Foo - Motorcycle peeps, q's from lodi.......

So, I'm in the process of getting my learners permit...Whats the best type of helmet to buy.( i.e. best quality, saftey etc) and who makes a good jacket and glove?? I have no experience in this area, so I want to make sure I buy something quality and not something some schmuck dealer wants to get off the floor....Thanks ahead of time:)

Full face helmet definitely.

absolutely...

I really like the reviews at WebBikeWorld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/Products.htm).

For helmets:
- agreed full face for sure
- size / fit is the most important thing
- make sure it is DOT approved
- popular brands that consistently get good ratings include Shoei, Arai, Suomy, and Shark

For jackets:
- get something with armor in the shoulders and elbows
- a back protector is a very good thing. Some are strap-on, and some jackets have a pocket that lets you put one in.
- leather is overall better protection than textiles, although there are some very good textiles out there.
- textile is better for cold and wet weather
- for hot weather, perforated leather is far better than mesh textile
- when you try them on, sit on a bike in riding position to judge fit

For gloves:
- get leather
- get armored gloves
- get ones with gauntlets
- again try sitting on a bike and grabbing the controls to test fit

Also, please think about protective pants too! You have a choice between overpants (usually textile), leather pants, or reinforced jeans (the least protective).

Newenough.com (http://www.newenough.com/) has some great deals on gear.

For a really convenient one-piece suit that goes on easily over regular clothes, think about an Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Roadcrafter-p-1-c-249.html). These are great suits.

I really like the reviews at WebBikeWorld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/Products.htm).

For helmets:
- agreed full face for sure
- size / fit is the most important thing
- make sure it is DOT approved
- popular brands that consistently get good ratings include Shoei, Arai, Suomy, and Shark

For jackets:
- get something with armor in the shoulders and elbows
- a back protector is a very good thing. Some are strap-on, and some jackets have a pocket that lets you put one in.
- leather is overall better protection than textiles, although there are some very good textiles out there.
- textile is better for cold and wet weather
- for hot weather, perforated leather is far better than mesh textile
- when you try them on, sit on a bike in riding position to judge fit

For gloves:
- get leather
- get armored gloves
- get ones with gauntlets
- again try sitting on a bike and grabbing the controls to test fit

Also, please think about protective pants too! You have a choice between overpants (usually textile), leather pants, or reinforced jeans (the least protective).

Newenough.com (http://www.newenough.com/) has some great deals on gear.

For a really convenient one-piece suit that goes on easily over regular clothes, think about an Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Roadcrafter-p-1-c-249.html). These are great suits.

... Thank you:) This is the stuff I was looking for. I was actually hoping you or cycle 17 would post because your the two I know that ride frequently ( i'm sure there are more, your just the two I know of..) I will check out pants, I was curious about those..


On a side note, Do you wear riding pants everytime you ride? If you do, are they the suits that go over clothes that you mentioned?

On a side note, Do you wear riding pants everytime you ride? If you do, are they the suits that go over clothes that you mentioned?

I do now. Before, I used to wear jeans a lot (not because I was lazy, but because wearing gear makes me effectively shorter, plus the knee armor didn't fit me correctly). However, I now have a scar from a very low speed crash (< 5 mph) caused by someone trying to do an illegal U-turn into me (I didn't get hit by the car, but did go down).

I wear two-piece textiles over regular clothes almost all the time. For hard riding (twisties or at the track) I wear my two-piece leathers.

I used to have an Aerostich but it was a little too large for me (and it was a discontinued small size, they don't have anything that fits me). It acted like a sail in the wind so it didn't work so well for me, but other people swear by them.

Oh and don't forget good boots too!

Right, boots, so I should probably budget a good 1-1.5k on protective gear, right? From checking out those sites you gave me, it seems that this seems about the range for everything you might need.

Motorcyclist magazine did a test of a bunch of Dot and Snell helmets awhile back and concluded that DOT helmets transfer a lower amount of G's to your brain than most of the SNELL(more expensive) helmets. The ones that performed best were the full face helmets that you can get from Pep Boys. Sorry I can't remember the brand off the top of my head, but last I heard, you could still view that article at Motorcyclist's website.

I've never seen a Snell rated helmet that wasn't DOT approved. Buying a helmet should be just like buying a bike helmet. Try them on. They come in different shapes and some don't work for others.

I have a Shoei and it fits my noggin perfectly.

Another thing to think about is comfort. Mesh coats will be cool in the summer but still offer protection. They have inner liners that will keep you warm when it's cool.

Real motorcycle-specific boots. Enforced for the shifter and lots of protection.

Typically Shoei and Arai are the two most common names that come up when talking about top of the line helmets. There are others like Suomy, and Shark. Helmet manufactures all have their slight differences in shape. My head fits Arai's RX-7 model helmet so that's what I buy. Shoei makes very nice helmets, but they just don't fit my head. As for gloves, jackets, boots, etc. there is a crap load to choose from. I tend to stick with either Alpinestars, and or Joe Rocket for gloves and jackets. My two piece suit for track days is Joe Rocket. Sidi makes awesome motorcycle boots. I saw someone else posted Newenough.com. Great site for motorcycle gear.

Wow kool thread. I am also in the process of getting license. Already took the safety riding course (highly recommend). Thanks for the info! Lodi which bike are you thinking of getting?

I wear a suomy, all lids are shaped slightly differently try a bunch on and see what works best. I try to steer people away from the cheapest and the most exspensive. the more pricey ones tend to offer more options and be a bit lighter but offer nearly the same protection as some of the cheaper ones. i like the fact suomys tend to have anti fog visors and locking visors. you are more likely to want to wear a helmet that fits right.

the first suomy did it's job when i wrecked back in 05 so I bought another one.

I second newenough.com

I loved my alpinestar boots but they were not cheap. but on the same note I value my feet and I wouldnt have a leg now and wouldnt be a cyclist if i was not wearing them, a truck ran a light a hit me on my cbr broke my leg, destroyed my frame. same thing happened to another guy and he lost the calf muscle.

the icon riding jeans, and draggin jeans are actually kinda cool if you dont want to go with the full power ranger look when you go out to.

A very good read for all motorcycle riders

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html

Wow kool thread. I am also in the process of getting license. Already took the safety riding course (highly recommend). Thanks for the info! Lodi which bike are you thinking of getting?

for right now, some used enduro 350 or something. BUt after i get experience, I want to get a ktm 690 supermoto. I'm not into crotchrockets or harleys.I don't know why, i'm just not. I do like the speed triples, but for me, the supermotos are really light and manuverable, plus forgiving.

I really like the reviews at WebBikeWorld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/Products.htm).

For helmets:
- agreed full face for sure
- size / fit is the most important thing
- make sure it is DOT approved
- popular brands that consistently get good ratings include Shoei, Arai, Suomy, and Shark

For jackets:
- get something with armor in the shoulders and elbows
- a back protector is a very good thing. Some are strap-on, and some jackets have a pocket that lets you put one in.
- leather is overall better protection than textiles, although there are some very good textiles out there.
- textile is better for cold and wet weather
- for hot weather, perforated leather is far better than mesh textile
- when you try them on, sit on a bike in riding position to judge fit

For gloves:
- get leather
- get armored gloves
- get ones with gauntlets
- again try sitting on a bike and grabbing the controls to test fit

Also, please think about protective pants too! You have a choice between overpants (usually textile), leather pants, or reinforced jeans (the least protective).

Newenough.com (http://www.newenough.com/) has some great deals on gear.

For a really convenient one-piece suit that goes on easily over regular clothes, think about an Aerostich (http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Roadcrafter-p-1-c-249.html). These are great suits.

I agree with most of your points, but there are good leather jackets out there without armor. Look at Fox Creek Leather (www.foxcreek.com), for example. I ordered the Vented Racing Jacket and, unfortunately it didn't quite fit me right. Now, they'll do custom, but my second choice jacket did fit right and had armor, so opted to go that way. If the Fox Creek had fit better, I would have kept that and not given the lack of armor a second thought.

Hemets? I had a full face when I had my crotch rocket. I opted for an open face this time. Fully DOT approved (Bell's making some good helmets again, at good prices, too!) and well regarded. Half helmets? I don't think they work well, though many are DOT approved. I also think they make you look like a penis. Just go try one on and look in the mirror!

Just another perspective.

Also, here's another reference/resource for you: http://www.msgroup.org/

Back in the day when I was riding motorbikes (here we go :rolleyes:) it was said of helmets that you either had a Shoei shaped head (rounder) or a Aria shaped head (narrower) and which helmet was best for you came down to which one fitted you better. Of the various helmets I had the Shoei was the stand out best by a long shot but again it depends on which fits your head.

Lodi,

I would recommends you go with a full face helmet (and stay away from "flip-up" or two piece full face. Get a Snell approved helmet. Snell has higher safety standards and more stringent testing than DOT. Any Snell helmet will have the DOT rating as well, because the Snell is a higher rating.

The #1 selling motorcycle helmet in the world is HJC and I recommend you check them out. They have products as safe as Arai and Shoei for about 60% of the cost. I crashed with an HJC AC-11 helmet on and the helmet had no internal damage. THe HJC CL-15 is a great helmet, comes in a whole bunch of different color schemes and almost every kind of face shield color you can imagine. BUT!!! More important than all that is make sure the helmet is the right size. Almost all newbies buy their helmets too big. So go to a shop and get fitted for the proper size. A helmet should be able to be rolled off your head from the rear when buckled and will fit pretty shug at first. After a few weeks the lining will compress slightly and it will be more comfortable.

As Ms. Gio stated, leather jackets are better than textile for abrasion protection, but with the humid weather in CT, you might consider a leather textile mix with some preforated vents to keep you from overheating. Go with leather gloves...and padded knuckle and palm areas are key.

Boots go from around $100 to as much as you want to spend. But a good pari of leather boots will save your feet, ankles and lower legs if you should end up on the asphalt.

Pants...any pants are better than nothing, but again...nothing is as good as leather. That said, there are several leather textile and reinforced textile riding pants that are top notch. Riding gear should fit more to the snug side (i.e. it should not be baggy or excessively lose).

Here are some companies to look at:

http://www.hjchelmets.com/
http://www.joerocket.com/ (my favorite gear and apparel company)
www.kneedraggers.com (great prices on apparel and friendly sales people if you call..out of New Jersey)
http://shiftracing.com/main.cfm (riding gear and apparel)

And if you want the best street riding boots period....check out the Sidi "Streetburner" ankle length boot for $250. Functional, but as close to race protection as you can get without a full length racing type boot.

Remember gear only seems expensive until you go down on your bike...then you might wish you'd spent a little extra.


Also if your going to get into motorcycling...go check out the AMA's website. It's worth being a member if you are a motorcylist. They do a lot for us.

hey cycle, thanks..You should read the link I posted earlier from motorcyclist. They did independent testing and found serious flaws with snells standards. It's a long read, but I was shocked at what I found. I'd be curious to see what you think.

On a side note, i'm not the type to cheap out on protective gear of any sort. I never saw the point of people spending 12 g's on a bike, than buying cheap gear or (as you know in CT) none whatsoever....

I've read the link you posted... All I have to say to that is that the bike shop I dealt with back in CT had Snell reps come in and buy off the shelf helmets to take back for testing. They do this to insure that helmets actually reaching the consumers still pass their testing. Any good helmet will have a Snell and DOT sticker. I'm a but skeptical about the article to be honest.

It seemed a bit off to me, but I wanted the input of someone who has been around the sport for a while......second question...Icon gear..good, bad?

it can be a little flashy. but i have owned a fair amount of it in the past and liked it
plus when i worked at a dealership it is decent.

I did notice that. One other thing I noticed. It's really hard to find a jacket with any orange in it. lots of every other color, not so much on the orange.....no love for ktm out there, huh?

If you want orange, you might have to go to your local HD dealer, since their colors are black and orange.

I agree with most of your points, but there are good leather jackets out there without armor. Look at Fox Creek Leather (www.foxcreek.com), for example. I ordered the Vented Racing Jacket and, unfortunately it didn't quite fit me right. Now, they'll do custom, but my second choice jacket did fit right and had armor, so opted to go that way. If the Fox Creek had fit better, I would have kept that and not given the lack of armor a second thought.


If you land on your shoulders or elbows, you will appreciate the armor.

If you land on your shoulders or elbows, you will appreciate the armor.

Totally agree MsGio.

Armor WILL almost surely save you from some sever truama if you take a spill on a motorcycle going at a moderate speed. Unfortunately..I speak from experience. Elbow, back and right shoulder armor saved me a trip to the hospital last year. I never ride without my gear, and it's a good thing.

Technology has improved tremendously in the past couple decades. Just like cyclists are no longer wearing wool and suede, bikers have superior choices to old-school leather (not to mention a cow never evolved its hide by sliding down asphalt @ 100mph). I used to be a proponent of leather until a tank-slapper highside @ Laguna about 12-years ago. The impact didn't hurt much, I don't even think there was much bruising, but after just 100ft of sliding the elbows, shoulders & knees had ground through the leather enough that I got some nice road-rash. A lot of times, you can slide around even further than that. Good modern-day amoured synthetic suits will let you slide 200ft+ and the pads are even replacable afterwards. :)

What do you guys think of my selection? I am trying to stick with cyclegear since I can get 20% off my first purchase.
Helmet
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=1&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_83-9510_G&tier2=11
boots
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=16&L3=&L4=&item=FTL_SEB085-BZ-8_G&tier2=47
gloves
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=15&L3=&L4=&item=PAR_355-903-10-S_G&tier2=24
jacket
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=10&L3=22&L4=&item=FTL_FTL277-BZ-38_G&tier2=47

look ma a power ranger!!!


actually you made a good choice

I hope you ride safely
lot more sutble than me

Oh good god.

I'm never visiting Connecticut now. :p

Back when I was riding this company had some great products...........

http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Aerostich-Suits-p-1-c-248.html


My jacket is a 'Marsee', but their site, (if I pulled up the correct one), makes it look like they are out of the jacket business, but the point is that textile jackets cam be pretty durable.

One point I would make is to buy what you will wear on a regular basis......not something you will only wear infrequently.

There are also groups that meet on 'Meet-Up', and I was a member of the 'Honda Sport Touring Association' which was a great group of folks.

Keep the rubber side down.......

Oh good god.

I'm never visiting Connecticut now. :p

Even if, lets say you did. Like..to go buy a car or something...in new york maybe...and had to drive right by my house, but didn't even call to say hi. it would be just like that........:innocent::roflmao2:

Even if, lets say you did. Like..to go buy a car or something...in new york maybe...and had to drive right by my house, but didn't even call to say hi. it would be just like that........:innocent::roflmao2:

Oh come on... I'd at least wave. :D

Oh come on... I'd at least wave. :D

how? with the one finger salute??????:notamused::D:D:lol:

ooo ouch.

What do you guys think of my selection? I am trying to stick with cyclegear since I can get 20% off my first purchase.
Helmet
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=1&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=TUC_83-9510_G&tier2=11
boots
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=16&L3=&L4=&item=FTL_SEB085-BZ-8_G&tier2=47
gloves
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=15&L3=&L4=&item=PAR_355-903-10-S_G&tier2=24
jacket
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=3&L2=10&L3=22&L4=&item=FTL_FTL277-BZ-38_G&tier2=47

Sorry I just saw this. Have you tried things on for fit and comfort? Protection-wise they look decent, get a back protector into that jacket though. What about pants?

Never buy a helmet on-line without trying one on first. And then when you do find one that fits, dont be ****** and buy it online to save 20 bucks. Just buy it from the shop you tried it on at if you like it.

From personal experience with my gear purchases I think you will find the best stuff at a BMW dealer. The gear they sell is made for riders who actually ride their bikes. They dont waste floor space with poser crap.

My first good helmet was an HJC. I bought it becuase it fit my head. Rode with it for over a year. Problem with it was all the farkles kept falling off. So I spent real money on a Shoei RF1000. I wanted a Suomy, but when i tried one on, it didnt fit my head right. An Arai was a better choice, but the Shoei was like a hand in glove fit. Be mindfull of that when buying. One of the good things about buying from a good dealers (Like a Beemer dealer) is that they will have demo items. The one I bought my Shoei from let take the demo helment for a test ride on my motorcycle. A half hour ride later, I bought one. All Dot helmets are not created equal. Dont cheap out on the helmet. I dont care if that Motorcyclist test said the PepBoys special was the bees knees. You get what you pay for. I only want to buy one helmet every 5 years (says the guy with 5 helmets...)

http://www.marcofolio.net/images/stories/fun/imagedump/imgdmp_0805_2/may_08_2_04.jpg

i cant say anything
because she is wearing proper gear

http://www.marcofolio.net/images/stories/fun/imagedump/imgdmp_0805_2/may_08_2_04.jpg

i cant say anything
because she is wearing proper gear

Pheard got a bike? :eek:
Oh dear heavens....that's scary.

that poor KTM.........

I hope there's enough fairing under there to keep that tutu away from anything hot.