Rossi can pull this bunny outta the hat! He's got like 6 wins out of 7 he has to make in the rest of the season if Hayden and Capirossi don't DNF??? (It could be done) - gonna be an interesting season. Let's see if Rossi can "Grab Assen!" (Message edited by slaughter on June 20, 2006) | ||
| Buellgirlie |
find a shop that supports roadracing and buy from there if you want to buy new - you wont go wrong with brands alpinestar, dainese, sidi, arai, suomy, shoei, motogp, spidi, vanson, etc.. there's lots of "poser" gear that simply wont hold up. i've got sidi boots, ufo (italian racing brand) back protector, teknic 2piece suit (its really really hard to get a 1piece suit fitted to a woman without custom work.....), a separate back protector, and a shoei rf-1000 and shoei x-11. i'm certain that my gear has SAVED me. i've crashed in my gear twice. one 65-70 mph lowside. one 60-70mph highside with many tumbles. my gear has held up admirably. my leathers were repaired, helmet 1 was retired. everything else was worn again. another great thought is to troll all of the racing org forums, there's tons of stuff for sale there. like this one http://www.ccsforum.com/index.php/board,8.0.htmlor http://www.jenningsgp.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=9cce38fefde4d00979bfcbd680 436c2e or http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?s=28d076e5b775c85c29947ec034aeb61e&f=47 and things like boots, gloves, back protectors, suits, helmets (that havent been crashed), etc can usually be had for a steal because a racer either is retiring, too broke, or got a new sponsor. i'd spend, for a newbie trackday rider, $300-400 for a helmet, $400-500 for a suit, $80-$100 for gloves, $200-300 for boots. there are, people, that ride in street gear. and, really, the risk is way lower than racing where the lap times are vastly different and the aggression/adrenaline are much higher. but......someone died at a trackday at jennings last fall, quite tragically. keep your head on and ride to learn. have fun! D | ||
| Buellgirlie |
you can rent a trailer from uhaul for 20 a day. or you can pay someone gas money to haul your junk. no need to buy a trailer just yet if you're just trying out trackdays! D | ||
| Rhun |
If you are fit and have a typical body, off the rack one piece are great. If not they may not fit nice. 80% of racers use one piece, probably 70% of these are custom made. Since my middle is bigger than my top and bottom  I went the two piece way. Teknic violator perforated. Took a 60MPH crash all on asphalt well. I can wear the jacket every day and the liner is nice in the fall and spring I don't think this is a good online purchase, unless you like paying freight many times, sizes aren't consistent with normal stuff and leather works different. | ||
| 12r |
If you <snip> have a typical body, off the rack one piece are great How true. I found the Teknic fit is great for the shorter and err...wider motorcyclist. Alpinestars & Dainese use the same body shape; if you're average build but over 5'10 forget it. Strange how I can get an off-the-peg £120 wetsuit in short, medium and tall fittings and yet a £500+ motorcycle suit has to be tailor made at double the cost... | ||
| Slaughter |
If racing, fit is really important because you WILL crash in the leathers. No argument, you WILL crash in them. Same for boots, gloves and helmet. I have only run 1.3 mm cowhide (Syed and Z Custom) - some discount leathers are as thin as 1mm - comfy but one-crash-and-trash. Kinda hard to decide where to spend money since startup costs total up to MONSTER sums of money!! Don't buy a trailer just yet. I've also used U-haul trailer and have towed 2 bikes (S3 and XB9) in it (fit tight) with my Dodge Stratus. You can also rent a cargo van from Enterprise which will haul 2 bikes, 2 people and loads of gear for about $65 a day I think if I were buying discount leathers, I'd tend to look very carefully at the hard armor in the elbows, knees, shoulders and then at the padding on hips. Full zip holds up pretty well from what I've seen in racers who have come off wearing the "name" brands of leathers. Took 3 crashes for me to finally destroy my Alpinestars SMX boots. I had good luck with RS Taichi gloves and really good luck with Z-Custom gloves. I'm big on Arai helmets. | ||
| Diablobrian |
It's funny, if you go to the track you'll see what works. It's what people are wearing. Arai and, Shoei helmets dominate the paddock. Sidi and Alpinestars boots. Vanson, Dainese, MotoGP, Spidi, NGK, Z leathers, and gloves from across the gamut. For the gloves look for a minimum number of seams, kangaroo leather is the best, but pricey, hard knuckles, it must be full gauntlet, double wrist closures are also a plus, wrist and palm pads are good too. Be sure to pay special attention to your spine protector. It has to stay in place during a crash. Dainese's that come with the suits (has a waist strap and snaps to the leathers) does not stay put. You can't see it under the leathers, but it is VERY important. | ||
| 12r |
Dainese's that come with the suits (has a waist strap and snaps to the leathers) does not stay put Agreed. They are completely sh*te but the full-harness Dainese protectors are in a different league. Knox back protectors are popular here in England but the cheaper ones are quite bulky. Hein Gericke have some technically excellent protectors but the use of neoprene makes them uncomfortable to wear when it's hot. | ||
| Vonsliek |
ok .. me .. me .. meee!!! 1pc A*'s (can't recall model) .. weighs a ton .. 1.3-1.5 mm cowhide - ca$999 joe rocket undersuit (polyester) - ca$99 dianese back protector (turtle style) straps & velcro waist - ca$250 A*'s gp pro(?!) race gloves - ca$250 daytona boots - ca$649 (got for $470) kbc vr-2 helmet - ca$300 (got a great deal) .. mladin wears these & they are a racefit, small shell w/ chin *cover* (important for keeping out all that crap, like mosquitos & rubber & 2-stroke oil) important tho .. u REALLY will need an undersuit - try getting leathers off after a good old sweaty session - impossible if they fit right. also, after really grinding my ankle & gouging my instep after footpeg snapped to a nice point & then bike laid on me why dragging us around, i SERIOUSLY recommend a 2-pc boot (that is, an inner & outer booty w/ heavy ankle armour & shin protection. also, rainproof yr boots if leather .. wet feet get real cold at track speeds! lastly .. don't be cheap .. get the good fitting suit .. i picked mine tight - actually perfect fit for my 5'9" 173# frame. i make certain i fit it by working out a ot & trust me .. track riding is physically demanding .. esp. on the thighs .. so double benefit - if u get the bug! just get last years 1 pc. they aren't trendy anymore & therefore are discounted. otherwise .. have loads of fun & be smooth & u shdn't need to replace leathers too much .. most of the track guys leathers are ratty .. loads of scuffs .. strangely, same fast riders have pretty well kept bikes?! | ||
| Yohinan |
Vonsleik, I have some questions about two of the statements you made. These are not a flame but just questions so please dont think I am trying to say you dont know what your talking about. I am trying to learn here. First one was in regards to your comment about the undersuit. Why do you feel it is so important to have? For those that run the higher end suits do you think they still need to run an undersuit? I am getting ready to drop 2500.00 on my helimot suit and was under the impression I needed no such undersuit. Please clarify and go into more detail as to why you feel this way. Second question is in regards to your statement about the 2 piece boots. You say you seriously recommend a 2 pc boot. The only one that makes these as far as I am aware of are Frey-Daytona. If these 2 pc boots were so important why is every racer not wearing them? Reason I ask again is I am purchasing a set of Vendramini's for 500.00. Are you saying these Daytona's outperform them so much it would be worth it to steer to the Daytona's? What kind of boots were you wearing when you crashed and had those injuries that caused you only to consider the Daytona's? Thanks EDIT: Ok maybe I misunderstood on the understuit. Are you talking about an undersuit with armor or just an undersuit with no armor just to ease the ability to pull leathers on and off? (Message edited by yohinan on June 22, 2006) | ||
| 12r |
I'm not answering for Paul but I agree with what he says. I have an Alpinestars undersuit that allows me to just s-l-i-d-e into and out of my one-piece without working up a sweat or dislocating joints. It also allows me the freedom to move around on the motorcycle without restriction. And Daytona's are widely regarded as the best boot available. BMW use them as their branded boots. The Alpinestars Supertech is also a two-piece boot - it's a faff to get on but as comfortable as an old shoe on the bike. | ||
| Diablobrian |
You can get the under armor brand shirt and pants (get the long sleeves) at almost any sporting goods store these days. They keep the leathers from sticking to your body while putting the leathers on. Paul is right on these, I had forgotten them too. Starter also makes similar stuff too. It is the wicking microfiber/lycra shirt and pants. Some high end outfits like kushitani make under suits as one pieces though, not sure if it's worth the extra cash. especially on those last minute bathroom runs  | ||
| Slaughter |
Also - the padded aero hump. My neurologist told me it's what saved me from being paralyzed from the chest down with the C6 and C7 vertebra spinous process fractures. Helped spread the load out more than just the spine pad - still picked up 2 broken ribs where they attached to C6 and C7 but hey, Morphine and Vicodin CAN be your friend! (since I'm still not racing for a few months, I can only talk about crash-testing gear) | ||
| Vonsliek |
didn't realise the aerohump were actually protective - silly me - of course they wld be. daytona's coz the were on sale, fit like a glove & had serious inner protection w/out lookinf like spaceboots .. also a lot of UK mags call them the club racer's favourite .. i figured if the unsponsored guys in the trenches wore them traditionally (i have no proof, just journo recommendations) & seeing them on pics of lower level racers (which i haven't even become yet) .. i figured they'd be a great bet. i have never heard a bad thing abt them since wearing them & have had one crash .. the boots were unmarked, tho i did bruise my big R toe when i hit the asphalt. scaped toe slider on L side twice yesterday at my 2nd track day. yippie .. damn A*'s kneesliders are still pristine .. guess i need to hang off the bike more. | ||
| Vonsliek |
oh yeah .. good undersuits (unarmoured) have 2 way zips so a quick slash is easy as zpp .. psssssssssssss .. zpp!  |
