New gear suggestions?

[pkplex]

Gidday.

I plan on grabbing a new bike and riding from the Manawatu to Christchurch in the next couple of months. Given that it is likely to be wet and cold as a bastard around that time, and also that I need new gear, can you guys suggest some decent gear to grab? Ie, pants, jacket, boots, helmet, and gloves. I pretty much know bugger all about bike gear, leathers vs vinyl, waterproofing, warm stuff, etc. Hoping to keep it under $1500-ish.

Also, what's the road like from picton to christchurch during winter? Does it get icy often? Anything I need to take into account? I've ridden it during summer, and it was awesome. But I would imagine with ice/snow/rain along the coast it would be a bit of a prick... I have not done much riding in cruddy weather.

Cheers.

[oneofsix]

Vinyl? I think you mean Textile. Vinyl is plastic, doesn't breath, melts and stick to the body, never ever even think about it. I guess you want the gear for more than just the one ride so what style of riding are you planning? If you are going to mainly race, leather for sure, if you just want to leisure ride on fine weekends and show off at the cafe then leather is good, but if you want to tour or commute in all weathers then the textile is warmer and drys faster. There are many other factors too. Start with the like of 1tonne's or motomail's on line sites, spend your lunch hours in bike shops.

[jolly_26]

What gear do you have currently? Might not need to replace it all.

As a complete noob, my recommendation would be full leathers and a full fold up rainproof overcoat. I have neither of those things, but if I wasn't as skint as every other student out there that's what I'd look for.

[Hitcher]

Whatever you do, do not buy a Onesie rain suit. These are more useless than a useless thing. Hard to get on, harder to get off. Indeed if you were travelling alone and were in desperate need of a wizz or something more solid, you probably wouldn't be able to get the thing off. Any moisture -- rain or enclosed perspiration -- makes these things cling harder than one's beloved during a wheelie.

They also don't have pockets, which means either carrying things like wallets and phones in a separate waterproof secure container, or doing the Gangnam Stylz at every checkout one comes to in order to extract things one needs from pockets that lie within.

Do not buy a Onesie rain suit.

[Dogboy900]

Whatever you do, do not buy a Onesie rain suit. These are more useless than a useless thing. Hard to get on, harder to get off. Indeed if you were travelling alone and were in desperate need of a wizz or something more solid, you probably wouldn't be able to get the thing off. Any moisture -- rain or enclosed perspiration -- makes these things cling harder than one's beloved during a wheelie.

They also don't have pockets, which means either carrying things like wallets and phones in a separate waterproof secure container, or doing the Gangnam Stylz at every checkout one comes to in order to extract things one needs from pockets that lie within.

Do not buy a Onesie rain suit.

I have a onesie rain suit! I like it!
It's a Dririder, with a diagonal zip, and a large waterproof flap pocket on the chest. Getting in and out can be a bit of a pain but not too bad and I have been through some really torrential rain in it for hours at a time with no leaks. Also no worries about leaving pants or jacket behind.
I wear it over my 2 piece leathers and as a bonus it comes in a beautiful purple and black colourscheme ;)

[BigAl]

+1 for one piece suits.

Cheap and waterproof.

[Gremlin]

Whatever you do, do not buy a Onesie rain suit.
One thinks you might have some experience. :lol:

I have one as well, and my last experience of it was in 2008, a long ride, and wearing a one piece leather suit underneath. The two combined made stops more of a laugh than anything practical.

I believe they would be one of the most waterproof ways to travel, but blimey they're difficult. I prefer 2 piece for the convenience now.

Weather this time of year could be spectacular, or terrible. Make sure you take some warm layers, and make sure the waterproof gear can fit over your layered up size. Depending on the weather forecast, and where you are riding, avoid travelling early morning, and aim to stop by the time the sun goes down. If you have limited experience, you can turn the trip (Manawatu to Chch) into 2 easy days.

[sketch]

rev'it alaska gloves, $249
sidi vertigo goretex boots $6 hundy odd

$850 bucks gone but cut my foreskin and call me jewish you will have dry and warm feet and hands

[pkplex]

Cheers guys. I shall have an eyeball at the gear mentioned.

oneofsix: Mostly plan on day rides around windy fun places like Akaroa and what not, but occasional aimless rides to wherever, camp up, chill, ride somewhere else the next day type deals. Don't really plan on racing or track days right now. Cafe's are good for hangover food though. Eggs beneidict with bacon... phoar, love that stuff.

[oneofsix]

Cheers guys. I shall have an eyeball at the gear mentioned.

oneofsix: Mostly plan on day rides around windy fun places like Akaroa and what not, but occasional aimless rides to wherever, camp up, chill, ride somewhere else the next day type deals. Don't really plan on racing or track days right now. Cafe's are good for hangover food though. Eggs beneidict with bacon... phoar, love that stuff.

Sound like the type of riding I would love to do, too busy commuting at the moment. Textiles give the extra warmth and wet protection but leathers still seem the best endurance and gravel rash protection otherwise racers wouldn't be still using them. A good set of wet weather gear is handy in both cases. Enjoy your riding.

[Maha]

Taken from the Motomail website and just a guide...:niceone:
Kit yourself out for $1466.90.

Gloves $250 http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/reglalaskagtx.aspx
Pants $299.90 http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rvpafactor.aspx
Jacket $139 (was $299) http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/stjktgiro.aspx or http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rejktstrada.aspx
Boots $199 http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/drboreactor.aspx
Helmet $450 http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/scheexo500robo.aspx

A must have...rain jacket $129 http://www.motomail.co.nz/estore/style/rjjktvector.aspx Should at least get this for free when spending $1500.

Last time we spent that kind of money at once at Motomail, they gave us a $300 discount.

[st00ji]

another +1 on the rain proof onesie. has aforementioned pocket with seperate zipper on the chest.

though to be fair - i can imagine mine being a pain in case of needing a wee. have only used it on my commute so far, so hasnt been an issue.

nothing feels better than being dry and warm in my perfectly fitting leather gear in the pouring rain though.

[Erelyes]

Add:
$15-20 for a tub of beeswax for the boots.
$25-60ea for a merino thermal top and longjohns. Warehouse are reasonable, or you can spend the extra for Icebreaker etc. Buy two pairs ea if you're riding for more than 3 days without a chance to wash'em.
$25-50 for a couple pairs of merino socks.
$15-30 for a merino neck tube.

Perhaps a balaclava too, but try em on with your helmet first, you don't one that rides up at the cheeks, or down at the forehead.
Consider also $50-100 for a merino jumper, the missus got 2x Line 7 longsleeve ones for $12 ea at the op shop the other day, so try there for these.

The above will improve your warmth and comfort considerably and are like night and day compared to cotton. You could try polyprop, but you'll get smelly.

Oh and maybe some bike gear too

[Rambo_Chicken]

If you're looking to a waterproof textile jacket - I HIGHLY reccomend the RST adventure jacket... its pretty fancy, removeable thermal and waterproof liner(s), in the summer - the sleeves can be removed and flaps at the front opened for super ventilation, pretty good padding that stays in place etc...

I used to ride with a crappy Spada jacket - which was OK to begin with but found it was only waterproof until it rained which was less than ideal...

On the bottom I have a pair of cordura camo textiles from australian bikers (ebay jobby) - fantastic - i've ridden through monsoons with those puppies and came out bone dry - quite cheap as well... only downside is the knee armour doesnt stay in place properly...

I have kevlar jeans for the summer - AWESOME when the heat is on (ridden through Spain in +40oC heat - they breathe lovely and its comforting to know that my skin would survive in the event of a spill)

[pkplex]

After much procrastination, very little thought, and a comment from my mum, I have decided to get pretty much what Maha suggested, but with oilskin's as the waterproofy bits.

Any comments and or suggestions on oilskins as waterproofy bits?

[awayatc]

oilskin gets heavy in rain( i know...i wear them at work all the time) get one with some sort of sleeve at least, i prefer 3/4 sleeves myself.
Get a balaclava.....you can get thin ones at hunting and fishing or thicker oxford bike ones.
get a few multi layers of merino .....op shops or trade me are quite cheap compared to dogmandhu..
Bib pants (leather from trade me for me) keep you a lot warmer and drier then regular pants.
Enjoy the trip and stay warm...