help shakey shop for a track suit. short people chime in...lol

shakey1378 · 02-21-2009, 11:20 AM

shopping suits and wanted some feedback from the org

im about 5'5" tall my chest measures 44-45.5

waist around 31-34 at my fattest

inseam around 28-29

LoopyLee · 02-21-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

shopping suits and wanted some feedback from the org

im about 5'5" tall my chest measures 44-45.5

waist around 31-34 at my fattest

inseam around 28-29

Totally off your topic but you're not much taller than me.. It's surprised me the amount of shorter blokes who are riding..

But.... I have a 32" inside leg

and a very short body

If I had your body height on top of my legs I'd be about 5'8".. which is how tall I've always wanted to be...

reeseyboy · 02-21-2009, 11:53 AM

I suffer the same problem as you; unable to find a suit that is comfortable all round, as I have short legs. In the end I bought a suit the fitted the top part and had the trousers altered by a local guy that makes and alters suits for club racers. Is now like a made to measure suit. Worth every penny!

shakey1378 · 02-21-2009, 12:45 PM

btw i weigh about 170-185

hey loopy at least with the long legs it makes the reach to the ground better

lanbrown · 02-21-2009, 12:54 PM

Have you thought about a custom suit or a modified off the rack suit?

HondaGalToo · 02-21-2009, 1:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanbrown

Have you thought about a custom suit or a modified off the rack suit?

That's my thought as well. If you want to go the custom route, Barnacle Bill makes excellent suits for a really good price, not much more than you'd pay for a good off-the-rack.

Vanson is good, too, but custom is pricey. Check their website to see what they have, I know they will alter their off-the-rack stuff.

RS Taichi makes a good suit, as does Alpinestars.

Best bet is to try some on, not the easiest thing to do, as shops don't seem to stock very much. Or, find an online place that will work with you and let you exchange.

CBR929RE · 02-21-2009, 1:54 PM

I'm close to that size (about 2 inches shorter and a couple inches less round) and my JR suit fits pretty well. Its a 38. Its a few years old so I'm not sure if they still fit the same. The jacket has a bit of room around the midsection for me but the pants fit pretty snug around the waist so they might be a little tight on you even though they have an elastic band.

trying stuff on is your best bet. you might be able to mix and match pants with jackets if you're going with a 2 piece.

shakey1378 · 02-21-2009, 8:08 PM

im looking solely for a 1 piece. i havent looked to much into custom leathers as i was worried about spending a mint for my first suit. two off the rack suits im looking at are hein gericke celtic and the speed and strength twist of fate. both look of high quality. i plan on trying to find a place to try on a few.

i plan on using the suit on track days and when im just out riding.

i have a setup already for general use/commuting

the hardest part i see in shopping for a suit is that my chest, back, and arms are larger than average for my height. used to like to work out and lift weights back in the day...

even my calves are large for my size! its kinda weird

HondaGalToo · 02-21-2009, 8:21 PM

I'm tellin' ya, check out Barnacle Bill. I think he can do a custom for around a grand. You'll pay that much for a high end suit anyway. It should fit properly, especially if you're going to do trackdays. Have you done trackdays before? If you do any NESBA or Absolute Cycle days, lemme know!

exit90a · 02-21-2009, 8:25 PM

You would be a perfect fit for a Fieldsheer size 44. Our measurements/weight are very similar, except i'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam. The suit was just too short through the torso for me and caused it to be very tight at the top of the shoulders. I sent the 44 back for a 46 and it was long enough, but also a tad loose. Good luck.

shakey1378 · 02-21-2009, 8:41 PM

exactly most guys my size are 5'10" or better.

according to speed and strengths size chart at sportbiketrack gear i would be a 44 also. there 44 has a 29 inseam. most size charts dont include any inseam information, which was why i started this thread. so inseam can be a problem either way...

btw how is fieldsheer? i have never really looked at there products

shakey1378 · 02-21-2009, 9:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

I'm tellin' ya, check out Barnacle Bill. I think he can do a custom for around a grand. You'll pay that much for a high end suit anyway. It should fit properly, especially if you're going to do trackdays. Have you done trackdays before? If you do any NESBA or Absolute Cycle days, lemme know!

once i get a suit and some sidi vertigo's i want to do a track day. im trying to save up and get a 600 or sv650s before i hit the track, but who knows i am starting to get very comfy with the 929. yet another choice to make. i didnt want to track the 929 not only for learning curve but its just better to have a track bike and a street bike.

i will email barnacle bills. i was just looking at the webpage. looks like good stuff. im curious to what armor he uses?

exit90a · 02-21-2009, 9:25 PM

I just got it this winter, so I have not worn it much yet. It's good quality leather, well stiched, light weight and has good armor. I found mine on sale for $450 shipped ($600 retail), so it was also a great deal. It's hard to say for sure how it will wear over time or hold up in a crash, but I would buy it over again at this point.

HondaGalToo · 02-21-2009, 9:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

i will email barnacle bills. i was just looking at the webpage. looks like good stuff. im curious to what armor he uses?

Hmmm, not sure, but he'll let ya know! A lot of racers and trackday guys use him, and I've heard nothing but good things.

StrumminRonin · 03-14-2009, 10:25 AM

Shakey - try arc-on Motorbike Leathers | Home.

They have fixed me up with a set of made to measure 2-piece for GBP480 shipped. Turn around time was just less than 4 weeks.

The jacket is PERFECT. I love that jacket. I really, really love that jacket. It is SO comfortable it's unreal. On the other hand the trousers aren't perfect, but I think that's because they used a bloke's geometry with my measurements, so I have a lof of room in the crotch area... LOL.

Ian, their main contact is a great guy and I am sure they can help you out.

setanta · 03-14-2009, 11:29 AM

I had a Spada one piece which would have fitted you perectedly ( I mean they seem to be made for peeps like us), so give them a try. The suit saved me well at a high speed crash too. Cost around 250 sterling, well worth a look.

shakey1378 · 03-14-2009, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setanta

I had a Spada one piece which would have fitted you perectedly ( I mean they seem to be made for peeps like us), so give them a try. The suit saved me well at a high speed crash too. Cost around 250 sterling, well worth a look.

ive been on a mission to lose as much weight as possible before i order a suit just to see if i can get my chest down to a 42. even if im still a 44 chest it will make for better fit for my knox contour and some padded shorts underneath. i plan on buying that knox chest pad too. all in all if im going on a track i should be in the best shape possible...

setanta · 03-14-2009, 12:42 PM

I agree with being in good shape but then I believe it all the time lol. Im about 40--42 chest myself. When I came off the bike I ended up hitting a fencepost with my spine at about 50+mph, it stopped me dead (figuratively speaking thank goodness) but I have to say that my backprotector did a great job. Im pretty sure without it I would have been in hospital a long time. Reason Im saying all this is because I went for the Forcefield protector, its much flatter than the knox and INHO feels a lot more comfortable to wear, even for everyday.

tlstreak · 03-14-2009, 12:52 PM

I just got a Kobe suit. The most confortable suit I think ive ever owned. They run just a hair large but if you use the sizing guide here.

http://www.1888fastlap.com/store/cus...s.php?pageid=6

Im 5'10 about 210ish and went with a 48, could easilt fit a 46, but like the fit on the loose end now for street riding. Over all I would rate the bottom end Kobe with a high end suit easily. Ive already crash tested it and was impressed. Very heavy leather and high quiality durable metal zippers. Not crazy about the wrist and ankle parts of the suit but easily over looked with everything else.

Search ebay for Kobe and youll find some killer deals. I had the suit at my door in 24 hours. They will do do 100% refund minus shipping if you dont like it. I think I gave 225 shipped for mine.

setanta · 03-14-2009, 1:06 PM

Nice link TL it took me 45 secs to rem why i clicked it

shakey1378 · 03-14-2009, 1:24 PM

satanta,

forcefield makes nice armor! i have the t-pro back protector in my joe rocket textile jacket it's like wearing nothing.

setanta · 03-14-2009, 1:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

satanta,

forcefield makes nice armor! i have the t-pro back protector in my joe rocket textile jacket it's like wearing nothing.

Thats the one I have to

StrumminRonin · 03-20-2009, 9:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by setanta

Nice link TL it took me 45 secs to rem why i clicked it

shakey1378 · 03-20-2009, 10:11 PM

while shopping i ran into a guy shorter than me and he told me he wears a mens jacket with womens track pants. i would have thought that wouldnt have room for the family jewels plus men dont have hips like women...

i really wish there were more places in my area that sold leathers

HondaGalToo · 03-20-2009, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

while shopping i ran into a guy shorter than me and he told me he wears a mens jacket with womens track pants. i would have thought that wouldnt have room for the family jewels plus men dont have hips like women...

i really wish there were more places in my area that sold leathers

Yeah, sucks, doesn't it? I feel your pain! If you think it's hard to find men's stuff, well, women's is even harder to come by, especially serious stuff for the track. It's a bit better now, but when I was first shopping for leathers in '95, fuggetaboutit. That's why I ended up going custom. Wish I knew of more local places to try on stuff....does Monmouth Cycles have much in stock? Montgomeryville has some stuff, but that's a bit of a drive...Hatfield, PA.

RS Taichi makes a good suit. Moto Liberty // #1 gear Store In Texas in Texas is where my friend got a set. She called and talked to them, they helped her with sizing (she could get a decent fit in a men's), and they allow exchanges for no restocking fee. They were good to deal with. They also carry Alpinestars. Might want to check their site as well.

If you decide to do a trackday with NESBA, they rent leathers.

Here's a recent discussion about suits on the NESBA forum: Where to buy a race suit locally? - NESBA TrackTalk Forum

bryanboonern · 03-24-2009, 11:51 AM

Go with the Spartan. The more I hear people talk about theirs and the more suits I see, the more I realize what an AWESOME suit it is....especially for the price.

Spartan Apparel - High Quality Custom and Rack Sized Leathers and Apparel

setanta · 03-24-2009, 2:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey1378

while shopping i ran into a guy shorter than me and he told me he wears a mens jacket with womens track pants. i would have thought that wouldnt have room for the family jewels plus men dont have hips like women...

i really wish there were more places in my area that sold leathers

Yip a lot of peeps do that but I have found that Italian gear is a snug fit for the vertically challenged (short asses to you and me)

steingar · 03-25-2009, 10:15 AM

I bought a used Joe Rocket suit off Ebay for $40. It fits great so long as I don't get too fat.

evan · 04-06-2009, 10:59 PM

Hey guys with the forcefeild back protectors, looking to buy one but have to order it no one sells it around here, had a question on how you find the sizing. I Find their size chart a bit weird. I'm 5'11", 165lb, slim build, waist 34-35" and from shoulder to waist 21". According to sizing chart I need the small waist size31-40" and large size length 19.5-21". I was thinking the medium size which has a length of 19.5" might work but waist size is still 36-45". Is there a lot of adjustment to the waist straps? Are they stretch velcro straps? I can't find a pic from the front.

shakey1378 · 04-06-2009, 11:11 PM

we have the one that installs in the jacket. its a one size for all version. as far as the back protector your shopping id advise you to base your decision on height first, i have a knox contour as a worn on the body back protector and the sizing for knox is based solely on height, i would think that if you go with the one for your height the other measurements should fall within a satisfactory range...