motorcycle gear, educate me Options

[SlowCelica94]

Hey guys, I know some of you 6gc'rs ride and I'm getting ready to buy a bike. But in my eyes, safety first. So I'm def investing in a jacket, gloves and brain bucket. Pricing it all out is a lil difficult since I don't know the advantages from leather/mesh/textile stuff.

And just so you know my intentions, I will NOT be stunting the bike, it's just going to a fun toy I ride to save gas and take on the curvey roads on the weekend.

Any input on proper safety equipment would be very appreicated. Thanks guys

[zachattack15]

If your buying your bike from a dealer. Try and make a deal with the gear. When I bought my bike I got all my gear for less than half what it actually cost. They are making enough money off you on the bike. So it wont hurt them to take a little off the gear.

[SlickRick]

well zach is right, if u get it from a dealer, even if its used have them throw some stuff in. But if your gonna just get the gear on your own, make sure your helmet is DOT and SNELL approved, DOT means its meant to pass DOT test, SNELL means it actually did pass those tests. and whats the weather gonna be like? if its hot u may want a mesh jacket with some pads in it. it will get u some protection but u wont bake in the sun. and with gloves pick ones that give u good throttle feel, but protection if u take a fall. i think good gloves r sometime overlooked, some people just get big bulky ones at the expense of a good feel.

[SlowCelica94]

So whats the dif between textile, standard leater and mesh in terms of saftey?

I'm in Indiana, so I'll mostly be riding in the summer/spring/fall. And I really don't care if I'm hot, like I said, I'm for concerned with safety in event of a slide.

[C3L1CA]

I don't know a ton about mesh but it seems like if you were to have a pretty bad crash with a mesh jacket on it would need to be replaced.

I have a leather Icon jacket and took a pretty nasty spill with it on and didn't get one scratch on me. Jacket held up great with no holes but just a little extra wear on the shoulder and arms. I ride in the summer with it on, it can be hot if you get stuck in traffic but it really isn't all that bad. If you do get mesh just make sure it has some protection pads in the arms, back, and shoulders to give you added protection if you were to fall.

As for gloves I'd just go to your local motorcycle shop and try some on until you found the perfect pair. Gloves do make a noticeable difference. I rode in below freezing to school a couple of times with winter gloves on and it just didn't have the same feel as when I had my nice gloves on. i would get over the wrist for more protection but thats probably just me.

I'd read up about helmets. Some are lighter then others, some are noisier, just look for one that fits your needs and your budget and you should be good to go.

Boots are maybe another thing to consider. I had nice alpinestar boots on when i crashed and still got a badly sprained ankle, I think I would've easily have broken my foot if it wasn't for the boots.

Good luck with the bike, they are a blast!

[playr158]

I ride with a shift leather jacket (a textile jacket is like a MUST for summer weather, leather gots HOT)

helmets to consider, SHARK & SCORPION both are really good helmets and great prices.

http://www.motonekoparts.com/
^has some good prices on stuff

[gt_driFFter]

Boots are one of the most commonly overlooked items. In the event of a crash, you will most likely break your foot/ankle without some form of motorcycle boot.

As for gear, check out www.newenough.com
It's just a bunch of new, closeout type stuff. I got my motogp jack for $140, regular price was $380

[SlowCelica94]

Thanks for the info guys