New to biking - Choice of gear

[nik_nunez]

Been looking about and went to the local HG shop, shortlisted a few things and just wanted some views on what i have looked at and if they are any good compared to others of a similar price:

Textiles top : HG Devon 3 - £120
Textiles bottom : HG Devon 2 - £104
Gloves : HG Touring classic - £45
Boots : HG Tour GTX - £140

Helmets:

AGV Airtech: £130
AGV S4 Matt: £170
AGV Stealth Arabesque: £200

depending on the helmet it comes to about £550-£600, will be getting the HG int free deal to have more money to buy a SV650S, if there is anything else i have missed please let me know

what do most people use for security for their bikes?

will be mostly using the bike to commute to work about 30 miles each way and needs to be waterproof and warm(ish)

thanks in advance

[dodger]

Can't really got wrong with HG stuff, you might want to get a leather jacket and Draggin jeans or similar for the really hot days but they will add around £200 to your budget, so would really depend on your finances...

Might want to consider a back protector also, I never used to wear one but now wont go out without it, but I think you've got the essentials covered...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[jonchivers]

[Grav]

Heine Gericke is good quality kit, but shop around. You can get some good deals from J&S on kit of equal quality.

https://secure.jandsclothing.co.uk//
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Dark Lord Of Custard

snigger.....

[B_A_B]

[ratboy]

second the back protector- only get one spine.
some other things like face/neck protectors to stop wind and fogging tend to be useful. request a copy of busters from www.busters-accessories.co.uk if you fancy browsing, they always seem to have a few handy bits in stock.
when it gets wetter and more like winter (hopefully a long time away) stuff like super warm gloves and balaclavas come in to play, but you can enjoy that when it comes!

tom

[G]

I've crashed a lot of times without a back protector and it hasn't made my back any worse (have got a dodgy back, but that's definitely from other things).

Not saying don't get one, but if you want to be safe on the road, I'd say the money would be better spent on doing your IAM, which should hopefully help you avoid the requirement for one in the first place .

For me, the kit above all seems rather expensive, though if the textiles do last waterproof and in good nick for years, then suppose it's worth it.
I think I may have the gloves you listed - they were expensive HG ones anyway. Haven't tested them (well maybe once actually, but not a serious impact), but they seem 'ok' so far, though not amazing.

[Seb]

Make sure you try the stuff on to see that its comfortable and fits well, keep in mind that knee armor will hang low (Generally just below your knees) whilst your stood straight so don't worry about that too much.

As mentioned HG is consistently decent stuff, but certainly not the cheapest around, however the interest free deal is great.

Again, as far as the lids go, ignore the graphics, the name or the brand image, just try the things on and wander round the shop with it for a few minutes, if it isn't a perfectly tight and comfortable fit, put it back and try something else. Again the staff should be able to advise you on what you need to check for to ensure the lid fits you safely.

Imho a back protector is overkill for a commuter on a budget but thats really a personal thing.

As far as security goes, I've got an Oxford Patriot disc lock and an Almax S3 chain, the oxford stops the opportunists if I'm parked up for a little bit, the Almax ensures the bike is going nowhere in the longer term, just do yourself a favour and avoid Oxford's chains (Like most of their stuff), they are pretty naff if you ask me.

Good luck with the bike, I hope your commute covers some good roads
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[B_A_B]

[Keir]

boots and back protector at must haves for me. when i crashed i hit my back hard on the kerb and the bike landed on my ankle wearing a hole in the ankle protector plate of my A* boots - would have been very nasty without my kit.
I got my back protector for £10 from lidl or aldi and cant fault it. not all good kit is expensive.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[nik_nunez]

thanks for all the advice,

forgot to mention the guy said i can get a HG back protector for 29.99 or 39.99, so thats a must, its 2 of us and we will be spending about 1k in the place so hopefully will get a good deal

[TechJinx]

I went to HG for the full works when I passed my test and although I spent roughly double what you're looking at I can't fault any of it.

started riding in the depths of winter commuting 25 miles each way through east and north london in horrendous and freezing weather and the stuff has kept me warm and dry the whole time. Makes a massive difference to how well you can ride when you first start off if you're not worrying about being cold and wet and can concentrate properly on the road.

Also agree with the comfort thing on the helmet, I tried loads on and went with the most comfortable, (which unfortunately turned out to be a £350 Arai chaser.....)
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[nik_nunez]

next question

the place i will park the bike (hopefully a SV650S) will be outdoors, surley it cant be good leaving it to get rained on etc? whats the best options to keep it in good order

and dont say park it indoors

[B_A_B]

Get a 100% waterproof bike cover with an antiscratch lining and under-ties (incase it gets windy).
You can pick them up for £10-£100 depending how much you wanna spend.
I got this one and can`t fault it.
https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MCYCLE&pcode=MTXMHBC1

[stinkwheel]

Double check the "waterproof" claim on the kit.

A claim of being waterproof is, in my experience, a blatant untruth around 90% of the time when it comes to bike gear.

So, ask them if waterproof really means waterproof or if it means "Ok for the first ten minutes then you land up sitting in a puddle of tepid water as if you've pissed yourself.".

Particularly with the HG kit, check it isn't supposed to have a liner or similar. A German mate of mine translated the inside label of one of the "Waterproof" jackets and it said words to the effect of "Only waterproof when used in conjunction with jacket liner. Part number: 1234ABC.".

That said, all the HG kit I have is very good and they sold me the only pair of truly waterproof bike gloves I have ever owned. Just make sure you check it out with the staff first. If they assured you something was waterproof and it turned out not to be, they will take it back, no quibble.

For £200 you could get the basic model Arai lid. They usually either fit really well or not at all.
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