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Looking for 1 piece race suit.

CIE

CIE

New member
Joined
Aug 20, 2008
Location
Danville, CA
Moto(s)
'08 GSX-R 600, '75 RD 350, '01 CR250r
Name
Evan
Hey guys. Trying to find some new 1 piece leathers. I think I was leaning toward the Alpinestars GP suit, but am looking for some input. I'm a tall skinny guy. 6' tall, about 155. Are the any brands out there that cater well to this body type. I was also looking at the Dainese suits. I'd like to keep it to around $1000 if possible.

Any input on size? I'm wearing a 52 Frank Thomas jacket right now that is right on for arm length, but a bit big around the waist.

I think I'm going to end up ordering suits and returning the ones that don't work. The shipping is cheaper than driving all over the bay trying to find my size in stock.
 
Cycle Gear San Jose had some nice Dianese suits in the Max Clearance section for $499.99. That's a steal!

Only thing was they were solid color in red or neon yellow.
 
the alpinestars trigger is pretty tall. too tall for me. they make a short and normal version of it. at 5' 8" i have way too much length in the knee/quad area. in a size 44. might work for u.
 
What do you want, a supermoto suit or roadrace suit? I'd go to motostrano, they always got some on clearance. I wouldn't recommend ordering and returning, didn't work well for me. Also, prolly 5 guys here pm'ing you about last years leathers for cheap.
 
I picked up an closeout suit for $400 (reg $1200). the legs were to long, the arms were on the tight side and there was no hip protection. between Zooni and Barbra (her cards at home but she is on the site somewhere) I had all the issues fixed along with a couple of mods for another $400. now if I would stop gaining weight!
 
Thanks for the input guys. I'll go down to San Jose and take a look at Cycle Gear. I'd like to find something for my track day in two weeks. I guess I could always rock my 2-piecers again, but they SUCK!!
 
CIE said:
Thanks for the input guys. I'll go down to San Jose and take a look at Cycle Gear. I'd like to find something for my track day in two weeks. I guess I could always rock my 2-piecers again, but they SUCK!!
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If you're going to come down to San Jose, it's worth a trip to Road Rider also. They also have a good selection of suits.

My experience, when I was shopping for suits, was that proportions are more important than overall height. I'm 6'0" 170 lbs but I have a cyclist/triathlete build with big legs and twiggy arms, and a loooong inseam and short torso. Any off-the-rack suit that fit in the legs was way too large in the upper body, and any suit that fit the upper body was way too tight in the legs. I ended up going with a custom suit from Helimot and it's light-years more comfortable than anything I could find off the rack. If you're tall and skinny but normally proportioned, the Dainese suits may fit you well. They're more of a euro cut.
 
By now you probably have an idea on what size you are. Some suits will be narrower (Dainese, some A-stars) while others may have roomier cut. Make sure you try suits on with a real back protector and not the foam pad that come with it. This is key.

Try the Dainese store in SF as they have most sizes in stock. Also, call the different CG locations and ask what they have in your size. You may find a good deal as they always have sales. Don't be lazy, it's an investment and don't want to be stuck with suit that doesn't fit properly.


Good luck! :thumbup
 
Of the leathers I've had, which isn't too many, the best by far was an RS Taichi
 
+1 helimot
But you'll pay more than 1k for custom...approximating double after taxes. But fit, comfort, and quality, can't be beat.
 
Zooni Leathers in San Jose :thumbup. I got a kick ass custom set of leathers made from Juan Lindo (owner) for about $1200. Awesome fit and great looking. Before you buy, check out his web site and give him a call.
 
If you don't go custom (e.g. Helimot), try them on. If you think it's hard to find a well-fitting pair of jeans, imagine something that has to fit better and fit your whole body at once.

Buy the one that fits best. Everything else is secondary.
 
OP,
Go to sportbiketrackgear.com. Take a look at the RS Taichi suits. Take your measurements and see if you fit into one of the Japanese sizes. They're fitted for slim body types. You'll have to call them up and have them ship you one from Japan because I don't think they keep Japanese sized suits in stock. They quoted my 2 weeks to ship it to me. Rev'It also works with slim body types.

I'm 6'2" and only 165. I just ordered an RS Taichi in Japanese size in 3L regular based on the above advice. It should show up in one more week. I will re-post and let you know how it fits. I also have a Helimot suit which is awesome but costs a lot.

-Mark
 
sportbiketrackgear.com rocks, not that I know anything about sport bike track gear (noob here who will never see a track day in his life).

Love their video reviews.
They did make a knox fan out of me.
 
kurth83 said:
sportbiketrackgear.com rocks, not that I know anything about sport bike track gear (noob here who will never see a track day in his life).

Love their video reviews.
They did make a knox fan out of me.
Click to expand...

STG does rock. I've ordered Knox gear and Held gloves from them. I'd just be very reluctant to order a 1 pc suit sight-unseen without having tried it on first, unless you're prepared to do lots of shipping/exchanging. This is one of those areas where local shops with inventory provide a valuable service that's worth paying for- it's really pretty shitty when people spend 3 hours trying on every suit in a store, and then turn around and buy it online to save $40.
 
I'm a similar build, and picked up a size 48 Spidi suit on ebay for $650. Fits much better than anything else I tried.
 
Clearly, the way to go here is to buy 5 different $500 suits over the next 5 years that sort of work but that you don't really like and wind up hanging in your closet until your wife makes you throw them out in the year 2022. That way, you save at least $700 a year for a total savings of $3500.

Or you can spend a bit more and go to Juan at Zooni or Helimot and have a suit that fits you perfectly that you love for 10 years.

Buying gear based on getting a "deal" is a great way to pour money into the communist Chinese economy while keeping your closet stuffed with crap you only used a few times.
 
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