Equipment advice please ....

[scoobymad555]

Hey guys,

Firm believer of learning from others experience as opposed to the hard (and in the bike worlds case, potentially painful!) way! Trawled a few forums (plus a quick search on this one) but I haven't really concluded much other than I should visit a shop and try stuff on.

I'm looking at getting my license and a zxr for daily use (short runs mostly unless I decide to go trekking on a weekend) pretty much all year round unless the weather get's really offensive when I'll use the tin-top I'm working on the basis of around £1500 as a budget to buy suitable safety gear and I'm thinking one or two piece leathers. Have no idea if that's sufficient budget or not! I do know I've grown attached to my skin over the years though and I make a living from using my hands (computer networks) so I don't want to cut corners with protecting them - I can live with sweating a bit in summer if that's how it has to be!

I'm not intending to try and be the next Carl Fogarty or anything (truth be told, 60mph across a field on a dt250 back when I was a kid was enough to get the pulse up!) but equally, as a new rider to all intents and purposes I've got to accept I'm likely to be at higher risk of making a cock-up! Good quality suits and armour etc all seem sensible and tempting but I guess it's easy to get carried away!

With that in mind ...

Am I budgeting enough for gear?
What gear should I class as must-haves?
What stuff is good optional extras?
What stuff isn't worth getting?!
Can you guys recommend some manufacturers to look at? (Alpinestars and Dainese?)
What things should I look at when inspecting a potential buy? - as in how's the stitching done, grade of leather etc.
Should I look at additional armour beyond what the suits offer?

Sorry for a shed-load of questions straight off the mark - I just want to be as prepared as I can be and you guys know more than me!

[banner001]

Am I budgeting enough for gear? - Sounds ok, if not a bit high
What gear should I class as must-haves? - Legally helmet only, realistically helmet, leathers, gloves and boots.
What stuff is good optional extras? - back protector/chest protector.
What stuff isn't worth getting?! - Dainese air-bag inflation suit (£5000)...and them fucking "dog-ear" things for your helmet
Can you guys recommend some manufacturers to look at? (Alpinestars and Dainese?) - Really is each to their own im afraid, also the fit between them all is slightly different.
What things should I look at when inspecting a potential buy? - as in how's the stitching done, grade of leather etc. - Maybe look through old RiDE reviews?
Should I look at additional armour beyond what the suits offer? - You should have shoulder/elbow/hip/knee armour/padding as a basic requirement.

Me i have an RST suit £220, old caberg helmet £100, old random gloves £50 and Sidi vertebras from 10 years ago £150...so your budget is fine.

If you were buying from new i would go for £400 leathers/textile for your body, personally i prefer a 1 piece, but my wife has a 2-piece textile dianese suit, looks good if you have a good butt like her
Boots £200, Gloves £100, Helmet £250

So thats all in for under £1000, you really dont need that much more for the road, anything over the price i have listed here is gonna be mainly for show.

One more thing is what weather are you riding in? I have seperate waterproof boots and gloves and a damn good 1-piece rain suit that goes over my leathers...nothing worse that riding whilst soaking through...been there, done that, never again...200 miles in a freaking monster downpour, middle of winter, snow everywhere, i was in a bad way. If you budget another £100 for rain boots and £100 for gloves, £50 for rain suit you will be sorted for anything!

BTW i only wear my rain boots if it will be constantly raining, for showers my sidi's are fine, gloves do tend to get wet very quick though, and in winter you need something nice and warm.

oh and welcome to the forum

[RedexRobB]

£1500 will get you some decent kit!

Must haves if your riding all year round (such as myself), helmet with anti fog and plenty of vents for the summer. Two pairs of gloves, one for winter one for summer. Boots that are waterproof and also cool enough for the summer, the two generally dont go hand in hand so maybe two sets, i have one set that are 100% waterproof and just tolerate hot feet in the summer. As for jacket and pants textiles are the way for me, was a big believer in leather but textile is so much lighter, cooler and flexible. I have a revit cayenne pro suit, they have a thermal and water proof layers which can be taken out as required. Additionally you want CE armour protection you can insert if it hasnt already got it.

theres more optional extras that arent worth buying that what is essential, so stick to decent helmet, boots, gloves and suit and thats all youll need. Unless your talking about things like visor cleaner? Thats worth getting, as is wax for your boots!

For me the revvit kit has been great!! Not really worn much else apart from akito leather jackets, but i think in general terms you get what you pay for.

What to look for, read custoer reviews, they will be your indicators!

My main advice is if your riding all year round get kits that flexible, or you will buy two of everything.

[cookiesol]

really down to personal preference for brands.
after trying out $100 armor jackets, i moved on to dainese and nvr looked back. COMFORT!
still have the old mindset that 1 piece is safer than a 2 piece or thou it could be more troublesome.

gloves too. have a set of fox bomber for casual DRY weather street riding coz its so comfortable..
and a pair of dainese rs4 for track

would suggest to have 2 helmets and 2 gloves at least.
so when u clean 1, u have a spare to wear. 1 for wet days and 1 for dry rides etc.

have fun!