Gear Guidance for Newb

[russelson]

Taking a MSF course in a week and want to pick up some basic gear before the class.  helmet, gloves, boots.  Perhaps a jacket.  Anyone have any advice?  Or gear guides available online?  Or is it just walk into a shop and pick what fits well?  ANy help or guidance is appreciated. 

Thanks!

-Russ

[somegirl]

It's a good idea to try things on in person and make sure they fit well and are comfortable.   For everything besides the helmet, while trying it on, sit on a bike if you can to test out the fit in riding position, as that is important.  For the helmet, keep it on for a while to make sure it really is comfortable.

The best gloves have a gauntlet to cover the wrist and are armored.   Look for a jacket with armor too.

WebBikeWorld has lots of great reviews.

[Spider]

I bought my gear before my bike too....and before I took a 'refresher' course, the instructor was pretty impressed - everyone else is in jeans and I'm kitted up like the proverbial power ranger!

By purchasing your gear first you're more likely to spend more and get better stuff in my opinion.

Spend as much as you can afford!

I've yet to read anyone on the gear pages say "I bought really expensive gear, came off, and really wish I'd spent less"!

then...wear it....everytime you're on the thing! my closest calls have been within 2 miles of my home

have a great ride and well done for coming to the gear pages - Riding techniques and gear should be the most popular instead of Mods!

[TiNi]

i also agree with trying the gear on in person, different brands just fit different.
if you find something that fits you well, buy it, from the shop.
the trouble with buying gear online is that the shops will eventually stop stocking it.

my .02

[psycledelic]

Make sure your helmet fits properly.  Don't get fixated on a design or brand name.  Find the Jacket and gloves that you are comfortable in.  And try for laceless boots or boots that cover the laces.  Shoe laces will turn on you in a heartbeat.  There is a lot of thinks on your bike for them to get caught up in. 

[hypurone]

It's a good idea to try things on in person and make sure they fit well and are comfortable.   For everything besides the helmet, while trying it on, sit on a bike if you can to test out the fit in riding position, as that is important.  For the helmet, keep it on for a while to make sure it really is comfortable.The best gloves have a gauntlet to cover the wrist and are armored.   Look for a jacket with armor too.
WebBikeWorld has lots of great reviews.

Sage advice. One thing about helmets, most folks buy them so they are comfortable right off the shelf. The thing is, they break in like most other gear does. So what is really comfortable at the time of purchase can turn into something that is actually unsafe later. A proper fitting helmet is neither too tight NOR too loose! I buy mine (only Shoei cuz they are my shape) a little tight. If you have trouble finding something just right, look for a brand that features replaceable pads etc. Most brands are going to this. You can then order different inserts to get the right fit. As already stated, DON'T SKIMP ON YOUR GEAR PURCHASES, ESPECIALLY THE HELMET. There, I feel better...

[faolan01]

+1 for sitting on a bike while trying on gear.  I picked up a pair of cold weather gloves this year and made the mistake of not seeing how they felt on a bike first. They fit great...right up until I tried wearing them on the bike a couple of weeks later and actually grabbed my bars, at which point they crushed my finger tips 

[Slide Panda]

A +1 for WebBikeWorld - they have really detailed reviews.  Another +1 for trying stuff on in person.  Sizes can range greatly for maker to maker.  For example a TourMaster made 46 jacket fits me with no issues - and A* 48 is snug and can bind me.  So even going up a size notch, A* doesn't fit me well enough... and let's not talk of the debacle that was me trying to fit their pants on...

In my experience, American manufacturers tend to cut a bit bigger vs the Euros.  Per my example above.. If you're a lean build, offerings from A* Dianese etc might suite you better.  If you've got some meat, items from Cortech/TournMaster, Vanson and a number of others might fit better.

If you're on a budget, there's plenty of good textile offerings out there that cost less than their leather counterparts.  Some people say "Anything but leather is useless"  - but I say a good textile suit is waaaaaay better than jeans and a T.

[russelson]

Thanks for the advice all! 

[Privateer]

definitely try everything on.  If you have a cycle gear near you, i think they have a limited time helmet return also.  Buy it the day before MSF, wear it for the 2 days and if it doesn't fit, take it back.

As said above, don't skimp on gear, and get gear that fits and is comfortable.  Best leather jacket in the world doesn't help if you don't wear it because it's 'too hot.'



Andy

[Ducatista]

When going for a lid, make sure that you get the correct size and shape for your noggin.  A helmet that is too big (a very common mistake) will offer little protection.  Scorpion has some good tips for testing helmet fitment at the bottom of this page. 

[Kyna]

Helmet - try to find one that's Snell/DOT approved and fits well.  Fit is really important but so is safety rating.

Have fun at your MSF.  I just completed mine a few weeks ago.  You'll appreciate having at least your own helmet for the class.

[uclabiker06]

Spend as much as you can afford!

+1.  If it fits right your want to wear it cuz its comfortable.  If not then you probably wont wear it all the time.  MAKE SURE IT FITS AND IS COMFORTABLE.  Comfort the first minute your wear something is different then comfort a couple hours after you have been wearing it.  The biggest mistake people make when buying jackets is buying jackets that are to big for them.  Your clothes can be baggy but your gear shouldn't.  With helmets anything above $200 is not going to protect your head more its just going to be more comfortable.   You can't go wrong with a Shoei or Arai.  Good luck and take it slow.   

[squidwood]

ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI ARAI

CYCLE GEAR CYCYLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE GEAR CYCLE


ok  I have made my point.Go to cycle gear get everything including your head measured.Tell them what kind of riding you will be doing, and in what weather conditions.(I dont ride in the wet and cold anymore  as I now own a car yippeeeeeee) .Spend as much as you can afford and without doubt buy the best possible helmet you can afford.I personally would send more on an Aari helmet and then a decent cortch jacket thatn a cheap helmet and a leather coat.Don't forget boots gloves and riding pants.

Again get a ARAI helmet and go from there.I have seen these things save folks lives.

[il d00d]

Re: Helmet, it is the most important and the trickiest to get right.  I would say don't go into the gear shop with brand preferences.  Different brands fit different head profiles, so find one that fits yours the best.  Do this by wearing it in the store for at least 10 minutes.  You will probably feel like an idiot, but there is really no other way to tell if it is going to be comfortable once you are riding.  Discomfort = distraction.  Not only will it not be fun, it won't be safe.  One other test (and I think WebBikeWorld covers this in their helmet primer), grab the back of the helmet once it is on your head, give it a yank, see how easy it may be to slip off
As for impact resistance, I  would say you can get away with looking for a Snell sticker.  If you want to do some more reading on the subject, I recommend this article

I personally don't subscribe to the expensive = better/safer theory on buying gear.  There is plenty of good, inexpensive and safe gear out there, but don't use that as an opportunity to spend less by buying less.  Don't skimp on having a *complete* set of gear.
RiDE magazine does some independent testing on suits, gloves and boots - this data is a couple years old, and some of the brands are either unavailable in the US or rebranded (Berik = MotoGP), but it is a good source of info.
I would also read up on CE certifications and look for gear that has them.  Be careful though, because sometimes it is hard to tell from the label if, say, the jacket itself, the armor or both are CE certified.  if memory serves, there are two different standards on back protectors, but only one on elbow, shoulder, etc armor.  The internet tubes are obviously a good resource for finding out about the brands and models.
Good luck on your search - be sure to let us know what you got and why...