Alpinestars gear

[cc123]

Is A-stars gear all its really cracked up to be? Is it that good?


J&S have a good deal going on a 2 piece suit (Sphere if your interested) and I might be tempted.

So far I've had 2 textile jackets. Bering - lasted well, great in 2 crashes! And a new Buffalo jacket - I like the pockets and warth you get with textile and it was fairly cheap too.

I also bought a cheap-ish Frank Thomas 1 piece suit 2+ years ago, wasn't overly impressed with it and the stitching came away too easy after a fairly low speed crash. It was also awkward when out on long runs, ie taking the top half off when it was toasty weather.


I want a 2 piece suit now (for track days too) but not sure if I should really be shelling out the cash or just buy a jacket to go with my IXS trousers and leave it be.

Who has Alpinestars leathers and should I go for them? Worth the cash?
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[Kiss_My_Rs]

IMO yes you should. Had a 2 piece suit for a year now and used it in all conditions. Its stood up suprisingly well.

Only problem i have with alipinstar is the boots. They do not last longer than a year before they need replacing

Other than that there gear is top notch.
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[yzf750r]

I had a Alpine Stars jacket that I only wore a few times - I sold it to Cannon on here. It was comfy but just perferred full leathers. Quality was good.

A few months back I can remember reading on VD about someone who had bought a Arai helmet from J&S - it broke after 6months and they took it back to J&S who said they wouldnt replace it - they then got in touch with Arai - who had said that the helmet isn't even available in the UK so there was no warrenty.

So j&s was selling imported goods - sticking the gold stickers - UK approved thingys - and flogging them but there is no comeback.

Dont know if I'd trust the shop.


Cant find the damn link.
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04 zx10r with mods - 187.4bhp at the wheel! :o

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I have an A-Stars 2 piece zip together suit at it's been brilliant. They do tend to be a bit tight around the chest though, especially if you wear a back protector, so I had my chest taken out by Hideout for £50.
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[Dazbo666]

The only a-Stars kit that I have is my SP1 gloves.
I've had them for about 2 years now, used daily for the past 8-10 months, and they still look almost like new.
Thankfully I haven't crash tested them, but I really can't fault 'em... they really do fit ike the proverbial glove
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[Captain Caveman]

Been wearing the gloves and jacket for a while with no problems

Sphere suit looks good, go-on you know you want it
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[cc123]

Never had a problem with anything I've got from J&S. Going to pop over today and try the suit on if they have one in stock, shame I've left my credit car at home though.

I should get a bloody store card with the amount of money J&S have taken from me, I'm keeping that place going.
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[Annabella]

[Chappy96]

I've used an Alpinestars 1-piece for over 4 years now, and done probably over 20,000 miles in it, numerous trackdays, and would definitely recommend them as a brand. Both the wife and myself have crash tested A* kit and all things taken into account, I reckon they stood up pretty well. I've even been out and bought a two piece from them.

When it comes to their gloves......I won't buy anyone elses' brand as A* fit sooooooo well!

[kawakid]

Gloves are okay.

But the velco went on my their boots after a year.
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[kawakid]

[Annabella]

[cc123]

No sphere suits in my outlet. BOO!

Tried on a few things with the A-Star's label and I have a problem. I'm somewhere in between a Euro 54-56 and neither size really fits all that well. I either need to lose a few pounds or gain some (should be easy!).

Also tried on some Spyke and Arlen Ness (Hmmmm nice) stuff but thats now starting to go out of my price range.
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[G]

I haven't used alpine star leathers, but have gloves and boots.

Quality hasn't been amazing, especially the stitching on the gloves.


They should be ok, but I wouldn't expect amazing leathers - fashion plays a big part in the A* brand.

Had you considered looking at getting a made to measure two piece suit?

You might be suprised at the price you can get these for and you get to choose your own aesthetic design as well as having it tailored to fit.

[cc123]

[ram_doom]

The trousers and boots have stood up fantastically to two fairly big offs, I'm still wearing them no holes or tears, just scuffs/abrasions.

The velcro on the boots is coming away in one or two places but can get it repaired by the cobbler.

Never crashed in my A stars jacket though (thankfully).
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TL1000s, KDX200

[G]

Not sure around your way. Closest one to you I did know about was crowtree, but got a feeling they stopped trading (they wanted a break rather than not making money I believe); niot sure though.

Think prices started at £475, but did move up a bit as you added armour etc.

The leather repairer that helps me out for the racing said "some of these italian brands I wouldn't wear on a night out, nevermind riding a motorbike" - to be fair they generally seem to handle a single moderately nasty crash ok, but usually need a lot of work after to use again - while a decent make like crowtree you can probably have quite a few moderately nasty crashes in before you need to even consider getting 'em patched up etc.

And the fact that a fashionable brand often splits seams etc in a moderately nasty crash would leave me a bit worried if you had a really nasty crash.
The bit holding the trousers and jacket in my Dianese two piece came apart when rolling down the road at around 60, as did the seams on a leg and hip.

[ram_doom]

I'll get pictures of the damage to my a* pants and then you can judge robustness yourself G
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TL1000s, KDX200

[G]

What do you define as 'fairly big'?

[edit, in relation to a crash, before you get any ideas ]

[mod661]

I like A-Star stuff I've got the T-Stunt 2 textile jacket, and then 2 piece leathers.

I really like both. Stitching is good, they fit well and are well layered with protection. Well worth the money I think.
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Nick - 56 R6 in Red/White

[cc123]

Just had my IXS trousers repaired and the owman doing it says they have skimped on the stitching around certain parts where it should be double not single seams. All double stitched now.

Looking at the Astars stuff it does seem high quality gear but I just can't seem to find a size to fit properly.

Heard of Crowtree before but £475 is going over my budget really.
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[sagalout]

They never do all that well in the magazine tests - usually out performed by Heine Gerricke stuff, but I dont know how representative that is of a real crash.

[dainesefreak]

I've not been overly impressed by the Alpinestars kit I've owned. I found my 1pce suit to be a very odd fit, really bag arse when off the bike and my SMX boots split along the toe in a 30 mph crash.

I'd agree with sagalout and have a look at some of the Hein Gericke stuff.

[ram_doom]

[trevoriv]

My alpinestars one peice feels quality compared to everything else i have owned.

Even though my frank thomas two peice claims to be the same thickness leather you can really feel the difference.

No complaints about my a*'s gloves either, the quality of the leather feels far superior to the £30 spada ones i have.


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