Gear, What do I need to have?

[Deadonkey]

Right absolutely new to this.
saved up for a few years to do my bike licence, CBT Booked the DAS will be booked on the day of the CBT.

The school supply the gear but by that they mean helmet, gloves and a high vis vest.
Obviously im going to have to buy it myself for use in the long term but also to make the lessons a bit more comfortable as its the middle of winter. I aim to do this over the course of the next 4-6 weeks.

The eventual aim is to do a european solo tour late on in the summer so im trying to weigh up what im going to need and what it will cost me.

Money isnt tight as such but I dont want to blow it when I dont need to,
Im guessing Im going to need 2 sets of everything, one set fully waterproof and one set of summer gear.

Im not adverse to buying some things secondhand on ebay, on the otherhand I dont mind paying decent money for stuff. One thing I do want however is value for money and to spend the money in the correct areas.

Im favouring 2 piece textiles to go with the touring look (for want of a better word) as I will not be buying a superbike. but im going to leave bike choice till later on down the road, its likely to be a mid weight adventure bike or a basic naked learner type 600.

I appreciate any advice or views that people have from starting out from absolutely nothing

[Howling Terror]

No way am I putting my head in shared helmet, nor the gloves for that matter.

Go to a big bike clothing outlet. Try on stuff.
Buy stuff that goretex on it. Buy a helmet that comes with a pinlock.
Buy a cheap all in 1 waterproof for when that 100% waterproof goretex fails.
Buy some baselayers.

For me, I like a leather jacket and depending on the riding I'm doing, the distances, the weather will depend if I choose the Kevlar jeans or the leather trousers.

You may prefer the shorter length boot I prefer the longer length boot etc etc.
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The Harry Turner Project

[grr666]

I've bought all my kit from ebay in various states of repair.
I've bought my lids new and my boots new but am happy for second hand everything else. I've had some great
bargains, a couple of disappointments but all in all I'm well up on what I would have spent on equivalent new gear.
It also makes it disposable as far as I'm concerned should I have a spill, not sure I'd feel that way about a
Alpinestars kangaroo one piece or similar.
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Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[andyscooter]

Lids and gloves buy new but make sure fit is good for lid

Don't worry about newest paint scene on lid or most expensive biking may not be for you so don't over spend

Jacket, trousers and boots for commuting
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Rogerborg]

[recman]

[MahatmaAndhi]

Keep an eye out for Aldi and Lidl's motorcycle gear. I think they usually appear around March.
They're not much to look at, but score highly in abrasion tests and such like, at bloody cheap prices.
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2008 Aprilia Sportcity 250

[Bozzy]

Just on that point, is there anywhere you can find safety info on a garment like you can for helmets (i.e SHARP testing) ???
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2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[stinkwheel]

I just put waterproofs over the top of my bike gear if it's wet.

As Roger says, it's about layers. You want a thermal layer, a protective layer and a waterproof layer.

Arguably textiles will do all of these layers in "one hit" and so are a reasonable option for someone starting out. However, tell that to yourself touring Europe in late summer when it's 30 degrees in the shade.

I have a good leather jacket and leather jeans. In the summer I'll often wear a pair of kevelar cargo trousers rather than the leather jeans unless I'm going hooning.

I have them big enough to wear thermals underneath for winter, just a base layer in the summer.

I've always worm army boots. Used to be combat highs, then assault boots, most recently altberg defenders. Thick socks in winter. Good, truly waterproof and reasonably comfortable waterproof socks are now available.

Thin summer gloves, thicker, waterproof winter gloves . Genuinely waterproof gloves are something of a Holy Grail and usually require £££. Just so you know, the words "waterproof" when applied to gloves, even if written on them, is usually just something to distract your attention from your wet hands rather than the commonly accepted definition.

I wear a pair of army issue goretex trousers and a neoprene farmers smock over my leathers if it's wet.

I have a modular helmet with a removable chinbar which I bought mail order from Germany because I value convenience and comfort over percieved safety.

In terms of a helmet, spending more doesn't get you a safer helmet. A good fit is the most important factor here.

What many people start with is a helmet, some gloves, some boots and a textile jacket. They will often simply wear a pair of reasonably heavy duty trousers with waterproofs to put over them. I personally hate actual denim jeans, they suck the heat out of you when wet and take ages to dry out again.

Don't spend a fortune. You'll decide what suits you best as time goes on.
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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.

[kgm]

I don't see the need to go overboard. I've been using the same helmet, gloves, textile 2pc auit as boots for three years, year round commuting with a waterproof oversuit for when it's real bad. Crashed in it too and it's still fine.

Helmet - worth getting a decent one although price ≠ safety. More money brings more features and better sound proofing. A flip down sun visor is nice to have as is pin lock..

Gloves - waterproof and good protection is what I look for. Two pairs for summer and winter would be nice but is not essential. I use three season gloves year round with muffs added for winter.

Boots - I hate wet/cold feet so I always buy quality boots. TCX Infinity goretex; probably the best piece of kit I own. Totally waterproof and always warm.

Suit - I've been using a cheap Rev It suit for three years. Not the most waterproof anymore but the over suit sorts that problem. Protected me in my off, keeps me warm and has done the job. Getting worn out now though so I'm replacing with an RST Paragon set most likely. Goretex would be lovely but it's very pricey and im looking to buy a house this year so don't want to splurge.

[Teflon-Mike]

[thx1138]

I wear most of the gear, most of the time.

Going to a running meeting on Tuesday on the motorbike, so it's tracksuit and boots, with running shoes in the top box.

[Barnoe]

To start you off I would buy

biker jeans for short journeys/commutes
Waterproof/windproof over trousers to go with above
2 Piece textiles with removable inner for warmer days
Big gauntlet gloves as waterproof as possible
Sealskinz liner gloves to wear inside the above gloves (keep you dry when above fails)
short cooler gloves for summer
Boots your personal choice
Helmet with pinlock preferably not black or a dark colour

Buy something in colours you like obviously but try and get something that's easily seen.... car drivers are mostly blind if you wear all black they will try and kill you!!
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You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[talkToTheHat]

get a helmet with a pinlock, preferably a 'max' style one. Quite simply the best kind of anti-fog thing out there. Beyond that it needs to fit. Drop-down sunvisor is easier than changing visors with the weather and a nice bonus. Shark Skwals have dodgy visors so avoid.

Goretex gloves, with a cuff you can get inside your textiles, otherwise water runs down inside. Wet hands is miserable as all hell so don't skimp. Make sure you can make a fist without the finger ends pinching.

Boots go inside your trousers if it's raining. Check the sole is crushproof by lying the boot on its side and standing on the edge of the sole. If the sole deforms, then a dropped bike is gonna really hurt. I like altberg's motorcycle boots as I can drop a bike on them and not even get a bruise, but pricey. Lots of inexpensive waterproof CE rated boots in the big gear barns. They might not last long, but my altbergs are in need of some repair after 4 (high mile) years.

Two-piece textiles with zip-out thermal liners, some kind of not-quite-goretex and some vents will do any day of the year ok. Most have armour at knees, hips, shoulders, elbow and back. Do check it is real armour and not packing material. Smooth sporty looking kit sheds wind better than pocket-ridden adventure kit, but short jackets work better zipped to trousers or they can ride up like a tube top, so jacket and trousers from the same brand might be a win. RST kit is not particularly pricey and appears to work well for me. It's sized a bit small though, I'm at least one if not two sizes up from the last suit I bought.

If it's a proper deluge then a one or two piece oversuit will save the day, make sure you can get into it with your kit on. One piece is trickier but is less likey to dump a gallon of water on your crotch. The only time I have been soaked through is when I hit foot-peg deep standing water too fast and it got forced up the inside of my jacket.

Cheap baselayers from sports direct or aldi aimed at skiers, cyclists or runners will make cold days more bareable. merino wool is better but pricey even if you snag aldi kit (£20each).
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Azoth]

Do your feet get soaked every time it rains? No, because shoe leather is treated to resist water. You can buy a can of some stuff to spray on a leather jacket or trousers to make it water resistant too. You can buy that spray at the shoe shop.

Don't go mad with gear because the variables in street riding accidents are too numerous to make it really useful. What protects you is: observation; anticipation; looking ahead; observation; following riding advice. When your instructor mentions minor details like 'look where you want to go, not where you fear to go' you'd better listen.
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Safety in numbers

[TheInternet]

[c_dug]

Lots of long spiel above, I don't have much to add so I'll keep it short:

Goretex.
Textiles that zip all the way around the middle.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[Rogerborg]

[Kris]

[BTTD]

[Pjay]

I've got me a whole bunch of stuff, but my goto winter garb consists of a Spada jacket and over trousers, with some nice hefty TCX boots.
Nothing fancy or pricey, just some good hard wearing and warm stuff.

Helmets though are a different matter, I like Arai and Arai like me, but just get something that's nice and tight all round.

Winter gloves are a gimmick, they're all cold. Heated is the only way you will keep warm hands. Expect to pay stupid money.

When the summer comes, open them vents on the jacket, get some nice kevlar jeans and some cool military style boots and you'll look like a biker that's been around for aeons.

Oh and buy some summer gloves.

[Rogerborg]

[UncleFester]

[Fizzoid]

[ZX-7R]