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New gear... advice


Guest rick
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Hi guys


Well I popped to J&S today and tried on loads of helmets and the one that fitted the best was a Shoei XR1000... £220 so just about on budget (£200 set aside).


I have boots (Nitro) so all I need to get now is jacket, jeans and gloves. I've had a look at some Frank Thomas two-piece leathers £170 jacket and £150 jeans, and some alpine stars octane/falcon jackets (£200) and apex jeans (£200).


I havent tried anything on yet (apart from helmet) but since I am on a budget (initially £300 for two-piece, but may stretch to £400) I was wondering whether the extra for alpine stars is worth it?


Gloves... yet to look, but will at the weekend. Maybe if I buy all this at the same time from J&S a discount may be on the cards?!


Cheers,

R

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i think as with most gear you pay a bit extra for the brand


the main thing is that they fit you properly. Nothing like having an off in over sized clothing!


have you looked on ebay? theres some bargains to be had!


edit: have a mixture of RSR/RST, Frank thomas and hein gericke gear, all very good :)

Edited by bigup
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Yeah, with everything its best to try everything on and determine which feels the best. I just wonder if they are both comfortable but one set is £100 less than the other should I go for the bigger name (and possibly safer?) or cheaper.


eBay is great, and I buy a lot of stuff from there, but always dubious when it comes to clothing since I'd rather try it on first. I suppose I could always go to J&S and try it on there before buying it... as long as they stock the same stuff. But I suppose sometimes you just need to gamble!


Yep... NEC (5 miles from me)... although I do need to sort some stuff out before then (depending on whether I pass or not on the 16th October!).


Cheers guys,

R


PS


I tried on the Shoei XR1000 and it felt great... but just looked at SHARP ratings and it was a 3/5 compared to the AGV S4 which was 5/5 (and £40 cheaper). I did'nt try the AGV on so I may do that and if its as comfy may get that. How reliable/meaningful are these new ratings anyway?!

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PS


I tried on the Shoei XR1000 and it felt great... but just looked at SHARP ratings and it was a 3/5 compared to the AGV S4 which was 5/5 (and £40 cheaper). I did'nt try the AGV on so I may do that and if its as comfy may get that. How reliable/meaningful are these new ratings anyway?!

 

http://hazel8500.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/can-o-worms.gif


Seriously though.


Firstly a helmet will get zero stars if it does not fit right so if the AGV does not feel good then get the Shoei!!


From what I have heard recently Sharp have admitted to flaws in the testing system and are "Re-evaluating" their approach. We will see what happens with this.


A good tight fit is the most important thing!!! A badly fitting £500 helmet will be useless compared to a £50 perfectly fitting helmet.

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Well the Shoei was an amazing fit... I tried on Caberg (ok), HJC (ok), Shark (not good), Arai (better) and Shoei (winner). I'll try on the AGV when I'm there on the weekend, but it will probably be the Shoei.


Back protector... yes I will get one... I want my central and peripheral nervous system to talk if I ever have an "off"!


Maybe some of the leather jackets already have one, I'll have to check.

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most jackets will come with a foam type insert, people thought that these were good enough left them in. So jackets these days don't cone with anything in the back, get ya self a full one that you wear under your jacket. It covers more if your back :)

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most jackets will come with a foam type insert, people thought that these were good enough left them in. So jackets these days don't cone with anything in the back, get ya self a full one that you wear under your jacket. It covers more if your back :)

 

Got to agree. Knox, Alpinestar and Forcefield are all meant to be good.


Got a Knox one myself. Brilliant. Very comfy and does not restrict at all. Apparently the Forcefield ones are meant to be very good as well.

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I've got the Forcefield one. Ride magazine best buy, it's about £80.


It's quite bendy, which makes it comfy (and suits me cos I have an odd shaped back).

http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/images/force3-big.jpg

Edited by PMC
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... when I go and empty my wallet this weekend.

Too right... :lol:


I'm not saying biking isn't good value, it just seems to bring out in me a desire to spend that cars never did!


Once I have replaced the bits I broke dropping the bike... I need to get some WD-40, chain lube, cleaning products, anti-rust paint for a few bits I've found under the seat and finish off my nacessent maintenence kit (still need a tyre pressure gauge, socket set, etc etc)


AND then there's all the accessories I still want, like a rain cover, fly screen, luggage... further down the line (next year?) an intercom and satnav... oh dear, its all gonna cost more than the bike! :lol:

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Rick,

i have the XR1000 lid and although a great fit at first it DOES get looser.....shoei actually sell the cheek pads as extra's these days, so just something for you to be aware of.


If your 5 min away from the NEC where are you? i too am 5 min (on the bike:D) in Meriden/Coventry

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Ahh thanks for the info... will look into that when I have a look this weekend.


I'm based in Yardley - don't suppose you have an old 125cc I could buy for a run around before starting my das??! Having difficulty with the training centres providing me with info/hire!

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i am selling a 125 atm....honda XR125l 2004.....great bike 6800 miles, tax and test till summer next year...might be out of your price range at £1300(ish).

although anybody buying it now would have no trouble selling it in march/april next year for a similar amount......

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As soon as my test is done (and hopefully passed!) I will be buying at least a 650... looking at Bandits and V-Stroms at the moment so, as you can appreciate, I don't want to part with that sort of cash for a few days practicing!

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