Motorcycle Racing, Track Day & Riding School Blog

The suit I own is a non-perforated white suit, where the one I just ordered is a perforated black suit. Other than that, they are the same model in the same size from the same manufacturer, and will be identically personalized with my name and the logos of everyone who helped make it possible for me to feed my addiction. Yes, I’ve rationalized that one will be better in the cooler weather and the other better in the warmer weather. But the reality is that I just love looking at how beautifully they’re made, and how the leather smells and feels (Dainese’s “D” Skin is like no other!). Being in the business of selling motorcycle productive wear for the past two decades certainly makes it easier for me to both rationalize and feed my addiction to motorcycle stuff.

Sadly, I like other stuff as well, as not all of it is motorcycle related. According to Mommy Dearest, though, if not for my 40-year fascination for motorcycle stuff, I’d be living in a stone English Tudor on Philadelphia’s Main Line without a mortgage rather than a brick row home in the “hood,” with only half of it paid for. She’s absolutely right. But every morning, after I walk through a house filled with motorcycle racing memorabilia, including several dozen motorcycle racing books, motorcycle racing art, and motorcycle racing gear (probably six racing suits, several pairs of boots and gloves, and 29(!) helmets), I arrive at the bottom of the stairs to my basement on the way to my garage. I take an admiring look at the few bicycles there (all of which I built and are also products of my addiction to stuff, but I’m really probably just making sure they’re all still there...remember, I live in the “hood”), but then a much longer, and perhaps an even loving look at my race bike, which wears an amount of aftermarket stuff that cost me almost twice the list price of the bike itself. “Stuff” from companies like Ohlins, Marchesini, Brembo, Akrapovic, Attack, Harris, etc., all held together with Yoyodyne titanium fasteners just about everywhere.  

I always enjoy being asked by those at the racetrack who actually know what they’re looking at, how each and every modification to my current machine (and all of those that preceded it, each and every one enjoying the same amount of attention) has contributed to its performance. The reality is that (perhaps with the exception of the tires) none of the standard parts were ever factors in limiting the performance of the standard machine nearly as much as were my own personal limitations in the ability department. I could probably circle the track just as quickly without having added any of the “stuff.” But those long, loving looks that my girlfriend is so jealous of would no longer exist, and whatever I get from looking at things that I find so beautiful is, well...priceless.

Every so often a Nolan N104 Helmet comes along, it's not track legal, it's not race smart, it's not for what we do in full leather, but it does have a sweet enough line to it, that it just can't be ignored. Much like what we have now seen from Schubeth do taking the C3 into Schuberth S2 Helmet full-face territory, it would be nice to maybe see Nolan take the N104 modular and do the same. I'll be watching, what do you think?

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After a rough first day of testing (his back seized up before the first session) Cassey rounded the Sepang circuit on his Honda RC 213V in 2:00.895.  Besting Jorge Lorenzo's top time of 2:01.657 from day 1.  Ben Spies slotted in second with a time of 2:01.052.  Lorenzo dropped a few tenths to claim 3rd on day 2 followed by Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow rounding out the top 5.  Rossi dropped to 7th to 5th from day 1.  It is shaping up to be an interesting season.  Testing ends Thursday and is followed by another three-day session at Sepang starting February 28.   I look forward to seeing what the claiming rules teams will be doing once they come up to speed.

Santini

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The Dainese D-air Racing Suit is finally here.  More then 10 years in the making this suit represents a major leap forward in rider protection.  According to Dainese, the D-air system adds just 650 grams (1.43 lbs) to a standard suit and the high-pressure, five-liter bladder reportedly reduces impact forces by close to 85% compared to traditional armor. For example, a 23-24 kN force would be reduced to under 3 kN.  The concept of a motorcycle airbag has been around for quite some time and other versions have already been brought to market.  There are few major differences that separate the D-air Racing Suit from it’s competition.

First and foremost is the triggering mechanism.  Dainese’s system relies on a “Brain” that resides in the hump that consists of a global positioning sensor, a two-gigabyte internal memory, three gyroscopes, and three accelerometers, that are powered by a lithium polymer battery.  Other systems use a mechanical means of actuating the airbag via a tether from the rider to the bike.  Dainese deemed the tether system to be unreliable and cumbersome.  Especially in the event that a rider crashes and does not become detached from the bike.  The Dainese system is initiated by a complex algorithm that measures a highly-defined set of motions and forces to inflate the suit.  The airbag is said to be able to trigger in less than 15 milliseconds, deploy in 30 milliseconds and reaches full protection level within 80 milliseconds, essentially the blink of an eye.

One of the other differentiators, is having the air bag inflate inside of the suit as opposed the outside as seen in some of the early test videos and on competitors products.  This yields two benefits, primarily protecting the air bag from abrasion and damage as well as lessening the airbags chance of interfering with the riders ability to control the motorcycle.  

The D-air Racing suit also features a data acquisition system that can provide riders with valuable information on their track performance.

This is great offering from a company who has been at the forefront of rider safety since their inception and demonstrates a dedication to increasing our chances of walking away unscathed from a crash.  AMA Superbike race Blake Blake Young will be the first US rider to use the suit in the 2012 Superbike Championship.   We look forward seeing this technology trickle down for use by us mere mortals.

Santini

The following is from the press release issued by Dainese:

Dainese introduces D-air Racing in the USA

(Costa Mesa, CA). A crowd of journalists gathered at the D-Store Orange County for the 2012 Dainese and AGV collections preview. After ten years of reserach and development, the Italian manufacturer presented the D-air Racing suit: the First of its kind to be sold in the US.

This highly-anticipated Dainese D-air Racing suit will be available for purchase in the USA. This hightech suit operates as a protection device as well as an impressive track day tool. Developed on race racetracks with the help of top Dainese racers including Valentino Rossi, Stefan Bradl, Leon Haslam and Max Biaggi, the D-air Racing works in synergy with existing armour in race suits and gives airbag protection to shoulders and improves protection in the neck and upper chest area.

The electronic system identifies a fall or slide and immediately sends a trigger signal to the gas generator in the hump of the suit. This activates the internal airbag, which then inflates within 30 millieseconds. D-air Racing has a patented 3D airbag structure providing the rider with a controlled airbag expansion. It is the only airbag suit on the market that works wirelessly without any connection to a motorcycle.

Aside from the unique safety features, the D-air Racing suit is a track day enthusiast’s ideal tool for improvement. The system features data acquisition software developed by German company 2D (2d-datarecording), which supplies some of the top teams in MotoGP and F1. The software gives D-air users an effective source to monitor riding performance and record telemetry data, that can be downloaded and displayed on a computer. Extensive functions of the system include lap time data, GPS telemetry of the bike and diagrams in relation to time: assessment of braking spaces and lines through bends. Acceleration data is also available and the system is compatible with Google Earth and enables plotting of racing lines on a mini map.

The D-air Racing system passed all motorcycle personal protective equipment tests, not only for the current European standards but also for pre-standards, which will come into effect in the future. The D-air system is so innovative that the current standards were only partially able to meet the certification needs of an advanced system. TÜV SÜD were required to develop a new and more appropriate testing producer before submitting the D-air Racing system, which went far beyond the existing standards. D-air Racing is proud to be TÜV SÜD system certified.

During the presentation, Dainese delivered the first D-air Racing suit to Blake Young, AMA Superbike racer. He will be the First US rider to use the suit in the AMA Superbike Championship.

The suit can be custom made by size, colors, names and logos. The suit will be available for ordering starting from June 2012, with a starting cost of $3,999.

For more information please contact your authorized Dainese dealer. For a complete list of dealers D-air Racing certificated please stay tuned on Dainese.com.

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The Alpinestars Spring 2012 Collection is on its way and there are definitely a few standouts for the track.  Starting with the updated Alpinestars Race Replica Suit.  The new Alpinestars suit can be fitted with the Tech Air Airbag system and features updated stretch panels in shoulders and a revised perforation scheme for unsurpassed cooling.  The new design is very clean and on trend for the resurgence of high visibility colors seen in the Moto GP Paddock.  This is about as close as you can get to the suits worn by Stoner, Pedrosa, and Spies.

For those that prefer a two piece set up, the Alpinestars GP Tech Air Leather Jacket is going to be a killer top half to a track suit.  Massive amounts of perforation highlight this technical jacket as well as nicely integrated reflective stripes and external TPU shoulder and extended elbow protection that comes straight from the Race Replica Suit.  There is also a removable windbreaker vest liner for when the temperature drops.  This is the new top of the line jacket from Alpinestars for those who will except nothing less.

The SMX Plus Boots changed the game for sport riding boots in its price range last year and the addition of the Gore-Tex membrane will only further the popularity of this standout.  It will be nice to hit a rainy track day or damp weekend ride knowing that your feet will be protected as well as dry and comfortable.  The standout features of these boots are the Multi Link Control system, which protects the ankle from hypertorsion, hyperflexion and hyperextension while adding impact protection and a contoured EVA footbed that lends arch support and control feel in the forefoot but is also completely removable if you so choose. 

I cant wait to see this kit in person.

Santini

I had the opportunity to try out a lot of motorcycle gear this past season and wanted to share some of my favorites.  I have always worn Shoei helmets and have been very happy them.  I picked up a the new Bell RS-1 in April to see how it compared.  What I found was a very comfortable (for my slightly narrow head shape) fit with a nice finish and solid build quality.  The ventilation and visibility were great.  It's first trial on the track was on a rainy spring day at NJMP.  I found that fogging was not an issue, although traction was, but that is another story.  The liner is nice, although the micro fiber can feel a little clammy after a few sessions if it does not get a chance to dry out.  The face shield mechanism is second to none and makes shield changes effortless.  Of note, adding the Bell Transitions SolFX Photochromic Face Shield provides a nice balance of glare protection in overcast days where the sun comes out intermittently.  It also works great for commuting.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well the Transitions shield actually worked.  Aerodynamically the RS-1 functioned just as well on my Monster as it did on the track.  Moving on to other features, the MagnaFusion strap keeper is a nice touch, as is the shield lock on the left side that lifts the shield up a fraction for venting or locks the shield in place.  The only real negatives that I found were the detents on the vents, which do not have the same positive feel of those found on a Shoei or Arai helmet.  The other issue is a lack of compelling graphics.  I know that Bell can do better, hence the custom pinstripe job on my gloss black lid.  Overall, this is a great helmet and would be a recommend alternative to a Shoei RF-1100 or an Arai Vector 2.

The next item I tested out (really tested out) was the Forcefield Back Protector Pro Sub 4.  I have used quite a few back protectors in the past, starting with a 7 plate Teknic back protector in 99.  The Sub 4 is quantum leap in technolgy from that back protector and I found it to be form fitting as well as non restrictive.  It is definitely thicker than most other back protectors, so make that you have room for it.  I particularly like the concept of the repeat performance technology and knowing that it Sub 4 shows a mean test result of 3.38kn transmitted energy during the standard CE test for an EN1621-2 rating.  Making it the first motorcycle back protector in the world to attain this level of performance.  Back to the lack of traction comment from the RS-1 review.  I completed a few sessions without incident and I was starting to feel pretty confident in the Super Corsa Pro's ability to deal with the cold damp conditions.  It was the second to last lap of the fourth session in the chicane at NJMP when I found my self sliding on my back after the quick right left transition.  I was probably going only 45 mph or so and ended up sliding safely to a stop next to my bike in the grass.  I did a quick body check and found that I was all in one piece and that bike only had cosmetic damage.  The moral of the story is that DOT race tires are not rain tires, don't get cocky.  Consequently I was more sore from riding that day than my impact on the ground.  The Sub 4 did exactly what is was supposed to do and I feel that it is a worthy addition to your protective set up. 

Moving on.  It was time to change out my REV'IT GT-Corse gloves (which also fared very well in the lowside), so I upgraded to the REV'IT Jerez gloves.  The Jerez gloves represent a substantial amount of protection and have been validated numerous times by GP racer/ part time crasher Randy De Puniet who always seems to make it to the next race on the schedule.  All kidding aside, these have proven to be very comfortable and broke in quickly.  They have great feedback on the controls and have shown minimal signs of wear after a season of track days and street riding.  There really are not too many things to complain about except for maybe price, which I feel is justified for this level of glove. 

My 4 year old Sidi Vertigos took a couple of hits during the April crash and it was time to replace them anyway.  I had looked at the Sidi ST as a potential replacement and found that didn't fit quite right.  An associate of mine suggested trying a pair of Dainese boots.  After trying on a few pairs I selected the Dainese Torque Pro Outs.  These were like wearing a pair of protective slippers.  They were immediately comfortable and the rear entry system makes them easy to put on and take off.  On the bike they have pretty good feel, although I still prefer the sole on the Sidis.  The D-Axial ankle protection is well thought out and while I hope to never need it, it looks like it will minimize unwanted ankle movement in an off.  I feel that Dainese could improve their boots with the addition of replaceable hard parts like the higher end Sidi boots offer.  This would help to extend the use of the boot after a minor get off and I feel would add value.  If you are looking for new boots, these should be on your short list.

There is a lot great new gear that was just released and more on the horizon.  2012 is going to be another great year.  Stay tuned.

Sanrtini

Some of the most exciting racing series I can remember had many different types of machines pitted against one another all chasing the same prize: to be the fastest of them all. In days gone by, 1000cc Superbikes, 500cc Grand Prix bikes, factory four stroke F1 machines, and privateer machines utilizing heavily modified production engines in exotic chassis from frame specialists like Spondon, Bimota, Harris, and Nico Bakker, just to name a few, all on the same tracks at the same time, treating spectators with different looks, different sounds, and the different riding styles needed to suit the different personalities of such a wide array of machines. I loved it, and I believe the fans loved it as well. 

One of the complaints I hear from inside the GP community about the new rule centers around the simple fact that the full prototype machines will indeed be faster than their production based powered competitors, and that the slower machines will impede their speed as they begin to lap them late in each race. Bring it on! Lapped riders make racing more interesting and often help tighten up the field, so perhaps the days of two dozen parade laps will be gone and races will get more exciting in the final laps as the leaders need to slow and negotiate their way around slower riders without getting passed themselves, and allowing us to see them attempting to perfect the art of passing.

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Santini

This video is an homage to the motorcycle riders who competed in the 2011 Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

This video is also a celebration of Michael Rutter's 7th Historic win on the famous Guia street circuit, becoming the rider with the most wins in the race's 45 year old history.  Unfortunately he could also be the last.

Long-time bike race coordinator Mike Trimby has said this is his last Macau GP and the organizing committee will now have discussions about whether the two-wheeled part of the festival will continue.

This is well worth checking out.

Santini

The Ducati 1199 Panigale is in my mind one of the most anticipated motorcycle releases this year.  The all new superbike brings with it many technological firsts, including the first full-LED headlight on a motorcycle, the first electronically adjustable suspension on a sport bike, the first engine braking control system, as well as the first GPS-assisted data acquisition system for a production motorcycle (the DDA+ package is optional). 

In addition to all of the new electronic toys the 1199 is stated to have a dry weight of 361 lbs (22 lbs less than the 1198) and 195 peak horsepower.  I can't wait to take one out for a romp.

Santini