Well my days of riding in jeans are over.  So I spent  most of the day researching pants (I already have a Joe Rocket Ballistic jacket...) and came across some stuff on newenough.com that looks great. In fact, I'm thinking of buying the pants AND the jacket. I am not thrilled with the JR jacket.

It's the Firstgear Fuel line. Leather/textile mix. I think this would probably provide the most bang for the buck. Does anyone have any experience with Firstgear stuff, and in particular the Fuel model?



and to match my bike and helmet:

I have Firstgear mesh pants.  They have good pocket placement and seem to have good construction.  I haven't crash-tested them yet.

What they do not have is a cinch for the waist, so the waist is loose and floppy.  This has turned out to be a big bugs-me thing.

I crash-tested a firstgear mesh jacket and pants last fall. I walked away with a few burns (very minor. like a decent sunburn) due to heat from friction when I slid across the pavement for a while.

The jacket was toast (not worth repairing since its a ~$100 jacket) but I was able to have the pants repaired for $25. I took them to a lady who does leatherwork out of her house. I was really impressed with the workmanship and the price, so I would definately go back there. I just hope that I don't have a need to go back :mrgreen:

I have since bought full leathers and only wear the mesh pants when its really hot out.

What did you get for full leathers?

I got a belstaff jacket, but after looking for a picture of it on their website, it seems as if they have shifted to making retro gear and I don't know if I would buy one of their new jackets. Weird. Here is a pic of me wearing it.

For pants, I got a pair of cortech decker overpants. I have a pair of olympia gloves, Sidi vertebra 2 tepor boots and an Arai helmet.

All of these were crash-tested last weekend. I should post pics of my gear post crash. It wouldn't be a fair comparison to my first crash (I don't think it was as bad. didn't slide as far or into an intersection) but it would be interesting.

[soapbox]
Whatever you decide, just get something and get it sooner rather than later. You don't know when a crash will happen. If leathers are too expensive, then get mesh or hybrid stuff. I started off with mesh gear, and it served me well. The other thing to think about is that leather doesn't like rain. If you get textile (mesh or cordura), rain gear isn't as necessary.

Get something that you will wear. Gear that is so uncomfortable that you hate wearing it is useless. Get gear that fits right, and is made well. I buy all my gear from a local store. Their prices are a little higher than newenough, but I can try stuff on in the store before I bring it home.

I have spent more $ on gear than I care to think about in one sitting. However, since it has gotten me through 2 crashes without a scratch I would say that it was money well spent. I'm glad to hear that you are going to be getting some (gear, that is).[/soapbox]

I have a firstgear jacket, not bad, it's warmer than my Icon jacket and I don't wear it very often anymore. I usually only wear it in the fall (no pun intended)...

i have a question do you guys wear your gear all the time. like even when its like 90 degrees out.  :dunno:

I wear a FirstGear Jacket & Pants...

I wear all my gear, all the time.

As someone else said, You never know when an accident will happen.

i have a firstgear rocker jacket. It is a nice jacket and all. Its not as nice as my alpinestar ice jacket in quality and all that..but very good quality nontheless.

I have the FirstGear Mesh Sport gloves



They look like they would offer good protection but have not tested them.  I have the all black ones but they offer several colors.  They seem to be holding up well and look like they would provide good protection in a get-off.  They breathe well, definately a warm weather glove.

Quote from: RoadstergalWhat they do not have is a cinch for the waist, so the waist is loose and floppy. This has turned out to be a big bugs-me thing.

ditto my Firstgear HT Overpants.  The adjustable belt just doesn't cut it.   The build quality and dual density armor is great, but I'm a little worried that in a crash they'll slip right off.  If you can try on a pair and if they fit snug, I'm certain they'll provide great protection.

I crashtested a pair of the leather gloves with the chrome knuckles, slid about 200 feet (50 of it was asphalt)  they held up great, as I slid on my left arm and shoulder/faceshield.

Quote from: number1i have a question do you guys wear your gear all the time. like even when its like 90 degrees out.  :dunno:

I wear gloves, mesh jacket, boots, helmet, and jeans every time I take the bike out.  I live in Texas, and commute about 15 miles a day on the bike in 90-100 degree weather in the summer.

If you wear wicking shirts underneath, and keep moving, it doesn't get too bad.  I'd really like to find some good overpants though.  I'm moving farther away, and I'll need to take the highway to commute soon.

Quotei have a question do you guys wear your gear all the time. like even when its like 90 degrees out.

I'd rather sweat than bleed.