Thoughts on my choices for beginner gear? [Archive]

Sedition

27th August 2015, 12:12

5ive

27th August 2015, 12:38

What is your budget, and what bike will you be riding? Without some more info you'll probably just get fashion advice ;)

My advice would be to TRY on any gear before you buy, it needs to fit properly, especially the helmet. Some helmets are created for forward leaning riders (sports bikes), or more upright, or backwards positioning (motards/cruisers). You'll also find that armour won't fit well with some jacket/pant combos or suits.

A good textile jacket and pants combo may be more comfortable and more accomodating than leather for removeable layers depending on the temperature...

Lots to think about, but if cost is a factor, I'd drop the extra armour in favour of inbuilt armour (with a CE 2 level of protection).

Sedition

27th August 2015, 12:48

I'm looking at the KTM Duke 200 - reviews say it's a relatively upright posture. Budget, probably around the $1000 to $1200 mark, give or take.

I've looked at the textile combo - the only thing holding me back here is whether the armor will shift in a crash - that's just what I'm guessing without hearing actual rider thoughts. Is that worth being concerned about, assuming that the gear is of the right fit?

nodrog

27th August 2015, 13:07

All that separate armour looks like a pain in the cock. I can see you getting bored of putting all that shit on before getting on your scooter.

Get a 2 Piece leather suit if you want to be captain safety without having to have a wardrobe person to dress you. Most of the road Biased stuff will have removable liners.

Leather suits hold up better in a crash and can be repaired. Textile while protecting you with its amour, seems to rip and melt and generally is only fit for the rubbish bin after a crash.

EJK

27th August 2015, 13:10

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting into riding in the next few months, complete beginner, so I've been researching all the gear I'll need first. I'll be riding to/from work (5 mins), possibly some delivery work around town in light traffic, some exploring around the back roads, and eventually 1-3 hour rides on the open road. I'd really appreciate some thoughts on what I'm looking at getting so far:

(Revzilla links) Icon Alliance Dark (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-alliance-dark-helmet) helmet, Stryker Vest (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-field-armor-stryker-vest), Elbows (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-field-armor-stryker-elbow-guard), Knees (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-field-armor-stryker-knee-guard), and possibly Hips (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-field-armor-stryker-shorts). Still looking for boots. Over top, I'm looking for a leather jacket / pants that would fit over the armor, thermal liner would be a bonus, and the ability to waterproof the leather (with the spray on stuff).

My thinking behind separate armor and jacket/pants is that first, I get the impression the armor strapped to the body would fit and protect better than pads sewn into jacket/pants. Second is that I can replace pieces individually rather than have to bin an entire jacket if only an elbow takes some damage.

Am I taking the right approach here?

I know riding a bike can be dangerous but Jesus are you preparing to go to war? With the price of individual armours all up you can get some decent leathers.

All that separate armour looks like a pain in the cock. I can see you getting bored of putting all that shit on before getting on your scooter.

Get a 2 Piece leather suit if you want to be captain safety without having to have a wardrobe person to dress you. Most of the road Biased stuff will have removable liners.

Leather suits hold up better in a crash and can be repaired. Textile while protecting you with its amour, seems to rip and melt and generally is only fit for the rubbish bin after a crash.

+1

Sedition

27th August 2015, 13:19

I know riding a bike can be dangerous but Jesus are you preparing to go to war? With the price of individual armours all up you can get some decent leathers.

Bahaha fair call. I guess I'm stuck between not wanting to look like Rob Halford, and not wanting to look like pizza after a crash because I skimped.

EJK

27th August 2015, 13:25

Bahaha fair call. I guess I'm stuck between not wanting to look like Rob Halford, and not wanting to look like pizza after a crash because I skimped.

If you like shopping have a look at fc-moto.de too

5ive

27th August 2015, 13:39

A few things to note when comparing leather and textiles:

- Leather holds up better in crashes, and can sometimes be re-worn after an accident.
- Textiles (with appropriate strength ratings) will still protect you, but will not usually be able to be re-worn after an accident.
- Textiles are usually more comfortable, and offer a lot more options.
- Leather usually looks cooler (style dependent).
- Leather tends to be more expensive, depending on percentage of composition and style/brand.
- Leather only rules apply when training/racing at a race track.
- Neither are waterproof, but textiles will dry quicker.
- Most motorcycle insurance policies will replace damaged riding gear - leather and textile.

Both have pros and cons, as long as you're wearing one of them, you're better off than not.

Tazz

27th August 2015, 13:52

Check http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ for helmet ratings too. Your Icon is 3/5 stars on there and for the same price you will be able to get a 5 star one (LS2 springs to mind instantly ;) )

You will find leathers to go over that gear, and you will find good fitting leathers with built in protection, but I'd bet a really good sandwich with 3 kinds of meat and those really tasty black olives you won't find good fitting leathers that go over that gear. Textiles you will, well, better fitting.

As for in built armour moving, you can kinda tell when you try it on if it is a good fit for your body shape or not. In my experience (although almost all my tumbles are into the neighbors hedges or gravel) the knees are the only ones that are tricky with textile gear. Good/correct fitting leathers the armour shifting won't be a problem. Most people who have issues are usually wearing the wrong size or something that was never going to work to begin with/badly designed.

If you're dead set on separate protection I'd go for one of those exo suits rather than individual odds and sods as it will piss you off pulling all that on and off. Also get compression pants rather than shorts as most knee guards will chaff/pinch when directly on your skin. I just got some EVS ones off Torpedo 7 for a wicked price, might still be on sale.

For waterproofing, do a search, there is a big thread on it with recent opinions form a lot of folks on here. Wrapping yourself in glad wrap was definitely the best suggestion.

Sedition

27th August 2015, 13:59

Lots of really good info here, thanks guys. Appreciate the links as well!

Rikard

28th August 2015, 17:09

The guys down at Red Baron will usually do a good deal on rst leathers. Cheaper than alpinestars but still very good quality.

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local

28th August 2015, 20:39

I do a similar commute, and similar non-commute riding. Needed stuff with protection, convenience and waterprooficity. After going through a few different set ups I am now using Dririder Nordic textile/leather hybrid stuff. Leather in knees, shoulders and elbows along with CE protectors at those points. Not the fanciest gear but happy with it for the price.

The jacket has been fine (18months old), although I replaced foam back pad with a much sturdier CE graded foam pad. The pants have been returned twice due to leaks. I have now ended up using the Nordic pants as well as a removable waterproof liner from the Dririder Vortex range. At least with a removable waterproof liner you can see where it's leaking and address it, anything with a fixed internal membrane you are kind of stuffed. I guess leather is similar, with a waterproofer you are going to spray and pray it won't let you get wet?

I got sizes sufficient to wear over the top of business clothes when using the thermal liners, and just get to work and dump everything under my desk. Also gives the ladies a thrill if they are passing by while I'm undressing. No harassment claims yet.

awayatc

29th August 2015, 05:01

Dressing for when you gonna crash bit fatalistic.....
Attitude and skill level should be aimed at avoiding crashes..

Re waterproofing leather.....forget spray silicon shite
Bee's wax is the answer...
Google to find out why.

Personally leathe gear for me....
Far more comfy then textile...
The whooshing noises textiles make while wandering about alone would drive me nuts...

Maha

29th August 2015, 08:31

Your budget (over the years to come) will be endless when it comes to bike gear. What ever you buy first up will be replaced as soon as you see something ''you must have''. This phenomenon will continue for at least a decade (even longer in extreme cases, psychologists will concur) until you settle on the right combo.

Don't look to ''save'' when purchasing bike gear, you will end up having to buy/replace it in a very short space of time because, it's not really what you want or it leaks during rain or it's always cold, there's any number of reasons not to buy cheap gear.

Leather V Textile is long been debated over the years and the camps for and against are varied.
ie: Leather pants tuck inside your boots which allows water to enter the boots during rain while Textile pants go over your boots keeping water out during rain.
Leather = protection/up to date stylish colours/cold/not water proof.
Textile = protection/90% black/warm/water proof if you spend the right amount of money.

It goes on and on...bla bla bla.

Which ever way you decide to go, don't be a tight arse, buy good gear first up (sufficient shouldn't be considered) don't ride like a twat and your wallet will thank you.

eldog

29th August 2015, 09:19

+1 for Maha

If you are like me the short commute (5-10) mins to work putting on and taking off gear became a PITA. I didnt get any benefit from it. it made my riding worse and frustrating.

There are lots of places to try gear on. Go and try them on, each has it merits.
I looked for ventilation-my textile suit has plenty of zipped vents, a built in liner which can be removed. I only remove mine when I wash it, its so comfortable.
Armour its really worth it but try and get non foam type. CE2 minimum
Some suits have resonable back protectors too.
The easier for you to put the gear on, the more likely you will feel comfortable.
Look for gear which you can reposition the armour, on my gear it is positioned via velcro stops.
As you ride more your ideas about what and how you ride will change.

Myself trying out lots of gear was daunting at first, but you will find it becomes easy.

As a beginner textile is great but try and buy good gear, look closely and compare.
have a think about what really plan to do in the long run, ie track, cruising, off road whatever use this to plan your gear. eventually you will want a bigger bike.

make sure it fits you, its your ride. :yes:

Akzle

29th August 2015, 09:35

Re waterproofing leather.....forget spray silicon shite
Bee's wax is the answer...
Google to find out why.

lamb fat. And/or the old dubbin.

Leave your shit in the sun to warm it up, then rub it in with chamois.

R650R

30th August 2015, 23:24

Snowseal on all my leather gear.... just remember with all that beeswax all over your leathers, look our for hives with angry bees in summer lol....
Dodged a few swarms myself....
Get leathers for learning, you will crash more than once. You wont fit any motocross style amour under any textile gear realisticly or practically.
I have textiles and leather. The armour in textiles only protects knees, shoulders and maybe hips if you pay extra but still lots of other parts of you that will hit ground hard.
And that's all supposing the bike doesn't land on you or under you....
Buy good gloves and boots, your hands and feet are kinda important in day to day life.

nodrog

31st August 2015, 07:52

....Get leathers for learning, you will crash more than once....

only if you're fucking retarded.

Rikard

31st August 2015, 07:55

only if you're fucking retarded.

Oh god here come the fun police haha!

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nodrog

31st August 2015, 08:57

Oh god here come the fun police haha!

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is falling off fun?

Rikard

31st August 2015, 10:12

No but it happens. You're not retarded if you fall off your bike lol.

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nodrog

31st August 2015, 10:54

No but it happens. You're not retarded if you fall off your bike lol.

you are if you do it repeatedly.

and it doesn't happen to all learners.

Banditbandit

31st August 2015, 11:54

Some good advice in the previous posts.

My thinking behind separate armor and jacket/pants is that first, I get the impression the armor strapped to the body would fit and protect better than pads sewn into jacket/pants. Second is that I can replace pieces individually rather than have to bin an entire jacket if only an elbow takes some damage.

Am I taking the right approach here?

Thoughts on this .. if you have damaged the armour, such as on an elbow, to the extent that you need to replace it, then chances are that you will have damaged the external layers - i.e the leather or fabric as well.

I have both leather and fabric gear - I commute in the fabric jacket (and wet pants when it's raining) and travel long distance in leather ... the fabric jacket and pants have removable liners, and when removed means they the both fit over my leathers as wet weather gear. I doubt that's a budget option for you right now.

I'd recommend going with fabric for the moment and I'd recommend Macna gear - it's waterproof for about five hours (anything more is unrealistic on a bike) and comes with armouir inserted.

My jacket is an older model of this ..

http://www.macna.com/products/essential-rl/

I've had it abiout seven years ... I have fallen off in this jacket and it has barely a mark on it - it was slow sopeed crash - I suspect at higher speed I would have to replace the jacket ...

My current leathers have gone down the road 2 or 3 times and are still usable ..

Rikard

31st August 2015, 12:03

you are if you do it repeatedly.

and it doesn't happen to all learners.

What are you trying to say here? That he shouldn't get good gear because he shouldn't be falling off in the first place? Okay I'm sure it doesn't happen to all learners but surely it's best to be prepared. Even experienced riders take the odd tumble.

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nodrog

31st August 2015, 12:34

What are you trying to say here? That he shouldn't get good gear because he shouldn't be falling off in the first place? Okay I'm sure it doesn't happen to all learners but surely it's best to be prepared. Even experienced riders take the odd tumble.

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I'm not trying to say anything, I've said it. I think you are trying to comprehend it.

Maha

31st August 2015, 14:01

Even experienced riders take the odd tumble.

More often than you may think, the mindset of some ''experienced'' riders is (at times) far worse than new riders. There seems to be a fair amount of arrogance that gets a real work out from time to time, resulting in a call to an insurance company of their choice.

Rikard

31st August 2015, 14:17

More often than you may think, the mindset of some ''experienced'' riders is (at times) far worse than new riders. There seems to be a fair amount of arrogance that gets a real work out from time to time, resulting in a call to an insurance company of their choice.

I can believe that haha.

I'm not trying to say anything, I've said it. I think you are trying to comprehend it.

Nope not at I'm just trying to work out how you think falling off is retarded. I'll go with the guy who posted before you in that as a learner he should probably get leathers as he's (possibly) more likely to have a fall.

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nodrog

31st August 2015, 15:10

I can believe that haha.

Nope not at I'm just trying to work out how you think falling off is retarded. I'll go with the guy who posted before you in that as a learner he should probably get leathers as he's (possibly) more likely to have a fall.

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remember to take all your fairings off too.

Tazz

31st August 2015, 15:18

http://www.publictrust.co.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/95204/Wills-fold-out.pdf

Sedition

31st August 2015, 18:04

mossy1200

31st August 2015, 20:59

Buy a good new Helmet and boots. Then buy cheap second hand non leather pants and jacket. These will become your second set later when you have saved enough for a good quality 2 piece or 1 piece leather race suit. Most prefer 2 piece but I like 1 piece and have a second set of leathers for when I don't want kit up in that.

Your budget isnt enough for a good leather suit and the other gear so that why I say second hand it until you save a bit more. Nothing worse than a bad leather suit that the liner starts ripping and the fitment isn't good. Zips start falling apart and stitching comes apart. Leathers not good quality and too thin.

Mike.Gayner

1st September 2015, 07:28

Considering the stakes, I'll be going with decent gear. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

The safest thing to do is not ride at all.

Banditbandit

1st September 2015, 12:19

Considering the stakes, I'll be going with decent gear. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.

The Macna stuff looks good, Bandit - I was looking at similar jackets from Dririder, as well as the 'Levante' jacket from Rev'it.

I dunno about Dririder stuff .. we used to cal it the most mis-named brand out .. everyone I know who has Dririder gear is the FIRST ONE to get wet right through .. maybe it's changed, but I wil stick with macna ..

oneofsix

1st September 2015, 16:25

I dunno about Dririder stuff .. we used to cal it the most mis-named brand out .. everyone I know who has Dririder gear is the FIRST ONE to get wet right through .. maybe it's changed, but I wil stick with macna ..

You misunderstand the name Dririder, it really means it is only suitable for use in the dry, not that it will keep the rider dry. Don't feel bad, I too made that mistake when I bought some. :shifty:

Sedition

2nd September 2015, 20:16

The safest thing to do is not ride at all.

I'll try that if nodrog's idea about riding naked doesn't pan out.

You misunderstand the name Dririder, it really means it is only suitable for use in the dry, not that it will keep the rider dry. Don't feel bad, I too made that mistake when I bought some. :shifty:

Damn. With a brand name fit for a nappy, that's a bit of a let down.

Swoop

2nd September 2015, 22:30

Textile while protecting you with its amour, seems to rip and melt and generally is only fit for the rubbish bin after a crash.

+1 to what Nodrog says.
I'd also add that textile in summer will make you sweat like a rapist. No matter how many "vents" textile gear is equipped with (also allowing more water to enter during the wet season).

nodrog

3rd September 2015, 08:06

I'll try that if nodrog's idea about riding naked doesn't pan out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2nlyMIi610&list=PLrIO2ysCa6RlmDYWPGYtXbO_1XuEXn4_Y&index=9

Sedition

3rd September 2015, 12:50

+1 to what Nodrog says.
I'd also add that textile in summer will make you sweat like a rapist. No matter how many "vents" textile gear is equipped with (also allowing more water to enter during the wet season).

Ah I thought the opposite was true. So if I go with decent leather (not really a prob extending the gear budget for gear that'll last), how would it compare in summer, better or worse than textile?

Swoop

3rd September 2015, 13:51

Ah I thought the opposite was true. So if I go with decent leather (not really a prob extending the gear budget for gear that'll last), how would it compare in summer, better or worse than textile?

I ditched my textile gear for all leather. A 2-piece rain shell (ReVit brand) over the top when required.
I do possess a textile jacket for deepest winter, where the waterproof inner liner and thermal liner are desirable. The textile jacket gets soaked through to the inner waterproof layer in serious amounts of rain however!

5ive

3rd September 2015, 14:02

I reckon you should get some decent leathers for the coming summer as well as a rainsuit for the spring rain. Then save your cash for some textiles for next winter if you intend on still riding.

I bought some good quality 4 season textiles (two removable layers) which I've had for two winters, and one summer, and they've held up well over 19000km. I'm now looking at getting some decent leathers for this coming summer, as I'll be commuting 200km each day.

Sedition

3rd September 2015, 17:13

Yeah, I'm heading in the leather direction. Realized that the 'leather sucks in hot weather' crowd mainly live in way hotter places than the lower South Island.

How is Qmoto's gear? A jacket/pants/gloves set is pretty competitively priced from them, looks good (gloves especially), and buying NZ made is a plus.

Mike.Gayner

3rd September 2015, 17:17

Qmoto gear is nice. They're a NZ company but I don't think their gear is NZ made.

Bassmatt

3rd September 2015, 19:14

Sedition

3rd September 2015, 20:06

:corn:

....those were the days (sigh).

Well.. if Qmoto is good gear I'd rather my tokens go to a Kiwi than sending it offshore.

If Qmoto gear will be good protection from head to foot, I'm happy to shell out a few hundred more. It's a pretty cheap insurance policy.

Now I just need to see if Qmoto will be able to do a tasseled jacket and ass-less chaps for summer.

EDIT: Next cunt that posts a worthless comment gets their KB username embroidered on the back of the jacket and sent to Stuff for their next gay pride puff piece.

5ive

3rd September 2015, 20:20

Make sure they spell it right and use the correct colours:

Mike.Gayner
KB Retail Specialist

Bassmatt

4th September 2015, 08:08

Well.. if Qmoto is good gear I'd rather my tokens go to a Kiwi than sending it offshore.

If Qmoto gear will be good protection from head to foot, I'm happy to shell out a few hundred more. It's a pretty cheap insurance policy.

Now I just need to see if Qmoto will be able to do a tasseled jacket and ass-less chaps for summer.

EDIT: Next cunt that posts a worthless comment gets their KB username embroidered on the back of the jacket and sent to Stuff for their next gay pride puff piece.

lol. qmoto gear is good stuff imo.
a couple of years ago any mention of qmoto gear usually ended up in a shitfight between the owner and other posters, hence the :corn:
it was good fun.