I haven't set myself a budget as such but I guessed around £800. Not sure where that figure came from - what is probably more important to me is getting the stuff for the commute, so if I have to wait for another set I will do, or if I can get the textile set that will suit me for both, then brilliant. Is that realistic?? So long as you don't count your helmet in that, £800 is enough. Budget more like a grand including your helmet. It's not going to get you the most waterproof stuff in the world, but for the length of your commute that's not going to matter, it takes time for water to work its way through, and what separates most motorbike gear is not whether it lets in water, because unless you spend £1000 just on jacket and trousers, they all do eventually, what separates them is how many hours can you ride in the rain before it leaks, and you only have a 15 mile commute so you don't need to spend loads of money to get the most waterproof stuff. But £800 is going to get you reputable, decent, stuff, without having to go for cheap shitty tat like Oxford or Frank Thomas. Nowhere is the saying "buy cheap, buy twice" more true than in motorbike gear. On your budget you aren't going to afford both leather suits and textile suits, you need to buy something that will do everything you need initially, textile touring gear is typically the most "multi-purpose" with plenty pockets, vents, comfort, etc. So, my advice would be: One pair of Textile Jacket and Trousers. Buy something that has a waterproof/breathable membrane, a removable liner, and on the jacket has zippable vents. You want your jacket to serve you both Summer and Winter. The stuff that seems to have the best reputation for the money is https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/252176 https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/255252 Buy trousers in a size that you can pull over the top of your work trousers in winter. Any pair of waterproof/breathable touring boots from a reputable manufacturer, not much point me recommending anything in particular at it's going to depend what fits you, everyone has different shaped feet, you just need to shop around. Gloves, you will need two pairs, winter and summer. Summer, buy what's comfortable and fits. Winter matters more, I'd highly recommend these. https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/83815 Get a top box, if you are commuting you will need it, especially after all those years in a car no storage on the bike will drive you nuts, lunch, work shoes, trousers, waterproofs, laptop, a few spare sets of earplugs, tyre plugging kit, change of gloves, etc, etc. I have stuff that just lives in the top box permanently. One or two pairs of Kevlar jeans for summer use, when wearing these carry your work trousers and get changed in the toilets when you get there. Plenty of threads on these if you do a search. Make sure they fit over your boots at the ankle. You will also need a pair of waterproof over trousers, just in case you ride to work in kevlar in the morning, and it's pissing it down with rain by the time it comes to leave, nothing fancy £30 will do the job. Helmet, go shopping and buy what fits you. Typically to get something half decent you need to spend: Jacket & trousers £400 Summer Gloves £50 Winter Gloves £100 Boots £150 Kevlar Jeans £100 each Waterproof Over trousers £30 Helmet at least £150-200 (unless your head is not very valuable to you) Thanks a lot for this mate really appreciate the detail and advice. The jacket and trousers look great and can get away with wearing them multi-purpose for time being. Gloves also looking good but they can wait for a couple of months just yet so that will save me a bit of cash and invest in a decent helmet. Would you be comfortable wearing some chinos/work trousers under those RST's? Also - What is the benefit of the Kevlar Jeans? Just some trousers so you don't need to wear anything else with them? Thanks again - really helped
