Review of my gear - add yours!!

[j.silvs]

Thought I would do a review after 6 months of all that I have bought to wear and use on the bike since starting my lessons in October. Hopefully may help some people who may be looking at buying any of these. Please do add yours too

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Lid - HJC FS 11 £99.99
Verdict: Good Buy

https://www.lidsdirect.co.uk/helmets/brand/hjc-helmets/hjc-fs-11/hjc-fs-11-emblem-matt-black.html

Bad points:

Not many, quite a lot of wind noise without chin curtain and that doesn't stay in place to well

Good points:

Many - internal visor, air pump to tighten and loosen, very comfy, feels like it has been built well

Jacket - Alpine stars TGPR Jacket £179.99
Verdict: Bad Buy

https://www.ghostbikes.com/products/on-road-gear-motorcycle-jackets/4188-alpinestars-t-gp-r-motorcycle-jacket.html

Bad Points:

Loads, the zips are of bad quality so teeth may get un-done when riding, the Velcro on the pockets are starting to come apart, inside pocket starting to tear, inside lining is bobbling, not waterproof at all (ghost bikes have since taken that away from spec), bastard to clean any white bits

Good Points:

The name... That's it

Trousers- Alpine Stars AST 1 Trousers £99.99
Verdict: Good Buy

https://www.ghostbikes.com/products/on-road-gear-motorcycle-trousers/4183-alpinestars-2012-ast-1-motorcycle-trousers.html

Bad Points:

None as of yet

Good Points:

Fully waterproof, very warm, armour sits in right places, very understated branding, nice waterproof zipped pocket on left leg above the knee

Boots- Nitro NB 31's £49.94
Verdict: 50/50

Bad Points:

Starting to smell, rubber sole starting to peel from boot and wear on inside heel

Good Points:

Fully water proof, very warm, easy to get on and off (short), has a slight groove which sits nicely on pegs, comfy to walk around in, cheap

Gloves- Spada Vortex Pro II £38.95
Verdict: Good Buy

https://www.ghostbikes.com/products/ghostbikes.com-brands-spada/1774-spada-vortex-pro-motorcycle-gloves.html

Bad Points:

Not the best for winter riding but do have slight fleece inside, used under gloves which helped

Good Points:

Good quality leather, no wear signs anywhere yet, good looking glove, plastics are good quality, light

[P.]

Nitro carbon lid £99

A month old, no too bad, great buy, lightweight but could do with better cheek pads, not glasses friendly.

Generic no name chinky textile jacket £40

Lastest 3 years, doing pretty well, warm and loadsa pockets, starting to wear out now, but 40k will do that to a jacket.

Akito Python textiles £10

Lasted since I was 17...so nearly 7 years. Ripped to fuck but still waterproof. Cannot fault and will upset when I replace them.

Sidi boots £Free

Got given them when Mrjoolz got new ones. Great boots and waterproof! Prior to that, My Etnies were the trainer of choice.

[-LG-]

Lid

Caberg Konda - £120ish

It was cheap, it was OK to start with when I was learning and not going above 50/55. Now, however its crap. Anything about 60/70 and it feels like its going to flip open. Its bloody loud at anything above 40.

I will be replaying it come pay day hopefully.

However it was the only lid that I tried on (for less than £150) that was a great fit. So I guess its good in that way.

6/10 - Great fit, sun visor is great (main thing I wanted), but loud and doesn't feel like it will stay shut!

Jacket

Rukka Athos Gore Tex - £500

I'm so glad I spent the money on a decent jacket. It keeps me warm and dry. Not much more to say about it really.

9/10 - Pain in the arse to do the poppers up though!

Trousers

Rukka Argonaut Gore Tex - I got them cheap at around £200 (old stock).

Same as the jacket, glad I spent a bit more than I planned (OK a lot more, my budget was £250 for jacket/gloves and trousers!)

9/10 - Zip has broken, most likely to me being a fat bastard though.

Gloves

No idea what type they are. Similar to Gore Tex, cost around £80/£90.

Keeps me dry, and warmish.

8/10 - I get cold quickly, might not be down to them though!

Boots

Old pair of Magnums Patrol Boots that I used to wear when policing. Three years old, worn pretty much daily. Battered to death, and not very water proof, but good enough for now.

7/10 - Sure they would be better if they were new, but need to replace them somewhen

When I check in the morning I'll say what the gloves are.

I've had all this kit since December. Worn pretty much daily since middle of Feb. Coming up to 2,000 miles in them.
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[karoshi]

Helmets

Marushin 777, this one:
https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sS5OTR2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Pros: Cost £25, 4* sharp score

Cons: fit is crap now pads have worn in - to the extent that it presses in on the back of my head uncomfortably, noisy, visor is really thin and flimsy, fogs up badly given any excuse, definately won't buy this brand again.

Lazer Vertigo
https://media2.moto-land-net.com/5963-1051-large/full-face-helmets-lazer-vertigo-lx-mat-black-mle014260-at-discount-price.jpg

Pros: bought in 2001 for £50, fitted nice for a cheap helmet, cheap visors, not too noisy, good sharp score

Cons: fitted nice for about 2 years but the cheek pads broke in to the point that I stopped wearing it due to it lifting up too much on motorway.


Jacket

JTS Textile jacket, bought at the Peterborough bike show in ~2002

Pros: removeable thermal liner is good for current cold weather, nicely adjustable fit

Cons: totally not waterproof any more, was ok ish when new, built in armour pads feel a bit thin


Trousers

Sartso Black Cargo Jeans:
https://www.sartso.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=140

Pros: good fit to waist, good height to rear waist, had a pair of Draggin Jeans before these that were a terrible fit, wearing well.

Cons: knee armour pads sit too far inwards for me, lower end of legs way too wide - allows them to ride up a bit.


Boots

Late model German Army Para-boots

Pros: good fit, heavy leather, good insulation, durable sole, owned current pair for ~9 years still going strong

Cons: they don't squeak like Sidis, take a while to lace up
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Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it. - Elwood P. Dowd

[Ollie1995]

Helmet: Nitro N-PSI Sidewinder
Price: £60 reduced from £120

Bad:
Had it since late December and I've already sent it back due to the visor mount falling off. The internal visor is pretty shit as it's so stiff and has a poor line of sight.

Good:
Looks good, has an internal pump that's cool even though I don't use it. Ratchet strap is nice and easy and it's comfy for me.

Jacket: Frank Thomas Force Aqua Advanced https://www.frank-thomas.co.uk/index.php/collection/textiles/ftw274-force-aqua-advanced-jkt-black.html
Price: £20 posted from eBay

Bad:
It's frayed a bit but nothing to worry about.

Good:
Very warm inner jacket, large velco zip cover to block wind, good quality zip, lots of large pockets inside and out, waterproof, windproof, adjustable straps on arms and waist. Would recommend!

Gloves: Frank Thomas Aqua Something...
Price: £10 posted from eBay

Bad: Inner lining comes out sometimes, can be a ballache with cold hands. Not the warmest but pretty good.

Good: Very good quality, carbon fibre knuckle guards, double velcro fasteners, waterproof.
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XR 125, DT125 LC, Greeves Scottish, RS200, XS400, GPX600r

Theory Passed - 18/7/13 MOD1 Booked - 24/9/13

[johnsmith222]

[HJM]

Lovely thread, looking to buy some boots, but have fack all monies so will take some people's advice
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