Nelson Taylor
Zone Head
Posts: 927
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posted April 27, 2010 09:07 AM
Leathers??
I am pondering purchasing a set of Bates Leathers...My set is 9 years old and I bought them used back then.
Anyone had any experience with Bates? Or have a recommendation on some other company to get some drag racing leathers from...
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Best #'s
1.54
4.03
6.02 @ 121mph
(Stock Wheelbase) 2006 ZX14
   
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LeonidasZX14
Pro
Posts: 1277
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posted April 27, 2010 09:58 AM
I would try Syed. The are out of Orlando but make custom leathers just like Bates and Vanson. They are much cheaper and the quality is really good.
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09' ZX14
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Compton
Zone Head
Posts: 969
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posted April 27, 2010 10:17 AM
bates are nice, but the boots and gloves are a pass. the wait time takes forever, too.
vanson makes a nice suit too.
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b.w.
zx14, little longer, little louder, little lower.
08 Busa, just a little longer and louder and lower than the 14
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted April 27, 2010 10:34 AM
 Edited By: BobC on 27 Apr 2010 18:35
I have always thought of Bates as a reliable and respected brand.
This is a sensible post which a lot of folk might find informative. The thing to look at in old leathers, bearing in mind Nelson said his are 9 years old plus, is the condition of the stitching and seams. The leather itself may still be abrasion resistant but the seams could break open in a spill - not much fun. Also if they are fitted with armour it can compress over time and again will not perform as intended.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Hellmutt
Needs a job
Posts: 2013
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posted April 27, 2010 10:59 AM
Only leather suit I've had was an AGV -- wasn't bad but got it as a gift and my girl paid RETAIL!!! stupid, but very nice thought anyway. I've since outgrown them and sold them off but considering another setup. keeping my eyes on this thread
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British flying couch with endtables and an orange thumper
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dakota9498
Pro
Posts: 1181
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posted April 27, 2010 11:19 AM
Bawls swears by his TrackSkinz. He had his custom made without knee pucks and with boot cut bottoms to go over his drag shoes. They are a nice setup. I will probably be going with the same type setup soon myself.
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2008 ZX14
Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. ~Mark Twain
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted April 27, 2010 11:53 AM
Bawls was 100% correct. I went with trackskinz as well and they are fantastic. Contact Wayne at Trackskinz. He'll bend over backwards to get you what you want at a fair price. The gloves are great as well.
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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Nelson Taylor
Zone Head
Posts: 927
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posted April 27, 2010 12:13 PM
BobC you are dead one with why I am looking for a new set...
1) I dont know if they wouldn't hold up well if I ever went down, because their old...
2) They weren't custom made to fit me. They are loose in some area's...
3) They are worn in area's as well...
Its no secret what Bates charges for their leathers; as its on their website for all to see.
I am willing to pay the $1300.xx to protect my ass, and I know they have been in the business a while and work with alot of riders in AMA, NHRA, Etc...
What are Trackskinz and some of the other companies charging? If you dont mind sharing.
I will still contact these other companies you guys have recommended. Thanks
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Best #'s
1.54
4.03
6.02 @ 121mph
(Stock Wheelbase) 2006 ZX14
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dakota9498
Pro
Posts: 1181
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posted April 27, 2010 12:29 PM
You can get a complete set of custom leathers and gloves for under $500 shipped with TrackSkinz and the leathers are of good quality.
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2008 ZX14
Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. ~Mark Twain
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SLVR_BLT
Zone Head
Chicken Strips!
Posts: 589
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posted April 27, 2010 01:55 PM
How about Arlen Ness?
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2006 Kawasaki ZX14, Muzzy Full Titanium Exhaust w/ Carbon Can, PCIII, BMC Street Filter
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zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
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posted April 27, 2010 02:45 PM
quote:
How about Arlen Ness?
Sorta pricey & not custom fitted. A friend just bought a Cortech 1 pc. race suit for $500 from Competition Accessories. Still not custom fit but it fit well & was a nice set of leathers.
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted April 27, 2010 03:58 PM
I got my vanson suit in march. Good quality! It was a little loose in a few areas, and matt from vanson saw them at AMA in Atlanta a few weeks back and he remeasured me (wife measured me first time) and they are redoing them. Vanson guaranteed custom fit. Good people to deal with!!
Mine was $1280 after all the extra options.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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NOX
Needs a job
PMRA / TMRC Super Street 4022
Posts: 3745
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posted April 27, 2010 04:39 PM
Syed makes nice stuff.
Just make sure you order the leg length right for dragracin, at least 4 inches over......., my suit fits perfect...., but about to order another.
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42 Wins
21 Runner-ups
2010 TMRC Super Street Points Champion
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Sponsored by:
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Syed Leathers
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted April 27, 2010 07:20 PM
Edited By: smokehouse4444 on 28 Apr 2010 03:22
quote:
BobC you are dead one with why I am looking for a new set...
1) I dont know if they wouldn't hold up well if I ever went down, because their old...
2) They weren't custom made to fit me. They are loose in some area's...
3) They are worn in area's as well...
Its no secret what Bates charges for their leathers; as its on their website for all to see.
I am willing to pay the $1300.xx to protect my ass, and I know they have been in the business a while and work with alot of riders in AMA, NHRA, Etc...
What are Trackskinz and some of the other companies charging? If you dont mind sharing.
I will still contact these other companies you guys have recommended. Thanks
I bought mine for around $500 or so for the one-piece, back protector, and gloves. I sent him $20 and he sent a suit for me to try on. It was a XXXL, but after talking, he added 2" in the length of the torso, and 2" in the width of the shoulders. It fits very well. I actually drew Wayne the color scheme that I wanted and gmailed it. He mailed back, "like this"? It was almost identical. The leathers are great quality and the gloves are kangaroo. Very fine. I may talk to him about making me some lowers that will fit my teknic uppers for the drag track...some that actually fit, and over the boot. Here is a shot of my new one-piece at a recent track day.
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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ToBeKlaw
Parking Attendant
Posts: 16
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posted April 30, 2010 01:47 AM
Looks like Trackskinz.com is no longer a functional website. I did, though, find that SOMEBODY has an eBay Store under that name:
http://stores.ebay.com/Trackskinz-Motorcycle-Leathers
I just hope it's actually them, as I'll be looking for a set of leathers soon, myself 
Thanks for the heads up...
Michael
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2007 Kawasaki ZX-14, Candy Plasma Blue
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted April 30, 2010 04:41 AM
I tried to look at the trackskinz website the other day and couldn't. I called and talked to Wayne and he is none-to-happy with the website host that he has been dealing with. Long story, and he'll be back up soon, but in the mean time you can always reach him at his email which is trackskinz@gmail.com. His # is three5two-21three-three5eight5.
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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CraigChrist
Pro
BAWLS
Posts: 1043
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posted April 30, 2010 05:00 AM
if any of you call him, tell him chad yates says hi.
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60ft-------1.42
1/8th------5.97
mph-------119
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