New gear

[Mantzy]

Alright you lot,

It's getting colder. Work starts at 8 so invariably leave the house before 7:30. I'll be getting a new bike soon-ish and it's going to be faster and tbh it's more than likely i'll be going over the ton most the way to work. What i'm asking is what gear should I get?

I've got a Triumph textile jacket and it's waterproof but i'd really like a hand with whether you think it's better to get some leathers (which I don't have) and a oversuit or the bottom trousers to my jacket. Which will keep me warmer and dryer? I know i'm going to get cold but could do without getting as wet - my hiking overtrousers i'm using atm don't really cut it. When I get to work, I generally wear jeans and t-shirt. Could I wear that under leathers? It's my birthday next month and the better half suggested that we go twos on some gear for me. Which is nice. But I'm still after cheap but good stuff.

You help would be greatly obliged

R
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[dainesefreak]

A radar detector and some luck.

[NickD]

Are you going to be commuting all winter, and how big a journey is it?
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I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Mantzy]

Cheers Dainse. No cameras or coppers on this part of the A12.

Nkd666, Its about 30miles each way. Atm it takes about 35 mins with traffic and going 80 most the way and yeah, all winter
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Sadie]

Leather is great for the summer, but not as great in the winter from a waterproof point of view. You will need to have decent waterproofs if you go down the leather route.
Textile wear is usually waterproof and warm and usually has a winter lining which can be removed in summer.
Textile tends to come with better armour as standard, but if you do come off is likely to rip and become unuseable whereas leather is likely to scuff and be perfectly fine to continue to use.

Personally, I wear leather in summer and for short winter journeys, and textiles in winter.


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With experience comes age.

[mchaggis]

I'd get along to Heine Gerry. Their Devon range in particular is pretty good and not too expensive. (£70 upwards for trousers). Perfectly waterproof, warm, and I can fit jeans under mine. A decent pair of leathers will prohibit the use of jeans.

On the topic of crashability... in all the low speed accidents I've had, all the textiles have done is scuff a bit. The only actual proper damage to them was done by a set of keys which ground through the fabric. I'm sure there'd have been more comprehensive damage in different accidents though.

[NickD]

Right. Get some proper 'grandad' thermals for under your kit (you could get Knox 'cold killers' but they're expensive and not much better IMO). Don't wear jeans under your leathers, as they're not noted for their insulating properties being too thick and all one layer. The textile kit is generally warmer than leather, but is usually bulkier, and this obviously restricts what you can put on over it. If you're not physically big visit you local army surplus place and try to get hold of a one piece 'tank suit' big enough to fit over you leathers/ textiles, these have four thin layers and are very warm. For a number of winters I wore leathers, a tank suit, and then a one piece waterproof suit over the top. I looked huge, but stayed warm and dry. Go for heated grips (and bar muffs if you can get on with them). Make sure your clothing isn't too tight, 'cos this restricts circulation and will make things worse. Go for many thin layers rather than fewer thick ones. If you opt for the leathers, Heine Gericke make an excellent one piece waterproof oversuit for about 30 quid, I'm on my third now and I've never had one leak. If you're confident in the waterproofing and warmth of your jacket, I'd get the matching pants and see how you go, but I would recommend getting a waterproof over suit anyway, because it's amazing how much heat they keep in.
____________________
I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[dainesefreak]

Fleece long johns and a fleece long sleeved shirt under leathers. Nothing beats leather for abrasion resistance and leathers generally fit tighter than textiles keeping the armour in place better in a crash.

When I pisses down I wear a waterproof top over my jacket, no probs.

A decent pair of waterproof winter gloves and boots are essentials too. I've always used Alpinestars race style boots up until my last pair and the Goretex pair I have now have been a revelation.

I also have some Oxford Hothands for when it gets really cold.

I nearly forgot to mention a neck tube too. I've just bought one of these Chill out neck tubes from here;

https://www.forestedge-retail.co.uk/acatalog/NEW_OXFORD_CHILLOUT_CLOTHING.html

It's very good, stops the wind and the rain. I might even be tempted by their clothing at some point.

[stinkwheel]

I would go for the textile stuff for winter use, leathers dinnae keep you all that warm, especially when wet.

A string vest with a reasonably tight t-shirt over it as an inner layer will keep you remarkably warm in winter.
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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.

[Mantzy]

Cheers for all your tips. I've been using a balaclava recently to keep the ol chin and neck warm which has helped. I've got a pair of blue (bright!) long john trousers which i may be tempted to wear when its colder. I'd prefer to get leathers, not only because of the abrasion and armour things but because I could then use it in the summer too. I'm skint you see so would be looking for more on the way of all-season gear.

Wish we had an army surplus here. Must be the only town without one. Colchester has one though i think. Will pop down and look.

Ta. Keep them coming.

R
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Ste]

[craigie b]

Anywhere online that sells reasonably priced water proof oversuit? I can;t really afford to buy textiles and I find my leathers do the job nicely in keeping me warm (plenty of layers) however they can't be waterproofed as they have areas of textile at jointing areas (for manouverability I assume).

Cheers
Craig

[NickD]

Don't know about online but Hein gericke do one for £29.99 (plain black with scotchlite striping) that's good. I'm on my 3rd (lost 2 in accidents. It's the only one I've ever owned that hasn't leaked.
____________________
I was only doing what it said on my licence officer....
Tear along the dotted line!

[Mantzy]

In case anyone wanted an update...

I went up to Norwich on Sunday to look at the shops up there (only took me an hour which I was pleasently chuffed with) and looked at a pair of Dainese leathers (two piece) and have decided, if i can, I will get a pair of them - but will buy off ebay methinks, least I know sizes. Also tried on Alpinestars ones and may get those instead. Wanted to go to the Hein Grieke store in Norwich too but it was closed by the time I got there. As you lot have suggested, I'm going to get a Hein Grieke oversuit as they're waterproof and I may get the textile trousers to go with my jacket too. Least I could wear jeans under them for work. If I can't afford them, it looks like I'll have to leave a pair of jeans at work (or just wear overalls like most the other blokes do)

Are hothands things actually any good? I can't see them being that effective, but I speak with a lack of experience in this matter.

I have some Frank Thomas Aqua Pore boots which seem waterproof and warm-ish but are more touring style. Not had problems with them yet but would love a pair of Vertabrae 2s. They any good for winter? Gear seems to be a little cheaper (as do bikes) as summer is over so I'm thinking about stocking up for Summer 05.

Ta all
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X