Gear for a n00b

[Guest]

Hey guys,

I have just passed my A2 test and am now looking at leathers to get.

I have Ordered a Yamaha YZF-R3 for the bike for anyone wondering .

In terms of leathers and brands I'm quite clueless so any help would be appreciated.

I'll be using the bike as much as I can and using a car only in times of need (weather and dependent of luggage), Ideally I'd be looking for leathers and not textile and would rather it all be the same brand (just me being me).

Budget wise I was hoping for around £1000 ball park including helmet (AGV K-5 which are £219).

Please fire away!!!

[Edd]

I wear textiles at the mo, but I'm thinking about getting some RST Tracktech Evo in the summer, available in 1 or 2 piece.

[Guest]

Hey man ,

I've been looking at the RST tractech EVO 2 suits but have heard that the stitching falls apart after a few months? Maybe those were duds I'm not sure, Totally look the part though!

[Tango]

1 piece or 2 piece leathers?.......makes no odds really, but just make sure if you go for a 2 piece that it zips right round......

Alpinestars, Dainese, Furygan, RST, Wolf, Spidi......they're all normally pretty good........but you're best off going to a bike shop and trying them on before buying.......see what fits best......

[igingeee]

In terms of leathers and brands I'm quite clueless so any help would be appreciated.

 

For jackets, boots and trousers;

- RST

- Alpinestar

- Dainese

For helmets;

- AGV

- Arai

- Sheoi

- Schuberth

 

Budget wise I was hoping for around £1000 ball park including helmet (AGV K-5 which are £219).

 

You have to ask yourself what type of riding your going to be doing, there's no reason why (and as in your case if you can afford it) why the creme of the crop in terms of gear shouldn't be worn but will you really be getting the most out of it if you're only commuting (as I do), today I upgraded my jacket to the RST Blade Sport (WP) had the funds to get the better RST Trachtech textile jacket but it had one of those race style protectors on the rear of the neck something that on my little 125 on the roads would look a laughing stock.

I use "sportsbikeshop" to take a look at gear online before making a short list and looking in my local J&S and trying them on, another question is do you want to ride in rain and the cold or are you only going to be riding through the warmer times.. often brands will do two version of the same item as opposed to a two in one.

I personally prefer textiles, two in one in terms of being able to be used throughout the warmer times and the winter (as I ride all seasons), remove the thermal lining when its warm and vis versa also waterproof so if it goes from a glorious day to tipping it down i'm not effected or caught out and end up soaking.

Just don't walk into a shop and state you have a big budget to spend, do your own research, go with another biker and get second opinions, I purchased very cheap gear for my first set and learnt my mistakes the hard way, needless to say I'm glad I wasn't the kid in a candy store with more money than sense when first starting out.

[Guest]

I'll hopefully be riding it as much as i can, commuting, social etc and only using a car is must need situations. I am a bit of a safety nut and not too sure Textiles over leathers would be a wise idea (please someone change my mind) Also Textiles and a super sport, wouldn't it look a bit funny?

[Mr Fro]

Like wot 'im said before, Sportsbike shop is a good place to look and they've always got some nice gear on sale.

If you give them a buzz and tell them you're unsure on sizing they're pretty good about returns.

[igingeee]

I'll hopefully be riding it as much as i can, commuting, social etc and only using a car is must need situations.

 

From what I read leather in itself is not waterproof thus meaning a layer of waterproof spray will need to be applied to the gear you purchase to ensure you don't end up getting caught out, IMO though it's another risk and another task you could avoid by buying textiles, the only thing I have to worry about is pulling over and removing the inner lining and putting it in my bag if it's to warm, not turning around and going back home because I'm soaked.

 

I am a bit of a safety nut and not too sure Textiles over leathers would be a wise idea (please someone change my mind)

 

Not sure about the technical but in reality people ride around in kevlar jeans, some don't even wear gear.. it's whatever you get onto your bike wearing and think "if I do go down, I'm glad I spent every penny I did so that I can get back up" all personal preference although in honesty for either to be tested to it's limits you'd be potato'd anyway.. and that.. is not the aim.

 

Also Textiles and a super sport, wouldn't it look a bit funny?

 

I wear a AGV helmet on a chinese 125.. I don't think you've got anything to worry about, care less about what you look like and more about how comfortable you'd be riding around in the gear you own.

[maccy]

Well worth trying on gear before you buy anything, different manufactureres seem to have a different fit. Furygan leathers seem to fit my build well, doesnt mean they will for you.

[fq-craigus]

I think gear wise its been covered.

You say your getting the agv have you got an agv head? Or is that just the lid you like? Cant go wrong with agv how ever i had the k3 and loved it. Rst blade 2 piece are a good set of leathers and will set you back less than £400 so with your lid too your all in for £650 ish, that leaves you some wiggle room to get aome textiles too maybe? As when it comes to winter with the rain wind and cold textiles are far warmer i find. If not textiles then base layers are a must, obviously glove wise theres a vast choice, i use rst tracktech evo gloves, brilliant. Also waterproof oversuit, as already said leathers arnt waterproof even with best intention they just act like a chamois and will take days to dry. Sportsbike shop is the place to go imo they have a range to suit all

[NeilM]

I don't have an AGV head.

Simply won't fit. Was all set on getting a Rossi rep. Tried it on in the shop, no chance. Took 2 of us to remove it...lol

[igingeee]

On the AGV front the AGV K3 didn't fit me but the AGV K3 SV did, and encase the OP is wondering the K3 SV has more upgraded than just a sun visor

[Guest]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the help so far.

I think suit wise I'll be going for the RST Tractech EVO 2 however after doing a bit of research I've heard that the gloves and especially the boots are pretty darn awful, has anyone had any experience with these at all?

[igingeee]

RST Trachtech Evo have two boots the coloured air cooled summer version and the plain all black non vented waterproof version.

I recently got the waterproof version, had a little bit of wear and tear on the lower front of the boot (right where the boot is put together with the sole) .. (I assume form people trying them on and not taking care) but with a convincing price reduction I decided that the damage was so small that it was to good an offer to pass up.

Don't let the above put you off, just ensure you inspect the boot very closely when trying them on for signs of wear (from other people doing the same and not taking care).

Alternatively..

I tried on some Alpinestar SMX-5's looked very nice (when fitted), the toe slider looked a bit flimsy as well as the fact they're not waterproof (witch was a big no no for me), they're certainly light on the foot though.. walked around in them and the RST on the other and could notice the difference so I'd say they're a safe bet if you're going to be walking around a big shop or town etc.

(The above comparison between the RST and SMX-5 was the RST Waterproof not the vented version).

Some people say RST gloves aren't great in general others disagree, with gloves I'd say find your size and try a few pairs on, scrunch your hands up into a fist and see how they feel as you'd be imitating pulling the clutch of brake in by doing this.

Also.. oxford do some under thermal layers at a very cheap price might be worth buying to wear under the leather so that you don't end up feeling not so fresh when you get off the bike (of course they're worn in replacement of a top and jeans but don't feel out of place at all).