| Author | Message | ||
     Duggram |
I need new leathers with good protection. Just talked to Vanson and they have a 3 month waiting list unless you want to pay an extra 20% to move up to the top of the list. Their best road racing leathers base at $1800. That's 2 grand without extras. Any suggestions? | ||
| Nukeblue |
got mine from sportbiketrackgear. made by hiene geirek (sp?) called celtic i believe. around $500 good bang for the buck (Message edited by nukeblue on November 19, 2008) | ||
| Eboos |
Wearing Alpinestars now. I am interested in the Arlen Ness suits that are now available in the US. PM me for information on where to order and discount info. | ||
| Duggram |
Chad, I deleted your message without realize it was not a list notice. You're cool man!! | ||
| Duggram |
Got a tip from our track owner to go with NJK. He wears them, I've seen his and the guys at Willow Springs like/use them. Delivery doesn't take months either. thanks for the input. | ||
| Benm2 |
I had mine custom made by Barnacle Bill, I think out of Kentucky. (they were a christmas present from my wife)). It was a full custom suit for $1000, but that was 3-4 years ago. http://www.racingleather.com/home/home.html I'm very happy with them. | ||
| Sd26 |
I've worn Vanson Leathers for a long, long time. I still have my leathers from 1994. I would have my leathers from 1991, but I was able to sell them for good money. They are repairable too. I've walked away year after year after year from this sport continually, and, while some of it might be genetic, I have to give Vanson their due for keeping me in one piece. I think they are worth it if not worth more. | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
This was my first leather. Its made by http://www.zcustom.com/ I bought it at a flea market for $75. I think its older than I am... fits great and held up in a low side. It has now been promoted to wet weather suit.  Found this Vanson on Craigslist. original owner paid ~$1700. I paid $300 never been down, has full hard armor with back plate. Seemed as though it had barely been worn. Colors wouldnt be my first chioce but I could not pass up the deal.    Id look to craigslist first and also check out the road racing forum classifieds. cant miss a good chance for some self promoting pics.... Seth | ||
| Paint_shaker |
I got mine branf new from E-bay for $230 or so. 2 piece 100% zip together... No back or hip protection though...  | ||
| White79bu |
I'm in the market for a new suit myself. I am thinking about buying an Alpinestars SP-1 suit. It's supposed to be designed with club racers in mind. Meaning that it was designed to take an impact and still be able to wear the suit. Sportbike track gear has %15 off Alpinestars suits right now. But there's so much out there it is hard to make up my mind. I want something that will last me a long time and won't break the bank. | ||
| Sd26 |
I want something that will last me a long time and won't break the bank. I've been around this for a while, and I'd love to see that happen...but... My experience has been that the increase in track day riders has led to a lot of reasonably inexpensive suits out there that are good for a crash...maybe. I know that WERA has discussed banning some manufacturers of suits because of failures when it needed to provide real protection. It's also valuable to realize that there are some manufacturers that make suits for their sponsored riders that are not made in the same factories as the ones you buy. Alpinestars, Joe Rocket, and others are some. Vanson, Z, BB, and some of those are examples of those that build quality units that have the ability to hold together in a crash, and then can be disassembled and repaired by design. } (Message edited by sd26 on November 20, 2008) | ||
| Slaughter |
I have Z Customs that I've fixed 3 times now (2 major repairs) and crashed 5 times: Brand new - back in the SV racing days in 2003:  After a Novice season (1 crash the week before FUSA in Las Vegas - still unrepaired)  3 years, 2 major wrecks later (at the Schwartzkopf/Ryder Wedding at Willow Springs)  5 years, 3 HARD wrecks, 2 minor wrecks... yes, they've been repaired twice. Good investment. Put money in a padded hump. My neurologist said that is the only thing that prevented me from being paralyzed from the chest down when I cracked C7 and T1 during a pretty bad high-side when the side case landed on my head and back and drove me face down into the mud. (Message edited by slaughter on November 20, 2008) | ||
| Duggram |
Steve, maybe I better take your advice! Just finished getting measured for my NJK leathers. You probably know him, Kelcey Gordon. He does a lot of leathers for racers at Willow Springs. I told him I didn't want a hump. Monday we talk again just before he starts work. I'll bring up the hump. BTW I'm already getting the sewn in back brace. One reason my sponsor (fiance) wants me to get these leathers is because of the Frank Thomas set I have now. One low-side at about 35 and they ripped up pretty good. She freaked. Now I have a new Arai helmet and I'll have these leathers in two weeks. Thanks for posting you pics (thanks to everyone!). Hope all is good with you. | ||
| Duggram |
Dave, didn't read your message before Steve's. Thanks for that good information. I suspected that but didn't know it was so wide spread. I think I've made a good choice. The tailor talks about guys getting off at 160 in Willow Springs T8 without problems. And, Roger our track owner has NJK leathers and they do look tough. | ||
| Duggram |
Andy, I understand your logic about breaking the bank. But my sponsor thinks my a$$ is priceless. I've already got cheap leathers from Cycle Gear. Not going that route again. | ||
| Slaughter |
I won't make any personal statements about your A$$ value  - but sounds like your SPONSOR has her heart in the right place. NJK is big out here and yep - a lot of the local fast guys use Kelcey's leathers. Sewn-in spine pad is nice - not having it shifting around is a good thing! My first leathers were used SYED leathers, bought from a friend/co-worker who also races at Willow Springs. SYED is also pretty good (based in FL I think) - but they were already pretty thrashed when I bought them. If you can get measured, it'll really help. Even though you got measured, you MIGHT need some slight adjustments. Look at them critically when you DO get them, you don't want them baggy (except when standing, the butt will droop, but it tightens when you "assume the position") | ||
| Duggram |
Thank God about the butt droop!! I was afraid my butt was going to look like yours!!! BTW working on a pm to you. | ||
| Duggram |
You can tell it was late for me when I last replied. I misunderstood you. I'll be happy if the leathers are not loose when in the position. My current set are and I can tell you this is not good. Even the slowest fall produces road rash. | ||
| Skinstains |
Open house at Vanson next weekend, 26,7,8,9. I may take a ride up to get the kid measured up. They are advertizing $200 off full sets and some giveaways. All Vanson is not made in USA anymore though. From what I understand some is some isn't but I would venture a guess that custom measured suits are built in house. I also wouldn't try to save money in the rider protection dept. there are plenty of other areas to scrimp. | ||
| Skinstains |
Hey Seth, you'll always be a star in my eyes. no matter what leathers you wear. | ||
| Sd26 |
All Vanson is not made in USA anymore though. From what I understand some is some isn't but I would venture a guess that custom measured suits are built in house. My understanding is that the race suits are made in house regardless. Tell Alan and Kevin that Super Dave said, "Hi!" Good folks there! | ||
| Sethbuchbinder |
Yes Tim I know my suit has a big purple star on the front and back. I would cover them up with sponsor logos, but I dont have any sponsors...  Seth | ||
| Skinstains |
Your purple star is way cooler than my sissy blue and pink splashes. Lizzy Leathers is tailoring it for me as we speak. 20 days to the Uly ! | ||
| Eboos |
Let me know how it goes with Lizzy Leathers. I am looking to do some lettering and patches over the winter on my suit. | ||
| White79bu |
Well I have been looking all day on the internet for leathers. I found a killer deal on a Teknic Speedstar suit. From what I have read Teknic is supposed to be quality stuff. I just have to bring myself to spend the money. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
On the subject of gear: I see Buell now offers a 'racing gear' bag in their accessories. Has anybody seen this bag? I looked at an Ogio 9900, which was nice, but for $200 I'd rather get the Buell bag if its the same quality (padded helmet storage?) and might still be worth something in a few years (besides being cool).I get tired of gathering all my gear from the 4 corners of the house. Stored in one place, and ready to go would be nice). My 2 cents: I got my Teknic 1 piece for $250 from a store going out of business. Many track day and racing organizations dont allow 2 piece suits (though I now have 2 piece street gear for track days where they allow it-much easier). Yeah, quality counts. But those that have seen me (or what) I ride, know the likelihood of me going down at 100+ (or even reaching) is impossible. And if(when?) I do go down my 'sponsor' isnt going to be happy about me going out again and with half my income gone I wouldnt be able to afford track days for awhile anyway! | ||
| Skinstains |
Ebooz, I have Lizzy doing some major mods to my Vanson one piece. She is also putting some lettering on it. I will give a review with photos when I get it back. Gearheaderiko, I couldn't resist that bag and bought one for a carry-on as I sometimes travel for work. It is a cool bag but does not have a padded helmet section but does have some thin padded dividers in the main compartment. I will take some pictures and have my son post them for me. It is a bit larger than I thought and may not work as a carry-on. Wich is good for a gear bag as I think I could fit all my track gear in it including two pairs of boots and a helmet. | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Thanks, looking forward to seeing the pictures. Would you put your $700 helmet in the bag unprotected or would you still use a helmet bag? It does also look like a very cool travel bag-do you think it will survive as checked baggage? | ||
| Gearhead |
The new Buell bag is a heavy duty piece and it's large! I think I can carry just about everything I normally take on a race weekend in it but my leathers. Troy at Silver Eagle HD/Buell has one and I'm hoping my wife gets one for me this Christmas!! | ||
| Jmr1283 |
just to get some info from some racers that have been there, im buying a suit too but i wanted to get a two piece with a full waist zipper which i thought was fine for racing, just not textiles. i wanted that so i could leave the pants off or on with the jacket for say hot day street use. which im pretty sure to get the propare fit id look like a weirdo on the street with my suit all tight. so since im not goin to race any time soon just track days, do they let textiles like a two piece with full waist zipper up to the advanced classes? id be in loudon nh. ill check the site out rate now to see. man im having a hard time seeing the computer with all the $$$ signs blockin my vision. |
