Brand new to biking - kit advice requested

[tiger blue]

I did my CBT on Tuesday, and I'm now planning on buying a 125. I'll be using it year-round for commuting (26 mile round trip), bar days where there's a risk of ice. I've been reading various forums and trying to get an idea which clothing brands are respected and which ones should be avoided. I've never ridden before, and I'm quite happy to spend a bit more to get decent levels of comfort, safety and durability. I need a jacket, trousers, boots and gloves.

I have a Shoei Raid helmet, but I bought it 12 years ago to do track days as I had a sports car at the time. I only managed two or three before selling the car, and it's sat in it's box for virtually all that time, and is as new. However, I've been told by several people that despite being virtually unused, the materials have a lifespan and it may not be safe to use any more.

So, which mid-range kit brands would you recommend and why? Should I get a new helmet, and if so what would you recommend?

[Andy_Pagin]

Helmet should be ok it it hasn't been used or knocked hard.
Other kit? Depends to an extent on your commute, slow inner city crawl, or fast A roads, or a bit of both.

Anything goretex is good, but expensive.
I do the same distance as you, city/A and a regular long cross country trip.

My gear:
Caberg lid with a pinlock insert. (£180 ish)
Weisse jacket (£60)
Frank Thomas overtrousers (£60)
TCX Infinity boots (£180 ish if you shop around)
Cheap builders waterproof overtrousers and jacket for rainy days.
Various gloves, not too important to me since I use Tocano muffs (£50) outside of summer.

Had that little lot about four to five years now, apart from the boots.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[Rogerborg]

RST gear is pretty much the definition of mid-range. My Enduro jacket is 5 1/2 years old and still serviceable although the water "proofing" in the elbows gave up several years back. A lightweight waterproof jacket takes care of that. Likewise, waterproof over-trousers work just fine on your legs, there's no need to spunk £800 on Gore-Tex twa​tsuits unless you're planning multi-hour commutes or couriering.

Some folk swear by one piece rain suits. I bought one a few years back and have worn it exactly once.

Boots, eff paying nearly £200 for some posh shoes that will nearly always have some sad owners. I bought Gore-Tex lined grade 1 army surplus boots 4 years ago and have worn them pretty much every day since, on and off the bike. They've never leaked a drop and cost about £35 delivered.

Lids, lots of flapping and speculation over this issue. I'd suspect that it's fine, but that's not a guarantee. If you do replace it, get whatever fits best.

Gloves, doesn't matter, get Tucano Urbano muffs and it's a moot point.

A decent neck warmer is essential. I tried literally (yes, literally) dozens of different buffs, tubes and masks before eventually finding this beauty:

https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/ant123-body-shield-black.html

And I'd suggest you just skip straight to that rather than mucking around.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[tiger blue]

Thank you both for your replies. My commute will be all 30MPH roads, some free-flowing, others pretty congested.

I had a long chat with a colleague earlier on and he was talking about Frank Thomas and Richa as his preferred brands. I've seen a lot of RST about as well. Whilst I like the idea of Goretex jackets, they do seem rather pricey. I'll definitely look in to the army boots, and I'll get one of those snoods. Cheers!

[Val]

[JoeDaStudd]

Where about are you based?

If your Midlands its worth checking out CMC in either Clays Cross or Stoke as they both have an outlet section (others might too) which have some great prices.
Got a RST jacket (Paragon II), trousers (Alpha II or III) and boots (Raptor) with enough change from £200 for a pair of gloves.

Only reason they are cheap is a newer version came out so they sell the old stock in the clearance store/section.

[tiger blue]

I'm based in Sussex. I know of a few shops local to me, and I've been recommended a couple of online places too. I'm aware it's best to try stuff on before I buy.

[pinkyfloyd]

[Harlin67]

Hiya.

Was in the same position as you, with needing gear this march. Few of items I'm pleased with;

RST Tractech Evo CE Waterproof Boots
Great boots, around £120. Waterproof, damned comfy.

ARMR Moto Kiso Jacket
Pretty warm (very), but not waterproof, but for winter/cold riding, does me fine for around £99. All intact so far.

As above was letting in water, I got a Richa Rain Warrior Jacket (£29) as I tried a one-piece waterproof suit and hated the faffing it took to a) get it watertight and b) just get in the bloody thing.

Richa Carbon Winter Waterproof Leather Glove
Love these gloves, waterpooof and warm, but slightly bulky.

Not top of the range gear here, I'm new to biking, so currently being ripped a new one through DAS/tests

Just do some research, as in if something says 'waterproof' it probably means 'light shower proof'

/peace