Hi everyone!
I'm new here, and I actually haven't even purchased my bike yet. I'm 19 and I have an MSF course May 11th right after college gets out. I have, however, decided that a GS500F will be my first bike, and I'll be looking for a lightly used 2004-2006 model in the next month or so.
I'm starting to shop for equipment, and I wanted to get everybody's opinion on my selections. My primary use will be around campus, but I'll also have to drive about 250 miles back and forth every few weeks when I want to go home. Also, this summer I'll have a 40 mile/day commute for summer classes. I have no problem wearing gloves, jacket, and helmet everywhere I go. (price isn't really an issue as far as safety gear is concerned)
For a helmet, after looking at quite a few articles and papers, I decided I wanted a BSI certificated helmet. Here's what I'm looking at: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=11958&department=101&division=1
For a jacket, I'll definitely be buying a leather for the long trips, and cold weather. But will it be unbearable for summer joy riding? This is what I'm looking at for my leather, and if needed, I can get another for summer weather;
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/i59398.jpg)
AS GP Plus
Gloves, I'll buy a few pairs because I'm bound to lose them sometime. I've been advised to full leather but they'll be something like this:
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/i43632.jpg)
AS GP Pro
Now for the hard part. I'll definitely get a pair of pants for the long rides, but I'll be damned if I'm seen wearing something like that around campus. Do they make some sort of (pardon the comparison) underwear, akin to baseball sliding shorts that go down a little farther? That would be ideal, but I can't find anything like that (maybe I don't know where to look). And no, I'm not wearing the jean hybrid things from draggins or whatever it's called (no offense to you old guys).
My long distance pants will probably be these:
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/i56383.jpg)
AS Track Leather
Boots are a similar situation, although I could probably handle wearing something like this around campus:
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/g21498.jpg)
Sidi B-2
But still.. one would think there has to be some sort of ankle/abrasian support available but I'm not having any luck.
I'm mainly just wondering if these are fine or not, I don't know anybody personally who rides so I can't really ask them for advice. I heard AS was a reputable brand for safety (and I refuse to be the Icon stereotype). Also, I really want something I can wear under my pants/shoes, although I could deal with the boots.
Thanks for your help!
Good choice in gear. As far as under those pants or boots..underoos and socks..
You can look for over pants for long rides and check out more like riding shoes than boots like some alpinestars octane riding shoes or something
(http://www.newenough.com/image/path/8056/small/red.jpg?1173190694)
how about some joe rocket overpants like these:
(http://www.newenough.com/image/path/6100/small/Default.jpg?1166041172)
I personally have a textile/leather jacket with removable liner..im in a hot climate.
(http://www.newenough.com/image/path/6556/small/Default.jpg?1166221914)
and full leather gloves
(http://www.newenough.com/image/path/7285/small/Default.jpg?1168987514)
Hmm, already chasing after good gear, MSF course down, and chasing after a proper beginner bike? You have a good head on your shoulders. You'll go far here.
Suomy helmets are good quality, though I am surprised you didn't go for one of their stereotypical flower power helmets! :laugh: Are you avoiding Snell helmets because of that article that has been floating around?
Alpinestars is good quality stuff, and your selections are fine (matching too? poseur squid! :laugh: just kidding).
For the jacket, you could pretty much go with any of the A* leather jackets and be fine, if you don't want to drop that serious cash on top level leather.
For a summer jacket, you don't mention where you live. This could play a big factor in what jacket may be more appropriate for you. For example, I live in Texas and commute in 100+ degree heat. I would sweat to death in a leather jacket even if it was perforated. I wear a CE armored mesh jacket during the summer and feel plenty cool and safe in it. Pablo (pantablo on the board here) out of Los Angeles, CA wears perforated leather in the summer, no matter the temperature. He doesn't commute on the bike though, as far as I know, so perforated leather is probably more applicable to the type of riding he does. You'll get differing opinions about which is best. I like armored mesh for summer riding.
For the gloves, I doubt you'll be able to tell the difference between the GP Plus and the SP-1. I'd go with the SP-1 in your case simply for price differential. You will doubtfully be able to fully take advantage of all the features of the GP+ as it is a race glove designed for high performance riding.
Pants look fine, match your jacket, and probably zip together. Look at that, you have track leathers too.
Boots are fine for what you will be using them for. Though for walking around campus you might want to make a compromise for comfort and check out the Sidi Doha boots (http://www.newenough.com/boots/sport_street_touring_boots/sidi/doha_motorcycle_boots.html). I don't have them, and I take a risk wearing regular tennis shoes when I go back and forth to campus, but I'd like to give them a shot.
The key to ALL gear is to make sure it fits you first. Sidi boots, for example, fit people with narrow feet. If you don't have narrow feet you will probably be quite uncomfortable in them. Alpinestars jackets are cut rather trim (the "European" cut rather than the "American" cut). Alpinestars gear may not fit you as well as, say, MotoGP or Teknic gear. Go to a brick and motor shop or your local dealer and try all the jackets on that you can. See what fits best. Have someone that works there help you find stuff that fits.
Hey, I'm 21 and i wear draggin' jeans :P
You don't have to get the jeans though, they also sell em as cargoes, combat pants, etc etc... They're practical and will save your ass (and i can personally vouch for this as i've done a 50m (160 feet...) slide on them and am still wearing the same jeans...) Long pants IMO are a must, with as much protection as possible.
Summer jacket, i'd suggest a Cordura jacket which breaths more then leather, but isn't as abrasive resistant. You can get mesh type ones that allow a nice breeze through the jacket too. (and i should know, i ride in temps that are about 40+ deg C (104 F+) on some days)
Personally I look for a helmet that complies with the Australian Standard (as that's where i live) as well as ECE 22.05 which is the current European standard. The British standard the helmet you linked to no longer applies, it's been replaced by ECE 22.05.
Thanks for the quick replies!
I think I might have found what I'm wanting for day-to-day campus runs: http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/proddetail.php?prod=BGLA
If anybody has anything to say about that company I'd call it a winner.
For my shoes... the problem is that I'm quite a prep. If I wore those skater shoes I'd be kicked out of my frat for sure! :D just kidding... but it's definitely not my style. I'll keep looking for a more shoe looking thing that's my style though.. I've heard of some people just wearing a pair of high doc martins, is this advisable?
(Those pants are pretty sweet though, I'm also a paintballer and I like the paintball/dirt bike look so I'll be sporting a pair of those)
I live in Missouri,I'd say the average summer temp is around 87 with the rare 10 days of 100 degree weather. I'm not sure how much leather will bother me, but I was under the assumption that mesh clothing was less safe.
As for the Snell motorcycles, I'm a premed student and I volunteer at clinics on my time off. I can tell you how gross those top 1% that cross the threshhold are, even if it really is 300 or higher. I'd rather not get in to that category. (Plus, the doctor I work under is a radiologist, and there is so much internal stress you can cause even if it's not a serious injury, that I'm pretty sure I still want to opt for the least amount of g's on my head)
I'm also going to head up to a dealer sometime next weekend, I do have rather narrow feet and I'm pretty slim (5'10 160) so hopefully they'll fit well. Thanks guys!
As long as the jacket you get has venting and/or perforation, it should be good to go (depending on where you are, of course). I remember last summer, in about 90ish degree summer weather in NorCal, I was fine with my perforated A* jacket. The only thing is, if you have to walk around a lot in those temps, it is hot as hell in ANY jacket, so regardless of mesh or perf. leather, it's probably gonna be coming off once you get off the bike anyways. Since I have to walk around a lot once I get to campus, I just wear street boots (JR Mercury Boots) rather than a pair of full-out race boots, mainly for the comfort and style reason (I'd look ridiculous walking into lecture wearing something that flashy). Since your commuting to summer classes, I'd highly recommend wearing some sort of textile/mesh overpants so you can take them off when you get to your destination. It is unbelievable hot (for me at least) to have to walk around in leathers, which is why I ended up getting a pair of tex/mesh overpants (plus, it's useful in the winters when things start getting wet). Takes like 30 seconds to get them off, and 30 seconds to put them on.
EDIT: Just noticed you're pre-med too. I and my other pre-med friends with bikes are all sticklers of always wearing good gear. Guess it comes with the major, eh?
Quote from: chuck_ on March 31, 2007, 09:46:55 PM
I think I might have found what I'm wanting for day-to-day campus runs: http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/proddetail.php?prod=BGLA
If anybody has anything to say about that company I'd call it a winner.
Bohn armor is not actually CE approved. I wouldn't go for it.
If you are concerned about leg protection, but still want to wear jeans, get some MX knee guards. A bunch of companies make them. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/Department.aspx?Department=208&Division=2
As for shoes, the Sidi Doha shoes aren't "skater" shoes.
(http://www.newenough.com/image/path/5236/Default.jpg)
Or if you want to keep your Alpinestars dedication, their Stroke Shoe may work:
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/OG/g23005.jpg)
I have the bon cool air adventue pants, the armor in them are not to bad. Did crash with them on held up fine.
I didn't read everything everyone else posted but if you looking for leather jacket for summer take a look at www.newenough.com on their closeout page they have a fully preforated leather jacket called hurricane 2. I got one love it great for the Ga summer heat.
For boot take a look at Icon's field armor line.
Quote from: blue05twin on March 31, 2007, 10:48:28 PM
I have the bon cool air adventue pants, the armor in them are not to bad. Did crash with them on held up fine.
I didn't read everything everyone else posted but if you looking for leather jacket for summer take a look at www.newenough.com on their closeout page they have a fully preforated leather jacket called hurricane 2. I got one love it great for the Ga summer heat.
For boot take a look at Icon's field armor line.
+1 on the Icon field armor. I'm using a pair of their knee guards under a pair of jeans right now to get to campus (yes I know jeans aren't worth a damn in abrasion, but I just can't justify putting on and taking off a pair of overpants for a 5 minute ride). They're really low profile, fit well under the jeans, and are comfortable.
whoa you must really be loaded...
you're probably up close to $1000 for just the A* suit and Sidi boots! & you're in college????!
you still need gloves & a helmet at least, not to mention the bike, suspension overhaul, good tires... it adds up too quickly.
spend your money wisely on gear. the less money you spend on quality stuff, the more gear you'll be able to purchase. For example, you'll probably be wanting a good mesh jacket for short summer rides or sitting in traffic. Depends on where you live though; it can get pretty friggin humid in MA.
AGV Sport Forza 2-piece siuts can be found for as low as $285 these days. Dont be another person who forks out huge amounts of cash for the A* full suit just to look cool.
Like Alpha said, you definitely don't want to be walking around all day in the Sidi B2s (or any other race boot for that matter). I've got a pair of Sidis myself. They are great boots and I highly recommend them, but they are not for extended walking. I've got a pair of Doc Marten steel toes that I use for when I need something comfortable enough to walk around in. On the plus side, the steel toe area feels very solid, and the leather will hold up against abrasion much better than sneakers. The downside is they provide no ankle protection, but you won't find real ankle protection in anything you are going to be able to walk comfortably in.