Hey Guys,
I recently bought a '95 GS500e, and I'm trying to decide on what gear I should buy. I live in Chicago, IL and am planning on ridding the GS for fun and only for a few months a year. I was thinking of getting the following.
1. Joe Rocket Big Bang Boot or Alpinestars One-O-One Riding Shoe
2. Alpinestars Sledge Street Glove or Alpinestars SP-S Glove
3. Scorpion EXO-700 Scorpion Full Face Helmet or Shoei TZ-R Full Face Solid Helmet
4. Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 Textile Pant or Alpinestars Air-Flo Textile Pant
or Joe Rocket Alter Ego Textile Pant or Alpinestars Twin Leather Pant
5. Alpinestars Air-Flo Textile Jacket or Cortech GX Air
or Shift Primer Leather Jacket or Alpinestars Dyno Leather Jacket
Please keep in mind that Chicago has very hot days and also very cool/chilly days (it's never consistent). I like the protection of leather, but would it be practical? Thoughts, opinions, suggestions, and anything of the like will be much appreciated.
Thanks
Ok IMHO leather is the only way to go. i wear leathers in Oklahoma in August. Perforated leathers are hot but not bad when moving.
Both of your helmet choices are excellent.
I am not familiar with the specific models of boots and gloves you mentioned but here is what to look for a laceless boot like a full on race boot examples Oxtar TCS Evo, a* SMX-R, Side Vertebrae [sp]
You want an all leather armored glove full gauntlet race style.
Ok IMHO mesh is the only way to go in the summer. i wear mesh in Texas in August and it's still hot when not moving. Perforated leathers are hot, even when moving.
Both of your helmet choices are excellent.
I am not familiar with the specific models of boots and gloves you mentioned but here is what to look for a laceless boot like a full on race boot examples Oxtar TCS Evo, a* SMX-R, Side Vertebrae. You can also get non-race boots that work just as well, for example the Sidi Strada Evo
You want an all leather armored glove. Short cuff is okay for summer provided it fits you well. You'll want a gauntlet for winter.
if you have to economise on anything, don't skimp on the gloves.
Geez Alpha thats about the laziest post I have ever seen. :flipoff:
And A few points of differnce a full gauntlet over the jacket provides protection in the event that the jacket sleeve attempts ride up during a slide.
I have seen lots of shredded mesh gear and riders who wish they had been wearing a leather jacket when they went down.
As far as boots yes you can settle for a non race boot but I prefer a boot designed to minimize ankle flex and prevent the metatarsal from bending and breaking during an accicent. I have had too much damage done to my ankles.
Thanks for all the replies so far. Just how much of a cooling difference will perforation make?
Quote from: error on July 06, 2007, 09:14:48 AM
Thanks for all the replies so far. Just how much of a cooling difference will perforation make?
Your gonna sweat, but it doesn't feel to bad when moving. When I lived out in the desert I wore leather there as well.
What about a hybrid? I've heard great things about the GX Air..
GX air saved my ass in a 60mph highside. I can't recommend it highly enough.
And A few points of differnce a full gauntlet over the jacket provides protection in the event that the jacket sleeve attempts ride up during a slide, but I've had no problems with a jacket riding up in any of my crashes (or ones I've seen), or having a short cuff glove come flying off.
I have been down in mesh gear and been perfectly fine.
As far as boots yes you can get a race boot but sometimes you can get a level of protection that's good enough for the street without having to drop $300 or $400 on a pair of boots.
Quote from: error on July 06, 2007, 09:14:48 AM
Thanks for all the replies so far. Just how much of a cooling difference will perforation make?
Your gonna sweat no matter what, but it is still hot as hell for normal street riding with perfed leather. My father had a perfed leather jacket that he wore during the summer, but it was too hot so he got a mesh. No issues so far. My friend started riding recently and got a perfed leather jacket, but it was too hot so he got a mesh. No issues so far. A coworker has a perfed leather jacket, but it's too hot so he's looking to get a mesh.
The alpinestars one-o-one shoes are nice, they look pretty normal, and are not uncomfortable to wear. I'd get a leather jacket, but spend the extra and get one that has good ventilation. I got my alpinestars tz-1 jacket very cheap, but it has virtually no ventilation. I still wear it on 90+ degree days, oh well!
icon stuff is junk in my opinion... been pleased with all of my alpinestars stuff so far. tz-1 jacket, sp-2 gloves, one-o-one boots, street cargo pants.
anddd... id spend the extra $60 on the shoei and get an RF-1000 over the tz-r.
I'd get the scorpion exo700.. but in the end, buy the one that fits your head!
So.. what about leather pants? Are they as hard to get used to as a leather jacket?
You really want to buy used leather pants? How do you know the owner of them hasnt gone commando in those bad boys??
Quote from: Dober on July 06, 2007, 06:52:54 PM
You really want to buy used leather pants? How do you know the owner of them hasnt gone commando in those bad boys??
Because if you do you'll realize what a terrible terrible mistake that is.
I bought my leather pants used, but from a girl...
Quote from: error on July 06, 2007, 11:16:18 AM
So.. what about leather pants? Are they as hard to get used to as a leather jacket?
"used to" as in accustomed or habituated to
Olympia AST(All Season Touring) Jacket
It's gotten some pretty good reviews, especially the venting and waterproofing.
Quote from: error on July 06, 2007, 08:50:02 PM
Quote from: error on July 06, 2007, 11:16:18 AM
So.. what about leather pants? Are they as hard to get used to as a leather jacket?
"used to" as in accustomed or habituated to
Oh. It took me a while to get used to my leather pants, yes. Leather fits fairly snugly, especially in the riding position. The knee armor presses against your knee and it takes a little while to get accustomed to the feel of pressure on your knee caps. I think I was comfortable in them within half an hour or so.