Gear and a few other general questions

[wbks]

Well I've been riding mx for a few years but just started on the road this year and have a few general questions: Is it really neccicary to practice things like wheelies and stoppies? I know they help bike controll a lot, I do them heaps on my kx but my zxr 250 seems a tad gutless to wheelie better than 2nd gear for more than 3 seconds and the forks bottom way to easy and I'm skared I'll screw them stoppie'ing... Another thing: What kind of gear should I get? At the moment I'm just riding with a cheap old helmet, cheap kevlar gloves and jeans and some cheap leather boots. I was going to get some knee sliders but I thought it may look a little try hardish if I am slow and have a one piece? Any suggestions on all the gear I should get? Something quality but cheap? I don't think I'm too far off knee sliding so maybe I should get sliders for when the time comes. Also keen to go on a group ride so maybe a heads up on some coming up soon? Sorry for all the questions, just didn't want to make a million topics

[blossomsowner]

hey there.......welcome to the world of road riding.
slow down and take it easy.........
leave stoppies, wheelies etc for the track, not roads where there are cars and kids etc.

seeing as you come from the land of the chiefs track down quasi for good gear, not sure if he does helmets but does all the rest anyway, better service than any shop...........

get a decent helmet, make sure it is a real good fit not just cheap or cool colours............the fit is what matters.

Always group rides listed on this site plus you get to know others so can arrange other stuff.

[rie]

nobody would contest the fact that you should have budgeted for gear before you even budgeted for a bike. and nobody would disagree with the fact that you cannot scrimp on good gloves and boots. i would not scrimp on a helmet either but that doesnt mean you have to spend $800 on a shoei. most of the extra bling goes to graphics, reducing noise and weight. but for heaven's sake do *not* cut corners when it comes to good gloves and boots.

[wbks]

Well I had planned to gradually buy all the gear I needed over a few weeks but I have been having some knee trouble (dislocating patella every time i turn, just about) so I couldn't work for the gear money. I'll be working in a few weeks though so then I can start buying stuff...agv airlight( or something like that) good? And boots are important for the normal protection against over extending/twisting I'm guessing? Any suggestions for good boots and gloves? I don't really have any perception as to what is wasting money and what is a good pair of boots and gloves? Not $400 A-stars I hope!

[rie]

And boots are important for the normal protection against over extending/twisting I'm guessing?

there are lots of obvious reasons why you would want to cover your ankles but it's a scary thought particularly when you consider where your ankle/shin area (on your bike) meets a car. if you were T-boned for instance, the front of a car will collide directly onto your ankles and shins. that's even before you consider the impact on the road as you go flying off your bike and bounce along the concrete a few hundred meters. maybe if you are lucky you can fly over the bonnet. now, if you had awesome boots you could smash your foot through the windshield and kick in the driver's face. lol.

Any suggestions for good boots and gloves? I don't really have any perception as to what is wasting money and what is a good pair of boots and gloves? Not $400 A-stars I hope!

motomail sales are awesome. well, sales in general are awesome. i can't recall how much my boots retailed for, but i paid $250 at some crazy sale so i imagine they were just over $300. just look for good fit (do not compromise on fit because if they don't fit right, there's no point getting them at all).

gloves, i don't think think you have to worry about fit. i couldnt find any that fit my tiny monkey paws... any motorcycling gloves will do (no compromising on ski gloves, that's just silly)

[wbks]

I'll make sure to try on some boots to see which fits me best. Just another thing-http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Helmets-clothing-footwear/Leathers-jackets/auction-184782425.htm
Those look alright?

[rie]

eee sorry i have no clue... i have never owned leather in my life =_= perhaps chuck this in a separate thread specifically about leather pants.

if you intend to buy anything on trademe though, you must try them on and make sure that they fit *perfectly* and i think most people tend to agree that tight-fit is good, as long as it doesn't cut off circulation in a seated position (ie where it bunches up around crotch; knees etc).

which leads to the next point: when you try them on, ride around the block on your bike on them to ensure that nothing catches on your bike bits; that the armour sits on the right place; that you can move your legs freely; that they fit into, or over your riding boots.

it sucks when you blow a few hundy on pants and discover they don't fit your boots.

i hope that helps! good luck