Replacing gear

[vifferman]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. One of the big expenses of being a biker (particularly if you commute by bike) is replacing your gear what seems like fairly regularly. I currently have about $3k 'invested' in bike gear, and with my Spidi Gran Turismo pants seemingly on their last legs (har har!), am thinking once again about Going Shopping. The vifferbabe kindly gave me Motomail vouchers for my birthday and Xmas, but unfortunately, their online catalogue doesn't show anything that would be a suitable replacement, and even if it did, $200 won't go far. The GTs were around $540 6 or so years ago. Plus I have doubts about my Spidi H2-Out gloves ($250, IIRC) - have they lost their waterproofness (waterprooficity?), or was it just water from my jacket sleeves?
Some things last a reasonable length of time - the StylMartin StylSafe boots are five-and-a-half years old, and still goodish, although some of the less important stitching's coming unravelled, and the ubiquitous velcro (which is used on almost all bike gear) seems to have a practical lifetime of less than 3 years. (It's bugger, that - velcro is so useful and easy, but longevity is seemingly not among its attributes...)
Some stuff offers not quite infinite repair options, but close to it - like the 50 year old axe, that has had 11 new handles and three heads.
Leather's usually pretty good in this regard - zips can be replaced, torn bits can be patched or replaced if necessary, new linings fitted. The modern textiles - while quite versatile, are less robust. My last jacket (Teknic Hurricane), was a great all-round jacket, lasting over seven years, and I probably spent more than it originally cost having holes repaired, leather overlays added, zips replaced, new armour, etc. But in the end, although it still fulfilled its purpose, the jacket was SO faded and poxy looking, I didn't want to wear it any more.

Things have changed for me over the years, too. In the '70s, apart from a helmet (open face - fullface ones were in their infancy, and either too expensive, or were car ones which were too heavy), I wore gear only for protection from the elements, If it was cold, I wore gloves, otherwise not. I had a leather jacket, but if it was hot, I didn't bother. I could afford boots, so only bought some (workboots) when I got a dirt bike. I did have wet-weather gear, but only because I hated getting cold'n'wet.

As time's gone on (and I've gathered more scars), I've added more (and better) gear. I still didn't get my first pair of 'proper' bike boots (and decent fullface helmet) until 1994, and my first leather pants until about 1998. After finding out how crap it was wearing cheap waterproofs over leathers, and how much of a pain D'Auckland's changeable weather can be, I switched to wearing "four season" jackets, and then to matching pants. If I was really wealthy, I'd own summer and winter gear, but this stuff's the next best thing...

So what do you think? On the one hand, getting new gear is good, especially when gear is getting tatty or failing basic needs, but on the other hand, it's often ferkin expensive, particularly if (like me) there's several items which are nearing the end of their practical lifetime. It's almost enough to make me quit commuting, and save riding for the weekend, like many of you Weekend Warriors. (Problem is, my weekends are usually earmarked for exciting things like battling with the landscaping, rather than gliding over parts of the landscape, so I have to get my kicks from commutering).
Then there's those favourite items, like a helmet you really like, or really comfy gloves, and you don't really want to bin them, but ... there's safety to consider.
Do you factor the cost of gear replacement into bike ownership? Do you skimp on gear, buy the best, close your eyes when handing over the credit card? What are your criteria when choosing and buying gear?

I thought I'd found the ideal compromise with four seasons gear, but it's still a compromise. The pants have some leather patches, but are still textile, so not the best in (god forbid) a long asphalt slide. The jacket's leather, but has fiddly zips for the fragile liner, which if they bust (as they inevitably will), render the jacket useless. I'm thinking I'm going to have to either return to textile gear, or buy leather and an overjacket to match the Motoline overpants I still have.

I dunno... sometimes I think it's all too hard, and I should just give up.

[whowhatwhere]

Tend to buy good gear and stick with a bike worth bugger all myself.

I remember starting out and everyone said don't skimp on gear, skimp on the bike. Well I skimped on both and didn't realise how much more enjoyable biking is when you're wearing decent gear!

Lesson learned - gear comes first.

[skippa1]

It is expensive and good gear is all I will buy so it just gets worse. I got paid out when I wrecked all my gear in a bit of a skid down the road and I chewed up the better part of $3.5k when finished. I choose safety and comfort as the prerequisites to buying gear, price last.

[Maha]

Have a look through this website Ian--->> http://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/sec195a4db5da/?ObjectPath=/Shops/10207048/Categories

I bought a $699 Jacket from Motomail last year...at FC Moto its $369.95.

Im not the only one that shops there...http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/145624-FC-Moto

[Bassmatt]

Yeah its a bit of a nightmare at times isnt it? When i first started out I bought cheap ( not the cheapest) gear with the thinking that it would be nearly as good as more expensive stuff but probably wouldnt last as long and would need replacing if i binned. What i found was the cheaper stuf fdidnt last very long at all and that alot of the claims made eg. waterproof etc really were only true for a couple of months or not at all.
So now I buy more expensive gear with a reputable name. I have astars pants revit jackets tcx boots etc. I think it is worth paying that bit extra the fit and finish of the products is excellent, the gear that claims to be waterproof is ,and it looks and feels like it will last many years of use.
I have a winter jacket and gloves and a summer jacket and gloves , Im not to fussed on summer pants I find leather pretty good for summer and winter.
I do quite a bit of research and take a while to make a decision on what I want to buy.
Check out the FC Moto thread to get good gear at bargain prices also this place http://www.motoin.de/
I just bought some Dainese leather pants from them which will cost me NZ$420 including postage.
The nearest equivalent I can find in NZ are $699
My 2c fwiw

[ckai]

I'm not stupid enough to "factor" in my gear spending habits. Or should that be brave enough? ;) If I want something, I'll save and buy it. By the time I have the money I've either decided I don't really need it or that it's a bloody good idea and it's come down in price :)

I spend WAY too much money on all my sports and never keep track of it. It'll make me cry. It gets bloody pricey but I'm one of those people that love new shit so I buy when I can.

I have summer and winter gear (3 pairs of gloves). The winter gear is actually the gear I first brought and is still going strong. Some zip end thingie's are broken but they still look good. It makes a difference when you use your gear one is a blue moon!


It is expensive and good gear is all I will buy so it just gets worse. I got paid out when I wrecked all my gear in a bit of a skid down the road and I chewed up the better part of $3.5k when finished. I choose safety and comfort as the prerequisites to buying gear, price last.

It was good to find out, when I had my whoopsie, that my insurance company doesn't depreciate helmets. So you give them the receipt (or get a quote) of how much you spent and you get that exact amount. So I spent $900 of my new helmet knowing I'd get it back if I "used" it. I'm sure the other companies are like that. Bloody good though.

[SPman]

In the '70s, apart from a helmet (open face - fullface ones were in their infancy, and either too expensive, or were car ones which were too heavy Bought a new Arai full face in 1972 - dedicated bike helmet and reasonably light compared to a Bell Star. Expensive? $45 ( income of $55/wk) so, yes. Bell Star was $60!

[vifferman]

Bought a new Arai full face in 1972 - dedicated bike helmet and reasonably light compared to a Bell Star. Expensive? $45 ( income of $55/wk) so, yes. Bell Star was $60!
It's all relative, I guess. I was a student in the '70s, and an open-face helmet at just over $20 was a lot, given my wages were $0.80/hour, later rising to $1/hour. I think my current helmet's probably about half a week's salary too, but it's a whole lot better, and I'm no longer a student /delivery boy / shop assistant.
My first bike was $600, a leather jacket was around $60, IIRC. Current bike cost $12k (now worth less than half that, despite spending many $k on it), and my jacket cost $1200, so it's kinda comparable.

Maybe I was panicking a bit, or summat. I turned my Gran Turismo pants inside out, looking for the hole in the liner, and found nothing. Next thing is to take it to MSW and ask Kerrie to replace the zips and velcro - bound to be less than $540 :laugh:.
I've got many pairs of gloves - tend to hang on to them when they're replaced. The dubiously waterproof Spidi H2Outs will probably be Ok if I treat them with something, even if the liners are poked.

The problem child is the jacket with its clever yet somewhat fragile liner. If that or the zips cark it, it'll be time for some thinking...

[jrandom]

You could switch to communtering by pushbike. It'd be even more expensive, but the additional gear and whatnot would feel less unjustified.

The fitness side-effect is good too.

[vifferman]

You could switch to communtering by pushbike. It'd be even more expensive, but the additional gear and whatnot would feel less unjustified.

The fitness side-effect is good too.
Welll, I could, if I wasn't moving from working in Albania to working in College Hill, but I'm not game to try cycling over the bridge, and taking the ferry just so I could cycle would be dumb.

I was impressed in LA that the public transport was cheap, and bike friendly, with a big rack on the front of every second bus. Saw a few cyclists catch the bus for awkward bits or because they were tired (or perhaps, lazy). Saw some folks on the train with bikes too.

[iYRe]

I purchased a NERVE jacket and pants from CNELL (a trademe store), 140 each - kept me dry safe and warm all winter..

I got RAZOR gloves from 1tonne and they are seriously good (75$), all my mates have brought them now as well.
One mate got boots and pants from there for about $140 each and they are really good too.

I have a leather jacket, cordura pants, cordura jacket (all from CNELL - total cost 600), boots from red baron - 140, gloves from 1 tonne and red baron (alpine stars) 70 and 99 respectively. I have a 1tonne helmet (165$ - and it seems sweet). So I am fully kitted out and havent spent a grand yet.

I also have 3 CNELL helmets, but I wouldnt recommend them for daily riding, they're ok as spares. They are the same price as 1tonne helmets but not even close for quality, style and design.

I wouldnt spend lotsa money any more.. unless it was a helmet..

[jrandom]

taking the ferry just so I could cycle would be dumb.

What? The ferry is choice! Lots of people do exactly that. Some days in summer during the commute hours you literally can't move on the back of the ferry for the number of bikes packed in.

[iYRe]

I cycle from manurewa to the cbd at least 3x a week - 30k each way. fun fun fun

[jrandom]

fun fun fun

It's choice, isn't it? Riding a bicycle in traffic is a buzz. I think that's what I've always enjoyed about cycling.

To be honest I can never get that keen on spending entire Saturdays pedaling through the countryside, but zipping through rush hour around Auckland... I miss it.

Motorcycling through traffic is more like work. You have to be too safety-image-conscious. However, everybody already hates cyclists and that'll never change, so when you get on a bicycle you might as well be a cunt on the roads and enjoy it.

[iYRe]

It's choice, isn't it? Riding a bicycle in traffic is a buzz. I think that's what I've always enjoyed about cycling.

To be honest I can never get that keen on spending entire Saturdays pedaling through the countryside, but zipping through rush hour around Auckland... I miss it.

Motorcycling through traffic is more like work. You have to be too safety-image-conscious. However, everybody already hates cyclists and that'll never change, so when you get on a bicycle you might as well be a cunt on the roads and enjoy it.

yeah you're right, although I do enjoy the peace of a country ride - velo or bike too. I have an Intruder and its kinda wide, so I have issues splitting lanes. I've come home with black and blue knuckles a few times..

[vifferman]

What? The ferry is choice! Lots of people do exactly that. Some days in summer during the commute hours you literally can't move on the back of the ferry for the number of bikes packed in.
No doubt; Karen newst to take the ferry when we first moved to D'Auckland, then walk up Queen Street. She enjoyed the trip, especially on fine days, but it's a bit mental: catch one of the few ferry-feeder buses to the ferry, then catch the (crowded?) ferry to downtown, then cycle back to College Hill. My current choices are:

Catch the bus from just across the work from home, get off in Fanshawe Street and walk up to College Hill;
Swap to a different bus and get off in Ponsonby and walk downhill to College Hill;
Find Person C to be our third passenger, take the car, park in the basement of my destination.
Catch the Vifferbeast from the gargre, and get off in the basement of my destination.

Seems a bit no-brainery to me. Especially if I can convince Karen to pillion to work on Fanshawe Street, rather than take the 25-minute bus ride.

[jrandom]

yeah you're right, although I do enjoy the peace of a country ride - velo or bike too. I have an Intruder and its kinda wide, so I have issues splitting lanes. I've come home with black and blue knuckles a few times..

I remember exploding a rather expensive bar end mirror on my GSX1400 against the side of a 4WD on the northwestern motorway. The pieces landed in my pillion's lap. *That* learned me not to put them on both sides of the handlebars.

[awa355]

It's all relative, I guess.
I've got many pairs of gloves - tend to hang on to them when they're replaced. The dubiously waterproof Spidi H2Outs will probably be Ok if I treat them with something, even if the liners are poked.

...

I bought a pair of Spidi H20 outs off T Me. for $10. Not a rip in them, and the water stays out.

When I started late 60's, It was an open face helmet, goggles, a scarf, Swanndri jacket, steel toe cap boots, and some sort of gloves.

Went everywhere like that for years, Just what young riders wore, unless dad owned a farm.

First bike was a V50 3spd Yamaha, $160 new, $60 deposit, paid the rest off over 12 months.

Looking back, riding seemed so simple; wear what we could afford and go without the rest.

With retirement approaching, my current bike will probably be my last. Motorcycling has become just so expensive.

[jrandom]

Seems a bit no-brainery to me. Especially if I can convince Karen to pillion to work on Fanshawe Street, rather than take the 25-minute bus ride.

Yes, certainly. Were it not for the exercise benefits of cycling I'd see no sanity in commuting by any means other than motorcycle.

[iYRe]

I remember exploding a rather expensive bar end mirror on my GSX1400 against the side of a 4WD on the northwestern motorway. The pieces landed in my pillion's lap. *That* learned me not to put them on both sides of the handlebars.

haha havent done that.. on the velo though, in Otatahuhu I came round the back of a van from the right, then up the inside, and was going to slow, and couldnt get my foot unclipped, and fell sideways into the van. The lights went green so I hared off down the main street. It made a big boom when I hit (with my shoulder), but I wasnt waiting to see if I had done any damage. No rego = win.

[pritch]

With retirement approaching, my current bike will probably be my last. Motorcycling has become just so expensive.

That's so damned depressing.

It is expensive though. I just paid for insurance, rego is due next month, and on Monday the bike goes in for a 20,000k service. There goes the fat end of a couple of grand in total?

And I plan to begin my transition to retirement next month. :whistle:

[Mom]

Do not gain weight!

Whatever you do!

All well and good buying great gear, a considered purchase that fits the bill and the pocket, only to gain a shed load of weight rendering the gear purchase redundant.

If you are like me you wont scrimp on price if it suits your purpose and size and situation. Just save a bit of extra funds to cover your arse should you fall foul of a gain weight problem caused by a hospital stay/steroid enhanced/broken leg/drug induced/love of good food attitude that will see you outgrow your new gear in a flash :laugh:

[Gremlin]

I use levels of gear. Top flight gear is over $3k just for the jacket and pants, but they're fantastically good (both in crash and weather protection). The gear is not used for commuting however.

Then I have the commuting and every day gear, and still have a selection (or perhaps I spent too much). I've just replaced my commuting jacket I bought 2nd hand for $150 after 6.5 years odd of riding. Figured that was well worth it.

Yes, I spend a small fortune on motorcycling, but I do lots of km, so I figure I get a good return :ride:

[Motu]

I've been there and back - when I first started riding it was a DJ, jeans and sneakers, no gloves, no helmet. By the end of the '70's I was in full leathers, fullface helmet and good boots. I'm gradually drifting back - stuff is just so damn expensive these days...now I'm in kevlar jeans and 10'' work boots. I might have to replace the Spidi Tourmaster with a Line 7 next.

[iYRe]

I've been there and back - when I first started riding it was a DJ, jeans and sneakers, no gloves, no helmet. By the end of the '70's I was in full leathers, fullface helmet and good boots. I'm gradually drifting back - stuff is just so damn expensive these days...now I'm in kevlar jeans and 10'' work boots. I might have to replace the Spidi Tourmaster with a Line 7 next.

In the 80's I had a GSX1100ES - jeans and those plastic waterproof pants you got from para rubber, 3 jackets if it was raining, boots, gloves, and a scarf. I had 2 cars but never drove them. I used to strap my $5000 bass guitar to the back of it and go jam with the boys (we had a factory with studio behind the powerstation where I kept one amp, one at home).

Modern gear is a WHOLE lot better.. but then, back in those days I didnt care :P

[centaurus]

I'm not sure how I feel about this. One of the big expenses of being a biker (particularly if you commute by bike) is replacing your gear what seems like fairly regularly.
.....


I am in the same boat vifferman. I put so many k's on my bikes every year that I really chew through my gear. The worst ones are the gloves. My last winter gloves (that I wore as all-year gloves for a couple of years) have been replaced due to wear holes on the innerside of the fingers (the part that sits on the clutch/brake lever).

I've been struggling for a long time trying to figure out the best option. I want good protection and confortable gear so I can ride for many hours, but I cannot affort summer and winter gear.

I think I have found a good setup in the past year, that allows me a good compromise. I have a two-piece leather set with pants having vents in the crotch and behind the knees and a removable winter for the jacket, which allows me to use them both in summer and winter. True, summer never gets that hot here in Wgn but having more or less layers under the jacket usually does the trick for me.

For winter and rain I have decided (after a lot of trial and error) on a two piece: overjacket & overpants. The overjacket fits so well over the leather jacket that I can't even feel it's there and the added wind/cold protection is enough to keep me warm in winter.

With the gloves I've given up on winter gloves - too bukly and I can't really find a pair that will be waterproof for more than 1 hour in the rain or for longer than 3-4 months after purchase. I now ride in my summer gloves and have a pair of rain-off overgloves that seem to keep both cold and rain away when needed and are quite easy on the levers.

[vifferman]

For winter and rain I have decided (after a lot of trial and error) on a two piece: overjacket & overpants. The overjacket fits so well over the leather jacket that I can't even feel it's there and the added wind/cold protection is enough to keep me warm in winter.

With the gloves I've given up on winter gloves - too bukly and I can't really find a pair that will be waterproof for more than 1 hour in the rain or for longer than 3-4 months after purchase. I now ride in my summer gloves and have a pair of rain-off overgloves that seem to keep both cold and rain away when needed and are quite easy on the levers.
Yeah, I've come to the same conclusion, and will be buying a two-piece oversuit some time in the nearish future. It's a fkn stupid idea having a waterproof liner on the inside of gear, as the nett result is that you still get damp, and it takes ages to dry out the gear. Plus I *hate* the feel of water trickling down the outside of the liner - because it's cold, it feels identical to not having a liner, until you get home and find that you're actually not wet after all. Except now my liners are failing, so I get home and find out I AM wet after all!

I recently bought some Rev'It waterproof gloves - they're much less bulky than any other similar ones I've owned, and have very good crash protection too. They'll be inadequate for cold weather, but hey - that's where the heated grips help. When my pants break again, I'm buying some fairly ordinary but good-fitting leather ones.

[tigertim20]

It can be fucking expensive, so I become a cheap cunt, not that I go and buy the cheapest shit i can find, rather I haggle a whole lot.
Be patient, wait for runout, last of the line stock, My helmet cost me about 40% of retail because the new model was on its way to the shop, I saved hundreds right there.
Youll get the same with all of your other gear if you are prepared to be patient, and buy your stuff from a variety of places, then you can easily buy 3k worth of gear for only half that, or less if you are lucky.

bike gear last ages, factor it in, keep a seperate account you put a few bucks ito a week, then you have an account with a running balance of enough to buy that pair of pants that are $300 down from $650 on clearance, even though you know you wont need them for another 18 months.

you get the picture

[GrayWolf]

Yeh I guess if I added up the money invested in gear hanging around the place it'd run into a few K's worth. Buying quality gear does enable you to build up a 'wardrobe' of gear in the event of getting soaked... dry gear for the next morning, and seasonal changes.. I have mesh and lighter jackets for summer. I have 7 jacket and pants (sets) around the place 4 helmets, 6 prs of gloves and 2 pairs of boots ......... The Partner has even more gear than me.... has to be 'colour matched' and how she feels for the day?

[cc rider]

I dunno... sometimes I think it's all too hard, and I should just give up.I don't think going naked is the solution v'man:eek:

You know I still don't have a leather jacket I like. I mean a 'fav'. I've got road jackets - cordura, textile, winter, track suits & even managed to bugger up up the Power Ranger suit :(
I don't know if one of my helmets got a knock so now I need a new one & gloves too. I loved those gloves. They fit like a ... well, you know

I've started looking for a 2nd hand retro leather jacket instead. It'll already be wore in & won't cost a fortune.

I scored a friend brand new leather pants & jacket for $100 at a garage sale. Decent brand. The seller made the foolish offer of 'pay what you think they're worth.' :niceone:

[p.dath]

I started off buying textile gear from retail shops. But it wore out. I ended up changing over to leather, as I found I could get leather gear online (such as from 1Tonne) cheaper than I could buy testiles from a retail shop. The leather gear has lasted much longer so far (although I have had a zipper (not the whole zip) replaced for $25 so far).

I still buy boots and gloves from retail stores, as I like to try those on, and its hard getting a nice fit that feels comfortable when your looking online. I try to have two pairs of gloves (winter and summer) - plus if one gets soaked through I have a spare pair I can wear. I have a single pair of boots. I tend to buy mid-range for those. Can't afford top of the line. I've had good life out of the mid-range gear so far.

I used to try and buy brands recommended to me. Now I just look at the gear and buy what I can afford. There are certain things I want to see in my gloves and boots, and as long as I can see those elements, and they are comfy, I get them.

[GTRMAN]

Do not gain weight!

Whatever you do!

All well and good buying great gear, a considered purchase that fits the bill and the pocket, only to gain a shed load of weight rendering the gear purchase redundant.

If you are like me you wont scrimp on price if it suits your purpose and size and situation. Just save a bit of extra funds to cover your arse should you fall foul of a gain weight problem caused by a hospital stay/steroid enhanced/broken leg/drug induced/love of good food attitude that will see you outgrow your new gear in a flash :laugh:

Or lose it! Have just lost 50kg and ALL my gear had to be replaced...