about 2-piece leathers and track days

[rumpofsteelskin]

Apologies if this has been covered before. I did a search and got nothin'. If there's a thread folks can point me to, I'd appreciate it.

So I'd like to get a set of 2-piece leathers. In fact, I was just about to pull the trigger on a Vanson Mark 2 Cobra (http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/cob2_cobra.htm) jacket and Vanson Technical Sportrider pants (http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_pages/pants_chaps/technical_sport_rider_pants.htm). However, I see that this combination only zips together in 3 places - 2 in front and 1 behind. Vanson requires a custom option for the full-circumference zipper, which means that turnaround is several months. :(

So my questions are:

-can folks confirm that the 3-part zipper setup would not be allowed/recommended at a track day?

-are there off-the-rack 2-piece suits that have full-circumference zippers?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

[JimDoyleR6]

Hey Rump: The Vanson 3 point zip is normally accepted at track days: IN THE C GROUP ONLY.....

Most other manufacturers offer a full circumference zip jacket to pants...Motostrano, Cycle Gear, etc., will provide U with good product + information....go visit one of them...They have what U need. Your most informative person would be Joe at Motostrano....well worth the trip down to Redwood City (If U R serious!!!)

[rumpofsteelskin]

OK - I've heard almost universal acclaim for Motostrano, so I might as well pop down and see what's what.

I guess I should consider the possibility that I'll eventually move into the B- realm, but it'll be a while. Man, I reeealy want the Vanson stuff, though. :drool

[afm199]

Nahh, READ the provider website don't ask BARF experts, they will tell you the moon is made from green cheese. If you want to ride with PTT, see what PTT says. I personallly have no problem with zip togethers at trackdays. Not races.

Vanson is good stuff.

[rumpofsteelskin]

Originally posted by afm199
Nahh, READ the provider website don't ask BARF experts, they will tell you the moon is made from green cheese.

Pfft! :hand Everyone knows it's made from Swiss cheese.

OK, so here's what the organizations I would ride with say about 2-piece suits:

ZZ: "1 or 2 piece leather riding suit in excellent condition. We STRONGLY recommend that if 2-pieces it must zip the entire way around. We will accept Aerostich-style suits in the Novice School."

K@TT: "one-piece or zip-together leather riding suit (or Aerostitch™ or equivalent)."

PTT: "One or two piece full zip together leather or Aerostitch riding suit."

So that's 3 organizations with 3 requirements. The Vanson getup I want would be allowed at ZZ, might be allowed at K@TT, and wouldn't be allowed at PTT. Hmm.

Getting a full-zip Vanson is so expensive and takes so long that it might be worth it just to get a Helimot instead. Hmm X2.

[racerXgirl]

what would it take to have someone sew in a full zip around on the Vansons?

[afm199]

Call Vanson and talk directly to Kim. Tell her what you want and see what they say. Vanson is a small family company and will work with you and help you out. They have treated me really well and I have nothing but good to say about them. I like my zoonis and helimots, but frankly would just a soon crash in a Vanson.

[Yody]

I've seen people flying around the track with a 2 piece not even zipped together, I've used 2 pieces on my first few trackdays and no one ever bothers to check or ask anything about it. So basically you can use whatever you want, its your skin.

+1 for vanson

[rumpofsteelskin]

Originally posted by racerXgirl
what would it take to have someone sew in a full zip around on the Vansons?

That's an idea, too. Hadn't thought of that. Anyone have any experience with significant mods to leathers like this?

[afm199]

Originally posted by rumpofsteelskin
That's an idea, too. Hadn't thought of that. Anyone have any experience with significant mods to leathers like this?

It will end up being a couple hundred bucks if done right, and even then it is cheaper to have it done right by Vanson at the factory instead of an after purchase mickey mouse.

[schteve]

Originally posted by rumpofsteelskin
Pfft! :hand Everyone knows it's made from Swiss cheese.

OK, so here's what the organizations I would ride with say about 2-piece suits:

ZZ: "1 or 2 piece leather riding suit in excellent condition. We STRONGLY recommend that if 2-pieces it must zip the entire way around. We will accept Aerostich-style suits in the Novice School."

K@TT: "one-piece or zip-together leather riding suit (or Aerostitch™ or equivalent)."

PTT: "One or two piece full zip together leather or Aerostitch riding suit."

So that's 3 organizations with 3 requirements. The Vanson getup I want would be allowed at ZZ, might be allowed at K@TT, and wouldn't be allowed at PTT. Hmm.

Getting a full-zip Vanson is so expensive and takes so long that it might be worth it just to get a Helimot instead. Hmm X2.


cool, now I have a legitimate excuse to tell my wife i need this:
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/2163/astarsya3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[uraniaclio]

Originally posted by racerXgirl
what would it take to have someone sew in a full zip around on the Vansons?

I wouldnt necessarily trust all shops working on thick leather. Find a leather (or mc gear) specialty place if you want alterations.
That being said, why not a 1 piece suit? Im not sure if the zipper really fails but I've heard enough people talk about it that I dont want to chance it. Besides, 1 piece makes u look more serious even if u're herra slow like me. :teeth

[cRa1g]

Originally posted by yody
I've seen people flying around the track with a 2 piece not even zipped together, I've used 2 pieces on my first few trackdays and no one ever bothers to check or ask anything about it. So basically you can use whatever you want, its your skin.

+1 for vanson

Please define "no one". I can personally claim to have pulled riders off the track because I witnessed exposed skin (lower back area) while riding on track. In each case, it was a matter of rider error (they had forgotten to zip their two-piece together before heading onto the track) and all of the riders were very thankful for looking out for their safety & welfare. It may be "your skin", but I'm certain that I'm not the only person who cares. Fortunately, I have no first-hand experience with skin-grafts, but I can't imagine they're alot of fun!

[monstermonster]

I ran my Vanson two-piece--the exact set-up you described--at probably more than a twenty trackdays before I got a one-piece Vanson. It's never been questioned. 'course, now that there is a thread about it, it's sure to be.

I've been down on it on the pavement on the track twice (lowsides) with no problems. Good protection, and Vanson is solid, solid stuff. I'd take that two piece over a Joe Rocket 1 piece any day of the week. Or even over most 2 piece full-zip around suits.

I asked Johnson Leathers about putting in a full circumference zipper in it and they told me. Even after I pushed them on it. Seems like it shouldn't be that difficult, but they said they couldn't do it b/c the jacket and the pants have different circumference.

[VTRweasel]

Originally posted by yody
I've seen people flying around the track with a 2 piece not even zipped together,

:wave but not any more

[coyn586]

I'd go with the Local leather dude.. Down here we deal with Kelcey Gordon over at NJK.. but I know you guys have a few local Norcal options..

With the local guy, you get a more personal touch.. I guess that's why you see AFM'ers in Helimot and Zooni, and down at WSMC you see NJK and Z.

[Baptistro]

I've had two full circumference zippers installed on two two piece suits by Johnson's Leathers in SF.

My last one was a few years ago, and I don't recall the pricing, but I remember it being reasonable.

[rumpofsteelskin]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I decided to buy off-the-rack stuff 'cause I'm too impatient for custom-made leathers and by Roadcrapper is being repaired. I've just ordered the Technical Sportrider pants and Cobra 3 jacket from Vanson. :banana

Wow - this is going to be different. Finally, a set of leathers.

[uraniaclio]

Originally posted by rumpofsteelskin
Thanks for the advice, everyone. I decided to buy off-the-rack stuff 'cause I'm too impatient for custom-made leathers and by Roadcrapper is being repaired. I've just ordered the Technical Sportrider pants and Cobra 3 jacket from Vanson. :banana

Wow - this is going to be different. Finally, a set of leathers.

Did you make sure that zippers will fit? I bought the same model top and bottom from fieldsheer but different years and the zippers didnt fit. I still think u should have gone with 1 piece track suit and just get a textile road suit. Like me. :teeth

[yella600rr]

You may want to talk to the track day providers in person.

The definition of zip around may be fulfilled with the 3 piece zipper combination that you describe on the Vanson.

It may be they are just trying to define that the 6" attachment zipper in the back of some jackets is not safe for the track.

I've crashed (I'm not going to admit how many times) at the track in my Joe Rocket two piece. Yes Joe Rocket off the shelf. The leather and seams have held up fine but the guarding in areas like the elbows, knees, shoulders and back is basically non existent.

AFM199 was nice enough to sell me one of his retired Vanson one piece and I love it so much that I haven't even put the two pieces back on.

I wear the jacket once in a while but my friend Ana just mocks me because it is a Joe Rocket. :p

[uraniaclio]

Originally posted by yella600rr


AFM199 was nice enough to sell me one of his retired Vanson one piece and I love it so much that I haven't even put the two pieces back on.


U and Ernie wear the same size? :teeth

[postcholo]

Originally posted by rumpofsteelskin
So I'd like to get a set of 2-piece leathers.
:wow

better reconsider, that stanky old stich of yours might get jealous and run away from home :(

[rumpofsteelskin]

Originally posted by postcholo
better reconsider, that stanky old stich of yours might get jealous and run away from home :(

Yeah, I thought of that. I'm going to transfer the stink to the leathers ASAP so the 'stich will be friendly to them.

I'm psyched about this. It'll be great to look like a biker d00d instead of a fireman, too. :)

[rumpofsteelskin]

Originally posted by rumpofsteelskin

Getting a full-zip Vanson is so expensive and takes so long that it might be worth it just to get a Helimot instead. Hmm X2.

And that is what I ended up doing. I went to Helimot yesterday and ordered a 2-piece suit that is exactly what I want - black on black with extra black on top, armored, no stupid-looking graphics, full-circumference zipper, perfed, and made to fit me just so. :banana

Very exciting. More expensive than the Vanson stuff, but the turnaround time is only 2 months instead of 3.