Thread: Motorcycle Gear - What Do You Have/Recommend?

Looks good,and a bargain to boot!
I have armor in my mesh jacket, but it tends to slide around alot which is annoying.

^

Yeah, and I need it- in the States I NEVER rode without being fully geared up- helmet, jacket, gloves, boots, and leather pants (though I would occasionally wear jeans if I was actually riding somewhere, most rides were about the ride itself- I was a firm believer in 'dressing for the crash')- I got into some really bad habits in LOS and I'm trying to correct them.

'body armor' is illegal in Thailand (of the bullet proof variety that is).

You may find yourself stopped by the cops a lot if they see it and don't know what it is.

I needed a new pair of boots as well- I found a pair of Alpinestars Supertech R boots on close-out for $299 (9300bt)- they've got some decent venting and they hopefully won't be too hot as they have an inner brace (user reviews I've read said they're actually pretty cool)- its definitely a more race-oriented boot than I planned on getting, but the protection is absolutely top-notch (a few MotoGP riders wear them) and the price was too good to pass up (less than $100 more than boots that didn't offer nearly the same protection, especially when it come to not transferring too much energy to your knee in an impact).

I got them in black, not the funky white in the video.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I needed a new pair of boots as well- I found a pair of Alpinestars Supertech R boots on close-out for $299 (9300bt)- they've got some decent venting and they hopefully won't be too hot as they have an inner brace (user reviews I've read said they're actually pretty cool)- its definitely a more race-oriented boot than I planned on getting, but the protection is absolutely top-notch (a few MotoGP riders wear them) and the price was too good to pass up (less than $100 more than boots that didn't offer nearly the same protection, especially when it come to not transferring too much energy to your knee in an impact).

I got them in black, not the funky white in the video.

I have a pair of these.
Will never buy them again.
Very comfy to wear, but a real pain in the neck taking them off and on. Once I've worn them out. I'm moving back to Sidi.

Originally Posted by Exige

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I needed a new pair of boots as well- I found a pair of Alpinestars Supertech R boots on close-out for $299

I have a pair of these.
Will never buy them again.
Very comfy to wear, but a real pain in the neck taking them off and on. Once I've worn them out. I'm moving back to Sidi.

Having tried them out, I don't agree with you at all as far as putting them on goes- as recommended on the net, putting the brace inside the main boot before putting our foot in works great- they couldn't be easier to slip in-and-out of- I've read that if you put the brace on our foot first and then try to put on the boot it's nearly impossible- is this what you've been doing?

They are super-comfortable right out of the box- what a great boot.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Originally Posted by Exige

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I needed a new pair of boots as well- I found a pair of Alpinestars Supertech R boots on close-out for $299

I have a pair of these.
Will never buy them again.
Very comfy to wear, but a real pain in the neck taking them off and on. Once I've worn them out. I'm moving back to Sidi.

Having tried them out, I don't agree with you at all as far as putting them on goes- as recommended on the net, putting the brace inside the main boot before putting our foot in works great- they couldn't be easier to slip in-and-out of- I've read that if you put the brace on our foot first and then try to put on the boot it's nearly impossible- is this what you've been doing?

They are super-comfortable right out of the box- what a great boot.

long time ago, i had alpinestars (offroad) boots too...
they couldnt have looked any more cool and decent, really...

i regularly had bleeding hands, after i managed them on/off, spending considerably time on it...
they were of course quite high and so stiff, that it was almost impossible to walk...

would also never buy such things again...

best boots (for sportsbiking) are imo those reaching between knee and ankle,
with zipper, but NO other stuff on it (closures)...
nothing you can get stuck with somewhere..

Now I just need a decent pair of perforated leather pants (not Village People-style chaps)- I can't order off-the-rack, though, as I have a narrow waist and long legs- everything is either too loose or too short. I'd like to get them made at Dainese Bangkok, but that will cost a fortune.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

Now I just need a decent pair of perforated leather pants (not Village People-style chaps)- I can't order off-the-rack, though, as I have a narrow waist and long legs- everything is either too loose or too short. I'd like to get them made at Dainese Bangkok, but that will cost a fortune.

But it's still cheaper than the cost of life.

Most leather pants have adjustable waist bands.

If still too big, suggest you take your leather pants to the leather shop on the corner of Sukhimvit Soi 1. There, they will do anything you need. Including patching up worn/torn leathers.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I've been looking for an armored vest/shirt as I tend to ride without a jacket on really hot days (which, in LOS, is most days)- I thought about the Alpinestars Bionic Jacket, but the new Icon Stryker Rig really caught my eye- it's going for USD$250 retail everywhere, but there was one in my size at Amazon listed at $202 (6,300 baht)- I thought it might be a mistake so I quickly ordered it to lock in the price- it's no longer listed at anything less than retail now, but my shipment is confirmed- a friend will bring it over next month.

Obviously the mesh alone won't offer abrasion resistance like leather, but at least I'll be safer with the armor (especially the back protector), and it will fit under my perforated non-armored jacket if I go touring.

I think I got a great deal.



Icon Stryker Rig
Looking for a flagship product in impact protection? Look no further. We used every resource at our disposal to make the Stryker Rig our most comprehensive impact protection package to date. First, we loaded it up with enough tactical protective features to exceed the world’s toughest standards. The two-piece CE approved shoulders and elbows offer maximum coverage while their D3O ® inserts provide incredible impact dispersion. The CE approved articulating back protector is aided by a special D3O ® insert with molded air channels. Speaking of air, the injection-molded chest plate features integrated air intakes while the chassis is made with Airmesh and Hydradry to help wick away moisture. The fit can be tailored with adjustable waist and elbow straps, and stretch materials help to reduce arm pump and fatigue. The Stryker Rig: Impact Protection from the inside out.

APPROVED STRYKER BACK ARMOR WITH D3O ® BREATHABLE INSERT
APPROVED ELBOW PROTECTION WITH D3O ® BREATHABLE INSERTS
APPROVED SHOULDER PROTECTION WITH D3O ® BREATHABLE INSERTS
INJECTION MOLDED CHEST PLATE WITH INTEGRATED AIR INTAKES
ARTICULATING INJECTION MOLDED HARD BACK ARMOR WITH AIR FLOW CHANNELS
ADJUSTABLE WAIST STRAPS FOR A SECURE FIT
THUMBHOLES HOLD SLEEVES IN PLACE
BACK PROTECTOR AND ADJUSTABLE WAIST STRAPS ARE REMOVABLE
ADJUSTMENT STRAP SECURES ELBOW ARMOR IN PLACE
BIOFOAM AND AIRMESH CHASSIS

Good kit for impact kind of accidents.
In my experience, I rather suffer and go with a full on jacket. Abrasion is the real killer. Once worn several holes thru my very heavy leather jacket grinding along the tarmac in Khao Yai

^^

From what I've read, the best way is to insert the brace first and then put your foot in- either way, the fact they're comfortable once they're on is the most important thing.

I had a pair of Sidis I didn't love, but everyone is different.

How is the air flow?

^

I'm well aware of the abrasion factor (and I've kissed the tarmac more than once)- as I said in my OP, this will be for the days when I would ride in just a T-shirt and leave the jacket home (I have a couple of high-quality jackets, but they're so damned hot, even the vented one).

Originally Posted by FailSafe

How is the air flow?

Very good.

Originally Posted by FailSafe

I'm well aware of the abrasion factor (and I've kissed the tarmac more than once)- as I said in my OP, this will be for the days when I would ride in just a T-shirt and leave the jacket home (I have a couple of high-quality jackets, but they're so damned hot, even the vented one).

It certainly better than nothing, that's for sure.

I agree re: the pants- ideally, if a few things go well, I'll buy a bespoke Dainese 2-piece suit, which I've wanted for years- at a minimum I might get some kevlar jeans, which actually perform very well in crash tests.

I got a plain perforated Joe Rocket black leather pants, which I can mismatch with any of my jackets. Did have 4, now down to 3.
Looking for a new leather jacket now.
Bought a nylon jacket 2 weeks ago. Motard style, kind of jacket. Also bought Scotts goggles. TB2,500. KTM wanted TB2,100 just for the replacement lens on my ole goggles.

^

If you have any friends coming in from the States or a way to get stuff shipped cheaply to LOS, check out the clearance/close-out sections of Motorcyclegear.com or Revzilla.com- they have some great deals- I feel like I stole those boots at $299- even though they're an older model, they're still $450 everywhere else in the US (even more in Europe)- unfortunately neither company ships internationally- I have to beg people to bring me stuff (and it's usually bulky and they bitch about it).

Now that the summer riding season is drawing to a close in much of the USA (Midwest and Northeast), they're getting rid of quite a bit of gear.

Dont forget good gloves, as pointed out to me many years ago by a motorcycle cop, the first thing you put down when you come off are your hands, road surface's love hands. Just a point l should mention, IMO purchasing gloves that are to tight, become very uncomfortable in a short time. I have DAINESE gloves, they have the natural hand shape already made into them, an important factor
to look for, mine are very comfortable.
Another thing l always fit to my touring motor cycles is a so called "cruise control", the ones where you can reset your hand for a few seconds with out the throttle slamming shut. The few seconds rest every now and then eliminates the problem of your hand going numb, much safer than trying to brake with a half dead hand from viabration etc.
They can be a bit fiddley to fit and set up correctly, to where they work nice and smooth, not always a fit and forget item. Set with just enough tension to keep the throttle from closing, but can you still close the throttle with it in the so called lock posittion, an excellent add on.

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

Dont forget good gloves

Gloves I wear all the time. Have several different styles. Depends on what I'm riding and where to.
Have lighter thinner gloves for the Sumo and heavier thicker gloves for the Tourer.

Originally Posted by Mozzbie47

"cruise control"

Never quite understood having these on Motorcycles.
Only time I can think of they may come in handy. Is if you're stuck on straight boring tarmac miles after miles. Then fine, just lock it on cruise control, fall asleep and let the bike munch up the tarmac miles.........

^^^

I like Held gloves myself, though Dainese makes nice gear (there are a lot of good gloves out there)- I've get a couple quailty pairs with the last two fingers attached to save your pinky from cracking.

Again, there are a lot of great vented glove deals out there at the moment if anyone needs a new pair, and they're cheap to ship.

I've also got a Shoei RF-1100 (I've been wearing that range and upgrading since they made the RF-700).

I've always been tentative about throttle locks- I can see the advantages, but I don't think I'll be getting one as the potential drawbacks worry me (though I know plenty of people who use them.)

I've been riding for many years, but I'm trying to correct the bad habits I picked up in LOS.

Even though I didn't really need it, I scored another jacket- its a Fieldsheer, so it's a notch below Dainese or Vanson, but it's fully perforated and armored in the elbows and shoulders- I bought it barely used for $75 (2300bt)- it's probably at least $400 new- it's in my size and I couldn't pass it up.

It's not the look I generally go for (I like all black and it's too flashy for my taste) but for the money I can't complain:

^ Flash Gordon!!!

^

Yeah, yeah- at least it will match all-black pants (and there's a zipper to connect them to the jacket)- I like to make fun of the 'Power Rangers' look as well.