Need some advice.......

Dunny · Post by **Dunny** » Wed May 03, 2006 3:15 pm

With the new bike due in the middle of June I now need to pull my finger out and get kitted out.

I have nothing in the way of jackets/trousers/helmet/gloves etc, so I'm starting from scratch.

Looking at some of the kit, I think I'd like the textile clothing in preference to leathers.

Anyone got any recommendations for good bits of kit, and what sort of budget should I be looking at for everything ?

Cheers.

YouTube · Post by **Paul** » Wed May 03, 2006 4:36 pm

Dunny,

If you're after textiles rather than leathers, the Hein Gericke gear is worth checking out. It is good quality stuff at a good price. Goretex liners are definately worth having if you venture out in all weathers. If you're not on a tight budget, Rukka is the bee's knees. Rukka is guaranteed waterproof for 5 years and has special latticework breathable armour in the joints.

I have Sidi black rain boots, which I'm very pleased with. They are comfy and keep my feet dry.

You'll find as many opinions about helmets as there are users on the forum. For what its worth, I have a Schuberth C2 which I'm very pleased with. It's a flip front with built in flip down sun visor. Caberg doa similar helmet at a much more sensible price.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Paul

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed May 03, 2006 4:55 pm

Yeah, I'm in agreement with Paul on the Hein Gericke gear, but have a look around, cos I know that some of the dealers still have Dainese gear on serious sale.

BMW kit is good, but a bit on the expensive side (I'm not saying that it's not worth it - but I would want to see it in anger before committing serious money to it)

Helmets? If you want flip-front, then Paul's suggestions are good - otherwise - find one make that fits your head aswell as your budget and see if you can get a "sale" price.

I like Shoie lids, myself - very light, quieter than Arai and you can remove the entire liner for cleaning.

Unless I'm different from everyone else........... You tend to find out what you really want in the way of clothes - only after you have shelled out for the first outfit

Al

Dunny · Post by **Dunny** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:13 pm

Which helmets come with an internal sun visor ?

What are the pro's and cons of getting a flip front helmet ?

YouTube · Post by **Paul** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:22 pm

Dunny wrote:Which helmets come with an internal sun visor ?

Dunny,

The Schuberth Concept (old flip up £199), C2 (newer flip up, £339), and S1 (no flip, £360) all come with internal sun visors. The Caberg lids are the Justissimo (flip front, £149) and V2 (no flip, £99) both come with internal sun visors. Infinity sell the Caberg and Schuberth helmets at the prices I've noted.

Cheers,

Paul

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:34 pm

I've not got a flip-front helmet myself, but when you arrive at Imigration at the ferry terminals - you wish you had one!

With a flip-front, you can leave your helmet on

With a full-face - you have to take it off, at the same time as you are fumbling with gloves, passport etc.

Al

Rods · Post by **Rods** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:44 pm

Ditto what Paul said about hein gericke. good kit at a good price.

couple of pointers when buying kit...

if you're buying two piece stuff, make sure that you can zip the jacket and trousers together - the gear won't be much good if it rides up or down your body in the event of a spill.

when trying it on, see if they have a bike you can sit on (preferably a sportyish bike, as that is what you're getting). if not crouch down for a bit and stretch you're arms forward- make sure that the trousers don't ride up over the top of the boots, and that the sleeves of the jacket don't go too far up your arm. is the armour comfortable where it is in the crouching position - you could be like this for a couple of hours at a time

does the jacket have a back protector? is this something you want to buy seperately? if it doesn't, and you want a back protector, try the jacket on with the protector in. again, in the riding position.

gloves - i have never been convinced by "all season" gloves - either winter or summer does me - the all seasons seem to be either too warm or too cold.

it might be worth getting some under layers that wick away sweat - or you could end up sticking to your gear - most uncomfortable. and it is a lot easier to wash the inner garments than a motorcycle jacket, leather or otherwise.

boots - have they got a goretex lining. if you think you might be wearing them for more than 3 hours at a time in the summer, i wouldn't consider non-goretex gear. far too hot... and smelly

as for lids - people seem to say that they either have a shoei or an arai shaped head. me, i also got on well with shoei's, until earlier this year i bought myself a schuberth s1 (with internal sun visor). very quiet, comfortable etc - though if you wear glasses it pays to get some anti-mist spray for them! i found my lid on the internet for just under £300 - i think most shops sell them for £350 and above. i went to a shop, tried some on (and hence found out my size) before buying it off the net. apparently the caberg with internal sun visors are very noisy (flip lid) and a mate of mine wouldn't take his full face caberg on a track day - he has an arai for that...

as for full face/flip lids. for me anyway, i can't see how a flip can be as strong as a full face, and it's my head. nuff said... but each to their own. i did hear of a shoei syncrotec (their flip lid) opening mid accident once...

all in i would allow the following as a guideline for the essential gear...

Boots £150
Trousers £150
Jacket £150
Gloves £50 - 70
Helmet £200

sorry for rambling!!

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:52 pm

Rods,

Makes sense! You're probably close with the pricing too.

But......can you explain

"boots - have they got a goretex lining. if you think you might be wearing them for more than 3 hours at a time in the summer, i wouldn't consider non-goretex gear. far too hot... and smelly"

I have Goretex boots and unlined ones, and got the impression that the Goretex ones were slightly hotter?

Al

Rods · Post by **Rods** » Wed May 03, 2006 5:57 pm

goretex is supposed to be fully waterproof AND breathable (presuming you haven't put it through a washing machine

). based on some of my previous raincoats, if it is fully waterproof and non-goretex, i would have thought you'd start sweating a great deal quicker than in a goretex lined item?

i certainly found my last pair of non-goretex boots pretty horrible in the summer. my new pair are better, and goretex lined.

BMWBob · Post by **BMWBob** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:03 pm

Good call by Al about you only finding out what you want after you've bought everything!

Having come back to riding after a lay-off I did struggle to feel comfortable in the heavily amoured modern textile clothing. I'm now on my second riding suit and helmet within 18+ months. Having tried on a lot of kit I strongly believe the more expensive stuff does fit better and feel more comfortable than the cheaper suits. Could just be me though

At least you've got a few weeks to try stuff on before the bike comes.

I would expect your BMW Dealer to give you a good deal on any kit you buy with the bike (and if not why not); at least 10-15% discount.

Regards Bob.

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:17 pm

Rods wrote:goretex is supposed to be fully waterproof AND breathable (presuming you haven't put it through a washing machine ). based on some of my previous raincoats, if it is fully waterproof and non-goretex, i would have thought you'd start sweating a great deal quicker than in a goretex lined item?

i certainly found my last pair of non-goretex boots pretty horrible in the summer. my new pair are better, and goretex lined.

Right - I see where I'm going wrong...........

I hadn't realised you were comparing waterproof Goretex with Waterproof plastic.

I thought you were comparing Sidi Rain with Sidi Vertibra! (for example)

Oops - sorry.

(must have less beer in the evening)

Al

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:24 pm

If you are looking for a jacket that is the sporty side of touring and like BMW kit.................

They have discontinued the Seattle jacket and trousers (I have these and like the length of the jacket and the way it's nailed together)

But......they have introduced a suit called "Boulder" that appeals to me.

Have a look, and see what you think.

You can still get Seattle jkts and trousers on Ebay and if you know your BMW size - you can't go wrong.

I can also recommend the Light & Easy jacket/trousers - fully breathable waterproof but really light for the summer. Buy on sale, not at RRP!

BMW Summer trousers are the ultimate in hot weather trousers (unless they now produce a kevlar thong

)

If you have a couple of thousand pounds - the world is your lobster - buy it all!

Al

theseadog · Post by **theseadog** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:43 pm

Some good advice there, my add-ons are

Oxtar do cracking boots, I've always had Sidi up until recently, but the new versions are a bit too gay-boy power ranger for my tastes, so moved to Oxtar Evo Sports after trying them on. Goretex lined, double ankle protection, sliders, very comfy and all for £160.

Jackets, blimey, where to start. Gericke gear is for the most part excellent, I've got a set of Maxwell goretex lined textile breeks with leather reinforcement down the sides, knees, and arse, they're ace, warm with the lining, cool enough without.

Also got a Rukka RVP thingy jacket, excellent fit, dead comfy, again removable thermal liner is ace. Bit confused by Rods comments as all my goretex gear gets thrown in the washing machine, and lightly ironed as this improves the waterproofing by A)keeping fabric clean and B)making the fibres stand up. I've done this for years with bike, sailing and climbing gear never any probs, mabey Rods gear is different somehow so best to check with the manufacturer if in doubt.

Helmets, got a flip Schuberth C2 as well, it's excellent quiet, stable comfy and not too heavy. It also has a double latching mechanisim meant to prevent the situation mentioned earlier with lids opening in impact, look at the site for details. Other lid is a Shoei full face job, very comfy, extremely quiet, best helmet I've ever worn.

Gloves, Alpinestars gp things for warm weather and Dino-diasy goretex jobs for the rest of the time. Had used Gericke Classics, but they came apart at the seems after a couple of years.

Throw in a set of Furygan leathers ( 2 piece ) for occasional use and that's it.

HTH

Toodle Pip

winger · Post by **winger** » Wed May 03, 2006 7:52 pm

I have done,the problem is wearing the right kit at the right time!!!

Three quater armoured jacket of what ever make suites you,just make sure it's got a removable lineing.

Trousers!!! leather sorry no option

Boots catch 22,i've 4 pairs of Daytona's, 2 pairs of Winners,a Gortex pair,and a Carbon fiber pair,the winners for comforts,the Gortex when it's pissing down and and when crash my brains out i hope i'll have the carbon ones on.

As Al said you need to waste money and buy some kit,you'll work out what you need then,well sort of!!!

Nearly forgot,I've tried,dear Lord i have!!! but wear anything but an Arai,although Shoei are makeing an effort.

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Wed May 03, 2006 11:00 pm

Blackal wrote: I like Shoie lids, myself - very light, quieter than Arai and you can remove the entire liner for cleaning.

I think the latest Arai have removable lining too.