The newbie needs gear

[kristan696]

Thanks for the warm welcome on the board! Here is my first question to the ladies :] I don't have any sort of riding gear what-so-ever. I'm figuring that it's going to be a bit before I really learn to ride and get out on the streets, but I'm thinking I'm going to need gear even just for practice around the neighborhood/parking lots. What do you recommend me buying first? I was thinking boots and a helmet and possibly a jacket? I've looked through the threads on here about gear and it seems that newenough.com is the way to go, true? Also, I can get it pretty well figured out in terms of the helmet and jacket, but I have no idea what I'm looking at when it comes to boots. What do you look for when buying boots? Thanks!

[duqette]

Welcome to the DMF! 

Ahhh, yes, motorcyclists love to talk about gear....

There's a saying, ATGATT. All The Gear, All The Time.

When riding a motorcycle, there is nothing between you and that 4000 pound Toyota Tacoma who's driver is paying more attention to his cell phone except your gear; nothing between you and the pavement except your gear. As Mostrobelle once said, just consider which parts of your body you don't really need or want, and those are the bits you don't need gear for. 

At the very least, you need a good-fitting helmet, a good jacket (I prefer leather), good boots that cover your ankles and are reinforced, gloves, and knee protection. Newenough is an excellent source. I got a lot of my starter gear from craigslist, there's also stuff available on ebay, if you know what you're looking for. There's also a good thread on this board about ladies gear.


 

[kristan696]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if leather or mesh would be the way to go. We are in FL, so I was thinking that I would get HOT in leather, but is it safer? Are there ladies boots, or do we just have to buy our size converted into mens size?

[jdubbs32584]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if leather or mesh would be the way to go. We are in FL, so I was thinking that I would get HOT in leather, but is it safer? Are there ladies boots, or do we just have to buy our size converted into mens size?

I believe leather is more abrasion resistant so it will hold up for longer.

And yes, there are women's specific boots, as well as gloves, jackets, and pants. If you look on newenough.com, you'll see things labeled as women specific. For instance, these boots: http://www.newenough.com/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/sidi/ladies_jasmine_rain_motorcycle_boots.html

I'm not sure how much of a difference there is in the women's boots from the men's. Hope that helps.

[somegirl]

Look for perforated leather if you decide to go the leather route, it will keep you cooler than regular leather, and will provide much more abrasion resistance than mesh gear.

[LMT]

Thanks! I wasn't sure if leather or mesh would be the way to go. We are in FL, so I was thinking that I would get HOT in leather, but is it safer? Are there ladies boots, or do we just have to buy our size converted into mens size?

Boots depend on foot size.  I wear a euro 43, which is a US women's 12.  I have to get the guys boots.  Some brands are cut narrower then others.  AStar and Sidi are a narrow cut and both work well for me.

Where in FL.  Northern FL gets cold.  Remember, dress for the crash not the ride.

[kristan696]

True, okay well thanks for all of this, it helps me a lot. I'm in Ft. Walton Beach, about 30 minutes away from Pensacola, right on the gulf coast. It's beautiful here!

Received the VIN on the bike today, should be here on Tuesday... I don't think I dreamed about anything but it last night  Yesterday I ordered the 14t sprocket everyone on here talks about, and can't decide between CRG blindsight mirrors, lane splitters or the Rizoma reverse retros... Anyone have any of these?

[Spidey]

Boots can but don't need to be women-specific.  It depends what fits your foot.  Newenough is a good online vendor because they have detailed
descriptions of how gear first -- whether it is true to size, narrow, wide, etc.  If you can't afford/don't want motorcycle boots, hking boots will work.  Just make sure your ankle is covered.  Moto-specific boots are made to prevent abrasion and also to prevent your ankle from twisting.  I look for armor on the ankle, heel, and toe, a steel shank, and something to prevent the ankle from twisting.  If they're commuter boots, I always look for Goretex.  The downside with waterproof boots is that they're much warmer.  Some of the companies (Sidi comes to mind) make perferated boots for if you ride in hot areas.  Even some of the non-perferated Sidis (I'm thinking of hte Vertigos), come with little air vents built into the boot that you can open and close.  They're really effective.  If you're looking for comfy, non-descript boots with a lot of protection, Daytona-Frey are the best.  They have women's sizes, and they are universally praised.  But they cost a ton of $.  Frankly, I think boots are one of the most overlooked pieces of gear.  You could deal with roadrash scars on your back from not wearing a jacket or even a broken elbow.  But do you really want to limp for the rest of your life if you permanently hurt your ankle?

Minimum gear in my book is boots, gloves, a full-face helmet and a jacket (I think pants are a must-have as well, but I'm in a small minority).  Don't let someone talk you into a 3/4 or half-helmet.  Unfortunately, everything I've listed will make you sweat when riding.  But there's an old AGATT phrase:  I'd rather sweat than bleed.  Similarly, leather (even perf'd leather) will be hotter.  But leather is the way to go.  I know people who have worn that mesh gear, only to have it melt onto their skin in a crash. 

Be sure to check out the Gear section too as you get closer to buying. 

As far as mirrors, go, I love the CRG lane-splitters.  I know that lane splitting is not legal in FL, but the ability to tuck the mirrors in come in handy in many situations.  If you can't fold them, they make the bike a good 4-8" wider, depending on how you attach them.

I hope that helps.  Congrats on the bike and ride safe.   

[kristan696]

Thanks! :]

Yeah, I really don't think I'd ever attempt to split a lane even if it was legal, but I do like the folding aspect of them...

[erkishhorde]

Late to the party but there are combo textile/leather jackets that put leather in the most commonly dragged spots like shoulders and elbows and textile, mesh or solid, everywhere else so that the jacket is lighter, cheaper and potentially cooler. Come to think of it, I'm not sure that I've seen any women's jackets in the combined materials but I haven't looked much either.

[maillotpois]

Late to the thread, too, but I just want to say Kristan I LOVE your DOG!!   

I'm a leather person myself.  And I have to buy men's boots because I am a women's size 11, which blows.   (Where it really irks me is cycling shoes where I'd like to have a more narrow heel cup.     .

Welcome Kristan.  I'm a pretty new rider myself, but loving the 696.

Sarah

[sugarcrook]

+1 on newenough.  My gf got some of her gear there and the service was excellent. 

On top of the other advice, my $0.02 is to get gear that you find visually appealing - you should think it looks good, otherwise you won't wear it. 

[Princess]

I agree... look for some cool lookin stuff. The way I went... (getting everything all at once can be quite expensive unless you've saved up the money before hand)...

1. Helmet - I got this first
2. Gloves - i got this 2nd (at the same time I got my helmet)
3. Jacket - I wore some type of leather jacket (or at least a jean jacket) until I could get a jacket I wanted.

Jackets... you will end up buying a couple... 1 for really hot hot days and 1 for hot days... (like a mesh one and a  perforated leather one or just a leather one). I have a mesh one with a liner in it... it looks like the Stiletto but it's white mesh with leopard print for the flames... check it out here http://www.kneedraggers.com/list/1389/manu/Power%2520Trip

The Power Trip line looks really rockin' - I'm holding out for a nice powder blue or pink leather jacket with white trim to match this helmet http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Icon_Airframe_Full_Face_Helmet_Siren--637870.html which I want to get soon.

4. Boots - I wore some hiking boots until i bought some Sidi racing boots. These boots look cool http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Icon_Field_Armor_Boots--507579.html but I'd rather ride in these http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Icon_Bombshell_Ladies_Boots--610202.html

5. Pants - I bought some basic leather riding pants which look like leather jeans but are made from the heavier leather and cut to length for riding so they don't ride up your shin. I have a textile jeans pants also. Planning on getting a leather set some time.

6. Luggage... I'd recommend a small tank bag. I got this one http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5004&L2=27&L3=&L4=&item=PAR_3502-0025 and it works great. You have to place it a little further back on the tank b/c the front magnet sits where the little gap is on the fuel tank. It's better than using a backpack purse or a regular backpack that can be bulky. Your movement will be more free if you use a tank bag instead of a back pack and wont feel like you're in Julius Caesar's army with a 50 lb backpack.



Ohh btw... the Icon Women's wear is really hot - they made some really cool women's gear - they're idea is... if we don't think it looks good on us, we won't wear it - so they get a thumbs up for style AND functionality for women's motorcycle gear. I've tried on the Airframe Helmet (the model that the Siren is) and it fits great!

[lauramonster]

I bought a pair of gloves that I referred to as "Catwoman gloves' because they had hard knuckles and I felt silly with all that 'over protectiveness'.  Armored jacke, armored pants, well sure, but gloves?? that's over the top.

Armor everything you can.  After the crash, I looked at my 'catwoman gloves' and realized that in rolling over 1X that macadam not only scrapes everything, but it 's VERY abrasive. The knuckle was almost worn through (and that wasn't the first point of contact)!!! 

Look for everything armored.  I wear mesh/armor.  Armor summer glove (Alpinestars Atlas).  Yeah, they're hotter than nothing, but in a crash, armor is invaluable.

Armor everything you can.  +1 to sweating rather than bleeding.  It's true, and you'll never realize it until you're in aminor crash or someone you love is in a crash.  Then, HOLY CRAP how did that much damage happen so quickly? 

Armor. Armor. Armor.

[Princess]

yup... I took 2 spills before - not pleasant