Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[kaynmantis]

Got my lids before I purchased my bike . Next gloves, then the bike .
Took forever to get my riding jacket. Yeah, I got it finally today for 7.8k. Got some pics below. You can get the jacket details here. Yup, thats the one 'Octane'.

Actually I went out hunting for a clear visor for my lid, and that damn shopkeeper ...he's one slick salesman. I ended up buying a new pair of gloves (this is my third glove in 8 months), the jacket and a tank bag (with magnets) .

Well, what the website cannot tell you is how it feels. It is very good quality with removable waterproof lining. The stitchings of linings are all sealed so that's good news come monsoon. Since my all my stuffs cannot fit into my bag, I decided to wear it. I purchased the jacket at midday....in MUMBAI, so I had to remove the lining and anyway it was the right opportunity to try it out at peak afternoon. The official website claims "This jacket has been designed to be the MOST summer vented air mesh jacket on the market today. EVEN THE POCKETS ARE VENTED!!!" Surprise, surprise, it is exactly as it claims. It breaths extremely well, no hint of sweating and it got pockets..lots of pockets . Am a very very happy man.

Alpinestars were usually out of my budget, and DSG didn't quiet appeal to me. So I finally got something in between.
Jacket = 7.5k
Gloves = 2.8k
Tank bag = 1.5k
Helmet visor = Free (To think I actually set out for this )
Where = Tardeo, Mumbai

Here a front view


Side view


Back view


The new gloves


And Some of my gears. The black jacket lying on the left is the lining.
(Index Titan 3 lid, RJays jacket / lining, Daijya Shivan Dragon lid, two extra visors for both helmets "you have to look hard to spot the clear visor", GPR Racing gloves & tank bag.


Next on the list are riding pants or Knee guards and riding shoes....mmm, I wish I could say whichever comes first, but unlikely..riding shoes costs a bomb .

[DKGbond3]

looks like a wholesale shop
lol.. just kidding..

congratulations!!!

[46wannabe]

I have a pair of A* reflex knee guard. I had to shorten the length of the velcro straps as they were loose - pretty easy, just fold up an inch of the strap and stitch them (did it maself).
They too tend to slip down the leg, unless I'm wearing my riding boots... I dont consider this an issue at all...
Easy to wear inside pants/jeans, as long as they are not too tight...

Thanks for the tip Lijok. Sorry I haven't read this thread in a while.
Will try your idea if no one buys my bionics.

[malliah]

Alpinestar - closeout sale on Newenough

Hi all,
Picked up 2 pairs of Alpinestars Gloves on newenough.com.
Aper Drystar for touring and Sledge for warm weather use. Costed me less than 7k including shipping.

Still waiting for some advise on my earlier post

[46wannabe]

Hi All,
Need some guidance from the gurus here, I am looking to invest in a good riding gear and am confused with all the names doing the rounds. My dudget for this is about 40K
The bike I intend to use these is the Ninja 250.
I am tired of restoring vintages and hence now want to do ome real riding in to the hills.
I am looking for a jacket which I can use through the year - summer, rains and winters. I will also be travelling up the hills and hence warmth is a neccessity - Do you have anything in mind which will meet my requirement or do you reccomend that I buy regular gear and buy extra rain wear.
I also need a good pair of shoes - I like the Alpinestar Gore-tex. Any other reccomendation?
Gloves - Am ok to buy extra pairs for winters/rains and Summers- reccomendations please.
I currently own an Alpinestar RC-1 Leather jacket and a scorpion Exo 1000 helmet. I will be buying an Arai when I am in Singapore later this year.
I you b'liv I can get something very good if I notch up the budget a little - please let me know.

Gloves:
You already bought some great gloves. As per the construction details IMO, the Apex Drystar is the best for touring use. Specially in winters.
I haven't heard of the other pair before. Are they summer gloves? If they aren't then get yourself a light short cuff glove for city use or during the hot summers. Shouldn't cost you more than a maximum of Rs. 6,000/- for some decent short cuffs. And I'm talking about AStars here.

Jackets:
You already have a leather jacket. Great for winters as long as you don't mind taking good care of them during storage periods. For eg: During the monsoons! But for summers in India you need a full mesh jacket and nothing else. Joe Rocket has one particular model where-in you can use the jacket during the monsoons and for summers you simply need to unzip a few panels to reveal a pure mesh jacket and your set for summer rides.
Model: JR Alter Ego 2.0 http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/ind...go_2.0_Jacket_
Price: Max $275 @ Rs.44 to the $ = Rs. 12,100/-
@New Enough: Send them a price request and they will email the best price to you.

http://www.newenough.com/protective_apparel/convertible_textile_mesh_jackets_and_pants/joe_rocket/alter_ego_2_textile_mesh_motorcycle_jacket.html#

Boots:
The Goretex is the best bet for year round use as it is an all weather boot. Plus it will be reliable as it is an AStar make. Also known as the Tech Touring WP boots, with the whole list of features and at Rs. 15,400/- from New Enough I think it's a great deal.

http://www.newenough.com/boots/waterproof_sport_street_touring_boots/alpinestars/tech_touring_wp_motorcycle_boots.html

This means at a total of approximately Rs. 33,500/- (at the most as per my calculations, don't forget the emailed price of the JR) plus the Rs. 7,000/- that you just spent, it just about fits your budget!

Good luck and don't forget to post up pics, please.

[malliah]

Thanks buddy for the detailed update

Yes - The Sledge is a street glove from Astar and for warm weather
I did have a look at the Alter Ego. Very nice looking jacked but found the zippers too flimsy. I am taking about the ones which fit the outer panels.
It can be bought from Perormance racing for 13.5 k

I guess I will go with the Alpinestars T - RC1 Airflow. It is a mesh jacked with a windproof/waterproof liner. At about 12k it is a good buy. I dont intend riding too much in the rain and this should suffice. Maybe pick up a raingear sometime later.

You cant go wrong with Astar and guess will stick to the brand.

Thanks a lot for your response

[46wannabe]

^Your welcome bro!

[bluevolt]

Thanks buddy for the detailed update

Yes - The Sledge is a street glove from Astar and for warm weather
I did have a look at the Alter Ego. Very nice looking jacked but found the zippers too flimsy. I am taking about the ones which fit the outer panels.
It can be bought from Perormance racing for 13.5 k

I guess I will go with the Alpinestars T - RC1 Airflow. It is a mesh jacked with a windproof/waterproof liner. At about 12k it is a good buy. I dont intend riding too much in the rain and this should suffice. Maybe pick up a raingear sometime later.

You cant go wrong with Astar and guess will stick to the brand.

Thanks a lot for your response

Mesh jacket is the way to go in India - and if you want something weatherproof, get a jacket with Goretex, Drystar or D-Dry and it will be waterproof as well. Also try and get a two-piece set which allows the jacket to be attached securely to the pants with a 360 zip mechanism.

Dainese is my favorite brand - if you are going to Singapore, check out the D-store there. IMHO, their products are far more comfortable than A-stars (having tried on both) - the flip side is that they come at a premium over Alpinestars.

[malliah]

Agree with you.....Dainese have great designs and probably make the finest jackets. From a fit perspective I like the Astar a little bit more.

I was looking at you jacket - thats a fabulous one. How heavy was it on your pocket?

[bluevolt]

Agree with you.....Dainese have great designs and probably make the finest jackets. From a fit perspective I like the Astar a little bit more.

I was looking at you jacket - thats a fabulous one. How heavy was it on your pocket?

On my body type, Dainese fits better - and there is something to do with the quality of materials used. A-Star jackets somehow feel rigid, but that is only relative to Dainese - otherwise A-stars is a great brand which makes cool products.

The Dainese jacket I have is a 2006 Jet Pac - cost me USD 545 (base price) +70 (for the spine armor) = USD 615.

Very heavy on the pocket indeed!

[malliah]

On my body type, Dainese fits better - and there is something to do with the quality of materials used. A-Star jackets somehow feel rigid, but that is only relative to Dainese - otherwise A-stars is a great brand which makes cool products.

The Dainese jacket I have is a 2006 Jet Pac - cost me USD 545 (base price) +70 (for the spine armor) = USD 615.

Very heavy on the pocket indeed!

Ouch...thats a pretty sum
Pity - they stopped paying good money to us Bankers :-)))

[bluevolt]

Ouch...thats a pretty sum
Pity - they stopped paying good money to us Bankers :-)))

Ha ha - don't get any ideas now, there! It is just that I chose to spend my money on quality riding gear and had to make a lot of other sacrifices. I bought the jacket and lid in one go, and then the pants and the boots in the next lot. I am not a rich kid or paid a astronomical salary! I still roam around with a Rs.1000 cellphone and no car/own house/wife/GF/Booze.

I had to eat dal-chawal and sauted onions for many months after buying my kit.

[nicky_cool_dude_2004]

Guys.. I'm planning to buy a Knee shin guard from ebay which i came across. I had started a thread for it which got approved and later came to know of this thread.. Sorry mods for creating that threads.. The knee guards which i have in mind are as follows. Please guide me through.

1st
SHIFT YOUTH ENFORCER KNEE SHIN GUARDS BLACK ONE SIZE : eBay Motors (item 250566898312 end time Feb-19-10 10:59:14 PST)


2nd
Motorcycle Motocross AXO KNEE ELBOW GUARDS Yamaha WR YZ : eBay Motors (item 110481134242 end time Feb-12-10 16:56:22 PST)

3rd
FOX TITAN SPORT KNEE SHIN GUARD BLACK/SILVER : eBay Motors (item 260529925212 end time Jan-27-10 13:47:14 PST)

4th
A.R.C MOTO KNEE GUARDS Pro-flex MOTOCROSS Perfect Shape : eBay Motors (item 260541147052 end time Jan-27-10 17:28:33 PST)

If any other found, please let me know. I can afford upto 65$ with shipping charges as i dont have more money.

[malliah]

no car/own house/wife/GF/Booze.

I had to eat dal-chawal and sauted onions for many months after buying my kit.

One Wife and 2 kids and I love my scotch ....Astars will do for now

[malliah]

Guys.. I'm planning to buy a Knee shin guard from ebay which i came across. I had started a thread for it which got approved and later came to know of this thread.. Sorry mods for creating that threads.. The knee guards which i have in mind are as follows. Please guide me through.
If any other found, please let me know. I can afford upto 65$ with shipping charges as i dont have more money.

I am not very familiar with any of these brands. Will reccomend Alpinestars reflex knee guards from www.newenough.com for about USD 68. i.e approx 3000 rupees.

Else if you are willing to spend about 3900 rupees, you can get Alpinestars Bioniv Knee guards from www.planetdsg.com

Alpinestars is a reputed brand and both Newenough and Planet DSG are pretty fair in their dealings.

regards