[phobiaphobe]

What is recommended? I like the Dainese stuff, but it's a little harder to find here and the dealers charge accordingly.

I believe you can still get basic custom leathers from Z-Custom for around a grand.

[evl_twn]

I just bought the Joe Rocket leathers I was wearing at Grattan for about $700. Perforated, well ventilated, and seems to be built well. Definitely check out the thread on their quality, though, as some have seen problems with some of their older gear. You might even be able to get a set made for around that price. Try Z Custom, Barnacle Bill's, Vanson, etc

[abtech]

Call Z-Custom.

[CBRVFR]

Barnacle Bill

[Red Rider]

Vanson...crash tested, rider approved.

[Baketech]

Glad to see this thread...

[phobiaphobe]

THe Z-custom stuff looks pretty decent. I ordered their catalogue and ordering guide.

Originally Posted by Baketheque

Glad to see this thread...

My used 2-piece will not survive even a mild crash. I got a season and a half of road riding plus a few trackdays out of it, so I definitely got my $200 worth.

[Diesel954]

Might give Komodo leathers a look. Mine aren't crash tested yet but a team members are and you can hardly tell. We've been riding the endurance series and they vent really well here in the Oklahoma and Texas heat and humidity. They were giving licensed racers a discount also.

[SpikedLemon]

Originally Posted by evl_twn

I just bought the Joe Rocket leathers I was wearing at Grattan for about $700. Perforated, well ventilated, and seems to be built well. Definitely check out the thread on their quality, though, as some have seen problems with some of their older gear.

Older stuff = good.
Newer stuff = not as good. (not worth the $ IMHO)

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

My used 2-piece will not survive even a mild crash. I got a season and a half of road riding plus a few trackdays out of it, so I definitely got my $200 worth.

Agreed, sounds like you have a good plan...

[SpikedLemon]

Another one to look at is Kobe leathers. Unfortunately I don't have personal experience with it but it comes with a 1year warranty on wear-thru on the leather and a seam bursts: they'll either fix it or replace it free of charge. The only place I've seen them is 1-888-fastlap... But a custom suit will likely fit you better than any off-the-rack suit: and should protect very well.

[Mojave954]

Try these guys, KUSHITANI USA They come to our trackdays every once in awhile to ride and sell. From the peeps I have talked to they love the suits. Think there is a good lead time. Longer than Z leathers.

[CBRVFR]

Kushitanis are very nice, and about 2.5 times what he wants to spend...

[Hammer]

Leathers are my next big purchase, Depo looked at me a little crosseyeded when he teched my gear @ Grattan.

[BDA116]

The higher end Teknic suits are every bit as good as other brands that cost twice as much due to tariffs and customs fees. You can get a very nice suit for under a grand. I've crashed multiple times in Teknics and have never had a seam split, a burn through or anything like some of the more expensive brands get.

[Mattress]

Anyone ever try AGV leathers?

[tnarinen]

I'd have say Alpinestars. I have the 1-piece SX-1 perforated, have had a couple of big crashes in them, they held superbly and the external hard protectors on the shoulders made sure that they are still usable (without them I would surely have big holes in the shoulders). I've yet to hear a story about Alpinestars "suit failure", but I have heard seams splits stories about Spidi etc. If you can go muscle $$ for high end custom suit, that is naturally the way to go, but in case you need to decide basic custom vs. high end off-the-shelf, I'd go with latter if you can find one that fits good enough for you.

[luvtolean]

Especially with your stature Phobe, which isn't well suited to many leathers which seem to be designed around waifish man-models, especially Dainese, I highly recommend you check out Spidi.

Go custom is my recommendation. My suit is pretty blinged out, and from a guy not known for being cheap, and was about $1500.

[Linus]

crash tested the AGV's good bang for the buck-but I really like my Kushitani's-they are so light and the armor is pretty sweet.

[RRWANTR]

Originally Posted by Mattress

Anyone ever try AGV leathers?

Yep, crashed at about 130-140 on the track. Held up pretty dang well imho. Could have been easily repaired (two small wear the leather over the hard armor in the knees). Seams held up well.

[phobiaphobe]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

Especially with your stature Phobe, which isn't well suited to many leathers which seem to be designed around waifish man-models, especially Dainese, I highly recommend you check out Spidi.

Go custom is my recommendation. My suit is pretty blinged out, and from a guy not known for being cheap, and was about $1500.

Ya.. "off-the-rack" stuff generally doesn't fit me very well.

Dainese is scratched off the list... the general consensus is that it's over-rated and over-priced.

I'll see what Z-Custom can do for a reasonable price. I like the idea of sending in 20 measurements, because my measurements are not "typical".

[luvtolean]

Dainese IMO, is not overrated. I loved my suit, and it performed magnificently pavement surfing. I've not known anyone to complain of them in a crash either. I think the armor in it was better, it flexed better on the bike, and it was cooler than my custom is too. But it just doesn't fit me very comfortably off the bike, and when I was about 10 pounds heavier early this year when I was getting to the gym regularly, it didn't fit worth **** in the shoulders...and as you probably now understand, that's a big deal at a trackday.

You definitely pay for the performance and style of it though.

[CBRVFR]

Aren't you having some fitment issues with the new suit?