I've been looking for a one piece leather race suit. I'm not sure where price and quality meet. I like the alpinestars octane suit, but according to their sizing chart to get one to fit in the chest it would be 4 inches too big in the waist, and 6 inches too long. It seems the suits are either tailored for guts, or sickly skinny people. I'm about 5'9" 184, and have no fat. I guess what I'm asking is A: do certain brands tailor certain body figures? B: What are decent suits for the money? (It doesn't have to be alpinestars...actually the cheaper the better at this point) I just need something to hold me over for a while. and C: Does anyone know of a used one that might fit my measurements for sale? (I've been watching ebay and most are top dollar new suits)
Brian has some suits on closeout that may work for you.
I have a Komodo Ceno suit, and love it. Good armor, and good fit as well. Very good quality suit for off the shelf. Hard to find as they do not make the Ceno any longer.
Amateurs practices until they get it right. A professional practices until they can't get it wrong.
I guess what I'm asking is A: do certain brands tailor certain body figures?
Yes, but you have an unusual body type so it's not going to help much. (stay well away from the Italian stuff like Dainese though)
Go custom, it will be worth it for you. It's not much more (and the cost I've seen on some A* stuff, no more at all), and it will fit you correctly.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
I am 5-10 and when I was 190 I was squeezing into a Dainese 54 two piece. I made the mistake of getting a suite that actually fit.. The alpinestars two piece in a 56 and wouldnt you know I expanded to fit it!?
Originally Posted by wdgah Actually, I preferred "compulsive and incessant ideological dominatrix", but it didn't roll off the tongue as well ...
I have a Dianese 54 one piece that actually fits better than my POS custom on the bike (but that's another story), I'm 6' and about 175, however it is downright painful off the bike. For me most 56s are too loose in places for track work.
The Spidis were a bit roomier last time I was trying on off the peg leathers, but that's been 5 years ago.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
The Spidis were a bit roomier last time I was trying on off the peg leathers, but that's been 5 years ago.
My Spidi is roomier in the bottom half and tighter in the top, with it being really tight in the arms ... and unfortunately I don't have enough there to brag about ... might be variances in the individual suits (production tolerances) or a trend with styles. Just another reference point, mine being about 6 years old.
If you have a shop that has a lot of different suits, go try them on. I did this with my first set of track leathers and was amazed at the variation in sizing. The Teknics I ended up with that time (many years back) did have more room up top and fit snugger in the lower body, and they survived some pretty nasty get offs. Might be worth a look, but I have no clue on current quality standards.
And as LTL noted, get one that fits the purpose. My first set of Teknics were like a second skin and I never knew I was wearing them on the track, but they had limitations for street use. I could have been a finalist on AFV if someone was running tape when I went to try them out on the street and reached up high to pull down the garage door ... from then on out I always remembered to raise a knee/leg when reaching up
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.
Albert Einstein
And stay far away from the MOTO GP roo skin suits. They rip at the seams in a get off.
The suits on there are a little crazy looking, but the price seems right. I'll check into them more. Are you saying the kangaroo skin all together rips easier?
Yes, but you have an unusual body type so it's not going to help much. (stay well away from the Italian stuff like Dainese though)
Go custom, it will be worth it for you. It's not much more (and the cost I've seen on some A* stuff, no more at all), and it will fit you correctly.
Actually I'm a ectomorph. 6 meals a day for 5 years brought me from 130 to now. I'd like to go custom...maybe down the road. Just looking to get me through basically the next season or shortly there after. The customs start at a grand so kinda out of price range now. Too many other things I need right now. Funny you should mention Dainese. There is a used one on ebay at a 46 but its blue. Alpinestars size chart says 46 is for a 6'3" guy which I'm thinking is way too long.
I have a Dianese 54 one piece that actually fits better than my POS custom on the bike (but that's another story), I'm 6' and about 175, however it is downright painful off the bike. For me most 56s are too loose in places for track work.
The Spidis were a bit roomier last time I was trying on off the peg leathers, but that's been 5 years ago.
is the 54 the european measurment...that makes it a 46 right? You are probably close to the same size minus the height difference. How long is it on you?
My Spidi is roomier in the bottom half and tighter in the top, with it being really tight in the arms ... and unfortunately I don't have enough there to brag about ... might be variances in the individual suits (production tolerances) or a trend with styles. Just another reference point, mine being about 6 years old.
If you have a shop that has a lot of different suits, go try them on. I did this with my first set of track leathers and was amazed at the variation in sizing. The Teknics I ended up with that time (many years back) did have more room up top and fit snugger in the lower body, and they survived some pretty nasty get offs. Might be worth a look, but I have no clue on current quality standards.
And as LTL noted, get one that fits the purpose. My first set of Teknics were like a second skin and I never knew I was wearing them on the track, but they had limitations for street use. I could have been a finalist on AFV if someone was running tape when I went to try them out on the street and reached up high to pull down the garage door ... from then on out I always remembered to raise a knee/leg when reaching up
There was a teknics on closeout in a 46 for 300$ but if it didn't fit I couldn't return it. They were sold out of 44. I need to try some on, but there isn't noone around that sells them. (that I know of anyway) How much do they streatch do you think? If the spidi's run small upper half in the arms I probably need to stay away from those then.
The suits on there are a little crazy looking, but the price seems right. I'll check into them more. Are you saying the kangaroo skin all together rips easier?
Not all are bad, I have just seen one MOTO GP roo suit rip open like a watermelon at 60mph get off. Not something I would expect to see a suit ripping apart from. There has been multiple threads on different boards concerning the MOTO GP Roo suits being junk.
I saw Pilot advertizing a custom suit for 700. I've got a custom Kushitani-but then again I'm about averaged size for your typical kamakazi pilot so off the shelf ones fit me as well.
I did not read the article, but have seen the results with my own eyes. Guy right in front of me on the warm up lap of the first session hit the gas a little too hard when coming onto the straight at Putnam. The bike just bobbled and slung him over to the right side of the bike and he just really slid off as the bike went left. Back in the pits I did see where the roo leather ripped apart at the seam between the back shoulder part of the upper suit and where the hump started. Also came apart in the shoulder as well. Same scenario, right at the seam. Other brands may be ok, but from what I have seen from the MOTO GP suits, no thanks.
Amateurs practices until they get it right. A professional practices until they can't get it wrong.
I did not read the article, but have seen the results with my own eyes. Guy right in front of me on the warm up lap of the first session hit the gas a little too hard when coming onto the straight at Putnam. The bike just bobbled and slung him over to the right side of the bike and he just really slid off as the bike went left. Back in the pits I did see where the roo leather ripped apart at the seam between the back shoulder part of the upper suit and where the hump started. Also came apart in the shoulder as well. Same scenario, right at the seam. Other brands may be ok, but from what I have seen from the MOTO GP suits, no thanks.
Read the article. It was about Spidi roo leathers. I think it boils down to the manufacturer's quality. I don't know anything about Moto GP leathers, but Spidi supposedly makes good suits.
Read the article. It was about Spidi roo leathers. I think it boils down to the manufacturer's quality. I don't know anything about Moto GP leathers, but Spidi supposedly makes good suits.
I'll stick with my Vansons...
for $1,900 they better be good. And all of my comments were concerning MOTO GP roo suits.
Amateurs practices until they get it right. A professional practices until they can't get it wrong.
Honestly, I would buy this suit again in a heartbeat.
I have not bad room in it while standing but as soon as you get on the bike it disapears... the suit that is, not the extra room. It just feels right on the bike. Good padding on the elbows shins and shoulders as well as multiple layers in abrasion areas(like lettering and doubled up leather) lighter total weight than most suits too.
It has stretchy fabric in the crotch and armpits as well as a neoprene neck to keep from getting irratated.
It is a perforated suit so it is tolerable in the summer but not cool enough that you cant ride in september.
I ride with a back protector in too and there is room for it with no issues.
Yeah looks like it would probably work. I PM'd Figment about his suit he said he'd give me minus shipping if it will fit me. If not I'll probably jump on that.
Well guys I finally found a suit for a good price, color (black and silver...sold out of black), and fit. I kinda wanted the Celtic suit, which looks pretty awsome, but can't really spend 600 right now. I met a guy at the track that tipped me to this one.. Said his buddy just bought one and he'd put it next to his 1500 dollar suit. Talked to them on the phone and we're pretty confident we got the right fit, and says its been one of their best sellers. Eventually maybe I can get a nicer one, but this should do for a while. Let me know what you think. Also I appreciate all your help and input!Teknic Chicane 1 Piece Race Suit - Closeout Price: $299.99! In stock NOW! Why pay list price of $529.99?#
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Originally Posted by 08silvercbr
... might be variances in the individual suits (production tolerances) or a trend with styles. Just another reference point, mine being about 6 years old.
... from then on out I always remembered to raise a knee/leg when reaching up 
. Really doesn't roll off your tongue the same does it?
Well, if it was not the one you were in, how did it fit...and how could you tell???
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