Race Suit Odd Size Advice

[koko64]

Hey Guys

I'm 5'8" and 200lbs. I have short limbs and a long waist. My issue is that years of weight training means I generally have to get Race Suits modified. My arms. chest, lats are on the large size for my height and my waist is reasonably slim. Dianese used to offer short versions of suits and my old suit was one of those.
Any tips on suit brands that may accommodate me?

[Howie]

Cu$tom?  https://shop.helimot.com/shopping/default.asp

[koko64]

Yike$! 

[koko64]

There's a guy 30 mins away that can customize, repair and modify suits. He uses cow, kangaroo and barramundi leathers. I may have to take my beat up old suit to him (again). He's "expanded" my suit twice already .

[Triple J]

Helimot is fantastic, but $$$. I wear their B-11 gloves. They are reasonable, and the best on the market IMO.

Custom alternatives that are more reasonable are Z-Custom (what I wear...mine was $1,600), and Pilot (what a lot of guys I race with wear...even cheaper I believe). NJK also do reasonably priced custom suits.

Custom is the way to go IMO...odd body size or not.

http://www.zcustom.com/
http://www.njkleathers.com/
http://pilotmotosport.com/evo_suits/

[Buckethead]

Quick search found these guys: http://www.spartanleathers.com/motorcycle-leathers

Custom sizes starting at $900, which isn't terrible.

And any brand that will use that picture of Rossi with the caption of "Would you jump at the chance to wear replica motorcycle leathers exactly like your favorite Pro racer?" gets at least a chuckle out of me.

[stopintime]

In some markets Dainese offers made-to-measurement suits - maybe a local dealer is approved as a measure-taker.

Besides that they still have long/short sized suits, at least the two piece Aspide.

[koko64]

Thanks fellas

[Howie]

My thinking is if you already own it altering is good.  If buying new go custom.  Here is another one  http://www.heroicracing.com/HEROIC-CUSTOM-SUITS-s/82.htm  Kangaroo from the US

[Triple J]

If you do go custom I think it is important to consider where the suit is made, which sometimes is hard to find out.

Not that good suits can't be made in some locations, but I do question the quality control that is available or employed when suits are made in certain locations, such as Pakistan (more common location than you'd think). I doubt the owners of the company make too many trips to their manufacturing facility in Pakistan, and since I'm trusting my skin to their product, I think that is important.

For instance...I believe Heroic suits are made in Pakistan, and I know that Ballistik are (which look just like the Heroics) -- both are US companies though. I race with a friend that bought a brand new Ballistik suit prior to the start of the  2013 season...by the end the year the stitching in the crotch was wearing out from rubbing against the tank. POS suit. I've never seen a Heroic suit in person though...they may be better as they get good reviews.

Dainese are typically made in Tunisia. While my Dainese did it's job in 2 separate low-side crashes, it required professional repairs after both in order to pass tech. inspection.

No idea where Alpinestars are made (probably Tunisia or somewhere similar), but I've seen their gloves come apart at the seams in relatively minor crashes, and their boots are notorious for coming apart just from use.

Big name racers wear these brands, but their suits are custom made by special departments. A* has a special factory in Italy for their sponsored riders. We don't get what the sponsored pros get.

Meanwhile, my Z-Custom has survived 2 low sides and is still in good shape with no repairs (almost done with my second season in it). My old Helimot gloves survived 3 low sides, and are still my back-up pair without ever being repaired. I've personally seen Vanson, Z-Custom (besides mine), and Helimot suits survive multiple crashes without needing repairs.

Vanson, Z-Custom, Zooni, Barnacle Bills, Helimot, NJK...all hand-made in the US with great reputations. There are probably hand-made suits in Australia as well. The WERA board is a good place to look into a brand's reputation...I did a bunch of research before settling on Z.

[ducpainter]

Heroic suits are indeed made in Pakistan.

A track buddy got in on a group buy and was pretty disappointed about that when he found out from Heroic themselves.

The suit seems to be fine.

[koko64]

My thinking is if you already own it altering is good.  If buying new go custom.  Here is another one  http://www.heroicracing.com/HEROIC-CUSTOM-SUITS-s/82.htm  Kangaroo from the US

Noticed too that there are suits with stingray skin in high abrasion areas. Mean as sharkshit!
Barramundi (tasty Aussie fish) leather is also being used in areas of suits.
Imagine a sharkskin suit! Watchout mothermake the beast with two backser, I'm behind you!

[Buckethead]

Imagine a sharkskin suit! Watchout mothermake the beast with two backser, I'm behind you!

Such abominations exist.

I've heard they're popular among coastal New Jersey-ites.

[koko64]

 

[Speeddog]

That dude is not from coastal New Jersey.