Moto-Brian

There are ex-professional racers on here... and Drew never got any tax returns for racing so, he ain't pro. Not a bash, just sayin'... As far as track talk, the idea is that the track combines a lot of things that allow these bikes to perform and show their abilities. Think Streets of Willow or Willow Springs when they test cars. The idea is that it is safer to test and stretch the abilities than on the street. Hell, they test them at the drag strip for 1/4 times which proves nothing in the real world... The thing with the dyno figures is that it depends on the dyno and the time and other things you mentioned. The numbers look a bit weak, but it could have been a number of reasons... Of course, not knowing what they did in terms of adding a Bazaaz, PC V, etc., if they just bolted on a pipe/system and got almost 10 hp, that's pretty damn good...

Better than many implies many suits out there. You don't say better than many entry to mid level suits. You say many suits... You need to be less vague and thus, some of my issues with your advertising. The company I work for tells people who we compete with and what suits we compete against. We are not vague and we do not issue vague statements... We can do that if you want, but that's not many of the suits out there... Many are average $700 and above. The entry level and mid level suits are not going to be targeting racers and aggressive track day riders. Are they calling it elasticized panels due to not using Schoeller product or like you guys where they are not paying to use their name, but using the product and not using the badges? I am not sure what materials they are using... I also know that Fieldsheer will use taped seams internally. I came from product development ties with Fieldsheer YEARS ago (so take that with a grain of salt) and they taped their seams. That adds strength and allows for less stitching to be used... I do not know that for sure with what they use now... I'd have to see the seam in which you refer to. I can go look at a shop next week to see and even snap some pics... I will take a look and get back on this... The thing is that they are able to verify QC and oversee production. You never say it in writing or typed form that you cannot, but you have yet to go to Pakistan and oversee production and oversee the leather process, correct? Are they curing the leather with urine as typically seen in many Pakistan based leather factories? One reason why there is a certain "smell" to the leathers from some Pakistan based factories. Can you verify the leather at all? The thing is that these companies may cut corners on seams and materials and I wouldn't recommend an entry level or even a lot of mid level suits to guys on the WERA board or even aggressive track day riders... It's a moot point in you trying to argue concerning that... I wouldn't recommend the base model Fieldsheer, the entry level Teknic, etc... Why? Because you are right. They sometimes lack proper seam construction. They have seams exposed in areas of impact and are prone to being ripped and exposed too much in a crash... My overall point is that you are now saying things that make sense. Your Spartan suits are competing against $595-$699 suits. That's fair enough. For $100-$200 less, you can get something a little more custom and with better service by yourself, etc. But to use the word "many" is like when you stated that a majority of suits are made in Pakistan. Even though I stated it was not true, you waited until Brian Van from STG stated the same thing. But that's the thing. Because you cannot or will not, you cannot expect people to think that's fine. If you cannot go over and overview production or overview the leather process, you are simply guessing or trying to convince people to take your word for it. Other companies go over regularly and check things out. When the 2009 stuff comes out for most companies (usually around September or later in 2008), those companies have already developed and set into motion their 2010 product line. They are usually 2 years ahead in terms of product. They make numerous trips to factories for fabrics, for tooling, for production information, etc. You do not do that. Not saying you are lying or telling falsehoods. Just simply saying you cannot verify things and give a 100% factual scope of what is actually done... I cannot speak for BB, but I bet I can email him and ask and he can tell me. My guess is he has a leather supplier that is able to give him exacts on the leather he buys from them. I also know there are still some US based leather processing plants here. I almost bet he gets them from there, but I cannot confirm. I will ask next week and let you know.... I can send you a leather sample, but what will that prove? How can you prove that your leather is what it is and is processed the way you say it is? Most companies have that as proprietary in form and will not provide the samples, but you can buy them easily enough and go through the process. However, they can supply their sources and you can go there and verify the leather process at the factories like they do. Maybe you can source some leather on a trip there... As far as the abrasion test, how do you do that? what is the process you use? How do you rate in terms of the industry? Have you used other companies and their leather and did an exact comparison or do you test your leather and tell people you do? There's a standard used and there are only a handful of companies that do this under the set standards. Who do you use? You stated you use Schoeller's stuff, but that you do not use their tags. The reasoning I am sure is because you don't want to pay them for that tag as other people and companies do. However, because there are no tags, can you confirm that it is being used in the process at production? Since you don't go to the factory, are you basically taking the factory's word that they are using it and not a cheaper material? There are many companies that have similar material that is very much the same and tests out the same, but are cheaper. You do pay for that name, you know... "Better than many" is a quote. Above you stated that it is now just entry to mid-level. Is it most of those? Is AStar only one of the few that are better than yours? You say not as good as others... Does AStar fit into that "others"? Not busting your balls too much, but man, here's the drill. I am not worried about the leather as much as I am about the fact that you NEVER go to the factory, you NEVER go and verify the leather process, you NEVER go through and validate QC and how the suit is built at time of production. That's the thing. You are a good salesman, for sure and I appreciate you have something to offer the entry level guys. The thing is now that you have stated you compete with entry level and mid level suits, I am less upset. I think that's important and not deceiving... Good luck on your venture. Just be more up front with everyone. There's a LOT of "green" or inexperienced buyers out there that can easily think something is better than what they need...

Wow... Are those the Jessica Simpson replicas?

Very similar design and features as the Spartan and when you total up the costs, they are almost identical. Designs are VERY similar if not in some cases the same... I would probably wager a large sum of money they are the same factory pumping these out as Spartan. Goes to show that these aren't as direct as some people claim they are... Hmmmmmm...

Great. Now we get two for the price of one... Again, please tell me where I bash the suits. Your buddy Alex who I am sure cried and tattled to you to come on board implied what I stated to you that would happen. He implies that your suits are as good as more expensive suits on the market. You also still imply that on your site... Let's cut the shit and do something about it. Your buddy who does abrasion tests... Forget him. Let's send suits to RRW and have them do a shoot out. Let them get an expert to help them do the tests. Take a Taichi suit, a Dainese suit, an off the rack suit from SS, one from AStar, SHIFT, Hein Gerricke and yours. Let the expert in the field determine what the best suits are. Now, let's also ask them to compare a suit with the same basic visual features as your suit and compare them. Essentially, it would be $1000 +/- suit vs. your $475 suit. How's the SS suit at $799 compare? Things like that... What that would allow is a direct comparison and show everyone what it tests out as. Because the deal is that if you do that, you'll be comparing apples to apples and can then say or imply your suit is better than many of them out there... The issue will be that we will have to believe that you'll be noble and actually use a suit that is the same as what you sold a customer and not one that is custom built to have the best features and seams you can get for just the test... No way to really prove that, but we would have to take your word for it... Get on the line with JU at RRW and get it set up. The bottom line will be if anyone will actually sign up for the competition, but until they do, comments like "Better than many, but not as good as others." will be implying that "MANY" is exactly what it is saying. What are the "MANY" suits your suit is better than? Please explain because you have brain washed guys like Alex into thinking that the suit is better than AStar's suits, better than Hein Gericke suits mentioned here, better than SHIFT's suits, and better than MANY others out there. It's a play on words and I appreciate your marketing and salesmanship. However, as opposed to over at the WERA board where a lot of casual riders who buy your suits chime in and make it nearly impossible to remotely criticize someone they know, here we can talk out loud and make you prove your points. I have stated nothing but facts and use proper info to base my responses. You cannot provide true tests of the leathers at time of production nor here after the fact. Abrasion tests are not going to be the end all conclusion to what type or quality of leather you are using. Look, it is a $475 suit that is out there. It's great as I HAVE STATED OVER AND OVER AGAIN for those with a budget minded situation at hand and great for the track day guys who use the suits once in a while. Giving guys who are mini racers and CCS racers at the club level is great. However, why have you not called Alexa and asked for a quote you can use? That would really help you out and allow you to show that you DO have a suit better than many... Good luck. I am done. I was told by a good number of people to give up and drop it as it was fighting an uphill battle. I was even told by Alexa that it wasn't worth it to argue over there at WERA... She's a good source for those interested to ask what her opinion is of the suits. Just call her and ask how they would stack up against suits that are common at the track like AStar, SS, Hein, SHIFT, etc... She's pretty honest and she's had enough suits apart and worked on enough that she knows what she is talking about... Oh, I do work for a gear company and so, maybe Alex can now understand where I get my knowledge. I also know what it takes to get things produced and what our guys do like going to the actual plant to overview production. The fact that our company uses one of the top ranked factories in China for production. The fact that our guys go to Brazil and Argentina to evaluate and choose the leather they want to use. They also see the way the leather is processed and compiled... But, what do I know...? How many times has Dave been to Pakistan? How many times has he over viewed the leather process? How many times has he done QC at the point of production? These are legit questions as it is easy to get a completed product. VERY easy. But when the people that want to buy something and want to know why it is better than many, they deserve to hear from the "many" people as to what they do when they build their product. When someone says they are better, they should have to prove that... Haven't seen that yet. I'm cool with the Spartan suits. I have always been cool with them. You DO get what you pay for. It's like a Swiss built watch vs. a watch made in China. They look the same. They keep time almost the same, but the internal components are night and day. You pay for the components and the process by which it is built. Arai has a new ad campaign. "We know you wish an Arai cost less. It can't" Makes a lot of sense if you understand it. Some get it. Some don't...

Capability is a word that has different meanings. To some, it is the ability to go fast in a straight line. A lot of those guys use all the power of the bike in question. To some, it is the ability to ride the bike HARD in the twisties. How the bike lays power down and handles overall. To some, it is the ability to be able to ride two up and have enough power to do it well. 600s suck with riding two up all the time. 1000s and bikes like 14s, etc do this VERY well. To me it is a performance deal. Sorry Nick, I throw the 14s and Busas out of this even though I have seen guys ride Busas hard enough to embarrass a LOT of riders. To me, however, I can ride a 1000 faster and easier. That said, I look at things oftentimes on a track basis. I also look at street riding. I have enough experience in seeing this first hand and even due to the fact I ride a 190hp beast now vs. some bikes I have had before. 1000s are tough. They require a LOT to ride them hard. Anyone who says they can ride TO or BEYOND the capabilities of a liter bike is an idiot. I watch Haga ride liter bikes and make that thing do things that nobody else can make them do. I see Spies ride so damn smooth and know first hand that these 1000s aren't smooth at even the slower pace I ride them. It's a whole thing to me. Not just elements. Then again, we see kids come to the track with a liter bike they've had years of seat time on and they are so much better off on smaller bikes. These bikes are hard to ride hard in an overall sense. Hell, all these sport bikes are hard to ride at or even near their ability... Overall, if it fits the needs of what you are using it? It's perfect for you.

I say pick EVERY date. Oh, wait... I did...

No worries. Hell, I can ask him the best price. Maybe he can hook you up!

Just bustin your balls. All Kaws are supposed to be green, man... I hated it. We had to run Kaw green when we raced with them. We wanted to run red and black, but they wouldn't let us...

Freight charges are BS - they are built into true dealer cost. Dealers pay freight obviously, but it is rolled into their cost. They also have a hold back. HD is different and typically, there's not a lot of dealing that goes on. You want it or you don't. Metric dealers pull shit once in a while that makes it sound like they pay freight on top of dealer cost. It's rolled into it. $500 is TOTAL shit on at least the metric stuff. I can find out more via HD by calling a buddy who's a GM at a shop... I can find out if need be the real scoop...

I don't know... That looks too long for that bike to me. It might just be the pics, but it looks too long. Other than that, they are great. Prefer top mount like ohlins/Scott or GP, but those are good, too.

GET THAT BILL OF SALE!!! Also, get with Casper and get in touch with the sponsoring tow company...

That's a negative, Ghost Rider. Michelin doesn't at least in the tires that are commonly used right now.

You weren't serious, were you?

Dude, if you work at the Sheriff's office, can they do a lien on the bike? Meaning, as long as it is not considered stolen, etc., I would think that you could do something where it is "seized" and you buy it from the Sheriff for $1.00. They should be able to do something like a Mechanics Lien on it. Or, talk with a towing service and have them come and tow it to their shop. Let it sit for 30-60 days and pay them $50 for storage. Take the Mechanics Lien and get it transferred into your name... Otherwise, sell it on the WERA boards with a Bill of Sale only. Problem is going to be making sure you have a solid paper trail that shows it isn't stolen. If there's any way the kid can claim it is stolen, you could get hosed... If there's no way, sell it like I said or part it out. You'd get $1000 for the frame only and probably close to $1k for the motor...

No, you got the wrong group. "Male Whores" is down the hall to your left...

Lizard 1 has created a new social group called "Track Day Whores", with the following description: To join this group visit the social groups homepage where this new group will be listed.

He can't help it Todd... After all, he rides a Kawasaki in blue...

Actually all the dates are listed on the site. Fag. So, you were waxing me good when I had my 750, right? Hmmmmmmm??? Cream puff.

I gave you negative rep because I figured it was cool... BUT, I'm not a spineless pussy who is afraid to post their name after negative rep... I always sign or list my user name in the ones I do. Which is like a total of three now!!

Figure 8s are the same as riding around the track at a slower pace until heat gets into them. Really, you can accomplish more quicker by going out and riding normal and using brakes and accelerating than doing the parking lot deal. To each their own, but the thing is that you don't need to anymore. The release agent you speak of is pretty much not an issue anymore as the molds are high polished and allow for the tires to release easily. It's an old school mentality. However, if it makes you comfy, that's cool. Each of us do different things to make us feel comfortable. I just wanted to point out it isn't needed...

Doesn't do a thing. Weaving is a myth and does nothing for you. As stated before, it is about heat and while friction like weaving can help, it doesn't do it any quicker than if you brake and accerate... There's no more release agents being used really that needs to be "scuffed" off as it used to be. So, weaving = squid. Don't be a squid.

Three shells sizes... XL down to a LG will not work with pads... XS/SM same, MD/LG same, XL-2XL same... Anyone have any questions on Suomy, PM me for info. Been working close with Donnie for YEARS and know a good bit about these lids...

Yup... Nah, just kidding... I was with Hansens before they became Monster. They supported us for MANY years. So, I am just flying colors for some guys that are still in contact with us and help to an extent...

Thanks, guys. I'll post pics on the bike and review everyting once assembled. I really want to thank Paul (Attackpainter) for getting me what I was looking for. Going to look so damn good I might have to keep it off the track!! Nah.