Universal : Riding Gear Thread

[harikeshpk]

My suggestion would be to go with a mesh rather than rain proof jacket. If I'm not mistaken, you're a recreational rider and don't use the bike for commuting, so seriously, how often do you see yourself riding in the rain?

Any other material is simply too hot to wear. Remember a good jacket is actually one that you will always wear. Personally, I would buy a dedicated wet weather jacket for those rainy days.

If you feel that getting separate dedicated warm and wet gear is too much, get a mesh jacket with waterproof liner like the Cramster Breezer 3.0 or equivalent.

I'm looking for a pair of mesh pants myself so if you get hold of the Cramster pants, please do post a review.

As for the helmets, try to get one which has replaceable snap on/off visors and get both tinted and clear visors for day and night time riding. My old school training prompted me to go for a white based helmet for better reflectance both in the day and night.

I've used both Cramster and DSG gloves and have not been happy with either. Currently looking for some AStars or some other good brand, preferably with some venting between the fingers.

when i wear a jacket to go for a long ride, i want it to be water proof as during long rides its quite usual for coming under big showers and bright sun. during my first ride from chennai to vellore i got totally drenched enroute and dried up due to the wind and sun nearer to vellore.

i drive my car around(maruthi 800 ) quite a bit like most of you. mainly i go to trivandrum from vellore 800 kms and back. night/ day all are same to me. last drive was for my onam trip on 21st aug and back on 24th.

i plan to replicate the same on my ninja after some time( i hope so )

[shrey_almighty]

My stuff:
Cross Helmet: Rs 3000
RJAYS Swift Jacket: Rs 5999
RJAYS Jetstream Gloves: Rs 2499
Fox Standard Knee Guards (& elbow guards): Rs 450
Riding Boots: Will buy by next year..

[bluevolt]

Great to know guys on xbhp are investing on quality riding gear!

[RISHIS]

My stuff:
Cross Helmet: Rs 3000
RJAYS Swift Jacket: Rs 5999
RJAYS Jetstream Gloves: Rs 2499
Fox Standard Knee Guards (& elbow guards): Rs 450
Riding Boots: Will buy by next year..

Shrey Grant road main shop ka naam kya hai. I mean the place where you got the protectors...

[sagarraikar]

Shrey Grant road main shop ka naam kya hai. I mean the place where you got the protectors...

RISHIS-----Rjays in mumbai matlab Bachoo motors at grant road....uske opposite Performance racing store bhi hai.(costly.)

[kinshuk.arya]

is there any shop in mumbai which keeps dsg's moto mesh gloves???

[sagarraikar]

is there any shop in mumbai which keeps dsg's moto mesh gloves???

I've seen those gloves at Ah helmets in andheri, AA helmets in goregaon..... and yes Smart designs in Wadala.

[shrey_almighty]

is there any shop in mumbai which keeps dsg's moto mesh gloves???

Alibhai Premji, Grant Road...You can try in Chembur also...there is a shop called Mio....opposite to Shoppers Stop...but that Paji owner quotes too much...and when you start bargaining, he emotionally blackmails..so beware.. :-P

[Sunnyside_up!]

I bought the Cramster Velocity pants two months back. Its made of the same material as the Cramster Pulse etc, with the inner contact layer being the same mesh material. Its got padding on the side of hips and stretchable materials on the back, knee etc. The knee also has CE armour. There are velcro straps at the waist as well at the ankle. The pockets have zippers and are easily accessible by the strip extending from the zip. It is not exactly water proof though.
I saw that the newer version of this, Velocity 2 has an inner removable water proofing liner. It also has the reflective strip between the knee and ankle.
Anywayz, I wear it whenever I go on long rides. I even feel comfortable wearing it directly (ie without wearing a normal pants/jeans underneath).
One major disadvantage I feel is that, though it has a zipper at front, its not open, like jean etc. So if you want to take a leak, you'll literally have to pull it down.... (atleast the front hehe).
...oh btw, my avatar spots me wearing the Velocity

Buddy,

When you say that its made of a mesh, do you mean like the Breezer jacket's outer material? You mentioned that it has padding at the hips too. What about the butt area? Is the butt area and other contact points made of a denser weave material? And the CE armour - is it just foam or does it have a hard plastic type kneecap? Sorry for all the questions, but am very keen to get a good pair of pants - which is the only part of my gear still pending. Can you post some close up snaps if possible?

I presently use a pair of bionic knee and shin pads along with my JR riding boots, so I feel pretty well protected below the knees. Still looking for some pants with padding at the butt and hips and good abrasion resistant material at the impact points. I want to have some mesh in the pants though for ventilation. If the pants are not vented, i probably will avoid wearing them as they will be too uncomfortable in the Chennai heat.

[lijok]

Buddy,

When you say that its made of a mesh, do you mean like the Breezer jacket's outer material? You mentioned that it has padding at the hips too. What about the butt area? Is the butt area and other contact points made of a denser weave material? And the CE armour - is it just foam or does it have a hard plastic type kneecap? Sorry for all the questions, but am very keen to get a good pair of pants - which is the only part of my gear still pending. Can you post some close up snaps if possible?

I presently use a pair of bionic knee and shin pads along with my JR riding boots, so I feel pretty well protected below the knees. Still looking for some pants with padding at the butt and hips and good abrasion resistant material at the impact points. I want to have some mesh in the pants though for ventilation. If the pants are not vented, i probably will avoid wearing them as they will be too uncomfortable in the Chennai heat.

Picasa Web Albums - Lijo - My riding gear check the pics in this album for the time being. I'll capture some more pics of the inner contact material and back and post tonight... you may check the same album tomm or later...

To answer your questions... the butt (hereon back ) area does not have any special padding, but is a different material and quite abrasion resistant I guess. The mesh... its the inner contact layer.. its just like the one in the Cramster Pulse.. I think the Breezer also shares the same inner contact material, though i have not seen it...(but not the rough outer material). CE armor is CE armor bro.. hehe.. not form... its hard plastic... i dont know its chemial composition though.. just kidding. Well, its not vented like the jackets. And yes, the hot chennai climate will surely leave you sweating inside it... but I prefer sweat and discomfort to dust and road rash... . no hard feelings, but we'll need to sacrifice some comfort for safety. btw... in hot climates, I just use my A* reflex knee guards over jeans..... (Its the only A* gear I have and has been rendered pretty useless by the Velocity hehe)

[onlinesatish]

Got my Phoenix jacket couple of days back......

[Sunnyside_up!]

Got my Phoenix jacket couple of days back......

Nice Jacket Satish - looks cool.

Just an observation bro, I read somewhere that the largest number of injuries to bikers was in the lower half of the torso, specially the knees, ankles and feet. If I were you I'd at least wear shoes when on the bike - you"ll find that it helps while riding too - shifting, changing position on the pegs, etc.,

Not to mention that it would match the 'look' of the rest of the gear too!! Lol!

[Sunnyside_up!]

Picasa Web Albums - Lijo - My riding gear check the pics in this album for the time being. I'll capture some more pics of the inner contact material and back and post tonight... you may check the same album tomm or later...

To answer your questions... the butt (hereon back ) area does not have any special padding, but is a different material and quite abrasion resistant I guess. The mesh... its the inner contact layer.. its just like the one in the Cramster Pulse.. I think the Breezer also shares the same inner contact material, though i have not seen it...(but not the rough outer material). CE armor is CE armor bro.. hehe.. not form... its hard plastic... i dont know its chemial composition though.. just kidding. Well, its not vented like the jackets. And yes, the hot chennai climate will surely leave you sweating inside it... but I prefer sweat and discomfort to dust and road rash... . no hard feelings, but we'll need to sacrifice some comfort for safety. btw... in hot climates, I just use my A* reflex knee guards over jeans..... (Its the only A* gear I have and has been rendered pretty useless by the Velocity hehe)

Thanks for sharing man, appreciate it. Looking forward to the other pics too.

I don't go out without gear either and haven't gotten a pair of pants yet because of the lack of practical gear. I too always wear bionics and (more recently) boots under my jeans, but am looking specially for a pair of abrasion resistant pants with padding on the hips and rear. If the pants aren't properly ventilated, they will be impossible to wear in the Chennai heat, and hence my delay in acquiring a proper pair, as I didn't want to waste money.

I know several Chennai XBhpian's who own riding jackets but don't wear them even on our regular meets simply because they purchased non-ventilated gear that is unsuitable for our city. On the other hand, the few of us who do have mesh jackets always do seem to wear them - I think that is a significant fact, don't you?

[animeher]

I'm speechless. WOW!! Could you post some pics, buddy?

Rs. 3,127.00

I used a 20% off max 500rs off coupon, so my price was 2627, shipped at doorstep. NO Indian jacket, even used, could be bought at such price!

I hope biker brothers start searching ebay.com and other sites for great jackets at perfect prices.

[sheelpriye]

Mesh jackets being ventilated will be comfortable once you are riding within city confines, once out touring mesh won't be able to trap your body heat & expose you to hot air which is very uncomfortable.