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Tips on where to buy safety stuff


koserv

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Well, no car yet, but I'm getting close, so I figured I'd better get some hot tips on personal safety gear. I have a shelf full of helmets (dirt bike, Harley bike, pedal bike, open face "HPDE" type, etc) but figure I'll need to pony up for one that's HANS compatible. I'll also need a suit, the dreaded HANS, and ?? I'm hoping my shoes and gloves are good to go, but I'll check the tags as soon as I can get through the snow (morphing now into mud) to the barn...man, when is this stuff gonna end?!

 

So.....should I just go to the Summit website for a suit, hans, bucket, etc...or is there a better place for getting top flight gear at a fair price?

 

KO

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Nothing against them, but Summit is the last place I would use because they don't have the best selection of road-race specific safety gear. Saferacer.com is a good one, G-Force is another, and there are a bunch of other places that advertise in Grassroots Motorsports. Locally, you could make a run down to Pegasus Racing in New Berlin if you want to try some things on for size. They have a decent selection, but they are definitely not the cheapest of the mail order places.

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I've found that there isn't "one" place to get the best deals on everything.

 

I got my suit, gloves, helmet, HANS all at different places.

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Yeah Matt, I was just thumbing through the Summit cat and I was thinking I'd be looking pretty, well, unstylish when I finally met you guys this summer. I'll check the sites and perhaps make a run to New Berlin. I was hoping I could find a place close to try a HANS/Bucket combo so I didn't have to just 'live' with what came in the mail....thanks.

 

KO

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With the HANS a neck measurement is what is needed, it is not that critical to try one on. Helmet yes, go locally, try them on to see what fits, and then shop the 'net for your best deal. Just google what you need and you'll get a bunch of places.

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My first-position is to buy from people who come out and support us at the track, even if it costs a smidgen more.

 

These folk are routinely trackside at our events so I try to buy from them first for safety items:

 

http://www.apexperformance.net/

 

Beyond that, I have purchased from Racer Wholesale (gloves, socks, shoes, etc.):

 

http://www.racerwholesale.com/

 

and I bought my driver's suit directly from Simpson:

 

http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/

 

Now that I think of it, I think every safety item that I own came from one of these three sources...

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From the voice of experience...absolutely get an SFI 3.2A/5 suit first. Don't think you will get by with a 3.2/1 and underwear. I did that and did 1 HPDE in the 3.2/1 suit and it was so hot that I never used it again. (sold it to a drag racer for less than I paid for it). I then bought a G-force 545 and have loved that. It is much cooler and I can still wear underwear and survive the summers hear in California. Also I have heard that the G-force helmets are very hard to install the Hans pegs into. I have a Ultrashield and it was hard enough. Anybody have experience with putting the Hans pegs in a G-force helmet? Hope this helps. Gary

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he said it 3 times, i'll only say it once.

spend alot of money on a good quality suit. i have the Sparco X-light. its one very nice suit. it pays for itself every summer (no ER bills for heat stroke!). there are a couple models below it that are cheaper and alomost as thin and cool. the Tech 5 is a good one too.

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Helmet yes, go locally, try them on to see what fits, and then shop the 'net for your best deal.

 

I hope Julie won't smack me but I don't agree with this approach. Brick and mortar stores are critical resources for some things, and I put helmets in that category. Find a good shop, try them on, and buy from them. If you're buying multiple items, it's totally fair to ask for a discount; they may so no, but you won't know until you ask.

 

And it's definitely a good thing to support the merchants who come to our races. There will be a day when you will need something, and when that day comes, you will pay ANY price to get it. Don't get too focused on saving a few percent - it's not worth it in the end.

 

-chris

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Helmet yes, go locally, try them on to see what fits, and then shop the 'net for your best deal.

 

I hope Julie won't smack me but I don't agree with this approach. Brick and mortar stores are critical resources for some things, and I put helmets in that category. Find a good shop, try them on, and buy from them. If you're buying multiple items, it's totally fair to ask for a discount; they may so no, but you won't know until you ask.

 

And it's definitely a good thing to support the merchants who come to our races. There will be a day when you will need something, and when that day comes, you will pay ANY price to get it. Don't get too focused on saving a few percent - it's not worth it in the end.

 

-chris

 

Chris, I was thinking very low budget..if one has the means to support the locals they certainly should. I have my preferred shops I work with locally that I spend a few more dollars for. Those few more dollars are more than made up for in personal service and quick attention to any problems that might come up.

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Thanks all for the input. I will pony up for the lighter, better suit. I've got an odd size head-bone so I need to try on buckets anyway....perhaps I can just get some HANS studs put on the Arai....so I'll either hit the New Berlin shop or make a trip to the big city for a fashion show. Pont taken Julie...I do the "shop then surf" thing all the time, but I don't mind spending a bit in the back yard to have some face recognition at a local shop...and I like the idea of spending it with the guys who drag the trailers to the track. Again, thanks to all who responded!

 

Snowing again here. First track day for me is the MFBA run at RA on the 12th...hope I don't have to use chains! (I know, I know...Mid Ohio...but one small problemo....no car yet!)

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Helmet yes, go locally, try them on to see what fits, and then shop the 'net for your best deal.

 

I hope Julie won't smack me but I don't agree with this approach. Brick and mortar stores are critical resources for some things, and I put helmets in that category. Find a good shop, try them on, and buy from them. If you're buying multiple items, it's totally fair to ask for a discount; they may so no, but you won't know until you ask.

 

And it's definitely a good thing to support the merchants who come to our races. There will be a day when you will need something, and when that day comes, you will pay ANY price to get it. Don't get too focused on saving a few percent - it's not worth it in the end.

 

-chris

 

X2 here.

 

If you're going to a local store to try on gear, then at least buy the gear from them, since they were probably courteous enough to help you find the correct fit, spend some time with you, answer your dumb questions, etc. If you're going to put your greasy hair in all of their helmets, then you might as well take one of them with you so the shop owner can buy himself lunch.

 

Or, go ahead and blindly order a bottom-dollar helmet off the internet and see if it fits. If it doesn't, then you get to send it back, pay shipping and a 15% restocking charge, then order another one and see if that one fits. Keep doing this until you get one that you like, and see how much you just paid in shipping and restocking charges, as well as a couple of weeks of wasted time.

 

There's something to be said for paying a couple of bucks for some good customer service, but unfortunately, everybody wants everything for free these days (it's the Wal-Mart mentality), and that's not how our world works if we expect things to thrive. Besides, if you support the merchants who attend your races, they might even throw you a bone every now and then with a free part, and they will definitely be willing to help you if you're in a bind. Who knows, you might even get a new racing buddy out of the deal.

 

Mark

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Yep...got it. I agree with supporting the locals and having them know who you are when you walk in... And who said my hair is greasy? You been talking to my girlfriend? Or my ex? Jeez, is nothing sacred? I was just trying to "water" the plugs. I suppose now I'll have to wear a cute little scarf when I go try on buckets...

 

My only beef with the "few bucks more" is when it's not just a few bucks and when you end up getting better customer service from the girl in the phone center in the Phillipines. Not to mention any (Harley) names (Davidson) but sometimes (factory aftermarket) even when the locals are nice (new muli million dollar "sales center") an $18 tee shirt ($65 on sale at the local HD shop) is really only worth $18...even when they smile pretty and remember my name....

 

KO

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... when you end up getting better customer service from the girl in the phone center in the Phillipines.

 

That's because she's trolling for a husband...lol

 

Mark

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