$$$ Gear $$$

[Jonesingfor650r]

Originally Posted by Bubba68CS

You'd have to get some awfully big boots!

Wear them like any other shoe. If you plan to commute, you'll either need to change shoes when you get where you're going, or buy boots that are appropriate for the environment you'll be in (ie if you're in an office, they'd better look nice) and are comfortable to walk in.

haha, thats what I was thinking but some people make it sound like you can. If I get boots I will prolly only use them for interstate or long travels.

[Bubba68CS]

Personally, after wearing boots ALL the time (even Carhartt boots designed more for working than riding)...I HATE riding in tennis shoes. The feel is gone...turned to mush. Between the lack of protection and lack of feel...I just can't convince myself to ride with tennis shoes unless its a REAL quick trip on a day I didn't plan on riding (rare).

You may find the same...you may find it doesn't bother you...but you won't know til you try!

[Jonesingfor650r]

Thats how I feel when driving a car, tennis shoes kill your feel. I generally wear skate shoes which have a ton of feel.

[clbryant1981]

Originally Posted by northernman

Walmart is the place, flipflops $4, shorts $ 8, t shirt $ 6, and then all you need is $400 Oakley sunglasses, and you are ready to roll.

Ride safely.

LOL...Funny, but sad because of how many people I see that actually ride like that.

[northernman]

Originally Posted by clbryant1981

LOL...Funny, but sad because of how many people I see that actually ride like that.

Thats me when its hot out.

[PSNinja]

Sounds like you've got some good advice here. You need protective gear from head to toe, IMHO. Every piece has its purpose. And, contrary to popular belief, when riding in hot, sunny weather, it's better to wear gear because you don't dehydrate as quickly or get sunburned or windburned like you would if you're exposed to the sun and the air.

Someone posted a link to New Enough. They are a good site to buy gear. We buy from them fairly regularly. If you can, find a place to try things on first - especially the helmet.

[Jonesingfor650r]

Originally Posted by PSNinja

Sounds like you've got some good advice here. You need protective gear from head to toe, IMHO. Every piece has its purpose. And, contrary to popular belief, when riding in hot, sunny weather, it's better to wear gear because you don't dehydrate as quickly or get sunburned or windburned like you would if you're exposed to the sun and the air.

Someone posted a link to New Enough. They are a good site to buy gear. We buy from them fairly regularly. If you can, find a place to try things on first - especially the helmet.

everyone mentions the "right fit" for a helmet. What kind of fit should I look for? something comfortable? tight? loose? more padding? more shell? or is it just preference?

[Bubba68CS]

Put the helmet on, fasten the chin strap...then shake your head side to side quickly. If the helmet slides...its not the right size.

It needs to be snug, but if its too tight, it'll obviously be a problem on longer rides. Leave the helmet on for awhile as well...thats the only way you'll see if there are pressure points.

The primary thing people talk about though is your head shape. If you have a round head and try to fit it in an oval helmet...you'll have a heck of a headache caused by the pressure on the sides of your head. Same if you have an oval head and try to fit it in a round helmet...only the pressure will be on your forehead.

[PSNinja]

Bubba gives very good advice. In regards to shape, the while some lines of helmets will vary in shape, the higher end helmets - Arai, Shoei, and Nolan - will have a variety of shapes within their lines.

Another thing to do when testing for helmet fit is to strap it on how you would to ride, then try to pull it off from the back forward. If you can, it's too big.

Some helmets come with some extra cheek pads of varying thickness that you can change out to adjust the fit.

Ask the salesperson at the store where you shop. A good person will be knowledgeble and will be able to help you pick some helmets that fit your head shape within your price range and will help you figure out the right size and fit.

[Bubba68CS]

Originally Posted by PSNinja

Bubba gives very good advice. In regards to shape, the while some lines of helmets will vary in shape, the higher end helmets - Arai, Shoei, and Nolan - will have a variety of shapes within their lines.

Another thing to do when testing for helmet fit is to strap it on how you would to ride, then try to pull it off from the back forward. If you can, it's too big.
Some helmets come with some extra cheek pads of varying thickness that you can change out to adjust the fit.

Ask the salesperson at the store where you shop. A good person will be knowledgeble and will be able to help you pick some helmets that fit your head shape within your price range and will help you figure out the right size and fit.

Dangit! I forgot that one! How did I forget that one

[northernman]

Most importantly the helmet has to match your flipflops though, or you lose style points.

[Jonesingfor650r]

lol, I'm not worried about fashion as long as my suit & helmet match

[Belrix]

The gear you'll wear will protect you more than the gear you won't. Fashion counts to that limit but don't buy strictly because of the label on your chest on on the helmet. Some gear costs more simply for the reason that Calvin Klein costs more than Wrangler.

Leather Gloves will protect your hands if you pull a superman - personally I make my living through my hands (at this keyboard) and protecting them is important to me.

Boots - over the ankle & leather for every ride. I wear over-the-ankle hiking boots from Timberline when I ride to work so I don't have to change at work. Riding specific sport boots are good protection but most are not comfortable enough for day-wear after you get to your destination. If you want to know why, do a Google image search for "deglove" and "motorcycle" - there's nothing like having your skin ripped off your foot like a sock to impress on you why boots would've been a good idea.

Helmet: IMO the Snell rating is unnecessary and a good DOT one will be cheaper and protect your noggin just as well and for less money. I have a G-MAX which ran about $120. Interesting articles here , here, and here.

Textile jackets (which include Cordura nylon & kevlar) will usually be cheaper than good quality leather, especially the leathers that look like racing leathers. Again, my three-season cordura jacket with the rated elbows & spine protection, zip out liner, etc. cost me around $140 - and that's paying the premium for extra-large sizing.

The MSF rule is "no skin below the chin" - it's a good rule.

[Bubba68CS]

Just to point out: the Snell ratings have been revised (the 2010 ratings)...and take into account a few of the issues brought up in the motorcyclist article.

Even as such, if you plan to do any track days, I believe a Snell rated helmet is required (at least at some tracks).

But no, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a quality helmet...and if a non-Snell helmet fits best, that is the one to get. On the other hand, there is no reason to avoid Snell rated helmets either...so if a Snell rated helmet fits best, get that.

[Belrix]

To meet the new Snell standards, though, you have to look for the M2010 sticker, probably inside the helmet. That's the indicator that it's meeting the new standards. (I'm going to bet it's hard to find while the shops sell out their older inventory).

[Belrix]

Here's an article on the M2010 standard by the same magazine that was critical of the earlier standard in my 2nd link above: Motorcyclist

[Bubba68CS]

Originally Posted by Belrix

To meet the new Snell standards, though, you have to look for the M2010 sticker, probably inside the helmet. That's the indicator that it's meeting the new standards. (I'm going to bet it's hard to find while the shops sell out their older inventory).

Pretty much. Shoei has two new models replacing the RF1000 and X11...so they'll be easy to figure out (the new models are M2010 compliant). Other companies may be doing the same thing, I'm not sure (I think HJC has a replacement out for the CL15). But yeah, gotta check before buying.

[2thdr]

If you want real, unbiased reviews of motorcycles and equipment I believe you have to look at publications that take no advertising money whatsoever. The only publication that exists in that arena I believe is Motorcycle Consumer News. Someone can surely correct me if I'm wrong on this.

I've been told by others (so it just heresay) that if two helmets have equally good fit, and have equal snell/DOT ratings pick the helmet that is NOT just ABS/polycarbonate plastic. Look for ones that are fiberglass (expensive) or a fiberglass/composite (affordable). They are said to absorb and distribute impact forces much better than the plastic ones.

[Jonesingfor650r]

Originally Posted by 2thdr

If you want real, unbiased reviews of motorcycles and equipment I believe you have to look at publications that take no advertising money whatsoever. The only publication that exists in that arena I believe is Motorcycle Consumer News. Someone can surely correct me if I'm wrong on this.

I've been told by others (so it just heresay) that if two helmets have equally good fit, and have equal snell/DOT ratings pick the helmet that is NOT just ABS/polycarbonate plastic. Look for ones that are fiberglass (expensive) or a fiberglass/composite (affordable). They are said to absorb and distribute impact forces much better than the plastic ones.

I don't trust publications, they are always biased imo, I prefer opinions on this site. If you don't think so, try reading consumer guide & compare their review vs one of your own. Also C&D magazine is super biased, they do adverts though. This post may seem incoherent so I do apologize, but my keyboard is dead. So I'm clicking every letter.

[V2K_CCTX]

Originally Posted by Jonesingfor650r

Really? I wasn't even planning on getting boots, nobody seems to mention them for being of any protective value.

NON SLIP SOLES....I remember my most embarrassing moment of recent days. Was right before I bought my V2K. Wife and I stopped into the Kawasaki dealer to look at the beast. Swing my leg over and picked the bike up, almost immediately i lost my footing and damn near dropped right there in the dealership....never wear cowboy boots on a bike. The soles are made to slide...as in two steppin...motorcycle both are made NOT TO! When you pull up to an intersection and put you foot down into antifreeze, water or oil, a tennis shoe wont keep you upright long!