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Track Day Suits

Gawernator

Gawernator

Watchdog Armory
Joined
Sep 29, 2015
Location
Hayward
Moto(s)
2015 ZX-6R 636; 2009 250R;

1999 KX125
Name
Andrew
BARF perks
AMA #: 3223595
I've noticed that in the Dainese lineup the 2-piece suits tend to be a looser fitting than the 1-piece suits. Which for spirited riding and track days is not what you'd want in a crash.

The thing I keep hearing regarding 2-piece suits is the potential for separation at the zipper interface. When I look at suits I consider safety more than cost. Besides, you can find a range of costs in the 1-piece suits that is comparable to 2-pieces.

Just my 2 cents.
 
MustangWolf said:
I've noticed that in the Dainese lineup the 2-piece suits tend to be a looser fitting than the 1-piece suits. Which for spirited riding and track days is not what you'd want in a crash.

The thing I keep hearing regarding 2-piece suits is the potential for separation at the zipper interface. When I look at suits I consider safety more than cost. Besides, you can find a range of costs in the 1-piece suits that is comparable to 2-pieces.

Just my 2 cents.
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weasel said:
"Tracks" no require shit. It's the providers and they vary from one to the other.
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Yes, I've heard and read about the same potential issues with the zipper coming apart or breaking. That would be a bad day. The upside though is that you could take the top off at the track, and also be able to wear the jacket on its own as well.

I normally wear a 50 in A-stars jackets but went up to a 52 for their race suit... don't want it to be /too/ tight with all the armor added in..
 
:laughing My first track day was around 2003.

Textile pants and a leather jacket that didn't zip together at all. That was a long time ago though and a very small field at T-Hill on a VFR750 :teeth

SpeedYard!!!
 
Made me look.

PTT

Safety Equipment:

Damage-free, DOT full-faced helmet with face shield.
One or two-piece full zip-together leather or Aerostitch textile style riding suit.
Undamaged leather gloves with full wrist coverage.
Riding boots that fully cover the ankle.
Back protector highly recommended.
 
I haven't heard anything like this. When I was racing AFM, my zip-together was fine. I can't imagine track day providers suddenly deciding to get super strict on this, especially when most of them previously allowed the stitch.

In my experience, it's not a huge safety risk if your gear is a bit loose, so long as it fits tightly around the extremities, and will not run up to expose skin. Lose leathers will tend to fold in a crash, which creates pressure points. These will wear through, but the folded areas won't be against skin. So, repair costs may be a bit higher, but you're skin will be safe.

I've seen no issues with 2-piece leathers coming apart. If anyone else has seen this happen, I'd love to hear about it.

For racing, a 1 piece is going to be a bit safer, a bit lighter, and a bit more mobile.

For track days and practice days, a 2 piece is very nice. When you're going on and off the track half a dozen times a day, it's great to be able to strip off the jacket when you reach the pits.
 
Burning1 said:
I haven't heard anything like this. When I was racing AFM, my zip-together was fine. I can't imagine track day providers suddenly deciding to get super strict on this, especially when most of them previously allowed the stitch.

In my experience, it's not a huge safety risk if your gear is a bit loose, so long as it fits tightly around the extremities, and will not run up to expose skin. Lose leathers will tend to fold in a crash, which creates pressure points. These will wear through, but the folded areas won't be against skin. So, repair costs may be a bit higher, but you're skin will be safe.

I've seen no issues with 2-piece leathers coming apart. If anyone else has seen this happen, I'd love to hear about it.

For racing, a 1 piece is going to be a bit safer, a bit lighter, and a bit more mobile.

For track days and practice days, a 2 piece is very nice. When you're going on and off the track half a dozen times a day, it's great to be able to strip off the jacket when you reach the pits.
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That's what I was thinking. Since I ordered straight from Italy, I just hope the sizing is right! Lol!!! I imagine the cut is pretty aggressive even compared to their textile sport jackets, and reading a review from a guy only slightly larger than me saying the 50 was too tight... fingers crossed :twofinger
 
Gawernator said:
Is it true tracks are starting to require One-piece suits now?

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-motegi-2-piece-race-suit

Seems like this would be great for both spirited riding and track days.

Something like this: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/alpinestars-gp-tech-race-suit

About double the cost, but probably not worth it unless actually in amateur competition? Does anyone have experienced with the difference in the "cut" between these class of suits? :party
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the GP Tech suit is top of the line, full kangaroo with all the bells and whistles except for an airbag. the Motegi suit isnt. its not a fair comparison for 1pc vs 2pc.
 
Well I was trying to compare between a full race suit and a track suit that's still road suitable
 
Gawernator said:
Well I was trying to compare between a full race suit and a track suit that's still road suitable
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Ask the same question in the track day section. In the Racers corner, people are more concerned with dedicated race suits.
 
Gawernator said:
Well I was trying to compare between a full race suit and a track suit that's still road suitable
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im sure the people that fit well into the GP Tech or comparable high-end suits would have no issue wearing them on the street if the intent was to just ride. i used to wear my 1pc on spirited street rides.

ive tried on the GP Tech, two to three A* models below that, and a range of Dianese suits as well. the more expensive suits tend to be sized smaller and fit slimmer. i had to go up at least 2 numbers in size to find a comparable size to the less expensive models.
 
the Z2 Track Days policy from the website :

All riders must have the following:

1 - Undamaged full face helmet with visor
2 - 1 or 2 piece leather riding suit in excellent condition. If you have a two-piece leather suite, it MUST zip all the way around your waist if you ride in the Intermediate or Advanced group. If you ride in the Novice School, we STRONGLY recommend that it zip all the way around but we'll accept a partial zipper in the back of the suit. Your two piece suit MUST CONNECT IN ALL CASES. We will accept textile suits only in the Novice School (C group) and they must also connect at the waist.
3 - Leather motorcycle gloves which must overlap arm of suit (gauntlet style).
4 - Sturdy motorcycle or similar boots. They must cover your ankle and preferably extend to mid-calf.
5 - Back protector either built into suit or separate.
6 - Each rider must have full, comprehensive personal medical insurance (not just ER).
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so it depends on the group you are running with. Go faster? then more safety required.
 
Gawernator said:
Well I was trying to compare between a full race suit and a track suit that's still road suitable
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Personal experience... Don't bother. You're much better off buying a set of road gear and a set of track leathers. You can get away wearing leathers on the road if you're the kind of guy who only takes his bike out for a joy ride once or twice a week. If you commute regularly or do long road trips, leathers are just too much of a pain in the ass.

Street gear is cut lose, has pockets, vents, and tends to be much lighter than track gear. The weight difference is huge; leathers are a pain to wear for hours on end, and a pain to have hanging off of your coat rack. The fit issue is huge; well fitted leathers are tight, and a bit of effort to get zipped up. They aren't cut to be worn over clothes. Nothing like walking into the restroom to change every morning and evening at work.

My wife used to ride in her leathers. I finally convinced her to try textiles, and most of her endurance and comfort problems went away.

As far as the cost of having two sets of gear... It's a non issue. Gear is a consumable. You'll replace it every 5 years or so. Two sets of gear will last longer, and the price is the same, ultimately.
 
Burning1 said:
Personal experience... Don't bother. You're much better off buying a set of road gear and a set of track leathers. You can get away wearing leathers on the road if you're the kind of guy who only takes his bike out for a joy ride once or twice a week. If you commute regularly or do long road trips, leathers are just too much of a pain in the ass.

Street gear is cut lose, has pockets, vents, and tends to be much lighter than track gear. The weight difference is huge; leathers are a pain to wear for hours on end, and a pain to have hanging off of your coat rack. The fit issue is huge; well fitted leathers are tight, and a bit of effort to get zipped up. They aren't cut to be worn over clothes. Nothing like walking into the restroom to change every morning and evening at work.

My wife used to ride in her leathers. I finally convinced her to try textiles, and most of her endurance and comfort problems went away.

As far as the cost of having two sets of gear... It's a non issue. Gear is a consumable. You'll replace it every 5 years or so. Two sets of gear will last longer, and the price is the same, ultimately.
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Good points. This is why I have the alpinestars TGP R Air jacket or whatever it is, and the matching pants minus the slider pucks. Though changing those for work was a no-go. I have ICON armored pants if I'm going to daily commute now. I bought this: http://www.motostorm.it/en/clothing...ather-suit-2015-black-white.html?currency=USD and these boots http://www.motostorm.it/en/clothing/boots/alpinestars-s-mx-plus-boot-2015-black.html

God I sure hope it all fits. lol. I went off previous sizing except one up in the leather suit instead of 50 in case it's too tight.... and I read their boots run a little small so I hope it's not too tight,,, I went with the same size I wear in their Faster shoe.
 
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FourT2Infinity said:
Why didn't you just head to the D-Store in SF?
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Dainese store in SF? Their pricing must be nuts there. I was going to try and go to cycle gear nearby maybe, but just went with my "gut" on this one... Also assuming I even could get the same price, the sales tax here is TEN PERCENT!!!! That's over $100 in tax alone... fk this state man
 
Gawernator said:
D...sales tax here is TEN PERCENT!!!! That's over $100 in tax alone... fk this state man...
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Yeah, I hear ya. At least you could try on the suit so you know what size to order online.

I've ordered from motostorm in the past - unbeatable prices. But return is a bit of a PIA. I was glad my Spidi jacket fit.
 
Gawernator said:
God I sure hope it all fits. lol. I went off previous sizing except one up in the leather suit instead of 50 in case it's too tight.... and I read their boots run a little small so I hope it's not too tight,,, I went with the same size I wear in their Faster shoe.
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Man, I hope your riding doesn't follow the same approach. :wow
 
FourT2Infinity said:
Yeah, I hear ya. At least you could try on the suit so you know what size to order online.

I've ordered from motostorm in the past - unbeatable prices. But return is a bit of a PIA. I was glad my Spidi jacket fit.
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MustangWolf said:
Man, I hope your riding doesn't follow the same approach. :wow
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I've ordered from them three times and never had to return so far. I know my A-stars sizing and their stuff fits me better than anyone else's gear it seems. I just read revzilla reviews and with the armor in the suit apparently it's really tight so I went a size up. I'm a little disappointed though, my brand new A-stars jacket's zipper broke off last night... only a week or two old.... still waiting on an email back.

Wolf,

:D
 
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