First time jacket, gloves and boots

[Nelly1980]

Hi guys! 1st ever post, so I’m a complete noob!

I’ve booked my theory and am doing my CBT in a couple of weeks. However, in this new COVID world, we obviously have to bring our own gear to CBT and further training etc.

Obviously, I’m a complete noob (but pushing 41... and wishing I’d done this years ago!!), and have no desires to go hurtling round a track, but I still want to get myself the best gear I can afford so that it lasts me. Initially, the primary use of the bike is commuting and day trips at weekends.

Think I’m sorted on the helmet - was looking at this:
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/239320

So am now looking at jackets. I’m very much liking the sound of D3O armour, so looking for jackets that include it, but they are coming out pretty pricey... Just wondered if anybody had any recommendations? I know the jacket is important so am prepared to pay for quality, but I have no benchmark or reference point to know what’s expensive and what middle of the road.

Will also happily take any recommendations on gloves and boots!

Thanks all!

[KiwiBob]

I went for this one .. but added a pinlock insert which works a treat. I prefer the quick release and don't like double d fastners...
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/280400

As for jacket and trousers I managed to pick up some quality gear second hand and hardly worn off facebook/marketplace. Saved a fortune.

[Ayrton]

I would strongly recommend going to a shop to try on helmets if that's still allowed. Different brands can fit better than others and you probably dont know what size you need yet.

Some of the cheaper jackets can be pretty good. I've had a cheaper RST for years and it's held up well, so I say pay up to £100.

Gloves I usually spend £40+ on and again I've had good experiences with RST. I've got the GT I think which are nice. Again if you can, go try some on

Keep in mind that as winter comes you will need to change your gloves for warmer ones and get some under layers. It's also worth getting a thin neck warmer to use now and a thicker one for winter. I always carry a thin one with me to put on if it gets a bit chilly or starts to rain

[Nelly1980]

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Ayrton - completely agree about going to a shop - especially for a helmet! I realise that my post with URL’s makes it look I’m going to buy online, but I’m just using the sites to search for product info and reviews. Again, thanks for the advice!

[struan80]

'no desires to go hurtling round a track' Oh my it's worth a try do just get a wee bit of revs going in fourth gear without getting arrested.

Anyway I had bought mostly RST, then I found latex, no protection but feels great.

[Nelly1980]

Ha Ha! Struan80, well I say that as a noob, let me get a few miles under my belt and I’m sure it’s an itch I will end up needing to scratch!! But first off I need to learn to ride!!

I’m just saying that for gear purposes, I’m not looking to race every weekend, predominantly I’m going to be commuting and going out for leisure so am looking for something highly protective and comfortable

[wr6133]

Richa make pretty well priced kit at various price/performance points. When I went for a hoon yesterday, I skipped over the Alpinestars boots and gloves and used a 5 year old pair of Richa boots and 4 year old gloves.

I wouldn't base my jacket choice on what armour it has. I've broken my elbow through CE approved armour, not D30 but I own some D30 kit and doubt it would have done any better.

From your choice of time to do the CBT I take it you plan to ride through the shite weather? If so textiles are the only real choice. Keep in mind when shopping that the duration the item keeps water out is generally reflected by the price. If you buy off brand crap now you'll only end up spending more later.

My current choice for really shit weather jacket and trousers are Alpinestars Andes V2. I think if you shop around you can get a set for £350-ish. It's yet to leak on me and like most Alpinestars stuff it has been designed by someone who thinks about who the end user is. Zips, adjusters, etc can be operated with a cold, numb, gloved hand.

Worth getting a pair of Kevlar jeans too for days when the weather is nicer and you don't fancy heavy textile trousers.

Helmet, Aryton has given you the best advice. Go and try on if possible. The problem being head shape some brands will just be uncomfy or not fit properly. They all pass the same safety standard, increasing price usually just indicates features, less noise, nicer liner, etc. Make sure it has a pinlock!

Gloves, again duration of waterproofing seems to mirror price. Gloves are seasonal too. What you wear now is probably not what you wear in January. As the crap weather is approaching though I'd probably aim for a decent winter glove as your first pair.

Boots if you want to reign the budget in you can get away with a decent pair of old Army boots. If not try to go somewhere to try on, I find the fit between brands varies alot.

I don't commute on 2 wheels anymore but did for years. Single best piece of advice I can offer is get waterproof, waterproofs! There is nothing shitter than turning up to work on a dark, wet winter morning and your Penis has retracted in to your body because you just spent 20 miles absorbing the rain and freezing yourself.

[Freddyfruitba...]

[wr6133]

[Bhud]

Lots of good advice advice in this thread, but, um... where's Tef?

If you like D3O, you're in luck, because you can buy D3O inserts, and throw away the rubbish foam "armour" you get in cheap jackets.

I own D3O and I am not a believer in D3O. I would strongly suggest you get your hands on a piece or two, for example a D3O knee or elbow pad, and have a play with it and think it over for yourself. Honestly, the stuff seems like complete rubbish, to me.

This whole business - namely, what armoured stuff to get, is a minefield. It's also an enormous and profitable industry. Watch your wallet. People pour thousands down this rabbit hole. In my opinion, try to invest in skill acquisition, because no armour is a good bet against the massive, almost incalculable, array of possible "mechanism of injury" outcomes in a motorcycle accident. Just to put things in perspective, I wear a 20+ year old Frank Thomas leather jacket in the rain and the heat, and I spent £1000 last Sunday and turned it into £1015 as of today. Not much, but better than £1000 total loss on some glorified trademarked gel/foam. You do need gear, but you also need to navigate around the idea of risk.

[Nelly1980]

Thanks all! Some really great advice from everybody!!

Definitely agree on the Kevlar jeans for off bike wearing, as will be commuting to work/station so handy not having to change. However, also definitely agree about the waterproofs!!

Baud - you’ve reinforced a decision I had already made to invest in some advanced lessons after my mod1+2, so thanks for that.

Appreciate all the suggestions and advice guys!

[Freddyfruitba...]

[Bhud]

[Kentol750]

That helmet should come with a 'pinlock' in the box. Why are you buying kit before CBT?
____________________
Some bikes.

[J30NNN]

[ThunderGuts]

Kind of reinforcing the above, but if you think you're going to gel with biking (bit hard to know without having done your CBT) then get decent stuff that'll last you. Nothing worse than cheap rubbish that you quickly grow tired of, that's without throwing crash protection into the mix. Second hand stuff can give bargains but check for tears / rips etc. which might suggest someone is selling it because they've bashed it themselves. Helmets should be tried on in a shop unless you're prepared to do a lot of mail order returns . . . plus you'll get the benefit of someone (hopefully) who can assess the fit. It needs to be snug and will loosen slightly with time; it should never "rattle" on your head.

Good luck and FWIW I learnt to ride at this time of year and it means you get used to riding in rubbish weather so will probably be less afraid of it.
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TG.

[jeffyjeff]

[jerry11g]

I would also pay attention to the boots, first of all. And then - would choose nice helmets, with HUD that will not make any problems for my vision. What is also pretty important for me - is to have phone mount during any kind of road trip. I can recommend you this resource I could find few weeks ago of phone mounts for Harley Davidson. Well, actually those phone mounts will fit for almost any bike, not just for HD. I've got model AILUN Silicone strap motorcycle phone holder, and it works perfectly, just as it should.

[radlerin]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all your suggestions. I´m also a newbie and i would like to wear my own gear, too. However there are so many products on the market. Which items are the most important for a newbie?

Best,
R

[Keithy]

I did a similar thread and listed the kit I bought here

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=331443

[F1.ash]

I'd say try on all your kit before you buy and try it together. Comfort with all of your clothing has a direct impact on how you feel on the bike. Even a jacket that doesn't sit quite right will become a big annoyance on a day out. Try it all and pay what you need to to get it right.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[FlyingDuck3]

[BRUN]

lots of stuff on ebay with all these lockdowns, i ended up with 2 jackets for bargain prices, both brand new from dealers who were shut to the public

i did my CBT last year and had to do the same, have my own gear

i bought tcx hero boots iirc, hood jeans, both of which i can recommend

i think i bought my helmet off ebay too, again from a closed dealer, luckily though i had the mrs one to try for size so i was sure i just needed the next size up

[Fat Angry Scotsman]