Recommended gear for starting out?

[Quasievil]

There is no doubting the value of good gear. But if $800 was the only avaliable funds you had to purchase a full kit, how comfortable would you feel wearing only a jacket ?. I know I would prefer to be covered head to toe. Cheap gear will at least offer more protection than no gear.
I cant use my credit card, the Mrs took it off me.

Bro I got some samples etc here happy to help you out for some gear at low prices.

[Blinkwing]

I wish I had an unlimited budget to spend as well...........
but, when I was learning to ride, I jumped on the back of my Dad's bike so he could show me some stuff, we were doing 80km on an open road and I suddenly thought oh crap! There I was wearing a pair of jeans and a hoodie - yes I had gloves and a helmet, but if I came off, I would lose a lot of skin.
I have full sleeve tattoos that took years to complete and when you add the $$ up it works out to be thousands of dollars. Apart from hurting really bad, I would lose all that effort and money spent on tattoos - so to me, a jacket worth $800 plus with thick leather and full armour is well worth the money - yeah I couldn't afford it but I used the credit card - and I came off at slow speed once and it saved me from a lot of pain and mess.

just my humble opinion

Just got my first tattoo done (8 hours worth) and there's no bloody way I'd want to lose all that.

[hellokitty]

There is no doubting the value of good gear. But if $800 was the only avaliable funds you had to purchase a full kit, how comfortable would you feel wearing only a jacket ?. I know I would prefer to be covered head to toe. Cheap gear will at least offer more protection than no gear.
I cant use my credit card, the Mrs took it off me.

Yes, you are right - I bought all my gear when I was rich and single and had a big limit on my credit card........
now I am married and poor...... probably because I insisted on getting the husband all the gear as well

[hellokitty]

Just got my first tattoo done (8 hours worth) and there's no bloody way I'd want to lose all that.

I have done about over 80 hours - have a full back, full sleeves, stomach and lower legs..........
holy crap!! scary when you add it all up

[Grumpy]

Lot's of good advice here. Just remember, no matter how much you spend on a helmet, it ain't worth shit if it doesn't fit properly. Buy off someone who knows helmets and how they should fit.
Welcome to the fold my friend. Motorcycling is a wonderful thing. Enjoy.

[Genie]

It's always comes down to money doesn't it? What I buggar.

When I started I threw all caution into the wind re: money and bought Revit Gear, didnt' care about the price so much as I care about my own personal protection. Wanted to be prtoected as much as I could be though I still need to purchase a back brace thingy....

You got one life, really look after yourself as much as you can...only takes one slow speed smash and you could be left with no skin or no life!

Have fun out there and stay safe.....those roads can really hurt!

[dynamite9585]

there is alot of good advice in this thread, and thanks for it.
we are off to boyds today to get the gear, lots of good feedback on here about them. and the sales guy we spoke to was great! i'm sure we willl be well kitted by lunch time.

[st00ji]

I have done about over 80 hours - have a full back, full sleeves, stomach and lower legs..........
holy crap!! scary when you add it all up

post up some pics i reckon!

[CHOPPA]

Shoei is the best, all the tests put up false results because otherwise Shoei would have a monopoly over the market they are that good!

Very much the same can be said about Teknic leathers and Alpinestar boots

[pc220]

there is alot of good advice in this thread, and thanks for it.
we are off to boyds today to get the gear, lots of good feedback on here about them. and the sales guy we spoke to was great! i'm sure we willl be well kitted by lunch time.

So ,fill us in how did you get on at Boyds ?

[dynamite9585]

So ,fill us in how did you get on at Boyds ?

UNDER BUDGET!!!!!!
2 full sets!
have LS2 Helmets, Leoshi jacket and pants (free pants), boots and gloves.

the lady that helped us was fantastic!!! she kept inmind our budget the whole way thru and told us what we were looking for in a good fitting peice of kit. her "eye ball sizing" was either bang on or only one size off.

the pants were free because of an apprent fault with the water proofing (doesn't work we were told) but we had them on in the rain trying to get the CBR going and came in with dry legs when we gave up an hour or 2 later, the true test will be the first wet ride.

[pc220]

UNDER BUDGET!!!!!!
2 full sets!
have LS2 Helmets, Leoshi jacket and pants (free pants), boots and gloves.

the lady that helped us was fantastic!!! she kept inmind our budget the whole way thru and told us what we were looking for in a good fitting peice of kit. her "eye ball sizing" was either bang on or only one size off.

the pants were free because of an apprent fault with the water proofing (doesn't work we were told) but we had them on in the rain trying to get the CBR going and came in with dry legs when we gave up an hour or 2 later, the true test will be the first wet ride.

Good stuff. And another thumbs up for boyds by all accounts

[dynamite9585]

pricks are going to cost me a fortune in the long run.

FlyingGirl had a fault with her boots, one fit fine and the other wasn't right, she sait it crushed her foot, so we took them back on the way to ripco to get her some spark plugs.

while in there asked about spark plugs and they undercut repco in price, then sold her on new oil and filter (thank god! the old stuff was FILTHY).

what we expected to be a straight swap in the boots turned into another $160 (i think) on the card.

and whats worse is i have to go down there for an hour on monday while i get her bike a brake cert...... better leave the cards at home.

[pc220]

Yip good service only encourages you to part with your $$$$. Sneaky buggers.

[Metastable]

Looks like you got your gear already, so this might be a tad late... however just as an info for anyone else.

Aside from head trauma, serious injuries (ie hospital time) will generally occur from the feet up. So if you are on a budget, get a helmet that fits right, then go for the best boots, pants, then jacket last.... make sure you get gloves too. That's not just me saying my opinion, that is from previous studies related to motorcycle crashes.

As for a helmet, the major impact zone is the chin area, so pick what you want, but a full face is much safer than a beenie.