Alpinestars

[Jack]

I'd like to get some input on Alpinestars leather jackets. Anyone have the TZ-1's?? if so how do you like them??


Thanks in advance.

[Webbles]

Love mine. First jacket I bought when I first bought my bike, so I had no brand experience.

But ive had several crashes, and its still in great condition. Which convinced me in buying A-star gloves, 1-peice leather suit, boots, & back protector. If they made condoms, you bet Id be wearing one right now.

It is indeed a bit pricey, but ya cant go wrong with A-stars.


Webbles

[Blank00]

Originally posted by Webbles
Love mine. First jacket I bought when I first bought my bike, so I had no brand experience.

But ive had several crashes, and its still in great condition. Which convinced me in buying A-star gloves, 1-peice leather suit, boots, & back protector. If they made condoms, you bet Id be wearing one right now.

It is indeed a bit pricey, but ya cant go wrong with A-stars.


Webbles

Never had a problem with mine. I wouldnt hesistate to purchase another alpinestar jacket. Its the best quality for that price and isnt as expensive as Dainese.

[duckphreak]

i had a TZ-1... sold it cuz i bought it couple sizes too big..... but of all the jackets i tried, i looooved my TZ1... i'll probably buy the same one soon..... it's comfy and just perfectly perforated w/o overdoing it....
:thumbup

[hoax]

I have an AlpineStar textile jacket and boots. Both have quality issues. On the jacket some of the buttons no longer clasp properly and the right boot's interior was manufactured incorrectely (it's hard to explain).

[V4]

TZ-1s are cut to be very snug in the chest area and made towards sportbike riders on the street but roomy in the stomache section for those who aren't member of a gym and like having a gut.....

Its a cross between a track jacket and street riding/casual jacket....

The arm area is cut high so you may have your arms stick outwards till the leathers are broken in but is easy for the reach to the clip-ons on sportbikes that are low......

It does have hard armor in the shoulders/arms and comes with a pad for the back but its more equivalent to that of a mouse pad than armor.....Luckily the back area has a pocket big enough to put bigger and much better back protector if needed.....

The arm sleeves does have kevlar in the inside which is good for warm weather to let cool air in.....bad news is that cool air comes in on colder days as well.....Behind the shoulder area as an accordian type section to help the reach for the clip ons as well...

Has a removable vest liner for warmer days and for cooler days, it does keep the chest area warm but most of the air will come in from the arm section.....

The logos on the sleeve are reflective and so is the logo in the back but don't rely on it to be too visible.....

It does have an almost 360 degree zipper that can zip up to the Alpinestar "Track" pants which is the requirement for most trackschools and trackdays....

The prices can vary from $245-$319.....For the price and protection on the street, its pretty worth it but not everyone's build can fit in it properly either.....

[MeataBallz]

I got a TZ-1 couple days ago and I love how it fits, nice and snug. Road Rider sells it for 265.99 and Cycle Gear sells it for 289.99 I think.

[MassiveAttack]

I also had a TZ-1. I personally didnt like it. Its not a comfy jacket. Like V4 described... its really snug around areas.

I think the best SQUID Jackets are probably the Alpinestar TLD - Haga Rep, SPIDI Norrick Jacket and the Dainesse. I dont own anyone of them - but I like them.

[LilMikey]

I Have a TZ-1, LOVE it...
It feels exactly like how V4 describes, roomy in the stomach section, snug in the chest.

[tiltedworld]

I have the Stunt, which is simliar to the TZ but slightly different shape, and the same zip to the Track Pants.

The Red stunt's are perforated in the front to let some airflow in.

So far I like it very much. :thumbup

[shindrome]

Originally posted by LilMikey
I Have a TZ-1, LOVE it...
It feels exactly like how V4 describes, roomy in the stomach section, snug in the chest.


ditto. there's plenty of ventilation in the jacket keeping you cool when you ride, but the inner liner only covers the chest area and lacks coverage throughout the arms. there were times where i had to ride home at night and it was a bit chilly on the arms. i've solved this problem by remembering to wear a long sleeve underneath when night or chilly weather riding is in the forecast. the jacket feels comfortable and sturdy with good padding. i love it and wear it everytime i ride. i got mine from newportcycleparts.com (as a walk-in order) for 275, but the site lists it at 290. i suggest giving them a call and asking if they can bend on the price, that's what i did and they knocked off 15 bucks. my 2 pennies

[ducmental]

I have the P1. I love that thing, and i went down in it. In fact, i want to pick up the P1 suit I like the jacket so much.

[Btong]

I have a TZ-1 two piece suit... Fits well, vents well, and feels good. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'll definitely be buying alpinestars again

[mabbottusmc]

I have the tz1 jacket. I love it. I have 3 jackets. The tz-1, joe rocket something and a joe rocket mesh jacket. I don't mind wearing it in the summer. Now I'm trying to get matching pants so I can have a complete set.

[maxboxa]

i like mine, but as v4 said, it's a little roomy in the gut.

[Baptistro]

:bump

[Bikerx260]

I looked at the TZ-1, but ended up with an older SMX from Motostrano. Great deal and great hard placstic exterior shoulders and forearms! That is the best part for me. I had a Hein Gerike for about 15+ years and long decided the Michael Jackson look had to go. I just hadn't seen any designs I liked. Well, I am now an A* man. Great fit, and solid construction.

[jake28]

I have TZ-1 jacket that I have mixed feelings about. I sell motorcycle apparel part time so I know the difference between good jackets and great jackets, the TZ-1 happens to be a good jacket.

Pros:
-Cheap when compared to brands like Spidi, Dainese, and Vanson.
-Sturdy leather and armour in all of the right places.
- Good fit for people with stocky "typical american" builds. (Wide across the shoulders and chest.)
- The hard armour that comes in the jacket is fine for street use and the Astars hard back insert is only about 30.00 dollars.
- Stretch panels under arms work well.
Cons:
- Venting is lacking when it is hot out and you are in traffic.
- Inner liner is pretty thin, you'll notice on the freeway and at night.
- Leather isn't the nicest quality but that is how they keep the price down.
- My zipper pull broke. :(

As a first jacket or city beater, the TZ-1 is fine. I am essentially an Alpinestars poster boy: boots, jacket, suit, gloves. All of their products are well made and will hold up, but if you have a little extra money and a desire to have a really comfortable fit, I would find something nicer.

[Oddjob]

I used to buy Alpinestars, but I think they now use contract manufactures in China almost exclusively. And this shows in the quality of the product (loose stitching, zippers that bind or break, weird little FUs in construction, etc.), and their prices are not all that cheap either. So I shop elsewhere.

[Bad Kitty]

The only complaint I have about my A* jacket, is that it is too roomy in the boobies. But who can afford a set of boobies once you buy all the A* gears?

Seriously I am bery satisfied with A*, ICON, and Frank Thomas.

[a7x]

I have a TZ-1, got it used for like 200 and it was basically brand new. I really like the jacket, but it does have a strange fit. I have a athletic build, and while it fits alright, I want a better fitting jacket. The shoulders are tight, but around the waist it is too big, and the arms are huge. I'm about to get all new gear, so hopefully I can find a jacket that fits.

[Hooli]

Originally posted by MassiveAttack
I think the best SQUID Jackets are probably any Icon jacket.


Fixed. :twofinger