My first set up - advice wanted

[bert_is_evil]

Good advice this is, especially the helmet bit. Never ever buy a second hand helmet.

I'd never buy a second hand helmet but I have sold one on trademe - does that make me a bad person?

[vifferman]

I'd never buy a second hand helmet but I have sold one on trademe - does that make me a bad person?

No.
Unless it was a helmet that had some 'history' you didn't disclose.
And while the "never buy a secondhand helmet" advice is generally right, there are times when it's OK. My current helmet was bought secondhand from another KBer, and it was an excellent buy.

[slopster]

Some would dissagree but I reckon a cheap helmets just as good a fancy one. Why? - because they all have to meet the same safety standards but more importantly look at the advertising. It all revolves around comfort, weight and noise reduction. Only once have I seen an ad for a helmet which focused on its ability to protect (It showed the rider who had the fastest ever motogp crash and walked away I think).

[Wolf]

Some would dissagree but I reckon a cheap helmets just as good a fancy one. Why? - because they all have to meet the same safety standards but more importantly look at the advertising. It all revolves around comfort, weight and noise reduction. Only once have I seen an ad for a helmet which focused on its ability to protect (It showed the rider who had the fastest ever motogp crash and walked away I think).

I find my $200 Grex RD1 quite suitable to my needs - a bit quieter than my old $150 HJC.
I picked up Phurrball's rather expensive helmet and found where all the money went: into the weight - it just wasn't there! I suspect you'd be able to wear it for hours on end with minimal discomfort. My Grex is nowhere near as light but I don't mind it - wore it for a significant portion of a three day weekend during the Cold Kiwi and it wasn't unbearbly heavy.

Yep, if you want super light weight, comfort etc, go the extra dollars. Otherwise - they're all at least to DOT spec which is quite suitable according to all the studies I've read. Even the really cheap ones that are so noisy you have to rip the exhaust pipes off at the headers to hear the engine over the wind noise...

[Santa]

I find my $200 Grex RD1 quite suitable to my needs - a bit quieter than my old $150 HJC.
I picked up Phurrball's rather expensive helmet and found where all the money went: into the weight - it just wasn't there! I suspect you'd be able to wear it for hours on end with minimal discomfort. My Grex is nowhere near as light but I don't mind it - wore it for a significant portion of a three day weekend during the Cold Kiwi and it wasn't unbearbly heavy.

Yep, if you want super light weight, comfort etc, go the extra dollars. Otherwise - they're all at least to DOT spec which is quite suitable according to all the studies I've read. Even the really cheap ones that are so noisy you have to rip the exhaust pipes off at the headers to hear the engine over the wind noise...

I've found a helmet by the euro brand 'can'. Fits well, feels comfy, looks pretty good and is marked at only $175. Jacket and pants are ordered from quasi and I might try and get a deal on boots/gloves with the helmet. Flew through my basic handling, aced the scratch n win, I'm a licenced rider now. I've been for a couple rides on my flatmate's bike, but I'm still lookin for the right two wheels to come my way.

[Wolf]

Congrats on the licence and the gear, all the best finding the right bike. You won't go wrong with Quasi's gear - don't use it myself but I've seen it.

[Volcanix]

im also looking at getting into rideing,

I checked out some of the sites mentions above and one sold leathers that were 1.6mm think and the other was 2mm thick.

what should i look out for with the thickness of the leather? or is 1.6 good enough?



Minotaur Two Piece Leather Suit: 625 bucks. from motoequip. < for a new biker is that good protection? i would also get a back protector to throw under it.

[Lteejay]

All NEW helmets that are the correct size should have that 'squeezed cheek' look. As you wear the helmet in.... the inside of the helmet will mold to your head.

Yep - I still look like i'm blowing kisses to passers by.

Happy riding