In need of new gloves and helmet

[maxim_X]

I attended my first track day with Pegnuin's track experience last Friday. A lap and a half into my track time I hit the pavement and turned my nice Arai Corsair V into a spare at best and my A*'s GP gloves carbon knuckles have seen better days. I wasn't very satisfied with the A* gloves anyway.

Since I feel addicted to track days already I'm in the market for a new pair of gloves with metal knuckles preferably and a new helmet for my primary street track gear. I like the Shoei RF1100 its price is nice and the brand is known. I also like the Arai Vector 2 and it's price as well. I was very satisfied with my old Arai but I don't want to spend 900$. As far as gloves go I don't have anywhere to start. I want to stay under 200$ and I would like to avoid alpinestars and I found Icon Timax longs that seem nice but I haven't found good reviews.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

[butcher bergs]

Not sure I'd want metal for knuckle guards.

For helmets I recommend Shoei only because I've taken a couple hard hits in them and didn't lose (or gain) any smarts.

For gloves, go with Held.

[Lxpony]

I attended my first track day with Pegnuin's track experience last Friday. A lap and a half into my track time I hit the pavement and turned my nice Arai Corsair V into a spare at best and my A*'s GP gloves carbon knuckles have seen better days. I wasn't very satisfied with the A* gloves anyway.

Since I feel addicted to track days already I'm in the market for a new pair of gloves with metal knuckles preferably and a new helmet for my primary street track gear. I like the Shoei RF1100 its price is nice and the brand is known. I also like the Arai Vector 2 and it's price as well. I was very satisfied with my old Arai but I don't want to spend 900$. As far as gloves go I don't have anywhere to start. I want to stay under 200$ and I would like to avoid alpinestars and I found Icon Timax longs that seem nice but I haven't found good reviews.

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

For most people if an Arai fits then a shoei will fit too. Arais dont fit me so I went with an RF1100 and am happy with it. I too have Held Phantoms and besides a fade issue with their leather, they are great gloves. Of course a RF1100 and a set of Phantoms will set you back $800

[HO-HUM-R1]

I have a really nice Bell Star in practically new condition. matte black White rally stripes XL bought for 549. wore it 4 times

[csmutty]

I have the Shoei RF1100 and love it. For gloves I have been racing in the same pair of Icon Merc Long gloves for 2 seasons with multiple crashes on them and they are still holding up. They are $100 retail.

[Harley Davidson]

I attended my first track day with Pegnuin's track experience last Friday. A lap and a half into my track time I hit the pavement and turned my nice Arai Corsair V into a spare at best and my A*'s GP gloves carbon knuckles have seen better days. I wasn't very satisfied with the A* gloves anyway.

Since I feel addicted to track days already I'm in the market for a new pair of gloves with metal knuckles preferably and a new helmet for my primary street track gear. I like the Shoei RF1100 its price is nice and the brand is known. I also like the Arai Vector 2 and it's price as well. I was very satisfied with my old Arai but I don't want to spend 900$. As far as gloves go I don't have anywhere to start. I want to stay under 200$

Hope you're feeling ok.

I have the Corsair V, too. Shoei's don't really fit me. I tried the new HJC RPS-10 and liked the fit. I thought the materials seemed better than previous HJC helmets I've tried, and barring another closeout deal on a Corsair V I'd consider it.

I have AStars gloves, but the Held gloves clearly seem better. I always end up with AStars because of eBay deals, but if I was paying retail I'd go Held.

[marshdrummer]

I have a brand new pair of Kobe Pro's I'll let go for $60. Size L.

[scottfromboston]

For gloves, go with Held.

Hi Paul - I was looking at the Kobe Pro's which you seemed to be a fan of - did you change your opinion?

[jwm2k3]

For most people if an Arai fits then a shoei will fit too.

Im hoping this is a typo, because they fit completely different to me...

[union]

Im hoping this is a typo, because they fit completely different to me...

They are different. One of the two is likely to feel good on your head. For me its Arai. Shoei just didnt like the shape of my head.

[nt650hawk]

$900 for a helmet. You must have graphics on it. Note: to save a few $ and still have the same protection go with solid colors!

I think I spent $500 or so on mt new Arai in White


KOBE gloves $90-$100


Ask Matt Stone about his Metal knuckle guard. can you say surgery.

[butcher bergs]

Hi Paul - I was looking at the Kobe Pro's which you seemed to be a fan of - did you change your opinion?

No. They are a good glove at a great price. However once I put my Helds on for the first time I immediately realized the difference between a well-made economical glove and a well-made pricey glove. That said I have grown to prefer the Helds for lots of little reasons.

Don't get me wrong, the Kobe Pro's will provide plenty of protection and long life if properly cared for. Hell, mine lasted 3 or 4 years along with a host of crashes (never had a blowout) and lots and lots of street riding.

[Jim]

talk to GixxerSixxer at PPS. she's been listing a close out on their Arai helmets left in stock.

i'm with the rest of the crowd recommending Held Phantom's for gloves

[maxim_X]

Harley I am feeling 100% good to go. No injuries. But thank you.

I popped on some Kobe's. I couldn't resist the price with the recomendations. I hate to buy without trying but in just about every fitted glove
I'm a 11 or xxl so I wnt with that. I found some rf1100s for about 400 so I think I will do a nice plain black one. My arai took a while to brake in and the medium shoie fit real nice right away. Thanks for the advice!

[Garandman]

Im hoping this is a typo, because they fit completely different to me...

The old Arai Vector and new Signet Q have the Long Oval interior shape that is more like Shoei. Most of the rest have the Intermediate Oval.
http://www.araiamericas.com/default.aspx?pageid=132

[Rada]

In the Under 200 category I like the Held Thrux. Mine are three years old and I wear them nearly every day commuting and on the track. They are still in very good to excellent condition. I just bought a new pair for my daughter and the newer ones have some upgraded features that I like for the same price. I got mine at Street and Comp for a good price.

[DaveZX6r]

I have a pair of knox biomechs they have a crazy amount of protection and quality in materials and fitment and are 200. Haven't heard too many crash ratings though, and there new to gloves so no real long term reports out htere yet. As for helmets I have an arai vector that fits better than any helmet I ever tried before. Arai has a model for pretty much every head shape now. But each model fits slightly different so go try on before you buy. Also as said earlier most of the solids areany where from 4 to 500 brand new. Oh and I also had a set of icon merks, I bought the biomechs to replace them because I had worn through the left thumb from using the blinker... after about 5 years and 30,000 some odd street miles.

[maxim_X]

I got my Kobes in the mail already. They make my A*s look like driving gloves. They are serious. They fit a little large but some braking in will make them perfect. Thanks for the recommendations.

[CBR929RE]

been down a couple times in my A* GP Pro gloves. only needed to be repaired after the last one because a seam blew out but I'm almost positive the brake lever went between my ring and pinky fingers where the bridge is and blew it out when it all hit the ground.


as far as your helmet being a back up at best, its either good to use or its not. if it hit the ground its a shelf decoration now.