Motorbike Kit: What do you use?

Doran

Doran

Doran

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Joined
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Location
SE London
Would be interested in seeing your kit breakdown as I begin to consider my own.

Boots: Daytonas - the best? I see TCX Infinity GTX won Ride magazine boot of the year - anyone use it? There are some cheaper boots out there, like Spadas, anyone use these?

Jackets: Leather or textile? (I hate the look of textile so will prob go for leather)

Spine Protector:?

Trousers: Leather, Jean or Textile - or all in one with jacket?

Gloves?

Anything else?

Cheers

(This is not just for my benefit, though some of you might like to share what you use and for other bikers to see too).
 
Doran said:
Would be interested in seeing your kit breakdown as I begin to consider my own.

Boots: TBH I know it's "wrong" but I tend to just wear a pair of trainers for 90% of my riding

Jackets: Textile

Spine Protector: None

Trousers: Textile

Gloves? Leather

Anything else? Helmet?

Cheers

(This is not just for my benefit, though some of you might like to share what you use and for other bikers to see too).
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I used to have a black textile-ish jacket with titanium spine protector, titanium shoulder and titanium elbow/arm guards built in, was cool :P
 
its odd that your kit breakdown misses off the one most important bit, the helmet.

Doran said:
Would be interested in seeing your kit breakdown as I begin to consider my own.

Boots: average leather boots, would consider the tcx infinity when mine need replacing, try them on see what is comfy

Jackets: Leather

Spine Protector: Nope.

Trousers: Textile (wouldnt recommend jeans even bike ones they arent great in a real off)

Gloves? Yes always,

Anything else? Helmet, Decent sunglasses.

Cheers

(This is not just for my benefit, though some of you might like to share what you use and for other bikers to see too).
Click to expand...
 
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my kit is all way to old and needs replacing, cant afford new stuff atm

Arai Quantum F Crafar
Rubbish Buffalo 2 piece leathers with bad fitting armor, they also gone baggy from all the miles and rain. Had some Dainese stuff but it fell apart in a couple of seasons...
Oxtar TCS boots, lasted real well but armor joints squeak so have to lube with wd40
Alpine Star GP Plus summer gloves and cheapo Hein Gericke winter ones
Old leaky ripped up Belstaff oversuite for bad weather

Only things I rate above are the Alpine Star gloves and Oxtar boots, rest is junk.

Heine Gericke is a great place for well made cheap gear, my next stuff will all be from there, and from what I hear a lot of there stuff is made by same factory's as branded gear



Zip pulls are broken on jacket and boots, both have cable ties round them so I can work them... street cred ?, not me lol

edit: oh yeah a heine gericke balaclava, cant do without this in minus temps
 
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as its winter... From Head to toe

KBC lid, not sure on model

Oxford Neck Warmer (Thermal, not silk)

Spada textile jacket and a long sleeved t-shirt
- Has CE armour in the back, shoulders and elbows, and zips to the pants.

Spada summer gloves with oxford windproof thermal linings underneath
- Has CE armour in the knees, and soft armour over the hips and ass - this is the important bit :P.

Spada textile pants with either its thermal lining or a pair of jeans underneath

Generic thermal socks

Spada sports boots

I was "window shopping" at dainese in manchester on friday night.. good job they were shut :P
 
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Boots: Alpinestars SMX-Plus
Jacket/Trousers: Alpinestars MX-1 two-piece leathers
Spine Protector: Forcefield Pro L2
Gloves: Alpinestars GP-Pro
(All above in Black)

Other: Disposable earplugs
 
whats it like riding with earplugs ?, I've never used them for last 20 odd years, but admit I think my hearing is shot :(, so damage already done
 
earplugs! that reminds me.. i need to get some myself..

I have been riding with earphones which helps a BIT, but i need to get some proper in-ear ones really (mine broke).

I would say something in your ears to stop them getting battered by the low thuds you get are fairly necessary after about 50mph, under that it doesnt seem loud enough to cause any lasting damage.. i'm no ear expert though!
 
Doran said:
Rider Type: Everything, Commuting, Traveling, Track Addict :p Riding is risky enough so dont take any risks protecting myself, always wear the best I can all the time.

In summer or as soon as its around 10c :p

Helmet: Arai Viper GT

Boots: Sidi Vertigo Corsa's

Jackets: Either Alpinestar Two Piece set or my BKS one Piece Kangaroo and Stingray hide!

Spine Protector: Just a standard Knock thing, want to get a Forcefield soon, with chest and other protection on it.

Trousers: Alpinestar Two Piece or BKS one Piece

Gloves: Alpinestar GP Pro or BKS Race gloves, Kangaroo leather and Stingray Hide again :p

Really Tempted to use those Dainese Kneck protectors on track....

In Winter

Same as above really, got a one piece waterproof for when its raining hard, but I have a windproof and quick waterproof lined fleece that I wear 90% of the time over my leathers.
Some hein Gericke winter two fingered gloves and Some Puma Waterproof boots, theyre good :)
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X-Lite 801RR helmet
Frank Thomas textile jacket
Alpinestar gloves
Axo boots
Levi's with GTX army over trousers.

Will at some point get some proper trousers, but having trouble finding some that fit on the waist and my long legs. Also looking at getting some MX boots for riding, more protection.
 
Much better with earplugs, it feels weird now if I DON'T use them :) . The noise used to be terrible without when you get over about 40-50mph, not from the engine but from the wind noise. I actually feel like I can hear MORE of what the bike's doing when I have the earplugs in than without and it definitely helps me focus on my riding. Just a bit annoying when getting petrol etc, you have to just hand over the money and nod like you can understand them behind the till :D .
 
Boots : Sidi Vertigo Mega Gore-Tex
Back Protector : Forcefield Pro L2
Jacket : Wolf black leather jacket
Trousers : Wolf black leather trousers with unmarked knee sliders :p
Gloves : Wolf black kangaroo leather gloves
Helmet : Arai Chaser
Anything else : Cold killers mini tube, and thermals.

Just added the cost of it all up, and really wish I hadn't!

Rate everything to be honest, but I don't have anything to compare them to. Leathers are great, well ventilated so I don't sweat at all, but I have to wear thermals under them even in the summer. Really impressed with the back protector too - fit is great, and doesn't get in the way.

Only 2 things I'd change if I could would be the helmet purely for price reasons - I suspect something for half the price would be as good, and secondly, the boots. They're very comfortable and waterproof, but the soles are wearing really quickly, they're very cold, and they sqeak every step you take. :)
 
Whilts on this subject, what are peoples thoughts on ankle boots? I'm considering them as I would be a lot more inclined to wear them for shorter journeys where I need to walk a bit where I would normally wear trainers (tut tut)??
 
So was I wrong in suggesting the Daytonas were THE boot to have?

They are made in germany, and anything that comes from the Fatherland I trust. :)

Forgot about helmet - I am just going to get whatever has five stars from Sharp.
 
Belstaff Leathers
AGV Lid
Alpinestars SP1 Gloves (Summer)
Alpinestars Jet Road Goretex (Winter)
Leather boots unknown. (To be replaces this week hopefully)

Got goretex style trousers for the wet weather and PU overtrousers for showers.
 
Doran said:
So was I wrong in suggesting the Daytonas were THE boot to have?

They are made in germany, and anything that comes from the Fatherland I trust. :)

Forgot about helmet - I am just going to get whatever has five stars from Sharp.
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well pick one with 5 stars yeah... but I would print them out then start trying stuff on, if it doesn't fit properly then doesnt matter how many stars it has.

when I got my Arai years ago it was only lid in shop that fit my weird shaped head, unfortunately it was most expensive also at £450, and that was 8 years back I rekon, so it's well in need of replacing.

seems Alpinestar gloves get nod in this thread, must admit they are very well made... just takes a while to get used to the webbed little finger
 
I wouldn't personally stress too much about having 5 sharp stars tbh, from the things I read their tests are based on data that's been wrongly interpreted and gives a lot of bias to side impacts where most common is front.

Still obviously a 5 star helmet is going to be decent but if you like the look of a 4 star and/or it fits you better over a 5 then personally I wouldn't have an issue buying it.
 
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On the Alpinestars gloves..

I am on the second set of winter gloves (replaced under warranty at only 8 months old , linings detached).

I have recently nakard a seam in my summer gloves. (Will be another warranty job as there only 9 months old


I have to agree with everyone else that the helmet fit is the important part Shoe did not fit me at all the Arai did but the AGV was better.
 
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