Riding Gear?

[SSL4X4]

I have snowmobiles four wheelers and jetskis but the Spyder will be my first street machine. My best friend is a crotch rocket guy and is introducing me to all his VERY expensive riding gear. I believe in the merits of a good helmet (even though here in Colorado its not a law). I am wondering what you folks think? Its not the money so much is it looks hot and I enjoy a comfy pair of jeans when I am bugging around on the weekend. I have riding gear for the snowmobile but thats more for the cold temps I experience at 14,000 ft in the Rockies. I know some of you folks have street bikes as well as Spyders and wondering if you think the riding gear is money well spent or should I funnel those funds towards more mods?

 

[pphantom538]

My advise would be to get a full face well ventilated helmet first. The noggin is the hardest to replace! Then protective gear - jacket long pants. When I'm on the ATV in the woods I always wear my jacket and safety gear and wouldn't even consider driving streets at speed without the same. Safety first, mods are fun.

Paul

 

[daddydarko]

I can't do without the following gear:

Helmet - I have a full face for riding fast and an open face for cruising.
Gloves - Grip, protection from bugs and debris.
Rain Gear - I never seem to have it when I actually need it.

I'm an IIcon fan 'til I die but just make sure you cover your head and hands with something.

 

[spyder18]

When You go out all way dress in layers plus your helmet. That way it you get Hot can take some off and if you get Cold you can put some back on and on hot day the mesh jacket is wonderful.


Ride Safe
Spyder18

 

[Smylinacha]

3/4 or full face helmet - we don't have a helmet law in CT either but I choose to wear one - stunk yesterday though cuz it was so freakin hot & humid out.

Gloves - you can get mesh ones - not that it will tip like a bike but say you get thrown off it - what do you use first to land? Your hands.

Jacket - in hot weather you can wear a protective mesh jacket - protects from roadrash and sunburn! I wear my FXRG leather jacket in cool weather - the liner comes out if it gets warm and it's vented - also the liner is waterproof.

Raingear - got that too - got some gear from harley that makes it's own little pouch when you fold it all up - about the size of a desert plate.

 

[SpyderMark]

My best friend is a crotch rocket guy and is introducing me to all his VERY expensive riding gear.

There is "expensive," then there is "EXPENSIVE!" Yes, some of the riding gear you need may cost a bit, but that cost pales in comparison to that of skin grafts to repair road rash...

Its not the money so much is it looks hot and I enjoy a comfy pair of jeans when I am bugging around on the weekend.

A good mesh jacket is actually cooler to ride in than a single, cotton shirt. Why? With a thin shirt on, the sun's heat transfers directly to your skin because the shirt is so close. If you're wearing a short-sleeved shirt, the sun will directly warm your skin. A mesh jacket will leave room between the material and your skin to allow heat from your body to escape the mesh, plus it keeps the sun off your skin while allowing the wind thru -- it's like sitting in the shade with a breeze! Trust me, if you get a mesh jacket you can ride comfortably in it with temps all the way up to 98.6 degrees F; above that it doesn't matter what you wear, you'll feel like your sitting in a convection oven...

As a snowmobile rider, I don't have to tell you how to dress for the cold.

There are many good deals to be had on riding gear. As in all other things, the brand names are gonna cost more. Additionally, leather will almost always cost more than textiles -- sometimes twice as much for the same style jacket!

I've seen some very good prices at http://www.ridegear.com/ -- especially on the closeouts.

A quick search turned up this item:

http://www.ridegear.com/rg/item/F-28022/Tour-Master/Draft-Air-Jackets.html

The silver/black version of this would go very nicely with a silver Spyder.

Regards,

Mark

 

[teacherbob]

Anyone needing riding gear. I ride a a Silver Spyder ( it finally came in) and I sell the best quality gear at great prices. Check out my website or give me a call for suggestions. I am currently wearing the FirstGear Mesh tex 3.0 jacket and the FirstGear HT Air Overpants. I wear a Nolan N-102 Secret helmet. Toumaster Solution boots and FirstGear Mesh Sport gloves. This is a very comfortable and safe outfit. I am offering all Spyder Riders a 5% discount on top of my already low prices.

Ride Safe
Have Fun

Bob(Teacherbob)
General Manager
PowerSports4Less.com
9135923493

 

[Star Cruiser]

I believe in the merits of a good helmet (even though here in Colorado its not a law).

It is so nice to hear that even without helmet laws, most members of this forum are smart enough to choose the right thing . I have seen the "BMW" crowd, no disrespect intended, with the trendy and expensive colour coded gear. I will be going with Mesh "Tour Master type" jackets and pants. They are "Cool" (vented) and offer armoured protection. The Black Silver colours will match the bike well too. A good vented helmet, boots and gloves are well worth the investment.

 

[bjt]

A good mesh jacket is actually cooler to ride in than a single, cotton shirt. Why? With a thin shirt on, the sun's heat transfers directly to your skin because the shirt is so close. If you're wearing a short-sleeved shirt, the sun will directly warm your skin. A mesh jacket will leave room between the material and your skin to allow heat from your body to escape the mesh, plus it keeps the sun off your skin while allowing the wind thru -- it's like sitting in the shade with a breeze! Trust me, if you get a mesh jacket you can ride comfortably in it with temps all the way up to 98.6 degrees F; above that it doesn't matter what you wear, you'll feel like your sitting in a convection oven...

:agree:

I have a textile jacket and I found no substantial comfort difference between wearing that or a long sleeve tee shirt on a 90 degree day. Wearing the jacket with 4 front chest vents, shoulder vents, three back vents and the wrist cuffs un-cinched allowed a lot of air to circulate around my body and kept the hot sun away from my skin. Another benefit is a tee shirt will be buffeting all over and trying to lift up from around your waist if you are riding at higher speeds and that can be annoying or cause some chafing where a proper fitting riding jacket won't do those things. Also, for a person like me with fair skin who burns easily, it's a no brainer to wear full skin covering, even in the hot sun.

 

[RTGENE]

Sport t-shirts that pull moisture away from your body are very good. They work well under a mesh jacket. Sporting goods store and wally have them.

 

[spyderbitten]

TeacherBob,

Glad the Spyder came in. I know it's been a long wait for you, but I imagine it's been well worth it.

Was your original delivery date July 1? Did you see any other Spyders there when you picked yours up?

The wait is killing me.........

:congrats: ;D

 

[LittleJohn]

Sport t-shirts that pull moisture away from your body are very good. They work well under a mesh jacket. Sporting goods store and wally have them.

:agree: :agree: :agree:
I wear the long sleeve ones under a mesh jacket. The only thing Ive found that keeps me bearably cool in the hot TX summers. Not the prettiest sight when I take off the jacket, but hey, I never claimed to be GQ material...LOL ;D

 

[vtrider]

I was in a motorcycle accident three years ago and lucky for me, I was wearing full protective gear...Full face helmet, Joe rocket textile jacket, AGV leather sport rider pants, riding boots and gloves. Not to go into a long story, but a car from a side street drove out in front of me and I T-boned the car. I was on my Honda Interceptor at the time and flew over the bars landed in front of the car and skidded on pavement. The worst injury I had from this was a badly spranged thumb. The side of my helmet was all scuffed up and my protective gear was damaged, but little to no skin lost. just a few bruises. My bike was totaled. Lesson learned here, you can always clean up from sweat on hot days, But it's not fun to recover from road rash and lost of blood. Wear good protective gear. It could save you.

 

[Lucky]

My son was in a cycle accident 4 years ago but had on his full coverage helmet and armored jacket. He broadsided a Toyota Rav that ran a stop sign. Put his head through the side of the car, fist through the window, got up and walked away. Motorcycle cracked in two and the helmet cracked at the chin guard. Needless to say, we all wear helmets and at least jackets. We just bought new Tourmaster that has a convertible jacket that has a shell over a mesh jacket and a removable liner. You can go from cold to hot without carrying a lot of bulk along.

 

[NancysToy]

Mandatory-
Helmet, preferably full face, nothing less for me since my accident
Gloves, leather or leather palm
Boots
Jacket, leather or textile, type depends on climate
Pants, leather or textile on a cycle, may be optional on a Syder where falling is less of a concern.

Optional, but nice-
Rain Suit, motorcycle type
Rain Boots
Rain Gloves, several options here, including waterproof leather, overgloves, and neoprene fishing gloves

Cold Weather-
Heavy Gloves
Balaclava
Heavy Socks, I like the knee length with wicking properties
Heated Gloves & Gear, with vehicle modifications
Neck Protector or Scarf

-Scotty

 

[COSpyder]

If you are riding here in CO you are gonna want rain gear for sure. I wear a full face helmet. After I crashed my bandit and rode down the highway on my head, I decided that was a good investment. I lost some skin on my legs, bruised some ribs, and lost all the paint on my helmet but I lived and rode the bike home! Go to motogear outlet in Arvada at 52/Marshall if you live in the Denver area. Their prices can't be beat by anyone in the city.

 

[Greg H.]

This Saturday after the Spyder Demo, the Wife and I are going Helmet shopping. I am going to try to find a Modular for myself. Since I wear glasses, I'm really liking the idea of a Modular.

For gloves, I'm buying the Can-Am Respirator Gloves (446161). And, I really want the Can-Am Spyder RPM Caliber Jacket (440446) Charcoal Grey). Not that I am that brand concious, but they have some nice stuff!

For rain, I'm hearing the Frogg Toggs are a good solution. I need to get those soon.

 

[jeuchler]

...For gloves, I'm buying the Can-Am Respirator Gloves (446161). And, I really want the Can-Am Spyder RPM Caliber Jacket (440446) Charcoal Grey)...

OK, this is second hand info, I realize, but when we rode to Canada, it was through a bit of rain on the New York side. When we met up in Valcourt, lots of riders complained about the BRP gloves they were wearing and how the dye came off all over their hands (which I saw as they all compared their new fleshtones!)

I specifically remember one fellow remarking, "Yeah, and these are supposed to be waterproof!"

Perhaps someone who actually purchased them could speak to this issue, or, if there is a "pretreating" method (wash 'em first??) before using them in the rain.

 

[LittleJohn]

OK, this is second hand info, I realize, but when we rode to Canada, it was through a bit of rain on the New York side. When we met up in Valcourt, lots of riders complained about the BRP gloves they were wearing and how the dye came off all over their hands (which I saw as they all compared their new fleshtones!)

I specifically remember one fellow remarking, "Yeah, and these are supposed to be waterproof!"

Perhaps someone who actually purchased them could speak to this issue, or, if there is a "pretreating" method (wash 'em first??) before using them in the rain.

These have been my summer gloves of choice for a few years now.
Cortech DX by Tourmaster

 

[jnt]

ATGATT

We have worn All The Gear All The Time for quite a while now. Paid off big time when my 2-wheeler was attacked by an SUV while I was on it! For fall-winter-spring we have Aerostich suits, which are comfortable from at least -20 to +90 (mid-80s in town). They are GoreTex and water PROOF, at least in our experience, including raging downpours in NE a couple years back. For hot, we have Joe Rocket mesh. Last year got the Aerostich 'Vegan' summer gloves, which are great. For really cold we have Gerbing liners and gloves, including HeatTrollers installed on both rides. Our helmets are German modulars (BMW and Schuberth).