Some background. I learned to ride in the Piedmont of NC when I was young. I have since moved to the SE part of the state by the beach for work. It could not suck any more from a riding stand point. Flat, straight roads with potholes are the norm. Since moving here I keep telling my wife I am going west to the Little Switzerland area to ride, and she could not be more against it. Her fear is that I'll go off one of the many drop offs that aren't guarded by rails.

So this past weekend I'm talking about making that trip, and she up and tells me she is going to start buying me bike related gifts on b-day, Christmas, anniversary, etc, and start getting me ready for the track. I don't think I could have been happier with anything else she could have said. I just have to wait until I am fully prepared gear wise is the only catch. Probably spring or summer of 2011. She doesn't want me to rent stuff. Kinda alright since my current tires aren't too good for track conditions, and would likely not be approved by Corner Speed or Nesba. Gives me time to wear through them.

Anyway, to the questions.
1. I'm thinking a two piece suit because I want a new jacket anyway. Is there a lot of benefit(if any) to a one piece?
2. I've been looking at A* gear, but is there an equally good but cheaper brand for the suit, and also gloves and boots?
3. Anybody recommend a good bang for the buck track rated tire?
4. I'm about to get a GPR V1 off ebay I think. What setting is good for street riding, and what is good for the track?

Thanks in advance for all responses.

 

Are you planning on just doing track days or actually starting to race, get track bike, etc.?

Here's the Reader's Digest condensed answers.

1. For beginner and even intermediate trackdays, two piece, as long as it zips together is fine. Some trackday orgs require a full circumference zipper. Check with the group putting the trackday on. For racing, one piece may be required by the sanctioning group.
2. A* is fine in their two-piece line, you can find them on sale at pretty good prices. For a one-piece, there's better quality suits, but you'll not match the prices (sure, you can find cheaper, but not better). You want one that can last for years.
3. Being a Michelin fan, for trackdays, the Michelin 2CT or Pure is great, and works well on the street. You can find 2CT's on sale everywhere online now, $220 or so a set. Not what I'd recommend for Advanced level track use (Power One for that, which is not great on the street).
4. I use Scotts so I can't recommend settings; when you get your suspension set up at the track (usually a vendor there will do it for a nominal cost and it is HIGHLY recommended) they can also recommend settings for the GPR.

 

i didn't win the GPR. any reason you went with a Scotts? i've been researching, and haven't found anything saying one is better than the other.

i'm thinking just track days right now. we'll see how good I am to if I go further than that.

 

1 peice suits are better since they don't have the flaps at the waist that can get caught on stuff. I got a 2 piece for the exact same reasons you specified and I don't even use the jacket by itself now. I wish I got a 1 piece now. The thing is the 2 piece's jacket is shorter than a stand alone jacket and exposes your lower back while riding.

A good trackday/street tire is the Michelin Power Pilot 2CT's or new Power Pure's, Bridgestone BT-016's and Pirelli Corsa III's. They all offer great grip for a street tire. The bridestones tend to be a little cheaper than the michelins.

 

thanks BDT. a short jacket is something I didn't know about. what if i got an A* jacket that is able to zip into some of their pants though?

 

oh you so lucky to go to the track. one day I will go there!

 

I have the a*s GP Plus jacket and a*s track pants. There is about 4-5 inches of overlap once zipped together. My back is not exposed.

I prefer the two piece right now as I strictly ride street. If at some
point I start doing track days on a regular basis, then I would think about a one piece.

 

I have the A* TZ-1 that zips into the thier track pants. I've never had an issue with the back being too low and exposing anything while wearing just the jacket. the rear of the jacket is quite a bit longer than the front. But, its not considered a two piece suit, its considered a jacket with the ability to zip pants to it. I do know of actualy two piece suits that the jackets are shorter, which I think BDT is reffering too. But, the TZ-1 is a track legal jacket and pants that was designed to be used as a two piece, or just the jacket alone.

If you are only going to be doing a track day here and there, I would just get the two piece. It will give decent protection if you go down. The only issue I could see happening is if you slide on your stomach. the jacket could pull away from the pants and allow dirt and crap to get in. I don't think the jacket would pull up enough to expose any skin, as the jacket to pants zipper goes from side to side. I believe its considered a full perimeter zipper, even though it doesn't go all the way around.

Plus, I'm not sure of your body type, but I couldn't find a one piece that would fit me. My waste is small and my shoulders are wide. Any that fit me in the shoulders, flapped at the waste. If the fit my waste, I couldnt get my arms into it. With a two piece, you can mix the waste size to fit your upper body for a better fit.

For me, a good fitting two piece was better than an ill fitting one piece. Plus, Im not rich and didnt feel like wearing a one piece just cruising around.

A good less expensive brand I've used would be teknic. I've had several jackets over the years and they make a decent product. But, there are many out there that are good.

heres a website that has decent prices and lot to look at.
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok

 

i was going to do that justasquid, but got to shopping around and went another route. seemed the best price i was finding on putting together an A*s suit was 260 for a jacket and 400 for the pants. while looking that up i saw some A*s one piece suits for as low as 400 so thats obviously the cheaper and sounds like better option.

I also found a Scorpion Stinger jacket for 164 shipped, and purchased that for my street riding.