Bike Gear Thread

IC3

IC3

IC3

Soldato
Joined
3 Dec 2011
Posts
10,228
An idea from a different bike forum, what gear do you have and what would you recommend? A small review is also welcome, but not necessary. It should also help newbies like me to narrow down what brands to avoid and look for.

Follow the format:

Helmet: Shark S700-S with Iridium Blue Visor+Pinlock
Jacket: Dainese Seca D-Dry
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: RST Kevlar Jeans
Gloves: Dainese MIG-C2 / Weise Hornet (Waterproof)
Boots: RST Stunt? (Short ankle)
Additional/After market Armour: D30 Viper L2 Back protector
Accessories: Merino Wool Base Layers / Spada waterproof trousers layer

Short Review/Overview:

I'm happy with most of my gear, apart from RST which I won't be buying in the future and Shark which isn't the best quality either. But it is a budget lid and therefore for the price I paid, I won't argue. :p
 
Last edited:
Helmet: Shark S900C with chrome visor + clear visor and Pinlock
Jacket: Furygan Titan textile/RST R14 leather
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: RST Kevlar jeans/Hood jeans/RST evotech leathers
Gloves: A* SP8(I think)/Gerbing XRS-12 heated
Boots: Richa Zenith
Additional/After market Armour: D30 armour in my Hoods and RST jeans/RST memory foam back protector in my jacket.
Accessories: Merino Wool Base Layers/Enough Kreiga luggage to start a shop

After buying a load of cheap kit when I started it's all been slowly replaced with decent kit so I'm happy with it all except the Richa boots, the outer layer started cracking and letting in water after a few weeks of use and I'm desperate to find a replacement but at the minute they're the only boots that have fitted.
 
Helmet: Nolan N103
Jacket: Merlin Sandon armored wax jacket
Kevlar Jeans: Triumph Engineered jeans with D3O armor
Gloves: Triumph Navigator
Boots: Triumph Highway III
Accessories: 3M earplugs
 
IC3 said:
Boots: RST Stunt? (Short ankle)


Short Review/Overview:

I'm happy with most of my gear, apart from RST which I won't be buying in the future and Shark which isn't the best quality either. But it is a budget lid and therefore for the price I paid, I won't argue. :p
Click to expand...

I have the RST stunt boots, they're okay for casual and i find them quite comfortable. But the red bit of the sole peeled off after just a couple of months.... rubbish!
 
Rossi~ said:
I have the RST stunt boots, they're okay for casual and i find them quite comfortable. But the red bit of the sole peeled off after just a couple of months.... rubbish!
Click to expand...

I find them uncomfortable, the Richa Drift left boot was comfier. Shame one of them was shorter, I quite liked them for the price I paid. :(
 
Helmet: AGV Corsa (Velocity Italy graphics) clear and dark visors with pinlock and Shark Speed-R (Sauer Black Red) integrated dark visor
Jacket: Dainese Racing D1 Pelle and Alpinestars Andes Drystar, both with back and chest armour inserts.
Leather/Textile/Kevlar Jeans: Dainese DELTA PRO C2 Pelle, Alpinestars Andes Drystar, Dainese D1 EVO Jeans
Race suit: Dainese Laguna Seca EVO Perforated
Gloves: Dainese Full Metal D1 and Alpinestars WR-3 Gore-Tex
Boots: Dainese Torque RS Out Air and Alpinestars S-MX Plus Gore-Tex
Armour: Dainese Manis D1 Back Protector and Dainese L2 Chest Protector to wear with the race suit
Accessories: Under Armour HeatGear and ColdGear long sleeve and full leg compression gear, these do a great job at keeping you warm or cool depending on the weather. E.A.R Earsoft FX Ear Plugs 39dB, wouldn't ride without them!

My Dainese gear is for tall people, EU size 104 (2x EU52 for extra height) on the jacket, trousers and suit, at 6'3 ~185lb the fit is great.

My old gear was a mixture of RST and some random things I can't even remember. All rotting away in the back of the garage now!
Having good gear makes all the difference to me, you just forget it is even there and can concentrate fully on the riding. Without a doubt it's worth spending the money on if you can.

The Alpinestars Drystar and Gore-Tex gear is very good for the money, ridden for a good hour in the pouring rain and was perfectly comfortable, just a pain putting it somewhere and cleaning it when you take it off but at least you are dry and warm! If I was doing some serious commuting and touring then I would probably look at some Rukka gear but right now I don't.
 
Helmet: Caberg Duke (Polar White)
Jacket: JTS Legion
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: Hook K7 & Hood B15
Gloves: Nitro NG102 Pro
Boots: Bering Charger
Additional/After market Armour: D30 T5 Evo Pro Knee & Hip
Accessories: ALDI Synthetic Base Layer, 3M Ear Plugs, Tinted Pinlock

The Duke Helmet was a great fit, with sturdy feel - for 6 months. Its due for replacement now as its started creaking and the plastic has pushed out loosening the fit.

I love my JTS jacket, very comfortable, don't notice the armour - does look a bit like Mike Brewers jacket though.

Can't speak highly enough of the Hood jeans, wear the B15s to work as they look fairly smart and I can sit in them all day and forget they are not normal jeans.

Gloves and Boots I also love. Boots are the comfiest I have had, and nearly properly waterproof. The gloves, despite being quite thick are very bendy and have good feel - although are not even slightly waterproof.
 
Helmet: Nolan N90 Classic N-Com flip
Jacket: Buffalo somethingorother textile/Frank Thomas Cruiser leather/Privately Tailored leather jacket
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: CUBE cheapy textile/Halvarssons Morgan Classic leather/Privately Tailored leather trews
Gloves: Weise somethingorother (Winter & Waterproof)/Hein Gericke mesh (Summer)
Boots: British Army 1982 issue BCH high-leg
Additional/After market Armour: Spidey Senses, Forward Observation & Planning, brakes, desire to keep my bike licence.
Accessories: PALS pouches and MOLLE kit, issue shemaghs, various headovers/neckrolls/Buffs.

Short Review/Overview:

Half my stuff was free and the cheap textiles are plasticky crap. Tailored leathers ROCK! Lid is OK, but want a Shoei. Anything somethingorother is at least 10 years old, so holds up great.
 
Shoei XR1100 Tangent TC5 - Safe, roomy, comfortable. Don't like the gap it leaves between the head and neck compared to an Arai.
Weise Brooklands Jacket - Comfy, good for winter and summer, hoody fits under it nicely, surprisingly waterproof.
Hood Jeans - Comfortable, look good, proper pair of jeans lined with kevlar
Richa Nomad Boots - Nice basic shape for an old school bike, waterproof, soles wear out after 2 years.
Richa Scoot Gloves - Nice for summer, little protection
Extras - Generic neck scarf

o_1agaq90md1skd19244k11o541j0a.jpg
 
Last edited:
Helmet: Duchinni D701 (Sharp 4 star)
Jacket: Spada
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: Kevlar Jeans, leather jeans and Spada Textile
Gloves: RST proair(summer), aldi winter
Boots: Spada
Additional/After market Armour: back protector, knee and hip
Accessories: Lidl Base Layers (very good), ear plugs(free from work)
 
Helmet: Nexx Carbon Pure lid with Dark Visor
Jacket: IXS two piece Leathers
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: Just got shot of crap RST textiles, using IXS two piece leathers
Gloves: Frank Thomas FT1 Alpha Gloves Black White
Boots: Alpine Stars SMX Plus (old version, new 2016 is out)
Additional/After market Armour: Force Field Pro Sub 4, Dianesse back protector and HIT AIR inflatable tabard.
Accessories:

Short Review/Overview:

Lid is fasntastic, super light, super cheap, it's done track and tours and weverything still like new. Not the quietest in the world but don't matter with ear plugs in. For £298 you CANNOT get a better lid IMHO. :p

Frank Thomas gloves are the most comfy EVER, but rubbish, both pairs I've had the ends of fingers come away, 2nd set after 4 rides... but they fit perfect... not sure I'll get another pair though now.
 
Helmet: Marushin 999RS
Jacket: Frank Thomas Raptor Sport
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: Frank Thomas-not sure what model
Gloves: Frank Thomas- again not sure what model(Nothing to shout about; not important)
Boots: J&S Mid calf
Additional/After market Armour:-
Accessories: Lidl thermal shirt, Decathlon thermal gloves and balaclava, Heat Holder's socks

Helmet is lovely and light, could do with a pinlock though. Trousers are absolutely brilliant, i'm trying to find the model name as I would genuinely strongly recommend them. Gloves, do what they say on the tin, boots, pretty damn poor but J&S for about £30 after all.

Lidl thermal shirt, again, brilliant, £8 I think a couple of years ago. It holds so much fricking heat in. Long sleeve, skin-tight and bloody brilliant. Bargain.

Decathlon thermal gloves and balaclava, mainly to increase comfort to be honest.

Heat Holder's socks. £5 or so,. Really good, just don't put them in the tumble dryer; they shrink.
 
There is a theme to match Lucy's White/Black :D


Current Gear
Helmet: Shoei GT-Air Wanderer TC5 Black / White
Jacket: Alpinestars GP Pro Leather Jacket - Black / White
Trousers: Alpinestars Track Leather Pants - Black / White
Gloves: Alpinestars GP Plus - Black
Boots: Alpinestars Supertech R - Black
After market Armour: Alpinestars Nucleon KR-2I Back Insert
Accessories: IceBreaker Merino Wool Base Layers, NeckBuff & Alpine Earplugs (PartyPlug).


Future Gear
Jeans: Anything that fits, have very little luck with fit/comfort.


Short Review/Overview
Very happy with everything but the boots are my favourite.
 
Helmet: Shoei Hornet Adv & XR1100
Jacket & Trousers: Hein Gerrick stuff
Gloves: Far to many pairs
Boots: Sid Adventure

Accessories: Merino Wool Base Layers, Kreiga US20 loads of buffs.

The boots are awesome, i feel so safe with them, the Shoei XR1100 is about as comfy as i think you will ever get but dont wear it as i have an adventure bike so pick up the Hornet 90% of the time.
 
Helmet: Shoei XR1100
Jacket: Weise Thruxton in summer, RST Ventilator III in winter
Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: Hood K7 jeans or RST Ventilator III bottoms
Gloves: Alpinestars SP-8 summer, Richa Arctic textile winter
Boots: RST Raptor 2

Accessories: Merino Wool Base Layers, Richa Rain Warrior waterproof over trousers, Buffalo waterproof over coat, Kriega R35 backpack, nice selection of about 6 neck warmer things :D

Short Review/Overview:

My Ventilator kit is starting to get leaky, but probably just needs some waterproof treatment. Boots are going to wear through quickly (what a surprise, it's my only piece of budget kit, don't know why I thought that was a good idea :p), so I'll be going for something like the Sidi B2 next time.
 
Last edited:
Helmet - Arai Axces II
Jackets - Furygan Titan textile and Brutale EVO 2 leather
Trousers - Furygan Duke textile and Hood Kevlar jeans
Gloves - Richa hurricane GTX and Held Racetex GTX
Boots - Alpinestars SMX6 GTX

Others - Aldi and mountain warehouse merino wool base layers, kriega R35/US30, Richa rain warrior waterproof overtrousers/jacket

I've done over 20k commuting miles in most of the above kit, all highly recommended.

Goretex on the extremities is a must, my feet and hands never been wet. I bloody love furygan kit and will be buying more.

Future purchases - Shoei GT Air (probably the regalia colour for a bit of an Italian theme :D) and Sena 10U for summer/touring use, Furygan Bud Evo leather trousers, and 2x kriega US20 packs.
 
Helmet : Shark Evo Series 3
Jacket : Wolf titanium outlast
Trousers : Wolf titanium outlast jeans
Gloves : Wolf R200
Boots : TCX Airtech
Additional/After market Armour: Forcefield upgrade back Insert (002)
Accessories: Merino wool walking soocks, Spada chill factor 2 inner gloves, Weise vision hi-viz waist coat, Marks & Sparks thermal top and bottom (merino Wool ones), various neck warmers etc.

Short Review/Overview:

I've still got a load of Weise gear around but fancied a change a year a go and got most of the main items above then and been very pleased with all of it. The helmet is a very good all rounder, is light for a flip up and with little wind noise overall (probably edging towards medium on the motorway). Special mentions on the jacket, pants and boots though - apart from all being 100% waterproof after 5k miles nothing has got into any of the inner or outer pockets at all. I've got a Weise hornet jacket that I may use again in summer and while decent overall a little dampness would creep into the pockets eventually even though they were fully lined. The boots have been nothing short of a revelation - they're summer boots but have not let a drop in and they're very comfy to walk in off the bike too. The forcefield back insert feels like it would stop a sniper round but I've not been in any wars to test this yet fortunately. The gloves are short three season ones, are well made like the rest of the Wolf gear (British too) - they're very comfortable as well and combined with the inner gloves mentioned have worked exceptionally well this past winter. Finally I've also been impressed with the M&S thermal top and bottoms, which I've now got three sets of. They feel tailor made and are very warm. I just used some random walking layers previously but these are a clear step up - if this winter hadn't been so mild I'd have bought a load of their socks too.


* edited to the correct format.
 
Last edited:
Helmet: AGV K5

Jacket: (and trousers...) Aerostich Roadcrafter Classic one piece suit; Triumph Adventure mesh jacket.

Textile/Leather/Kevlar Jeans: I own some Draggin cargo pants, plus older textile gear and leathers I no longer really use.

Gloves: Dianese short gloves for summer; Weise Legend gloves for winter/rain.

Boots: Altberg roadrunner; Sidi Mythos

Additional/After market Armour: Just what's built in to the above

Accessories: Buff neck tube (I think polar? It's got a warmer material on the bottom); Halvarssons neck collar (waterproof front)

Short Review/Overview:
After years of cheaper kit I finally spent out on an aerostich last year and it's proven to be excellent. Certainly not cheap, indeed very pricey, but it provides excellent protection and ease of use. I rarely use anything else, although I have an older Hein Gericke goretex suit which gets occasional use, and for nice summer days I will use my mesh Jacket (cheap from the Triumph outlet store) and Draggin cargo pants.

I've had my Altberg boots for around 3-4 years and they are still wonderful. Cheap boots kept falling apart. The Sidi's are goretex and nice for more casual wear, but a bit stiff to walk in.

My Weise gloves are a bit knackered, my Dianese's have lasted very well.

I find the AGV helmet provides a very good fit (they do 2 "Medium" sizes, I am medium/small) although I could never get the supplied pinlock to seal fully.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom