Looking For All New Gear (Updated 6th)

[Platty5791]

Heya. I recently got my new bike

ZXR-400 Kawasaki -

My bike is the best thing ive ever had ! it's absolutely amazing.

And as you all know, new bike deserves new leathers! so i'm currently saving my pennies to buy myself some top notch black leathers. but i need some advise on which to get

And i should mention i'm not too fussed about the price, as long as it is very good quality, protection is everything. and at the end of the day, it's something nice to look forward to every week when i add my wages into my "Helmet Fund" or "Boot Fund" hehe

Im preferably going for some matching 2 piece leathers and a new helmet, but unsure of which makes to get and so forthe.

I'm after the more racing style leathers, with back protector etc.

Bike: Kawasaki ZXR-400 - 3,500 Miles

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/3743/dsc00892vg3.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/dsc00892vg3.jpg/1/w320.png

GEAR IVE CHOSEN SO FAR

Gloves: Alpinestar 365 Goretex (about 110£)

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/1790/365uw6.jpg

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/365uw6.jpg/1/w260.png

Boots: TCX Competizione S Comp S (about £140)

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6632/largewy6.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/largewy6.jpg/1/w320.png

what do you guys/girls think?

Helmet:

Leathers: INOX FAMOUS 2 Piece (about £500)

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/8071/theoneiwantvignettephpnb7.png

Back Protector: Forcefield (about £80)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6346/productthumbphpem5.jpg

Thanks in advance!

Edited November 6, 2008 by Platty5791

[nman1]

Get down the shops and try loads on. Choosing helmets, leathers, etc is entirely down to the individual. However, Dainese is a good make for leathers, Arai for helmets. I personally have Richa and RST leathers and an Arai helmet.

[Stu]

dont touch frank thomas they fall apart

RST, hein gericke, Arlen Ness are good leathers

alpinestars are too over priced for what they are IMO

[Guest]

Arlen Ness leathers are fantastic, had a titanium Roo-skin suit that had to be cut off me after an off at 110mph, not a mark on me (I did however brake my back and pelvis)

Make sure you get a seperate back protector that straps to you rather than fits in the leathers, I have a Forcefield one now and it offers the top level of protection, its also re-usable if you have an off unlike some of the other options available. DOn't just buy either off the internet tho, get the back protector fitted in a dealers and then buy online if you can find cheaper, also get the back protector before the leathers and when trying the leathers on take the bp with you so you can see how it feels all together... You wouldn't want to buy the leathers then find the bp don't fit under them!

Make sure the leathers are tight when you buy them.... They will stretch and get more comfey, but a loose suit will not protect you from friction heat and can snag causing you to tumble rather than slide potentially causing broken bones, the armour can moce in the arms too so may be in the wrong place in an off if it is too loose!

[Guest]

oh and if you plan on any trackdays, make sure if you get a 2pc suit that they zip together fully rather than just at the back. The humps on the back of the jackets can look cool but in an off can cause issues if they suspect neck or back injury as they can't always fit a neck brace and when you are strapped down tight to a board with a broken back for hours the hump gets incredibly uncomfortable even tho it'll deform a bit. Get one without if you have the choice available!

[Korben]

dont touch frank thomas they fall apart

RST, hein gericke, Arlen Ness are good leathers

alpinestars are too over priced for what they are IMO

 

Everything he said...... Apart from the Alpinestar comment... He wants some really!!

I have Alpinestar jacket and trousers and they are brilliant. Comfy, and hard wearing.

Edited November 5, 2008 by Korben

[Guest philgale]

i got frank thomas and after 18 months of wearing them and 1 crash they are still fine.....

seen my next pair tho, think they were berick kangaroo skin ones....but they were like 800 notes

[Guest]

Decisions, decisions ..........

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/snagglepuss_album/RoadRashRun03.jpg http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa39/snagglepuss_album/road_rash1.jpg

[bigsisterbiker]

if you're not bothered about price, you've got loads of options

i've just bought dainese and they're lovely, my brother wears spyke and swears by them.

nice gravel rash

[Platty5791]

wow amazing advise thanks and OMG that guys arm and leg, ouuuch what a fool!!

and what do you guys reckon to RST leathers then? they are the cheapest leathers i can find around, looking at about 170 for 2 piece, thats why im not sure, cheap isnt always best

[Guest philgale]

well leather is leather really......go for them

[Platty5791]

just added a leather 2 piece im thinking about, what do you reckon?

and phil your right mate, leather is leather ^^ but im still looking for the some of the best options i can get.

[Korben]

Leathers are good mate... If you can afford em, them get em!!!

[bigsisterbiker]

my brothers girlfriend wears an rst onepiece. her 2 piece suit is now redundant because the rst is more comfy and fits better.

just seen your spyke pic. my brother came off in his spyke onepiece earlier this year. front locked at around thirty, he got stuck under the zx7r and went tarmac surfing. his suit wore about halfway through at the left shoulder and about the same along the right forearm. no stitching burst and he wasn't bruised at all. legs where fine and the armour in the knees and hips saved a lot more damage than he ended up with to his knee. and the suit is still wearable. strangely enough he wants another spyke!

[Platty5791]

my brothers girlfriend wears an rst onepiece. her 2 piece suit is now redundant because the rst is more comfy and fits better.

just seen your spyke pic. my brother came off in his spyke onepiece earlier this year. front locked at around thirty, he got stuck under the zx7r and went tarmac surfing. his suit wore about halfway through at the left shoulder and about the same along the right forearm. no stitching burst and he wasn't bruised at all. legs where fine and the armour in the knees and hips saved a lot more damage than he ended up with to his knee. and the suit is still wearable. strangely enough he wants another spyke!

 

Oooh very nice sad to hear about the off, but nice to hear aswell because of the performance of the suit!

I'm hoping to get that Spyke suit, going to go to Ace Leathers in Norwich and try sizes on and make sure they all fit.

then maybe after wasting the shop keepers time, go order the size online as it is probably cheaper

Thanks for that

[Platty5791]

Back Protector: Forcefield (about £80)

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6346/productthumbphpem5.jpg

IM STUCK WITH SIZES ON THE BACKPIECE!

* Small: 15-18" (a) - 31-40" (b)

* Medium: 18-19.5" (a) - 36-45" (b)

* Large: 19.5-21" (a) - 41-50" (b)

A is Shoulder to waist

B is Chest under arms measurement

The problem is. My waist is around 38, but my shoulder to waist is 22?. now either im measuring wrong, or the sizes just are not good at all. anyone have any experience with this? please let me know, thanks!

if anyone knows the sizes or has one themselves.

Im 5 foot 10(ish), 38" chest, 36" waist.

Thanks

[Korben]

Find a shop... Try one on mate.... I am the same height as you but have stupidly short legs and an overly long torsoe.... Go get yourself measured properly....

[Platty5791]

yeah best thing to do, hope the shop in town (abt 30mile away) has them in, if not, ROAD TRIP !!

[Korben]

Do a search on tinterweb....... Should show up your closest store..

[Platty5791]

just located a store about 29 mile away (Y)

[bigsisterbiker]

no worries hope you get sorted soon those spykes look v smart

[nman1]

No problems with RST as stated before. Several two piece designs to choose from as well. I`d recommend them.

[Platty5791]

ok thanks nman, was a bit worried about them, but they seem ok

ill pop down the the shop on my day off and try some different gears on and see what i reckon.

spyke is my favourite atm, but ill give RST a try

[Platty5791]

added last few bits and pieces, off to try sizes on saturday

then spend the next 2 month saving up haha

[bigsisterbiker]

was wandering round tinternet last night and bikersbargains has a sale on. might be worth a look