what brands do people use and support for their riding gear, what gear do people use and reccomend,what are the pros and cons that you have experienced, and lastly what suppliers do you reccomend. Currently all I have is a leather jacket and a basically brand new HJC motocross helmet and new goggels, some mechanics gloves and some 3/4 steel toed military lace up boots, and denim jeans. As you see I am in need of some advice and direction in order to ride safely out there in the land of commuters. Thanks in advance for everyone's assistance. --- JIM      

At the least, I would go with

1)A full leather riding jacket, with armor in the elbows,shoulders and back.  Should fit snug, as any major slack is no fun slapping against you at speed.  Brands are all over the place, such as Joe Rocket, Icon, etc etc.  Leather gets hot, but mesh jackets don't replace it protection-wise.  Search online for the best prices, but try some on for size at dealers first. 

2)Full face street helmet (non-motocross).  I suppose you could ride with goggles and stuff on the street...but...HJC are good quality and value, between $125 and $250.  That, or you can spend $400 plus for a Shoei or Arai with much better aerodynamics and fit.  Your choice, there are plenty of brands out there.

3)Gloves, both for grip and protection.  Try some on at your bike shop, and pick one.

Your boots are probably fine, above the ankle is good.  As long as you can shift easily, they'll probably work.  Good luck!

I have a Zox Corsa R helmet, shift leather jacket and a shift textile jacket(haven't tried it out yet), shift M1 racing gloves and firstgear gloves (which are nice and vented for the summer), frank thomas boots, frank thomas balaclava(for cold weather) and some kevlar reinforced khakis.
PROS: if you wear all the gear you are more likely to come out of a crash in one piece (relatively) 
CONS: a pain in the a$$ to put on all the gear 
I haven't used the gear too much yet, since I only started riding in Oct and had to winterize the bike in Nov. So, I can't give you an in-depth review of all the gear.
However, make whatever helmet you choose fits snug on your face, but no uncomfortable.
Leather is usually the best way to go for protection against abrasion, but can be almost unbearable in the high heat.
Try to get some gear with CE-approved armor. (both my jackets have CE-approved shoulder and elbow protection). The only con about my shift jackets are that they do not have CE-approved back protectors. But they do have a compartment for upgrades.
Try your best to get a M/C specific boot for best protection (your ankles will love you for it).
But most importantly, wear your gear.. because it won't help you out if it's hanging in your closet at home!
Good luck dude.. hope this helped a bit.

EDIT: you have a PM from me.

Quote from: Yev on March 22, 2008, 09:30:43 AM
Try your best to get a M/C specific boot for best protection (your ankles will love you for it).

But most importantly, wear your gear.. because it won't help you out if it's hanging in your closet at home!
Good luck dude.. hope this helped a bit.

I beg to differ on the first statement.  Standard Combat boots are more than sufficient.  If you don't believe me go to your local tracks' website and see if they allow them.  If it's good enough to pass muster at a track it will most likely be fine on the street.

On the second point, all I can say is amen. ATGATT

Jhutch:  I've never ridden in steel toes and if they are steel toes they are not military.  I know the topic of steel toes has been discussed on this forum so I'll stay away from it, I wouldn't ride in them though.

My gear includes:  Arai RX7-RR5 (should be here any day)  Joe Rocket Riot mesh jacket (has CE approved back protection and kidney belt to hold it in place) First Gear Leather jacket (armor the whole way around and thick as hell) Icon Field Armor Leg Armor ( great if you're going to work in a uniform or such as they just strap on over your clothing without much fuss) My gloves are Icon Tarmac 2.0's  and I just ordered some Kevlar reinforced Teknic Jeans and armor to fit the interior pockets from Newenough.

Firstgear gloves, two HJC helmets (one's a loaner). Nice thing about HJC (aside from SNELL and DOT approval) is some have removable liners. It can get gross. Use my big Lowe hiking boots that are strong as beasts, although am looking to get mc boots someday. Went riding two nights ago in flat, flimsy suede loafers.  Bad call.

Although, if any of you are dancers: if you've gummed up the bottoms of your hard-leather soled shoes, take a spin around the block on your GS500, sliding your soles flat on the ground the whole time at slow speeds. By the time you get home, you'll either have snapped off a foot or you'll find that your shoes are buffed out and ready for the dance floor.

For now I'm just using leather and denim on the rest of my body, but I'll get some reinforced stuff before touring this spring.

I wear a Shoei X-11, Joe Rocket Alter Ego textile jacket and Alter Ego pants (both with dual density inner armor), Joe Rocket leather gloves with double leather padding and knuckle guards, and Nitro Matrix over the ankle boots. I rode in Levis when I was in my 20s, but I saw my hubby's knee after he just did a simple U turn in our culdesac with a new front tire that slid right out from under him at low speed. He left an 8 inch smear of denim, skin and blood ground into the asphalt that you could still see a year later, and took all the hide off of his knee cap. Denim is basically worthless, in my opinion.

The leather with armor is the best but is reallly hot and very heavy, so look for lots of vents in a jacket that you can open, and some that are built in.

I buy from craigslist.com, But no helments, I got joe rocket full armor coat,two layers pants jeans- then knee armor, conn 800Denim over jeans,dobble line leather Gloves.
High top boots, HJC  full face, here in TX it's good for short Rides, at 95+ it's hot but safe. You can spend allot on Gear, or shop for good used ones.

I wear a shoei RF-1000 which I absolutly love. I have a cortec textile jacket with the CE armor for the cooler days here in Florida. I also have a Nexus armor it is just the armor held together by an "under armour" type mesh that has a kidney belt if it is hot that is all I wear but it is great because it turns all of my jackets into moto jackets (65 on ebay). I have a pair of Suzuki riding pants and LL Bean boots. My gloves are Fox "bomber" gloves that have the kevlar knuckle and finger protection.

I have to echo get stuff that is comfortable and quick to put on. Trust me the one time you don't put it on the motorcycle Gods will punish you. Don't ask me how I know! Let's just say I'm still paying for it as we speak.

textiles for convenience. leather for sport riding.
check out newenough and motorcycle-closeouts

Thank you to everyone that has replied to my post. What I am considdering is a Tourmaster Transition II jacket (textile)  $14$) and the TourmMster Venture pants $93), and Joe rocket super moto gloves, which has knuckel protection and ventilation for ($62), all at free shipping. I  also found a scorpion 700 helmet for $150. I will most likely purchase the jacket, pants, and gloves and will hold out for the helmet because I still have the brand new HJC and goggels that I can use and the pair of calf  height steel toed boots I got from the good old Navy from when I was stationed in the ship yard in New Hampshire.(because I have a budget.) Any additional sugestions or comment on the equipment that I am looking at purchasing, is the textile good or should I spend a bit more and go for the leather?? My focus is on safety and comfort. Lastly, how do people feel about their equipment match? Is it important for you that all of your gear matches and that it matches your bike?? can you wear a Honda jacket and ride a Suzuki?? Thanks again for peoples in site. -- JIim  

Is your helmet DOT/Snell approved. If it is not I would go for that first! Trust me I was an EMT for Six years not all helmets are equal! Your beaner is the most important part, then I would say, jacket, gloves, pants, then boots. But, honestly try to get it all before riding the one time you don't is the time you usually pay!

Mary S.

Ebay is your friend!!  I've bought about $500.00 dollars worth of riding equipment for less than 150.00.Most wasn't even broken in.Scorpion 700 helmet,50.00.Joe Rocket armored jacket 40.00.Fox boots 20.00.Alpine Stars gloves 15.00.

Quote from: spcterry on March 22, 2008, 09:42:05 AM

Quote from: Yev on March 22, 2008, 09:30:43 AM
Try your best to get a M/C specific boot for best protection (your ankles will love you for it).

But most importantly, wear your gear.. because it won't help you out if it's hanging in your closet at home!
Good luck dude.. hope this helped a bit.

I beg to differ on the first statement.  Standard Combat boots are more than sufficient.  If you don't believe me go to your local tracks' website and see if they allow them.  If it's good enough to pass muster at a track it will most likely be fine on the street.

man speaks the truth. I've done two track days and 100% of my daily riding in black leather combat boots (old BDU style!  )

Those things are beasts. Actually I have pics here.
http://tinyurl.com/yr8zds

I would never wear steel toed boots. Good way to lop off all your lower digits. 

Thanks for the replies everyone! The helmet is both Snell and DOT rated its a very good HJC. I continue to search Ebay for equipment, I am just a bit leary of purchasing a used helmet w/o a first hand inspectioon, but the other stuff I have no problem purchasing it used. However, what are peoples opinions about the equipment that I have preselected to purchase?  Thanks in advance, JIM  

I would not buy a helmet unless you have tried it on frst.  I am partial to Shoei for a few reasons. With my small head it actually fits without having to go to a kids helmet. My HJC is an XS and it just bobbles all over the place making my head and neck hurt. My Shoei I don't get that I had to ride my bike an hour home after being in the hospital for over a month. Let me tell you that was a tough ride but my neck didn't hurt! Also, as an EMT ( I didn't do official research keeping) but what I noticed is that more people talked to me after accidents in shoei's than in other brands. To me that says alot. ( I guess literally and physically speaking  )

Mary S.

I love my two scorpian helmets. I have a 400 and a 700 both are quiet and both are incredibly comfortable.  7 hour ride this summer, and i was fine.  If you havent already buy it.  thats a dcent price.