| Author | Message | ||
     Ekass13 |
Hey guys need some opinions. I’m in the market for some leather. Something I could tack to the track, but also around town, Can you take a two piece to the track? I defiantly want something that’s going to protect me for real. What should I do and where should I go? | ||
| Hammer71 |
2 piece can be used on most tracks if it has a 360 degree zipper. Real world experience on my part.. Tecknic chicane pants,Buell(vanson) jacket, Alpinestars smx boots and gloves. Jacket had some visible rash and scrapes but not even close to going through, the jacket unusable now due to it being cut off of me. Pants had visible gouging and one hole through the knee area where I dug it in to try and upright the bike. Buy the absolute best you can afford and make sure it fits you well. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Buy the absolute best you can afford and make sure it fits you well. +1 | ||
| Diablobrian |
Hammer is 100% right. Buy the best you can afford. Gear is not the place to try to cut corners. I'm all for finding a good deal, if it's on quality gear. On helmets: some tracks and/or track day organizers check date of manufacture as well as dot/Snell rating so an old helmet will not pass technical inspection. You will also need a CE approved spine protector. Again don't skimp. Buy a Knox, Dainese, Alpinestars, etc... Based on my own first hand knowledge good gear can make the difference between life and death. I was a firm ATGATT (All The Gear All The Time) believer before, but post-accident I am even more vocal than when I was awarded the title "Gear Nazi" by my friends in San Diego that always seemed to think that it was too hot for this or that...  Sorry, I know I'm preaching to the choir, I'm glad that you're getting good leathers. BTW If at all possible test the fit of the leathers on the bike. What feels good in the showroom is not always what feels good on the bike. For instance racer's one piece suits (if they fit correctly) are a little too short in the front to stand up straight in. It keeps them from bunching up when they tuck in. Same goes for cut of the sleeves, ideally they should be pre-curved which feels funny until you get on the bike. Also try on the jacket/pants with the spine protector you intend to use. It can make a difference. | ||
| Xbullet |
What feels good in the showroom is not always what feels good on the bike. +1 alpinestars is a one stop shop for everything but helmets. go 2 piece, and buy a good full-face (NOT MODULAR) helmet. then give it hell.  | ||
| Sanchez |
I enjoyed my Joe Rocket Blaster perforated pants. They held up well in two crashes before they suffered the same fate as Hammer's, and I never found anything more comfortable to wear while riding. I probably put around 2k miles on them because they had all the right butt padding, none of the wrong seams, and flowed more air than jeans. You definitely want the 360 zipper. My jacket only zipped in the back, and it pulled up when I hit a reflector post with my stomach on my way down a mountain. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Vanson Leathers. | ||
| M1combat |
The "Moto GP" brand has a good one piece kangaroo leather that isn't TOO entirely expensive. I think I got mine for $6-700. I also have a Tour master jacket that held up pretty well in a low speed get off into pavement (never hit dirt). I wear that around town. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
DO NOT BUY ONLINE UNLESS YOU HAVE TRIED ON THE SAME BRAND, SAME SIZE, SAME MODEL IN REAL LIFE FIRST. You can get stuck with some stuff that just doesn't fit. I am having a set of customs made. Unfortunately, I'm size gorilla. Leathers just get taller and skinnier as they get larger. If you can spring for the extra cost of a custom set, you can get exactly what you want with no compromises. | ||
| Slaughter |
If you live within 2 hours of a reputable leathers manufacturer, get a set made up or have the ones you've purchased modified to fit your body if there are ANY doubts about how they fit (about $250 for the alterations). Get ventilated leathers - you can always add layers if you need a wind break or insulation. 2 piece is fine and legal with most race organizations and track day operations in all but pro classes. Vanson, Z Custom, Syed are all good, I've worn and crash-tested all 3. Of those 3, Vanson are about the closest to you. I'm sure there are others. THEY MUST FIT - you can do pretty well off the rack but remember, you're buying them to fit in the RIDING position and NOT in the STANDING position! Don't try to guess how they fit when standing. When you stand, you'll have baggy knees and baggy butt, baggy elbows. When you "assume the position" you'll know. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Vanson Leathers. I couldnt agree more... Chase} | ||
| 4cammer |
Love my Vanson. Excellent quality, great fit, though a little short in the back. This is a motorcycle jacket first, and a fashion accessory last. See Icon..... Try newenough.com. They are closing out their Vanson line. GREAT buys if they still have your size. And Vansons are made in the USA. | ||
| Dick |
Vanson all the way and get and ALLWAYS wear the armor.On my second set in 32 years first set took 2 slide crashes Vanson repaired my jacket the pants I patched myself they are not cheep and take forever to get when you order but well worth the time. | ||
| Ekass13 |
yea i'm looking at vanson, but at 1750 its alot to take in. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Firstgear, MotoGP, Dainese, Alpinestars, and others make very nice gear too. I currently wear Firstgear "speedfreak" 2 piece perforated leathers as my most serious riding gear. It has a 360 zipper as well as the standard 9-10 inch rear zipper to make the pants compatible with my mesh jackets from Joe Rocket and Field Sheer. I second the Newenough.com recommendation. They sell brand new first quality (no seconds) gear. It is usually last years' model, or the last of this years on closeout, but whoopee, I'm not in it for the fashions. The comments at the bottom of the descriptions page is very useful information, as well as their "larger pictures" which is much more then just a blow-up of the stock image in most cases with multiple views inside and out. | ||
| Ekass13 |
Ok so I ordered Alpinestar RC-1, 2 piece suit. Got some boots, now i'm ready for a track day. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Were you able to find it for a good price locally where you could try it on? | ||
| Ekass13 |
First off let me just say that I’ve spent quite some time over the last couple months pricing and looking for the right suit. Most of the stores when I asked about sizing/purchasing suits, acted like it was a mystical journey not worth the attempt. Philadelphia cycle center hooked me up. The suit, org $999.99 boots $199.99. After some time and a size up.. 850.00 & 160.00. Just them taking the time to explain the right size & fit, I feel it was well worth it. Plus, the suit is so sick & if its the wrong size, the'll get me the right one. | ||
| Mr_gto |
i got a fieldsheer revo one piece from parts411 for $350 and a pair of sidi vertigo air boots for $250 shipped for free! | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Competition Accessories appears to have a good selection of affordable suits! http://www.compacc.com/cat.cfm/cid/1001004/pg/1 They're within riding range from me too! I guess that's where I'll be heading to find my suit before October. I love my other Teknic gear, so I'll probably look at there suits first. But it'll probably come down to whomever makes a suit that fits my 125lb self the best. |
