Wellington Motorcycles starter kits...

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 13:27

I was down there on my lunch break yesterday (trying desperately not to drool over things I can't afford) and they do a starter kit for $600. It's boots, gloves, jacket, trousers and helmet (the helmet I intend to upgrade though). I was just wondering if anyone had any experience of the kit at all? It's 3M and dry-rider so, apparently, well branded but I thought I'd best check before forking out a load of cash!

The other, ever so slightly cheaper, option is to go with 1tonne for everything apart from the helmet (I won't buy one without trying it on, too many horror stories out there!) but I get the feeling that if something doesn't fit it could cost me a lot in courier fees to get the right size.

What do you guys think the best option would be?

**White trash** · 24th September 2009, 13:39

Stick with WMCC.

Instant back up should anything go wrong. Trained staff to assist with correct fitment. You know the store's still going to be there in 12 months if you have an issue that needs to be sorted.

Pretty simple really

**CookMySock** · 24th September 2009, 13:40

We went with all dririder gear, and now after a year most of it is fucked. Not impressed. Zips pop, seams burst, linings rip.

Steve

**vindy500** · 24th September 2009, 13:41

i tried the jacket from that kit when i was shopping last year, might of changed by now? It felt horribly cheap and the s was massive on me. I bought a shift L instead which fitted fine.

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 13:51

Originally Posted by White trash

Stick with WMCC.

Instant back up should anything go wrong. Trained staff to assist with correct fitment. You know the store's still going to be there in 12 months if you have an issue that needs to be sorted.

Pretty simple really

Yeah, it's the fitting, talking to people about things before buying and being able to just walk out of the shop with a full kit which is making me edge more towards WMCC at the moment. Considering that there's very little price difference I think that's what I'm going to wind up doing.

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 13:52

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

We went with all dririder gear, and now after a year most of it is fucked. Not impressed. Zips pop, seams burst, linings rip.

Steve

I think it's only the boots that are dririder, I may well have a word with them about upgrading out of any of their stuff if they're prone to bursting!

**klingon** · 24th September 2009, 14:02

I've got all kinds of mix-and-match gear, including Dririder pants. They are brilliant. Warm, comfy and dry even in the pouring rain yesterday! I have worn them every time I have commuted for the last three years! Maybe I just got lucky but I have never had a burst seam or any other trouble with them.

I have seen the kit they are offering for $600 (I believe there are several shops offering the same/similar package) and I think it is a great start. I would go for the package now, and you can always get more or different gear later on, as you find other stuff that suits your purposes.

Over time you will accumulate a bunch of different gear but you might as well start with the basics then mix and match from there.

**Swoop** · 24th September 2009, 14:04

The starter kits are fine for newer riders starting out. Certainly talk to the shop staff and make sure that what you purchase, fits correctly.
You will probably upgrade your gear in a year or two and personal preferences will have taken hold by then ("I like xyz, but not abc" type of thing) and you will have a better approach to your purchasing requirements.

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 14:17

Originally Posted by klingon

Over time you will accumulate a bunch of different gear but you might as well start with the basics then mix and match from there.

Yeah, the idea in the back of my mind at the moment is to get this lot and then upgrade as I get to know what I need better. The bunch I get now can live in the wardrobe once it's been replaced and be used for pillions some time down the line.

**vindy500** · 24th September 2009, 14:26

just remember if you pay the extra little bit now you dont have to pay for everything over again

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 14:28

Originally Posted by vindy500

just remember if you pay the extra little bit now you dont have to pay for everything over again

I don't suppose you fancy lending me a little bit extra do you?

**klingon** · 24th September 2009, 14:31

Originally Posted by magicmonkey

Yeah, the idea in the back of my mind at the moment is to get this lot and then upgrade as I get to know what I need better. The bunch I get now can live in the wardrobe once it's been replaced and be used for pillions some time down the line.

Good plan.

I've only been riding for three years and I already have:
3 jackets (1 basic, 1 much more expensive warm & waterproof, 1 summer mesh)
3 pairs of gloves (1 winter, 1 summer, 1 inbetween + 1 pair waterproof overgloves)
2 pairs of pants (Dririders for winter and Draggin jeans for summer)
An assortment of under-layers, quilted jacket liners, glove liners, neck tubes, etc etc

The only things I haven't doubled up yet are my helmet and boots.

It makes it really, really easy for people to buy birthday and Christmas presents for me - I always want bike shop vouchers!

Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?!

**magicmonkey** · 24th September 2009, 14:37

Originally Posted by klingon

Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?!

Not a bloody clue! Still, I plan on having fun finding out

**klingon** · 24th September 2009, 14:38

Originally Posted by vindy500

just remember if you pay the extra little bit now you dont have to pay for everything over again

To a certain extent I agree - except that some of the cheapest/most basic items I hve bought are the ones that fit me best and I am still wearing them after three years.

I have a lovely Spidi jacket that had an original price tag of $799

(I didn't spend that much though!) I would much rather have 4 jackets @$200 that all have different purposes (winter/summer/zip-out liners etc) than pay that much for a single item.

To be quite honest, my $800 jacket has already faded a lot (it used to be navy blue but is now a kind of patchy washed out navy-and-grey) and lost a couple of domes. My cheap Dririder pants are much less worn-looking after being used for the same amount of commuting. Both items are still waterproof, still warm, and still very very useful. I'm just saying the jacket is not worth four times as much as a $200 jacket.