Motocross Gear
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- sofakingbanned
Amigos, I'm currently working on a project that involves designing Motocross Gear/Apparel
Since I personally don't do motocross I was wondering if any of you guys are avid riders and could give me a little info.
I guess im looking for feedback in regards to how the gear fits. what do you like about whats out there now and what dont you like.
For example I have noticed a lot of the gear has big TPR badges. Some look good but some look heavy and totally over sized, does this bother the rider?My other question is about the actual graphics. are there any styles you guys prefer or would like to see more of... a lot of the stuff I see pretty much looks the same, I would like to take a new direction but I dont want to go so far that MX guys wont like them.
Anyway any info, ideas, graphic links would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
- capn_ron0
Are you designing the panels and materials, or just color blocking the existing panels? If you are starting from scratch, you will have better luck buying product and looking. It is pretty tough gear to create.
- MarleyMarl0
so you're producing designs for something you have absolutely no clue about. should make for a great result.
- sofakingbanned0
Well, I'm more on the graphics end of things. my friend is doing all the panels and technical elements of the gear.
We have worked on gear before so this is not our first go at it.
I just wanted to get feedback from guys who are riders and designers. The riders I know and talk to dont really know about design and dont give me much to work with as far as what they like and dont like.
- capn_ron0
Your best bet it to go to a dealership and look around. A lot of people are doing wild graphic panels that are really loud. I ride (slow) so I can't run those loud graphics. I refer toned down, but still stylish. This sports teams and good color combos and you'll be fine. I would stay away from a lot of white, and when you ad color, keep it simple. Black and red will be your best seller.
- BonSeff0
i rode from '86 to '03
I used to wear Axo and fox, then in the late 90's and 2000's i wore shift.. mainly because shift was turning out really clean gear without a lot of flashy shit.
as far as fit, they need to be snug in the waste and but not snug around mah junk. and plenty of room in the knee area cause a lot of riders are using knee braces nowadays. jerseys are jerseys to me.. depending on the season, they need to breath well and have snug sleeve cuffs, but not too elasticy because sometimes that aids in arm pump. i never tucked them in so if they are to about the middle of my butt when im standing up, i am fine with it.
if you want anymore feedback - shoot me an email
good luck.. i dont ride anymore, but the mx industry in dear to me.
- sofakingbanned0
As far as colors go we are doing all OEM colors (ktm, yamaha, honda, etc)
As far as graphics go; we have to have a style thats not super loud and wild. (Thor) but a little more tame.
So basically I'm designing for a guy like you that doesn't want to go out riding looking all crazy in polka dots and pink strips, but OEM colors and some clean graphics.
- i think that sells more in the long run because that is your everyday rider.capn_ron
- Meeklo0
MarleyMarl
so you're producing designs for something you have absolutely no clue about. should make for a great result.
...................................Sorry to de-rail the thread for a bit, but this comment kinda got my attention.
Marley, have you never design of an unknown medium before?
Research should be part of ANY design task, ALWAYS, even if you are already familiar with the medium you are designing for.My only guess for this comment is that you were either joking around, or you are still in school.
- BonSeff0
the 80's gear me n friends wore would blow your mind! sooo horrible and dayglow. but man. thor, fox, axo and tory lee.. dude as a kid they made me want to be a designer.. seriously! go out there and kill it.
- sofakingbanned0
Yea, from all the gear I have been reviewing the Troy Lee stuff is the best. Its clean but still fits the style.
Hey Bonseff, what about an attempt at doing some retro flavor stuff.
Would that be to gimmicky?
- capn_ron0
I have insider information that Thor product is made from really durable materials and it fits well.
- Frosty_spl0
I love all of the 80's stuff with neon spiderwebs and shit. =D
But yea i love troy lee.
Man Im jealous! I would love to design that stuff!
- DCDesigns0
I designed MX gear 6 years for Answer Racing, it is really fun stuff to work on. The graphics are pretty much wide open, I know a lot of the designers in MX keep an eye on the skate and surf industries for new trends. I would stay away from Thor, there stuff has sucked the last few years and their sales are off because of it (off 40%). I would look at Fox and Shift for cutting edge out there graphics. For more clean designs I would look at One Industries, MSR, Answer and Troy Lee.
Definitely go to a shop, a good size shop because they will have a good selection. If you can wait a few weeks all the gear companies will be releasing their 2010 gear. Check their websites soon. If you can't wait, some of the pro's are wearing 2010 stuff now. Go to racerxonline.com, vitalmx.com and transworldmx.com, they have photos of the guys racing in the new gear. Not the best way to see the gear, but they are wearing it.
As far as fit, BonSeff pretty much nailed it. You need adjustment in the waist, and room in the knees because of knee braces. The pants have become very complicated in their construction. As far as the TPR's, they started to get big which made for heavy pants. The trend now is for lighter pants. Also TPR's are made with gravity molds, so keep that in mind. But they can do amazing things these days. Don't be afraid to get too intricate on the TPR designs ie: textures and small design elements. I have seen some MX companies advertise pre-curve arms on their jerseys, um they are made out of nylon. So how are they pre-curved and how hard is it to bend a nylon sleeve? Anyway, gloves are kind of tricky, they usually run small in MX, they range from lots of protection on the back of the hand to minimal protection with mesh materials for ventilation.
It should be fun job to work on. Have fun!