So, since I've been finding myself in a closed course environment I've also found myself wanting a dedicated track-suit. But with so many choices out there, and my budget being what it is, I was a bit perplexed on where to spend my Benjamin's. So, when I stumbled across a suit with Zero-60 up and down the arms and legs, I stopped to look. I'd never heard of Zero-60, but the simple fact that it was not a Joe Rocket begged me to look closer.
So I asked a few questions and got the spiel; a full-on race suit, the Rapide (the version I was looking at) offers strength and comfort at a very reasonable price. Made with the same high quality drum-dyed leather as the competition with safety stitching and taped triple stitching in vulnerable areas. It also has a double layer of leather on the seat, elbows and knees
Then I learned that the Corona Superbike team wore these suits (until Spidi gave them a whole lot more money to wear their suit). The racers claimed that it is more comfortable than the competition. It uses the same thickness cow-hide leather as the other guys, 1.4 – 1.6 race-grade leather. And let's face it; who cares about the name on the forearm when you are sliding down the asphalt.
Kangaroo is latest trend because it's lighter and thinner, and some claim that it slides better. But Kangaroo tends to brake down faster when exposed to oils, sunlight and weather. Concerns Valentino doesn't really have since he gets a new suit for every race. But for us mere-mortals with a mortgage, cowhide is still the best option because even though its a bit heavier, it provides the same protection and lasts longer than the skin of a large jumping rat from down under. Plus, how many kangaroo steaks and kangaroo burgers have you consumed. Not even the Outback Steakhouse sells those, which is why Kangaroo is so much money.
The Zero-60 suits come in four versions, perforated or solid leather, two piece or one or the Rapide (without the uber-cool racing hump on the back) and the Razorback with the hump. The suit also has Kevlar stretch panels betwixt the legs and under the arms to aid mobility without sacrificing protection in impact areas all while adding to venting properties. I was most interested in the two-piece because I also get a jacket, and less interested in the Razorback-hump version so I'd look normal if I decided to just wear the jacket. I was also looking at the perforated because I already have lots of warm leather and a perforated jacket would be nice during summer months.
The first thing that really impressed us was how supple the thick leather was. Then we noticed something that got us really excited, a small strip of soft cloth on the back of the neck. It's the little things in life that make the biggest differences. Rather than having the soft skin of your neck rubbing up against leather as you crane your head around to look through the corners, Zero-60 gives you nice soft cloth.
The suit has the full-circumference zipper, not the 9-inch one in the back, which means you can race in this suit. (Even Miguel Duhamel raced the Daytona 200 one year in a two-piece suit).
One thing we liked about the suit too was that the styling was a bit more conservative. Now it may be cool to have bright, multi-colored arrows and lines all leading the eyes to your crotch, but unless you are 18-years old or capable or running a marathon tomorrow, you probably have a bit of a bulge in the middle (I know I do) and I really don't' want to draw undue attention.
My biggest complaint about the suit, however, is that it doesn't come with knee sliders (maybe they knew I was coming and pulled the sliders off). But a set of sliders cost anywhere from $15 to $35 dollars depending on how cool you want to look. I'm also not real crazy about how the leather pattern looks across the tooshie - all the colors come to a point in kind of an odd fashion.
Now while the suit retails for $599.97 (If you happen to be a member of the Utah Sport Bike Association the price is reduced to a mere $323.99) It only costs $25 Utah Sport Bike Association membership, so you do the math. Since I happen to be a member of the UtahSBA, I got the good-buddy price. (If you are interested in this suit for $329, you can also contact Troy directly via email or dial 518-522-4448. Price does not include shipping)
Then I asked why they are selling them at such a low price and learned that it is because so many people have gotten confused about the name, Zero-60 – and mistakenly call it "Zero to Go". So they are considering changing the name of their leathers, and therefore they are trying to clear out the inventory while they make up their minds. (If you decide you want one of these, please don't say you want a Zero to Go suit, they take it personally – don't ask me how I know this.)
It's been a blistery cold March, and I have only been able to strut around my living room, pretending to look cool and haven't had a chance to try them out, but rest assured loyal CanyonChasers readers, we'll give you the full skinny on the leathers as soon as we get to try them out.
After a year and more track time than I can remember off the top of my head, I’m still very happy with the Zero-60’s. I ended up getting the RazorBack two peice (with the aero hump on the back). The leather is quite thick, but the perforations ease brake-in. The armor around the elbows and shoulders is excellent and looks as though it will provide a great deal of protection in the event I fall off the motorcycle.
I’m so impressed with the armor and venting of the perforations that I started using the jacket half of the leathers as my commuter jacket. The form fitting leather jacket felt much more secure than those cheesy mesh jackets, yet allowed for the same amount of ventilation.
The knee armor was a bit stiff at first and took some time to break in. The ankles also took some time to soften up. They were really tight at first and if I wasn’t careful the zipper pull would jab itself into my leg, making for a bit of distraction. Carefully tucking the zipper pull into the up position solved that problem easy enough. But all that is to be expected with any new leather garment – and the thicker the leather the more time should be allowed for break-in.
My biggest complaint with the leathers is also something I really like about them. The pants are really “frumpy” around the hips. This makes them look kinda dorky when walking around in them, but also allows for easy movement when on the bike. The leather pants never bind around the legs. However, the problem this can cause is the pants will sometimes slough down and hang like low-ridin’ jeans. If I’m not careful to hike them back up to where they belong before getting on the bike, I’ll return from my session to discover that I’ve popped the fly open.
This has only happened a few times -- enough to cause paranoia, but its somewhat of embarrassing and irritating to always have to be careful to ensure your drawers are pulled all the way so you fly doesn’t end up in the down position.
As far as the hump on my Razorback leathers, I thought it was nothing more than a gimmick, but shockingly, the hump does indeed reduce buffeting and turbulence around the helmet. The only problem I’ve had with the hump is that it bulges a bit into the inside of the leathers which can foul the helmet if I’m not careful. But its almost unnoticeable.
Overall, despite my niggling complaints, these leathers are excellent and overall I am very happy with them. The quality of the leather and armor far exceeds the price tag. I think you would have a hard time finding leathers of this quality for anywhere near the price of these, although I may take them to a seamstress to put a stronger zipper in the fly.
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