need help with race leathers

[JKS03R6]

okay guys i need your help, here real soon im going to be doing my first track day but im sorry to say not on the r6 but on a 08 buell 1125r and im looking for a suit boots and gloves, i was going to see what all you guys suggest since ya'll race on a regular basis and know how everything is. right now im leaning towards the a-stars octane 2 pc suit. i need a suit that vents well and is comfortable since i live in texas and it is like 105 degrees here, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks

John

[R6 Raven]

if your only using that on the track might as well get the 1 pc.. you'll just pay a couple more hundreds (according to alpinestar wed site the price is the same for 1 pc and 2 pc)im assuming you already have a extra leather jacket there on the side just for your daily riding.. so just buy the 1 pc you wont regret it.. i have a 2pc MX-1 and after my 4th track day i bought me a 1 pc Dainese steel Frame its better... its more flexible and fit like a glove.... the only good side of 2pc is you can take the jacket off every session... yeah its hot no matter what even on a regular 80degree temp once your in your leathers 2pc or 1 pc... its still hot no matter what... and i find it that the 1 pc is more breathable... buy the one that is perforated so you get more air throught your body...but things like this need more $$$ so if the budget is tight.. and then you only have the octane for your picking then i recommend the 1 pc for the same price... thats a steal!!!! for glove just match it up .. go to this website.. they got some nice choices.. look around www.metricbikes-superstore.com ... Good luck and have fun at your first track day!!!

[natedogg624]

also teknic is a good first suit as well. there quality is getting up there with astar and dainese...

its perforated as well. as far as boots and gloves go just get something that you think looks good and fits right (<--thats the key)

it doesnt need to match, a lot of pro riders have boots and gloves that match together but are completely way off from their suit/bike (jamie hacking/jorge lorenzo) i love astar stuff when it comes to the smaller side of the gear. i have astar sp2 gloves and there middle of the line boot (dont remember what name)

get a one piece suit dude, you won't regret it, the 2pc's just look silly. but when you first get it you will freak out because you think its too small...thats a good thing. it needs to be a second skin not a jacket and pants. i know it took me 35 minutes to get my suit on when i first got it (but i was fat from winter ) and now it just slips right on. it will grow and form to your body after a few rides.

good luck and have fun!

[Team Serpent]

I've had my hands on almost everysuit out there and tried on many as well. I just haven't found anything I like better then a Vanson, and for the past ten years of racing the Vanson suits I 've owned have been one of the best safety investments I've made.

My pick on gear:

Suit - Vanson (Velocity2)
Gloves - Held (phantom modle)
Boots - Sidi (Vertigo Corsa)
Helmet -Arai (RX-7 Corsair)

Hope this helps

[natedogg624]

good choices^

just make sure you get a helmet you like and that fits (theres that key word right there)

i know the arai shape just doesn't fit me well at all, but the shoei and shark models do.

[JKS03R6]

thanks guys for the input, you have no idea how much that helps, i think that i found everything i need let me know what you think.

suit- alpinestars 1pc octane $530 my cost through work since i work at a harley dealership
gloves- icon team merc long $70 i have them now and love them
boots- alpinestars sm-x i think thats what they are $200
helmet- suomy spec 1r $260

[natedogg624]

wow great deal on the suomy

as for the gloves make sure they are full gauntlet and have good padding on the wrist.

[YouGuysRStupid]

I would get a better glove.. Icon is not necessarily made for racing - they dont have the r&d into it.. go with A*, Held, or teknic... Teknic makes some nice ones for cheap that are meant for road racing..

[R6 Raven]

Icon glove bro??!!.. icon's R&D is on the street not on the track... so if i were you spend a little bit more.. that has the A-star on it.. ohh and one more thing.. sizing up for your suit.. if it feel snug.. try another size smaller.. if it kinda tight and make you crouch a little bit.. then that's your size... dont worry its leather it will streach and mold on your body... do not get somthing loos and snug.. cuz time goes by.. it will loosen up big time and its gonno be a drag.. on the track.. specialy going really fast...on the glove get the astar GP type.. cuz thats what the pro use and thats what you want to use..
OHH which track are you going to .. cuz i'll be at bottonwillow at the 24th if you live in california Good luck

[JKS03R6]

ya the price on everything is pretty good since i get everything at cost. okay so no icon i think that i will go with the alpinestars gloves as well. i tried on a suit that was a size 52 im just under 6'1'' and about 175lbs it was tight across the chest and alittle in the crotch but when i squated down it seemed to loosen up a bit and i was more comfortable so do ya'll suggest a size smaller?