RIDING GEAR HELP, please!

[WFOThrottle]

Hey Guys & Gals,

I am a sissy So Cal boy. I am going to attend school out of state (New Mexico). I just saw a video from about a month ago. A guy was shoveling this white stuff that he called "snow" off his driveway (OMG!) When it's 74-degrees here in So Cal, it is chilly.

From my visits and understanding of New Mexico's weather, the area has extreme conditions (it will be near the border of Texas). It gets really cold and gets really hot.

Can you guys and gals recommend RIDING GEAR that would meet both of these elements at the same time? And, can you recommend some GREAT WATER-PROOF gear? RIDING GEAR = From bottom to top (boots to head. I don't need a helmet though). Obviously, I am more concerned with the cold and water-proof aspect than the heat, so if you have a recommendation on cold/water-proof Gear... that's cool (get it?... pun intended),... just let me know!

Keep in mind that I am a student, so paying high dollars (ie $500) for a jacket is out of the question for me. Try to recommend for a student's budget... please!

Any of your recommendations are going to be helpful to this sissy! I thought an umbrella was used for shading purposes!

HELP!

[NCDave]

Frogg Togg Road Toad's for wet weather riding. If you shop around, you can get them on sale for less than 50 bucks.

Leather and layers are your friend when it comes to cold weather. That applies to both top and bottom.

A nice pair of winter glove and some type of synthetic or wicking liners in addition.

none of these items needs to be top-of-the-line.

[WFOThrottle]

Originally Posted by NCDave

Frogg Togg Road Toad's for wet weather riding. If you shop around, you can get them on sale for less than 50 bucks.

Leather and layers are your friend when it comes to cold weather. That applies to both top and bottom.

A nice pair of winter glove and some type of synthetic or wicking liners in addition.

none of these items needs to be top-of-the-line.

Ok, I appreciate it. Keep me in mind if you see anything else on the market, and if anything is on sale WHILE searching the net.

[sisooktom]

My .02 is to NOT buy a jacket thinking it will work for all 4 seasons, there are just too many compromises. Get a good mesh jacket for hot weather that fits properly. Then, when it gets cold and if/when you decide that you even want to try and ride in it, find something else. Personally, I'll ride down to about 45-50 degrees and that's it. Below that it's just not fun anymore, which is the whole reason I ride in the first place If you try to find a jacket that will do it all, it will most likely 1) Cost too much and 2) Be too big/small in Winter/Summer, respectively. JMHO.

[WFOThrottle]

Originally Posted by sisooktom

My .02 is to NOT buy a jacket thinking it will work for all 4 seasons, there are just too many compromises. Get a good mesh jacket for hot weather that fits properly. Then, when it gets cold and if/when you decide that you even want to try and ride in it, find something else. Personally, I'll ride down to about 45-50 degrees and that's it. Below that it's just not fun anymore, which is the whole reason I ride in the first place If you try to find a jacket that will do it all, it will most likely 1) Cost too much and 2) Be too big/small in Winter/Summer, respectively. JMHO.

Your .02 was worth every penny! Thanks!

I have a lighter jacket that has some armor that I can wear when it is not too hot. I figure if it is just HOT... I will just stay home or ride around in flip-flops and a thong (fat old guy here)!

Seriously, I am more concerned about the colder weather. It wont be as much fun to ride in, so I will just go to class and go home, but I have to ride in it still. The distance won't be but a few miles at most, but the cold could make it feel like a long trip to NY (I live in CA right now. Going out of state for school.).

Here is what I am thininking for a Jacket. It it made by "Fieldsheer" and it is a 3/4 "Quattro" model jacket. Check out the link:

Fieldsheer Quattro Jacket - RevZilla Motorsports

Even though it retails for about $250. I can get it for about $140. This is in my price range.

As for Rainsuits, I am thinking of these two suits:

The First one is made by Nelson Rigg:

Nelson Rigg

I need it for 2 years and they give a no hassle two year warranty on it! It retails for about $65. I can get it for about $41.

The Second 2 piece suit is from Tour Master:

Tour Master :: Rainsuits :: Defender 2-Piece Rainsuit

It is I think... more durable than the Nelson Rigg?... The model is called the "Defender." It retails for about $69.99. It says it works well in 35-50 degree weather and it is waterproof. It's in my price range. Maybe a couple layers would help with even lower temps.

What do you guys and gals think?

HELP!

[NCDave]

I have a tour master suit as well. it works fine. get some boot covers to go with it.

When I look at jackets, one thing I shy away from is longer length. that's because they end up bunching up in the front when I sit on the bike. You may want to try some on before deciding.

[WFOThrottle]

Originally Posted by NCDave

I have a tour master suit as well. it works fine. get some boot covers to go with it.

When I look at jackets, one thing I shy away from is longer length. that's because they end up bunching up in the front when I sit on the bike. You may want to try some on before deciding.

Hey NCDave... Thanks for the input!

I wasn't thinking about the front. I was more worried about the back... burr... when that cold air goes down the crack. I have a KLR 650. I dont think I will have any problems with the front or an issue with the back. I could be wrong though?

What do you ride?

[NCDave]

Originally Posted by WFOThrottle

Hey NCDave... Thanks for the input!

I wasn't thinking about the front. I was more worried about the back... burr... when that cold air goes down the crack. I have a KLR 650. I dont think I will have any problems with the front or an issue with the back. I could be wrong though?

What do you ride?

pretty much everything. Cruiser, sport-tourer, sport bike. The KLR is pretty upright, so shouldn't be so much of a problem.

For cold weather, I wear a pair of underarmor, t-shirt, sweatshirt, quilted jacket liner, and jacket. f

or the legs, long underwear, jeans, and leather chaps. I have some lined cordura nylon pants that are good too.

For hands, heavy lined gloves along with a wicking insert pair of gloves. Chemical heat inserts on the back of my hands if it's really cold.

FF helmet with a neck wrap. The neoprene face masks work VERY well in cold too.

These are all inexpensive pieces that I've accumulated over the years. I don't pay big bucks for my riding gear in general.

[WFOThrottle]

Originally Posted by NCDave

pretty much everything. Cruiser, sport-tourer, sport bike. The KLR is pretty upright, so shouldn't be so much of a problem.

For cold weather, I wear a pair of underarmor, t-shirt, sweatshirt, quilted jacket liner, and jacket. f

or the legs, long underwear, jeans, and leather chaps. I have some lined cordura nylon pants that are good too.

For hands, heavy lined gloves along with a wicking insert pair of gloves. Chemical heat inserts on the back of my hands if it's really cold.

FF helmet with a neck wrap. The neoprene face masks work VERY well in cold too.

These are all inexpensive pieces that I've accumulated over the years. I don't pay big bucks for my riding gear in general.

NCDAVE DUUUUDE!

YuuuuDahMan! Thanks for the hook up advice! I will try a lot of it if not all of it. I have very vew things right now. I am trying to get some of the other things though.

The good thing about waterproof stuff... it keeps you warm! Air doesnt usually circulate too good.

Did you see that Quattro Jacket from Fieldsheer?... your thoughts about it being worth $140 bucks????

[sisooktom]

Well my jacket is a Fieldsheer as well. It's a quality jacket, but as I alluded to, there is a full size difference with the liner in vs removed. Unless I misread that one you're looking at it has 2 liners, one waterproof and one insulated. The waterproof one is thin, but having 2 seems like a PITA IMO. As long as you can try it on before you buy I'd give it a shot, just keep potential fit issues in mind.

[WFOThrottle]

Originally Posted by sisooktom

Well my jacket is a Fieldsheer as well. It's a quality jacket, but as I alluded to, there is a full size difference with the liner in vs removed. Unless I misread that one you're looking at it has 2 liners, one waterproof and one insulated. The waterproof one is thin, but having 2 seems like a PITA IMO. As long as you can try it on before you buy I'd give it a shot, just keep potential fit issues in mind.

Good point! I need to go to a store and try some of these on I think, but since it is Summer season (around the corner), I doubt that many shops will have these jackets in stock. ...hmmm... lend me yours!