| Author | Message | ||
     Tq_freak |
Ok, Any insight you guys and gals might have would be a great help. As of right now I have a pair of setup boots, Icon gloves, KBC helmet and a Alpine star mesh jacket. I am heavily considering a 2 piece leather suit for street and mainly so I can do track days. I have this one in mind http://newenough.com/protective_apparel/leather_racing_suits/alpinestars/sg1_two_piece_motorcycle_race_suit.html The part I am stuck at right now is the price. $650 is a lot of money. I am real close to saying, don't be a dumb#ss its gear put it on the CC and be done with it but the other part is worried how much I'll use it. Any insight or words or wisdom would be great. I think it will most likely come down to me just growing a set and buying the damn leathers  (Message edited by tq_freak on October 08, 2007) | ||
| Ceejay |
I bought a leather jacket I really liked, wear it all the time-even in the 90's(today). then wait until this time of year to get some pants because they will be cheap. If they don't zip together a decent seamstress or sewing person can put them together for cheap(cost me 30 bucks) to put a 300 buck jacket to a 70 dollar pr. of pants(sale prices) Look around and get what you want as if you settle for something it will be more expensive in the end.... | ||
| Reepicheep |
I have a first gear Killimanjaro Air jacket and pants (older version, don't zip together). They are outstanding for the street, and do everything I need, and give me about as much protection as I feel like I need (though I should get a cheap back protector to add to the mix). It felt a little thin on the track. Zip together leather would have been better. I have been advised against a leather one piece. Even for the track, its a lot of trouble to take on and off for every 20 minute session. A zip off top (leave the pants on) was recommended instead. Thats just one opinion though. What are the rules for an Aerostitch and track days? That might be the best balance between commute and track days. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
considering i just got first hand experience, the teknics that i got at the iron pony on sale held up great but the nitro boots didn't fare so well. with leather, reguardless of what kind you get, make sure the leather is thick enough | ||
| Diablobrian |
$650 is cheap insurance against road rash. having gravel scrubbed out of fresh road rash is an experience I never want to experience again. To add insult to injury they charge you for doing it! For less than the cost of a single emergency room visit you will have a leather suit that will save your hide through many minor to severe wrecks. At the track I've seen many suits still going strong after half a dozen wrecks. It's all a matter of how you look at it. $650 would be a lot of money for chrome, but to save your skin it doesn't seem that pricey to me. | ||
| Socalbueller |
You could try cycle gear. I got a 2 piece Frank Thomas for $400. It is pretty good quality protection wise things I don't like about it is the 3 color design and it's not as my Vanson but you get what you pay for. | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Vanson Leathers #1 , not cheep, well worth the price. I've got a two peace Vanson Leathers suit that I wouldn't trade for the world. Full armor in jacket. I took it pavementing surfing Sunday during morning warm-ups/practice at NHIS. On a cool, damp, green race track I lost the front brakin for turn one. Some where near 80 mph. I slid for a country mile on the pavement way up into NASCAR turn #1. I slid on my back for so long and far I had time to daydream about not crashing wilest lookin up at the birdies in the sky. All my skin is still on me where it belongs. Not a scratch, ha ha that was funny! Jest a few scuff marks and the jacket is none the worse for ware. Get in gear. | ||
| Tdiddy |
I had the Frank Thomas Strike 2 piece and loved how it fit. The only problem I had was I kept tearing to liner in the pants. Cycle Gear has a great return policy. I now wear Dianese. Cycle Gear let me upgrade. | ||
| Tq_freak |
Diablo - You have a very good point, and after reading the link in the other AGATT post I think its a no brainer. I had an accident a little over a year ago and broke my shoulder and it was $2200 for x-rays and cat scans for them to tell me "nothing we can do, just don't use it till it heals" I think I will be making a purchase in the near future. | ||
| Toona |
Christmas is coming, maybe you could save a few Santa dollars and get it then, unless you are planning on track days before then... | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Leathers will not stop impact breaks/fractures, Scapula's, calar bones, elbows, ribs ect. but at least you'll still be waring your own skin. | ||
| Slaughter |
For some reason the link doesn't work... here's my recommendations: 2 piece and WEAR THEM. Ventilated! (you can always wear a windbreaker or rain suit over the top of them) Armor! The 2 piece MUST have full circumference zipper - you don't want to be sliding feet first and have the jacket up under your armpits! $600-$700 is not bad. First quality custom is going to be more like $1200. | ||
| Barker |
gotta a 2 piece cortech set for about 400 shipped from new enuf. me and the gear i got from them. on their site. http://www.newenough.com/testimonials/show/2007/9/ 18/667 | ||
| Tq_freak |
Here is the Link again, don't know why it didn't work http://newenough.com/protective_apparel/leather_ra cing_suits/alpinestars/sg1_two_piece_motorcycle_ra ce_suit.html Danny- Hear what your saying about breaks, I was soo lucky to come out of my wreck with no rash considering I was in jeans and a t-shirt. that I don't think I would get the lucky again. Toona- I like your idea but Jennings has a track day in Nov. that I got my eye on. Plus I'm and thinking of riding the 1k+ miles to my grandparents for thanksgiving, My mom is not keen on the idea at all, I think it might be easier to persuade her if I was in full gear. | ||
| Rick_a |
I have an AGV two-piece that is the best I could afford at the time, as well as the only off the shelf suits that fit me properly. Apart from quality/safety, fit is the most important issue. Unless you can afford a custom suit, try on as many brands as you can to get a proper fit. BTW, I don't trust the thin foam back protectors that come with many suits so proper back armor is a must IMO. I have separate gear for the street and track. The street gear gets a lot more use and needs to be replaced periodically due to use and weather damage. | ||
| Tq_freak |
Thanx everyone so far for all the input. I am really close to buying a set. One more question I have is about sizing? Should they be comfortably snug of it is ok if they are a tad loose. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
I always thought they were supposed to be snug, but then at my track day, most of the instructors (who are in the know) had loose fitting suits. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Oh yeah, and I love my Teknic gear. Both my Textile riding suit, and my leather race suit. | ||
| Coturi |
The leather protects your skin and the CE armor in them protects you bones, albeit in small areas. I recently high sided at 45 mph, and slid for quite a while. I ended up with a severely broken wrist and not a scratch on my body. I was wearing a one piece HJC race suit, Joe Rocket boots and gloves, and a KBC helmet, all of which did their job in saving my life. With out the armor in the suit I would have almost certainly broken my shoulder and had more problems with my arm. The cost of gear is well worth having your life to live after the crash. I've got around $40,000 in surgery, and rehab bills so far just for the wrist. But hey, I'm still alive, so not bad all in all. | ||
| Coturi |
Also, buy and wear a good back protector, very cheap insurance. | ||
| Firemanjim |
Check Craiglist and eBay for used leathers. Got a 1 piece Kushitani suit for 110.00 on CL and have gotten 4 different sets off eBay--(2 each for my son and I due to changing rules at Bonneville  All were less than 150.00 with my son's 1 piece Vanson suit at 90.00,very nice one!! | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
shift makes nice stuff and u can find it on sale most places.... | ||
| Chihuahua_stud |
+1 on the back protector. | ||
| 4cammer |
eBay will be a great source over the winter for a lot of high priced dead cow going for little $$$$. | ||
| Diablobrian |
snug is better for safety and even for speed since the flapping of loose leathers cause drag, but looser leathers are much more comfortable when you'll be in them all day. The Pros only have to wear their for an hour or two at a time. Ideally buy leathers that are snug, but not too snug. Sounds a little odd, but it's the reality of it. | ||
| Slaughter |
Something to consider is alterations. You CAN get a decent cheapie off of Craigslist or Ebay and IF you need to have them taken in, it'll be about $250 at most leathers shops who will work with "other" brands. Like Brian said, if you use them for long riding, tight might be bothersome but for the track, tight IS good. You will be AMAZED at how far the leathers can move on you when you do come off! | ||
| Tq_freak |
This is very valuable input, thank you everyone. Diablo - I understand what you are saying about but snug but not to snug. I am pretty sure I have my size figured out but I am going to try and find a tailor and get measured correctly rather then me trying to do it myself with a stanley tape measure (Message edited by tq_freak on October 11, 2007) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I purchased my riding gear from Harley-Davidson. I got the FXRG nylon midweight jacket and riding pants. you can remove the lining for summer riding (like I did when I rode to Buell's homecoming in July) or ride in some very cool weather like we have here in Northern Illinois in the fall and winter. It comes with all the padding and a kidney belt, which all is removable. If you like leather better than nylon, you can get that also. Here's the link. http://www.harley-davidson.com/browse/browse_produ cts.jsp?WebLogicSession=HO2Ds6tob5q111F0hIZYVv5rSC pwL96j7SYz4tz27GCBnFFyCl2T!-1189469949!181237812!7005!8005&FOLDER%3C%3Efolde r_id=2534374306687873&bmUID=1192113732133&bmLocale =en_US | ||
| Macbuell |
I've got a great pair of AlpineStars leather jacket and pants that were bought seperately but have a full circumference zipper to mate together. Perfect set-up for me and my street riding since I will never be racing. http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/leathe r_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/stage_perforated_l eather_motorcycle_jacket.html http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/leathe r_jackets_and_pants/alpinestars/a10_leather_textil e_motorcycle_pants.html |
