Motorcycle News
07-01-2008, 06:09 AM
Gear Bag - The Pro - The Amateur
http://images.superstreetbike.com/images/0804_sbkp_01_z+2006_yamaha_yzf_r6+ben_bostrom.jpgB en Bostrom - The Pro
2008 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R6
Bostrom won the AMA Superbike championship with Honda in 1998, then moved to the World Superbike arena in 2000 on a factory Ducati. The following year he won six races, including a record five in a row. He's since returned to the AMA Superbike series and presently races Supersport and Superstock for the Graves Yamaha team.
Helmet:
Brand: Suomy (http://www.suomy.com)
Model: Spec1R Bostrom Tattoo
Price: $529.99
Why: "I have a good history with Suomy fromWSB. The graphics are second to none and I easily consider Suomy one of the top three helmet companies. I also like when brothers come together and work as a team. It just fits me and feels right. As a racer the helmets are fitted to your head so the only reason to choose a company is a) they are paying you enough, or b) you like the people that work there. I definitely like the people that work there. They are great!"
Leathers:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: Custom
Price: $ n/a
Why: "Race leathers are the rider's preference. Every company has a different system of how it builds its suits. For me, Alpinestars fits the best. For one thing they don't flap. When leather flaps you lose straight-line speed. I have had some huge crashes and never had one problem with them. Also A-Stars has an amazing staff. I will stick with them to the end."
Gloves:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: GP Tech
Price: $239.95
Why: "Alpinestars takes my input as a rider and has changed its line that resulted in a better glove. They are really good at listening to rider input and putting those suggestions into the line. other companies just don't have the same feel."
Boots:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: Supertech
Price: $359.95
Why: "They are basically off the shelf. If I ever have a complaint, they will tweak them. They are so good about jumping right on it. I would never switch boot companies. If anyone asks what's the best boot in the world, It should roll off the tongue-Alpinestars.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming riders?
"Try to get your face out there. You have to have results. You have to do more than the other guy. If another amateur is coming up at the same rate you are, then you have to step it up, whether it's being more receptive to the fans, getting in face time or whatever it takes. The main companies know who the best riders are. They hand pick riders who are fairly persistent with showing face time combined with results. It's also important to be loyal to whoever helps you. That's hard to understand when you are kid, to just say, 'thanks.' A year later something as small as a Christmas card makes a big difference, because at some point you may need their help again.
It's also important to be able to speak. But persistence is number one. If you are having a horrible time at the racetrack, you have to really want it and keep banging your head against the wall and it will come. The guys who it comes easy to are the ones who get beat a lot because they don't have the same dedication."
Ara Maranian - The Amateur
2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-636
Ara Maranian has been riding for the last five years, and the 2008 season will be his second year of racing. His best finish has been a fifth place.
Why do you think you should be sponsored?
"I currently race on the Young Blood Racing team that consists of four racers. our club Motorcycle Racing Association (MRA) out of Colorado and Nebraska consists of 400 road racers and hundreds of spectators at each event. In addition to racing MRA this year I will also be competing in the entire Master of the Mountain (MoM) race season consisting of seven races out of Miller Motorsports Park in Utah."
Helmet:
Brand: Arai (http://www.araiamericas.com)
Model: RX7 Corsair Tommy Gun
Price: $725.95
Why: "I like that the helmet meets or exceeds Snell and DOT standards. It fits my head pretty comfortably and is light compared to other helmets I have owned."
Leathers:
Brand: Teknic (http://www.teknicgear.com)
Model: Chicane
Price: $499.99
Why: "I bought the leathers because they have flex panels above the knees and in the lower back for better fit and maneuverability. They are also relatively cheap and have held up (as you can tell) from a few falls."
Gloves:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: SP-1
Price: $99.95
Why: "I bought the Alpinestars gloves because of the name. I was able to purchase a high-quality glove at a good price."
Boots:
Brand: Sidi (http://www.motonation.com)
Model: vertigo Corsa
Price: $425
Why: "I have been wearing Sidi boots since I started riding. They make my feet feel well protected with all the armor. The price is high, but you can't compromise safety when it comes to your feet. They are worth the money."
Photo Gallery: Gear Bag - Super Street Bike Magazine (http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear)
http://images.superstreetbike.com/images/0804_sbkp_01_s+2006_yamaha_yzf_r6+ben_bostrom.jpg
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http://images.superstreetbike.com/images/0804_sbkp_01_z+2006_yamaha_yzf_r6+ben_bostrom.jpgB en Bostrom - The Pro
2008 Yamaha YZF-R1 and YZF-R6
Bostrom won the AMA Superbike championship with Honda in 1998, then moved to the World Superbike arena in 2000 on a factory Ducati. The following year he won six races, including a record five in a row. He's since returned to the AMA Superbike series and presently races Supersport and Superstock for the Graves Yamaha team.
Helmet:
Brand: Suomy (http://www.suomy.com)
Model: Spec1R Bostrom Tattoo
Price: $529.99
Why: "I have a good history with Suomy fromWSB. The graphics are second to none and I easily consider Suomy one of the top three helmet companies. I also like when brothers come together and work as a team. It just fits me and feels right. As a racer the helmets are fitted to your head so the only reason to choose a company is a) they are paying you enough, or b) you like the people that work there. I definitely like the people that work there. They are great!"
Leathers:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: Custom
Price: $ n/a
Why: "Race leathers are the rider's preference. Every company has a different system of how it builds its suits. For me, Alpinestars fits the best. For one thing they don't flap. When leather flaps you lose straight-line speed. I have had some huge crashes and never had one problem with them. Also A-Stars has an amazing staff. I will stick with them to the end."
Gloves:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: GP Tech
Price: $239.95
Why: "Alpinestars takes my input as a rider and has changed its line that resulted in a better glove. They are really good at listening to rider input and putting those suggestions into the line. other companies just don't have the same feel."
Boots:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: Supertech
Price: $359.95
Why: "They are basically off the shelf. If I ever have a complaint, they will tweak them. They are so good about jumping right on it. I would never switch boot companies. If anyone asks what's the best boot in the world, It should roll off the tongue-Alpinestars.
What advice would you give to up-and-coming riders?
"Try to get your face out there. You have to have results. You have to do more than the other guy. If another amateur is coming up at the same rate you are, then you have to step it up, whether it's being more receptive to the fans, getting in face time or whatever it takes. The main companies know who the best riders are. They hand pick riders who are fairly persistent with showing face time combined with results. It's also important to be loyal to whoever helps you. That's hard to understand when you are kid, to just say, 'thanks.' A year later something as small as a Christmas card makes a big difference, because at some point you may need their help again.
It's also important to be able to speak. But persistence is number one. If you are having a horrible time at the racetrack, you have to really want it and keep banging your head against the wall and it will come. The guys who it comes easy to are the ones who get beat a lot because they don't have the same dedication."
Ara Maranian - The Amateur
2003 Kawasaki Ninja ZX-636
Ara Maranian has been riding for the last five years, and the 2008 season will be his second year of racing. His best finish has been a fifth place.
Why do you think you should be sponsored?
"I currently race on the Young Blood Racing team that consists of four racers. our club Motorcycle Racing Association (MRA) out of Colorado and Nebraska consists of 400 road racers and hundreds of spectators at each event. In addition to racing MRA this year I will also be competing in the entire Master of the Mountain (MoM) race season consisting of seven races out of Miller Motorsports Park in Utah."
Helmet:
Brand: Arai (http://www.araiamericas.com)
Model: RX7 Corsair Tommy Gun
Price: $725.95
Why: "I like that the helmet meets or exceeds Snell and DOT standards. It fits my head pretty comfortably and is light compared to other helmets I have owned."
Leathers:
Brand: Teknic (http://www.teknicgear.com)
Model: Chicane
Price: $499.99
Why: "I bought the leathers because they have flex panels above the knees and in the lower back for better fit and maneuverability. They are also relatively cheap and have held up (as you can tell) from a few falls."
Gloves:
Brand: Alpinestars (http://www.alpinestars.com)
Model: SP-1
Price: $99.95
Why: "I bought the Alpinestars gloves because of the name. I was able to purchase a high-quality glove at a good price."
Boots:
Brand: Sidi (http://www.motonation.com)
Model: vertigo Corsa
Price: $425
Why: "I have been wearing Sidi boots since I started riding. They make my feet feel well protected with all the armor. The price is high, but you can't compromise safety when it comes to your feet. They are worth the money."
Photo Gallery: Gear Bag - Super Street Bike Magazine (http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear)
http://images.superstreetbike.com/images/0804_sbkp_01_s+2006_yamaha_yzf_r6+ben_bostrom.jpg
Read More (http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear) | Digg It (http://digg.com/submit?phase=2&url=http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear&title=Gear Bag - The Pro - The Amateur) | Add to del.icio.us (http://del.icio.us/post?url=2&url=http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear&title=Gear Bag - The Pro - The Amateur)
More... (http://www.superstreetbike.com/features/0804_sbkp_2008_yamaha_yzf_r6_riding_gear)