Actually I need suggestions for places to get gear, the local shops here are a bit pricy, are there any (reliable) discount websites? I need to stay under $200 for jacket, that's what I'm having the hardest time finding, The cheapest helmet ive found is an $80 hjc which seems reasonable, I mean i'd rather spend little more if it's gonna keep flesh on my body

New Enough is good.
Here is some of their deals.
http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/textile_jackets_and_pants/

I love Cortech got one for me at 199 and just a month ago a fellow Gser sold me one for 25 bucks! It was s great deal a beaut of a jacket!

Ebay is another good place. But, wouldn't do it for a helmet cause you don't know. I got a great pair of Suzuki riding pants for 36 bucks still had the tags on it zips into my cortech GXAIR so I don't get the breeze up the back.

For a helmet in my opinion don't skimp on it. I guess my philosophy is how much is your head/brain worth? Since, I'm a girl and got a small head the only thing that fit my pea head was a Shoei and yeah to me worth the 350! My friend just got a HJC full-face and he likes it was 89 on JcWhitney.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/Motorcycle-Parts/10111.jcw

Hope this helps!
Mary

I've had some success with http://newenough.com/. They are pretty cheap and their return policy is good. I would be wary of buying helmets online though. I actually tried it with a Shoei and found that the Shoei I tried on in a local store but got for cheaper online didn't fit the same and I had to send it back. That's just a single experience though, perhaps someone labeled one of the helmets wrong... Also, if you're OK with waiting for shipping you could probably eventually find something that fit. Buy as much gear as you can, I spent about as much on gear as I did on the bike itself... I also started with a cheap helmet, but was driven crazy by its lack of vents and extreme noise levels. Once I sprung for a better helmet, both problems went away...

I did a lot of research and there is not that much protective difference between your $100 helmet and a $300 helmet.  The main thing is that it's comfortable so you will wear it, so make sure it has vents etc that you like.  If the strap is cumbersome and you don't wear the helmet because it's a PITA to take it on and off, then it is well worth the extra money to find the best one for you regardless of cost.  

I did find a neat paper online about the Snell vs DOT specs that I can't dig out right now.  It was interesting although my current lid is rated for both.

As far as gear, by far the best deals I've found are on newenough.com.  They have closeouts all the time and you can find good jackets for 10o to 150.  Gloves, gear, bags...pretty much everything I've bought for my bike there has been well below advertised prices elsewhere.

For example I bought an old style Powertrip jacket for 99, now it's down to $79...and it retails for over 200 other places.  You just have to be not as picky on style and colors, etc.

Good luck

Quote from: Canonball on January 12, 2009, 04:21:13 PM
Actually I need suggestions for places to get gear, the local shops here are a bit pricy, are there any (reliable) discount websites? I need to stay under $200 for jacket, that's what I'm having the hardest time finding, The cheapest helmet ive found is an $80 hjc which seems reasonable, I mean i'd rather spend little more if it's gonna keep flesh on my body

newenough has a special on FULL LEATHERS right now for around $500 iirc.

leathers will keep flesh on your body fer sure. go try on helmets, and make sure it's TIGHT on your noggin. lighter is better !

get the nastiest armor for your hands and feet you can.

$1000 spent on protection means fewer skin grafts.

i also bought all my stuff from newenough, full leathers for 275 and very good gloves for about 70

also try knee-draggers and motorcycle-superstore. Knee draggers has a lot of stuff in closeout that are usually my size. but as far as the cheapest brand name stuff, by miles it is neweough

yeah i checked out newenough, theres some awesome deals there, thanks guys

Quote from: daliumong on January 12, 2009, 10:55:58 PM
i also bought all my stuff from newenough, full leathers for 275 and very good gloves for about 70

also try knee-draggers and motorcycle-superstore. Knee draggers has a lot of stuff in closeout that are usually my size. but as far as the cheapest brand name stuff, by miles it is neweough

full leathers for $275 ? :O

did you just click their 'closeouts' page for 3 weeks until you spotted one suit or ?

spill the beans man !

http://www.ironpony.com/  Keep an eye open for closeouts. I picked up a spare Cortech GX Air jacket for $125 last summer...the new model lists for $225.

thanks again for all the info, i actually found another bike shop a little further out with more selection and better deals, got a nice jacket and helmet now. 


next is gloves...........

I see you found most of your gear, but I like the Dennis Kirk Outlet http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/common/OutletStoreHome.jsp?store=Outlet

I always seem to find exactly what I'm looking for cheaper than anywhere else, may just be my luck...

For future reference, always hit up the mall.  I don't know if they have a Wilson's leather in your area but I bought my current riding jacket from Wilson's for $40.  It's very nicely constructed.  Been wearing it for three years now and it's hit the ground twice with no damage to it or myself.

Quote from: ohgood on January 13, 2009, 04:42:16 AM

Quote from: daliumong on January 12, 2009, 10:55:58 PM
i also bought all my stuff from newenough, full leathers for 275 and very good gloves for about 70

also try knee-draggers and motorcycle-superstore. Knee draggers has a lot of stuff in closeout that are usually my size. but as far as the cheapest brand name stuff, by miles it is neweough

full leathers for $275 ? :O

did you just click their 'closeouts' page for 3 weeks until you spotted one suit or ?

spill the beans man !

haha, something along those lines. I was without a bike my whole first year in college, so i had time to stalk around. Actually the leathers were up there for over 6 months, they were the teknic chicane 2 pc suit for 275. they also had the one piece for 300, but i prefered the flexibility of the 2 pc.