DAS and Helmet's ! Ahhh

[l0p0l]

Hi all, a strange combination I know but any support for my question's would be great.

I passed my CBT in December and finally decided to take the plunge and go for the DAS route now that the weather is picking up. With only a few weeks before I take my course would you recommend I fork out now for decent gear. ?

I have nothing so far and I thought getting a helmet this weekend would be a good step in the right direction.

(yes my course will provide all the essential gear but nothing can beat wearing your own - right ?)

The best fit I have tried on so far are the Shoei's range (XR's/Raid) fit my nogging lovely.

So, I guess in summary.

Would you buy your own gear before DAS.
Would you buy XR1100 over the RAID.
(XR1000 in Medium are hard to find)

Cheers all, sorry if these are dumb questions.
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Kawasaki ER6n
Looking for 60's BSA / Triumph project

[Swim41]

I wouldn't go overboard but I think that your own helmet and gloves would be an advantage as the possibly skanky and ill fitting items provided by a training school might serve as a distraction in a training course/test situation.
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Yamaha XJ600N

[waffles]

I did my CBT wearing my own gear and I plan on doing my DAS in it too. Wearing a helmet that many other people have worn sounds pretty minging! Plus you dont know if someone has dropped or damaged it without the instructors seeing.

Boots would be a good idea - walking boots or army surplus type things that give you some ankle support and are a bit tougher rather than full on biking boots which can be very expensive.

As for the two types of helmet I have no idea. If it fits properly, is comfortable and you like it then buy it.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Ichy]

[Clanger]

[ian789]

I'm currently doing the restricted licence and have put off buying anything yet becuase there is a small chance i won't be able to pass I find the schools helmets ok - clean and because they have a few you can find one which fits spot on, but there could be undetected damage to it i suppose.

[Ichy]

I'm just being a safety Nazi. Laces can come undone and wrap around stuff. Bike boots tend to be designed for sideways impact. Normal boots are built for risks coming from the top or bottom. Steel toecaps can decapitate toes in frontal impact.

Like I said 'just my two pence worth' doesn't hurt to know the facts, just do what you want afterwards.

[Clanger]

I've been riding for 24 years, and have NEVER had trouble with my laces...but that might be because I was taught to tie them at a young age...not having to rely on mummy.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[waffles]

Tie them in a double bow and stick the ends down the top of your boot - problem solved.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Handsome]

[Ichy]

[Clanger]

[snomag]

[Clanger]

[deanoet]

why take the risk though?

A shoe lace getting caught in a cycle chain is bad enough, wouldnt fancy it on a bigger faster scale.

Unlikely as it is if tied correctly, it could only take the one time to be done quickly, or wrongly.



Pretty sure if i was wearing normal boots i would have broken my ankle in my crash. Landing on the side of my ankle from a reasonable height. Still sore now a couple of weeks on.



Yes i can tie my shoe laces, 70mph for an hour + in driving rain and wind?
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[stinkwheel]

A plus point of a laced boot is it can be easily removed in the case of a serious foot injury by cutting the laces.

As an aside. I tie my bike boots (army boots) by having really long laces which I wrap round the top of the boot twice, tuck each end under the wrapped round bit three times and zip my leathers down over the top.

A bow leaves a loop that's too easily caught on a footpeg, potentially leading to a highly embarassing 0mph falling off when you stop at a junction and can't put your foot down. Believe me on this one!
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[karoshi]

[Clanger]

[deanoet]

[waffles]

[l0p0l]

Well thanks for the response guys, I'm glad that you have not turned this post into a flame war ^^.

Regarding the helmet I have gone for a new Shoei XR1100 - More expensive than what I had in mind paying for a starter helmet, but I guess is there such a thing ? The lid fits, its comfy and the brand is well known.

So, that leaves me with the rest of my kit to get.

If I had it my way, Id buy it all new and buy the best I can afford. (Or what the misses will let me get away with) but seriously im torn between what to get.

My wish list would be Sidi Boots, SP1 gloves and RC jacket.

I dont wanna rock up to my DAS and look like an advert for the local dealers.


Ultimately though, that is what I am aiming for, unless anyone would warn me otherwise ?
____________________
Kawasaki ER6n
Looking for 60's BSA / Triumph project

[Handsome]

[deanoet]

End of the day if you hit the road at 30mph on a scooter, a 125cc or a litre sports bike. It is still the same impact.
Think how much skin you lose coming off a pushbike at a 1/3 of that speed

Wear what you feel safe in. Advice is advice. Ideally you want to be well protected. the law says you need a crash helmet. Extra is just a bonus


If you can afford new then buy it. You know the history, you get a good warranty with it and it will likely last longer. Plus u have more chance of it fitting properly and not settling for "near enough".
Equally, second hand, better than nothing, cheaper, as long as it is in good condition there is no probs with it.

Only advise when buying clothing would be unless you plan on keeping your bike a looong time dont colour code.

[tatfan]

Here's something to think about, while deciding what to wear, that I read about somewhere... A guy doing about 20mph on a push bike fell off, hit the Tarmac, and lost approx a kilo of flesh. He just had shorts and t shirt on. I know I could do with loosing a bit of weight, but I'm sure there's nicer ways than that to do it!

[ClaireBear]

I think as long as you know biking is definitely for you, I would get your own gear before the DAS if you can. It will be a lot smarter than the schools stuff lol

For me the safer the gear, the better. However, I have got laced motorbike shoes- I have a knackered ankle and so literally cant flex it into a normal boot so its my only option. I just make sure they are done up good, and they have a velcro flap that goes over the top as well.

I bought quite a cheap helmet before my test, but have since got a lot better one after researching them more thoroughly (and wanting one with an internal sun visor )