I should have asked this BEFORE i bought the gear ... but i'd like to know your opinions on gear made my Frank Thomas.

I went to Cyclegear, and couldn't find a jacket that was nice enough AND in my price range, then i saw a Frank Thomas leather/textile jacket marked down from $280 to $109 ... after trying it on, i liked it and got it. It is the Alex jacket i believe? Then i wanted some gloves, and i hear alot of crap about A*, and the sales person said the same thing and i found a nice pair of Frank Thomas gloves ... leather, carbon fiber, etc, so i picked those up.

Is Frank Thomas a good, reputable brand for street gear? Just curious what yu guys have to say about 'em .. Thanks

 

I was just wondering the same thing, since there is so much of it on the CycleGear site.

Looks like a smaller, boutique-style leather maker.

 

I checked out some Frank gloves at a local Cycle Gear and thought they're pretty aiite.

I like the quality. I'm all for quality not price.

Paul Frank gets my

Oops... are we talking about Frank Thomas?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Oops... are we talking about Frank Thomas?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Reading is fundamental.

 

I see a lot of guys wearing FT full suits for street and track day use.

 

A buddy of mine uses his Frank Thomas 1pc all the time when he rides (canyon, commute, track). He seems to really like it, especially at the price he got it for. But, a suit is only as good as its fitment. So I hope the suit fits you, since you already purchased it.

 

Frank Thomas, i have his autograph from like 10 years ago when i was collecting baseball cards...

 

No, its *****. Spend your money on a fitted set of leathers.

 

LOL<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProjectF4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Frank Thomas, i have his autograph from like 10 years ago when i was collecting baseball cards... </TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Frank thomas gear, great price for great gear. For the price, they can keep ya in one piece. Don't be fooled by the price.

 

its good stuff and very popular in the UK

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smokee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its good stuff and very popular in the UK</TD></TR></TABLE>

Go onto a racing grid and see how many people have confidence in it. Its worth spending the extra.

 

by that logic no one should wear two peice suits ever, only one peice, and we should never ride without our back protectors. also most of the helmets worn by proffesional racers are custom made for them, and are not even offered in product lines, so we cant even buy them anyway.

until there is actual standards and testing for motorcycle safety gear, what ricky racer is wearing is just anecdotal evidence. data &gt; branding, and there is no safety data on any of the gear we wear except dot/snell approved helmets.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smokee &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">by that logic no one should wear two peice suits ever, only one peice, and we should never ride without our back protectors. also most of the helmets worn by proffesional racers are custom made for them, and are not even offered in product lines, so we cant even buy them anyway.

until there is actual standards and testing for motorcycle safety gear, what ricky racer is wearing is just anecdotal evidence. data &gt; branding, and there is no safety data on any of the gear we wear except dot/snell approved helmets.</TD></TR></TABLE>

As someone who has crashed into a barrier hard enough to still have pain 4 months or so later it makes my cringe when people scoff at leathers. I never wore a back protector for about 6 races, I also never came off. Then one day a team mate hi-sided and came down on the base of his spine. The small tennis size lump grew into something the size of half a small melon then the skin coloured from yellow to purple. I will try to get the pics here if he still has them.

He was wearing his protector, next time out I used one. When I fell I had it and it saved my spine from major damage, along with my average leathers which as I was airbourne anyway had little to do.

Seams should be double stiched, the leather should be 2mm plus and they must fit. Helmets are readily available, do you think we all use lids that are fcatory build, no, I have three Arai's in the RIGHT SIZE, thats the key. Shoei dont fit me, the Qauntum shell does. Lids have markings and affiliations to racing orgs.

Next season I am getting new leathers, I am going to spend as much as I can on them and they will be full of armour, and have a back protector. It hurts hitting the road at speed, and I can assure you that the road outside the paddock fence is not softer than the track the other side.

Leathers are not allot of cash, about the same as most road heroes spend on a farty exhaust and power commander. Two piece are fine, if they are quality, and there is an easy way to tell. Go to the AMA website, get on the forum and ASK, if a club racer tells you they are good then they will be.

There is no excuse to not be protected but it is everyones right to look as cool as they want wearing whatever they want. The road isnt the 'sensible riding option' so kit up for it and if you are unlucky you may just live to fight another day.

 

ok well is it quality gear? It is definatly better than nothing. It has the elbow/forearm armor, shoulder armor, and has a pad on the back.

I'm sure there is way better, and way worse. I bought something that was within my budget, but still was what i thuoght a quality piece. "Looking cool" had nothing to do with my decision. Of course i wanted something that looked good or good colors, but i am happy in all aspects. I bought my bike, bought a quality KBC helmet, a good jacket, and some good gloves right away. I think it fits pretty good, looks good, and will definatly take a beating if i take a fall.

Sure it wont compare to alot of gear out there, but care to explain why it's ****?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Odiedogcx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok well is it quality gear? It is definatly better than nothing. It has the elbow/forearm armor, shoulder armor, and has a pad on the back.

I'm sure there is way better, and way worse. I bought something that was within my budget, but still was what i thuoght a quality piece. "Looking cool" had nothing to do with my decision. Of course i wanted something that looked good or good colors, but i am happy in all aspects. I bought my bike, bought a quality KBC helmet, a good jacket, and some good gloves right away. I think it fits pretty good, looks good, and will definatly take a beating if i take a fall.

Sure it wont compare to alot of gear out there, but care to explain why it's ****?</TD></TR></TABLE>

If it fits its a good start. I havent seen FT on the grid at all this year which is the acid test. Seriously go and take a look at some club race sites, i dont know...check out the AMA and tz250.com and the links and forums. RIDE magazine tests alot of stuff, maybe you should look at that and the domestic mags, Cycle World etc?

It is a budget thing, but from my personal experience with FT over here I didnt think they were up to much. I dont doubt that in a fall they would protect you if they have decent armour BUT will they need a repair afterwards?

If you want an opinion then I would go and get a measured suit, or if funds are tight and you have a 'regular' shape try the off the peg stuff from the same manufacturers. Classifieds may also throw up some deals. The suit I had this year was $700, it was legal enough, but lightweight, and if used again next year probably would be through. The new ones are in the range of $12-1500 and will last years, saving any massive offs. $400 for 'x' yrs extra, not worth trying to save money.

http://www.bksleather.co.uk/ride-review2.htm

BKS supply the Police over here and are built like tanks. Expensive $2000 or so for a suit and $400 for gloves but the thickest heaviest crashiest stuff out there. Crowtree are very popular, and crash nearly as well, plus they are way lighter.

Yer pays your money and takes yer choice.