Overwhelemed by gear choices

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MidSSouth · #1 Unread post by **MidSSouth** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:51 am

I never reliezed how important good riding gear can be until I started reading around here. However, I am overwhelemed by the amount of choices. Although I would like a aerostitch 1 piece and some 2 pieces it really isn't practical for me to spend more on gear than on the bike.

What would be a good set of jacket, full face helmet, gloves, pants, that won't break the bank? I would really like to come out under $500 if possible. I plan to ride in relativly warm and humid Memphis weather but also in the colder (40*-50*) times here.

BTW, I signed up for the MSF course here to be held Feb 17 and assuming I like it (I've never ridden a bike before) I will be getting a Ninja 250 soon after.

Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:34 am

http://www.newenough.com/index2.htm
^New Enough - Good site with lots of differant brands of gear. from cruiser gear to full out race ready $1000 1 piece leather suits.

Check the clearance section, and their ebay auctions too (link in clearance section). Good customer service too.

Also, eBay is a good source, but when it comes to the helmet, best is to buy it new, though there are new helmets on eBay.

I just ordered a jacket and pants from them, $275. They've got cheaper though, and if you can find your size in their auctions, you'll be even cheaper then.

JustJames · #3 Unread post by **JustJames** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:55 am

For me, I only buy what I need the most first. You might have only one set for all riding season since it would cost you up to $500.00 already, so you'd better think of all factors.

1. Nice fit helmet, doesn't have to be very expensive but have to fit well. prefer full face, HJC is nice around $1-200, SHOEI, ARAI more expensive but quality built around $3-500.
<------ I have HJC which fit me the best, I can get SHOEI at almost half but prefer to buy full price HJC. I have half face for summer and full face for winter or when I pratice in parking lot.

2. Nice Jacket either leather or textile. Leather trend to be more expensive but can withstand better and warmmer in winter. Tourmaster makes good Jacket, Joe Rocket also nice and not too expensive.
<----- At first I bought only textile (cortech GX jacket) then I get myself leather jacket (Cortech Coaster Air) which I can ride all year round in CA.

3. Gloves, This you might have to get two pairs, one for winter and one for summer.
<----- I have Cortech Tourmaster Gripper Gloves, which I wear all the time but at night in December and it freezing so I get myself Cortech Polartech which is winter gloves, felt a little bit too chunky and not comfortable eventhough withstand cold very well so I get myself another gloves which is Tourmaster TS Gel which is pretty good and comfy.

4. Boots, If you have enough money, buy some motorcycle boots to protect your feet as well, if no then you might can get away with hiking boot.
<------ I didn't invest much on the boots, just a pair of Icon Heavy Duty boots (motorcycle plus fasion boots) which I can wear all the time even not on a bike and don't feel stupid. The protection is less than motorcycle boot but better than hiking shoes or tennis shoes.

5. Pants, This is also the least important in my idea. Yes it protects better than regular jean but I don't see the need of it. I'd buy when I have enough money to spend.
<----- I didn't spend at all on this catagory, I wear chaps though in winter, the reason to block wind and keep me warm a bit more. I don't see any benefit of protection but still better than plain jeans.

6. Rainsuit if where you live rain a lot.
<----- I have Tourmaster 2pc jacket but never wear once.

Lion_Lady · #4 Unread post by **Lion_Lady** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:56 am

Buy your helmet first. Since helmets range from around $150 up to $500 and up what you spend on this most important single item will pretty much dictact what you have to spend on the rest. (I trust you've had a look at the 'helmet fit guidelines' sticky.)

Next get your boots and gloves. You don't need to have 'real' riding gear for the MSF class, just a long sleeve shirt/jacket and long pants.

Wait until you've taken the class to get the other pieces (will allow you to save up some more money and keep your eyes open for bargains). Textile gear is generally less expensive than leather, but not as durable (single crash only). Textile can be washed, and comes in gazillions of color options and features. Buy the best quality you can afford.

Buy what fits well and that is comfortable enough you will wear it every time you ride.

You'll likely realize that what seemed like 'just the thing' may not be, once you're 'really' riding. Don't stress too much about buying THE jacket and pants for this first set up. When you're ready to upgrade, later, you can make changes.

I've got 3 jackets and 4 pairs of riding pants. Sold my first jacket on craigslist.org when I bought my second one.

Pam

Scott58 · #5 Unread post by **Scott58** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:37 pm

It's almost as hard to buy gear as it is to pick a motorcycle. I'm having the same problem picking a jacket. I kinda like the joe rocket tactical 2.0 (i think it's called, something like that anyway) and the price is right. Sometimes I think it's like upgrading a bike. Get what you think you want and then the next time around buy something that doesn't have the same issues as with the last one. same deal with my boots. Love the comfort, feel and look, but i tell you i have coffee cups that don't hold water as well as these things do!

Gadjet · #6 Unread post by **Gadjet** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 2:06 am

number one tip when buying a jacket.

Make sure that it is comfortable when you are sitting on your bike in riding posture

I can't stress this enough.

You might think that wonderful jacket you just bought that fit so well and was so comfortable in the store is just great, but if it rides up and doesn't feel comfortable when you are actually on your bike, then you are not likely to wear it and it will be wasted money.

When I upgraded from the leather jacket that I started riding in to a decent all weather textile jacket, I shopped around quite a bit first. When I finally had it narrowed down to a couple of choices at a shop, three different jackets that had the features that I wanted and felt comfortable for a reasonable price I asked if I could see how they felt sitting on my bike.

The saleswoman had no problems with this at all, so out I went and hopped on my bike a couple times wearing the different jackets.

That narrowed my selection down to one in less than five minutes, as the other two jackets that I thought were comfy were not so comfy when I was on the bike.

I guess what this all boils down to is this:

wait till after you get your bike to get a decent riding jacket - take the bike to whatever shop you are going to buy your gear at and see how the different jackets feel sitting on your bike. Makes a big difference.

MidSSouth · #7 Unread post by **MidSSouth** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 4:38 am

WhyteGryphon I never thought about that. Fortunately I have my dad's old H-D leather jacket, no armor but a lot of THICK pads, I can wear until I decide on a nice textile one.

CNF2002 · #8 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Fri Jan 13, 2006 5:26 am

I'd go textile...I have a mesh jacket with a removable insert and you'll thank your stars for it during the summer. In the really cold winter mornings I wear a regular leather jacket underneath my bike jacket to stay warm.

I generally wear jeans on the bike...I have been having alot of difficulty finding a good set of riding pants that I want. I know I want mesh with a removable insert, armor pads, and something that zips all the way down the side legs so I can easily slip them over my pants. But I can only find them online, a couple local dealers I went to didnt have what I was looking for, and I want to be able to try them on and sit with them, etc, before I buy.