Second post, purchasing a monster

[BerettaMato]

I bought some D&D carbon's off a member here. I love them they sound so deep and they only cost me $125 great deal for my budget moster build. I also now have power in 3rd, 4th, and 5th gear down to 3000 rpm stock was 3500.

[michaeljr]

Everyone, thanks for all the help. The bike in Brooklyn that is on this forum has my name on it! If all goes as planned, I'll have some nice scenic riding pictures in a few weeks to add to the ducs in the wild thread.

<---this guy, is about to join the monster club 

In proper form, I ordered a new helmet for it already. Retiring the old open face, not riding bobbers anymore. Not giving up my old boots, although they scream "cruiser", they are my boots, already broken in, they'll be hard to part with. I'm attached to them. I'm thinking alpinestars textile for the jacket and gloves. Any opinions on that subject? Any other route I should consider.

Again, thanks guys!

[BerettaMato]

sweet cant wait to see pics.

[The ModFather]

Dainese  ... pricey but excellent quality and style 

[Slide Panda]

In proper form, I ordered a new helmet for it already. Retiring the old open face, not riding bobbers anymore. Not giving up my old boots, although they scream "cruiser", they are my boots, already broken in, they'll be hard to part with. I'm attached to them. I'm thinking alpinestars textile for the jacket and gloves. Any opinions on that subject? Any other route I should consider.

Again, thanks guys!

You may find that your bruiser boots won't work so well on the monster. Sportier bikes are configured to suit the thinner profile seen on sport boots. YOu *may* find that positioning the shifter to be both easy to up and down shift with chunkier boots is difficult. But you'll have to see what works for you.

For gear - check out the gear section and WebBikeWorld.com . Lots of options out there. Look, styles, materials, budget etc etc.

I have and like Dainese - but you'll need to check on fits for yourself. I've found a decent bit of variation across their lines that Size X in one jacket doesn't make it 100% you're that size in another. For example I've got a 'Santa Monica' that's a 56 and about perfect. I've got a Shotgun that is a 54 and perfect due to the stretch materials in it. I had an Air-2 that was a 56 and PASTED on my arms. And I've tried on some others where I've had to go 58 to fit the arms.

Hand wave generalization, euro manufacturers have slimmer cuts. A*, Dianese, Rev'It etc. While the 'muricans are a bit more generous. So depending on your build you might want to look one side of the pond vs another.

If you're interested in something retro/cafe and budget minded I suggest the Tourmaster Coaster II.

As always, trying something on is the only way to be 100% sure. But there's a lot of good info out there.

[xsephirot]

I highly recommend RS-Taichi. Their perforated leather gear flows air like crazy and fits your body like a glove. However, it also has a slimmer profile so it's for those with a more athletic build.

[CDChase1981]

I have pants and a jacket from Alpinestars (leather not textile though), and I really like them. As Slide Panda said they are slimmer fitting. Check the reviews for any jackets your thinking about. If I remember correctly I bought 1 size bigger than what the size charts suggested to get a perfect fit, and I'm toothpick thin.

[bob795]

I still wear my Harley boots or Vendramini new york boots, both are cruiser boots. Still fit nicely, so I don't have a plan to replace them yet.

As for jacket, how about Draggin jeans? It has kevlar lining but impact protectors, but you can get a separate elbow/shoulder protectors.

Bob

[620dark]

I have Alpinestars gloves/jacket.  I really wanted to join the Dainese crew but their stuff just doesn't fit me the way the Alpinestars does.  I tried everything on and then jumped on ebay and bought it half price, took a bit longer as I waited until the exact jacket I wanted came up and was probably a good dose of luck but it all worked out well.

[michaeljr]

Managed to snag a dainese jacket and taichi gloves on eBay. Scorpion Exo 700 on closeout. Now I just need to pick up some Kevlar jeans and I'm good to go. I was checking out the dainese ones, any thoughts/personal experience with them?

[The ModFather]

Although the Dainese Kevlar Jeans are possibly the best looking I've read the Kevlar protection is not all that. Ie theres not very much of it. There's a Dainese store here in Chicago so I've been meaning to go check them out myself. I think Revzilla has a video review of them as well but those are never that objective since they want to sell them.