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Looking to do track day. Need help on boots

4237 Views 49 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  Aubrey, 
Texas636
Hey everyone. I'm wanting to do a couple track days this year at Hallett in Jennings, OK. Would be my first track day. It's about an hour away.

I just got a new Alpinestarts TG-P Air Plus Jacket for my birthday from my fiance. It's the black/white/hi-viz yellow one. I love it. I just got in an Alpinestars Nucleon KR-2 Level 2 back protector. HUGE difference from the crap thin foam that was in the back. The chest has the same foam so I'll be upgrading it.

Hallett rents out suits for $50, but not boots. They require gauntlet style gloves, which I just picked up a pair of Taichi GPX gloves. Tried all of them on from Dainese to Alpinestars, even the $300 ones, and these fit the best. I was surprised. They don't rent boots out. So I think I will be forced to purchase some boots first before I buy pants. I know that a one piece is more preferred on the track than a 2 piece. I'd like to get some pants that will tie in with my jacket. Guess I will conquer the pants thing later.

I'd like to find some boots that fit me well, but also match my jacket. I don't have a store I can go look at any as I'm in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma. I got my jacket and gloves from a store in Dallas. I checked out their boots for a few minutes. Really like the Alpinestars ones. I'll just have to buy my boots kinda blind with size and fitment.

I don't have much money to spend. I just got laid off from my Sales Manager job. Next track day is coming up in a few weeks.

Here's the jacket.

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spiderman636
I strongly advise against buying brand new gear. You can find worthy gear used sometimes not even crashed for a fraction of the cost. If you don't have much money to spend I wouldn't go trying to get the most styling gear either. Black boots match everything. I'd also say rent the suit. I personally wouldn't trust a 2 piece of the track.

What size are you some of us gear whores have accumulated lots of spare gear and like to help out fellow riders with cheap prices occasionally.
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E
Also second rent 1-piece > buy two piece.

Budget?

I have used these Cortech Latigo Air RR Boots - Sport Bike Track Gear on the street. I crash tested them once, but there was nothing in that which actually touched the boots. They were comfortable not bad on price, and filled my safe enough criteria. Gave them to a buddy when I upgraded.

One day I decided I deserved these Alpinestars Supertech R Boots Vented - Sport Bike Track Gear they are worth every penny. I have not crash tested them, but I've put ~5,000 miles on them and am currently using them for about 1,000-1,200 miles a month. They show little wear, and are extremely comfortable. Putting them on is... A process, and these things were not made for walking, but on the bike they are sublime. Some dude had a set in the classifieds.

Either are great for what they are.

Ey3
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XPyrion
I like Alpinestars. I started track days with the basic S-MX 5. Lowsided once in the dry and once in the wet and they held up just fine. I now have the S-MX Plus and they are very comfy. I have not crash tested them and hope not to, just like the last pair...
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russperry
I ride with Sidi ST Air on the track. Unfortunately have hit the pavement twice wearing them so I can attest to their durability. They're something like $400 so would recommend you look for them 2nd hand if possible to find them more affordable.

They feel great and give me confidence that my dogs are protected.
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J
If on a budget I would check out the cortex Latigo. I have them roughly have 4k on them and they are holding up pretty well. I have crash tested them in a 50 mph low slide they held up amazing just a few scratches. One day when I get the coin the super tech r will be my boot of choice.
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Go to Cycle Gear the week before the track day, buy the Built riding gear, then if you don't crash, return it the next week, LOL!!!!!!!
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spiderman636
196paul said:
Go to Cycle Gear the week before the track day, buy the Built riding gear, then if you don't crash, return it the next week, LOL!!!!!!!
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And if you do crash suffer unnecessary injuries from having really shitty gear. The bilt gear is really really bad. Had you said sedici I would be OK. That's got much more protection than the bilt stuff.
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I'm in Sedici for boots, suit and gloves. It's decent enough gear so yeah, buy that instead of bilt. It was actually meant as a joke but it is possible to do since Cycle Gear is the Walmart of cycles stuff.
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Foster
I would also advise on renting a suit. Since the 2 pieces don't have the stretch panel, I've heard people say the collar chokes them in full tuck.

For boots, I use Smx-6's. They are very comfy.
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moto82199
I have a pair of used boots, worn 2 or 3 times last year. I believe they are size 10.5 or 11. They are Vega Sport 2. Decent boot but wife bought me a new pair of Sidi boots for xmas. If you want them id sell them to a member for $50. Think they are around $140 new. If that's too much I can go cheaper to help out a member
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RedAndBlack
Look for close outs. A lot of times, there big companies are getting rid of name brand boots because they are last years model for cheap prices. I got alpinestars SMX plus boots for $220 that way.

Don't skimp on gear. Get shit with impact protection. Trust me. Besides the freak accidents, everybody I know with good quality gear walks away unscathed or maybe with a broken collarbone at the worst. Knee pucks, elbow protection, back protection, shoulder protection. All saves from serious injury.
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subiedude09
I've had my eye's on smx5 boots from Alpinestars for a while now. Im going to be using them for mostly street, but do plan on trying a track event this year. I dont have a review for you, but felt like sharing. check em out, they're a realy nice boot.
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PainfullySlo
What shoe size do you wear?
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Schooley
$4600 spent on your bike and no decent gear purchased??

Everyone so far has solid advice, wera classifieds/craigslist/ebay for used gear that's usually in good shape. Stay away from cyclegear because most times you will spend more than what you can buy online at revzilla/sportbiketrackgear. Only thing I would use a cyclegear for now is trying stuff on before purchasing online.
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roflmawafl
Sorry for noob question, but why are 1 piece suits preferred so much more over the 2 piece suits? Is it just because the zipper causes a weak point that can break so you still end up with road rash? Thanks.


And on topic, I'd definitely say search for lightly used hear before buying new.
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Texas636
moto82199 said:
I have a pair of used boots, worn 2 or 3 times last year. I believe they are size 10.5 or 11. They are Vega Sport 2. Decent boot but wife bought me a new pair of Sidi boots for xmas. If you want them id sell them to a member for $50. Think they are around $140 new. If that's too much I can go cheaper to help out a member
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Possibly interested. PM me some pictures. I wear a shoe size of 10.

PainfullySlo said:
What shoe size do you wear?
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US 10

Schooley said:
$4600 spent on your bike and no decent gear purchased??

Everyone so far has solid advice, wera classifieds/craigslist/ebay for used gear that's usually in good shape. Stay away from cyclegear because most times you will spend more than what you can buy online at revzilla/sportbiketrackgear. Only thing I would use a cyclegear for now is trying stuff on before purchasing online.
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Um, I do have decent gear thank you. I have an Alpinestars jacket, Speed & Strength Jacket, Taichi GPX Gloves, Speed & Strength Gloves, Alpinestars Nucleon KRi-2 CE Rated Level 2 Back Protector, 5 helmets and Speed & Strength Kevlar Jeans. I think I'm doing fine on gear, just not enough for the track, because I haven't done a track day yet. Don't spout off about me not having gear. I gear up more than anyone else who rides in the town I am in. I'm always bitchin at people for not wearing gear. I'm covered as much as you can get on the street without wearing a kangaroo suit

Yes, I plan on purchasing my items from Revzilla as I have always done. I like getting cash back in Zilla Bucks. If I find something cheaper online, then I go for it. I won't go somewhere else over $5-$10 or anything though.

And yeah yeah yeah. It was in the moment kind of thing with my Alpinestars jacket. My fiance got it for me, snuck it behind the register, rang it up, paid for it. The employee just handed it to me and said congratulations.

roflmawafl said:
Sorry for noob question, but why are 1 piece suits preferred so much more over the 2 piece suits? Is it just because the zipper causes a weak point that can break so you still end up with road rash? Thanks.


And on topic, I'd definitely say search for lightly used hear before buying new.
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Because there is only one zipper that goes across your lower back that keeps your pants and jackets together. It's the weakest point in the system. Often times, such as in lowsides, the back bottom piece of your jacket will ride up towards your shoulders; giving you some hard road rash, if not worse.
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I've made some jokes on this post but seriously, do go to Cycle Gear and try things on. It will at least give you a target for what size you need.
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Texas636
Thank you everyone for the advice and pointing me to the right directions. Maybe a pair of used $50 ones that were are on sale for $109.99, might be the way to go. For $60 more, I can have me a brand new set and I don't like them, then I can just send them back. Can't do that with a used pair.. well maybe... But either way, I'm interested in them. PM pictures
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guruvu
Might also help to shop around on other motorcycle forums like r6-forum.com, r1-forum.com, 600rr.net, 1000rr.net, etc...I've owned all of those bikes and then some but now I am on a Kawi but I still frequent those pages for good deals. Recently picked up LNIB Knox Handroid gloves for $130 shipped on r6 forum.
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