Gear prices

[Blankslate7x]

I'm getting a bike soon and i am just curious what's the avg amount of money to toss aside for gear.
I already bought some Alpine star gloves for 62$
Im looking at the Battle cry helmet i believe it's called that's 250$
And i want to get a jacket, but don't know if a 200$ jacket will protect me as much as a 350$ would.
Pants and boots i will hold off until next year.. I will only get a month tops of riding in right now and prob won't be doing anything over 40 MPH anyways.

[Silverfire]

Honestly, jackets aren't that different, unless you go into the ones that look like stormtrooper armor.

I've personally had good fits and lifespans from Fieldsheer jackets, and others here swear by Joe Rocket. It's all a matter of comfort and taste for the most part.

[Falx250r]

imo joe rocket is junk, wont hold up in a crash ive known too many people that tore thru them like a tshirt.

jackets ARE that different, and if you want real protection get leather no matter what anyone claims nothing is as good crash protection.

check out this page for alot of comparisons and review of gear Motorcycle Gear Review

[jaseman]

Blank,

As you can see, you gonna run the gambit when it comes to opinions on gear. But the most important thing is, make sure it fits you properly. A jacket thats too big, will move around on you in a crash, possibly making any armor useless. One that's too tight will limit your mobility on the bike. Just make sure you get one that fits over a sweatshirt, for colder rides.

All said and done, expect to pay between $500 to $1000 on your full set of gear. It really depends on what you buy, and what kind of deal you can find. My best peice of advice is, don't skimp out, and buy good, name-brand stuff. This ussually insures some level of quality. You can spend $150 on an cheaper HJC helmet, or $500 on a high-end Arai with slick graphics and more creture comforts than a Cadallac. I would trust both in a crash, but I'd never buy a $50, no-name special.

Ussually, when you get into higher priced gear, your paying more for creature comforts and the name on the side. But often, you are getting gear that will be more comfortable, offer more protection, or has a better fit and finish. But you don't have to blow your wad to get acceptable gear.

Here is what I recommend. You don't have a bike yet. And while your really excited now, you may find that riding is not for you (it does happen afterall). Be conservative in buying your first peices of gear. If you have a decent pair of work/combat boots, wear them for you first few months, heck, I still wear my Doc Martins when I ride. Unless you have your heart set on the Iocn Battlecry (which may not fit your head correctly anyway), look into helmets in the $150-$200 range. HJC, AGV, Scorpion, and many others, all make good helmets in that range. I paid less than 2-bills for my Scorpion, and find it's nearly in the same legue as a Shoei. Also, I don't see a need to spend more than $150 on a jacket, as long as you get a decent one. Many people prefer leather, which will hold up much better in a high speed slide, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with textiles for street riding. Much of it now comes with armor, is very durable, and much more versitle for changing weather than leather is. You already have the gloves.

There is absolutley nothing wrong with spending alot of money on good gear. But I only say all this, because I've seen new riders go out and spend as much as $1500 on gear, just to find out in their first season, either they don't enjoy riding, or they spent a ton of cash on gear that doesn't suit their needs. Plus, I gaurentee, it will not be the last time you buy gear.

Unlike Falx, I've owned a bunch of Joe Rocket gear over the years with very little complaint. Every brand has people who love or hate it. All depends on what your personal experiance, or what you've heard from others. I'm not a fan of ICON, but I know people who absolutely love the stuff.

So get decent stuff, that you like, but don't think you have to break the bank right off the bat. Chances are, once you've put some miles under you, your wants and needs in gear will change a bit. What works really well for blasting the twisties, may not be what your looking for if you commute to work every day in varying weather, and vice-a-versa.

One last thing. If you don't mind having styles that a year or two old, you can get some really good deals. Places like Newenough.com/ have excellent deals on close-out stock, it's just not always this years color scheme or graphics. I also buy alot of stuff at vendors at MC shows and rallies, and such. My J.R. Blaster retailed for $250+, but I only paid about $150 for, since the graphics were from the season before.

[ZappBranigan]

I was going to comment but I think Jaseman just stole most of my thunder.

There is a lot of great gear out there - more affordable than I've ever seen it in 25 years of riding. The whole leather-vs-textile debate often misses the point. The "best jacket" is the one you are wearing when you crash. Ditto for the "best helmet." A $1000 one piece leather track suit will certainly protect you better than a $150 Joe Rocket jacket, but you probly won't be wearing the suit when some idiot pulls a left turn right in front of you.

You also have to be realistic. Generally speaking, a textile jacket is probably only good for one crash, especially if you slide any distance. If the jacket shreds, so what? Better to shred nylon than skin, and that's exactly the point of the jacket. Racers use leather because (a) they want to be able to re-use their suits, (b) they only race in good weather and (c) they're traveling at such high speeds that a long skid across the pavement is more likely for them. For the average commuter/biker, a nylon jacket and pants are much more practical. They offer sufficient crash protection, are almost always waterproof (which keeps you from having to put on a separate rain suit) and they are generally affordable.

As has already been pointed out, the biggest difference between high and low priced helmets is not crash protection, but things like weight, noise, airflow and maybe fit. I've been using an inexpensive HJC for almost 3 years now and it works fine. Never crashed in it (knock wood!) but it's comfortable and rugged, so I see no need to change. I've also got 3 jackets, a Joe Rocket heavy nylon jacket, a Hein Gericke mesh jacket for summer, and an AGV perforated leather jacket that, honestly, I almost never wear because it's too hot in the summer and not waterproof (it was kind of an "impulse buy" and in restrospect I should have just gotten the mesh jacket instead.)

I'll be the first to admit I'm a Cheap *******. I hate spending more than I need to, and I could care less about labels or style. When I first started riding I wore an open-face helmet and an Army field jacket, so I figure as long as I stay above that level, I'm doing pretty good.

[ervins]

Depends on the kind of money you want to burn...Some things are better than others. I like Alps over JR...However, I do have a JR textile jacket. I have an Arai, but like my SUOMY better...The key is to get what fits...Price is my second thought.

[jbsmd]

No need to be the best dressed at the seen of the accident! There's lots of gear that work. Like said, get what fits good for the riding you plan on doing. Most expensive, doesn't make it better and there could be a reason some lines of gear are more popular. Get on a bicycle, go as fast as you can and throw it down, gaurantee you 40 mph is gonna hurt more. What do you think you'd like to be wearing? Flubber?

[Blankslate7x]

Thanks guys,
Im gonna go into the store and just try what fits the best. Considering it's Oct, i may want to just bite the bullet and purchase some pants. They only are like 150$
But i won't buy any gear until i get the bike.. I know.. i know..
But as of now im not sure if i will even like to ride. That's why i'm not making any big moves until AFTER i take my MSF class.. THEN i can make some big choices on gear, and i already have my bike deal set up.. Beautiful 06 650r.. Black and red... I'm pumped!
Plus my Boston Res sox are winning, haha.