Riding gear recommendations

[indyblue]

What (features) should I look for in riding gear, particularly jackets?  I don't want to spend an arm & leg, but I don't want to lose any either.

I know I want one that's light weight and not too hot in the summer, I can always layer to keep warm in cooler temps.  What are the most wear prone areas and which brand(s) hold up the best and provide a good balance of comfort & protection.

I have been riding 20+ years, but never much highway or over 40 - 50 mph which is why I never had any before.  I have hit the road a couple times, but have been well enough dressed to only get minor scrapes.  I may start riding longer distances and higher speeds now that I own an FJ and will commute on it.  I am also much older and wiser so I know I need proper gear like my Simpson helmet, which it is time to replace as well since it is over 10 years old.

[andyoutandabout]

Arai. They are awesome. Cheap helmet - cheap head.

[racerman_27410]

i recommend the motoport kevlar gear.... they make it in mesh and a stretch kevlar versions


http://www.motoport.com/_catalog_35442/Kevlar_Products


i have the RIVA in stretch kevlar but the marathon mesh looks to be a good jacket as well.

i justified the cost as insurance that is way less expensive than a trip to the emergency room and or a skin graft.

[Yamifj1200]

I can say that any gear is better than no gear, that being said the best gear is an investment.
I can suggest new enough    http://www.newenough.com/  for good deals on typical gear. I have a few sets of riding gear I have picked up from time to time over the years. I have had good luck with Firstgear, Cortech gear from Tour master, and Fieldsheer. Keep an eye out in their closeout sections and sign up for the closeout deals emails. Think about some rain gear if your planning on commuting on a regular basis.

  I would suggest buying the best gear you can afford that suits your needs. Good luck..

Eric M

[Arnie]

I bought a Tourmaster Transitions II jacket a couple of years ago and am very happy with it.
It has a zip out quilted lining, has lots of pockets both inside and out, has lots of choices for venting including some "scoop vents" at the shoulder that are great.  It also has armour in shoulder, elbows, and back.  3/4 length. Quality is very good IMO.  Price is amazing considering how many zips, velcro, and pieces had to be sown together. I have not crash tested it.
I think RRP is about US$180.

Although I also have full leather and full mesh jackets, this is the jacket I'd choose if I could only have one motorcycle jacket.

Helmets are a much more complicated issue.  Motorcycling magazine did a test recently and found that "for street riding" and the kind of accidents that are most common for street riders, that price was not at all indicative of protection.  In fact, all of  the Snell certified (and most expensive) helmets were actually too stiff and transmitted more force to the wearer's head.  The most impact absortive helmet they tested was a $100 helmet!  Their conclusion was that helmets that passed the US or Euro standard requiremets were better for street riding than the Snell rated hats.
I saw an ad for a new Snell 2010 helmet - I would guess that it would reflect these findings.
A large part of a helmet's price is finish and graphics (and hype?).  Buy a helmet that fits you properly from a manufacturer that you trust.

I have a great vid clip (5.5 Mb wmv) for those who'd like to see how Arai trains their dealers :-)  Send me your email addy

Cheers,
Arnie

[the fan]

X 2 on newenough.

also a fan of www.sportbiketrackgear.com (great source for Michelin tires. Monte claims he will beat any other advertised price by $5)

I am wearing Bell Star Helmets and just tried on the new Vortex sport/sport tour lid Monday afternoon. It was a very nice lid for the price. Its hard to go wrong with Bell, Arai, Shoei and Suomy.

Over the years I have had great luck with Teknic gear and Cortech/tour master gloves. Gearne boots seem to fit my wide feew fat calves best with oxtar a close second.

[rktmanfj]

New Enough rocks!     

Randy T
Indy

[Yamifj1200]

I can say that any gear is better than no gear, that being said the best gear is an investment.
I can suggest new enough    http://www.newenough.com/  for good deals on typical gear. I have a few sets of riding gear I have picked up from time to time over the years. I have had good luck with Firstgear, Cortech gear from Tour master, and Fieldsheer. Keep an eye out in their closeout sections and sign up for the closeout deals emails. Think about some rain gear if your planning on commuting on a regular basis.

  I would suggest buying the best gear you can afford that suits your needs. Good luck..

Eric M

In fact this jacket is a steal and gets very good reviews.
http://www.newenough.com/street/protective_apparel/textile_jackets_and_pants/fieldsheer/aqua_tour_textile_motorcycle_jacket.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/fieldsheer/aqua-tour-jacket/

Eric M

[mst3kguy]

you will spend an arm and a leg for aerostich new, but it's well worth it.  or you can search on ebay, at about 60% of new.

[indyblue]

Wow, thanks all for the detailed info & reviews.  I'll think be going shopping next week.  Mrs. financial advisor will let me spend what is necessary to assure my safety, so I am set.

I am not into heavy graphics, so I like a plain white helmet as it is cooler in the sun and that may save me a little dough.  So a Snell rated hat is not recommended for the street, what about DOT ratings?

[the fan]

I could not disagree more with the motorcyclist sensationalist story.

if snell was so bad why are nearly all of the editors and writers wearing snell helmets?

the 2010 snell rated lids are a different standard than the 2005 addressing different head size /weight issues that the MCist article called out (the only decent information from the mcist test), and are now in line with ece tests.

[jamesearthdrum]

if snell was so bad why are nearly all of the editors and writers wearing snell helmets?

[/quote]

Because they don't have to pay for them? 

[the fan]

I think it has more to do with the fact that even they do not believe their own bullshit.

This site can ease the pain on high end lids.
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport

I know that they have closeout Bell Stars well below dealer cost. (I buy mine at cost through a sponsorship deal)

[Dan Filetti]

The way I read that Motorcyclist article was that Snell was not bad, the standards called for under the Snell certification forces over-engineered helmets that withstand multiple strikes on the same location on the helmet, which in turn requires increased rigidity of the helmets, which in-turn increased the g-force translated to the head (bad).  If you replace your helmet after a bad accident, as is common sense, then it's not so much of an issue.  The chances that you'll take a hit to the same spot more than once in a single accident are apparently very low.  So if Snell forces more rigidity and Higher G's for an uncommon scenario, the question seems as though it becomes, is it all that helpful?  Again, not to say it's bad...

Dan

[andyb]

Only advise I'll give on it:

Just make sure you get gear you're comfortable in.  Doesn't do a damned bit of good if you leave it at home because it doesn't fit well.