Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[sumitro_d]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Excavator seems better as it has some padding at Ankle and also has steel toe cap. But adding to your list here are some more to think of, my personal liking is for the Elite Tactical Boot but think its overpriced. Me too still deciding and in the mean while a boot similar to the Excavator (without steel toe cap) is my gear :-)

The JCB Combater looks nice too, what say

Where I can get them? or at which site you found them?

[Kunwar.g]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Where I can get them? or at which site you found them?

For JCB

Safety Shoe Bazaar


For the Tactical and Combat Boot

Footwear Olive

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@Kunwar.g : those are some real neat ones... u may also like to google for safety shoe dealers in ur proximity. i checked on sulekha.com & found quiet a handful of em. one such dealer is located @ GPO, Fort, Mumbai. planning to visit that place in a week.

Well I know that all these shoes get manufactured in Kanpur, the tactical one is a direct import from China per the merchant. A office colleague mentioned seeing similar boots for not more than 500-750 in Kanpur. Waiting for him to visit his parents in Kanpur as he has promised to get if he finds it during his visit.

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@Dreamwalker987 : i've read n re-read the threads n assessments & have finally zeroed on SPG Odsyssus. am not saying that's the best but given my budget of sub 6K, its the best option available @ that pricepoint.

Think SPG is going to come out with something more suited to the humid and hot climate and think would be a tad cheaper and lighter than the Odsyssus

[B7ACKTHORN]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hello,
Can I use automotive leather conditioner on Motorcycle Leather Jackets? If not what options do we have for conditioners?

Do we get sweat(Dry Fit) absrobing shirts/shorts to be worn under the gear, so as to protect the gear from stinking! Recommend something.

Both are completely normal. Using leather conditioners used for automotive leather is plausible as the base compounds aren't that different from each other. They do their basic job on both the seats and jackets that is to nourish and make them supple.

And regarding cotton or dry fit, that's completely how one feels comfortable, I wear cotton tee to absorb the sweat that perspires inside my body when wearing gears. Avoid wearing polyester or nylon based shirts they not only don't allow for ventilation, but always smell horrible. Personal experience.

you mean this..??

Firstgear Rubber Overgloves | MotoSport India

Yes. These are almost the same as the same ORANGE CONSTRUCTION GLOVES I mentioned pages back that I've used and you get it for 80 bucks and that is cheap isn't.

finally stretched my budget to buy riding pant.
which one do i go for?
1)cramster velocity 2.0,
2)spartan progear odysseus,
3)dsg nero,
4)agv sport pants solare textile
5)rjays?
so many options...
i want light weighted pant plus slim fit if possible.
all weather.
"buying without trying" is what i am worried.

You can go for either RJays or AGV if you intend to wait long and spend a little extra on the latter (AGV) which is obviously costlier for the base and even costlier with the rain liner etc than the RJays. But if you want some good stuffs and real fast, then, personally I'd suggest Spartan and Cramster Velocity. Both are tried and tested.

@Kunwar, when looking for gloves, especially motorcycle boots, make sure they have steel toe, because these are good from a okay-ish protection point of view, and trust me you'll never regret buying a steel toe, and I'd have lost my big finger on my leg if it weren't for steel toe, from my motorcycle stand incident. Phew! Still gives me goosebumps.

These are compltelely safe for office and everyday jaunts but I'd definitely recommend a proper riding boot or one with a steel toe.

Cheers!
VJ

[binga]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Both are completely normal. Using leather conditioners used for automotive leather is plausible as the base compounds aren't that different from each other. They do their basic job on both the seats and jackets that is to nourish and make them supple.

And regarding cotton or dry fit, that's completely how one feels comfortable, I wear cotton tee to absorb the sweat that perspires inside my body when wearing gears. Avoid wearing polyester or nylon based shirts they not only don't allow for ventilation, but always smell horrible. Personal experience. Cheers!
VJ

Need to find full sleeves shirts that can solve the purpose.And for pants something like Reebok premier zigtech tight.In hot weather like our, I need to wear something that takes care of sweat, else the gear will smell like a rotten fish.

[Abhisek]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Zeroed down to JCB Excavator for being in my budget & also serve my purpose.
Elite did seemed good but way beyond my budget.
Just waiting for my shoes on the way from kanpur now.

Sent from my GT-S5360 using xBhp Connect mobile app

[B7ACKTHORN]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Need to find full sleeves shirts that can solve the purpose.And for pants something like Reebok premier zigtech tight.In hot weather like our, I need to wear something that takes care of sweat, else the gear will smell like a rotten fish.

Trust me you don't need to buy super costly stuffs just for the sake of it. A good cotton tee with adequate thickness is well enough for the job to absorb sweat. Nothing to beat the sweat with good old cotton tee.

Cheers!
VJ

[icemang]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Zeroed down to JCB Excavator for being in my budget & also serve my purpose.
Elite did seemed good but way beyond my budget.
Just waiting for my shoes on the way from kanpur now.

Sent from my GT-S5360 using xBhp Connect mobile app

By JCB, I presume you mean the industrial boots. I am sceptical of using such footwear for riding. It is bulky, heavy and relatively inflexible. Such boots usually foul with the gear shift lever, esp on bikes without a heel-toe shifter. I have personally used high ankle leather combat boots for the past 23 years and can vouch for their suitability as riding boots too. The high-quality ones, as the Olive model seems to be, have a hard toe insert which prevents stubbing one's toes on rocks and hard undergrowth whilst on marches and can afford decent protection in case of falls. They are easy to maintain - just like normal leather shoes - and inexpensive to replace for wear and tear.

Again, strictly IMO, unless one is a regular track carver, with continuous peg-scraping manoeuvres, bespoke riding boots would be an expensive cosmetic. Insofar as status symbol value is concerned, I cannot comment - I am the kind of a chap who would prefer a KLR over a Hayabusa

Need to find full sleeves shirts that can solve the purpose.And for pants something like Reebok premier zigtech tight.In hot weather like our, I need to wear something that takes care of sweat, else the gear will smell like a rotten fish.

I have a very good personal experience with light, full-sleeved pure cotton shirts. They absorb perspiration and the airflow within the jacket flows over them thus cooling the body. @ B7ACKTHORN. I have found that wearing tee shirts causes the rough inner layer of the jacket to abrade the skin on long rides. Also, perspiration on the lower arms seeps into the jacket causing the later stink.

[Abhisek]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

By JCB, I presume you mean the industrial boots. I am sceptical of using such footwear for riding. It is bulky, heavy and relatively inflexible. Such boots usually foul with the gear shift lever, esp on bikes without a heel-toe shifter. I have personally used high ankle leather combat boots for the past 23 years and can vouch for their suitability as riding boots too. The high-quality ones, as the Olive model seems to be, have a hard toe insert which prevents stubbing one's toes on rocks and hard undergrowth whilst on marches and can afford decent protection in case of falls. They are easy to maintain - just like normal leather shoes - and inexpensive to replace for wear and tear.

Again, strictly IMO, unless one is a regular track carver, with continuous peg-scraping manoeuvres, bespoke riding boots would be an expensive cosmetic. Insofar as status symbol value is concerned, I cannot comment - I am the kind of a chap who would prefer a KLR over a Hayabusa



I have a very good personal experience with light, full-sleeved pure cotton shirts. They absorb perspiration and the airflow within the jacket flows over them thus cooling the body. @ B7ACKTHORN. I have found that wearing tee shirts causes the rough inner layer of the jacket to abrade the skin on long rides. Also, perspiration on the lower arms seeps into the jacket causing the later stink.

Actually my budget is strict within 1800-2200 & can't go beyond that, so only JCB Excavator or Trekker seemed to be a good option only.
But if there is any better option within that budget, suggestions are warmly welcome.
Also I would be very much thankful if I get some suggestions within tomorrow afternoon .

Sent from my GT-S5360 using xBhp Connect mobile app

[icemang]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Actually my budget is strict within 1800-2200 & can't go beyond that, so only JCB Excavator or Trekker seemed to be a good option only.
But if there is any better option within that budget, suggestions are warmly welcome.
Also I would be very much thankful if I get some suggestions within tomorrow afternoon .

Sent from my GT-S5360 using xBhp Connect mobile app

Here is the Olive boot I recommend:

Footwear, High Ankle Combat Boots

At Rs 1585/-, it is within your budget.

What are the QR for an amateur bike boot? Snug fitting, ankle coverage (to protect the ankle and provide a tuck-in for trouser cuffs), reasonable rigidity, toe protection against minor bumps and grazes, a separate heel for correct placement of the instep on the foot peg, a ribbed sole for adequate friction against gear lever/brake lever, leather based for strength and skin-friendliness and reasonable cost. All of this will be afforded by a high-quality combat boot.

Please have no illusions of even the best bike boots affording anything more than rudimentary protection in the event of a serious prang. The combat boot will tide over 99% of everyday situations. Take a look at some samples in the nearby Army Non-CSD part of the Unit Run Canteen department. The Olive seems to be of quite high quality. I plan to order one myself.

[Sunnyside_up!]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Here is the Olive boot I recommend:

Footwear, High Ankle Combat Boots

At Rs 1585/-, it is within your budget.

What are the QR for an amateur bike boot? Snug fitting, ankle coverage (to protect the ankle and provide a tuck-in for trouser cuffs), reasonable rigidity, toe protection against minor bumps and grazes, a separate heel for correct placement of the instep on the foot peg, a ribbed sole for adequate friction against gear lever/brake lever, leather based for strength and skin-friendliness and reasonable cost. All of this will be afforded by a high-quality combat boot.

Please have no illusions of even the best bike boots affording anything more than rudimentary protection in the event of a serious prang. The combat boot will tide over 99% of everyday situations. Take a look at some samples in the nearby Army Non-CSD part of the Unit Run Canteen department. The Olive seems to be of quite high quality. I plan to order one myself.

While I would agree with you generally, a combat boot by no means offers the same level of protection as dedicated riding boots. Here's a small list of things that proper riding boots offer that combat boots don't.

1. Ankle protection - not simply covering the ankle but having dedicated stiffeners to prevent the ankle twisting from side to side, the easiest way to break your ankle.
2. Foot pronation protection - prevents your foot from flexing forward or backward beyond a point at the ankle, again to prevent breaking.
3. Heel protection - an armoured and padded cup that protects your heel from cracking in an impact.
4. Most modern boots also provide armoured protection to the Achilles' tendon, damage to which can prevent normal walking for the rest of your life.
5. Gear lever protection - rubberised areas on the top of the foot to protect wear from the gear lever.
6. Dual density compounds on the sole - harder on the outer edge that allow sliding and prevents the foot from snagging and breaking in a slide and softer compounds on the instep for better
grip on the pegs.
7. No laces - I've actually fallen at a stop when my laces snagged on the peg.
8. Shin protection - a full length riding boot will offer this too

The option of combat or adventure boots IMO are the best substitute available given budget and availability of good riding boots but definitely not a better option.

[icemang]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

While I would agree with you generally, a combat boot by no means offers the same level of protection as dedicated riding boots. Here's a small list of things that proper riding boots offer that combat boots don't.

1. Ankle protection - not simply covering the ankle but having dedicated stiffeners to prevent the ankle twisting from side to side, the easiest way to break your ankle.
2. Foot pronation protection - prevents your foot from flexing forward or backward beyond a point at the ankle, again to prevent breaking.
3. Heel protection - an armoured and padded cup that protects your heel from cracking in an impact.
4. Most modern boots also provide armoured protection to the Achilles' tendon, damage to which can prevent normal walking for the rest of your life.
5. Gear lever protection - rubberised areas on the top of the foot to protect wear from the gear lever.
6. Dual density compounds on the sole - harder on the outer edge that allow sliding and prevents the foot from snagging and breaking in a slide and softer compounds on the instep for better
grip on the pegs.
7. No laces - I've actually fallen at a stop when my laces snagged on the peg.
8. Shin protection - a full length riding boot will offer this too

The option of combat or adventure boots IMO are the best substitute available given budget and availability of good riding boots but definitely not a better option.

^^ I agree in toto about dedicated riding boots being the BEST solution with a caveat - applicability. Also, more often than not, the optimal solution is more pragmatic than the best one.

Case in point is my Leh trip last June. I carried three types of footwear. First was a pair of gumboots (very light foam type), the second was a pair of sneakers and the third a pair of slippers. Gumboots for the riding stage, sneakers for the in-town sight-seeing stage and the slippers for the ablutions stage. The scheme worked perfectly. Obviously, this would be absurd for a track day and the reverse equally so for a long tour. My team encountered a number of riders with expensive riding boots which were not at all waterproof, which were uncomfortable in town and a bit tedious for the ablutions part. Equally, had any of us worn gums/Nikes/flip-flops on track, it would have been outright dangerous. Here, a proper riding boot with steel outer flanks, reinforcement etc is a sine qua non.

So, the best solution is dictated more by its situational application than an arbitrary approach. The same philosophy holds for gloves, jackets, riding pants and other gear even including helmet visors. If the gear imparts an intrinsic flexibility, it is optimal.

A little OT here but dealing with gear so not so much OT, I suppose. A tinted visor is usable only during daylight hours. But a clear one can be used during the day with a set of sunglasses ( for a bright day), without sunglasses (for a dull day) and at night by itself. That is why I am a bit worried about members opting for default tinted visors on their precious LS2s etc. How safe their night rides would be is moot.

[Sunnyside_up!]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

^^ I agree in toto about dedicated riding boots being the BEST solution with a caveat - applicability. Also, more often than not, the optimal solution is more pragmatic than the best one.

Case in point is my Leh trip last June. I carried three types of footwear. First was a pair of gumboots (very light foam type), the second was a pair of sneakers and the third a pair of slippers. Gumboots for the riding stage, sneakers for the in-town sight-seeing stage and the slippers for the ablutions stage. The scheme worked perfectly. Obviously, this would be absurd for a track day and the reverse equally so for a long tour. My team encountered a number of riders with expensive riding boots which were not at all waterproof, which were uncomfortable in town and a bit tedious for the ablutions part. Equally, had any of us worn gums/Nikes/flip-flops on track, it would have been outright dangerous. Here, a proper riding boot with steel outer flanks, reinforcement etc is a sine qua non.

So, the best solution is dictated more by its situational application than an arbitrary approach. The same philosophy holds for gloves, jackets, riding pants and other gear even including helmet visors. If the gear imparts an intrinsic flexibility, it is optimal.

A little OT here but dealing with gear so not so much OT, I suppose. A tinted visor is usable only during daylight hours. But a clear one can be used during the day with a set of sunglasses ( for a bright day), without sunglasses (for a dull day) and at night by itself. That is why I am a bit worried about members opting for default tinted visors on their precious LS2s etc. How safe their night rides would be is moot.

Your point about using the optimal gear for the circumstances at hand are spot on. However, it s possible to find dedicated gear that does the same. I've found what works for me best while touring is two pairs of footwear. The first is my SIDI Adventure GoreTex riding boots. It's a fully armoured, waterproof (tested) boot and because of the GoreTex, can be worn in extreme heat also without any sweating whatsoever. When I reach the destination, I have a pair of folding shoes from Sanuk, which serves a multipurpose role. The Sanuks fold flat into the smallest space on my tailbag.

With regard to your observations of guys using track boots for Leh, I totally agree. Many riders use gear without application of mind to the environment that they will be using it in. As a result they end up buying gear that it not at all suitable to their riding conditions. Another prime example is your reference to the use of dark (or even worse, mirror) visors on helmets.

[icemang]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Your point about using the optimal gear for the circumstances at hand are spot on. However, it s possible to find dedicated gear that does the same. I've found what works for me best while touring is two pairs of footwear. The first is my SIDI Adventure GoreTex riding boots. It's a fully armoured, waterproof (tested) boot and because of the GoreTex, can be worn in extreme heat also without any sweating whatsoever. When I reach the destination, I have a pair of folding shoes from Sanuk, which serves a multipurpose role. The Sanuks fold flat into the smallest space on my tailbag.

With regard to your observations of guys using track boots for Leh, I totally agree. Many riders use gear without application of mind to the environment that they will be using it in. As a result they end up buying gear that it not at all suitable to their riding conditions. Another prime example is your reference to the use of dark (or even worse, mirror) visors on helmets.

Good to hear the same harmonies being played on different instruments

[whymail]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[MENTION=33779]icemang[/MENTION] & [MENTION=29015]Sunnyside_up![/MENTION] : besides being informative, both of ur posts, if i may safely say so, are intensely amusing!
me, for being a dunce that i am, have been using my army-&-navy stores safety shoes [no ankle support @ all] & my nike sports shoes [yes, u read that right] for my rides... yeah... not the right thing to do... but vitamin-M has not been always on my side & in my favor many a times!
planning to invest in a gore-tex highrise after i invest in my new ride.
a bit off topic, thanks to the labor strike @ bajaj... whatever tiny ray of hope i had on upgrading my ride relatively soon, has now been washed away into oblivion!

[Eagle_Eye]

re: Universal : Riding Gear Thread

Hi Frnds,

Need your help!!!
I was searching for a riding jacket to buy and stumbled upon Cramster's full Race suit.
Does anybody know about this product? How good is the product?

I am talking about this one :

Race Wear, Race Suit - N Series - Race Grade Genuine Leather