Prioritizing gear...

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Uridian · #1 Unread post by **Uridian** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:24 pm

Not quite in the way you might think, though...

So... I've bought my bike (yay!) Got my permit, taken my MSF (passed with flying colors), and now I'm waiting on my DL-389. I have been riding on the road around town for some weeks now, but I keep the distance and speed down cuz i'm not fully geared just yet.

So... gear. I'm borrowing a helmet at the moment from a friend, I've got nice armored gloves, armored boots, a non-motorcycle leather jacket and denim.

Anyway, I'm on a really tight budget until early next week, but I want to go get more gear tomorrow, so what should I make my priority? I have around $300 cash in hand to burn until monday, so, should I replace the borrowed helmet (with very scratched visor, i wear shatterproof sunglasses with it), or should i get a decent moto jacket and possibly pants?

My permit doesn't let me ride at night, so the only problem with helmet/sunglasses is wind/cold/mist (I live in san francisco). If i find a decent helmet that fits well for $150 and a jacket for $150 or less, that would be awesome. but if i don't, what would you all recommend I get immediately?

jonnythan · #2 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:39 pm

Find a helmet that fits you well.

With any money left over, I'd go for either jacket or pants, depending on exactly what you have now. If you have a thin fashion leather jacket, then definitely a jacket. If it seems reasonably durable, get some better pants.

Flesher · #3 Unread post by **Flesher** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 4:42 pm

I would definetly go for the helmet first, a helmet must fit well and mold to your head (which is why borrowed helmets are a bad Idea). The other gear is all secondary without a helmet that fits.

You should be able to buy a helmet and a textile jacket for $300.

Good luck and ride safe.

Uridian · #4 Unread post by **Uridian** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 5:19 pm

Great... thanks for the input guys. That's about what I was thinking, for the most part. If for no other reason than to get my friend's spare helmet back to him... heh. My jacket is fairly sturdy, but it is just fashion (wilson's), so I'll definitely be replacing it as soon as possible.

I'll opt for helmet first and see what I have left. If I spend more on the helmet, I'll just go back next week and get jacket/pants together.

On a slightly side note, how should I shop for motorcycle pants? Are most pants intended to be overpants, or can I get armored pants that are intended to be worn on their own? Any suggestions/recommendations?

Thanks again...

ANDS! · #5 Unread post by **ANDS!** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:10 pm

If you don't mind using eBay - you can get sick deals on gear. I know right now you can get an Icon Pursuit jacket on eBay for like 160, instead of a textile (I have a textile jacket, but man is it bulky - which does help the wind buffeting though).

Uridian · #6 Unread post by **Uridian** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 8:42 pm

In the future, I don't think I'd mind eBaying it, but since this is my first gear and I don't know how anything feels or fits, I think I'd rather go to a shop and try stuff on this time. There are two pretty good shops a few blocks away from each other downtown, so I think I'll have plenty of options.

Sandibeach · Wed Aug 08, 2007 12:27 am

As for the pants, I have the Alpinstar Airflow pants... they are very good. I tend to wear them on their own, but I can fit them over a pair of shorts or very thin pants. I do find in the summer they are hot even with the air going through it. They are armoured and padded, which adds additional bulk.

I'm considering buying a pair of draggin-jeans. There are good reviews on them, and they would protect you from road rash should something happen. I tend to wear my jeans most times when riding, so at least if I have real "motorcycle" jeans, I'll be better off!

tropicalhotdog · Wed Aug 08, 2007 3:31 am

I have the Draggin jeans (black), and Draggin chinos that I can wear to work with a nice shirt and jacket with no one the wiser that I'm wearing biker gear. They won't protect you the way pants with armor will obviously, but the kevlar lining will protect you from road rash if you go down. They're very comfortable.

Just note that they're cut small - you need to order them at least a size bigger than what you usually wear.

But as as said above, get a good helmet first. Nothing more important than protecting your head. Then a good leather jacket.

Bachstrad37 · Wed Aug 08, 2007 4:49 am

Without much dispute, the helmet is your first priority.

The second, I personally believe are gloves. The human instinct dictates that your arms/hand are the first to react in a case of an accident.

I've scored my palms before and won't make that mistake again. Have you tried eating, brushing your teeth, showering, or even type when both palms are in the process of healing? It's not fun.

ANDS! · #10 Unread post by **ANDS!** » Wed Aug 08, 2007 5:22 am

If (for some reason), you have nothing else. . .a helmet; if you go out w/ nothing more than a helmet, and accept that you can get rashed up pretty badly on even the slowest of falls, at the very LEAST, youre home wont be scrambled. . .

I say minimum, helmet and jacket if you're out there commuting. If you intention is to go riding on the curves, or of course taking it on the track, jeans and knee protectors and minimum, leather pants max. I know folks who do the kevlar and full body suits but man, those things look silly and overkill, but if you got the cash to drop - do so.