Chicago Area Help Please

[PolishPete]

Where is a good place for me to try on some race suits.  I know DGY doesn't really carry any.  Any places in the Chicago area, possibly West/South West Suburbs area.  Where's a starting point for me size wise...I'm 5' 9" and about 160lbs.  Thanks for any help in advance!

[OmniGLH]

I bought my very first set of leathers from Chicago Performance - they had a lot of leathers in stock.  Might want to check them out, they're in Melrose Park/Northlake area (North Ave. and 290.)

http://www.chicagoperformance.com

[K3 Chris Onwiler]

The bike show that just happened last weekend would have been your best shot by far!
Pete, E me.  racerk3@sbcglobal.net

[Jeff]

Pete,

call Audrey from Moto Liberty 800-214-RACE.

She is in TX, but has probably 500 suits in STOCK, and will work with you on sizing.  She will not charge you a restocking fee if you need a different size.  She sends you a suit that she believes will fit, you let her know if it's good/bad/ugly.

There are other places online who say they will do this, but end up either nailing you for shipping, restocking, or they don't have the suits in stock...

[roadracer143]

+1 on Chicago Performance.  Road racer Ken Krebs owns the shop and last time I went there he had a sh!t load of full leathers there.

[TommyG]

+2 on Kenny at chicago performance. Just keep your woman away from him! ;D

[GSXR RACER MIKE]

+1 on Chicago Performance.  Road racer Ken Krebs owns the shop and last time I went there he had a sh!t load of full leathers there.

+3 for Kenny

     How many of you know Kenny is a former #1 plate holder in the Midwest region of CCS? I was usually near him in the races back in the 90's, in fact I almost ran over him once at Putnam. Kenny crashed at the exit of the last turn as he approach the finish line during a darn monsoon that had visibility at about 20 feet at race speed! I still remember seeing something out in front of me spinning around, it was his bike, after avoiding that I almost ran over him as he was sliding down the track! Ahhh, the memories! :)

[TommyG]

Yup. He inherited his plate from me. But I still keep my women away from him ! ;D

[PolishPete]

Thanks for the input guys.  I'll be stopping by Chicago Performance soon, and Chris showed me the Team Chicago race class in MI.  I think I will be taking that before the learning curves.  Any recommendations on how the suits should fit.  How tight?  How loose?  Etc.  If I'm a size 11 shoe, what would my boot size be?  I tried on a 10.5 and that fits good, but somewhere I heard I should go up .5 size?

[Super Dave]

Wear a boot that fits.  Boots are like shoes.  Depending upon the manufacturer, they can be narrow, wide, etc.  I don't like boots that are too small, but I can shim up a set of boots that are a little too big with some Dr Scholls inserts.

Same for leathers.  Some stretch more.  Some shrink.  i haven't worn anything other than Vanson's for a long time.  They need to be broken in and they will form themselves to you a bit after you get them broken in and sweat in them.  Those are American made leathers.  Most of the othe brands, including the Italian names, are made in Pakistan.  Really look over what you buy.