Good value all weather gear?

asta1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Dec 2015 Karma :

Hello all,
I passed my CBT this summer and have finally scraped enough cash together to pick up my first bike. I have settled on a ybr125 to start off, on the assumption that it isn't likely to be nicked and I should get most of my money back in a year when I sell it, but was looking for some advice on good value protective and weatherproof clothing as well as helmets. Realistically, the budget is £350-500 all in, preferably towards the lower end as it gives me a bit more to spend on the bike and insurance.
I will be riding most days in rainy Manchester, including through the winter if necessary, so decent warm stuff is a priority. Journeys will however be short.
Thoughts?
Cheers, A.

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

Try a hjc is-17 helmet on. I dont know if it fits your headshape but has pinlock (the dogs balls if anti fog), a nice visor mechanism, decent vents and a good sharp score. If you can't get get a good fit try other helmets that come with pinlocks. Is17 is too round for me do I'm wearing a shark.

Tucano urbano r333 muffs for the winter. Under 40 squids if you shop around. Then warm enough when it's just above freezing with a 50mph or more windchill and gloves that aren't so thick you cant feel the levers.

I like gloves with xtrafit but you might be pushed for price. I like the IXS narius, its a good touring glove, it feels good on my hands and it fits me. But spendy. Try loads on. Get what fits. If you do slip over the heel of your hand is hitting the deck first. Comsider that when comparing gloves. Reenforced bits at the heel of your hand, hard sliders or superfabric are likely useful. Goretex is goid if gou can afford it. You will accumulate several pairs of gloves over the years.

I'm wearing frank thomas or IXS tromso textile trousers, both affordable and reasonably good for the money, girlfriend is in rst trousers. My leathers are rst and i will likely get rst textiles the next time around. My waterproof jacket was Hein Gericke and spendy outside of sales. Get a jacket and trouser combo that zip together. I put my girlfriend in an rst jacket. Removable thermal linings make kit doubly useful.

Boots might spark a fight. Go with what fits and feels good. Mine are spendy altbergs and will kill your budget, but before that a cheap pair of bullsons means i still have a foot. Girlfreind is in some inexpensive frank thomas boots that were the only pair that fit right. Had a proper soaking or two on tour and didnt leak. Put some ling warm socks on when you try boots. If you can only get into them in super thin dress socks then you will be cold.

Raid aldi or a sports shop for longjohns, thermal vests, and long warm socks.

I think i spent 500 getting everything for the girlfriend in one go. I knew what i was buying and there was a tour deadline looming. I'd had a few disasters with mail order kit not being right becasue girl sizing is a lottery, so i just threw my card at j&s. You can probably save a bit with ebay and some patience. That said you'll have more choice of cheap items and the bargin bins if you are typically boy shaped. I've spent plenty more on myself, but thats over many years, a few crashes and i ride nearly every day.
____________________
Bandit. does. everything.

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Leathers are windproof/warmer with less bulk & more protective against abrasion' whereas with textiles - wind blows straight through them which is why they use a really thick/heavy thermal liner that doesn't really work & adds unnecessary bulk inside the jacket/pants.
I recommend 'non skin tight' - comfortable touring leathers with waterproof over trousers/pants, choose either a full face or flip front helmet with internal sin visor & pinlock visor for an anti-fog insert that fits correctly without too much pressure that would make the ears ache after 10 mins.

Neck collar/brace: EVS R2 ride without it at your own risk Shocked

Jeans:
i wear These every day for at least 3 hrs in the saddle & would buy the same ones again if i ever took a tumble & ruined them beyond repair Thumbs Up

Thermal layers This base layer' the merino wool gets a bit 'itchy' sometimes but doesn't stop me wearing it. price has bumped up from £40-£50 Shocked

& This mid layer, these worn together are pretty toasty Thumbs Up

Jacket: i wear a cheap discontinued J&S leather jacket' but something like This will be a good comfortable jacket.

Boots: These are the comfiest & cheapest i've owned & also wear them every day Thumbs Up

Gloves: absolute minefield Laughing

out of about 35 pairs the only one's that stand a chance of stopping the pinkies frostbiting are These although a bit on the expensive side tbh so try others members suggestions too.

Armour: 99% of jacket's come with last gen CE level 1 hard/uncomfortable as a brick armor & have a terrible piece of wafer thin foam or stiff cardboard for a back protector along with nothing at all for chest protection Thumbs Down

by far the easiest/safest way to buy the best body armor is to buy the whole Harness/vest with everything on it Thumbs Up

i highly recommend the full CE level 2 Forcefiled EX-K Harness Adventure or the Extreme Harness Adventure if you can't justify the EX-K price...although the Extreme Harness is only CE level 1 Thinking

1 last note: installing a windshield on the bike redirects the wind off the torso which is a HUGE BONUS as less thermal layers are needed - another added bonus for walking round shopping centers in all the gear Thumbs Up

wr6133 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 Dec 2013 Karma :

I've been commuting in this lately, would probably make a decent setup within your budget.

https://www.megamotorcyclestore.co.uk/ixon-typhon-textile-jacket-black/

https://www.motocard.com/en/pants-2/alpinestars-express_drystar_overpants.aspx?ctry=uk¤cy=&utm_campaign=comparadores&utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparadores_en&utm_term=pants_alpinestars_m-0227481&size=3XL&gclid=Cj0KEQiAyvqyBRChq_iG38PgvLgBEiQAJbasdzMubgSqmlArKKVQ4lYBXdrZ9jV1d7wKcFpvlsO__RYaAlnb8P8HAQ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/262053243836?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=pla-131843272146&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&ff19=0&device=c&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

Rain, sleet and ice it's kept me warm and dry.

The jacket I rate Thumbs Up

I've gone through a few textile jackets ranging from pikey cheap to fairly expensive and this is the first that manages to be waterproof, warm, decent pockets, comfortable and reasonably priced.

JonE · Scooby Slapper Joined: 11 May 2010 Karma :

I can highly recommend Alpinestars Andes jacket and trousers,

Jacket:

https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/alpinestars-andes-drystar-jacket/3361

Trousers:

https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/product/alpinestars-andes-drystar-trousers-black/3362

Warm, waterproof and very comfortable.

Cheers

Jon

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

DrSnoosnoo · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

Keep an eye out on eBay and Gumtree like Roger mentioned.

I picked up a GoreTex jacket from Denton for £90 and it was pretty much brand new.

Trousers can be more difficult to find online second hand, I think. But I've got some Hein Gericke trousers. That shop has been shut down now though.

Gloves. As everyone has said, get muffs. I've just put some on, it slightly affects how much steering angle I have but only when at pushing speed. Beneath said muffs, you can wear any mid price glove, I've used my leather summer gloves and my GoreTex thick winter gloves and my hands have been the same temperature regardless.

Boots. I understand the idea of getting Army surplus and I may try some when these boots finally let go but bike specific boots can be had for £150 (cheaper options are very well regarded too! look on ghost bikes for "Black" as a brand) and, like my current A*s, should last a good few years, these are on my third winter now and after a clean, look ok with my leathers.
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Has two cameras, but sadly neither of them is capable of photographing an odometer. Sad

On the other hand, you can see exactly what following his "all weather" gear suggestions will make you look like, so that's pretty helpful. Thumbs Up

____________________
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

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

How chastised I must feel.

Oh, on the subject of Frank Thomas, you'll want to eschew the chav-lid and race-brace for a decent thick, long neck tube that will form a good draught-proof seal with your textiles.

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

asta1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Dec 2015 Karma :

Thanks very much guys, very helpful. Forgive my ignorance but what is pin lock? I am given to understand that leathers are both expensive and not particularly waterproof? Possibly more important than their ability to pull girls in Peugeot 208s, especially as girls don't seem that interested in guys on cheap 125 commuters with L plates anyway! Cheers.

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

nowhere.elysium · The Pork Lord Joined: 02 Mar 2009 Karma :

asta1 · Scooby Slapper Joined: 03 Dec 2015 Karma :

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Yes, yes, great vengeance and fuuuuurious anger.

OP, you can try leathers, they are viable. But once you've layered thermals under them and waterproofs on top, you'll soon realise why most commuters (as opposed to pleasure riders out spunking their disability benefits) go for textiles. It saves some time and fumbling at either end of your commute. Take on, take off, job done.
____________________
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

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :

IMPOSSIBLE TO HELP/ADVISE FOLKS ON HERE WITHOUT OTHERS DIVING IN - PICKING ON THE PAST & DERAILING THE OP's THREAD, FUCK ALL YOU HATERS & FUCK THE ADMINS/MODS WHO CAN'T RUN THE FORUM TO THE USUAL STANDARDS.

.. · Banned Joined: 01 Sep 2015 Karma :