Textiles & boots recommendation & sizes

[BennyC]

It would appear the riding school I plan to do my CBT/DAS with will provide a bike and a helmet but nothing else. They suggest wearing suitable shoes/boots, at least some jeans and a decent jacket. By this I guess they don't mean some timberlands/catepillars, g-stars and a casual jacket

I've had a browse of sportsbikeshop and totalled up everything I would need:

Boots,
Jeans,
Jacket,
Gloves,
Lid,
Various extra bits of armour (depending on how good or bad the textiles are)
and a few other bits and peices. Totalling just over 900 notes.

Obviously I don't need it all now so was thinking of getting boots, jeans and a jacket and using the schools lid rather than wrecking my own should I come off.

Boots:

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/66630#reviews

These caught my eye being waterproof and sounding quite solid from the description as well as looking decent.

Jacket:

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/66036

Again similar reasons above, I think this is waterproof? Not that I plan on riding in the rian much but should I ever get caught out.

Jeans:

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/51145

As above, good reviews, waterproof and reasonably priced.

Thoughts/experience on RST gear for a total novice to MC branding would be appreciated

I don't want to splash out on leathers just yet as I think it's a bit overkill for me right now.

As for the sizing:

Do boots come up small? I'm wearing a 45 pump/plimpsol at the moment.

I'm 5ft 10, have a 34" waist and a 46" chest and thighs coming in around 26" and arms at 16", so I'm not particularly small and train regularly. My backs quite large and I wouldn't want the jacket to restrict movement.

As for the trousers, do they tend to be a snug fit? as I'm thinking a 36" would be a better option, to give me room for my legs and then to adjust them at the top to fit, providing all the armour stays in the right places.

In regards to back protectors does anybody wear them along with the armour provided in any textiles/leathers? and also with hip/elbow/knee armour? or do you remove it from the jackets/jeans and just wear your own armour.

I will try to get to a local store to try some stuff on and see for myself as this is the best bet however I was curious if anybody is familiar with RST gear and their sizing.

Sorry for 101 questions!

BennyC

 

[BennyC]

I wear the jacket in question. I've had no problems with it. I'd suggest getting the trousers that go with it because as well as the additional protection, you can zip them and the jacket together.

Thanks,

What are your thoughts on the armour placement and it's stability? Does it sit in the right place? has it held up well in any spills you've had (if any).

I'm a little concerned buying the larger size trousers will leave me with extra length on the legs and knee armour down by my ankles!

 

[BennyC]

I had RST gear when I first started. If I were you I'd go for a Large or XL Jacket, but the trousers come up fairly big anyway so a large should do you.

Ta, I have plenty of 'badunkadunk' thanks to plenty of squatting so hopefully I won't rip the ass out of them!

I wouldn't buy the boots - mine fell to bits.

Boots: Aplinestars SMX5. The only choice you don't need to make.

The toe fell off 2 pairs of my Alpinestars SMX5 (Waterproof) boots so would avoid.

Conflicting much

I've actually still got the jacket and trousers but don't use it anymore, so if you want it cheap, fire me an email off. The stuff i had was RST Rift.

I may well do in the next few months depending on how things are going and what size etc they are.

 

[BennyC]

Popped in to J&S in Watford today to generally have a browse around and figure out my sizes etc.

34" RST jeans looked like skinny jeans I couldn't bend my legs in them without chopping off blood supply to my knees! So it'll be 36" which have enough room to fit 2 fists down the front of! My mothers a seamstress so she might be able to work some magic on the waistband. The knee armour I have a feeling due to the length of the jeans won't quite sit right when on a bike and think that separate knee armour is probably a better bet for me. They have elastic on the crotch which made them quite comfortable.

The jacket needed to be a 48 which allowed a bit of room for movement and would allow room for a back protector etc.

The model was 'Rift' (or 'Stunt' Can't remember which) the two zipped together which pulled everything nicely in to place.

Boots seemed fine as did a Shoei Quest.

I didn't buy anything today as it's a bit premature but it was good to try it all on.

We also stopped by a Kawasaki/Honda dealer which I had a little sit on a 09 ZX6R which left me with some pant twitching. Do want!

Edit: A not so friendly fellow shopper passed by as I was having a sit/fiddle and said 'You'll be dead within a week'. Charming, I'm more scared of the bloody things than I am excited to ride them!

 

[BennyC]

Snip

Thanks for that.

The 'Rift' combo was leather, I forgot to mention. I didn't have anything on underneath just my boxers. They felt pretty comfy though.

I tried a textile jacket on and it felt completely different, much lighter and a bit easier to move in though I wasn't finding a leather jacket any more difficult to move in and think I'll feel a bit safer wearing one.

I'm going to pop back this weekend so will get the advice of some staff

 

[BennyC]

They were leathers. The armour on the jacket was fine, covered my shoulders & elbows perfectly. The armour in the trousers seemed like it might be a little low though I had no bike to sit on but when putting myself in the position it did cover the right places too, perhaps a little low on the knees which I'd have to get seperate knee armour for if this is the case. They were no means baggy around the legs but were around the waist which is going to happen due to the size of my legs.

 

[BennyC]

Try a 34 or a L in a textile jean (trousers) then. The fit is much different.

Thanks, I will do.