i just got my 01 gs and was riding squid for awhile. gotta start somewhere.... but i just picked up a sedici mesh jacket and motoboss spine protector from cyclegear here in fullerton. anyone have some experience with sedici? and whats your take on seperate spine protectors? still need some pants and gloves but one thing at a time and my suki has some bad oil leaks that need some attention. shes also got a slight knock\tick noise from the valve train too. prioritizing sucks especially when my suki is my only transportation at the moment.  chime in id value anyones opinions.

Personally, I think cycle gear is pretty great. Got my first set of gear there, their return policy is great even for helmets, and they always have sales on gear and accessories. You are at least taking the major step of gearing up. I've been in cycle gear when someone comes in with roadrashon their arms or legs looking for gear after the fact. I ride with these items daily:
1. Bluetooth Motoboss helmet I got for Christmas.
2. Joe Rocket Ballistic mesh jacket the zips to.....
3. Tourmaster Tracker air mesh pants.
4. Bilt mesh gloves.
5. Shift fuel shoes.
And that's just summer gear
Most available through cycle gear. Unfortunately, been by there on their bike nights and I am completely baffled about how many people come to hang out for bike night at a gear store that ride without gear. Not to put anyone down or act like my parents, but with distracted drivers with makeup and cell phones to truckers starting to not use signals in the interstates, its crazy to not gear up. Like my instructor at MSF said when I started in 2007, " Sweat and smell rinse off. Skin grafts and missing limbs are forever." I always find it a little surprising that someone can go spend 10,000 at least on a bike and $500 on a Shoei helmet, yet can't invest even a few hundred for budget gear at Cycle Gear. Gear should be one of the first things u get.

Sean

Forgot to mention,  Sedici is the higher house brand of Cycle Gear and Bilt is the budget house brand since they got rid of Frank Thomas last year. Heard good things about both so far, but unfortunately no experience with a back or spine protector. If you are in a highly congested city and aren't comfortable with the back protection that comes in the jacket then I would get one. My jackets all have CE armor in high impact areas so I really haven't thought too much about one yet.
Maybe someone else has one on here that can give opinions.

Sean

the jacket is fairly nice and priced right. its got shoulder elbow and a dinky back pad but breathes really good in 85 to 90 deg temps when your movin.the motoboss ridgeback spine protector is big but fits under the jacket perfect and straps on with kidney support strap kinda like what i wore when i worked at homedepot when i was a kid. i didnt feel safe or comfortable without any gear but a helmet. and the jacket makes a world of difference on the freeway!

I was never a fan of Frank Thomas but the Sedici line looks good, appears to be good quality and is priced right.  The models in the Cycle Gear catalogue wearing the Sedici leather are pin-up quality.  Maybe there's a calendar in the future if we're lucky  .  There's just something about woman in tight leather that makes you...well, you know  .

lol i noticed that too! chicks in leather and on motorcycles.... why arent there more?!