L-Plate Rider
This thread's been quite informative, 1tonne seems to have a great rep and good prices so I'm considering getting a pile of gear - anyone had experiences with their helmets or the Ballistic Waterproof jacket? I'm looking to get something that'll serve me in all kinds of weather for daily commuting
Weekend cruiser
What I've done is bought NWA winter and summerweight gloves and spent my first paycheck on some textiles - The total was just over $450 for the lot. Comparitively, it's probably not that much to spend on protective gear and I'd be interested to see whether my gear would survive a real big accident - however, a uni student who spent less than 2k on the bike to start with doesn't want to spend huge amounts on safety gear (not to discount the importance of it - I feel naked without my jacket, boots and gloves!)
"If you think you can do it, or think you can't do it, you're right." - Henry T Ford
L-Plate Rider
You can find a good deal on quality gear if you shop around/are lucky.
I got my Jacket for $200 from my local motorcycle shop marked down from 600, and it's great - I haven't crash tested it, but its obviously well put together.
Rider in training
I've never used their helmets, but I'm pretty sure there is a review on here for their jacket. Do a search.Originally Posted by Hmmmmark
No8 Wire Extraordinaire
Ohh, keen to make up the numbers
Who? my Leda (Dusty) jecket was bought 2nd hand (lightly crashed) off a mate who bought it from Scooter centre in mid 80s (as it was back in the day) for $330, they promptly went up to $600 so the $300 he charged me was a bit bitter but not bad. I wore it for a million miles even a spell racing in it with a zip together mod. Got Dusty to extend it slightly, but finally grew out of it (So he made me another very similar one but with much more armour).
The wiff then inherited it as it had enough room for extraa layers wimmin like. Still in action today looking good 30 years on.
Buy quality, buy once.
Don't you look at my accountant.
He's the only one I've got.
one placenta
...Preserve Nature
Wear A Helmet....
Forum whore
I am another owner of a 25 yo dusty jacket.
Just another leather clad Tinkerbell.
The Wanker on the Fucking Harley is going for a ride!
Hardcore Biker
I have a 1 tonne leather jacket. overall a nice jacket, moderately waterproof not because the jacket itself leaks but water gets in around the neck as the collar is a little low and loose. I think the arms could be a bit longer to allow a better overlap to gloves. I went down & tried it on to get the correct size for me, its a nice ride, I did an overnighter at the campground. I switched from textile as the leather is a better fit and my textile was no longer waterproof at all.
SIGN HERE X
Forum whore
textile jacket (supposedly 100% water proof) soaked second time wearing it, 1Tonne textile trou, again supposedly 100% waterproof, soaked first time wearing them, conclusion, they don't know what rain is, getting my leathers repaired and going back to them and a drizabone, never got wet in the setup.
Senior Grumpy Old Bastard
you get what you pay for.
I own 'several' jackets both leather and textile...
I have 2 cheapy leathers I wear for 'casual' not for riding, both are from online retailers of 'bike gear'....
Thickness? 1.2 -1.4mm is THIN, remembering especially that NZ has some of the worlds most abrasive road surfaces. (good quality will be 2mm or thicker. or 'double paneled' in critical areas)
Secondly, the 'quaility'? of the actual leather is what I'd call 'paperlike' in it's feel, not a nice supple, or, the 'stiff' feel of thick leather.
Stitching? any GOOD jacket has double stitching, which will be of the 'hidden' type. Exposed stitching WILL become abraded in the event of, and the seam WILL rupture, exposing the flesh underneath. Both of these 'cheap bike jackets' have areas of exposed seams, and as I found out by chance, several places are only SINGLE stitched, on one of them the seam where the arm joins the body of the jacket. Not exactly a 'critical joint' is it???
My quality leather jackets weigh noticeably heavier than the cheapies, nuff said!
If the road to hell is paved with good intentions; and a man is judged by his deeds and his actions, why say it's the thought that counts? -GrayWolf
Forum whore
All my experience with cheap gear has been the same. It does not last. Protection in an off is a moot point, really. A $3000 race suit will not help if you hit a power pole.
Cheap gear goes at the seams, zips crap out or come away, studs pop out, cuffs & collars fray, they rip under the arms etc. Quite often the sizing & cut is a lottery.
Manopausal.
Of an enviable height
I have never seen anything advertised as 2mm thick. Everything from 1tonne to qmoto to a* is around 1.2-1.4mm. Care to link an example?
Ah, cool, the jacket you refer to finding out by chance - was it one of those particular trademe ones or???
Ta
Those exposed seams, are often a 'closing stitch'. It makes it possible to repair things.
mad thou rider
yes and no. if something seems like such a good deal that it's too good to be true, then chances are, it probably is. That said, you also reach a point where you are paying a premium just for the logo on the side as well. Trick is to find a balance so that you are buying good quality gear, without paying absurd prices just so you can wank on about the brand or the cut of your suit.
Best bet is to pick something you like, then try to ask around and see what personal recommendations/experiences you can get from other people who have owned and crashed in the gear you are looking at.
He-e-e-e-res Johnny!
Buy two and wear one over the other. I reckon that would be easily just as good as a high quality one.
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