Just starting out and problem with gear (length issue)

[N_C]

Morning everyone,

These forums are fantastic. Just purchased my first bike and gear & have been reading/searching these forums for the past week or so & picked up a lot of good advise. (probably missed all the ones relating to the problem I have, heh)

So after just starting out, I have run in to a little problem.... I'm 6'9" (around 206cm) & the water proof pants I brought have a tendancy to lift over my boots. Also the 3XL water proof jacket is so gigantic in the arms I fear that if I was to take a dive, the elbow armor would roll away before/after the initial impact. None of this was apparent when I was trying out the gear, the pants appeared to be long enought & the 3XL water proof jacket was the only one they had with the legenth in the arms. If I was to wear 3XL pants (which I have tried), they also have the length (heh I think) but I look like the Mitchelin mascot with everything on....

Does any one have any suggestions on what gear could/would suit or where I can get the gear to suit in the Wellington region?
Oh and the reason for getting water proof gear is because I'm likely to be commuting into Wellington for work next year.

Cheers

[Crisis management]

Try Peter Jackson, hasn't he got an old gorilla suit around somewhere??

Sorry, just coudn't resist it.......welcome anyway!

[boomer]

from what i hear, you don't need waterproofs in Welly, apparantly the weathers always mint:yes:

[Squeak the Rat]

Having loose armour can be quite dangerous as you've rightly pointed out it can move from where it's supposed to be and go from being armour to another solid object that can hurt you.

Have you worn them much? ie, can you go back to the shop and see about exchanging them? This would be the ideal course of action....

Just a tip for next time. Sit on your bike while wearing any new gear that you plan to purchase - this helps show any tight spots shortening issues.

[Edit:] PS - Welcome!

[N_C]

Try Peter Jackson, hasn't he got an old gorilla suit around somewhere??

Sorry, just coudn't resist it.......welcome anyway!

bastard :p :D I'll be sure to throw you off the sky tower first... or I'll just pick you up and throw you :P :D
Funnily enough I'm actually going to be in Jacksonville today @_@ so I'll ask around :P


Have you worn them much? ie, can you go back to the shop and see about exchanging them? This would be the ideal course of action....

Just a tip for next time. Sit on your bike while wearing any new gear that you plan to purchase - this helps show any tight spots shortening issues.


Only worn them once. I've rang the shop and they are looking for even longer pants now. When trying out the gear I did sit on the bike & the pants apeared long enough. I didn't take the gear for a test ride though so that's a lesson learned, thanks :)

[Ixion]

what you need are gaiters. Cover the pant/boot interface and prevent pant legs riding up.

From your friendly local Army surplus store. Around $12 and cheap at twice the price.

[Postie]

Welcome to KB.
Can you please, please post a picture of you riding the GTR250. I have images in my head of crusty the clown on a mini monkey bike.


on a serious note about your gear, you would be best to go and get what you have adjusted by a professional clothe making person thingy to fit you properly, its unlikely you will find much that fits you well enough to give you adequate protection in the event of a fall.

[beyond]

I agree with Postie as well. At your height it's going to be tricky finding some good fitting gear. For some reason, designers think that when people are tall, they are just as wide as they are high.

Problem is with loose fitting gear, the armour will move when you don't want it to. The tighter the better but of course then you have the problem that at certain times of the year you won't have the liner in and other times you will have the liner and a jersey or something. Apart from having winter and summer gear you have to compromise.

So, it sounds like you get as close as you can and then get it altered to suit.

[N_C]

Thanks for the ideas :)

These look interesting http://www.dragginjeans.com.au/products/jeans/stoutTall.htm and they apear to do custom sizes on most of their products. They also have some stockists in lower hutt & wellington. As for water proofing the shop where i got everything from have these wonderfully long over pants that could be used. In the mean time it's jeans + knee/shin armor. Not as safe but a hell of a lot more comfortable.

The jacket is alright with the liner + jumper but with out the liner and just a shirt it's too loose :/ So I'll keep hunting around for another jacket/solution.

And sorry Postie, can't find any of the digital cameras in the house :/

[Squeak the Rat]

The other trouble with a loose jacket is that if it's not attached to your pants it can ride up if you're unlucky enough to slide along the ground.... Ouchy.

[N_C]

That's a nasty thought Squeak D: but a very good point!

[Roj]

You can also get body armour that is separate to the jacket, straps on to your body then put a jacket over top, the advantage is it doesn't shift at all, it may suit you better, the other option is to get some custom gear made, depending on budget, there is a guy in Wellington that makes racing suits, I will ask around to see if I can find who it is

[Matt]

I bought some Teknic cordura/gortex gear earlier this year - the pants are good (not too baggy), although the jacket is a bit flappy if I haven't had my weekly trip to Mr Bun! 100% water/weatherproof though! Got them from Kerry at Motorad (now at TSS?) and they were happy to order in a variety of sizes to try.

I'm 6'5" and I think size-wise was a 2XL - you're welcome to pop in and try 'em out if you want!

Matt

[The Stranger]

Get hold of Quasi for some custom leathers.
Good gear and the price is pretty reasonable - usually cheaper for good leathers than the synthetic gear.

Doesn't cover the waterproof angle, but so long as the safety is covered, you can pretty much go with anything for waterproof.

[Grub]

Ok, I believe I have a solution but it means shelling out more munny.

Rick Lussi of rick@lifestyle-imports.co.nz has just had some custom-sized gear made for us. It has taken only since the 8th Nov for the gear to be made, shipped and arrive on the courier to us tomorrow. Outstanding!

We have had two sets made, Rick took our measurements and has done the rest. Our gear is in Cordura but he does leathers as well ... not sure about delivery of those, might be a different supplier.

Just can't say enough about the service and ease of dealing with them. Cost was excellent too. Matching set of Jacket and pants in black with detailing in blue, red, maroon or yellow custom made for $320 per set all up. More outstanding!

Brett

[Nasty]

Ok, I believe I have a solution but it means shelling out more munny.

Rick Lussi of rick@lifestyle-imports.co.nz has just had some custom-sized gear made for us. It has taken only since the 8th Nov for the gear to be made, shipped and arrive on the courier to us tomorrow. Outstanding!

We have had two sets made, Rick took our measurements and has done the rest. Our gear is in Cordura but he does leathers as well ... not sure about delivery of those, might be a different supplier.

Just can't say enough about the service and ease of dealing with them. Cost was excellent too. Matching set of Jacket and pants in black with detailing in blue, red, maroon or yellow custom made for $320 per set all up. More outstanding!

Brett

And I can't wait to actually have gear that fits well ... cos my nice and long arms combined with the womanly curves don't go well with off the shelf buying :yes:

Kari

[jonbuoy]

Mate I have the same problem being a lanky bastard too. When I came off the armour on my sleeve dug in and did exactly what your worried about. After, I got some el cheapo elastic material and put a few bands of it on the sleeves and legs to stop them riding up. Kind of works, like Ixon said boot gaiters work for stopping the draft up your legs.

[Roj]

Ok, I believe I have a solution but it means shelling out more munny.

Rick Lussi of rick@lifestyle-imports.co.nz has just had some custom-sized gear made for us. It has taken only since the 8th Nov for the gear to be made, shipped and arrive on the courier to us tomorrow. Outstanding!


Brett


Thanks Grub I think this was who I was thinking of:Punk:

[rwh]

You can also get body armour that is separate to the jacket, straps on to your body then put a jacket over top, the advantage is it doesn't shift at all, it may suit you better, the other option is to get some custom gear made, depending on budget, there is a guy in Wellington that makes racing suits, I will ask around to see if I can find who it is

Perhaps Dusty of Leda Leathers?

http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~integra/leda.html

He's doing mine (I have the opposite problem - shortish and not so skinny ...), though he's been a bit busy lately ...

Richard