Where to buy and what to buy?

[JamminJonah]

I'm totally new to all of this and I was just curious what kind of equipment you would recommend. I know the categories are:

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

But I'm curious about what type for what weather and do they offer protective pants that aren't leather? I guess if you could answer this it would really help me out:

What kind of riding gear would you wear?...

On a cool fall day? (30 - 50 deg F)(-1 - 10 deg C?)

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

On an average nice day? (70-80 deg F)(20-25 deg C?)

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

On a hot summer day? (85-100 deg F)(30-40 deg C?)

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

In a rain storm?

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

In the snow?

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

Also what are good trustworthy brands in clothes? Helmets?

What are some good safety equipment websites to buy from?

Who makes a good headlight modulator?

*Sorry I'm not good at celsius but I tried to figure it out - let me know if I'm way off

Thanks guys! This really is the friendliest most helpful place around!!

[Toyuzu]

I'm totally new to all of this and I was just curious what kind of equipment you would recommend. I know the categories are:

Helmet note - buy your first helmet at a shop where you can try them on to get the best fit. Wear it for a while and walk around the shop. If it starts to hurt, it doesn't fit.

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

But I'm curious about what type for what weather and do they offer protective pants that aren't leather? I guess if you could answer this it would really help me out:

What kind of riding gear would you wear?...

On a cool fall day? (30 - 50 deg F)(-1 - 10 deg C?)

Helmet I wear an HJC CS 12 Helmet. You can find my review in the products review forum. That's year-round.

JacketMy basic black leather Motorcycle jacket - the kind with the diagonal zipper, classic biker style. It has Thinsulate lining, and is perfect for a cool day.

Gloves Tour Master water proof insulated winter riding gloves. I actually don't like them much, because They are very cumbersome on the controls, but it's better than frozen fingers.

Over the ankle BootsI have a pair of Hi-Tec insulated waterproof hiking boots that go to about mid-way between ankle and knee. They have thick leather, and I feel they will offer some protection. Not as good as motorcycle boots, but on my budget, they are the best protection $37.00 can buy at my local Hi-tec outlet store.

Pants/ChapsI wear a pair of Joe Rocket ballistic heans. They are a textile pant (better protection than denim) with armor in the knees and hips. I only recently got them, so I have yet to try them in the cooler weather. I suspect thermals will be needed then.

On an average nice day? (70-80 deg F)(20-25 deg C?)

Helmetsame helmet.

JacketI have a textile jacket made by Motoboss. It's not as protective as leather, but it has zipper-operated vents to let air in, and pads on the elbows, shoulders, and back. It also has a removeable liner and cost only $60.00.(retails for $130.00 though.) If you must ride in 100 degree weather, something like this is mandatory.

GlovesFirst gear summer mesh gloves with carbon fiber knuckle guards, and leather suede pads for vibration damping.

Over the ankle Bootssame as above.

Pants/Chapssame as above

On a hot summer day? (85-100 deg F)(30-40 deg C?)

HelmetEverything here is the same as "on an average nice day". There comes a point where you have to decide if you are going to sweat it out in order to keep riding, risk riding without proper protection or simply park the bike for the summer. I just ride and sweat.

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

In a rain storm?

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

In the snow? I actually ride in the snow. See avatar. Gear then is the same as cool weather, but with a few extra layers.

Helmet

Jacket

Gloves

Over the ankle Boots

Pants/Chaps

Also what are good trustworthy brands in clothes? Helmets? Buy the best you can afford. Don't cut corners on protection, but if you can't afford a $2000.00 racing leather suit, don't let that keep you from riding. On the other hand, if you can't afford anything other than jeans and t-shirts, you need to stick to the cage.

What are some good safety equipment websites to buy from?I bought my Joe Rocket pants from www.newenough.com. Everything else I've bought off the web.

Who makes a good headlight modulator?

*Sorry I'm not good at celsius but I tried to figure it out - let me know if I'm way off

Thanks guys! This really is the friendliest most helpful place around!!

[Telesque]

I had heard (more than once, otherwise I might not have believed it) that 'heavy denim' can provide as good protection as leather chaps.

Any validity to this? I doubt typical blue jeans count as 'heavy denim', but I've never seen a pair of really thick looking jeans before.

[Tarzan]

Winter riding.
Thermal underlayer.
1 Piece leathers.
Race boots with two pairs of thick socks.
Race gloves with thermal inner glove.
1 peice rain suit.
Two neck tubes, one of them thermal.
For next winter I may get some rubber overboots and handle bar muffs to help keep the gloves dry. Not really to help with the cold, as the above kept me warm enough down to 0 degrees C, but mainly to ensure that the boots/gloves don't get soaked through every rainy day.

The rest of the year riding.
1 Piece leathers.
Race boots with thin socks.
Race gloves.
1 neck tube, not thermal.
If it rains I'll put on my rain suit and boil!

My protective clothing is all Alpine Star, the helmet is a Shoei but there are lots of manufacturers of clothing and helmets, the best thing to do would be to find a bike accessory shop and have a good look around at the sort of clothing that appeals to your tastes.

[Keyoke]

Summer -

Leather trousers, Full boots, Belstaff armoured jacket, Buffalo gloves.

Winter -

As above, with the thermal liner in the jacket!! (and sometimes a pair of glove liners)

[Gummiente]

Over the ankle Boots

You'll meet a lot more friendly and interesting people if you spring for a set of over the knee boots.

[Skier]

Helmet
Jacket
Gloves
Over the ankle Boots
Pants/Chaps

Regardless of weather, I always wear the following: HJC CL-14 helmet (full face), Oxtar Explorer boots and Aerostich Roadcrafter suit. Gloves are the only thing I change out for different temperatures. If it's cold out (sub 40F), I'll use my nice thick Widder electric gloves. If it's over 40 I'll use my Fieldsheer Samurai gloves (with knuckle protection).

Winter riding is taken care of by adding a sweatshirt over a long sleeved shirt and possibly long underwear under my jeans and skiing socks, all in the Roadcrafter. Summer riding is done by wearing a tshirt and shorts under the Roadcrafter. Zipping open the vents on it makes a world of difference, a 75 degree (F) day is fine as long as you're moving.

Can ya tell I like my suit?

[honda599]

Check out this link:

http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/

It's motorcycle gear review by users like yourself. If anyone has gear you can post your opinions here and maybe warn others about weak products.

Cheers

[racerxXx]

Anything but the helmet is the most important of all! Safety goes by protecting your head!