AStars Carver Suit

[JonKerr]

So most of you guys know that I've been on a major weight loss journey over the last 6 months. So far I'm at just under 40lbs. The big negative to this is that my leathers are freaking huge on me lol. Seriously I'm swimming in them. So once I get another 9lbs off and get to my goal weight of 199 lbs (I just want to be out of the 200's for the first time in almost 10 years) I'm going to treat myself to a new suit. So I've been looking around to see what the best suit is going to be for me for what I do. (Aggressive canyon carving and occasional track days.) I don't want a full on track suit with massive pre-curve that's going to be completely uncomfortable when I'm hanging out with friends on rides when we're stopped, or hanging out in the pits between sessions on track days. One of the other things I really dislike about my current suit is that the lower leg cuffs are a little big and have to fold over under the boots, which can be really uncomfortable. So after a lot of searching, I think I found the best suit for me. The Alpinestars Carver. It's a new suit for them. I went and tried on one of AStars other suits , the Tech 1-R, today after work (they didn't have the Carver in stock) to get an idea of sizing. My current suit is a US52. I tried on a 48 in the Tech 1-R, which is a much more pre-curved and slim fitting race suit. It was a bit too snug right now with it's slimmer fit plus I'll have lost a few more pounds before I get the new suit. So I think that'll be the perfect size for me. One of the biggest things that I'm excited about with this suit is the lower leg cuff. It's been cut a little shorter, more tapered, and uses a thinner mesh material so it doesn't bunch up under the boots as much.

I'm most likely going to get the Black/red/white suit. But for some reason, the black/red/white/yellow one has caught my eye. Something about the contrast of that yellow on the suit just looks nice. Probably would go that way if it were more just a track suit.

I should be getting it in the next 2 months. I probably could get it now and fit it just fine and break it in. But I want to make it something to work for. I'll do a full review once I do get it.

 

[lwclancers]

First, well done The battle is tough and its very rewarding to work that hard! Trust me, I know...Ive dropped from 225 to 164 over the last 3 years. Ive gone from XXL shirts to sometimes S shirts. I like you have had to sell leathers twice now because overly large leathers are just huge.

I like both the suit colors! Obviously with my bike everything I get is white/red/black. The yellow contrast is nice, and is a nice safety touch. I wouldnt be able to get it cause the yellow would clash with my gold rims haha.

Not the thread hijack, but ill probably treat myself to a new piece of gear this summer, I really like the new ICON Stryker Driver vest...red/black/white

 

[JonKerr]

Thanks. Overall I'm actually down a lot more than what I've lost the last 6 months. At my biggest about 9 years ago I went from 170, cut, working out 5 days a week and riding my mountain bike 30 miles a week, to 275 and barely able to get off the couch in 14 months. (Rampant thyroid disease that went undiagnosed and almost killed me, literally) So I'm down a total of 68lbs. But after I got the thyroid stuff dealt with and lost the first 20lbs, I've yoyo'd between 235 and 255 for years. About 6 months ago I got some bad news from my doctor, all the issues weight related, and decided to make a major change.

As far as the suit goes, there's some good reviews on this suit. Sportbike track gear does a really good one, as well as Revzilla.

Alpinestars Carver Race Suit Review from SportbikeTrackGear.com - YouTube

Alpinestars Carver Race Suit Review at RevZilla.com - YouTube

 

[applejax]

I like that black/red/white combo.

Hard to judge when you can't see it in person, cause that yellow one might look 1000 times better in person than on this phone.

 

[Detrich]

great job... have only heard great things about the carver suit. the neon accents remind me of rossi and simoncelli styles and stand-out more. the white/ black/ red looks like it would match your black/ red bike better. but, i guess u have to try it on or mock-up some photos of the suit next to your bike to see how the colors blend.

 

[JonKerr]

Yeah I've seen the yellow in person. It is more of a florescent yellow. Very Rossi-ish. I do think the black/red/white goes better with the bike and I'm 95% sure that's what I'll get. But something about that little bit of contrasting color is appealing. I was actually considering getting a set of neon yellow knee pucks when I wear the ones out I'm using now. But I don't think I'm going to need to replace anything until I get this new suit.

 

[Detrich]

LOL... Hmm Maybe get a Rossi (bright) helmet on close out & some Rossi (neon) gloves? That way you can change up the look once in a while without being permanently committed to it...

That's sorta what I do with the Continents helmet. I usually wear my blue HJC.

 

[JSP]

Great job on the weight loss man!

Im not diggin the yellow at all. Just does not fit at all with the suit and dont think it will fit at all with your bike either. I say get it without. IMO.

 

[JonKerr]

So I'm getting ready to order my suit in the next week or so and I'm kind of throwing what colors to get back and forth. The one with the yellow is out. The all black is out. So it's down to the black/white/red or just black/white. I really like the look of the red with my bike. But if I end up in the next 1-2 years getting a new bike, it'll most likely be the Ninja1000 and will very likely be the green one. (I just don't like the red they use on that bike) So I'm really leaning toward the straight black and white. Do you guys think if I were to get the one with red in it, it would look stupid on a green Ninja down the road?

This is the black and white.

This is the one with red:

And this is the bike I'm considering down the road.

There's just something about the red on the Ninja that I don't like. Maybe the metallic dark look that I'm not digging.

 

[bmw675]

I don't think there is enought red in there to "clash" with a different color bike. I actually like the black/white/red combo, i think the red piping makes for a nice accent.

 

[madmike]

Sexay.





.......

 

[Gilbuddy]

I like the red trim, but not with the green ninja. However, I think the black and white suit looks just as good, so it would be an easy decision for me!

 

[Fizzer6R]

i like the one with red more, the accents make it stand out and highlight the suit nice. i wouldn't worry about wearing it on a black/green bike. heck look at motogp or any races, they wear all kindsa color leathers on 2-3 tone bikes.

besides, when i meet new people and we start talking bikes, they usually ask oh do you have a matching motorcycle suit you wear? - i always reply it doesn't match but i'm always going so fast you can't tell anyway my dirtbike pants are very comfy and sometimes i put em on to take a quick spin, blue on a black/red ninja must look icky going down the road but i don't care

PS congrats on the weight loss, been there, like you said, being under the 200 mark is a nice goal to maintain

 

[JonKerr]

I do like the red much more. And I guess it's not really that big of a deal if I end up on a different bike. I guess it's kind of dumb to not get what I really like because I might end up with a different bike in a couple of years. Maybe by then they'll have an all black or better black and red. I think I'll stick with the black/white/red. Now just need to find my size in stock somewhere that has the back and check protectors I was to get for it in stock too. STG has everything but the suit in stock. lol. I just emailed them to see when they'll be getting it back in. I really like their videos they do and would like to throw them the business since I've used their videos to decide on quite a few other purchases but haven't bought anything from them.

 

[Detrich]

saw a guy wearing a white alpine stars sp1 suit on an all-black sport bike. it looked like he was wearing PJ's, for some odd reason... my vote is for the black/ white/ red suit combo.

as far as bikes down the road, it's hard to predict this far right? personally, imo, someone needs to tell kawasaki that neon green saw its day in the sun back in 1987... not that it can't look good. but, it's just such a dated-looking color to me. the black & red looks so much more contemporary, imo.

but, again- beauty is in the eye of the beholder. only u can decide what's best for you

 

[JonKerr]

Suit has been ordered as well as the Bionic Race Back Protector and the Bionic chest inserts. Got an incredible deal from Riders Discount. I also ordered the Knox Handroid gloves. (Got those from Sportbike Track Gear.) I've actually lost enough weight that my hands have gotten smaller and my XL Teknic gloves are too big now too. Should be in on Friday. I'll post up some pics when I get it in.

 

[Detrich]

congrats on the new gear always exciting...

i've been wearing the handroids for about 2 seasons now. they do take a little bit longer to break in than other race gloves. but once broken-in they're very soft and comfortable to me. that being said, i have heard some complaints on the r6 forum that they still feel kinda rigid after break-in. but, i don't really think so. in addition, knox has some really good motogp crash test results with the handroids- in addition to crash test data collected by SBTG... the handroids are proven to work.

 

[JonKerr]

Look at what Mr. FedEx dropped off for me today.

Didn't get the suit yet. Supposed to be in tomorrow (if FedEx delivers on Saturday that is. ) I'll save a full write up for after I get a bunch of miles on the gloves. But first impressions:

-Much softer and more flexible right out of the package than I expected. Very soft leather (especially the kangaroo palms)

-Fit is perfect for me. Good and snug but not tight.

-The materials used and construction makes me think they may actually be made by Teknic. I have the Teknic Xcelerator gloves now (they're great and still in good shape after 8 months, just too big now) which have the Knox licensed SPS sliders in the heal of the hand. (They even have Knox molded into them) Looking at the leather used, kangaroo skin palms, the way the stitching is done, etc... all looks like they're made by the same people. Which wouldn't surprise me. Knox is an armor company. It wouldn't surprise me to find out if Knox contracted Teknic to make the gloves they designed and in return, Knox allowed Teknic to use their patented SPS in their gloves. I know that kind of thing happens in all kinds of other industries.

 

[Nastybutler]

Very nice! How do you like those BOA closures on there?

 

[JonKerr]

I think they're brilliant so far. I'll see how they are while out riding though. Going out tomorrow for a break in ride.