Buying Gear
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176 Posts
It's hard to know. You can read the manufacturers website but a lot of the times it's too sales-ish and less practical. Reviews from multiple sources is usually what I do. Googling "the best ______" will usually lead you to what most people think.
Helmet is #1 for me, then Jacket, next I have is gloves. That's all I have now will be working my way down as the budget allows.
Helmet is #1 for me, then Jacket, next I have is gloves. That's all I have now will be working my way down as the budget allows.
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420 Posts
Personally I don't skimp on gear, I have the best you can get cuz theres only one me. Reading lots of reviews, watching videos (sportbiketrackgear is really great for that), reading tons, talking to people like us and seeing who has tried what. My #1, get it in your hands and feel it! You can usually tell if its crap. Especially with gloves, jackets and pants. If you're creative and persistent you can usually get deals on things too.
Joined
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5,699 Posts
This is a great topic of discussion! Here are a few things to consider:
- Quality costs you, but bling costs you more... I spent $370 on my Shoei RF-1100 in solid Red. I couldn't be happier. The same helmet went with a really fancy factory paint scheme for $630... You can still get super safety, comfort and performance by going with something less flashy....
- Quality costs a lot initially, but saves you money in the long run. Unless you're weight fluctuates greatly, you could get away with using the same jacket/gloves/pants/boots for YEARS! So buy what lasts/can be repaired - scars on your gear are good stories anyway...
Unless you're planning on doing something very specific, buy gear that can be used for many different situations you're more likely to be found in. Jacket - mesh with liner is a GREAT all arounder, but will probably only carry you through one crash. A leather jacket will be warmer in the summer, but also in the winter. It will probably take you through many crashes as well. And it will tell a great story, even at 3 times the price. Not to mention look a whole heck of a lot cooler. The biggest point where this works is in boots. Unless you'll be racing, don't buy race boots. There are cheaper and better options out there. I ride A * Harlem's on the street. I also wear them EVERYWHERE. Just got them resoled after 2 years of almost daily wear. Not bad for a pair of boots at $180... Red Wings are also reasonable daily riding options.
No direct knock against ICON, but they do make things that are flashy so that you will pay more....
Gloves - DO NOT SKIMP ON GLOVES. Skimp on your jacket if you have to. In a crash, invariably you will put your hand down. With road rash on your arms, shoulder and back it will hurt, but at least you'll be able to bandage the wounds cause your hands aren't all messed up... We underestimate the value of our hands until they are incapacitated....
As FHG said, make sure try stuff on. If it feels right, go for it. If you have any doubts, keep searching. It's your money and you NEED to have what you want. If you can't afford it - go buy some tough stuff from Car heart or Duluth trading company to get you by and save up for some REAL riding gear.
- Feel free to post up your individual prospective gear choices here and we'll show you what to look for and such.
Keep in mind, 2 products might look the exact same. The reason the more expensive one is more expensive is in the little things - stitching that will last the lifetime of the item. Hinges that will not break or wear out every 9 months. Zippers that will keep working and block out wind, etc, things like that..
Also, I must commend everybody else on their advice. Some really good stuff here!
- Quality costs you, but bling costs you more... I spent $370 on my Shoei RF-1100 in solid Red. I couldn't be happier. The same helmet went with a really fancy factory paint scheme for $630... You can still get super safety, comfort and performance by going with something less flashy....
- Quality costs a lot initially, but saves you money in the long run. Unless you're weight fluctuates greatly, you could get away with using the same jacket/gloves/pants/boots for YEARS! So buy what lasts/can be repaired - scars on your gear are good stories anyway...
Unless you're planning on doing something very specific, buy gear that can be used for many different situations you're more likely to be found in. Jacket - mesh with liner is a GREAT all arounder, but will probably only carry you through one crash. A leather jacket will be warmer in the summer, but also in the winter. It will probably take you through many crashes as well. And it will tell a great story, even at 3 times the price. Not to mention look a whole heck of a lot cooler. The biggest point where this works is in boots. Unless you'll be racing, don't buy race boots. There are cheaper and better options out there. I ride A * Harlem's on the street. I also wear them EVERYWHERE. Just got them resoled after 2 years of almost daily wear. Not bad for a pair of boots at $180... Red Wings are also reasonable daily riding options.No direct knock against ICON, but they do make things that are flashy so that you will pay more....
Gloves - DO NOT SKIMP ON GLOVES. Skimp on your jacket if you have to. In a crash, invariably you will put your hand down. With road rash on your arms, shoulder and back it will hurt, but at least you'll be able to bandage the wounds cause your hands aren't all messed up...
We underestimate the value of our hands until they are incapacitated....As FHG said, make sure try stuff on. If it feels right, go for it. If you have any doubts, keep searching. It's your money and you NEED to have what you want. If you can't afford it - go buy some tough stuff from Car heart or Duluth trading company to get you by and save up for some REAL riding gear.
- Feel free to post up your individual prospective gear choices here and we'll show you what to look for and such.
Keep in mind, 2 products might look the exact same. The reason the more expensive one is more expensive is in the little things - stitching that will last the lifetime of the item. Hinges that will not break or wear out every 9 months. Zippers that will keep working and block out wind, etc, things like that..
Also, I must commend everybody else on their advice. Some really good stuff here!
Joined
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1,230 Posts
Spooph and company. Everyone's input will not be overlooked. Here's the break down of how I plan to spend my moto buget:
200 helmet
200 jacket
100 gloves
100 boots
20 ear plugs
Let me know your opinions on how YOU would adjust each item base on 650 gear budget. And for the record if need be I will spend over the budget.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
200 helmet
200 jacket
100 gloves
100 boots
20 ear plugs
Let me know your opinions on how YOU would adjust each item base on 650 gear budget. And for the record if need be I will spend over the budget.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
Joined
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5,699 Posts
Just to get you covered:
Helmet:
Welcome to HJC Helmets
jacket:
Shift Backdraft Mesh Jacket - $99.95 closeout special! In stock NOW! :: MSRP: $149.95
gloves:
Alloy Leather Glove | Alpinestars
Boots:
Harlem Waterproof Boot | Alpinestars
PM your shipping address and I'll send you some ear plugs. Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? If not, you shouldn't need ear plugs. Especially not being new, you need all the hearing you can get....
Put the rest of the money away until you've been riding for a while and know what you want out of gear and then buy some nicer stuff... Put away $20/paycheck towards increasing that fund.
I realize that's very counter to what I said up ahead, but once I started looking at gear again, I thought this would be a better course of action.
Helmet:
Welcome to HJC Helmets
jacket:
Shift Backdraft Mesh Jacket - $99.95 closeout special! In stock NOW! :: MSRP: $149.95
gloves:
Alloy Leather Glove | Alpinestars
Boots:
Harlem Waterproof Boot | Alpinestars
PM your shipping address and I'll send you some ear plugs. Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? If not, you shouldn't need ear plugs. Especially not being new, you need all the hearing you can get....
Put the rest of the money away until you've been riding for a while and know what you want out of gear and then buy some nicer stuff... Put away $20/paycheck towards increasing that fund.
I realize that's very counter to what I said up ahead, but once I started looking at gear again, I thought this would be a better course of action.
Joined
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123 Posts
Net,
Two web based gear merchants that have a fantastic amount of info/reviews on gear
www.revzilla.com
www.sportbiketrackgear.com
#1 is the bucket. ( duh)
#2 Jacket. Leather is most durable, but textile mesh with modular liners is most adaptable to 3 season riding.
I live just north of you in Ontario, Canada. I own a Tourmaster Intake2 jacket. It's got heavy armour in the bony places, and I'm comfortable riding from March through November.
I'm with Spooph...don't skimp on gloves.
I wouldn't underestimate the value of a decent pair of pants (armor in the knees preferred) that could mean the difference between bruises and severe abrasion. Don't put your faith in jeans. Denim is about as protective as tissue paper when it meets pavement at speed.
Also - boots - something that offers really good support. Common injury when you come off and find yourself tumbling is sprained or broken ankle. Again, could be the difference between walking away and crawling away.
Myself, I wear A* SMX Plus boots everywhere. Good footwear is pricey, but from your first ride wearing a proper pair of riding boots, you'll never look back.
One final piece of advice. Make sure whatever you have is what you will wear ALL the time. ATGATT.
Two web based gear merchants that have a fantastic amount of info/reviews on gear
www.revzilla.com
www.sportbiketrackgear.com
#1 is the bucket. ( duh)
#2 Jacket. Leather is most durable, but textile mesh with modular liners is most adaptable to 3 season riding.
I live just north of you in Ontario, Canada. I own a Tourmaster Intake2 jacket. It's got heavy armour in the bony places, and I'm comfortable riding from March through November.
I'm with Spooph...don't skimp on gloves.
I wouldn't underestimate the value of a decent pair of pants (armor in the knees preferred) that could mean the difference between bruises and severe abrasion. Don't put your faith in jeans. Denim is about as protective as tissue paper when it meets pavement at speed.
Also - boots - something that offers really good support. Common injury when you come off and find yourself tumbling is sprained or broken ankle. Again, could be the difference between walking away and crawling away.
Myself, I wear A* SMX Plus boots everywhere. Good footwear is pricey, but from your first ride wearing a proper pair of riding boots, you'll never look back.
One final piece of advice. Make sure whatever you have is what you will wear ALL the time. ATGATT.
Joined
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1,230 Posts
Thank you David for the information. I will take Otto heart and WMGATT!
I have a family I want to be around for. Two more months before my purchase, time is going soooo slow. In the meanwhile I will continue learning about the gear to buy all the necessities.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
I have a family I want to be around for. Two more months before my purchase, time is going soooo slow. In the meanwhile I will continue learning about the gear to buy all the necessities.
:Sent via the NewNinja iPhone App:
Joined
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5,699 Posts
I agree with David, especially on the pants thing, however, I do have some testimony on that - In the few crashes I've been in, my jeans actually did not get torn, however, they transferred enough heat to give me heat burns underneath, still, not saving my butt... So, keep in mind that good riding gear is not necessarily gear that will last through crash, but also gear that will insulate you from injuries.... Good things to consider.
Joined
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531 Posts
To add to what spooph said, make sure the gear fits. No no, I don't mean that you can fit into it, make sure they fit where the pads are with little movement. If too baggy the pad could roll over instead of staying between you and the object you hit. Loose gear can also cause friction burns.
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