posted January 23, 2004 11:47 AM
i still wish they had designed the 10 to look closer to the motogp bike. i lieks that real angular look. but i'm digging the facilities even more! helluva nice track!
posted January 23, 2004 01:35 PM
Suzuka is similar. Other than the track being kinda dangerous (I partook in several high-sides there...), the facilities/pits are first class.
Needs a life
Full throttle!
Posts: One MEEEEEELLION
posted January 27, 2004 04:38 PM
Give em a call, I'm sure they'll be happy to make you a set for a couple grand. ____________
82 Gpz750, 84 Ninja 900, 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy Big Bore Kit), *another* 2000 ZX12R (Muzzy custom stroke crank 1341cc motor), 2004 ZZR1200, 2005 ZX10R, 2007 ZX14, 2008 Concours 14, 2014 Versys 650, 2014 Yamaha WR450F, 2015 Ninja H2
posted January 27, 2004 06:39 PM
Say KB, you might be able to answer this one since we are discussing leathers. It isn't like I am really hijacking the thread.
1 What brand of leathers was Ben Spies wearing when he went down at Daytona?
2 What brand of leathers was Jason DiSalvo wearing when he went down at DIS?
posted January 28, 2004 02:35 PM
Edited By: k bryant on 28 Jan 2004 22:01
Yes, there's even secrets on leathers. Here's the scoup;
1. Ben Spies wears Joe Rocket.
2. Jason DiSalvo wears Alpine Stars
"Most" are made of the cowhide montage. Some are goat skin. There doesn't seem to be a big difference in quality between leathers made in the USA, Japan, Italy, Germany, or Pakistan. But there are large differences inbetween price ranges of suits depending on the features. For instance, top level Joe Rockets, are similar to top level AGV, Kushitani, Bates, etc. You simply have to compare all upper level suits side by side.
Freddie Spencer made the goat skin thing "in vogue" years ago with Nanki. They are extremely supple and really feel like a second skin. When I ran the Freddie Spencer/SuperTrapp Racing Team with Doug Chandler & Randy Goss, we used those goat skin leathers and they were awesome! Their abrasion resistance did not seem as good. But there are times where comfort levels over-rode the need for maximum/ultimate protection. At the upper level, some guys will sacrifice maximum protection, for maximum comfort. It's like having a nervous twitch when you have a shirt that doesn't quite fit right. You're always pulling at it, tugging at it, etc. It really affects your concentration level. They all make those individual decisions.
Now we're talking racing leathers here (not street). The biggest differences between riders(leathers) are; how much armor/protection they build into the impact zones (shoulders,elbows, knees, back, butt), and mill thickness. Some riders prefer say 1.4 mil. Some prefer 1.9 mill. Some prefer extreme variations through-out the suit. Bottom line, top level racers have very different tastes when it comes to thickness, comfort, protection. They do not wear "off the rack" leathers.
posted January 28, 2004 09:59 PM
I just went through the archive files.... I've owned 26 sets of leathers in the following brands: Bates, Z-Leathers, AGV, Nanki, RS Taichi, Alpine Stars, Kushitani, AXO.
I've currently only got 2 left. AGV, and my Bates Suzuka 8 hour leathers that I only wore for 2 weeks! Don't think I could wear them anymore now. Oh I still fit into them fine. It's just that they were from the era when White/Pink/Blue, with White/Pink Boots were all the rage in Japan. I'd be afraid to wear them now. Well, maybe they'd be ok for San Francisco....
posted January 29, 2004 02:15 PM
Yes. One of the best. They can be pricey, but you get what you pay for. Bates was really top-of-the-line as well. Actually, Bates built & sponsered the leathers that Rich Oliver & I wore during our run at the 8 hour.
The best was probably Nanki (never crashed in them). They simply fit/felt the best.
Value for the dollar on the leathers that I actually paid for, would be AGV; hands down winner. They have a very good product for the money. You can get a really nice set of one-piece street leathers with decent padding & knee pucks for less than $500. I've bailed in these $500 suits during track days/testing with minimal injuries. The sizing seems very consistant and they hold up really well under duress...
posted January 29, 2004 05:51 PM
K, u know if anyone is racing in textiles/synthetics? i'm told a few people are using the Cycleport GP1 kevlar suit, but no idea who or in which series.
posted January 29, 2004 06:50 PM
Yes. And they are actually really good. They just look a little bizzare. When I won/raced the AMA Sidecar Championship in 1980 with Peter Essaf & Kenny Harrold (Kenny & I split the year), there were a lot of guys who wore "Luja" suits. I think they were one of the first on the market.
Today's textile/synthetic suits are well worth looking at. Where I live (warmer weather) they'd work well.
posted January 29, 2004 09:10 PM
have u seen the results of anyone crashin in a race in oneof those suits? and was it the cycleport suit u saw specifically or another suit? the cycleport is the only one i have heard of. i'm fairly happy with it. crashed at 50 to 60mph on pavement and it took fairly minor damage. i tell ya that thing rocks in the heat. i'v worn tshirts that breathed less. only problem is there is an almost insane amount of armour gettin in the way of the air, and it gets pretty sweaty where the armour covers ur skin. still not sure that the suit does quite as good a job as leather tho, from the damage i have seen on other peoples' suits.
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posted January 23, 2004 09:21 AM
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