new suit?

[firefighter973]

Hey all, looking for a little advise from some of you if I may. I purchased a new Alpinestars RC-1 on-piece racing suit back in April before the Carolina weekend. Bought a size 44 and it fit perfect with no tailoring. Great suit and I loved it. All the way up until this past Summit weekend, where I high-sided somwehere between 8 and 9 on the MARRC trackday Friday, thus knocking me out for a while. Now I have an Alpinestars RC-1 one piece racing suit, only it is now what I believe the proper teminology from Barnacle Bill is a "cutoff". I can't complain though, the suit held up great when it needed to most. I would like to say saved me from alot more injury than what I suffered, which was a concussion and broken foot. I didn't plan on testing the integrity so early in my racing career, this is only my second year racing. Anyway, I sent the suit out to have Bill examine it, and got a message back from him today saying he can fix it for $300, but he would recommend I put the money towards a new suit. So...what do I do? Right now I'm thinking I simply buy a new suit. I'm sure the repairs will hold fine, but as mentioned in another similar post concerning damage to helmets, how much does that reduce the integrity of the suit? I'm also thinking since it has been cut, it will have to be overlapped when getting re-sewn, thus possibly not fitting me. It fit perfect when I got it, but I think if I lose an inch or two all the way around, it may not fit. I'm sure Bill has repaired tons of suits, and I really think that's his professional opinion when he tells me to get a new suit, rather than tell me, "sure, I can fix it" just to get business, only for me to have problems with it later. I have to respect him for that. SO, I'm thinking my best route financially, since I missed the Summit weekend, will miss the upcoming Shenandoah, and probably miss Barber, I will have some extra coin to spend on a new suit. I was also thinking about getting my old suit back, possibly selling it to a street rider, (like my brother, he needs to stop wearing shorts and a t-shirt riding anyway), for cheap as is, and they spend the coin to get it fixed. I don't want to do this then have to live with a liability if something happens. I'm not too sure of the integrity of the suits, or whether this would be unethical sale. Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance and have a great day!

Mike Jordan

P.S.: This post is not by any means attempting to present any hard feelings against the cornerworkers/EMS personnel. You all did your job and did well. I completely understand and trust me, greatly appreciate all that you do!

[Jason748]

A Properly fixed suit will perform just fine.  But if BB is telling you that you'd be better off putting the money into a new suit, I'd listen.

[George_Linhart]

I would always listen to either BB's or Alexa's (Spyderleatherworks) recomendation about leathers.  Its their business and if Bill isn't comfortable with the repairs I don't see why you would be (its your skin on the line).  I really don't think that you want to skimp on safety gear...

If you have healed enought to get on the track need something to race with while you figure it out we might be a ble to work something out.  I've wear size 44 leathers and I recently purchased a new set.  My old set (all black HJC 1-piece suit with built in back protector) were sent to Alexa for repairs and re-stiching and then immediately was relegated to serve backup duty.  If you are in a bind I could sell them to you pretty cheap to help get you back on the track.

Shoot me a PM if you want to try and work something out.

George

[spyderchick]

If BB says get a new suit, money better spent, I would agree with him. I think he's put more cutoffs back together than I have. Also, I don't see that it would be worth it for a street rider to wear a repaired cutoff, either.

Say a few kind words for the valiant service the suit has done, and hang it up in the trophy case. 

[red900]

I have a brand new Alpinestars Race replica 44 for 1200 shipped...


red900@excite.com

[firefighter973]

Well, sounds like I'm heading in the right direction. I was afraid I was going to have to buy one either way. BUT, I think its quite worth my safety.

George, I appreciate the offer but I'm not going to be able to race until late August. I'll just buy a new one from my local dealer, he gave me a nice deal the last time

Spyder, thanks for the info, didnt' know you repaired them as well. Maybe we can talk about a deal on a display case, if you have them

Red, again, appreciate the offer, but I think I'm going to go with the same suit. I'm sure thats a good deal, but I don't think I wana spend QUITE that much, only to have the possibilty of another shredded piece of leather.

Thanks to all for your opinions and help!

[khanson]

I've got a bunch of Komodo suits and gloves in stock.

I'm doing a 20% off sale right now on all Komodo products.

Give me a call (217-493-3811) and we can get you taken care of.....prices with the discount range from $640 to a $1000 for the one piece suits.

Great suits...we've worn them in the AMA for the last 2 years and  crashed the heck out of them and they hold up really well.

[Super Dave]

My rental Vanson Leather fleet might be up for sale at the end of the season.  Vanson's have been bounced off walls and ran over, I've tested them, and they do work and last.  I'll put up a post later in the season if they are going to be sold.

[Scotty Ryan]

I've gotten to the point in my racing career where I feel I can say this without question.... Safety gear is the most important thing you can invest money into - people always ask me how they can justify spending $600 to $800 on a helmet or $1200 to $2500 on a set of custom leathers or $1800 on a pair of boots.... Well - how much money is your head,feet or limbs worth to you??? Without them you couldn't race let alone live a normal life(whatever that is)... If you spend a ton of money on gear and destroy it - it's money well spent - Imagine if you were wearing something that didn't protect as well...Make informed decisions based on the best possible information - and you can sleep better at night... Trust me.... You have already got a handful of well informed people in this post that are giving you great advice - all of which I have gone to for help before....

[firefighter973]

Wow,  $1800 for boots? But like you said, being safe is pretty expensive. Maybe I need to get a pair of those boots, even with mine on I still broke 3 bones in my foot.  Thanks again for all the help!