Is there much of a difference (in safety) between many of the leather suits out there. For example I'm looking into getting a two piece alpinestars. Are the vector, mx-1, rc-1, octance, etc. all similarly safe?
Talk to Alexa. Probably something you want to do by phone or email since she has had to fix some.
I think they are all pretty light. I don't feel like you're going to be able to fall very often in them before there's nothing left, or they fail outright.
Now, go watch the races.... :cheers:
Just remember you get what you pay for.
Well, now that might not be exactly correct in this case. I've seen some really expensive leathers that are junk. But they have a large adversiting budget of paid riders...that are wearing leathers you can not buy.
Alexa at Spyder Leatherworks is your best bet for leather repairs or overall leather knowledge, and she's starting up her own custom line of leathers. Maybe you want to look into a Spyder suit. I'll be wearing one this year. Expensive, but worth it.
SYED has some off the rack suits selling for about $600.00, I saw them in Dec when I went there for some leather repair and alterations. bad ass suits for 600 bones. the colors where red,silverand black or black and yellow. Give them a call at 1-800-486-6635.
Lithium Motorsport is stocking a large amount of leathers. They are very helpful and willing to exchange the suit if you are unhappy with it. Give them a call 1-800-894-7190. They are also at most Midwest and GP races.
Don't forget www.1888fastlap.com Kobe suits are excellent for the $$$. Sign up for their racer program and you'll save big!
I really like my new MotoGP suit, it fits great. Some of the "off the rack" suits make you look like you have a load in your pants. They also tend to fit loose and droop in the chest area when you sit on the bike.
Try on as many as you can before you buy one!
I got a sweet off-season deal on mine, look around once you decide on a brand.
j
Not happy with MotoGP 'roo suits. Two low-speed lowsides, two serious suit failures. Two pairs of gloves gone too.
Apparently 'roo leather is not very stretchable and the leather is thin on a MotoGP suit. One crash shredded a forearm, the other tore open a knee. The leather repair guy here said that he's not impressed with the suit's construction.
Thanks for the input guys. Is an Alpinestars Stage 2, 2 piece suit good enough for the track? Below is an ebay link...thanks for any advice.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Alpinestars-Stage-2-Piece-Suite-Size-44-54_W0QQitemZ170092350658QQcategoryZ6750QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is just my opinion, but I'd never trust a 2 piece suit after seeing the results of one coming apart at the waist after a racer fell at Blackhawk a few years ago. His back was a road rash mess and he broke several vertebrae too as I recall.
Others have worn them without problems, but why take a chance.
I really like my Moto GP Roo suit. I have gone down in it twice and can't even tell that has hit the pavement. I had an AGV suit that spent more time on the pavement then on the bike with no problems. So I bought the next step up and the first low slide the thing came a part. Give Rob a call at Lithium a call he has several brands and sizes in stock. You will not beat his prices
Man, this is a thread is full of shameless plugs....
I use an alpinestars TZ-1 one piece. I haven't went down in it so I can't really say anything except it fits me nice ::) My buddy went down in turn 6 at Blackhawk in his 2 piece A-stars stage and it seemed to hold up nice. I melted the alpinestars logo off the leg, but whatever. I personally wouldn't get a two piece for track only. Unless your on a super budget and are going to use it for the street also. I'm still in college so my budget is super poor and I sold my two piece and bought a one piece for track and street...
I got mine from Motostrano for like $425 shipped.
Quote from: yzfkneedragger on March 17, 2007, 04:16:37 PM
Man, this is a thread is full of shameless plugs....
Yeah, but I'm still waiting for someone to say they went down a lot or were ran over. I've been down more times...oh, I'm back to that 21 thing again...never mind.
In 1991, my first Vanson, I raced, I fell down a couple few times. Later in the year, I was knocked down, rag doll-ing on the pavemen, I was ran over by a guy using his front brakes starting at my left kindey across my back, neck, and head. I was left bleeding all over the track in a crushed helmet and so on. My body was a little beat, but my worst injuries were nine stitches or something in my lower chin and a big section of road rash on my adam's apple, along with a really flexed throax that wouldn't allow me to do any silly voices for about three weeks.
I fell down a couple more times that year. At the end of the year, the leathers were still intact other than some ground in asphalt and a little blood that I couldn't get off. My sponsor had bought them for me, and we ended that relationship for 1992. I sold those leathers for $500 yet after all that.
Protection, heirloom quality value. Really hard to explain that in a sport that has heavy involvement from most people for only two or three years. Each of those sets has given me that kind of protection.
Well, I got 3 1/2 years and 7 crashes out of a set of Vansons. They're retired now, but only because I sweat-cured them to death without ever conditioning them. Of course, the Spyder says she can save them, and if she can they will still be my backup and rainy day suit.
I've decided I guess...to go with a set of Alpinestar MX-1's from a shop near me. For 1, I can try them on in store becuase they have them in stock in my size (44)...for 2 they seem to be one of the top of the line suits for AStars at around $1K. So from the aspect of you get what you pay for...should be ok. What are your opinions on that suit and whether or not I should buy that. I'm worried about safety, not money. With that being said...I can't afford what Rossi affords (or is given)...so a mix of the two. Thanks for your help so far!!
Check out TrackdayMag.com for gear and porduct reviews.
http://www.trackdaymag.com/i?a=11
This is a link to a crash test review of A MotoGP kangaroo suit. A crash test of the latest Alpinstars suit is coming in the next issue.
My suit is a la trek and it is over 10 years old and i am still using it.I got it for $500 back then and crashed about 7 times and it NEVER shredded or ripped apart.Just a little stiching needed and thats it.It is tough,thick and alot of pads in it for its year.I will get a new one someday.
It seems that AStars suits aren't too popular to race in? Is that right? There hasn't been but 1 or 2 comments on them and they were kind of neutral. I tried on the MX1 and after looking at prices and differences I think the Alpinestars RC-1 will be the choice I go with. Anyone have any experience or know of anyone that has regarding the AStars suits? Should I get this suit. Here's a link. Thanks.
Side note: I was looking at the AStars and Shift leather suits. The Shift seemed a little bit heavier and thicker? Would this make a safety difference? Thanks.
$780 Online With Free Shipping
http://www.helmetharbor.com/Products/ProductDetails.cfm/Search/Results/ProductID/471619
The Shift Suit
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHIFT-RACING-Street-SR1-Leather-Suit-Black-Silver-48_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6750QQitemZ330096878545QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V
Alpinestars are really one of the more expensive lines, and that is probably why few racers seem to use them. When you get to that level of cost, you're getting pretty close to a price point where you could buy a one-color, no frills, off the rack suit from Vanson, Syed, Barnical Bill, or good old Spyder Leatherworks, and even though they aren't as pretty as a bling bling A* suit, any of these options would offer you maximum protection at the minimum buy-in price for a really serious no compromise racing suit.
Thanks for all the info folks. I was going to buy the Alpinestars MX-1 at a local dealer, at 10% off, but after taxes that was still almost $1200. I didn't like the all black look, so after looking through their catalog and cheaper suits and finding a good deal on a company through ebay. I ordered an Alpinestars RC-1 in gray/black/white for $770 shipped. I think I got a good deal and I'll post up about the fit and quality when it comes in. Also, they offer the free size exchange...but I think a 44 should fit me fine. Thanks for the input again.
im looking for the same suit, can you let me know where you got it?
I got it from a lady named Mindy on ebay. They own the Cycle Mart USA ebay store. They price matched/beat by $10 G-Force Cycles for me, which had it advertised for $780 shipped. I'll post up a little review on it once I get it too.
Quote from: RCR_531 on March 17, 2007, 02:34:50 PM
I really like my Moto GP Roo suit. I have gone down in it twice and can't even tell that has hit the pavement. I had an AGV suit that spent more time on the pavement then on the bike with no problems. So I bought the next step up and the first low slide the thing came a part. Give Rob a call at Lithium a call he has several brands and sizes in stock. You will not beat his prices
You seem to be one of the few lucky ones. My suit got tore the hell up after one helluva crash. didn't expect it to happen to one of those "roo" suits.
i have crashed the heck out of the top line teknic suites for a few years, including a 165mph crash in nascar 4 at daytona leathers destroyed, no skin damaged (except severe burn on shoulder from friction heat), no skin showing after wreck Teknic rules, i have also had good luck with the good AGV set and the joe rocket best set
go with a one piece though.
I have heard of several MotoGP roo suits shredding. I looked into the same thing when buying mine. This is why I went with the standard cow. Not sure what the weight difference is but it seems fine when I'm on the bike.
I would not want to run a mile in either!
j
Pete, should've called me...I could've taken care of you on the MX1 for much cheaper.
I race in an Alpinestars Race Replica suit. I crashed at Daytona on the back straight heading toward the chicane during qualifying for the 200 4th gear pinned. No rash or painful injury. Excellent suit. I stock Alpinestars products as well as Moto GP and have raced and crashed in both. You do get what you pay for, but I do believe the Moto GP suit is an excellent suit for the price point. I have had no suit failures or problems from either brand personally but I have had a Dianese suit come apart on me the first weekend I used it without even falling down.