Posted: 4/7/2004 1:41:48 PM EDT
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I'm about to buy myself a Suzuki SV650S. Anyway i'm looking for all the rider stuff. Basically helmet, gloves, and body armor. Who makes the best for each of these and if you have personal experience with them please post it. I know that Shoei helmets are top notch stuff but don't know about gloves and the body armor. Thanks |
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My wife swears by AlpineStars, but it's a little out of my price range. She's got a couple sets of jackets, gloves, and boots, and she's probably getting a full set of leathers soon. I've been happy with my Joe Rocket jackets and gloves. We've both got Shoei RF-900 helmets, but try some others too- The Arai helmets fit my head a little better. I found this out after I'd already bought the Shoei. |
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[b][size=4]DO NNOT BUY A HELMET ONLINE[/b][/size] until you've tried that exact same model and size on in person first. Helmet shape varies greatly between manufacturers, especially with full-face helmets. Example - The only full-face helmet that seems to fit me is an HJC CS-12 in 3XL. I've tried some open-face helmets in XL that fit, one full-face in 4XL that smushed my cheeks together, and one full-face in 2XL that wouldn't clear my chin. [url=www.sportsmansguide.com]Sportsman's Guide[/url], as well as their [url=www.bargainoutfitters.com]Bargain Outfitters[/url] clearance store have a somewhat limited selection of leathers and gloves at kick-ass prices. I bought a vented jacket and gloves from them last month, and I'm satisfied with them. |
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Quoted: Leather or Textile.. what would hold up better and give more protection? Leather will usually hold up better in a spill, but Textile will usually breathe a little better. Most of both types have vents or perforations for air these days, but it seems like textile doesn't keep me as hot in the summer (I'm in Phoenix though, it may be different for you). I can't wear leather in the summer, it's miserable. Most of the textile jackets and pants have pretty good padding, which is a plus. I use a Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket in the summer, it's mesh with padding. The breeze flows right through it and it feels like I'm wearing a t-shirt but it's got a good amount of protection. |
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I have an SV650, it's a great bike. For gear, I recommend the following: for leathers, Vansons, there is none better [url]http://www.vansonleathers.com/[/url] you can get good deals if you go to one of their open houses, which is worth the ride. if you want to go synthetic, get an Aerostich. helmets, either shoei or arai, whatever fits your head better. I'm currently using an Arai Quantum f, which is a fantastic helmet. gloves, held, they are pricy, but tough and they last a long time. boots, Altberg, [url]http://www.altberg.co.uk/[/url] while they are in the UK, their prices are reasonable and the quality is unmatched. They make pretty kickass combat boots as well. Just make sure that you send them the right size because shipping is pricy, otherwise go for it. Prexport also makes good boots. |
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Find what you like in a store and then see if [url]http://www.newenough.com[/url] has it. The leather jacket I just got from there was over $100 cheaper than everywhere else. Here's the jacket I just got. It's made by HJC and is very nice. [img]http://www.newenough.com/photogallery/photo00029477/blue_front.jpg[/img] |
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Quoted: Im busy or I'd post a hot link. Aerostich makes the best protective gear that offers waterproofing and functionality. [url]www.aerostich.com[/url] The one piece Roadcrafter rules, as you will never be tempted to ride without the bottom. For leathers, another vote for Vanson. Helmets, I like Arai, but Shoei is good too. Gloves - buy ones that fit and are comfortable. I have some Alpinestars, BMW, and Kushitani that cover most occasions. |
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[b]Helmets[/b]: Shoei & Arai Your either going to have a Shoei shaped head or an Arai. Try the helmets locally to see which brand fits your head. The helmet should fit you snugly. Shake your head left-right and up-down vigorously. It shouldn't move much. After a little while the padding will conform to your head and loosen up just a little. [b]Jackets[/b]: ***** A thick leather jackets (1.0+ oz or better) w/pads provide the best protection. They have perforated leather jackets that are cooler if you live in hotter climates. There are many good quality brand jackets out there. **** The Ballistic nylon jackets w/pads are good also. I have gone down once wearing my Alpine Star jacket. Saved me from some serious wounds & road rash. ** I'd avoid the mesh jackets (IE Joe Rocket Phoenix) if you can. They fall apart real fast in a crash and don't hold up well. I've seen it time and time again with the Joe Rocket mesh jackets and others like them. It's better than wearing just a t-shirt... but expect some road rash too. [img]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/data/516/25370mesh_crash2.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/data/516/25370mesh_crash1.jpg[/img] [b]Gloves[/b]: Good quality leather gloves. I'd avoid the fake leather gloves and nylon gloves. Leather provides the best abrasion resistance. I have about a dozen set of gloves. The BEST pairs I have are made by Held $$ (German company). [b]Boots[/b]: Leather boots are preferable. Most of the better boots are made in Italy. Alpine Stars, Sidi, Joe Rocket, Oxtar, etc... Just want something to support your ankle and have a tread the won't slip underneath you when you put your foot down on an slippery street (oil, antifreeze). Go to the motorcycle forums and search for crash pics. Tons of them out there. Learn from their mistakes. [url]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/showgallery.php?si=&perpage=30&sort=1&cat=516&ppuser=&friendemail=email@yourfriend.com&password=[/url] It'll persuade you to spend and wear good quality gear. So buy quality gear that fits you right. After wearing some of the cheaper stuff, you'll apreciate the more expensive quality gear. It's like night and day. You'll save money on the long run, by buying quality gear the first time out. If you have the unfortunite luck of going down, the gear may save your life, minimize your injuries, and make your recovery faster. It's just like with optics for our rifles. You get what you pay for. Try the motorcycle forums for more info on gear choices. [url]www.gixxer.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB28[/url] You can save a lot of money on gear, by buying discontinued or last year models. Vendors: Helmet... [url]www.helmetharbor.com[/url] [url]www.helmetcity.com[/url] Gear... [url]www.newenough.com/index2.htm[/url] [url]http://motorcyclecloseouts.com[/url] [url]www.kneedraggers.com[/url] |
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Quoted: [b]Helmets[/b]: Shoei & Arai [b]Jackets[/b]: ***** A thick leather jackets (1.0+ oz or better) w/pads provide the best protection. They have perforated leather jackets that are cooler if you live in hotter climates. There are many good quality jackets out there. **** The Balistic nylon jackets w/pads are good also. I have gone down once wearing my Alpine Star jacket. Saved me from some serious wounds & road rash. ** I'd avoid the mesh jackets (ie Joe Rocket Phoenix) if you can. They fall apart real fast in a crash and don't hold up well. I've seen it time and time again with the Joe Rocket mesh jackets and others like them. It's better than wearing just a t-shirt... but expect some road rash too. [url]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/data/516/25370mesh_crash2.jpg[/url] [url]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/data/516/25370mesh_crash1.jpg[/url] [b]Gloves[/b]: Good quality leather gloves. I'd avoid the fake leather gloves and nylon gloves. Leather provides the best abrasion resistance. I have about a dozen set of gloves. The best pairs I have are made by Held $$ (German company). [b]Boots[/b]: Leather boots are preferrable. Most of the ones are made in Italy. Alpine Stars, Sidi, Joe Rocket, Oxtar, etc... Go to the motorcycle forums and search for crash pics. Tons of them out there. Learn from their mistakes. [url]http://www.gixxer.com/photopost/showgallery.php?si=&perpage=30&sort=1&cat=516&ppuser=&friendemail=email@yourfriend.com&password=[/url] It'll persuade you to spend and wear good quality gear. In most cases you get what you pay for. So buy quality gear that fits you right. Try the motorcycle forums for more info on gear choices. [url]www.gixxer.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB28[/url] You can save a lot of money on gear, by buying discountinued or last year models. Vendors: Helmet... [url]www.helmetharbor.com[/url] [url]www.helmetcity.com[/url] Gear... [url]www.newenough.com/index2.htm[/url] [url]http://motorcyclecloseouts.com[/url] [url]www.kneedraggers.com[/url] hmm. that jacket lookslike it has a good story... mind sharing? |
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Jacket isn't mine. Just a pic from the bike forums. Seen many like it. I've gone down once on the street, when a car pulled out in front of me. My helmet, jacket, gloves, boots all helped me avoid some serious injuries. Gear I was wearing all sustained damages.. mostly road rash related. The jacket probably save be from breaking my collar bone, arm, and elbow. The CE (spec pads, ala bullet proof vest rating) pads do work. Only road rash I sustained was on my right knee, I was only wearing blue jeans. On the dirt... I've crashed hundreds of times from the 30 yrs of riding (age of 5). I've probably had 3-4 serious crashes where the helmet had probably save my life. Thank you Bell & Shoei for making awesome products!! ;o) I've learned much about gear from riding buddies personal experiences and the forums are great for info. |
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