I want the BEST...best armour, thickest leather. I have had two Dianese suits with no real complaints, but want to maximize protection.
While I didnt personally buy them myself, from what I've been seeing, the Vanson's are superior.
Vansons, Vansons, Vansons. I see them only for minor repairs, and lettering and logo services.
As I've said before, the back protector is crap, get an aftermarket one.
Vanson.
I tested mine at 40, 60 (x2), 80 and 120 and they would have still been good had it not been for the emergency room shears the last time.
Alexa at Spyder Leatherworks says Vanson, and that's all you need to know. But I too ride in Vanson, and I will never switch. I could show you the scars from my pre-Vanson days... Yes, and get a non-Vanson back protector.
Thanks all!
While I wear Vanson (best deal I ever made on Ebay) I wondered about the new Teknic Speedstar Kangaroo skin suit that was on 2 wheel tuesday last week.
I know it is expensive (like we all have an extra $2G's lying around), but the CE armour looked better than Vanson (I can't believe I'm dissing Vanson after saving my butt!) and the thinner Kangaroo hide has better abrasion qualities, meaning the leather can be thinner and more comfy (I can't believe I just used the word "comfy" around a bunch of m'cycle racers, either).
That said, this Vanson suit and the one prior served me well. I also like the two zipper front, (yeah, like I ever need quick access at my age...) ::)
i've got the teknic violater suit, it has the same armor aas the speedstar suit. it's made of cow, so it's not quite as lite but the armor works very well. i crashed at mam this last weekend in turn 9. i'm told it was pritty bad looking. i'm fine thow. a couple of bruises but thats about it. my leathers saved my ASS! and my soumy helmet saved what little brains i have left ;D
vanson is the best,you may find lighter suits but they won't protect you as well...there's nothing better than cowhide if there was all the top gp riders would be wearing it... ;)
Vansons custom size suits I think, so this is good...
I *JUST* got my custom tailored XES leathers. They'll be on display at BHF in 1.5 weeks.
XES? who the hell are they? Well, a good friend and old sponsor of mine, Phil Caudill owner of Moto-Heaven is custom making leathers to his specs. They seem extremely well made with stitching that is correctly done (doubled over, stitched inside 2-4x). Time will tell...
But in any event, a custom suit is absolutely the way to go. A shelf-bought high-end suit will not protect as good as a custom fit high-end suit since you will shift in it while sliding/tumbling...
Quotei've got the teknic violater suit, it has the same armor aas the speedstar suit. it's made of cow, so it's not quite as lite but the armor works very well. i crashed at mam this last weekend in turn 9. i'm told it was pritty bad looking. i'm fine thow. a couple of bruises but thats about it. my leathers saved my ASS! and my soumy helmet saved what little brains i have left ;D
I'm glad you're OK!
I'm surprised you like the violator suit. I've seen more of those come through than any other brand or style of suit. The seams are CRAP. I rarely dis a suit, but when I see someone with the Teknics Violator, I really should be handing them my card and saying, "you have my condolences". Unfortunately, that's not really necessary, cuz I know most of the guys around here who own 'em, because they see me whenever they crash.
My advice is to check this suit over THOUROUGHLY every time you crash, even if you don't think it was a big deal. I've seen those seams come apart just looking at pavement. Seriously, a minor graze can wear off those top seams in no time, and then you have a potential problem. Get 'em fixed ASAP.
QuoteXES? who the hell are they? Well, a good friend and old sponsor of mine, Phil Caudill owner of Moto-Heaven is custom making leathers to his specs. They seem extremely well made with stitching that is correctly done (doubled over, stitched inside 2-4x).
Just turned in the design template to Phil for our team's new custom XES leathers. Can't wait to see how they will turn out! :)
Jeff's bringing his XES by later this week for me to have a look-see. Stay tuned, I'll be letting everyone know what I think.
Here are a few pics for a sneak-peek
http://www.cbr600rr.com/pages/reviews/xes
Dang it! I forgot to check that "retain aspect ratio" when I resized them... I'm not really that short/fat :'(
More to come...
Hopefully the snags are worked out now. Mine took forever to deliver, but talking to Phil, those days should be behind him...
Vanson.
Great product. Good support. Year end contingency. And Made in USA...
It's about time you got something other than black. :) Are those preforated in the front?
After nearly dying of heatstroke at MAM in my non-vented black leathers 2 years ago, I bought the red/white/black full vented set I have now. Much difference...
but yeah, these are full vented too...
Phil from moto-heaven is doing leathers now, too!? Awesome! I know he also started doing sprockets in the last year. Been interesting to watch his business grow.
I have had two sets of Vansons and am very satisified. The first came off in an emergency room, without my approval (made a nice conversation piece in the shop, though). The second set is about due for some maintenance.
The only problem I have with Vansons is the turn around time on repairs, mods, etc.. I cannot afford another set of leathers, yet they always give me a turn around time "guess" of 4 to 6 weeks. I would have to miss a date to get them repaired or re-dyed.
QuoteVanson.
Great product. Good support. Year end contingency. And Made in USA...
Yeah, but they sponsor the StarboyZ. grrrrrr >:(
I agreed that Vansons seem to be the high end privateer solution. FYI, all the motogp guys where all kangaroo suits.
QuoteI agreed that Vansons seem to be the high end privateer solution. FYI, all the motogp guys where all kangaroo suits.
And with $6m/yr budgets, they can... Hell, they probably have private flights to pick out the roos that get capped for them 8)
Quotevanson is the best,you may find lighter suits but they won't protect you as well...there's nothing better than cowhide if there was all the top gp riders would be wearing it... ;)
Are you sure they're not using Kangaroo?
Yup, the GP guys use 'roos. Not only that, but if they toast a suit, there're several more custom fit just like it back at the garage. I've seen highsided kangaroo leathers, and they're not much more sturdy than a slightly thicker cowhide. They tear and abrade just the same.
Now elephant hide...hmmmm, that might do the trick for some of you crash happy racers. ;) ;D
heh... iron plate w/ thermo-tec lining... that might last...
Alexa,
Are the 'roo suits harder to fix? Can you get replacement 'roo to make patches and stuff?
Thx,
Dave
That's what my new Dainese is. Kangaroo. Doesn't fit right, gotta get it sized, but I gotta ride too >:(
QuoteAlexa,
Are the 'roo suits harder to fix? Can you get replacement 'roo to make patches and stuff?
Thx,
Dave
No, they repair the same as cowhide. I do not have a source for 'roo, so I use cowhide for repair.
QuoteNow elephant hide...hmmmm, that might do the trick for some of you crash happy racers. ;) ;D
I don't appreciate being singled out for ridicule in a public forum, Alexa! >:(After all the word of mouth I've given you over the years, I'd expect a bit more respect. I thought I had a semi-sponsorship thing worked out with you. What did you call it? Volume discount?
Oh, wait... I guess you didn't menton me personally. Never mind. :-[
You're not the only crahs happy racer out ther. I see your ego is fully intact. ;) ;D See your other thread for my heart atack comment.
I have tested a lot of Vanson suits....
I have used the back protectors.
I've heard them get bagged on, but after all those times of going down with that same protector...I've been knocked down, ran over, hit walls...I don't break easily, but still...luck has to run out. I know that Eric Wood uses the Vanson back protector. It is very simple. Simple still does work.
Turn around? Can't tell you about that. They do offer track side repair sometimes. Still, usually, they just beat out everything else.
As for Vanson being on the MotoGP or top flight Superbike guys...
Well, that's all about money. Vanson uses US leather made by US workers. And they really do support their product. That all has a cost. They could sell more suits by sending everything to El Salvador, Pakistan (I believe that that's where the leather suit portion of Dainese leathers are made...the liner is made in Italy...and that's the tag you see), etc...
But the Vanson people would rather support some good non factory racers, schools, and offer contingency and repair services to their customers.
Gotta make choices...
I've seen the ripped out rivets and popped articulated plates on the vanson back protectors. This is after one crash. I'm glad you've had good luck though.
Teknic (And everyone knows I really discourage purchasing their leathers) makes a, decent, inexpensive back protector for those who don't want to go with the pricey stuff. Dianese makes a good turtle shell, and lots of folks like the Bohn and Knox products.
I can fix most stuff quicker than 4-6 weeks. Right now, I'm doing about a 7-10 day turn around for repairs, and have had time for emergency stuff.