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Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

  1. #1
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    Well... i was originally gonna get myself a textile jacket & pants, but think i'm gonna go leather now that i know i'm about to get bitten by the track bug I'm gonna go 2-piece for the obvious reasons - convenience & utility. why buy a 1-piece if i'm only gonna use it 2-3 times/year?

    so... anyone have the Joe Rocket GPX 2-piece? looks like they have an awesome suit & boots package deal at newenough
    ($540, minus $30 if i puchase them w/ some A-star boots)
    http://www.newenough.com/package_dea...stars_page.htm
    "Paul's Comments: The two piece GPX suits offer style and protection for either the street or the track. The main advantage of a two piece suit is the full circumference connection zipper between the jacket and the pants. This allows you to have complete coverage (using both the jacket and pants), or to use the jacket only. The overall construction of the suit is solid leather, which will provide comfort from the wind and cold temps. And in warmer weather, the suit jacket has zippered biceps vents and shoulder scoop type vents in the tops of the shoulders (take the "View Larger Pictures" link above for a close up). For protection, this suit is supplied with dual density body armor in the shoulders, elbows, knees and back. There are also foam hip pads built into the pants. The suit's construction includes fabric panels in the underarm (down to the forearm), crotch/thigh and behind the knees. These fabric inserts add a lot to the comfort in wearing the suit. These fabrics are thinner and lighter than leather and are used in these "low impact" areas since older designs that used leather in these areas would tend to bunch up when in the riding position. The suits come complete with replaceable plastic knee sliders too. A couple features I like you won't see on other suits: a softer suede type material is used on the sleeve cuffs and around the neck which won't get dirty as easily as colored leather and they should be more comfortable. The sleeve ends have a nifty feature also: the sleeves have a zippered closure like other jackets (best arrangement for speed and ease of taking the jacket off), but on the opposite side of the zipper, there is a Velcro-close adjustment to adjust wrist size--clever. Also note the waist size adjusters on the jacket."


    or should i go w/ the A-star GPU 2-piece & get the boots separately?
    ($611... 100 bucks more than the JR GPX)
    "Paul's Comments: The GPU two piece suit is my pick from their line-up for the "best suit for the money". Its construction is very similar to all their higher priced suits: it has GP armor throughout, heavy race-duty leather, and double/triple stitched seams. The knee armor is especially nice. The armor is a two piece design that is very heavy duty, yet articulates well for a good fit and easy movement. The two piece suit features a full circumference zipper. The advantage of a two piece suit is that you can use the jacket separately (for trips on the street where you don't need/want to use the pants), but for track use, you can use the jacket along with the race pants for a legal race suit."
    http://www.newenough.com/alpinestars..._suit_page.htm


    personally, i like the look of the A-star... and the quality is better i'm sure... but is it worth the extra money?

    whatever i get, i know the jacket will get alot of use, since i'll end up wearing it every time i ride... and i've been putting alot of miles on my bike since i got it.

    you guys know where i can find these locally so i can try em on? think they'll have those suits at Brockton Cycle?

    any other suggestions? i'd LIKE to spend less than 800 on a 2-piece, gloves & boots if i can, but there's the old addage "ya gotta spend money to save money" (ie, buy quality shit for a little more that'll last longer)

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    -Pete LRRS/CCS #81 - ECK Racing, TonysTrackDays
    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  2. #2
    Lifer
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    That's basically what I did a year or so ago, but I got a cheap Teknic suit from new enough as that was what was available at the time.

    It has been fine and I do think the 2 piece is worth it on the street as you will want to take the jacket off when you stop or something, and you are not in the pits with a change of clothes like a racer. It is fine to just stick on a 1-piece at the track for your race, and then after your race you get out of the suit and put on some shorts but it's inconvenient on the street if you're just stopping for a rest. The 2-piece suits also tends to fit better if you're tall according to Paul. (They will answer your emails if you ask questions)

    One thing though, I don't think wearing the jacket alone is smart as it doesn't go as far down as a stand alone jacket. If you try on the 2-piece leathers you will see that the pants come way up as if you were wearing regular pants and hiked them up like a dork. They basically cover your waist & stomach with the pants rather than the jacket, so if you wear the jacket alone you don't get much coverage.

    You can upgrade the armor to GP or CE armor after the fact for a pretty cheap price.. Make sure it fits well enough to put a better back protector into it as well.

    Ben

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  3. #3
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    thanks for the input ben. all advice is appreciated.

    i also just got a PM... a little birdy that told me he didn't like the JR suit above & just ordered the A-star suit i'm lookin at... what a coincidence

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  4. #4
    Posting Freak KevinB's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    I ride Alpinestars, but either one will work. Don't forget to get some good gloves, you could skip boots for now. Just wear some work boots. Brockton doesn't usually have many full suits, just jackets and pants. They do have a good selection of boots and helmets. You could try Motomarket, but they're pricey.

    Kevin

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  5. #5
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    thanks for the tips Kevin... i've got some gloves right now, but they're super cheap... definitly not something i wanna go down w/. and i do have workboots that i wear all the time... probably just gonna wear those if i do'nt find a top knotch deal on some before the "big day"

    time to keep shoppin... hopfully this weekend i'll have more time to try stuff on... i went to Cycles 128 & found a pair of gloves i almost bought online & they ended up not fitting the way i had hoped... i had em on for 30 seconds & i could already tell i woulda gotten a "hot spot" on my thumb

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  6. #6
    Member lee955i's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    Things to look for are double and or triple stitched seams, double leather in vulnerable areas, armor quality and, one that people often overlook, it's preferable to have a few, bigger pieces sewn together (the Alpinestars) than a bunch of little ones (Rocket). The A-stars looks to be a better suit, if it fits you. Just how much better is up to your wallet.
    Cheers, Lee S.

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  7. #7
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    thanks for the input, Lee... good points

    i figure i should put more info about the kinda stuff i want so you guys know more about what i'm lookin for, so here goes...

    here's my goals:

    - 2-piece suit so i can wear the jacket as a stand-alone during normal riding

    - boots that are comfortable to wear on the street and the track... almost comfy enough to walk around in for a little bit

    - gloves i can wear every day & can also bring to the track. something that's not too heavy, since i have some glove liners if the weather gets cool.

    i wanna get gear that won't be a major PIA to wear around during normal riding, but works well enough to take on the track... and i also wanna get the complete package (minus helmet) & spend less than 800 bucks... i'd like to keep it below 3/4 of a grand... which for me is about two weeks pay (i need a better freakin job) If i can get it below 700 that'd be just fine by me... i figure that number is enough to get some great gear that will last a long time IF i can find some good deals

    Thanks again for the help guys, i appreciate it.

    any more info on that Dainese suit? i can't really see what it looks like or what kinda padding it comes w/

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  8. #8
    crash squid elaineo's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    If you are interested in getting a 2piece suit where you can wear the jacket separately, consider buying separate track pants and a normal jacket that will zip to the pants. There's a bunch of them here if you havne't looked already: http://www.kneedraggers.com/list/3.6

    for some reason 2-piece suit jackets are shorter than normal jackets and if worn by themselves will leave your lower back completely exposed when you are hunched over in a tuck.

    if you want a dainese suit, you should visit motorace in springfield if they are not too far from you. they are the US distributor for Dainese. you definitely wanna try one of these on before you buy, cuz their size charts are totaly wack. i just bought my dainese suit from motorace and Dave there is great.

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  9. #9
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    mmmmm yeah, i'm startin to get that feelin about the 2-piece jacket not bein long enough........ damn, i just figured it'd save a few bucks

    i'd really like to get out to springfield & check out that Dainese stuff that's on sale, but i can't get out there during the week... anyone up for a ride this weekend? i sure could use the help makin a decision (of course getting all that extra gear HOME poses a different problem... not about to ride all the way out there w/o any gear on)

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  10. #10
    crash squid elaineo's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    Originally posted by OreoGaborio
    anyone up for a ride this weekend? i sure could use the help squeezing into my tight leather suit i'll even let you ride bitch with me
    have your passenger wear it home for you then.

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  11. #11
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    hehehe, i know... but i added -
    Originally posted by OreoGaborio
    not about to ride all the way out there w/o any gear on


    if i ride out there & buy a jacket, pants, gloves & boots, then i'll have an extra pair of boots (or at least sneakers), an extra pair of gloves (suppose i could leave em at home or stuff em in a jacket pocket) & an extra jacket to worry about gettin back home

    it's doable, i'm sure... i'll just bring a backpack

    EDIT (and look like a total goofball in full leathers & a big ole BACKPACK )

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  12. #12
    crash squid elaineo's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    or, get a car

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  13. #13
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    we both gotta stop editing so much long after we post

    ok, elaine... if it's raining, i'll be happy to take the bimmer... if it's sunny, you can damn well bet the farm i'm gonna be on two wheels

    and it BETTER NOT BE FUCKIN RAINY

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  14. #14
    crash squid elaineo's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    yeah seriously, i'm getting all confused over here. ok i'll stop, cuz it's late. and 3 hours later for you, young man!

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  15. #15
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    pfft... this "young man" doesn't have to be up early... i don't have to be at work till 2:45pm

    .... and does 24 still qualify as "young man?" ... (and no... i'm not really offended... i dig older women )

    of course i know to my mom i'll always be "the baby"

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

  16. #16
    Super Moderator OreoGaborio's Avatar
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    Entry Level (ie, inexpensive) Leather 2-piece

    btw.... the A-star GPU suit LOOKS like it has enough in the jacket to wear by itself... and there's mention of it in Paul's Comments....

    we'll see

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    GMD Computrack Boston | Pine Motorparts/PBE Specialists | Phoenix Graphics | Woodcraft | MTag-Pirelli | OnTrack Media

    The Garage: '03 Tuono | '06 SV650

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