Newbie questions about gear

[Mikkel]

Hi folks,

My first post here... :)

Riding a bike for the first time ever on the 14th of September - while doing the basic handling assesment - getting my Learner's license the 17th (the AA office was closed during the weekend...) and buying my bike on the 18th I must say I'm pretty new to this whole deal of motorcycles.

Until now I've made do with some rugged tramping pants, a windstopper fleece, my sneakers and the helmet I got along with the bike... Obviously, this is not good enough!

So, I've been poking my head into various bike stores around Christchurch to see what they have to offer and have reached the following conclusion:

I want:
A new helmet - proper quality and good fit.
A 2 piece leather suit with full waist zip and proper armor for shoulders, elbows and knees.
A pair of good quality boots with great ankle protection.

Now, the tricky thing comes along - what brands to choose... For leathers I've had a look at Rjays, Shift and Alpinestar. The alpinestar stuff seemed to be really nice stuff but is only available in black unless I fancy a ~8 week wait. Dunno if it colour is worth waiting for though - I'm not exactly very fashion minded.
Helmet wise I've found the best fit in a KBC and an Arai... "slight" price difference though - dunno if the Arai would be worth it.
For boots it seems Sidi would be the brand to go for.

Anyway, if anyone has got some good pointers or knowledge on various brands and features that I ought to take into account I most humbly request enlightenment. ;)

Cheers
Mike

[yungatart]

Have you had a look at Quasimoto leathers?
More bang for your buck!
www.quasimoto.co.nz

[obstacle]

Splash out on the helmet and buy what you can afford with the quality you need for the rest of your gear. If you're going to be commuting i suggest not going the leather route as it's not at all waterproof. Cordura is the answer if you intend to ride in all weather.

Although if you're actually looking at buying alpinestars gear perhaps money isn't an issue so you should also be able to get some wet weathers to go over the leathers.

As far as boots go the Sidi's were the only brand that fit my kiwi feet. which is wierd for an italian made boot.

I personally wear gear from Quasimodo and i'm quite happy with it but if you want to try it on to see if it fits then you'd have to get to hamilton.

You've definitely got the right idea in getting some good gear though.

[SDU]

Welcome to the KB nuthouse.
Keep an eye on meetings for rides.
As for gear Your shopping list is right on, buy the best gear that you can afford that fits you comfortably.
Shop around town for fit & price. Don't forget Leather image on fitzgerald ave & Just motorcycles in new brighton.
Do a search here for gear threads for info on those brands. I haven't worn any of those brands so I'm not much help.

[Maverick]

Welcome to the world of biking!
I second the Cordura vote. While leather is better in terms of protection in an accident after an hour of light rain you will be soaked and will continue to be so for about 3 days afterwards (also leather leeches colour onto clothes underneath, pink stained shirts arent that fashionable). If it is an all weather, every day ride for you then get a decent set of cordura, that will suffice to save your butt in a low speed bin just as much as leathers.
Helmet? Get a decent lid but not top spec, KBC are a good all round. last thing you want to do is spend $500+ on a lid and have a minor "introduction" to the tarmac and have to replace it. I personally ride in Technic's Cordura and over a year on in my current suit, no leaks, still going strong.
Boots and gloves are vital. make sure you get ones with a "full waterproof membrane" nothing worse then being stuck hours from home in the pouring rain and being cold and wet. Saps your strength and concentration and makes you do silly things.
All the best with you shopping!

Mav :cool:

[Mikkel]

Thanks!
That was a pretty damn quick response time :)

I have had a look at the quasimoto website and their gear looks really nice. Unfortunately I haven't got the time at the moment to go to the Tron - also it seemed that their 2 piece products have been down-prioritised compared to their custom one piece suits - which looks absolutely awesome!

I do have a car so I don't see myself riding much on days with bad weather so I'll definately go for a leather set. What one can afford is a more complicated matter - I mean if I went out and spent top dollar on every single bit of gear it will ultimately subtract from another part of the toy budget :) So while I don't doubt that an Arai RX-7 helmet is better than a KBC TX8 - I'm just a bit unsure whether it's NZ$1000 better... And that kinda goes for the whole thing...

/M

[NZsarge]

Hi folks,

My first post here... :)

Riding a bike for the first time ever on the 14th of September - while doing the basic handling assesment - getting my Learner's license the 17th (the AA office was closed during the weekend...) and buying my bike on the 18th I must say I'm pretty new to this whole deal of motorcycles.

Until now I've made do with some rugged tramping pants, a windstopper fleece, my sneakers and the helmet I got along with the bike... Obviously, this is not good enough!

So, I've been poking my head into various bike stores around Christchurch to see what they have to offer and have reached the following conclusion:

I want:
A new helmet - proper quality and good fit.
A 2 piece leather suit with full waist zip and proper armor for shoulders, elbows and knees.
A pair of good quality boots with great ankle protection.

Now, the tricky thing comes along - what brands to choose... For leathers I've had a look at Rjays, Shift and Alpinestar. The alpinestar stuff seemed to be really nice stuff but is only available in black unless I fancy a ~8 week wait. Dunno if it colour is worth waiting for though - I'm not exactly very fashion minded.
Helmet wise I've found the best fit in a KBC and an Arai... "slight" price difference though - dunno if the Arai would be worth it.
For boots it seems Sidi would be the brand to go for.

Anyway, if anyone has got some good pointers or knowledge on various brands and features that I ought to take into account I most humbly request enlightenment. ;)

Cheers
Mike

An Arai is ALWAYS worth it, sound like you've got some disposable cash. Black is the most practical colour for bike gear but A stars do some coloured jackets. DON'T skimp on gloves either, Sidi make nice boots for sure, but there are many good brands like A stars, Gaerne, Oxtar, Puma etc...Frank Thomas make some good looking kit too but bottom line, protection first fashion somewhere further down the list.
If you've got the time have a good look around, don't just limit yourself to locally either, you never know when a bike shop somewhere else might have just what you're looking for in stock.

[NZsarge]

Have you had a look at Quasimoto leathers?
More bang for your buck!
www.quasimoto.co.nz

Yeah, some of their new line is righteous looking too.

[GaZBur]

Check out the synthetic jackets. I use a reasonably priced Dri-rider jacket. They perform just as good if you off and are so superior in the wet to leather. Leather takes forever to dry, needs much more maintenance and smells. I still use leathers for racing - but only coz I have to - I feel the synthetics like Codura and Kevlar are superior for road riders. For boots get light ones with good ankle protection as thats where the worst damage can be. Welcome and enjoy - just above all else make sure you get stuff that fits well as most of the stuff on the market is well designed and tends to last.

[The Stranger]

I want:
A new helmet - proper quality and good fit.
A 2 piece leather suit with full waist zip and proper armor for shoulders, elbows and knees.
A pair of good quality boots with great ankle protection.

Now, the tricky thing comes along - what brands to choose... For leathers I've had a look at Rjays, Shift and Alpinestar. The alpinestar stuff seemed to be really nice stuff but is only available in black unless I fancy a ~8 week wait. Dunno if it colour is worth waiting for though - I'm not exactly very fashion minded.
Helmet wise I've found the best fit in a KBC and an Arai... "slight" price difference though - dunno if the Arai would be worth it.
For boots it seems Sidi would be the brand to go for.

Anyway, if anyone has got some good pointers or knowledge on various brands and features that I ought to take into account I most humbly request enlightenment. ;)

Cheers
Mike

If your helmet fits and money is an issue keep your exsiting one for now. Your head aint worth much. No seriously, surely it will be complaint with acceptable NZ standards and as such will offer pretty good protection.

Leather is not waterproof, but you will usually get half an hour at least before you start getting wet and wets need not be expensive. Leather though is primo for protection and Quasi in my experience is bloody good gear. I say my experience because I have tested it personally more times than it should be tested, it lasts. I have seen way more exensive brand name leathers destroyed first bin on 2 occasions.

[Quasievil]

CHCH is a bit of a distance from the tron for sure, however we can offer you a fit guarantee, ie if it doesnt fit we will change it for one that does, this rarely happens as we are clever buggers and know what we are doing , all we need is your chest size, your height and your Jean size, thats it, if I get it wrong I will send down the right size (I never get it wrong)
The Jackets and Pants have certainly not being proritized down, infact our best spec gear is the Racer 9 Jacket and the Pants, these are very highly specd with KNOX Armour etc, the other Jackets in the new range are also very highly specd (higher than most) and WILL offer you the best protection you will find especially for the money.
Good advise above so its all been said, LEather or Cordura thats the decision, if you want either I can deck you out for as little as $300 up to $2000, but I can promise you , you WONT have an issue and if you have a prob let me know IM here

hope we can help





Thanks!
That was a pretty damn quick response time :)

I have had a look at the quasimoto website and their gear looks really nice. Unfortunately I haven't got the time at the moment to go to the Tron - also it seemed that their 2 piece products have been down-prioritised compared to their custom one piece suits - which looks absolutely awesome!

I do have a car so I don't see myself riding much on days with bad weather so I'll definately go for a leather set. What one can afford is a more complicated matter - I mean if I went out and spent top dollar on every single bit of gear it will ultimately subtract from another part of the toy budget :) So while I don't doubt that an Arai RX-7 helmet is better than a KBC TX8 - I'm just a bit unsure whether it's NZ$1000 better... And that kinda goes for the whole thing...

/M

[Weaver]

I bought Ixor pants and jacket not that long ago, and I would not recomend it. Within a week one of the zips on the side of the pants broke. I got them replaced and just last week the main zip on the jacket broke :mad:
I got some Sidi boots and i'm very happy with them. Very comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time

[unrealone]

I've had these two peice Shift Leathers for a year and a half now, wear them day in and day out. Very impressed, stitching is still going strong. I wear them in the rain, I've been absolutetly saturated in them and the stitching isn't rotting at all (which is what usually happens).

I had them two nights and I got hit by a car at an intersection. Full impact of the car to my right knee and the big pads did a brilliant job. Didn't feel a thing! My mate also had the same set and wrote of his motorcycle on some pretty shit road surface in these and they saved his life big time.

$1199 RRP when I bought 'em

I've just bought Sidi Vertigo Corsas which I must say have to be the best and most comfortable boots on the planet. These were $699 RRP.

I had some really basic shift gloves with the suit which were easy to slip on, but fell to peices from day to day use. I've been using Ixon gloves for around 10 months now and they're very nice and comfortable with great protection. These are around $249 RRP.

I hear the Ixon leathers are quite good, but from my friends experience not so good. The stitching fell apart around 3 times on his set. (Jacket, Pants and Gloves).

Can wise, I've been using Shark. Easy to change visor system and they fitted my head better than HJC. Also had a more streamlined look to them. I've got the S800 version, roughly a year ago now. Can't remember price though, maybe $400?

[sAsLEX]

If you're going to be commuting i suggest not going the leather route as it's not at all waterproof.

BOLLOX.

It can be I commuted for four years in Auckland shite weather in a leather jacket that kept me dry! And my ten dollar Whare yellow pants.....

Leather also lasts after a slide or 3, normally looks better

[Mikkel]

Thanks for the awesome feedback folks. It's great to see that many responses in such a short time.

And Quasie - I'll PM you about it :)

I still have a few things left that I have to try out before I can make any decisions, but I shall keep you posted. For now it seems that I can feel comfortable dishing out some money for a pair of Sidi boots at least. The 2 piece leather suit is nailed down - now it's a matter of brand and model... As for helmets, I'm still uncertain whether it's worth it to go for the very very expensive Arai - I kinda guess I should buy something cheaper to start off with and then consider getting a really nice brain bucket when I've gotten more experience and will be going faster. I will need a new helmet though since the one I've got fogs up badly and is noisy like you wouldn't believe it.

[SVboy]

I have cordura SPOOL gear-and it is fine, but I wont rave. After 18mth-12000km-quite a few loose threads-but seems waterproof and sound.SPOOL sports gloves are serving me well though.
Yes, I have Sidi touring and sports boots-seem very good.The big news[In my little life!] is the new Quasi gear. I am very impressed with the overall quality. If I could have afforded alpinestars, I would have bought them. I could not, but am well pleased with the jacket and pants from the Quasi couple. Great price and service. When the first jacket was to small-sent it back-next size is just fine, and exchange, no issue.:niceone:

[QMOTO]

The big news[In my little life!] is the new Quasi gear. I am very impressed with the overall quality. If I could have afforded alpinestars, I would have bought them. I could not, but am well pleased with the jacket and pants from the Quasi couple. Great price and service. When the first jacket was to small-sent it back-next size is just fine, and exchange, no issue.:niceone:

Cheers Bro for that, Hope you enjoy it.

Aplinestar PSSSSTTTT , over priced.............quasi gear is better ..........................way better.

[discotex]

As for helmets, I'm still uncertain whether it's worth it to go for the very very expensive Arai - I kinda guess I should buy something cheaper to start off with and then consider getting a really nice brain bucket when I've gotten more experience and will be going faster.

Buying a helmet is kinda like buying a bike IMO. Don't go nuts on your first one.

Until you've been riding for a while you won't know what you really want in a helmet. Is comfort your #1 priority? Is wind noise a big deal? Is fogging an issue for you? How much weight can you put up with? Do you prefer flip face? etc...

Any of the ~$250+ helmets should protect your head 99% as well as a top Arai or Shoei would. In my opinion the difference is largely in ergonomics and style.

My next helmet will probably be in the $800+ range but it's not to make me feel safer. It'll be to be quieter and vent better (if possible as they're opposing forces) and hopefully I'll manage a pinlock visor for winter riding.

[MotoGirl]

Any of the ~$250+ helmets should protect your head 99% as well as a top Arai or Shoei would. In my opinion the difference is largely in ergonomics and style.
I agree. My $500 Shoei was no worse than my $1,000 Suomy Hodgson replica. I only got the Suomy because it has reeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaally cool graphics.

I also own a two-piece Alpinestars suit and it's fantastic. It's got a few vents in it, but I've never got saturated when I've been caught in the rain. I'm going to tour the South Island next year so I'll buy myself a rain suit to go over top of it.

[90s]

So while I don't doubt that an Arai RX-7 helmet is better than a KBC TX8 - I'm just a bit unsure whether it's NZ$1000 better... And that kinda goes for the whole thing.../M

You should doubt.
Helmets that meet the codes (generally SNELL and DOT) are pretty much as 'safe' as each other - in fact technical reports you can access through KN posts often find some of the high-end lids not performing as well in accident testing as cheaper lids ... but they all do the job.

Any lid that is a bad fit will not do the job well.

What you are paying for is:
1 - marketing - which is not important unless you want certain grpahics and the image factor
2 - comfort, shape, lightness, ventilation, materials, wind-noise etc etc.
These are important - which is your priority for 'best'?

Your head is not my head. A $200 lid might fit me comfortably but a $1000 lid might not fit you at all. So try try try.

Finally I would get a HJC carbon if I could afford it. No contest. Money doesn't seem to be an object for you, so try helmets (with your jacket and gloves on), and ride them if poss. to get a feel for weight and wind noise. Make sure you try the carbon too.

[90s]

Oh, you don't seem to taken by the cordura route, but I have not been pleased with the lower end dryrider stuff (which I got after quite a few recommendation of it over armourtek etc stuff).
I have a mid-range jacekt of theirs and that seems OK, but have returned some of the cheaper stuff due to leaks.

[Mikkel]

Finally I would get a HJC carbon if I could afford it. No contest. Money doesn't seem to be an object for you, so try helmets (with your jacket and gloves on), and ride them if poss. to get a feel for weight and wind noise. Make sure you try the carbon too.

Not an object - that's not correct. I still have to get mylady's approval before I go out spending big. :) With me being a student it's not like I have a huge cash inflow - but we have some savings from our earlier professional work.

But if I get $500 worths more protection by buying a $500 more expensive suit then I know that I can justify that. I don't care much about fashion, but I do care a lot about safety and comfort (e.g. I use both helmet and backshield when I go skiing - and I also drive a car with abs, airbags and a radar detector :) ).

I think I've decided to go for a $300 helmet to begin with - I won't be going crazy fast anytime soon and if I should have an off then I won't be too gutted having bashed a crazy expensive state-of-the-art helmet. Boots-wise I've decided to go with Sidi since they're the only one I've found comfortable so far.

Currently I need to try on some stuff a store is bringing down from Auckland and then I'll evaluate and decide whether I'll go for Shift, Alpinestar or Quasimoto leathers.

[diddie17]

I've just updated all my gear thanks to Quasi :niceone:

I could afford Alpinestars, but had problems with the wait and the colour issue and Spidi had exactly the same problem. I could have ordered one of the different colours with a reasonable wait, but if it didn't fit then I had to buy it anyway as the shop couldn't send it back to the distributors. I looked at buying from the US, but the risk with sizing really wasn't worth it for only a few dollars saved.

I ended up going with the racer 9 leathers from Quasi and I can guarentee you won't be disappointed with the quality and armour. It really is superb kit. Paula and Bret are great people to deal with too.

Having said that I wouldn't use it as my only gear. The leathers go inside the boots and so in the wet the water would run down into your boots. I've got some Spool cordura gear that I use if it looks like rain. I'll update that next year before the winter as it's starting to let a little water in. Also I run a set of race type gloves for the dry and some waterproof gloves for when it's wet.

Anyway, I went with the Racer 9's and the race gloves from Quasi which are superb. I went with the Sidi Vertigo Goretex which I'm really pleased with and an Arai Viper GT (long oval shape fits my head better) which again is good.

Only downside of the leathers is that having just got the Superduke and still getting used to it, I'm struggling (especially with the weather) to get my knee down and so the sliders are still looking depressingly new :)

[Mikkel]

Sounds awesome. Whatever I get I'm sure my knee slider will look absolutely spotless for quite a while - unless I mess something up. :)

The Quasi gear looks really good - I'm just a bit puzzled why they don't put a full circumference zip in the racer jacket and pants.

[diddie17]

I'm just a bit puzzled why they don't put a full circumference zip in the racer jacket and pants.

There is a full circumference zip in both jacket and pants on the Racer 9 gear. Quasi will probably explain this better than I can, but - The racer 9 gear is not strictly speaking 2 piece leathers in that you buy pants and jacket that fit each area rather than the 2 piece which you buy to fit your whole body. There is a full zip, it's just that when you do it up fully there is no guarantee (depending on sizing) that both ends will finish at the same point.

There is the centre back zip which I do up and then I tend to zip the full circumferance zip somewhere between a half and a third of the way up which should stop the jacket riding up at the front in the event of an off. I guess it will be better on one side than the other though. I'm sure in the event of an off I won't remeber which side though :)

The difference is that with the Racer 9 IMO you get a better fit as you don''t have to compromise between jacket and pants, but you don't get the zip that goes all of the way around without an overlap or possibly underlap (if there's any such word).

Quasi?? some help here. I don't think I'm doing a good job of explaining :)

[Quasievil]

Sounds awesome. Whatever I get I'm sure my knee slider will look absolutely spotless for quite a while - unless I mess something up. :)

The Quasi gear looks really good - I'm just a bit puzzled why they don't put a full circumference zip in the racer jacket and pants.

Hiya. yes it has a full circumference ZIP, but they are not a two piece and therefore dependant on ZIP length they may not match precisly, ie Jacket Zip may be slightly longer.
We hope to have the Zips rationalised soon

[Winter]

Have you had a look at Quasimoto leathers?
More bang for your buck!
www.quasimoto.co.nz

I've got some quasi gears, and can't recommend his stuff enough.

He got the fit right first time for me too. Def worth a look.

[Mikkel]

Hiya. yes it has a full circumference ZIP, but they are not a two piece and therefore dependant on ZIP length they may not match precisly, ie Jacket Zip may be slightly longer.
We hope to have the Zips rationalised soon

Sounds good - anyway I guess it's nothing you couldn't get fixed to be spot on from a clothing alteration place for ~$50.

[Quasievil]

Sounds good - anyway I guess it's nothing you couldn't get fixed to be spot on from a clothing alteration place for ~$50.

Exacery, probably less actually

[smoky]

And Quasie - I'll PM you about it :)

Good move, he decked 4 of my friends out, and myself in leather, and he's right, he gets the right fit. You won't get the thickness and quality you get from him for the same price anywhere - about $700 sorted for two piece, boots and gloves.
I ride rain hail or shine, it has to be a heavy rain fall and be sustained for a while before I start to feel any mosture thru the leather?


for helmets, I'm still uncertain whether it's worth it to go for the very very expensive Arai - ... I will need a new helmet though since the one I've got fogs up badly and is noisy like you wouldn't believe it.

$499 for a good SHOEI Raid II - fit in an anti fog $45 - and it's all sorted.

[Mikkel]

Last tuesday I went out and bought my new stuff... And it's a nice feeling being decked out properly! I've now ridden quite a few kms in the new gear and he's my impressions:

Helmet: Shoei XR 1000
Very very nice helmet - exceptional value if you can live without the graphics. I've ordered a few extras (breathguard, chin curtain, pinlock and tinted visors) and am looking forward to seeing what that will do. But the helmet is nice and light, well ventilated and fits perfectly.

Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa
Hadn't planned on going for such expensive boots, but the ankle support in these beauties is awesome and they were the most comfortable boots I could find - and I believe I've tried almost everything there was in stock in Chch. Nice features such as symmetric tensioning around the calves and ventilation openings on the side (note to self, close them when it starts raining).

Leathers: Alpinstars 2 piece suit
I went for the TX-1 jacket and the track pants and I'm very pleased with the fit, feel and finish of these products. Extremely comfortable as well with an excellent ventilation system and zip-out liner. The armor feels nice and robust without the kit being bulky. Also, the black colour looks cool against the yellow learners plate :)

[DingoZ]

Hi ya.

i went for a gear package from a bike dealer. Package included . RJAYS Cordura Jkt, with body armour in all the right places and removable thermal lining. Trousers same deal with body armour and removable liner. Gloves (waterproof and knuckle protectors). Boots, and lastly a HJC Full face Helmet. all for around $750.00.

Went this way instead of leathers as I will be riding for commuting mainly - and this is good stuff in the wet conditions. Plus will still be practical on the long rides as well.

Tip that was passed on to me as well.... It's got to be comfortable on you, and it doesn't necesasarily have to be the most expensive to protect you.

Have fun

[NZsarge]

Last tuesday I went out and bought my new stuff... And it's a nice feeling being decked out properly! I've now ridden quite a few kms in the new gear and he's my impressions:

Helmet: Shoei XR 1000
Very very nice helmet - exceptional value if you can live without the graphics. I've ordered a few extras (breathguard, chin curtain, pinlock and tinted visors) and am looking forward to seeing what that will do. But the helmet is nice and light, well ventilated and fits perfectly.

Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa
Hadn't planned on going for such expensive boots, but the ankle support in these beauties is awesome and they were the most comfortable boots I could find - and I believe I've tried almost everything there was in stock in Chch. Nice features such as symmetric tensioning around the calves and ventilation openings on the side (note to self, close them when it starts raining).

Leathers: Alpinstars 2 piece suit
I went for the TX-1 jacket and the track pants and I'm very pleased with the fit, feel and finish of these products. Extremely comfortable as well with an excellent ventilation system and zip-out liner. The armor feels nice and robust without the kit being bulky. Also, the black colour looks cool against the yellow learners plate :)

Very very nice...

[jade]

I desperately wanted leather gear and finally got it for my 21st,
I wont ever wear anything else.. Splash out once and keep it forever
alpinestars uses the same stitching patterns in their off the rack suits as they do In their highest race suits... mine fits like a glove..
all in black, 1 piece, gloves and boots.
like I say, buy once - splash out for something that will last