Riding gear for a new rider I have $600 max to spend

[Gremlin]

Ignore them, many of us rode for years with no gear at all and live to tell the tale.

While this is obviously true (those without gear have survived), you are overlooking one fact for today.

The roads are far busier today than years ago, and the drivers today are far far worse. I reckon its not only you having an accident that you need to factor in, but also when you are in the right, and a car still takes you out.

Look at NZ Worst Driver to get an idea

Good bit from a poem: "He was right, dead right as he sped along, he was right, dead right as if he were wrong"

[Quasievil]

Hi Jamie

For jacket, pants etc you might want to look at this guys stuff

http://lifestyle-imports.co.nz/

He also advertises on Trademe. I have so far bought leather pants and back protector from him (jackets are on the way) and his pricing is good and the quality of the gear is good also.

Yeah or you could support a fellow Kiwibiker like me that has excellent leather gear including gloves and Back protectors

[Sniper]

Yeah or you could support a fellow Kiwibiker like me that has excellent leather gear including gloves and Back protectors

Im with Quasi here, especially when you only hear good things about the leathers he sells.

[tracyprier]

Well indeed. As it happens Quasi I needed stuff and yours was still on it's way or I would have headed on down Hamilton way.

What I was trying to indicate to Jamie was that you don't need to spend heaps on gear with all the flash names on it... particularly as most of the expensive kit comes from the same factories in Sialkot, Pakistan as the gear that Quasi and Rick's gear comes from and you don't have to buy second hand either if you don't want to.

Of course you should support a KB'er if possible

[eliot-ness]

When you find the bike you want, if it's from a dealer do a bit of horse trading. Get as much gear as you can at discounted prices. You'll be surprised how much they can knock off the ticket price, eg. $70 gloves for $40. $120 helmet, $60. etc. Don't be afraid to ask. On a $5000 bike I'd expect at least $400 off the gear. If you pay more, ask for more. Your $600 should be enough to cover everything you need. They won't lose anything even if they sell the gear at cost price.
If you are buying privately and have a branch of 'Cycletreads' or 'Motomail' in your area check them out. Some good deals at both at the moment.

[Quasievil]

They won't lose anything even if they sell the gear at cost price.

Mental note " Eliot ness wont be a good sales employee"

[FROSTY:Me]

dude if you have size 10 feet I have an old pair of boots donated by a KB member-good leather bike boots -Ditto gloves--A decent pair of summer gloves apeared in my mailbox one day.

[dawnrazor]

for the record, i'd agree with MDU.. buy a new lid from the shop, then scour trademe for everything else you need. There's some good stuff on there (some virtually new) for half the price a shop can do..

yeah ditto for that, in fact spend the whole budget on a helmet and steal the rest

[Aiolos]

The Dririder Nordic kit in the motormail sale looks good for $350, I'm hoping to get some myself. I'm sure you can find a helmet for $250.

Motomail Spring Sale

Edit: Forgot boots 'n gloves. Steal those.

[Drum]

I recently bought the Dririder kit and it keeps me bone dry in a healthy Wellington southerly Even if you dont buy from a bike shop, go down and try on their gear to know what size fits you best (oh, and sit on a bike with it on too - just to make sure).