First Time Track Gear Suggestions (Boots)

Welcome! Track Days Rock :rawk:
You got the right idea. This is what I started with:
2 piece used leather suit
SP-8 A* gloves
Sidi Cobra Air boots, still wear these- I love them
Scorpion 400-EXo helmet
Save your money for when suits go on sale, or a rider posts up one.

 

Have you ever ridden on a track before? Check out the ride right program. If you win , the suit rental is free. My advice for the boots and gloves is to go try them on first if available. Plenty of great folks to also let you borrow boots or gloves for your first time out.

 

I was in the same situation last spring. I thought about renting leathers at first, but I figured I was going to keep doing track days so I might as well buy a suit upfront. Get a back protector. I bought one before my first track day.

Can you adjust your shift lever? What kind of bike?

Boots aren't going to be very comfortable to walk in, but as long as they are comfortable riding in it isn't a problem. I take off my boots and my leathers between sessions. Don't get touring/street boots, get proper race/track boots.

 

A star smx plus boots have treated me well. Two crashes, 10 years old and still kicking.

 

Sidi Cobra for boots are great. The trick with all gear is to wear them around the house for awhile to break in.

 

Supertech R . #1


Rocket 46

 

Most important part of your gear is a Chest and Torso protector IMO....Too many ppeople overlook this when getting gear.. Do a search for Forcefield Armor...It can save your life....

 

Try the WERA Classifieds here http://weraclassifieds.com/?s=What+are+you+looking+for?&sa=search&scat=5

It would appear that you're in Michigan.
I'd highly recommend driving over to SportbikeTrackgear to try on suits, boots etc.
Tell them your a newbee track rider and they'll help you out. I'd try to go on a weekday if possible Saturdays can get very busy.

SportbikeTrackgear http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Page.bok?template=Contact+Us

Also give us an idea of your size and a location. Stt riders and staff are very helpful and we might be able to find loaner gear for you.
For example I bring a full set of spare gear with me to the track and have loaned it out before.

See ya at the track.
Steve

 

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the major brands but I'd estimate that near 50% of the advanced riders/coaches/racers wear alpinestars. Either the Alpinestars SMX Plus or the Alpinestars Supertech R. I wear the Alpinestars SMX Plus and love them. Bought them slightly used for $200 and have been using them for at least 4 years.

 

I rode there in my leathers for their open house in the spring to try on back protectors and gloves. After trying everything on, I ended up buying different stuff from what I planned on getting, so I'm glad I tried everything on first. Back protector and gloves were both Knox, and I've been happy with them.

I bought new Axo Aragon boots from someone on this forum, I think. I like them because the lacing system helps them fit properly on my skinny ankles, but they can be a pain to get off. I think the laces on one boot don't open all the way. I had to replace the plastic toe sliders with titanium ones, but that's the fault of my foot peg or toe position, not the boots.

 

You can track the 650. I rode my street SV650 at the track last year. I figured the gear was expensive enough. Waited until now to buy a race-prepped dedicated track bike. Maybe next year I'll get a generator and tire warmers.

 

The advice to drive to Sportbike Track Gear is a good suggestion. It's quite rare to be able to try on multiple brands and sizes of racetrack apparel like you were at a sporting goods store. You'll get the best fit and save yourself a lot of frustration.

(Take this next bit with a grain of salt. I'm a racetrack riding lifer. I find economy in buying things that will last, even if they initially cost more.) My boot suggestion is the Sidi Vortice or Vortice Air. Its unique design and ratcheting adjusters make it the best fitting, most protective boot on the market. A huge bonus is that the boot is 100% rebuildable. Every bit of armor, all the adjusters and believe it or not, even the sole under the ball of your foot can be easily and inexpensively replaced. Crash damage and wear no longer have to mean the end of a set of boots. Over the past several seasons, the entire TrackdayMag.com crew has switched to the Vortice line. They're initially quite expensive but if you stick around long enough to ruin two pairs of lesser footwear, your Sidis become free at that point.

 

This response is from the folks at Motonation, Sidi's American importer.

"The Fusion is Sidi’s entry level boot and riding track days is not an entry level activity….so, I’d say at the least he should consider the Sidi Cobra, it has more protection and is equal to most other brands high end boot but at a reasonable price."

 

Sidi Vertigo's used on WERA Classifieds, size 46 (11-11.5)

http://weraclassifieds.com/ads/sidi-vertigo/

 

Those r junk. I had a pair and crashed twice with those boots and both times I broke a bone in my ankle . After the 2nd crash got Supertech R from STG. And I crashed again, nasty high side and new boots did a lot better job.


Rocket 46

 

Buy the best boots you can afford. I started with very cheap boots and by the end of the day my feet were killing me. I bought a pair of A Stars Supertechs from STG and they are great. Feet / ankles no longer hurt after a day of riding. I can't speak to the crash worthiness of them but they seem to be well armored.

 

The Supertech R's are the best boots you can buy. Super comfy and great ankle support. I won't wear any other boot.