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you wear a $700 helmet, but you bought FRANK THOMAS leathers...

I've got a $450 dollar helmet...and a $50 leather jacket. I trust them both.

As for CG commission, it's small enough so when asked we usually say we don't make any.
 
Eisernkreuz said:
I wouldn't trust any of my Alpinestars gear in a 60-80mph crash :| Which is why most of it is on its way into the garbage.
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My A* boots that I've had a couple years, crashed in more than once, wore out several toe sliders with, are still rockin'!!

What gear do you have an issue with? My A* suit is the most comfortable suit I've worn ( out of 4) and is built to the hilt. It's also the 'RaceRep' model but yeah, I'd trust that thing.
 
I've had several Shoei helmets, my last one was a TZ-1. Protected me very nicely when my head smacked into the broadside of a Mazda. The money I got from insurance combined with a nicely timed sale convinced me to buy the X-11.

It is a much better helmet than any of the other helmets I've had before. Solid on my head, no buffeting, lighter, my mouth and nose is a comfortable distance from the front, unlike the TZ-1 which would touch. Quieter too, and less fogging. Knowing what I do now, I think the $200 difference was worth it considering I have to have this thing stuck on my head all day long, so I at as well try to make it as comfortable as possible.

I wouldn't say everything is marketing.
 
I bought a Joe Rocket two piece set up about 5 years ago. I didn't know much about leathers and really didn't do a good job researching the subject. Price was an issue and still is for me.

I crashed them in Nov of 05 and the EMTs cut them off as their usual policy. I couldn't remove them before they arrived because I had a badly broken and dislocated shoulder, fractured pelvis and two fractures and torn ligaments in my left knee. To make matters worst I had three cracked vertebrae and some internal bleeding as a result of the pelvic fracture. Anyway, as I was laying there I thought about at least saving my boots so I had one of my buddies pull them off for me. That made me feel a little better. I can't give you the heads up on how the Rocket leathers held up because I only made momentary contact with the asphalt before being launched into a 10' swale. Strange, but my leathers sustained minor damage and I didn't even hit my head. All of this because I went airborne between two large trees at 80+.

Fast forward and I'm starting to feel I'm physically able to ride after two + years PT and four operations. So, I need some leathers. You would think I would go out and buy the best money could buy, but again I'm on a budget and I felt there were leathers available at an affordable price and still provide maximum protection. I shopped around and walked into a Cycle Gear store. Over two years ago I looked at Frank Thomas gear, just like all of us do when we out looking at motorcycle stuff. At that time I had the distinct impression the gear was cheap looking and not up to standard. I quickly passed on them. However, they must have had an uptick in quality the past two years because I was impressed with a pair of leather pants in a new line they offer. I've seen Dainese without hip protection, this was my hot button. Why not provide good hip protection when in all likelyhood your hip is one of the first parts of your body that makes contact with the street. I know putting hard armor in there is impossible, but at least put some soft armor. The Frank Thomas pants had the soft armor in the right places and the specs of a more expensive pant. It even had tailbone armor and not shaped like a circle, it was more triangle shaped. The round butt bone armor looks funky, if you know what I mean.

I never thought I would buy Frank Thomas but I did and the pants were only $199. They fit great and feel good sitting in the riding position. I would have preferred more perforation and perhaps less stitch work around the butt area. I think minimizing stitching and leather material (except for two layers) in that area reduces friction when sliding on your ass. Maybe that will help against tumbling.

All in all for the money I was pretty impressed, they have definitely stepped it up a notch or two. As for the accompanying jacket, i really didn't check it out. The design was not to my liking and it wasn't perforated.

BTW, whats with Alpinestars and others selling jackets without tapering to the waist? Some of them had straps to tighten the jacket up, but the jackets are so round at the waist that using the straps bunches it up and it looks like crap. I think this new design is more about style than function. I want a jacket that fits snug at the waist. This keeps the cold air from getting between you and the inside of the jacket and also helps prevent the jacket from twisting in an accident. I hate the "bell bottom" jackets, what a stupid design. I know who they are catering too. None of the new jackets were V tapered at the store I visited. I'll keep looking, but I may have to stick to FT due to the zippers for upper and lower being the same. I can probably send the jacket out to Barnacle Bills and have it perforated, that would solve the ventilation issue. The jacket is boring looking, i wish FT would step it up a notch in their design department.

Maybe I'll just resolve it all and buy a suit from Tilt. Sure looks like a good deal and a responsive person to deal with.
 
This thread was pretty helpful. Planning to get a 1 piece so and i've been looking to buy the frank thomas xti set, decent price and comes with the xti gloves free too!
I'm sure the other brands might offer better protection than others but in some cases in can just be the price...

Take BMW or Benz V.S. a LEXUS.... the fact of the matter is, they are both nice luxury cars. Around the same price, bmw or benz maybe a bit more. HOWEVER, you buy a bmw or benz and youre paying for trouble. Lexus much more reliable with regards to quality and maintanence. Japanese #1 :D (probably bad analogy but so what :D and im european btw)
 
trykp said:
This thread was pretty helpful. Planning to get a 1 piece so and i've been looking to buy the frank thomas xti set, decent price and comes with the xti gloves free too!
I'm sure the other brands might offer better protection than others but in some cases in can just be the price...

Take BMW or Benz V.S. a LEXUS.... the fact of the matter is, they are both nice luxury cars. Around the same price, bmw or benz maybe a bit more. HOWEVER, you buy a bmw or benz and youre paying for trouble. Lexus much more reliable with regards to quality and maintanence. Japanese #1 :D (probably bad analogy but so what :D and im european btw)
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I see your point, but the analogy doesn't really apply, IMHO.

I've never heard of a Kushitani, Gimoto or a Dainese suit falling to pieces during a crash.
I think that if you do significant research before you buy, find some reviews from people who've actually crashed in the gear you're going to buy, you'll be a lot better off. Regardless of the price of the gear.

It's always been my impression that brands such as Frank Thomas were out to make a quick buck off of riders who have a tight budget with little regard for actually protecting the rider. One could argue that cheap gear is better than no gear at all, and that is true... but if I'm looking for cheap gear, I'll go on craigslist and find some guy who's quit riding because he got scared and buy his Dainese one-piece from him at half price. :)


:2cents
 
I have the Frank Thomas two piece, and I can say that I am happy with them considering the money I spent. The inner linings and smaller little tabs that have the velcro are where they cut some corners on. I could take them back for warranty, but I just use it as an excuse to go see my mom and have her fix them for me (she probably does a better job too!)

But all of the stiching that really counts looks super solid, and has not budged or worn at all so far.

I hope to not crash test them...
 
Lights_Guy3 said:
But all of the stiching that really counts looks super solid, and has not budged or worn at all so far.
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I have ripped out a few stitches now on my suit. Granted, that was after several crashes now and in a similar was as my friends much more expensive suit. I just need to get it repaired.
 
thats why i got with A* w/ all my junk.....they are middle of the line IMO, price is very reasonable and they have a good reputation, and all their product seems to be of good quality. not to mention their apparel are cut perfectly to my body type :D
 
I went down at 70 mph and my alpine star gloves shredded, the alpine star pants held up but cant be worn again however my FR jacket took the most of the sliding on my chest and it is still fine. the plates inside are jacked but the leathers are fine. :twofinger
 
The thing is, it never ends. I just got some Held Steve gloves to replace the deerskin gauntlets because I was afraid they would come off in a crash. (They would.) The gloves are nice. Nice and expensive $159.00. But I've broken my wrist before ice skating in a low speed fall. I don't know. I can read reviews and posts about equipment all day long but I still don't really know exactly what kind of accident I may be involved in. The main thing for me is to have gear that I will actually wear each time I ride. That's why I have T-Pro armour pockets sewn in: it's all there when I put the leathers on.
 
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HOTRODHAIRY said:
It's funny how people equate quality with price.Sometimes,you're paying for the name.
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And sometimes you don't. Just go and put on a Fieldsheer or FT and then slide into a Dainese or Kushitani and you won't go back. The flexibility of the leather (especially the Kushitani) at the same or larger thickness is worth the price. Yes, crash protection is important but so is day2day comfort wearing the damn thing.

I have crashed in a couple of Dainese suits, once at the end of the front straight at Willow breaking for turn 1 (that was a nice, enjoyable, long slide on my back - no back protectors in those days :)) and they have held up. Matter of fact, the Willow crash suite still hangs in my closed - back looks shredded but it's intact (it's just gotten a little tight :laughing)
 
Spilled at over 120mph, slid/rolled on pavement and rag-dolled violently for 100+ feet on HARD pack, Bumpy as HELL, entrance to T-2 at T-hill a few weeks ago. Frank Thomas 1-piece held up GREAT, I'll be wearing it again with NO repairs!
My $300(cost) topoftheline AGV Rossi replica-ruined. :|
The Frank Thomas leathers were FREE. :laughing
 
i crashed in some nice AGV's and in i highsided in them once... just a few scuffs. Was all good. Then i highsidded again about a year later and then slide across the track about 80 yrds. The zipper blew up and the suit peeled off of me exposing my shoulder to the track.
A friend of mine had an 80 mph lowside (80 is considered pretty slow in a race) and his top of the line, most expensive A*'s 1pc shredded ALL over and not even at the seams.
Take from that what you will :p
Oh.. and since my crash, i always wear http://www.highvelocitygear.com/productpages/theoriginal.html no matter what! Thats a Level 2 CE back protector for under 100 bucks :p
 
I didn't read all the posts however I'll add my own two cents. As a former sales person I can say that that guy was a real tool. As far as being a sales person goes, his hart was in the right place but his technique was amateur hour. As far as being an honest guy and helping you out he lost all credibility in your eyes buy his actions.

Sales 101: Up sell on the floor. Accessorize at the counter.....

You were at the cash register with money in hand and that guy tries to change your mind.

All that tool did was put you on the defensive and make you uncomfortable about your buying decision. Why should you have to justify your purchase at the counter? He should have been talking to you out on the floor where the product is. That was the time to talk product comparison and up sell.

If it was me you would have walked out with a brand new CG credit card, a Rossi rep. suit and a free bottle of leather conditioner. You would have been paying 39.95 a month for the next forty years and happy it wasn't fifty.

As far as FT vs. the higher priced suits, once you get above a certain minimum level I think you have to spend real money to see a significant jump in protection. Also keep in mind that if you plan on riding on the street almost any suit is a use once item. Nothing is going to burn your ass more then EMTs smirking at you while they carve your 2K custom suit off of your writhing body. In that situation a carved up FT becomes a conversation piece proudly stapled to the outside of your office cube proclaiming for all to see, "You may think you know me but you just don't know...."


PS. To the guy with the budget gloves...
You earn you money with those fingers, you write checks with those fingers, you BARF with those fingers, and most of all you jerk with those fingers. Life would be much less fun if you performed all those things with stubbies especially the last. Think about it.
 
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I think all suits should have an emergency exit, just like planes. Gives you a way to get out of your suit without cutting. :thumbup
 
I don't have a one piece, but I do have a FT jacket that I love. The quality is good, the leather is supple, and the soft armoring is in all the right places. The only thing I don't like is the backwards zipper. I can't get American made pants to zip to it. Why do the English do everything backward?

Money is an issue with me as well, but so are the looks of the gear. I was just looking at one piece leathers the other night. I was struck at how ridiculous most of the A* and Dianese leathers look. It's probably just me, but I really dislike the power ranger look. FT had a great all black suit, and their other suits had understated accents that didn't make the models look like wanna be superheroes. If it was me I would have gone with FT because I wouldn't have felt like a tool wearing the leathers during my daily commute. I really dig the Dianese products, but they should put together a line for folks who want to dress a bit more conservatively.
 
Burning1 said:
...most of the people buying Shoei X-Eleven helmets are buying them because they are the latest and greatest. I'm sure it's an amazing helmet, but I have a hard time believing that it provides twice the protection and comfort of a $300 helmet....
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I doubt it protects any better than the $300 helmet but out of half a dozen buckets out in my garage it's definitely the most quiet.
 
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