Newbie Wants to Buy a Bike

Message

Keaton421 · Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:56 pm

I guess I'll wear my Jean jacket, a helmet, my driving gloves, my boots, and some bike pants that I'll buy.

What type of helmet should I get? Tinted or not? How much should I expect to pay for a decent helmet?

I really like this one, but I wish I could try it on online lol http://www.newenough.com/shoei_rf1000_s ... t_page.htm

VermilionX · Wed Feb 08, 2006 3:57 pm

i have the shoei wine red RF1000. i like it a lot.

get a tinted visor too since it's safer than wearing sunglasses under your helmet.

#43 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:39 pm

Sigh, so, the best helmet to buy is the one that you went to the store and put on and wore around for at least 20 minutes to make sure that it fits well, and doesn't hurt you anywhere. We cannot suggest a specific brand because we do not have your head.

Price can range from $80 to $600, yes there is that big a difference, check the back for a DOT or SNELL sticker.

Tinted visors are not safer, in fact at night you cannot take them off (like sunglasses), so they could actually be more dangerous, do you wear your sunglasses driving at night? That being said, I have one, as I don't feel like messing around with clip on sunglasses while riding. Don't forget the average tinted visor probably won't be protecting against UVA or UVB radiation. It is afterall just colored plastic. It does look a hell of a lot cooler though.

Go to any bike store in town and there will be a broad selection of helmets, if they don't let you try them on, walk out and never go back. If you find one that fits well and you think looks good buy it. You only get one head protect it.

Oh and jeans SHRED when they come into contact with asphault get either a heavy leather jacket or a textile riding jacket. Leather should be heavy cow-hide ideally armored, and if you get a textile it will have armor, or you're getting ripped off.

Shiv · #44 Unread post by **Shiv** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:57 pm

Do those Draggin' Jeans work good? I know they won't work better than pants made for the ride but they'll work better than regular jeans, correct?

Like on a scale of 1 - 10, 1 being regular jeans and a 10 being proper riding pants, what would you rate them as?

#45 Unread post by **Sev** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 5:59 pm

I wouldn't ever want to find out. I have a pair, but I refuse to intentionally test them.

VermilionX · Wed Feb 08, 2006 6:00 pm

Shiv wrote:Do those Draggin' Jeans work good? I know they won't work better than pants made for the ride but they'll work better than regular jeans, correct?

Like on a scale of 1 - 10, 1 being regular jeans and a 10 being proper riding pants, what would you rate them as?

i dunno i haven't tested them yet and hopefully not ever. but it's very comfortable and definitely looks better than letter pants.

the kevlar in the jeans is good for abrasion protection but not from blunt force. you can buy a knee armor upgrade for the jeans if you want. so this way, you're protected from both abrasion and blunt force.

CNF2002 · #47 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 4:06 am

My Scorpion helmet has a detachable visor. I have 2, a tinted and a clear, and I always keep the other in the saddlebag on the bike. You dont want to ride with a tinted visor at night!! But I can tell you during the day in rushhour traffic with the setting sun blasting your face, you'll be wishing for a tinted visor pretty quick!

I just bought some Joe Rocket overpants...they're great, zippers down the sides so you can get in/out easily. Plus they have knee pads built in. Comfortable on the bike. I dunno about MC jeans or other pants, but if they are padded/thick enough to protect me on the bike, I'm sure I'd get tired of them walking around all day in them once I got to my destination. Plus mine are breathable if you live in the hotter climates.

If you want to wear jeans read this thread first!

viewtopic.php?t=8652

PS: x2 on the jean jacket, you might as well go bareback.

Shiv · #48 Unread post by **Shiv** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:52 am

I understand the need for proper pants but I just can't go around all day carrying my backpack, helmet, jacket, and pants while in lecture.

Though maybe my jacket and pants IN my backpack...hmmm....

CNF2002 · #49 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 9:44 am

I understand the need for proper pants but I just can't go around all day carrying my backpack, helmet, jacket, and pants while in lecture.

Though maybe my jacket and pants IN my backpack...hmmm....

I never take my helmet with away me unless I'm at work, because I bring my helmet in with me. You can pick up a cheap helmet lock to secure the helmet to your bike when you are away. There's a tail bag that I've been meaning to buy when I have some extra money (its only like 40 bucks) that expands to fit large items such as a helmet or jacket & pants, PLUS it unzips from the base and has straps to carry as a backpack. Perfect! Its the EXL tail bag, you can find em on ebay. I have the EXL saddlebags and they are decent, so I'm hoping to put together a good package. My bike is my primary transportation so I need lots of storage space for my daily goods.

#50 Unread post by **Sev** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 10:52 am

Shiv wrote:I understand the need for proper pants but I just can't go around all day carrying my backpack, helmet, jacket, and pants while in lecture.

Though maybe my jacket and pants IN my backpack...hmmm....

Why not? I did.

Pants get rolled up in the bag and don't take much room, and you can wear the jacket, then throw it over the back of your chair when you get to class. Carry your helmet in your hand and put a scowl on your face and no one will even try to get in your way.