New Rider, New gear - Icon??

DucatiTorrey · February 11, 2009, 04:13:53 AM

I am getting into riding witha a new 696. I have lloking for a jacket, helmet and gloves to start, and am trying to not spend a ton. I know I really dont want to skimp on the helmet, but $300 seems like a lot. Bleow i've listed a few products, if you have any experience with them or any better products that i may like let me know! thanks Oh, and i'm a pretty plain guy, getting the 696 Dark, want a matt black helmet (preferrably) and so on

thanks again

Icon Alliance SSR Rubatone Helmet ($140)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1973&id=8031

Icon Hooligan Stealth jacket (want leather, but $$$, may just start with textile with armor) ($165)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1974&id=7865

and gloves i'm not sure
shoes? boots?

i'll probably be riding in jeans so some Sidis may look rediculous, like some kid here in Mchigan skiing in jeans and a starter jacket ha ha ha

Turf · February 11, 2009, 04:29:01 AM

Quote from: ducatitorrey on February 11, 2009, 04:13:53 AM
I am getting into riding witha a new 696. I have lloking for a jacket, helmet and gloves to start, and am trying to not spend a ton. I know I really dont want to skimp on the helmet, but $300 seems like a lot. Bleow i've listed a few products, if you have any experience with them or any better products that i may like let me know! thanks Oh, and i'm a pretty plain guy, getting the 696 Dark, want a matt black helmet (preferrably) and so on

thanks again

Icon Alliance SSR Rubatone Helmet ($140)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1973&id=8031

Icon Hooligan Stealth jacket (want leather, but $$$, may just start with textile with armor) ($165)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1974&id=7865

and gloves i'm not sure
shoes? boots?

i'll probably be riding in jeans so some Sidis may look rediculous, like some kid here in Mchigan skiing in jeans and a starter jacket ha ha ha

Obviously the more gear the better, there is a nice balance between ease of use and protection.

With helmets it's really what fits your head shape, I had one of the last gen Aliance SS and like the new one it's heavy which will wear your neck out. I can highly suggest the scorpion's I've ditched one and i'm still around.

I've heard good things about the icon jackets, don't own any as i'm not a big fan of most icon styling.

cheap gloves I'd check out alpinestars sps, great cheap short gloves and damn near everyone carries them.

Grab some boots while your at it, any moto specific boots with ankle protection will do.

http://newenough.com/ good site with some pretty great cheap stuff.

Welcome to the site too

OT_Ducati · February 11, 2009, 05:31:53 AM

another place to find stuff http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/

OT_Ducati · February 11, 2009, 05:59:21 AM

very good deal on very good helmet, have one myself, you will not be disappointed.
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/save+$100+or+more/shark_rsi+helmet+-+fusion+solid+-+size+md
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/save+$100+or+more/shark_rsi+helmet+-+hologram
you can read the reveiw here.http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/shark-rsi/

ghosthound · February 11, 2009, 07:58:29 AM

If you are interested in a pair of short gloves, I have an extra pair of alpinestars SPX gloves large in black if your interested.

Im also not a fan of icons styling though i know many people who have icon gear.

swampduc · February 11, 2009, 08:15:28 AM

Another good place for cheap gear is Iron Pony's website - good closeout deals.
When I started riding, I too was short on $. I used Joe Rocket - the Alter Ego jacket (textile, adaptable as winter jacket or mesh), and GPX armored leather gloves. Both served me really well in a crash.

hyphen · February 11, 2009, 11:59:59 AM

when i think of icon i generally think of 19 year olds riding squixxers with a mohawk on their helmet. i say screw the brand though. shop around and see what fits. i think that's the key. my friend told me when i bought my first helmet to try everything on and buy whatever fits without any biases on brands (of course it should be a brand with a good reputation). stop by a bike shop and try some on and go from there. if icon fits, get it (but i think hjc makes their helmets?).

for gloves a* has some comfy street gloves that are fabric/leather with carbon knuckle guards and rubber digit protectors. i paid $40ish for mine since i got my gf a pair too (discount). theyre very comfy but the only problem is that theyre not good for cold weather.

but it depends on what kind of riding you do. recreational, commuting, track?

redxblack · February 11, 2009, 01:45:09 PM

matte black = lower visibility. it's a rookie mistake to make your safety gear fashionable first. This stuff can save a life so it's worth looking into the function over the fashion. If you're going all black, I'd really strongly recommend reflective tape or bright red/yellow or white elements. Of course, you've probably heard this already in the MSF class.

If you're going to wear jeans, you might want to check out some of the armored jeans. I like Draggin Jeans a lot.

My brother gave me great advice when I was gearing up -- "No one's ever slid down the freeway at 70mph thinking 'I should have bought cheaper gear.'"

ghosthound · February 11, 2009, 02:39:24 PM

yeah, if its black definitely make sure it has reflective elements on it. My Delmar is black but it has some SICK reflective bits IMHO. I'll get some pictures up with a flash camera to show you what it looks like.

my helmet is flat black and although that makes it less visible... i think the jacket makes up for it. plus, most car headlights cutoff before reaching the height of your helmet.

jakem696 · February 11, 2009, 03:35:29 PM

Being visible from other is great. Sometimes I feel like a clown with my bright red jacket. (black, red and white RedBull jacket) But it still got that "cool "factor. lol.... Looking cool is something I willing to trade as long as I get home to ride another day.
Oh yeah, i'm 36 hahaha

Spidey · February 11, 2009, 03:51:15 PM

Quote from: ducatitorrey on February 11, 2009, 04:13:53 AM
I am getting into riding witha a new 696. I have lloking for a jacket, helmet and gloves to start, and am trying to not spend a ton. I know I really dont want to skimp on the helmet, but $300 seems like a lot. Bleow i've listed a few products, if you have any experience with them or any better products that i may like let me know! thanks Oh, and i'm a pretty plain guy, getting the 696 Dark, want a matt black helmet (preferrably) and so on

thanks again

Icon Alliance SSR Rubatone Helmet ($140)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1973&id=8031

Icon Hooligan Stealth jacket (want leather, but $$$, may just start with textile with armor) ($165)
http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1974&id=7865

and gloves i'm not sure
shoes? boots?

i'll probably be riding in jeans so some Sidis may look rediculous, like some kid here in Mchigan skiing in jeans and a starter jacket ha ha ha

A couple of thoughts:

1) I think it's a good idea to initially buy gear knowing that your tastes or your gear needs might change as you get some more experience. That's not to say that--if you can afford it--that you shouldn't go on an initial gear spree. Instead, it's prudent to buy something workable at first and then see if you want something more or different or more expensive.

2) That Icon jacket is mesh. I'd stay away from mesh. If you're going to buy a textile jacket (yes, they tend to be cheaper than leather), buy something with abrasion resistance.

3) In my opinion, a helmet is a helmet as long as it fits, is DOT approved and is a full-face. I'd avoid buying online because you can't see how it fits your head. A high priced helment doesn't really get you more protection. The additional cost is primarily for comfort and features (which are not to be discounted). The only helmets I've found that really fit my head well are a $250 Shoei and a $500 Shoei.

4) If you're going to ride in jeans (my take -- don't!), at least buy some knee guards to wear underneath or on top. Personally, I'd rather wear standard jeans with knee guards than wear draggin' jeans. Not enough impact protection in my book.

5) Buy whatever gloves fit. Personally, I'm pretty wary of those shorter BMX-style gloves because every time I crash, I see scuffing on my wrist. Shorter gloves may not provide the coverage you want. You'll probably get another pair of gloves once you've been riding for a while.

6) Wear boots. For now, they don't *need* to be moto-specific, though if you twist and break your ankle, you might regret not having moto-specific boots. Yes, it'd be *great* for you to have Sidis or something like that. And no, it's not weird to wear them under jeans. Many folks do. Also be aware that there are many moto-specific boots out there that aren't flashy, bling-bling boy-racer boots.

7) There are many good deals to be had on moto gear at places like newenough.com or the closeouts at motostrano or elsewhere. Figure out what you can afford and want to spend for a gear budget and then let us help you find stuff.

I hope that helps.

teddy037.2 · February 11, 2009, 05:10:52 PM

just to tack on to spidey's wisdom... the draggin' jeans are available w/CE knee and hip armor, so they're not necessarily the worst idea out there.

if I'm just punting out someplace for lunch or coffee, I'll wear the jeans. if I'm out any longer, it's my tex pants.

Spidey · February 11, 2009, 05:30:05 PM

Quote from: teddy037.2 on February 11, 2009, 05:10:52 PM
just to tack on to spidey's wisdom... the draggin' jeans are available w/CE knee and hip armor, so they're not necessarily the worst idea out there.

Did not know that. Good info.

OP, fwiw, I just checked newenough's closeouts and they have some leather jackets with armor for less than or equal to that ICON mesh jacket you were eyeing.

teddy037.2 · February 12, 2009, 01:57:14 AM

Quote from: Spidey on February 11, 2009, 05:30:05 PM
Did not know that. Good info.

I was wearin' them when we showed up at your place!

DucatiTorrey · February 12, 2009, 07:41:30 AM

Thanks, yeah the only thing that draws me to Icon is that matt black helmet. We have a vinyl sticker cutter at work, i was going to do reflective on the back and sides. Maybe Ducati logo or something. Jackets i'm still unsure, gloves i'll check both of those recommendations out.

I dealer in town only carried HJC (i did hear they make Icon Helmets too) I'll try some one for fit, but unless they're really crazy like some i've seen on here, they remind me of some Fast and Furious car. I guess not a fan.

So from what i gather, spend the money on the helmet (one that fits well) and eventually upgrade to leather jacket (armored)

oh and boots.

thanks for your help everyone

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New Rider, New gear - Icon??

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