June 2nd, 2013, 08:15 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Christian
Location: SFV. CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): '04 Ninja 250R, WR400F Posts: 4
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BiLT Trackstar Pants
Substantial riding pants are almost impossible to find around the $100 mark. Kevlar-lined jeans can usually be found around this price, but the ones I’ve seen have felt absolutely flimsy (about the same as normal jeans to me) compared with real textile or leather riding pants. Maybe the armor and fancy materials help, but I don't have any experience with them.
I’ve bought most of my gear from Cycle Gear and had great luck with a lot of their house brand items including a 707 full-face helmet and a Frank Thomas leather jacket which I’ve been wearing for years. Returned lots of stuff too (mostly gloves) but never had an issue with that. Cycle Gear has been offering the Trackstar leather pants in their catalog for $99 which seemed like a huge bargain, so I swung by my local store and picked a pair up. I’m tall and lanky and usually have an issue finding pants that work with my small waist and long legs, but the size 34 fit me great. I looked for reviews online before I purchased them, but couldn’t find anything substantial so I’m posting this in case anyone would like a more detailed look at them. I’ve been wearing them for a while now, so they are thoroughly broken in. The cut and construction is not nearly as refined as pants from Alpinestars or the other major brands, but they are reasonably comfortable. The longest ride i’ve done is 300 miles and they were great -- aside from a little poking from a velcro panel on the inside. I tucked it back into the liner at a stoplight and haven’t had any issues since then. There are zippers at the base of the legs that make them easy to get in and out of and stretch panels behind the legs. They are perforated so ventilation is adequate and they are as comfortable as leather pants are going to get on 90F days. Belt adjustment is fairly crude with an adjustable velcro strap, but the pants have stretchy accordion-type material in the waste that allows them to feel snug and secure. The is good armor in the knees that stays in place and the pants fit well with my Alpinestars touring boots. There are puck sliders that attach with velcro by the knees, but they seem like a one-time use affair. I imagine any serious riders would change these out. The inner liner isn’t removable as far as I can tell. There is an embroidered BILT RACING emblem that actually looks pretty attractive (if you didn’t know that it was an entry-level in-house brand) Overall, these are quality, well-built leather pants at an untouchable price point. I haven’t seen any other products that come remotely close to providing the level of protection that these do for around $100. For a casual weekend rider who frequently commutes, they are perfect. |
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June 2nd, 2013, 08:57 PM | #2 |
RIP Alex
Name: Cuong
Location: Houston, TX
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): '10 250r, '09 265r Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 2
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Good review! Their leathers tend to run on the thin side but leather is leather. How tall and how much do you weigh? Do you have big calfs and thighs? how do they fit there?
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HalfFast Racing Team Serving Greater Houston Area Riders:WFO Riders MotoHouston HPC CMRA Ride Smart Fastline Lone Star Track Days |
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June 3rd, 2013, 09:35 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Christian
Location: SFV. CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): '04 Ninja 250R, WR400F Posts: 4
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I'm 6'0. I haven't stepped on a scale in a while, but I'm usually around 170 - 180. I'm an occasional runner (usually 2 days/week) and ride mountain bikes, so calves are a touch larger than the average person I imagine. Fit is great there, no issues. There are zippers on the lower half area so getting in and out is no issue either.
I will say that the zippers are very good quality as well. |
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June 6th, 2013, 08:00 AM | #4 |
Big Dreams, Small Wallet
Name: Brad
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (Sold), 93 VFR750F (In Pieces) Posts: 508
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I've been trying to get away from Bilt gear, since I'm at the point of being able to afford "nicer" stuff. But your review makes me want to go look at these pants. We seem to be about the same size (6'2" 175 and 33" waist), so these might be a good option for me.
Alex will be in here soon and just say "Stop Buying Bilt".
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~BRad |
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June 10th, 2013, 06:41 PM | #5 | |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Christian
Location: SFV. CA
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): '04 Ninja 250R, WR400F Posts: 4
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Quote:
I had a pair of the BiLT waterproof gloves. They were downright awful (the liner made it impossible to easily remove them and they were almost impossible to get back on if your hands were sweaty) and they went back the next week. For me, zippers are usually the biggest weak point (they can render a good jacket or a good sleeping bag useless). As with my Frank Thomas jacket, the zippers on the Trackstar pants are YKK (high quality). |
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June 10th, 2013, 07:08 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: .
Location: .
Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Feb '13, Feb '14
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@BRad704, if you're looking to move up from the budget brands by getting better gear without breaking the bank, check out Speed and Strength. Very good bang for the buck, and the quality is good.
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June 10th, 2013, 08:06 PM | #7 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Robbie
Location: Sacramento
Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03' Ninja 250ex Posts: 333
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I'm glad you found a good fit. You can't beat the price! I was just in there trying on the TrackStar suit cause I'm doing a track day day soon. I found the right size that fit me everywhere except the booty. There had to be at least 7" or more of extra material back there..lol. I was pretty bummed cause @ $200 this would've been perfect to get started with until I can afford better equipment down the road.
I ended up buying a gently used pair of Vulcan Track pants off of Craigslist and I'll just get a jacket to match...the TrackStar ($160) jacket at CG seemed like it would work ok..I would just have to sew the appropriate zipper size to the pants.
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June 10th, 2013, 08:09 PM | #8 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Robbie
Location: Sacramento
Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03' Ninja 250ex Posts: 333
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Quote:
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Perform Random Acts of Coolness!!ATGATT |
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June 11th, 2013, 06:59 AM | #9 | ||
Big Dreams, Small Wallet
Name: Brad
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (Sold), 93 VFR750F (In Pieces) Posts: 508
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Quote:
Quote:
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~BRad |
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June 11th, 2013, 08:35 AM | #10 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Goshen CA
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740
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It's unfortunate for me, that they fit you so well. I'm 5'8 and built solidly, with a good layer of fat of that.
I'm trying to lose weight, but even if I lose all the fat I need to lose I doubt I'll get to where I can fit in riding pants properly, they will always be too long with the knee armor too low. |
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June 11th, 2013, 10:21 AM | #11 |
Big Dreams, Small Wallet
Name: Brad
Location: Memphis, TN
Join Date: Feb 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250R (Sold), 93 VFR750F (In Pieces) Posts: 508
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Icon?
I have the Anthem mesh overpants and they are baggy and short. Really too baggy and too short for me
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~BRad |
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June 11th, 2013, 04:00 PM | #12 | |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Tim
Location: Goshen CA
Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740
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Quote:
But if I can find a place to try stuff on, I might go for it, I just will not buy something without trying it on. I fit into so little stuff properly, even when I lose weight I'm a big boned guy, and can rarely find jackets that fit me, or pants that fit correctly. I was actually surprised, my leather hybrid jacket from Bilt fits amazingly well, and that never happens. |
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