Preparation for the next season - gadgets and equipment

[Smighty]

Hi folks,

 

My wife and I are slowly getting ready for the next riding season (our first one, we missed 2023) so we need suggestions and advises: which gadgets and equipment for the bike are "mandatory" in your opinion?

Example: is a GoPro recommended, which helmets, bags, communication devices (riding on 1 bike), phone holders, jackets, gloves and boots, seats...

The bike is also a "hot topic" because we are in a process of getting one. It will be Honda VTX 1800 or Yamaha XV1900 (big bois) and will be used across the country (asphalt roads only).

Whatever comes to your mind, shoot it it is more than welcome

In other words: if you are building a setup for yourself, what would you choose and why?

 

Cheers,
M

[Fiddlesticks]

Helmets - try them on in store. They should be snug fitting but not painful to wear. You can spend what you like really.

 

Gloves - winter/summer pair.

 

I use my phone and a waterproof mount for navigation. Works fine until the rain hits it, then the touchscreen goes haywire

 

We picked up a set of Fodsports FX2 communicators, but Cardo are the gold standard.

 

For cooler/wetter weather - winter jackets and trousers.

 

For summer riding - a mesh jacket and bike jeans.

[mealexme]

Adding to the navigation. I always run the Waze app.

If you're not familiar, it's a great little navigational app owned by Google, but has the added benefit of showing user generated hazards on the road and its completely free.

 

So, for example if there's a pothole and the person on front of you flags it on their map, it will show on yours. Same as roadworks, floods, accidents, cars stopped in live lanes, heavy traffic etc etc etc.

 

It's great for riding in places you've never been before, and has the added benifits of showing the speed limit for the road your on, aswell as your speed through GPS, and has the option to report police, which most people use to alert others of speed camera vans etc.

 

Also, if you don't like the navigation, you can leave it running in the background and it will still alert you of hazards on the road ahead through your headphones/intercom system.

 

 

As for bags, I don't have much to say on the subject apart from, if you get a tank bag, make sure you get one that has easy access to your fuel filler tank.

[S-Westerly]

Don't buy a shed load of stuff in advance, you might find you never need it. Other than the obvious protective gear buy something when you think you are actually going to use it.

[bonio]

4 hours ago, S-Westerly said:

Don't buy a shed load of stuff in advance, you might find you never need it. Other than the obvious protective gear buy something when you think you are actually going to use it.

This is probably the best advice you will read here.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

12 hours ago, bonio said:

This is probably the best advice you will read here.

I agree. Go out riding and then you'll find out what you need. There's a lot you don't need. 

[megaross]

Agreed - buy as you go, find what works for you. Spend your time riding rather than accessorising, you'll know when something is needed.

 

One exception - get a tyre plug kit and inflator. Coming back to a flat and repairing it within 15 minutes vs waiting 5 hours for recovery? No contest.

 

Wait til you've worked on your bike and you know the common sizes before you consider carrying tools. Though a few cable ties and some bailing wire can definitely be useful under the seat, especially in an off - bodging a lever to get home mostly.

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with bull and megaross.

 

everyone is different and what they need or wants, even the wifes requirements may differ to yours... example you like the bike but the seat is uncomfortable for her, The seat height and its position makes for less graceful mount and dismounts or you will get kicked in the back/head every time she has to get off, which will grate after a short while.

 

youll be lucky if there is a matching his and hers kit...especially helmets, Flips fronts with buckle strap are more convenient but generally weigh more which can be tiresome on long journeys for some especially Shell sizes and choice can vary alot between sizes with flips.
One make might design a sell for xxs to m and large to xxxl rather than xs to small, med to large and lx to xxxl. So you might end up with a bobble head massive helmet with loads of padding to fill it out that weighs more and drags in the wind more so.

the fodsports are ok for first timers and cheap but for longer owner ship, cardo are better as they are water proof than sennas which are resistant at best.

 

its like the suggestions which is fine and sound but might be no use to you for example if your not mechanical handy, not wanting to carry the tools or physically not capable of plugging a tyre at the road side in the dark while the titanic size bike is loaded up, a tyre kit not going to be much use to you...a can of sealant gel might be better , or other people prefer the AA... you need get the idea.

 

so start with the basic, go out on shorter nearby trips and go further each time rather and see really what's essential for you rather than throw yourself in the deep end with no clue which will end in tears.

 

when you know what you need, ask for advice for brands etc for that product.