New rider gear... is this overkill?

[funsocaltiger]

Alright, so I am a new rider with 0 riding experience. I just bought a Ninja 250 and I'm taking my MSF course in June. BTW, I am not going to ride the bike until then, except maybe just sitting on it to get a feel for it.

Anyway, my question is about gear. I am 27, so I have no desire whatsoever to injure myself. As a result I am 90% decided on buying full leather gear. This includes track style gloves, boots and even pants with knee sliders. I don't plan to slide or do anything stupid, but these pants simply seemed more protective than the cheaper ones and I figure the knee sliders would be good if I landed on my knees. This will run roughly $1200 including helmet.

I guess the question is... is this appropriate gear for someone just learning to ride a bike and taking an MSF course or should I stick with cheaper textile stuff like JR?

And also, would I look like a poser and will people give me Cr@p for wearing expensive gear like that riding a 250 starter bike?

My primary concern is just my own safety.

Thanks!

[DivideOverflow]

If you can afford the gear and feel safe wearing it, go for it. Depends where you live, but honestly, I sprung for a Joe Rocket mesh jacket since Florida is HOT! and I absolutely love how the wind blows right through it, yet it still has armor and very good abrasion protection. It fits well, and I got joe rockets gloves with the carbon fiber armor on the knuckles... Still wearing denim jeans, but Im looking at kevlar jeans from fast company. I already have my Icon helmet too (didnt want anyone to think I forgot that), and some nice boots. I feel comfortable that this will be adequate for me if I do happen to wreck. I have been riding within my limits, and taking everything at a very safe pace, so my #1 concern has been other drivers... in which case you better have that helmet on!

I dont really think people would make fun of you for wearing nice gear... if they do, then that is their problem. If you like the gear, go ahead and get it. Lots of gear is WAY better than no gear. Why skimp on your protection? Just take into account that Leather is extremely hot... if it is cold or cool where you live, I would go for it. If not, I would at least look into a summer mesh or perforated leather jacket as well.

[Ladymx]

If you can afford it, get the right gear for the weather you are in. I have textiles jacket and a leather Jacket, I really now only where the textile one as its warm for the cooler days, and cool in the warmer weather with all the zips. But Im no in Florida so it works for the weather here in canada.

[DustyJacket]

Forget knee sliders, and get something with removeable impact armor.

I have a Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket and pants that zip together, panels unzip to become a mesh jacket when it gets hot, or I add the waterproof liners in case it rains.

[Toyuzu]

If you can afford it, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS OVERKILL WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTIVE GEAR! 'nuff said?

[polarelf2003]

Buy the best stuff you can afford, just remember that depending on where you are the climate changes. I'm in MD, and b/c I got my bike in Nov I got mostly cold riding gear - I didnt care that it was cold out, I was going to ride anyway. . . Now it's getting warmer and I'm thinking, "This gear is getting a little toasty." So you might end up having multiple sets of riding gear depending on the climate, or at least go with the removable liner textiles.

[Lion_Lady]

Y'know. Unless you live in Minnesota or Maine, the leather gear is gonna be quite unbearably HOT to wear in the next few months. Its a great choice for protection, but you can do well protection-wise by buying some good (textile) mesh gear for the hot months.

As a new rider, I'd also recommend against dropping BIG bucks on all that leather until A: you decide you really really love to ride and B: you figure out just what kind of riding you'll be doing... different riding takes differing stuff to wear. Also, until you figure out what is important to YOU in fit and features you can't really make an educated choice about what to buy. Most of us have more than one set of gear. Nothing will work for every type of weather or every temperature.

Go with good textile gear its cheaper up front... newenough.com has a good assortment. OR (and I highly recommend this) go into your local cycle shop and ask questions, try on stuff and BUY what fits. Yes, you'll pay more at a shop. BUT, you'll have made an ally in future deals. More and more dealers are going out of business because folks take up THEIR time and effort for fitting, etc. then go online for the purchase... if you do this then you have no right to complain if your nearest dealer is soon an hour or more away.

P

[oldnslo]

I think for most of us, gear comes along a piece or two at a time, higher quality replacing what we started with. I guess there is a strong argument for getting all the best gear possible to start with, but the fact is most riders don't do it that way. You must have a helmet, gloves, and probably a leather or motorcycle specific textile jacket to begin with, but beyond that, the majority of newbies and a lot of non-newbies ride in jeans and work boots or cheap riding boots.
On the other hand, if absolute safety is at the top of your list, you could buy all the stuff now. It may save you a little road rash in a minor scrape, but it won't make you any more invincible than jeans and work boots in a life-taking crash, but you will have a wider margin of protection and more peace of mind.
You might want to wait until you take the MSF course, too. There will probably be some discussion about gear during class time and you will have the opportunity to discuss it with others.