I want to know if you use (past or present) any of the race suits sold on STTG such as Gericke Celtic, Technic Speedstar or Violator, MotoGP etc... Any recommendations as to the different suits and why one is better than another. Also, if you have had experience with a crash wearing one of these that would be really helpful.
I have the Gericke Celtic, it fits me well and is a very well built suit. Everything they say on the web site is true, you won't find a better suit for the price. If you go to an STT event you will see a lot of guys using them.
I also have the Gericke suit. The fit is great (size 46 I'm 5'11" 185) has room underneath for the bohn back & chest protector. Have had 2 low sides, nice long slides on the asphalt and the suit has held up excellent( slight scuffing barely noticeable and no burn thru on the suit) and I've never even gotten a bruise. Only down side, it's not the coolest suit sitting out on the grid. Up side I can use it to trick or treat as a PowerRanger.
Try on as many suits as possible. Sizes vary quite a bit, and a suit that's too big will not protect you in a crash. Basically, you don't want the armor shifting around if you have to eject. This is why custom suits look like they're too tight. A good fit should be very sung while on the bike to keep everything in place. Don't judge the fit by just standing or sitting, you need to be crotched over in a race position to judge.
Only problem with that is I am ordering online. Wish I could try it on. From what I hear STTG is pretty good with sizing though and are cool with return/exchange policy.
I got my suit on STG. I first got the size 44 but it was just 2 tight, could barely get it off, not way I could have done it after a track day or even between session. They where great about exchanging it 4 size 46.
You might be able to try on suits at: KNEEDRAGGERS.COM 243 QUIGLEY BLVD STE A NEW CASTLE DE 19720-4191
That sounds like a plan. Thanks for doing my homework for me again.... where were you when I was trying to get thru school :wink: ?
I went to Kneedraggers about 4 years ago before I bought my suit. Was able to try on about 6 premium suits from various companies. Don't think I've ever seen a place that had that many suits in stock at one time, and not just the crappy $500 Joe Rocket stuff, but high end stuff from Spyke, Alpinestars and such. After trying a bunch on, I realized that there was no way a rack suit was going to fit and had one made from RS Tachi.
I tried on one of the Gericke suits at Barber and I have to say it felt awesome... ven with the chest protctor and all it was great... Thats definietly going to be the next one I get...
My complaint is the women's selection of suits. There aren't very many top quality brands available for women. And if they are, then we can't try them on. My husband as an AGV race suit and loves it. He is a bigger/stockier guy and these are the only ones that fit his build.
Back in 1999 went from a Dainese Pro-Tek suit to a Dainese T-Age suit. These were the Dainese top-of-the-line suits of their day. I bought the T-Age in England as I was basically living in London for a year and the selection at even the smallest bike shop is amazing. One thing I found not to like about the Euro suits is the plastic/nylon zippers they use. Yes they are smooth and light and work very well, but they are clearly not designed to be abused or last anywhere near as long as a good metal zipper! Unless you can actually try it on - you are taking a chance with fit... even 2 identical make/model suits will fit a bit differently... If you can - get one custom made and MORE venting is better!
Custom rocks... IF you have the $$ for it. I am a "Only Custom" guy because I demand the style and protection that only custom affords for a demanding rider of my calibre...... Uhhhhh ya right... Actually I'm built like a plump little T-Rex with big, short legs and stubby little arms... I can't buy OTR so I'm screwed. For those who Darwin didn't hate, I would be very reluctant to pony up $1,200-$1,800 for full custom when there are some incredible values for $500-$1000 in ready made. Perf can always be added by Barnicle Bill for $65 so don't let that be a limiting factor. As far as size... good mail order companies have generous exchange for size policies. If they do not, generally it means that they don't stock the product (in spite of thier BS claims to the contrary) and only order it from TR, PU, Sylivans etc.. after you order it.
Don't forget the option to have an OTR suit altered to make it fit better. Peeps like Barnacle Bill and Alexa at Spyder Leatherworks can work magic taking things in here, or letting them out there without compromising the suit, and making it fit better. My "Lost 4th member of Spinal Tap" leathers started out as a slightly too big men's 44 AGV suit. White with blue and black zig zags. I'm really a 42, but my girly hips and ghetto booty don't fit, so the 44 had to be taken in everywhere else. (I could have gotten a 42 and had her let out the hips, but the 44 fell into my lap for free so I wasn't gonna complain) Alexa shortened the arms a couple inches, and took them in an inch or so around the forearms, and when I take them back in fall, I'm going to have her lop off a couple inches in the calves 'cos they're bunchy. The torso fits pretty well with a back protector, but it could be snugged up a little. This is a pretty good, cost effective way for the slightly mutant shaped (or women) to get proper fitting leathers for less than custom price. But yeah, for plump dinosaurs I can see fitment being an issue.
My 2 cents... I looked high and low for a suit to fit my 6'3" arse and everything that was long enough was huge on my arms, legs, torso. I got an alpinestars size 50 (yes american) on clearance at a local dealer for 399 bucks. IT was way too big, but a such a great deal for a new suit so I purchased it, sent it over to Alexa at spider leatherworks in Wisconsin and when I got it back a couple weeks later it fit like a glove, and looks great. Suit price, alterations and postage I paid about 640 dollars for that suit. Buy a suit from STG and get it custom tailored to fit YOU! You'll come out cheaper and safer in the end and wont pay top dollar for your first suit. Good luck ;-)
Misko has a Teknic Violator and it is a really nice suit with nice features. It has held up to crashes with barely a mark. Nick has a Celtic which did not hold up very well when he low-sided in T11 last month. He ended up with a very exposed hiney and is lucky he stopped sliding when he did. However, I believe the suit has been through a few crashes so that section may have already been weakened. As for MotoGP, do a search for the brand on WERA. There is a lot of discussion abougt the MotoGP suits and both Alexa and Barnacle Bill have some very unkind things to say about it. Of course, every crash is different and the results that one person experiences is not enough in itself to damn a brand. However, I would pick the one which I have no personal knowledge of poor performance. Hence, of the 3 brands I would argue the Violator is the best quality suit. YMMV Be sure to check out Komodo also.
+1 on the Celtic suit.......... Very stylish I've tested on three occasions and it still going strong ( a little patch work). I was eyeballing some Z-Customs, Syed and TAichi but it's hard to justify the cost when you can basically buy 2 and a half Gericke suits for the same money I wear a 38 suit so, that half is a whole to me :wink:
Darwin doesn't hate you. He made you....special :lol: I am in the same boat as Monte. Sometimes you have to go custom, but I did look over the gear STG carries. I am rather impressed with the Celtic suit. If they made one that fit me I would buy it.
