Help me pick a suit.

Rios929 · 06-30-2004, 2:33 PM

I'm going to be getting my first leather suit and am just looking for some opinions or maybe a suggestion on where to find a good deal. I was reading some old threads and, in my price range, people were recommending the Alpinestars GPU.

So far these two have caught my eye

Alpinestars GPU $600 - about the most I'd want to spend
Joe Rocket GPX $509

I think I would go for a two-piece, but I'm not 100% sure.

Another thing I want suggestions about is sizing because I don't think I will be able to try on before I buy. I know there are size charts but it seems that sometimes if you go by height you can't go by weight or waist size etc....kinda confusing. Anyway I think I'm a 46

I am 6'0, 175 pounds with a 32in waist. If anyone is about the same size, could you please tell me what size fits you best?

I'd also consider a good condition used suit if it was a really good deal or something.

Thanks in advance

Newfie TLR · 06-30-2004, 3:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rios929

I am 6'0, 175 pounds with a 32in waist.

Freekin' stringbean.

bwhip · 06-30-2004, 3:08 PM

Lots of factors to consider - one piece is more secure and won't come apart during a spill the way a two piece can, but not as convenient to take the jacket off, etc.

Do you want a ventilated suit, or one that's better for cold weather? Track use or street?

I was shopping in the same price range as you. I'm really happy I spent just a little bit more and found a great deal on a new Teknic suit at Kneedraggers.com. It's comfortable, well-made, and nicely ventilated. Check it out.

Based on your size, you're probably going to be about a 44-46 (US). Kneedraggers will exchange it with no problem if it doesn't fit right the first time.

asiliat · 06-30-2004, 3:17 PM

It really comes down to what duties your suit will perform at. If it's trackbased, nothing but 1 piece, but if you're mostly street riding, 2 piece is better IMO. I've gotten off the track at 140kph and my two piece held up extremely well, even after sliding and tumbling. But it's definitely NOT a track suit per se.

asiliat · 06-30-2004, 3:18 PM

Oh, and if you can find a place, go custom made. I'm lucky enough to know a guy who makes racing suits for a lot of the Canadian racers (used to make suits for Jordan Szokes) . Prices are very reasonable. $600CAD with no lettering 2 piece. Guarantee to fit you perfectly.

luvtolean · 06-30-2004, 3:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rios929

I'm going to be getting my first leather suit and am just looking for some opinions or maybe a suggestion on where to find a good deal. I was reading some old threads and, in my price range, people were recommending the Alpinestars GPU.

So far these two have caught my eye

Alpinestars GPU $600 - about the most I'd want to spend
Joe Rocket GPX $509

I think I would go for a two-piece, but I'm not 100% sure.

Another thing I want suggestions about is sizing because I don't think I will be able to try on before I buy. I know there are size charts but it seems that sometimes if you go by height you can't go by weight or waist size etc....kinda confusing. Anyway I think I'm a 46

I am 6'0, 175 pounds with a 32in waist. If anyone is about the same size, could you please tell me what size fits you best?

I'd also consider a good condition used suit if it was a really good deal or something.

Thanks in advance

I'm pretty much the same size (though a little lighter lately). It'll depend on the company but you're in there for a 54 or 56. The problem being the suits will either be a) too short (54), b) too loose (56). I had to try them on to know. I went with a 54 Dainese.

MACI4LIFE · 06-30-2004, 4:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asiliat

Oh, and if you can find a place, go custom made. I'm lucky enough to know a guy who makes racing suits for a lot of the Canadian racers (used to make suits for Jordan Szokes) . Prices are very reasonable. $600CAD with no lettering 2 piece. Guarantee to fit you perfectly.

who'd you go to ?? bickle racing??

he pretty much wouldn't give me the time of day when i asked him to alter my suit. he was too busy working on 50 other suits, and that i should come back in the winter. i told him thank you and proceeded to I am leather in hamilton ( a far drive from pickering) and he took care of me right away.

now thats customer service.

arndogg · 06-30-2004, 4:06 PM

I say go for the 1 piece Alpinestars. I have one, and am very happy with it.

arndogg · 06-30-2004, 4:12 PM

I say go for the 1 piece Alpinestars. I have one, and am very happy with it.

Rios929 · 06-30-2004, 4:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

Freekin' stringbean

Hey, I'm in decent shape....not all skin and bones

I plan on doing a track school, hopefully this summer, and then maybe one or two track days a year. That's why I was gonna go for a two piece, but the last thing I want is the suit I buy not to save my ass if I fall at the track....

Some ventilation would be nice I guess, but it doesn't have to be that ventilated since I live in the coldest place on earth.

Does anyone have any specific models is that price range they are very happy with? Bwhip, Which teknic do you have? And arndogg, which alpinestars do you have, and why are you happy with it?

Thanks

bwhip · 06-30-2004, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rios929

Bwhip, Which teknic do you have? Thanks

It's the '04 Violator, which Kneedraggers sells for like $679.00 or so. It's got the aerodynamic hump and everything - I thought it was a great deal for the money.

deez · 06-30-2004, 4:23 PM

www.mawonline.com

They are blowing stuff out. I picked up 2 Alpinestars jackets for less than cost. Check their closeouts, and inventory reduction sale out, I saw full Astars suits for excellent prices.

HPower · 07-01-2004, 8:25 AM

I have a 1pc AStar P1 and have also tried on the GPU, both very nice suits.
I wear a size 52 (42 in US sizing) and I am 5'10", 168lb, 33" waist and 40"chest.
I have noticed that the European brands (Spidi, Dainese, Alpinestar) have a trimmer fit as compared to a slightly more baggy fit on the Joe Rocket and Tecknic.
I went with the 1pc because I found that they fit better than the 2pc, are more comforatable, and offer more protection.

fivestar · 07-01-2004, 9:28 AM

I would recommond the GPX suit. Had 1 for about 3 months. Then I highsided at Mid-Ohio, went sliding down the track at about 70 mph, and broke too many bones. Suit held up well though. Basically only smaller scrapes into the first layer of leather. Only 2 seams popped. 1 in the elbow, and the other in the back, below the waist. 2 pc BTW.

Rios929 · 07-01-2004, 5:33 PM

Well, I decided to order a 2-piece Alpinestars GPU after reading some old threads and considering my options. I'm usre the 1 piece would have been more comfortable, but the 2 piece just seems more convenient since most of my riding will be on the street. Got a size 44/54, I really hope it fits!

I ordered it from one of our sponsors, cal-sportbike, who gave me the the fireblades.org discount

zenblader · 07-04-2004, 1:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rios929

Well, I decided to order a 2-piece Alpinestars GPU after reading some old threads and considering my options. I'm usre the 1 piece would have been more comfortable, but the 2 piece just seems more convenient since most of my riding will be on the street. Got a size 44/54, I really hope it fits!

I ordered it from one of our sponsors, cal-sportbike, who gave me the the fireblades.org discount

I would have suggested the GPU over the J. Rocket. too. The two-piece may actually fit you better at the waist. I have a feeling you may need to go up one size, after you try it on. Anyway, throw us a pic after you get the suit and let us all oooooh and ahhhhhhh.

Rios929 · 07-04-2004, 2:21 PM

Yeah, According to the sizing chart I'm a 54 so I went with that, but I have a feeling it might be to small too...