Help us newbies with safety gear

[Fast Eddy B]

AGATT.

Always have, always will.

[slimcolo]

Yeah CE would be good, but may be hard to find in Thailand as it's a European standard. It is not required outside of the European Union! Most people in NA have never heard of CE (sure it's stamped on some products, but most Americans do not know what ISO or UL is either)

In Thailand you should be able to get a good deal. Much motorcycle clothing is made nearby.(China, Korea,Tiawan) It should be cheaper to ship there than the states! For textiles try Bel Staff (now known as Driazabone) Expensive but authentic waxed cotton. (nylon too)

Work and Army boots would be OK. Also work gloves offer protection but may be uncomfortable.

In addition to MC shops many riding (Equestrian), Western clothing, Snomobile, Army surplus, and sporting goods stores will carry MC leathers. (also boots and gloves) Also try stores like Play It Again Sports, Retreads, Pawn Shop or a Sniagrab for used.

A word of warning on ordering, check shipping and import (customs tax) fees for your country first.

[thume]

or getting rid of that extra riding gear they dont use anymore," make sure its your size though, not to loose". -- i got a HJC ful-faced helmet for less than 50 at a local pawn shop.

imo, buying used helmets from an unknown source is not a good idea.

[storysunfolding]

Check out newenough.com

There are a few different types of gear that blend in. Kevlar jeans are nice, but they lack any kind of padding which is a trade off. Some manufacturers make jackets taht look like jean jackets here

In my opinion, your first gear is like your first bike. It's something you have for awhile, but after a season or two you'll get a better idea of what you want. Thus I look for closeouts on good gear (not cheap stuff) for the first year or two and once I know the styles I like- I move up to more expensive and even better protecting gear.

However, you should wear all the gear, all the time for the best results. Don't be the guy that crashes with nothing on, but with a nice riding jacket in their backpack.

[NewGuy]

I got some gear at motogearoutlet.com

Scorpion EXO-400 helmet $100, I was all set to spend a ton more on an Arai or Shoei, but the lady who fitted the helmet explained that more money didn't mean better, and she'd rather sell me a helmet that fit and was comfortable than sell me an expensive helmet I'd hate and never wear. However, whatever you do NEVER use a used helmet. You have no idea how that thing may have been abused before you got it.

Tourmaster Draft Jacket with wind/water proof liner, and insulated liner $105.

Then I went real cheap for boots and gloves.

I wear old military all leather boots (paid for in sweat to Uncle Sugar), or some cheap leather boots from payless $60.

Then I got some leather work gloves at home depot, $12.

So all told I got quality gear for less than $300.

Now if you can't find a closeout deal on a good helmet you may need to spend a little more. However, you should definitely be able to stay under $450.

[Lion_Lady]

... Another good source would be people/ riders you know that are selling or getting rid of that extra riding gear they dont use anymore," make sure its your size though, not to loose".

-- i got a HJC ful-faced helmet for less than 50 at a local pawn shop.

All I can say is YIKES!!!!! PLEASE, get yourself a NEW helmet, as soon as you possibly can.

NEVER buy a used helmet. It is one thing to buy used body gear, which shows damage readily. But a to consider wearing a used helmet, especially from a pawn shop is about as smart as using one you fished out of a dumpster. Sorry. Too much of a risk for the piddly $aving$.

Helmets do NOT show internal damage, especially to the crash padding inside the shell. Poor conditions of storage (say in a storage locker thru the summer) will degrade that foam layer quickly making it more brittle. You can buy a new Scorpion or HJC helmet for under $150 out of the box, and KNOW that it will protect you if you crash.

P

[Nibblet99]

i got a HJC ful-faced helmet for less than 50 at a local pawn shop.

Damn, that just scares me. Helmets are the one thing I wouldn't buy used

They're designed to take 1 impact only, or to last so many years. After that time/usage, they should be replaced.

With a second hand helmet, whether its marked on the outside or not, you have no idea if its been in an impact, or how old it is

[Nibblet99]

Damn, Lionlady beat me to it...

[slimcolo]

HELL I won't even use the helmets at dealer to test ride, let alone wear someone elses. Feel the same about all head wear,footwear and underwear! GROSS

[CmHall9]

Trying on the gear for the first time

I tried on a couple of jackets and a helmet today.

The first jacket was a “FirstGear Rosin” size large. I did not realized how tight and thick the jacket was going to be. The employee, who claims to be a rider himself, said, the jacket needs to be a tight fit. I had a hard time moving my arms.

The second jacket was an “Alpinestars Armstrong” size extra large. This jacket was much better, easy to move in. But the guy said, I need to drop down a size to a large.

Question: How tight should a jacket be and how much movement should I expect to have?


Now the helmet. I tried on a “Shoei X-11 Replica Helmet.”

I know from reading some of the other posts that I need to wear a helmet for at leas 15 minutes. To be sure it fits properly.

I wasn’t buying anything today so I only had it on for about 5 minutes. It was snug but it pushed my cheeks a little like I was puckering.

I’m guessing that the foam will recede a little?