Let's talk gear

What brands do you prefer? Who has good gear at decent prices? I know most folks on here are ATGATT. I have a jacket and nice helmet. But after stitches in my knee and a messed up foot I am considering pants and boots... I do some commuting with my bike but also a lot of just cruising. Who makes good full "moto gp style gloves"? Do you guys wear pants and boots? I remember someone recommending having normal pants and shoes that they leave at work? What do you guys do? Any gear you've wrecked in that held up well? Anything that you avoid? Any good online retailers? Bad ones? I personally love the head to toe "power ranger look".

 

I like motorcyclegear.com (formerly newenough.com). They have a lot of last year's model gear, at sometimes really good prices.

Unfortunately, pants and boots aren't as "fasionable" so they don't go on sale often.

I've chosen an overpant: Survived an over 50 mph slide in these: http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/pa ... pants.html
Had to replace 'em, but the jeans I had on underneath only had the slightest scuff. Boots got pretty trashed in that accident, but I haven't replaced them yet.

And I leave my shoes at work. It comes in handy since I don't car commute. I motorcycle, bicycle, run, and metro (when the weather is especially bad) and don't like to do any of those in business casual shoes.

EDIT: Also, I'm pretty sure the engine contacted my knee. I had a knarly looking bruise that didn't hurt at all. Even entry level pants, with CE armor in the knees, probably could have saved yours. And at <$200, I'm sure you're aware now that it's much less expensive than the hospital bill.

 

The importance of boots and gloves are way underrated!
Keep an eye on ebay or your local auction sites for good gear for sale out of season amazing how many people cant think 6 months ahead.
Like everything gear designed for being on a bike will be more comfortable and will offer more protection than something that looks the part or you've substituted in an "it'll do" fashion.

 

In addition to the Helmet and Jacket, I also wear gloves, boots, and jeans. I didn't check ATGATT because I don't wear any special riding/biking pants. The boots that I wear are old leather leg boots (read army leather boots). I'm also still in the Army for a little while longer, so changing out shoe's, or cloths isn't an issue as I always wear long pants and boots when going to work.

 

another plug for motorcyclegear.com
I bought most of my gear from them, great price
Jacket, pants, boots and gloves, to my door ( in Canuckistan) for $300 or so

Also sportbiketrackgear.com has decent prices as well\got my helmet for them

Almost time for new gear, may be looking for next season....
gonna go waterproof all the way, weather is too damn unpredictable here...
and my boots leak through BAD
Having wet feet really sux when riding......

 

I've been on the ground, and learned my lessons the first damn time.

1 - I wear a jacket, even when it's hot. Road rash REALLY sucks, see #2
2 - I wear gloves as well -- when I went down it was a hot day and I decided to go without gloves. Spent 2 days picking small gravel out of my wounds. Never again - No thank you.
3 - Full face helmet -- when I landed, guess where I impacted - yup - chinbar! If it wasn't there - see above.
4 - Riding boots/shoes -- comfy and protected feet are their own reward. \
5 - And lastly, pants/legs. In the city I accept the greater risk in exchange for comfort and go with just a good sturdy pair of jeans. Highway use however, I either go up to full leather riding pants, or a good pair of chaps.

YMMV, and ride the way you're comfortable. For me, the 'freedom' to ride without the above does NOT make me comfortable -- vulnerable would be a better word.

Greg

 

ATGATT is a great idea (and the safest way to ride), but is hardly followed. Of course it makes the most sense, but I do prefer thinner gloves than moto spec as I can't really feel the bike through all that thick leather.

I got run over by a land yacht a few years ago and the way I hit and slid along the road pushed up my heavy leather jacket sleeve and left me with severe road rash from elbow to palm, so gear isn't always gonna save you, but a glove would have helped my palm. That being said I have seen lot's of riders around here wearing flip-flops, shorts, a tank-top, and sunglasses <---That is STUPID!!!

In a wreck at speed you can almost bet on:
No Helmet=Big hole in Head (very bad)
Half Helmet=Shattered jaw and liquid food for a good long while
No Gloves=Ground beef hands (ouch)
No Jacket=Stay off the beach shirtless for 10 years
No Boots=Titanium pins in your shattered ankle
No Pants=That's a lot of blood there buddy

I can't say I always suit up, but I can tell you that I enjoy my ride more when I am geared up. I hate being on the interstate at 80mph and feel like I am hamburger if I go down. You can't compete in any sanctioned event without ATGATT so that should tell you something.

Had a guy try and convince me the other day that wearing a helmet was dangerous because riders have died wearing them when they broke their neck! I asked him how they broke their neck and he replied their helmet hit something and caused their neck to break. So I asked him what would have happened if they hadn't been wearing a helmet-he paused and then said oh well I guess they would have broke their head! Well DUH!!!!

With today's vented FF helmets you will be cooler and less fatigued than if you ride helmet-less on a sunny day.

So please no naked riding 8O

 

Luckily it's Oregon here. What I mean is, usually the weather is crappy enough it's not a challenge to wear boots and jacket and gloves. But I gotta say, I've never even *owned* "all the gear" so there's that. The only thing I've ever worn on my legs is rain gear.

Other than that, I have some old combat boots with a lace-in zipper for easy on and off. Some Darth Vader style gloves, a modular helmet and a Tour Master jacket or my super duper thick(but now almost too small) leather jacket I got at a swap meet years ago. I usually wear most of it, but have been caught in only helmet a time or two.

 

I currently own a nice shoei helmet and an armored riding jacket. But I am wanting to get the rest. Had I been wearing gloves and pants and boots my wreck would have been none eventful. No stitches. No smashed up foot. I think the key point is you never know when it will happen so better safe than an er visit.

Maximike I bet you have some beautiful roads to ride up there. I have some family friends from there and the views out there are gorgeous. St Louis has its moments but you really have to hit the country to see anything pretty.

 

And this is the point. After my 50mph slide, shredded pants, scuffed boots with popped seams, I arranged a tow truck to pick up my bike. Got it safely home. THEN went to the hospital to get an xray for my swollen wrist. Happened on a Saturday, and I was back at work on Monday. Wrist took weeks to heal, total the accident probably cost me $800, but no lost work, no prolonged hospital stay, no picking gravel out of my wounds. That's the different that full gear makes, and it was the PANTS and BOOTS that took the brunt of the damage.

Also, I would recommend a good waterproof street boot. Worth the extra dough, and you'll never have to worry about your feet in the rain. Also, throw rain gear on that list, it helps a lot. Keeps you focused on the road, and not on the fact that you are getting soaked.

 

I do plan on getting the pants that you recommended. Thank you for that suggestion. Anything in particular that you like boots wise? Should I go with something like this :

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_3HOIKbvMxSA/T ... -boots.jpg

or more just standard ankle high work boots? I plan on owning an r6 at some point and would like to do track days. But that is in the distant future...

 

I don't have everything, but I figure anything is better than nothing.

I got a nice HJC helmet (http://www.hjchelmets.com/prds_ismax.htm) and a pair of cheap gloves form Walmart somewhat like these http://www.walmart.com/ip/Chase-Ergonom ... L/15529418

The gloves are pretty light, but do have some extra padding in palms.

Other than that, I have a leather shirt, boots and thick denim jeans. It's been fairly comfortable in the heat. I will probably get a mesh jacket before long, but that's a budgetary concern.

 

Please don't take my last comment as directed at you ryancdossey...you already learned the lesson the hard way . I was trying to emphasize the important point you made to others.

I don't have a lot of experience with motorcycle boots, I own a pair of Joe Rocket (Meteor it think?) boot. They wouldn't be any good for track use, and after the slide I really should replace them. But I do think they saved my feet (given the damage they took, and no foot injuries).

It depends on what you are looking for both on and off the bike in a boot. But I'd definitely look for something relatively stiff, with scuff plates on the toes and ankles. Higher quality track gear might last your through a couple of accidents, lower quality (motorcycle specific) gear will save your skin, but need to be replaced after just one accident.

 

Just picked this up for $50.00 shipped!

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/cl ... acket.html

 

Dang that is a good deal!


Manbot no offense taken at all so do not worry. I did learn the hard way I learned that even at 20mph thick denim might as well be shorts.. Lasted less than a few feet...

Manbot are those pants "armored" at all? My jacket is similar to this one: http://www.fieldsheer.com/polytitanium- ... 20ref=mpm1
it is made by these guys. It is like a thick mesh with armor in the back, sholders, and elbows. The mesh didn't break or even rip just scuffed a little. Its like a thick breathable material. The guy at the dealer said that he has seen several guys go down in them. The jackets are shredded but no road rash. That armor on my left elbow took most of the weight when I fell... I dont want to know what my elbow would have looked like without it. It was pretty cheap too around $100.00

Glove wise I need full moto gp style gloves. As a musician damaged hands would be devastating..

 

The gear I wear depends on the ride. If I'm going into town , a five minute ride on a low speed road with light traffic, I wear a helmet and gloves and runners. If I'm going out on the highway with lots of traffic, I wear all gear, including boots textile jacket and pants. Same with helmets. In town, slow speed trip, just a 3/4 helmet. Anything else is either full face one piece or a fold up modular. It's all a gamble when riding a bike. I try to dress for the odds of having an accident. Not the safest way, but common sense dictates the gear

 

They have the CE rated armor in the knees and two pockets for it, so you can adjust it to your height. Other than that there is a bit of hip padding which "helps." I'm sure there are better pants out there, but they are affordable and I do like to throw my experience out there as an extra data point.

 

HJC AC-12 Carbon, Snell 2005, full face helmet. Always have and always will wear Snell only helmets.

I went down wearing a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket that held up well. I could not wear it again but it did its job protecting me. Then I switched to a Cortech GX Air 2 Jacket because it had leather uppers and back. The back was hot in the summer because it would just lay on your back, no air flow around it. I currently use a Olympia Gear Airglide 3 (Toxic) when temps are above 50 degrees and a Olympia Gear Phantom when they are below 50 down to single digits. I wish I had gotten the AST jacket and Ranger pants instead of the Phantom one piece.

I had a pair of TourMaster summer mesh gloves but the sides of the fingers would give out after a season of riding. I switched to a pair of Icon TarMac gloves and loved them. After a few years of the stitching finally gave out. Earlier this year I got a pair of summer perforated leather gloves by Troy Lee Designs. They are white and quite comfortable to wear even in 100 degree days. Since they are white, they are bright and can be easily seen. I have a pair of full gauntlet Scorpion Magnum gloves I wear in the fall and cortech winter gloves for the winter.

I wore Icon Field Armour boots for about 4 years until I got the ST1100 and they just weren't comfortable on that bike. I now ride in Tourmaster Response 2.0 boots. They are comfortable and the soles remind me of wrestling shoes.

As for pants, I wear two different styles of Joe Rocket. One of them, the lower leg portion zips off to make shorts and the other pair is more of a racing inspired pants. I have been thinking of getting a pair of Diamond Gusset Defender jeans.

I personally look for gear that is going to give good protection and is a color other than black.

 

You're aware that Snell helmets for regular motorcyclists is a farce, right?

They make sense in auto racing, because that's what they're designed for. They're required for moto racing, so if you race or do track days, you don't have much choice in the matter.

In most motorcycle accidents, a Snell helmet will transmit more g-force to your skull than even a plain DOT one. G-force to the skull/brain is a BAD thing. Snell helmets are too stiff, and don't absorb as much energy. It's because they're designed to do a different job - they're designed for multiple hard impacts in various locations while your head is bouncing around inside a car / roll cage.

The type of impact that we face is one very high force, then possibly a second lower force, impact(s) followed by abrasion. The more energy of the impact that can be absorbed by the helmet structure, the better. In tests it was found that DOT helmets, and even better the European motorcycle helmet safety standard 22.05 lids, absorbed more of this energy due to their more flexible energy absorbing designs.

 

I think calling the trade-off between (withstanding multiple inpacts while transmitting higher Gs) with (a single impact and less G force) a "farce" is a little harsh. I believe the word you are looking for is "controversial" :wink: . FWIW I trust my skull to DOT approved full faced helmets, because I agree with you about the testing methods.

 

So how does that work when you have a helmet that carries both DOT and SNELL certifications?

 

I voted ATGATT, but I am a commuter most of that time, so in traffic going rather fast. Leisure trips are highway also. My good friend and riding buddy has recommended a lighter batch of gear for the "tote the ol lady down the street for a beer" rides. If I did that I would drop the face shield, and wear lighter boots.

I highly recommend military-type side-zip Tech boots - which I have owned for other Rocky Mountain uses in the past. I got mine from Big 5, but they are available on Amazon.

My jacket is an Xelement from leatherup.com. Three different layers to accommodate all weather. It never disappoints on comfort.

 

It has passed both tests. The tests have a hard limit on the number of Gs you can transmit to the head, and differ in the shape of the impact "anvil" and the number of impacts. These are "laboratory conditions" meant to represent an actual accident, and as such some assumptions have to be made. But it's impossible to predict the kind of impact forces you might see in "your" accident, so it's important to learn and decide for yourself what standard you prefer to accept. Also note that a SNELL test is "extra" so a helmet might be able to pass both but only get DOT approval due to the costs of testing. This is likely why Snell helmets cost more.

Google snell vs dot and you'll get a lot of information and debate.

 

ColoradoDan brings up a good point about passengers. I always ride ATGATT since I got my seca on the road 2 years ago, and when my wife wanted to ride, I bought her a full get-up too. My reasoning is that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if my passenger got injured and I didn't and it was only because I was fully geared up and she wasn't. And since I only ride ATGATT, that gave me only one option.

Sadly...she's only used it twice .

 

I believe my shoei is both Dot and Snell. The guy at my gear shop personally had a few bad wrecks in their gear. Apparently they have some type of an under shell that is supposed to transfer the force of the impact around the helmet as opposed to absorbing it in just one spot???

 

Since you don't know, the new 2010 standard of testing is different from all previous years. The Snell testing now meets European 22.05 standards. The problem with the Snell standards you refer to as a "farce" was in the smaller sizes. Snell was going for the big bang hits versus the setting still and fall over ones. If all you did was set in a chair and wanted protection from falling over, DOT was indeed a better helmet. Snell also tests the chin bar, that is why there currently aren't any (maybe one brand sometimes) modular helmets being sold in the US that are Snell approved. Take it for what it is worth, everyone has to decide how much their own head is worth and how much risk you take.