Bikers - Question regarding gear

Bobbler

Bobbler

Bobbler

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
4,210
Location
Bath, UK
Just about to take to two wheels after a long gap in riding (about 10 to be exact) and I am doing my direct access etc at the end of next month.

Been looking at gear for riding which is going to do me for occassional weekend blasts with my mates as well as coping with a daily commute in various weather conditions all year round.
After spending some time over the last week at various bike stores I think that an Alpinestars Titan jacket fits the bill. Its waterproof, textile (not got the right build for leathers with my belly LOL) and looks pretty good. Most of the others I have looked at have been very pricey in the case of Hein Gericke Cruise (which I believe is a very good coat, I just dont like the colours or 3/4 length of it).
Is Alpinstars gear actually any good? Or if anyone has the jacket can they tell me how it copes with daily wear and tear as well as good old Blighty's ever changing weather.

Edit:

Sorry but another quick couple of questions (its a bit of a nightmare thinking I may be spending about 1k on gear only to find out it doesnt work when I need it too)...
...is the Arai Astro R a decent enough lid to be riding around on a 650cc motorbike?
...any recommendations for ground anchors/chains/locks? I will be keeping my bike outside on the patio as we dont have a garage here. But it is already being fitted with a Meta 357 TV2 which I understand is a good alarm system and I have just ordered a Datatag kit to hopefully put off the parts vultures a bit.
 
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Buy the best Helmet you can afford, i have a...........suomy extreme.
Do not listen to anybody else regarding this matter.

As for leathers, i never wear any, so cant give you anyother recomendations other than you look for the least amount of seams, and those seams they do have are furthest away from likely skid points.
 
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The helmet is not really a negotiable item like you say, I just wondered if its up to the job. They do one more step above this model in the Arai entire range but seems to be limited to race rep style which I dont really want. Nearly half my gear budget (£1k) is going on the helmet as I prize my brains above all else really ;)
 
Chains - Almax immobiliser III with a Squire lock. As close to uncroppable as you'll find. Not cheap though.
Helmets - don't just buy the most expensive, it won't mean it's better. Find one that is comfortable over all else.

**edit -Series III, not II**
 
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as he said regarding helmet, but if you can afford anything 300 quid + then they are all as good as each other really.

Ive got a OGK GP3 carbon lid that cost 280 quid, very very light, looks cool, and has a aerofoil on the back to keep the front upwards at high speeds.

leathers, i rarely wear them, i have 2 sets of dianese leathers, one standard dianese branded 2 piece and another one peice ducati branded, only wear the leathers if im going for a ride with the lads, just wear a leather jacket (dianese ducati GP one) and jeans with trainers if im tootling around.

hth cass
 
Almax series 3 immobiliser chain + squire lock, google almax to find the site. The blokes that run it are top and do good deals and the chain is an absolute beast.
Helmet wise, get one that fits, a expensive helmet that doesn't fit won't help you much :)
Alex
 
atpbx said:
Buy the best Helmet you can afford
Click to expand...

I do agree with this, but personally would say buy the best helmet you can afford to readily replace if you need to.

I'd rather ride MX in a £100 lid that I know is in tip top nick, than a £350 Arai that's been dropped on the floor but I can't afford to replace.
 
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Mohinder said:
I do agree with this, but personally would say buy the best helmet you can afford to readily replace if you need to i.

I'd rather ride MX in a £100 lid that I know is in tip top nick, than a £350 Arai that's been dropped on the floor but I can't afford to replace.
Click to expand...

Very sound advice. Also, they have a lifespan you shouldnt exceed.

Check for the kite mark and a gold label - I have forgotten which mumbers to look for and what means what but you shouldn't buy the lesser types.

Regarding leathers, they arent essential but jeans may as well not be there! Man-made trousers designed for the job have certain qualities that are better than leather too, so for general getting about /commuting they are great.

If you plan to do trackdays you MUST wear either a one-piece or a two piece suit that zips together all the way around. Anything else is practically suicide.

Dont forget boots too - I had a spill wearing trainers at low speed and was lucky to escape with as little ankle damage as I did. I have had one at slightly higher speed wearing boots where my foot ended up between the bike and the tarmac. Without good solid ankle protection, my ankle would have been snapped for sure.
 
Cheers guys.

I tried on about 20 various helmets and TBH the Arai was the only one which felt snug, comfortable and not massively heavy. I kept it on while I tried on some jackets and gloves (got some odd looks but dont really care) and seemed to suit nicely.
 
After a helmet the most important bit of kit is Gloves. Your hands hit the ground first, often before the head and fingers rub away quite easily with friction...............
 
I wear Alpinestars Tech Road gloves,
The ones at the top of this page

They are fully waterproof, even after 3hours of riding in heavy rain my hands were dry. They arent the warmest gloves though, but I find them comfortable in both summer and winter conditions.

Ive also got a pair of Sidi Vertigos boots, again they keep my feet dry but dont stop the cold too well, so I wear a pair of cold killer inner socks, and a cold killers neck tube. The neck tube works very well.
 
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