Riding gear - options and costs
Discussion
I'm getting back into riding again, but need to buy gear from scratch. When I had bikes before I somehow managed to survive without leathers and body armour etc, but think there are more options nowadays, or at least, more information available.
I've suffered a bit of 'sticker shock' when I've totted up the prices of gear which seems to be protective and of decent quality.
I'm in the north of Scotland, so would ride faster roads rather than town\city commuting. As yet I'm not sure of mileage or weather conditions, but I used to ride fairly high mileages and year-round unless it was snowing\icy.
I've watched some gear review videos, including some from Motolegends (clothing dealer). They seem to suggest a decent helmet might be around £400, boots around the same, and then clothing could be upwards of £500 for a jacket and £400 for trousers (for laminated textiles). Add in gloves, additional armour, other layers, and maybe an airbag vest, and it could get quite pricey. If I already had gear and were upgrading piece-by-piece it wouldn't be so painful, but when starting from scratch it's a fairly big expense. Of course, it's obviously possible to buy even cheaper kit, but then I'd question the protection and comfort, especially if riding in all conditions.
I always thought I'd go for something like an Aerosich one-piece suit as they'd allow for 'normal' clothes to be worn when commuting, but they seem to be fairly protective. However, buying from the USA would be a faff, and they're now around $1400.
Anyway, I just wondered what sort of kit you'd recommend - leathers\textiles? Do you consider things like abrasion protection and body armour ratings when buying, and where is the sweet spot of price\protection\safety etc?
I've suffered a bit of 'sticker shock' when I've totted up the prices of gear which seems to be protective and of decent quality.
I'm in the north of Scotland, so would ride faster roads rather than town\city commuting. As yet I'm not sure of mileage or weather conditions, but I used to ride fairly high mileages and year-round unless it was snowing\icy.
I've watched some gear review videos, including some from Motolegends (clothing dealer). They seem to suggest a decent helmet might be around £400, boots around the same, and then clothing could be upwards of £500 for a jacket and £400 for trousers (for laminated textiles). Add in gloves, additional armour, other layers, and maybe an airbag vest, and it could get quite pricey. If I already had gear and were upgrading piece-by-piece it wouldn't be so painful, but when starting from scratch it's a fairly big expense. Of course, it's obviously possible to buy even cheaper kit, but then I'd question the protection and comfort, especially if riding in all conditions.
I always thought I'd go for something like an Aerosich one-piece suit as they'd allow for 'normal' clothes to be worn when commuting, but they seem to be fairly protective. However, buying from the USA would be a faff, and they're now around $1400.
Anyway, I just wondered what sort of kit you'd recommend - leathers\textiles? Do you consider things like abrasion protection and body armour ratings when buying, and where is the sweet spot of price\protection\safety etc?
I've got the Oxford Advanced Jacket and been very impressed with it (£250 a couple of years ago). I spent £400 on a Shoei lid, but that really comes down to head shape, comfort and preference. I bought a pair of Daytona Road Star Gtx boots and I think they're awful, hard 'protective' bits dig into my ankle and I hate wearing them. When I did have an accident the only part of me that was injured was my foot, in my Daytona boots.
I've found gloves hit and miss, Rukka are very comfortable but I'm on my 4th (and final) pair under warranty as they keep leaking. I'm a fan of heated grips and think heated gloves would be great if you can be bothered with the faff of connecting them up on each journey, I'm too lazy so when it's really cold the outside of my hands gets a touch chilly. Highly recommend D30 armour and primarily buy stuff that's comfortable to wear.
For context I'm currently in London and commute every day, doing about 8-10k a year.
I've found gloves hit and miss, Rukka are very comfortable but I'm on my 4th (and final) pair under warranty as they keep leaking. I'm a fan of heated grips and think heated gloves would be great if you can be bothered with the faff of connecting them up on each journey, I'm too lazy so when it's really cold the outside of my hands gets a touch chilly. Highly recommend D30 armour and primarily buy stuff that's comfortable to wear.
For context I'm currently in London and commute every day, doing about 8-10k a year.
Pothole said:
£400 for boots and £400 for trousers? You're dreaming!
In what way "dreaming" - as in that's too much? If so I agree - Goretex Daytonas are in the £350-400 range, lots of others (e.g. Sidi, A'Stars Goretex) in the £250 region. Gore-tex trousers again a decent selection in the £300-400 area. I'd say £400 for a helmet is a bit on the toppy side - plenty of quality (Ride recommended etc) available in the £150-300 range.
The RST stuff is very good for getting back into it and reasonably priced. I went for their textiles and done me well the last 2 years I've been back riding. The only mistake was the jacket I got came up a bit short as I have a long body. Multi layered, keeps water out and comfy. Went for a Shark lid but try a few on. Everyone's head is different.
Get yourself on Gumtree and Ebay and buy someone else's "I'm going to ride a motorbike, actually maybe I'm not" barely used kit; there are bargains to be had and if you don't like it you can just flog it on again for minimal loss.
Apart from a helmet, I would always suggest buying a helmet brand new, in a shop, after you have had it on your head for half an hour to make sure it fits properly.
Apart from a helmet, I would always suggest buying a helmet brand new, in a shop, after you have had it on your head for half an hour to make sure it fits properly.
_Neal_ said:
Pothole said:
£400 for boots and £400 for trousers? You're dreaming!
In what way "dreaming" - as in that's too much? If so I agree - Goretex Daytonas are in the £350-400 range, lots of others (e.g. Sidi, A'Stars Goretex) in the £250 region. Gore-tex trousers again a decent selection in the £300-400 area. I'd say £400 for a helmet is a bit on the toppy side - plenty of quality (Ride recommended etc) available in the £150-300 range.
If you have a Shoei head shape, get a Shoei lid and don't waste time on anything else. NXR, GT Air, Multitec Flip
Daytona boots suit most people very well
Trousers/Jacket are more difficult depending if you want textile or leather. There's lots of choice and good deals about too. I'd perhaps go for separate waterproofs to give more flexibility.
Aerostich gear still comes up occasionally on ebay. I really regret selling mine!
Daytona boots suit most people very well
Trousers/Jacket are more difficult depending if you want textile or leather. There's lots of choice and good deals about too. I'd perhaps go for separate waterproofs to give more flexibility.
Aerostich gear still comes up occasionally on ebay. I really regret selling mine!
I've bought most of my gear, used, from ebay - leather Hein Gericke jacket £15, RST trousers £30 etc if it doesn't fit well, I sell it on
I bought my helmet from Sportsbike shop as they have a great returns policy - Carbon Scorpion for £250 I think it's great, very lightweight and far less buffeting than my last one
Now is also a great time to buy "last year's" gear though, just bought a new RST jacket rrp £280 for £89
I bought my helmet from Sportsbike shop as they have a great returns policy - Carbon Scorpion for £250 I think it's great, very lightweight and far less buffeting than my last one
Now is also a great time to buy "last year's" gear though, just bought a new RST jacket rrp £280 for £89
There is a good reason why a number of companies do quite well out of making/selling expensive but good quality kit and it's not because there are loads of people with more money than sense.
If you can, use eBay, Gumtree or any other source to get good quality second hand kit then that would be the best option.
Go for gore-tex to keep the rain off. Gore-Tex Pro is best of the lot. Make sure the clothing and not just the armour, has the best CE rating for protection. You hopefully will never need to use it but if you do you'll be glad of it.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...
If you can, use eBay, Gumtree or any other source to get good quality second hand kit then that would be the best option.
Go for gore-tex to keep the rain off. Gore-Tex Pro is best of the lot. Make sure the clothing and not just the armour, has the best CE rating for protection. You hopefully will never need to use it but if you do you'll be glad of it.
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-vie...
Motolegends are a real bunch of tossers when it comes to this. Everything needs to be obscenely expensive.
Use the sharp test website to find the safety rating of helmets and go from there for comfort etc. You can EASILY get one for £200. Altberg boots (the best) between £2/300. Laminated jacket and trousers for a total of about £500. Heated gloves if you want for circa £150. Lots of deals around Black Friday as well.
You can also go second hand on some of the above and save a packet. Go try some stuff on then buy it online or second hand.
Use the sharp test website to find the safety rating of helmets and go from there for comfort etc. You can EASILY get one for £200. Altberg boots (the best) between £2/300. Laminated jacket and trousers for a total of about £500. Heated gloves if you want for circa £150. Lots of deals around Black Friday as well.
You can also go second hand on some of the above and save a packet. Go try some stuff on then buy it online or second hand.
Definitely look second hand if you're prepared to do so. I'm working to a budget and other than my helmet (Nolan n87) and gloves that I bought new, everything else I have is from ebay. I picked up near new hood jeans including the hip and knee armour for £50, near new falco boots for £40, knox full size back protector for £20 etc. I later picked up a two piece Furygan leather suit for £80 when I decided I wanted a jacket and pants that zips togther. You really don't need to spend hundreds especially if you bide your time.
Thanks very much - lots of good tips.
I'll need to get along to a bike shop and try on helmets, and see what the other gear is like.
I hadn't thought about buying secondhand, but see that there is quite a lot of gear on Gumtree, and some of it is 'un-used'. At the minute there's nothing suitable near me, but I'll keep an eye open as I'm not in a desperate rush.
The article on CE ratings was helpful, too. I hope to never test out crash protection, but I'm minded to go for the 'safer' stuff.
I'll need to get along to a bike shop and try on helmets, and see what the other gear is like.
I hadn't thought about buying secondhand, but see that there is quite a lot of gear on Gumtree, and some of it is 'un-used'. At the minute there's nothing suitable near me, but I'll keep an eye open as I'm not in a desperate rush.
The article on CE ratings was helpful, too. I hope to never test out crash protection, but I'm minded to go for the 'safer' stuff.
ph9 said:
The article on CE ratings was helpful, too. I hope to never test out crash protection, but I'm minded to go for the 'safer' stuff.
The only textile I've seen which I think might survive better is Klim or possibly Rukka, but they are very expensive.
This summer I bought a cheap Revit mesh jacket and replaced the armour with D3O orange level 2 parts (usually much better than level 1), including a back protector, which I took from my leathers. The jacket was about £120 and is really comfortable and despite only being A rated in the new standard, is probably strong enough to survive the initial tarmac hit, keeping the armour where it needs to be, but like all textiles, a proper good scuffing down the road at 50mph wrapped around a 100Kg+ bloke, will see it ripped to pieces. The difference between A and AA ratings is likely to be very little in reality.
So I personally wouldn't put too much weight on the standard, especially as most damage to you is done when you hit something hard which even leathers don't protect against. Get quality armour fitted to whatever you buy and make sure it fits well to keep the armour in the right places.
As to waterproof, I agree with the gore-tex comment, I've tried various others including a new pair of Richa boots and Dianese gloves this summer, both of which leaked as soon as it rained - own brand waterproof membranes just don't seem to work anywhere near as well as gore-tex, but some people have better experience.
I just got tired of spending so much on clothing, especially as getting older meant much of it doesn't fit anymore !
Agree that eBay and bike shows like the NEC are a great source of bargains (I see there is an MCN Scottish Motorcycle Show for you guys north of the border, same thing).
I have been an all year round commuter for 20yrs+. My motto is 'buy cheap, buy twice', so I always stick with quality branded goods, normally stuff that comes Ride magazine recommended, you can't go far wrong with that. I'm with Daytona on boots - best I have ever owned.
My textile suite is a two piece Dainese with armour and removable winter liners, it was pricey but reduced in the NEC show sale, is 10yrs old and still standing up strong apart from it had weak (too small) YKK zips as a main zip and joining the jacket to the trousers that broke after a few years - they just weren't big enough for the job, IMO.
I have had a local leather repairer replace them with much more substantial YKK ones which I expect will outlive me. All about building to a price, I guess.
One thing I would invest in, given your location, is heated gloves. Not cheap, but these have been a revelation for me, taking all the misery out of winter riding.
I have been an all year round commuter for 20yrs+. My motto is 'buy cheap, buy twice', so I always stick with quality branded goods, normally stuff that comes Ride magazine recommended, you can't go far wrong with that. I'm with Daytona on boots - best I have ever owned.
My textile suite is a two piece Dainese with armour and removable winter liners, it was pricey but reduced in the NEC show sale, is 10yrs old and still standing up strong apart from it had weak (too small) YKK zips as a main zip and joining the jacket to the trousers that broke after a few years - they just weren't big enough for the job, IMO.
I have had a local leather repairer replace them with much more substantial YKK ones which I expect will outlive me. All about building to a price, I guess.
One thing I would invest in, given your location, is heated gloves. Not cheap, but these have been a revelation for me, taking all the misery out of winter riding.
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