Motorcycle Gear

[GhettoPeanut]

What's a good place to purchase from?
Taking the motorcycle safety course test this coming weekend, I need to pick up a helmet and gloves.
Brand suggestions always welcome!

Thanks.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

My best advice since you're new and have no idea of what fits, how its supposed to fit, what size you wear is to go to the nearest cyclegear. They will help get you fitted and they have decent prices.

 

[jlarsson]

It might be a little late to get it by Friday, but newenough.com is where I picked up some of my initial gear. Oilfield does have it correct in saying a local shop, allowing you find out what fits you best (especially helmets).

Great choice in taking the MSF, you'll have a blast!

 

[jlee]

A helmet is really something you should try on first. I bought a Scorpion EXO-400 without trying one on (got a really good deal) and it hurts my head after an hour or so. I've since switched to a Shoei RF1000 and it fits me much, much better. I think HJC fits me as well, but Scorpions do not.

 

[jjmIII]

http://www.jakewilson.com/home.do

 

[JulesMaximus]

A helmet is really something you should try on first. I bought a Scorpion EXO-400 without trying one on (got a really good deal) and it hurts my head after an hour or so. I've since switched to a Shoei RF1000 and it fits me much, much better. I think HJC fits me as well, but Scorpions do not.

Agreed. Helmets are a must try on before you buy item. Honestly, I think boots and gloves are also.

I also second the Cycle Gear suggestion. We have a couple of them around here and they have frequent sales and a very generous return policy.

 

[MiataNC]

Helmet - Anything Snell 2010 and/or DOT approved that fits properly. Higher end helmets (Shoei, Arai, Shark, AGV, etc) are generally lighter, have more comfortable liners, and better shield/vent hardware. They do NOT protect better simply because they cost more.

Gloves - Gauntlet style with hard armor on the knuckles and thick leather on the palm.

Jacket - Textile/Leather with shoulder and elbow armor

Back Protector - Built into the jacket or in addition

Pants - Armored overpants (textile/leather) or armored jeans. (Imagine running at full speed and doing a baseball slide on asphalt....Now imagine doing it at 25-65mph...)

Boots - Purpose built motorcycle boots with ankle protection.

Look for closeouts on previous year(s) equipment. You can find closeout helmets for less than half of MSRP, and that includes the higher end brands. The same goes for all of the other gear you will need. Expect to pay @$1000-1500 to get a full set of gear. Gear can last 5+ years if you take care of it, and don't crash in it. So it is money well spent.

 

[satyajitmenon]

My best advice since you're new and have no idea of what fits, how its supposed to fit, what size you wear is to go to the nearest cyclegear. They will help get you fitted and they have decent prices.

Seconded. Plus, they have pretty good return policies.

 

[jlarsson]

Gloves - Gauntlet style with hard armor on the knuckles and thick leather on the palm.

I typically wear full gauntlet style gloves when I ride. Although, against my better judgement, I did purchase short gloves this summer.

Since they don't clover the sleeve of my riding jacket, it allows air to flow into my sleeves and keep me cool. But, it also allows things like bee's into the jacket sleeves as well. About a week after I bought them, I was riding along and felt a stinging sensation around my elbow. The bee managed to get me 4-5 times before I was able to sufficiently squish him.

Needless to say, that was the last time I wore short gloves.

 

[holden j caufield]

is AGV gear any good?

 

[Zargon]

i had a nice pair of agv race gauntlets

 

[MiataNC]

is AGV gear any good?

It is a respected brand. Valentino Rossi wears AGV helmets.

All brands sell equipment at different price points. The best protection is at the higher end of the scale.

If you are curious about how gear performs, start reading crash reports on bike forums. Most people post pictures and you can often see where certain types of gear failed (holes burned through, seams split, etc)

 

[holden j caufield]

leather jacket sizing question. I took a tape measure and around my chest is 38.5 inches, 38 if it's snug. Am I supposed to get a jacket that is a 38 or go 1 size up 40? I found a great deal on a 42 but that's way too big?

 

[MiataNC]

leather jacket sizing question. I took at tape measure and around my chest is 38.5 inches, 38 if it's snug. Am I supposed to get a jacket that is a 38 or go 1 size up 40? I found a great deal on a 42 but that's way too big?

If you plan on getting a back protector (and you should), get a size up. Leather will stretch as it breaks in, but not a whole lot.

The biggest problem with motorcycle gear companies is inconsistency with sizes between brands.

When shopping online, find a place with a generous return policy. Also CALL CALL CALL!!! Places like http://www.newenough.com have amazing customer service, and they will be able to tell you which brands run larger/smaller/thinner/wider/etc at a given size.

Your best bet is to try a couple of jackets on at a local shop and take notes on what size you are in each brand you are interested in. While you are there see if they will price match something you find online. Offer them what you would pay with shipping and see if they go for it.

Paying a little more locally, and building a relationship can net you discounts down the road. It also ensures that local shops stay alive and are there when you need them.

 

[Fenixgoon]

always get fitted for a helmet. ALWAYS.

your best bet really is to find a retailer nearby and try stuff on. but if you can't, here are some good gear websites:

newenough.com (already mentioned)
motorcycle-superstore.com
revzilla.com (love these guys :thumbsup
bikebandit.com also has some gear, but not as big of a selection as the above, i think.

 

[holden j caufield]

is Hein Gericke a good brand to buy? I'm looking at buying a PSX-R leather jacket.

 

[simonizor]

www.motorcycle-superstore.com has a really good return policy, and free shipping on orders over $89. Their return policy allows you to return any item for an exchange or full refund (minus shipping, so you have to pay to ship it back). So if you order a something and it's the wrong size, you can return it and get the right size, or if it doesn't work at all, you can get your money back.