Riding gear for n00b.

[AZredneck]

I just started another thread about buying a used KLR 650. I figured I'd ask this dumb n00b question on a separate thread. I live in North Central AZ and will be riding dirt roads and trails and commuting with my bike. The first thing I will do once I get a bike is to get some protective riding clothes. I know I'm going to fall off on the dirt a few times right off learning the bike. I can NOT afford the top of the line stuff or several sets for different conditions. I've been reading threds on forums and checking product websites for a week but I'm having a hard time sorting through all the info. There are so many choices out there and I'm sure most of them are very good.

I want something with some crash protection but not too hot. I will generally be riding in decent to hot weather although it does snow and get cold here-I'll cross that bridge later. What is a good affordable ADV/dirt riding boot? I'll probably wear regular boots for commuting. How about a versatile ADV jacket? Pants? etc.? I'm 6'3" 185 pounds with long legs. I've noticed some stuff doesn't fit tall guys.

Thanks.

[Jason]

Check out www.motorcyclecloseouts.com. They are a small business here in Kansas City. I have met them and bought a lot of stuff from there. Rusty and his wife run a nice shop.

This season I am wearing a Joe Rocket Sante Fe that I bought from them. It is mesh, but has some serious armor in the shoulders, back, elbows and forearms. The sleeves are perforated leather. I also copped the Joe Rocket Revolution boots. They are the style of a touring boot, but have some aggressive tread. They were each around $100-120 I think. I also have a HJC Cl-33 helmet that I really like. I like all the air you get with an open face helmet with a sheild. I am thinking of getting a full-faceed helmet if I can find on that fit's my huge skull.

Other than that I just wear jeans right now. I am thinking about some kind of motorcycle pants, but haven't made a decision. I like to wear a t-shirt and then a long sleeve t-shirt on top. I also keep a fleece in my tank bag and a rain pancho.

With all that I am ready for almost any kind of weather! For around $300 you should be able to get a good starter set.

My advice to anyone is to get some cheaper jacket if it is your first. Don't go buy a $350 Killimanjaro dual sport jacket or something until you know what you want in a jacket. Once you have the $70-100 jacket for a while, you will know what features you want on an expensive one.

[live2learn]

I have the "Airflow Jacket" and the "Airmesh Pants", which are similar to the Joe Rocket jackets and pants with holes in them to flow air, but which also have serious hard Knox armor in the knees (for the pants) as well as shoulders and elbows for the jacket.

Bought the jacket first after a great review of it at http://www.webbikeworld.com

Even at high humidity and temperature levels it flows enough air to keep you pretty cool, but still protected. Obviously no jacket is going to deal with extreme high humidity and temperature levels, which is probably why you see dumb people riding in tank top T-shirts and gym shorts on sport bikes during the summer in the Midwest.

Plus the jacket has soft armor across the back and the pants do as well in the hip region.

They claim that they try to create "engineered skin" and I would have to agree with that as both the jacket and the pants fit like they were made for me. Armor falls in exactly the right place and everything just feels like it's "Quality"!

They're not cheap, but then again, Quality never is.

Only bad thing is that their site is VERY difficult to navigate now that they've put their stuff into "collections" (as though it's FASHION or something!"

But both are listed under the "Dynamic" Collection, the jacket under "Textile Jacket" and the pants under "Textile Trousers".

http://www.revit.net

[Tumbleweed]

Couple of suggestions as I have just finished my first level of riding gear purchases.....

1. Boots are very important, combat type or something over the ankle for regular street. The ONeal element boot is right around 100.00 and is a popular option for offroad.

2. Gloves....nothing fancy, but you need a set.

3. Jacket....Get one that Fits. With not too much material on the sleeves or they flap around on you. Some jackets have straps to adjust the arms. Do a little research and get something that will protect. Leather needs to be 2mm thick, not the designer thin leather coats. I recommend Textile clothes for general riding as they less expensive, often 3 or 4 season with water proof features or lliners, and offer built in armour. The discussion of which is better Leather or textile is a subject of great debate. You can get a good Joe Rocket jacket for $150 or less.

4. Pants- if you are riding off road or in any gravel I recommend some sort of padding for your hips and knees. I am using First Gear HT Pants with built in padding until I get my Off-road dedicated gear. I don't actually do any offroad stuff now. Generally off-roading can be very hard on a body and the pads/roost protectors and materials used in the clothing are all designed to help keep you going.

5. Helmet. You need one, fit seems to be the most important element to me. I also ensure the helmet is Dot & Snell rated. I bought and HBC helmet because it fit the best and the visors are only 20.00 to change. the higher end helmets may protect better, but they didn't fit my head very well.

Also protect your bike, Skid plate, proper aluminum handguards, and get your license plate up. A lot of us have just bolted it to the mount using the bottom holes of the plate instead of the top. This tucks it up nicely and covers the reflector. The tire will grab your plate and mangle it if mounted from the top holes on the stock mount. Others move the plate to the top of the fender just below the tail light, but then you need to rig a light for the plate or face being stopped by some bored officer.

Take care and enjoy you new bike.

TW

[AZredneck]

Thanks. I like the prices at motorcycle closeouts!

[MSGT-R]

Another place to check out is Cycle Gear. Even if you don't buy, you can see stuff and try it on. All size markings are not created equal; if you like something, try it on and wear it around the store for awhile. Some gear looks good, then doesn't feel good after even 20 minutes.

Cycle Gear has a website that advertises the specials. What they don't have, they can order. The return policy is great! If you don't like it, you can bring it back (even if you wore it).

Plan on dressing in layers. Jackets should have vents, and riding pants should be easily pulled over the jeans. lots of pockets are a plus! Armor should be integrated and easily removable (for washing).

DON'T GET BLACK or dark colors if your gear is to be worn year-round.

[AZredneck]

I checked out the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket today. Looks like pretty good padding and a mesh fabric for airflow. Has a waterproof liner that would fit nicely in a tank bag. Anybody hve an opinion on that one.

Any other suggestions on a good dirt boot that is not a full MX boot?

[mudder trucker]

[quote="AZredneck"]I checked out the Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket today. Looks like pretty good padding and a mesh fabric for airflow. Has a waterproof liner that would fit nicely in a tank bag. Anybody hve an opinion on that one.

have one love it cool in summer , dry in rain, wear a fleece under it for the cold stuff think i may gat the pants too.

[MSGT-R]

I have been wearing a Phoenix jacket and pants since 2003. Its practically the only thing I wear on the street. If it gets chilly, I add a sweat shirt under the liner. I will change out the pants if its drizzling for another pair that is waterproof. The jacket liner is supposed to be waterproof, but I never ride in heavy rain to have a chance to really test these properties.. The jacket is really easy to clean and dries quickly on a warm day.

In the dirt, I wear MX gear.

As for non MX boots, check out the ICON line for some ankle-high footwear. Some good Sears-style work boots are just about the same. On the street, I wear my Redwing safety boots most of the time. They are far studier than my combat boots.

[JustinChase]

I also have the Rev'IT AirFlow jacket and AirMesh pants.

I can't recommend them strongly enough!!!

[Marty]

[b]AZredneck,[b]

Another place to check for riding gear is www.newenough.com

Not only do they carry street riding apparel, but they also carry dirt specific gear.

I've been wearing Joe Rocket gear now for going on 3 years. I live in Florida and it gets quite uncomfortable here in the summer. While we don't have the high heat that y'all do, we have what I like to call 190 days. That is when the temp is 95 degrees and the humidity is 95 percent. It is kind of like taking your KLR into a steambath to ride around. Miserable is the easiest way to describe it.

My Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket and pants provide me with an adequate amount of protection for the kind of riding that I do. It works both on road and off road for me. I am not yet an extremely agressive off road rider.

On the street, I wear a pari of Wolverine President boots.

Off road, I wear O'Neal Element MX boots.

When it gets cold outside, I wear a Joe Rocket Ballistic 3.0 jacket.

I have 'tested' the Joe Rocket jacket liner. It works remarkably well in a heavy rain. That was the only part of me that was dry. But it does make a big difference in warmth also. Just keep it in your tank bag and you'll be set for most of the weather that you will encounter when riding.

[nelgallan]

would definatly recommend the phoenix... have had one for 3 years now riding in all kinds of conditions (cleveland weather ) and its been great... especially in the heat/humidity... carry some frogg toggs for the rain, although i think i saw at the shop that the new model is actually coming with the rainproof liner.... whatever you decide to get, just make sure you wear it!

[byklr]

YMMV, but finding good size charts on line hasn't worked well for me.

I'm still mostly wearing canvas becus I find it hard to find stuff that fits.

Boots in 10 EEEE, forget it. I wear a large shirt and an XL jacket (mostly because I don't like jackets I can't put a sweater under. But when I tried on a Joe Rocket Atomic jacket, a 2XL felt snug.

[AZredneck]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll go for the Phoenix. The local shop has them for about $150 I think. I'll shop around online to see other prices. I noticed the JR jackets ran small. I'm tall but not heavy so the XL was just right. Usually I'd go for a large.

Here I am shopping for clothes and I don't have the bike yet. I want to have the gear figured out before I start riding. When I test rode one at the shop I asked to borrow a helmet and the salesman said with mild disbelief, "You want to borrow a helmet for a test ride?" I can not drive without a seat belt on. I feel naked. I feel the same about a helmet.

I will get to test ride the 2005 with 2800 mi. on Wed. The owner has been out of town. I'm still waiting to check out my buddies 2001 w/ 32K mi. but the shop he has it in is so slow. They have been waiting on a water pump cover gasket for three weeks!

[Jaso]

Go get yourself some knee pads and wear them under your jeans if that all you have now. You can get knee and shin protectors for cheap at most moto shops.

[R_W]

I bought a New Old Stock (several years old) Shoei helmet with two visors for $130. Figure out which brand fits and ask if they have any old stock in that brand, they may have an old or unpopular color or one that got scuffed.

Knee pads and carhart double knee pants are darn good armor, better than some fashionable gear, IMO. I would wear a pair of baseball slider shorts under regular jeans, or at least underarmor compression shorts.

Price should not be a consideration on your helmet, buy the one that fits. You can look for a cheaper model in that brand if it fits, but don't buy a helmet based on price. If you have to spend 90% of your gear budget on a helmet, do it and wear pads under jeans and a jacket until you can afford better.

[MSGT-R]

If the helmet is DOT / SNELL / ANSI rated, its good to go. Just make sure it fits right, and feels comfortable. The rest is just icing on the cake (pretty pricy icing in some cases).