Thoughts on my choices for beginner gear?

[Sedition]

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 helmet, Stryker Vest, Elbows, Knees, and possibly Hips. 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?

[5ive]

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]

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:Me]

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]

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 helmet, Stryker Vest, Elbows, Knees, and possibly Hips. 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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Rikard]

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]

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]

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]

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]

+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.