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Pinned What Riding Gear do you use?

Discussion in 'Riding Gear - Accessories - Workshop Tools' started by Benimino, Jul 15, 2012.

  1. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    OK guys and girls i am after some advice when it comes to gear.
    What type of helmet do you wear? open face? closed etc?
    Is there a type of pants and jacket you have found is more comfy or breathes better etc?
    Any thing when it comes to gloves and boots?
     
  2. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Also thnigs like if you wear an open faced helmet do you wear googles or sunnies or what? What have you experienced riders found works the best?
     
  3. Artemis

    Artemis Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    I ride with the following:
    Nolan N-com Modular Helmet -400
    2 piece armoured Leathers - 350
    Armoured Sports Touring Boots -150
    Armoured waterproof leather gloves -80

    I would seriously recomend riding full face with full gear, at all times.
     
  4. Phil

    Phil Senior Member Contributing Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Hey Benimino

    You raise a most interesting subject. Am certain that you could ask 100 people this question and get total differing views.

    I prefer to use a full face helmet, having said that many moons ago I used an open face for years and wore shades with it.
    Suppose what I'm inferring is this, it's really up to you. Find a helmet that you like, that you can afford and last but not least is comfortable. Shop around as prices vary dramatically and last of all try them on as sizes vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Helmet fits should be firm, however if the flow of blood to your face ceases, you need the next size up.

    Riding gear such as Jackets is an individual choice. Leather Jackets are great as are synthetic materials. Choice is enormous.
    Again try as many on as possible, you'll find one that fits well. Currently I have a dririder which is a great jacket, multiple layers for for summer, winter and rain. The multiple layers are easy to remove and the whole package is good.

    I wear jeans and am very comfortable with that. Again, have a good look around.

    Gloves, multiple choices again. My last 2 pairs were purchased from ALDI, simply can't fault them.

    Boots, very selective. I haven't found a pair that is comfortable as of yet. I've found that they have very little give and therefore don't feel comfortable. You may well find something that I haven't.

    So there it is, choices are enormous and will keep you occupied for some time. Choose carefully and don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions, at the end of day it's up to YOU!!  Have fun.
     
  5. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Funny you mention the Aldi gear as i am a Store Manager with Aldi and i own a lot of the snow gear and that is great so i was wondering about the bike gear.
    Thank you both for your input.
     
  6. PD186

    PD186 Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    I use both open face and full face helmet depending on what I am doing. I have summer and winter jackets from bikers gear wherehouse Touring boots summer and winter gloves and aldi thermals for this time of year my best buy

    Always have glasses or I can't see where I am going. After being hit on the visor with a stone today I was very happy to be using my full face helmet today.

    Best to try helmet on before you buy and take sunnies with you as well. My other stuff I got online and have been very happy with it.
     
  7. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    I have a full face helmet, 3 layer jacket, boots and gloves , If its warm the lid is up on the helmet and I wear some wrap around sunnies. I dont always wear my boots as I find them a tad uncomfortable, but I do try to wear them on long rides.

    My advice is try to heap of gear on and see what feels right, your helmet should be pushing on your cheeks  and feel firm if its a full faced one.

    thanks

    Chris
     
  8. Nat

    Nat Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Hey Benimino.  I use a full face Icon helmet and armoured Shark riding boots.  I currently use an Aldi textile jacket with a liner in it due to the cooler weather (and constant rain) and have Aldi leather gloves.  I also have a RST stunt leather jacket and Shark armoured leather gloves.
    I must say that the Aldi gear has been fantastic.  I commute to work on the bike pretty much every day and the Aldi gear has seen rain, hail (yes seriously) and shine and has never given me a problem.  very reliable gear and still going strong after 2 years of constant use.  I am waiting for the next Aldi bike gear sale so i can get some more gear.
     
  9. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Soon as i have a on sale date i will post so people can hit up their local store :)
     
  10. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    You didn't hear it from me but 11th August is when the Aldi bike gear will be on sale ;)
     
  11. mboddy

    mboddy Well-Known Member Premium Member Contributing Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Full face helmet always for me and it must have Snell approval.
    Really like my Shoei road helmet. Race helmets I consider as consumables and so I just buy the cheapest comfortable with Snell and get two at a time.

    Have tried many boots over the years but the SIDIs have been the ones I liked the most and so I have decided that in future I will only buy SIDIs.

    Full leathers is best but I like my old BMW City Suit for road riding.
    It must be 25 years old but is sort of like a one piece lined nylon overalls with padding and leather parts. Much lighter than full leathers and you can wear your work clothes underneath.
    I like it so much I will get it fitted with armour one day.
    It doesn't have built-in back protection so I always wear a Dianese back protector under it.
    In the rain I wear a lightweight one piece Dryrider rain suit over it and the combination of the two kept me dry when it pissed down rain all the way back from Phillip Island to Canberra.
    Gloves should have hard knuckle protection for the dry but in the cold and or wet I have some English Frank Thomas gloves which are Thinsulate lined and keep hands toasty warm whatever the conditions.

    A couple of years ago I got a retro jacket and it has been great at the Vinduros but a bit hot when the going gets physical.
    It is a Motociclo Vintage Rally Jacket.
    It is waxed cotton like the old Belstaffs but has armour and a removable sheepskin lining.
    I love this jacket.
    When doing Vinduros in it I wear 1980s Shoshoni armoured jeans.     
     



     
     
  12. Nat

    Nat Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Thanks for the heads up Benimino.  :Thumbs_up:
     
  13. Benimino

    Benimino Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    No problem. But you didn't hear it from me ;) if anyone is down Rosebud (Vic) way pop into the store and say g'day.
     
  14. Shimmy

    Shimmy Active Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    I figure the easiest way for me to answer is to tell you what I currently have, my thoughts on them and then say what I would want/improve.


    Helmet: Shark RSI Pro
    Comfy, padding collapses quick though, paint wears/chips very easily, visibility sucks, vents dont really work.


    Jacket: RST Adventure
    Awesome jacket, comfy, plenty of armor, plenty of cooling, comes with water proof liner and winter liner
    Wearing a bit quicker than I'd like though.


    Trousers: RJays Stout
    Was one of 2 pairs that I found which fitted me correctly and was the only one in stock, they are ok, nothing amazing.


    Boots: RST TracTech WP
    These are ok, a pain to walk in as they taper off to the toes too early (squashes my little toe), virtually no ankle protection (plenty of material to grind down but wont help prevent a broken ankle or anything, twists/bends easily).


    Gloves: Dainese Speed Metal, RST MotoPilot Evo
    The RST ones were great when I first got them, really comfy and nice to use with the kangaroo palm but fell apart very quickly, sent them back and got a new pair back, which are a different fit and has a hole straight out the bag, been meaning to send this pair back but havnt gotten around to it yet.


    The Dainese I picked up for $90, not too bad but do not have curved fingers which can be a pain I'm finding and viabrations go straight to my hand very easily (mixed with carpel tunnel, makes my hand go numb quickly from time to time).
    A couple of stiches starting to come undone but not as bad as the RST's.




    I would like a better helmet, Shoei XR1100 fits great and looks great, safer, more visibility.
    Keen to try on the Bell helmets now they are available though.


    Jacket I'm happy with but I wouldnt mind a lighter one and a leather one, but what I have now is really versatile.


    I'd like some better trousers, textile ones for starters (should get easier as I loose the weight (107kg at the moment, trying to get to 85, was originally 154), a couple of pairs of kevlar jeans (looking at the Rhok's), would also like a leather pair too.


    As for boots, something with more ankle roll protection and comfort, would also like a pair of the casual looking boots.


    Gloves, I'm now finding the hardest, for fit and quality, I've tried on a few now and still not happy with any of them.
    I would like something with scaphoid protection, decent knuckle protection and kangaroo palm (was spoilt by the RST's).




    I would only ever wear a full face helmet, and not a cheap'n'nasty one either.
    I would eventually like a 2pc leather suit.
    As much as I prefer the normal high bike boots, the lower cut casual looking ones (still offer similar protection, though) would be nice for practical reasons)
    Gloves got to be a gauntlet too, not really a fan of the really short gloves.
    Also eventually I'd like to get seperate strap on armor aswell.


    My biggest tip is to not use the cheapest stuff, it's generally cheap for a reason.
     
  15. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    I have an AGV helmet and a Dri rider jacket,  I also have RST gloves which need replacing as I ahve worn through the leather. When I go on longer rides, I tend to wear my Draggin Jeans and RST boots,  but I do settle for Jacket, gloves and helmet for my daily commute to work.
     
  16. Nat

    Nat Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Shark leather boots worn about 6 times.  1st time i wore them the hard moulded plastic piece on the outside of the left boot (just back from where your little toe would be) popped off the front mounting screw/fixture.  Can't repair it myself due to the threaded part being located between the outside and inside layers of the boot so will have to get boot repair place to do it.  leather has scuffed off front of boot at toes just from a slight rub on the concrete. However their gloves have been really good, very comfortable, good for QLD weather and very supple (used regularly).
    My RST leather summer jacket also still performing well and suits QLD climate well .  Santa was kind and got me a pair of Shift/Torque kevlar jeans.  So far so good.  Got a good test on the Canungra coffee run today - no complaints and the temps were up today as well.  :Thumbs_up:
     
  17. Nat

    Nat Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    Does anyone know of any places in Brisbane that have a decent range of youths road riding gear?  My young bloke wants to come for rides with me but i am not keen until i can get him the same standard of gear that i wear (jacket, kevlar pants, etc).  Finding this stuff in Brisbane seems to be a bit patchy or I'm not looking in the right places?
    Any tips are welcome  :)
     
  18. kiffsta

    kiffsta Senior Member

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    Re: What gear do you use?

    hey Nat

    I couldnt find much here, I ended up buying jacket for my son in Sydney, what size are you chasing ?  Jack is geting too big for his jacket and I need to find another, maybe his will fit your lad

    Chris
     
  19. Jeffro

    Jeffro My Avatar is definately not me...... Contributing Member

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    I wear a Shoei full face with tilt up front, really helps when you wear glasses like myself, easier to adjust the glasses, good for sunglasses also....Road gear depends on the season...Autumn and Winter my ever faithful Dririder Nordic 2 jacket...draggin jeans... full leather gloves which have insulation...balaclava and good sturdy boots... Spring & Summer...Mesh textile jacket, which means its got lots of holes in it for air flow and still retains the CE armour....never leave without armour boys and girls...even down the shop to get milk....I would rather be hot and sweaty, than be sitting in hospital enduring skin drafts all because it was hot and uncomfotable to wear a good jacket...think about it!!!!, good jeans like draggins or good quality Levis....summer gloves with air vents in them....good sturdy boots and always my full face helmet.....and for my track days....full leathers.....one piece or two piece, full length boots and good quality gloves with air vents and a back protector and full face helmet.....never skimp on quality riding gear, no matter what the weather...I`d rather lose the cows skin than mine.....hope this helps you...cheers...Jeffro
     
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  20. risky

    risky risky

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    nat i have some rjays wet weather gear new for sale if you are interested.. also boots in 43,44,45, and 46 sizes and a heap of new honda parts if needed.
     

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