I just became a new member and will be racing light weight in the 2005 season. I don't have my own leathers or boots yet but I wanted some opinions before buying them?
I like the idea of a 2 piece leather so I can take off the jacket. But I was told that a one piece gives you better protection.
I was looking at boots too. I was on the internet and read up on SIDI boots, Vertebra $330, Vertebra II $240. The information on the two boots said that the Vertebra II was an inprovement of the Vertebra, then why is it cheaper?
Can't help ya on the boots.
As far as leathers go, I"ve had both one and two piece. My first suit was a two piece, and after that nothing but one piece. I did the two piece deal for the same reasons you want to, but after trying a GOOD FIT one piece, I've never went back. It really comes down to how much your going to ride on the street. Honestly, if I decided to street ride again, chances are I'd still wear a 1 piece even on the street. As long as your two piece zips together and has all the necessary protection areas, I'd say either is fine. It's really a flip of a coin. I'd say figure out what you'll do more of first, Track or street. Also, a thing to think about is picking up a 1 piece, and a cheap jacket for the street. Since it's the off season, I'm sure you can pick up a nice jacket pretty cheap, and then get a nice suit for just the track. Hell, just buy a cheap jacket of eBay.
or
Ask Alexa (spyderchcick) cause she knows all about leather.
:)
Hey there Rookie (plan to change that tag after a bit? ;))
Regarding the boots. Sidi makes excellent race boots. The Vertebra 2 (which I have and have crash tested a number of times with NO problems or complaints) is very good. The $330 boot is the Vertebra Race. It's supposed to be a step up from the Vertebra 2.
If you check out the North American Sidi distributor's site http://motonation.com/subcategory.asp?cid=3, you'll see Sidi's new Vertigo is available for $260. You may wish to consider that boot.
Good luck and welcome to the fun.
H-man
I have a Joe Rocket suit only slightly used and boots for sale. email me if you are interested and I can send pics.
And I have some new and used Vanson rental suits for sale.
Might work for you, depending upon where you're located.
Racers wear one piece suits almost exclusively. Better protection.
You're gonna probably fall down at some point. Might not be your fault, so you come read to fall.
You're going to go overbudget and leathers are the best place to do it. Get the best 1 piece with body armor you can find. By the end of the season they will probably have saved you big money.
Spyderchick (Alexa) made an excellent point on this board some months back about justifying the expense of good leathers. She compared it to spending money on tires. Only a fool would think it was a good idea to skimp on tires and push them too far. You go into the season expecting that to be a necessary expense for your racing season.
Depending on how much you race, and any sponsorship deals you can arrange, tires will probably be your biggest expense aside from entry fees - part of the cost of racing.
Leathers can be a big, but hopefully infrequent expense. But how long will you be able to wear them? Hopefully, several seasons unless you have a serious getoff. Even then Spyderchick can do miraculous repairs. You can justify the expense when you throw in all the factors.
Bottom line, don't be afraid to spend money on good leathers. They'll protect better and require fewer repairs. May save some money on hospital bills too. Then throw in the intangible - comfort level. Both in how they fit and knowing that you've got good protection when and if it's needed!
Quote Only a fool would think it was a good idea to skimp on tires and push them too far.
I don't know Rick, if I remember correctly, someone had some pretty bald tires on their streetbike at Gingerman.... ;D ;D :o
QuoteI don't know Rick, if I remember correctly, someone had some pretty bald tires on their streetbike at Gingerman.... ;D ;D :o
You are correct sir! And I stand by my statement - Only a fool would....... ;D ;D
Guilty as charged! At least I didn't try and do a Track Day ! ;)
Vanson 1 piece. You'll want leathers that survive more than 1 or 2 crashes before they need replacement. In the end, a set of Vansons is a good investment. I also believe that Vansons protect better because of their armor and thick leather. Nothing else for me ever, now that I've owned a set.
I got my Sidi Vertebra's for ~$200 new off Ebay. I like them a lot. They've also held up well except for an incident at Summit Point T10 at ~90mph ;)
I got my HJC one piece suit from NewEnough.com for ~$600, also an excellent deal. The 1 piece seems safer to me and you can always get them cut and have a zipper added later if you want.
Anyone ever have both Sidi's and Oxtar's? I currently have Oxtar Ti Evo's and their awesome, but I've been wondering about the Sidi's.
I'm in Oxtar's myself. I think they both do the same thing...just a different execution.
Dave you have the Ti's ? Can you wear Ti's when your racing CCS? I've heard before that since Titanium causes sparks, your not allowed to have ti sliders. That go for boots also? I forgot where I read it. Probably one of the BBS. I have to order new sliders for the season, so I'm wondering if I should just order the plastic one's instead of ti.
???
Hey Rook,
read this thread for some info...I went for the 2-piece b/c of my height as you will see....http://forums.13x.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=65236.
I've got the Alpinestar's SMX plus, you can see them at newenough.com, and gotta say they did their job; my '94 FZR1000 lowsided on me and I didn't get my foot out of the way in time and the bike landed and rode on my ankle until we both stopped!!! I'm pretty sure that I'd have a broken ankle w/o some good boots on...at first I was like, man $200+ for boots, that's expensive, but now I'm thinking that I got a pretty good deal;) what with not missing work for three months and hospital bills and co-pays......here's the ankle that night.....
(https://www.ccsforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv237%2Fnbot1%2Fbike%2520pics%2FPICT0393.jpg&hash=093c78cbd7b692e8d8a7cc8d6f9a16248f9a5d00)
Dan, yeah, I think I have the Ti's... What ever I have, I have.
You can just take off the Ti part of the slider. No big deal. Just a fancy little plate.
Good stuff will keep you safer than other stuff.
I've worn Vansons since 1991. I've been ran over, tossed, pummeled, etc. Broke my finger in 1996...'cause I wore my wedding ring. I've watched others have more severe injuries. I won't infer about other leathers and how they protect, but I KNOW how the Vanson's work. If you value your job...buy Vansons made by American workers.
QuoteBroke my finger in 1996...'cause I wore my wedding ring.
That is one of the reasons I refuse to wear a wedding ring! Those things are dangerous I tell you!!!
For race use: One piece, one piece, one piece.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding sizing or brands. STAY AWAY from TEKNICS!
I have a 2pc Dainese suit for sale here:
http://www.racemotorcycles.com/cgi-bin/board/YaBB.pl?board=ccsclass;action=display;num=1100116074
QuoteFor race use: One piece, one piece, one piece.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions or concerns regarding sizing or brands. STAY AWAY from TEKNICS!
Alexa of Spyder Leatherworks is the only person here who's opinion really counts. She repairs racing suits for a living, so she's seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. Get with her by e mail, and get set straight. Once you have a suit, she can put your name on there cool as hell! ;)
Re: Oxtars. I have not been a happy with mine at all.
I bought a new pair of Tis last Spring. Yes, you can just take the plate off the sparking toe slider as required by CCS as long as you replace the screws with a little washer so they don't pull through.
They already have serious holes in them after one easy season. Part way through the summer I was talking to Jesse Janisch and we laughed that if we wore the same size we could get one good pair out of the both of ours because his had a hole in the other one, so I know he had a similar experience. By the end of the summer both of mine were pooched.
The left wore a hole on the inside where it rubbed against the shifter of a certain disagreeable R6 that I sold. The right one got a hole in the very tip just from walking. IMO, the soles are either too thin or the uppers need more protection from rubbing on the wear spots.
My old Sidis lasted about three years or so and I'll go back to that brand if I have any money left after Christmas. I think the protection from their high quality models is at least as good. Unfortunately, they are more expensive.
Just my $.02.
QuoteRe: Oxtars. I have not been a happy with mine at all.
I bought a new pair of Tis last Spring. Yes, you can just take the plate off the sparking toe slider as required by CCS as long as you replace the screws with a little washer so they don't pull through.
They already have serious holes in them after one easy season. Part way through the summer I was talking to Jesse Janisch and we laughed that if we wore the same size we could get one good pair out of the both of ours because his had a hole in the other one, so I know he had a similar experience. By the end of the summer both of mine were pooched.
The left wore a hole on the inside where it rubbed against the shifter of a certain disagreeable R6 that I sold. The right one got a hole in the very tip just from walking. IMO, the soles are either too thin or the uppers need more protection from rubbing on the wear spots.
My old Sidis lasted about three years or so and I'll go back to that brand if I have any money left after Christmas. I think the protection from their high quality models is at least as good. Unfortunately, they are more expensive.
Just my $.02.
Yea my Oxtars got a hole in them from rubbing on the frame too. Like yours they are only one season old and Im not very happy with them. As far as the Ti toe sliders, there is nothing in the rule book saying you cant have them. 8) I passed tech with them all year, but If you drag your toes alot, I have big long feet, and someone behind you complains you will get yelled at and have to put some duct tape on them. It happen to me once at VIR. If you run these boots without the Ti plates all your going to do is burn a hole through them even quicker, I wouldnt recomend running without the Ti, just put duct tape on the Ti. It keeps the sparks down to almost nothing. My next boots are going to Alpinestars SMX plus or Sidi. ;D
Hmmm... never had a problem with mine wearing down, but then again, I haven't been to the track much this year. I've kinda grown fond the of the Oxtars, and also Held gloves. I won't get rid of the Held's. Best gloves known to man IMHO.
I agree that the one-piece provides better protection, but sometimes the budget does not allow the best. My son started out with a Dainese two-piece and went down twice his second outing (one time a very fast lowside). He came out of it unscathed. However, I believe your riding ability factors in as well. A two-piece may work OK to start with, but as soon as you progress to faster levels or classes, a one-piece is the only way to go. Best of Luck!
QuoteAs far as the Ti toe sliders, there is nothing in the rule book saying you cant have them. 8)
Yes there is, 2004 CCS rulebook:
5.1.5 Knee and toe sliders that emit sparks are prohibited.
Roger was having a problen with his toes dragging. I observed his riding pretty closely. His toes were firmly up on the pegs, so he really needed rear sets.
If you watch MotoGP, the peg placement is well above the axle line of the bike. This allows for extreme lean angle. (I know no one in CCS is going to get that kind of lean angle) However, rearrsets will change your foot position just enough to allow the toes to clear pavement. Kind of an expensive solution, but hey, when does lack of money prevent any of us from racing? ;) ;D
I used the oxtars also, I really liked them once broke in. You can get replacement, plastic toe sliders too, Or if you have kids feet like myself
( size 8 ) you don't have to worry about draggin' toes.
Stumpy
QuoteThat is one of the reasons I refuse to wear a wedding ring! Those things are dangerous I tell you!!!
I stopped wearing mine because too many men were trying to seduce me. :o
(Then again that was 16 years ago, this may not happen any more at my 'current' age)
Dawn ;)
QuoteYes there is, 2004 CCS rulebook:
5.1.5 Knee and toe sliders that emit sparks are prohibited.
I guess I missed that, it must not have been there in 03, I thought I checked before I bought those oxtars late last year. Anyway they passed tech, I guess the tech guys dont know the rules either. ;D
QuoteAnyway they passed tech, I guess the tech guys dont know the rules either. ;D
That's all that counts ;) ;D
QuoteOr if you have kids feet like myself
( size 8 ) you don't have to worry about draggin' toes.
Stumpy
Unfortunately most boots only go down to size 7. I do wear a size 6 in some shoes/boots.
Passing tech does not mean that you are in compliance with all the rules. They are checking for safety related items.