Good gear for beginner

I thought I would start a thread for newbies that could explain what type of gear everyone rides with. My first gear was a Shoei RF-800, a denim jacket and a some moto-cross gloves. This was based upon trying to stay cool in 110 degree Phoenix heat. It failed miserably, and the gear (except the helmet) wasn't all that worthwhile from a protection standpoint. I them migrated to real riding gear, and sweated even more. But, I knew I was much safer. I took a spill at about 10MPH with my denim jacket and it had a hole in it. I knew then, it was time for leather, 110 degrees or not.

My first gear, geez I think I had a shoei full face lid that my brother gave me WAY back in the day, a pair of work gloves, jeans and work boots :wink: Wow how times have changed. If you're buying gear for the first time as a new rider..there's no reason to go out and get the best, expensive gear on the planet. It's expensive for 1 thing, and there's plenty of good gear, that will save your hide just as well as anything, for alot less.

LOL...Did all of us own shoei for there first helmet? :lol: Lets see, shoei helmet, steel toed work boots, and a pair of gloves you work out in. The ones with the fingers cut out. LOL Today it has changed alot. Now I have a choice between my Joe Rocket textile or leather jacket and some real leather riding gloves. Still riding in jeans but soon that will change. :dthumb: Be smart and always wear something. Never shorts and a tee shirt unless you like being called a "squid". :dthumb: Be Smart and Be Safe.

I started with an HJC helmet, "flight gloves" (from the Air Force), a leather jacket (but not a good one), jeans and military boots. Jeans don't do CRAP for you, you might as well wear shorts. :lol: I haven't tried "draggin jeans" ( http://www.dragginjeans.com ) but I've heard good things about them. They would at least be better than regular jeans. I now have a Joe Rocket jacket with removeable shell and a pair of Joe Rocket mesh pants, but those are just for a regular road cruise. I also have a set of two piece leathers with 360 degree zipper. As for helmet, I just ordered a Scorpion. I also have full gauntlet style race gloves with knuckle protection. As for boots, I have a pair of Icons for normal riding and a pair of AlpineStars for track days.

As for a beginner, I would suggest gathering prices on proper gear, either at the dealer, or at sites such as http://www.newenough.com and figuring the cost of ALL appropriate gear into the purchase of a motorcyle. This includes a good jacket, pants, gloves, boots and helmet. Jacket and pants don't necessarily need to be leather, but you do want good gear. If you can't afford to buy the proper gear with your motorcycle, then I would suggest waiting until you know you can buy all the proper gear. The majority of motorcycle wrecks happen with riders in their first 6 months of riding and proper gear will lessen the damage to your body. I realize that we all started with improper gear, but you should learn from our mistakes. ;)

I started out with very little...but now I ride with gloves, helmet (DUH), leather jacket and good over the andle boots! That's just for hanging out riding. On a Saturday WOS ride or stunting...it's full gear!!!

I started with an Arai open-face helmet, World War II leather bomber jacket, work gloves, and combat boots. Now I have a Shoei TZ-1, Fieldsheer jacket, elk-skin gloves, First Gear pants, and combat boots.

I started with AGV helmet, work glove and boots, (Fonzz) leather jacket. Now ride with casual; Joe Rocket textile Pants and jacket, AlpineStars Racing gloves, and AGV boots. carving corners; AlpineStars full leather, boots, and gloves. Helmets for what ever mode I am in; Shoei TZ1, RF 1000, Arai Quantum

I use First gear.. Beginners should try first gear too.. its hard to only use seocnd gear.. 4th geardoesnt take off very well from a stop... :wink: lol When i startewd riding it was jeans, a helmet and my regular light jacket..not rding.. nylon based..wouldnt have done anythign for me. Now ive got a Alpinestars leahter jacket and tourmaster gloves.. both textile winter and mesh summer gloves.... Still in jeans though.. need to fix that.. and gettign a pressure suit for summer riding for the top. Love obth the AGV and Alpine stars gear.... The leather jacket is a bit warm but its well vented nad has a removable vest thingy to make it cooler whne u dont need insulation.

I started out on a cruiser, amazingly enough apparently they don't fall as ofter or fast because they get to wear less gear and no padding at all. Now is a completely different story. I have a HJC AC-11 helmet, a First Gear Blade leather jacket, a Joe Rocket Reactor S for really hot days, Joe Rocket Alter Ego pants, First Gear leather gloves and Cortech Accelerator gloves again for hot days. haha, my wife treats me way too good sometimes. So far I recommend all this stuff for comfortability, thank goodness I have never had to crash test any of it yet. I got most of my stuff at great prices from www.motorcyclecloseouts.com (just down the street, woohoo) and from www.newenough.com

SpeedWerks.com (http://www.speedwerks.com/)

i think im just going to get some textile jacket and jeans and some gloves and those boots from speedworks that kinda look like street boots but they are for riding as well and my uncle is giving me this ugly helmut that fits good until i can get a better one!! :thumbs: is this okay or should i do something else??? please explain :thumbs:

i think i had a bell for my first helmet...acutally i think bell was the only helmet maker at the time :skep:

is HJC good brand for helmet? and Joe Rocket Jackets?

i believe so (they seem to be pretty populat) as long as the helmut is DOT aproved your good but i dont know about the jackets but joe rocket is a well known company so it should be cool :thumbs:

Any of the major brand for jackets will do fine..... AlpineStars, Joe Rocket, Cortech, Tourmaster (if they make jackets), and a host of others....

is HJC good brand for helmet? and Joe Rocket Jackets? Both will serve you well!!!!

I have always had full leathers. I wear a jacket and jeans when Im putsing but full leather any other time. Like Shan said it might be hot but it is worth it. Jeans are a joke. Lost about 1/4 of meat in my legs when I bit with jeans on.

DOT sucks bulldog. PLastic beanie shells get DOT stickers. Look for SNELL at least. And i've checked out those draggin jeans, I think you would get more protection by just wearing 2 pairs of jeans...

my instructor said that if it is not DOT then it is illegal to wear on the street??? so how do they suck ??? i heard snell was good though and most of the snell helmuts have DOT aproved stickers

Yeah, DOT is the lowest. Must have at LEAST a DOT sticker to be legal to ride... (of course here in MI you can buy a DOT sticker at any harley shop).. but really look for something better... Snell is one, ECE I think for euro standards, which are quite high. Basically, everything except a bicycle helmet can be qualified for a DOT sticker though..

okay i gotcha i thought DOT was the highest i guess not though :dthumb:

(of course here in MI you can buy a DOT sticker at any harley shop) Ha ha, i bought a D.O.T sticker for my brain-bucket i use for 4 wheeling.

Listen to Pickle on this Bull, he's got you on the right track!!!

DOT sucks bulldog. PLastic beanie shells get DOT stickers. Look for SNELL at least. And i've checked out those draggin jeans, I think you would get more protection by just wearing 2 pairs of jeans... Well, I've never had the chance to check them out personally. Can you elaborate as to why they're useless?

is HJC good brand for helmet? and Joe Rocket Jackets? Yeah, HJC is okay, but depending on how much you're going to spend on the helmet, check out http://www.scorpionusa.com

I just thought it would be a little thicker than it was Capn... all I could tell that was different than a regular pair of jeans was some kevlar or something (felt like spandex).. Better than a pair of jeans, but I would say something like Knox underarmor pants would be more protective..

Just got it off the ebay for 120$ http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/03/64/98/2c_1_b.JPG

nice, not a bad dea lfor 120$... good helmet...itll fit the color of the Yami u want well

I just thought it would be a little thicker than it was Capn... all I could tell that was different than a regular pair of jeans was some kevlar or something (felt like spandex).. Better than a pair of jeans, but I would say something like Knox underarmor pants would be more protective.. Yeah, they're supposed to be kevlar. Do you have a link to Knox? I'm trying to find something protective to wear for just cruising around town, but I don't want to wear an additional pair of riding pants over my jeans if I'm planning on hanging out in town during the warm summer evenings.

which jacket better, leather or textile? would it be hot during summer in leather?

which jacket better, leather or textile? would it be hot during summer in leather? Well, it honestly depends on what you are doing. If you plan to attend any track days, you might as well get leather. Just make sure it has a 360 degree zipper to zip to pants, because you'll eventually buy those. If you think that you will NEVER do a track day, then go ahead and buy textile, as long as it has proper padding. You can get a combination textile jacket that has several layers that can be removed for summer riding, which will make it cooler. However, you can also find leather jackets with zipper vents for cooling. Leather will last longer and can take more than one fall, but if you don't have any zippered vents, you will be hot in the summer. But aren't you in Seattle? I wouldn't think you'd have to worry too much about heat.

which jacket better, leather or textile? would it be hot during summer in leather? don't forget about the perferated(sp?) leather gear. I have a leather jacket with front and rear zipper vents but still gets pretty warm. I also have a joe rocket mesh jacket that has perf'd leather arms and shoulders that is nice for the really hot days. I figured at the price, it is designed to go down once and be replaced.

Capn: http://www.planet-knox.com/Knox/index.asp

Thanks. I'll have to contact the distributor in MI. That looks like a much better product, plus I could wear it under ANY pair of jeans, rather than having to wear the same pair of jeans (Draggin, etc.) every time I ride.

Yeah I've been MEANING to get the pants for over a year now... if I wasn't such a slacker I could give you a review :)

If you're worried about being hot during the hot months... get a Joe Rocket meshy!!

how about alpinestars? it will match helmet and bike

how about alpinestars? it will match helmet and bike alpinestars makes good gear, but they're usually a little pricey.

how about alpinestars? it will match helmet and bike they are pricy but go to newenough.com before you buy ANYTHING they have REALLY cheap stuff

how about alpinestars? it will match helmet and bike You get what you pay for.... Ive got a Alpinestars jacket and love it, it doenst have hte zip vents but is perforated under the arm pits and has the back side the arm with a small strip of breathalbe abrasion resistant material.. its also VERY comfortable and thick leather.. i love it, not sure ill spend as much for the pants or ridng boots, those may end up beign rocket or somethign cheaper.. but the Alpine stars gets my trust for working to protect me.

Thank you Scott... YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!

yeah but some are ridiculas

yeah but some are ridiculas welcome to the world of motorcycles....lol..and wanting to be safe :cheers: .i do :iagree: some are way expensive but can u really put a price on safety .specially something that could keep u from eating threw a straw.dont really think ya can :2cents:

My gear currently Consists of Joe Rocket jacket, pants, gloves and steeltoe combat boots from the Army/Navy surplus. Lid is a Shoei RS-1000, blue to match the bike of course...:D - Hopefully I never have the opportunity to post how well it has worked in a crash. -G

I find there is great gear at a reasonable price if you just shop around and don't have to have the newest thing on the market. A motorcycle is considered a luxury item (even if its the only transportation you owen) so the gear is based on the same principle. Those that can afford a bike can afford the gear. :2cents: If you cant afford the gear you cant afford a bike! :2cents:

:2cents: If you cant afford the gear you cant afford a bike! :2cents: That's my motto as well. I think newbies should ALWAYS consider the cost of gear in with the bike. If they can't afford to buy the gear, they shouldn't be buying the bike.

Yeah, I love it when people who own bikes say I can't afford this or that... it's like come on... you can afford a MC, so obviously you aren't living in proverty!