Help me in my search for riding gear- NC newbie

[Frogfish]

Anyone have any experience with the Icon Contra textile jacket? How is it comfort-wise? Protection? How about in hot weather riding (live in NC so it is 90s all summer long)
http://www.rideicon.com/products/?productGroupId=66553

And how would these Icon textile overpants be for riding in the summer over jeans? With 90* weather, will it be too much? Be it a commute or a 2 hour ride for fun?
http://www.rideicon.com/products/?productGroupId=66814

[danaid]

  Not a fan of Icon in any way, but Revzilla always has great video reviews and comments.

  check it out,

http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-contra-jacket

[Frogfish]

 Not a fan of Icon in any way, but Revzilla always has great video reviews and comments.

 check it out,

http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-contra-jacket

What would you suggest for riding in spring/summer/fall in NC? 60 to over 90 degrees. The majority of my riding will be around town and commuting, with a couple longer trips to the beach here and there.

How is the Joe Rocket jacket? Is the mesh under-layer adequate protection?
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/joe-rocket-alter-ego-30-jacket

[Frogfish]

I think after reading reviews, I'm going with the Rev'it Tornado pants and jacket, SIDI Apex boots, Alpinestars SMX-2 gloves, and possibly the Icon Variant helmet (not sure on helmet yet). I think the tornado will be a good 3 season jacket/pant for NC....

Sound good?

[The Bearded Duc]

I think after reading reviews, I'm going with the Rev'it Tornado pants and jacket, SIDI Apex boots, Alpinestars SMX-2 gloves, and possibly the Icon Variant helmet (not sure on helmet yet). I think the tornado will be a good 3 season jacket/pant for NC....

Sound good?

Sounds good to me. Although, you do know that the Rev'it Tornado pants are not an overpant right?

I'm not a fan of Icon either but the helmet is more a personal fit choice. So if it fits you well then that's all that matters.

Rev'it makes great quality gear. Not to be snobby but that's all I wear, I found gear that fits well and protects well so why change it.

I think you'll be happy with the quality as well. However, when it comes to being hot there's no way around that. You're gonna be hot no matter what, but I'd rather be hot and sweaty than have to worry about the nurse picking asphalt out of my ass.

[Slide Panda]

Regarding helmets - seek one that fits you well. Don't focus on brand so much initially. My noggin fits in Shoei and AGV stuff. I've wanted to buy other stuff, but a little test fit in a shop said "no no no". One really well reviewed, great value, helmet I tried on left me with a screaming headache in about two minutes.

As with helmets - you'll want to try stuff on. As you might figure, sizes and cut vary from maker to maker. And on occasion even within a makers line. Gloves too, of course. In A*s, which run a bit small, I sport XXL gloves. I really wanted a set of Rev'iT gloves, but even their XXXL was too small. Fingers were all jammed in and I couldn't close my hand.

And on gloves, you might take a look at some 'gauntlet' length ones. They don't make that much difference in air flow, if they are designed for warm weather. But they DO cover that easily exposed area when the jacket arm rides up.

[Frogfish]

Sounds good to me. Although, you do know that the Rev'it Tornado pants are not an overpant right?

I heard that the Tornado with the thermal lining removed works good as an overpant...

[Frogfish]

Regarding helmets - seek one that fits you well. Don't focus on brand so much initially. My noggin fits in Shoei and AGV stuff. I've wanted to buy other stuff, but a little test fit in a shop said "no no no". One really well reviewed, great value, helmet I tried on left me with a screaming headache in about two minutes.

As with helmets - you'll want to try stuff on. As you might figure, sizes and cut vary from maker to maker. And on occasion even within a makers line. Gloves too, of course. In A*s, which run a bit small, I sport XXL gloves. I really wanted a set of Rev'iT gloves, but even their XXXL was too small. Fingers were all jammed in and I couldn't close my hand.

And on gloves, you might take a look at some 'gauntlet' length ones. They don't make that much difference in air flow, if they are designed for warm weather. But they DO cover that easily exposed area when the jacket arm rides up.

Thanks ill go to a shop and test fit some gear

[Slide Panda]

I heard that the Tornado with the thermal lining removed works good as an overpant...

Just remember that it's meant to be worn as a pant on it's own - so over other pants will make you warmer. Also you'll need to account for your jeans, etc when sizing. YOu might find that you can't get the to fit with AND without jeans etc under. They will have some adjustment to them though.

Thanks ill go to a shop and test fit some gear

not sure where you are, but there's several Cycle Gear shops in NC
http://www.cyclegear.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c%2FstoreLocator%2FstoreLocator.cfm&var=d&ckey=US&CSVList_1=&CSVList_2=&CSVList_3=&searchArea=1&countryID=US&groupID=2&mapClicked=Y&states=&statesName=nc&fromZip=&distanceUnit=1&radius=100&displayStoreLocatorSearchResults=Y

They usually have a good selection. Most shops will stock a couple brands, so you might need to call around to find the nearest Rev'it vendor.
Revzilla is a great online vendor, that will do free size exchanges. But of course you need to wait on shipping.
- and one little secret that local shops dont always say, is that they may match online prices. There's a local to me dealer that doesn't broadcast that fact - but if you show them a legit online vendor price on a gear item they stock, they will match it.

[Thermite]

I live in a warm humid climate too.  For the top half I always like leather.  For the bottom half I wear Sarsto Kevlar jeans when it's hot.

[The Bearded Duc]

I live in a warm humid climate too.  For the top half I always like leather.  For the bottom half I wear Sarsto Kevlar jeans when it's hot.

To the OP, this might be a worthy suggestion. A good jacket and some reinforced jeans, and maybe some removable knee/shin guards would be perfect for getting around town. I wouldn't suggest anything other than leather, jacket and pants, for canyon carving or a high quality cordura/textile suit.

Just my $.02

[Frogfish]

To the OP, this might be a worthy suggestion. A good jacket and some reinforced jeans, and maybe some removable knee/shin guards would be perfect for getting around town. I wouldn't suggest anything other than leather, jacket and pants, for canyon carving or a high quality cordura/textile suit.

Just my $.02

I plan on getting a seat of kevlar jeans as well. However, my town seems to be filled with imbecile drivers. Won't textile pants like the Rev'it Tornado offer more protection?

[Slide Panda]

They will.

Kevlar jeans are better than regular ones. Especially the tissue paper some places call denim now - but they don't offer up as much as something like the pants you're planning to get

Generally the jeans won't have impact protection and the Kevlar is only in limited areas. So if you go down and slide on an un reenforced area...  And you're looking at getting knee/shin armor and padded shorts in addition to add impact protection along the lines of those rev it's

I've got some kev jeans I wear on occasion with armor. But they are for errand running, meeting a buddy near by duty

Order of protection

Street clothes < Kevlar jeans < textiles < leathers

[danaid]

 Excellent choice with Rev'it, I wear their gear And Dainese gear, they both fit me well, between the two companies I can find everything I need. Very high quality and safety with those brands.

Revzilla.com is where I buy most of my gear, great prices and store credit on most purchases to get you to return again.

[Frogfish]

Yup so far, Revzilla has had the cheapest prices (except on the black Rev'it Tornado jacket...I want the silver though!).

Just hope to see if any of the local stores has some of the gear in stock so I can try it on beforehand. Will definitely save buying online. Free shipping and no tax!