Gear Recommendation | GTAMotorcycle.com

Gear Recommendation

kurtrules

Well-known member
I am looking to invest in better gear for next year. I need your help.

Some background: I currently have a mesh jacket which I bought precisely for a cross country ride in India, in 2015. At the time and as per the availability of jackets for the money, it was a pretty fair investment. I bought it because the shell my textile jacket tore in a crash and I didn't have a jacket for this ride. Got mesh, because it get's hot there. It was locally made, with sufficient protection. This is the jacket - Buy BREEZER 4S - (3 IN 1) - MESH RIDING JACKET - LEVEL 2 Armour - (ANTHRACITE) • Cramster Online Store
(Though the CE EN -1621-1-2012 Level 2 - Certified Memory Polyurethane Armour claim the company makes is garbage)

I didn't wear the jacket for 4 years thereafter until I got a bike this year. Now, I feel the need to get a better jacket. This mesh one is flimsy, keeps flapping around and does not inspire confidence. A proper, fitted jacket with an abrasion resistant, water proof shell + good armour is what I am considering. Something perhaps from the Klim lineup.

Secondly, I am looking to also invest in a pair of boots. I was able to find my old boots, which are the older version of the AStar SMX-1. They have not been worn in 5 years, and the sole is peeling off. So, I am looking for a comfortable boot that offers good protection; one that I can use as my primary motorcycling footwear of choice. I have no idea on what to look for in a sea of boots online.

I am not looking for pants and gloves currently, as I have a decent pair of both from Alpinestars.

My riding preferences: Travelling, Exploring, mainly. On road/Off road whatever.

Budget: I don't have a fixed budget, and to be honest this is the last area I want to cheap out. Something that offers decent protection as per my riding preference.

Your assistance is appreciated.
 
BMW makes some good boots. There are a few boot threads. Daytona's seem to be very very popular (good protection and comfort but not cheap).

I would love a textile jacket with leather completely around the joints (light, comfortable, waterproof, protection where it is most important) but I don't think those exist. In a previous sliding adventure in textile, the armor took the initial hit but immediately rotated out of the way and the road burnt through the textile and my skin. I was not impressed.
 
My recommendation, no matter what gear you choose, is to buy it when you decide on it. Places might have deals for Black Friday. (no HST....)
I have friends who work for distributors, lots of items like some 2021 helmets, we are not going to see till June or later due to COVID and the backlog. If you look online even now for certain helmets you will see they have no stock in Medium or Large (the 2 most popular sizes) Some clothing or boots will be the same situation. The January bike show has been cancelled, no word on the Feb show, but probably the same thing.
 
My suggestions for boots is the Daytona Roadstar GTX. They are a touch warm on days over 25deg, but I'm also comfortable in them down to around 0deg. Waterproof, breathable and very comfortable to walk around in. For slightly better amour, I would move to the Daytona Evo Sports GTX.

For years I rode with the Alpinestars Web Gortex, which are like the Daytona's in every way, but slightly inferior in every way. Still an excellent boot for the price.

For jacket, I have no experience with Klim personally, but they would be at the top of the list for my next jacket. Olympia Dakar is a good jacket and for colder weather I use their older version (the X-Moto), which I'm quite happy with. I prefer a dedicated kevlar mesh jacket for any riding above 15deg, so for these warmer days and all long distance touring I use my Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh Jacket/Pants suit.
 
gear is really subjective, especially jackets/pants
what I like, some don't like at all

boots: I do have a suggestion, Forma Adventure Low
best I've owned so far
comfortable on the feet, medium protection, completely waterproof
comfortable for walking, don't look like a nihilist, compact forefoot forefoot doesn't interfere with controls
virtually zero break in, great right out the box, currently on sale @ GP

 
For both on and offroad, that puts you solidly in the adventure(ADV) category. You won't find a lot of total mesh ADV jackets as they instead rely on huge ventilation zips.

Klim Induction
Rev'it Tornado 3
Rev'it Sand 3
Alpinestars Andes v2/v3

The rest of the jackets get into crazy expensive territory.

I love my Alpinestars SMX6 for how all day comfy they are. Very wide footbed and good ankle support. Their touring boots are all templated on the same base measurements.
 
It's hard to go wrong with anything from the big guys (AStars, Dainese, RevIt, Klim, Spidi, Sidi, etc.) as far as something that's poorly made or unsafe. I really, really like Held stuff, but nobody sells anything but the gloves here. My Held Cosmo/Avolo 3.0 leather jacket and pants (link here: FC-Moto) is the best gear I've ever owned. Super cool in the heat, too.

The only exception to this, in my opinion, is mesh gear, which has inherent safety compromises, regardless of brand. I've been told it's better than it used to be, but I've seen/heard of so many cases of this stuff literally coming apart at the seams in a crash that I won't use it.

Most importantly, get what fits. This can be tough to do, considering the limited stock many bike shops carry these days, but it's so important to both comfort and safety. Try before you buy, whenever possible.

Also, if you already have a pair of AStars pants, I'd start with them for a jacket to make sure they zip together nicely...
 
BMW makes some good boots. There are a few boot threads. Daytona's seem to be very very popular (good protection and comfort but not cheap).

I would love a textile jacket with leather completely around the joints (light, comfortable, waterproof, protection where it is most important) but I don't think those exist. In a previous sliding adventure in textile, the armor took the initial hit but immediately rotated out of the way and the road burnt through the textile and my skin. I was not impressed.
Thanks, I'll check out Daytona's range.
My recommendation, no matter what gear you choose, is to buy it when you decide on it. Places might have deals for Black Friday. (no HST....)
I have friends who work for distributors, lots of items like some 2021 helmets, we are not going to see till June or later due to COVID and the backlog. If you look online even now for certain helmets you will see they have no stock in Medium or Large (the 2 most popular sizes) Some clothing or boots will be the same situation. The January bike show has been cancelled, no word on the Feb show, but probably the same thing.
I have beendoing my share of gear hunting online; I have come to accept the fact that I will have to work with the gear for the sizes are available. I was surprised by the sheer quantity of Out of Stock items on Fortnine and GPBikes!

My suggestions for boots is the Daytona Roadstar GTX. They are a touch warm on days over 25deg, but I'm also comfortable in them down to around 0deg. Waterproof, breathable and very comfortable to walk around in. For slightly better amour, I would move to the Daytona Evo Sports GTX.

For years I rode with the Alpinestars Web Gortex, which are like the Daytona's in every way, but slightly inferior in every way. Still an excellent boot for the price.

For jacket, I have no experience with Klim personally, but they would be at the top of the list for my next jacket. Olympia Dakar is a good jacket and for colder weather I use their older version (the X-Moto), which I'm quite happy with. I prefer a dedicated kevlar mesh jacket for any riding above 15deg, so for these warmer days and all long distance touring I use my Motoport Kevlar Air Mesh Jacket/Pants suit.

I will check those Daytonas. I am also kind of inclining towards the Alpinestars Toucan or similar. Any experience with those?
gear is really subjective, especially jackets/pants
what I like, some don't like at all

boots: I do have a suggestion, Forma Adventure Low
best I've owned so far
comfortable on the feet, medium protection, completely waterproof
comfortable for walking, don't look like a nihilist, compact forefoot forefoot doesn't interfere with controls
virtually zero break in, great right out the box, currently on sale @ GP


The Forma's are one the most appealing boots (visuall) that I have researched. Wouldn't the Forma Adventure (the tall ones) be a better investment than he Low? I am leaning towards full height boots this time round; I have never owned one of those, and they provide more protection.

For both on and offroad, that puts you solidly in the adventure(ADV) category. You won't find a lot of total mesh ADV jackets as they instead rely on huge ventilation zips.

Klim Induction
Rev'it Tornado 3
Rev'it Sand 3
Alpinestars Andes v2/v3

The rest of the jackets get into crazy expensive territory.

I love my Alpinestars SMX6 for how all day comfy they are. Very wide footbed and good ankle support. Their touring boots are all templated on the same base measurements.

I looked up the Induction -- thanks for that. However, they are mesh. I am looking for a textile jacket.
I also looked up the SMX6. Are yours goretex or air? How comfortable are they in walking? Break-in period?

I like the Andes v2. The only issue is the ventilation on those. The exhaust vents out from the back behind the waterproof membrane.
It's hard to go wrong with anything from the big guys (AStars, Dainese, RevIt, Klim, Spidi, Sidi, etc.) as far as something that's poorly made or unsafe. I really, really like Held stuff, but nobody sells anything but the gloves here. My Held Cosmo/Avolo 3.0 leather jacket and pants (link here: FC-Moto) is the best gear I've ever owned. Super cool in the heat, too.

The only exception to this, in my opinion, is mesh gear, which has inherent safety compromises, regardless of brand. I've been told it's better than it used to be, but I've seen/heard of so many cases of this stuff literally coming apart at the seams in a crash that I won't use it.

Most importantly, get what fits. This can be tough to do, considering the limited stock many bike shops carry these days, but it's so important to both comfort and safety. Try before you buy, whenever possible.

Also, if you already have a pair of AStars pants, I'd start with them for a jacket to make sure they zip together nicely...

Thinking of driving east to GPBikes to try out sizes from different brands. That should give me some idea on the fitment for a similar boot within the same brand. My SMX-1 are 45 or 10.5. So I am hopeful for A*s, the same size would fit.

Did some research. I have tried to narrow down the purchase to these 4. Weighing my options.

a) Klim Dakar (with CE2 armour extra purchase). The only issue is that I would need a separate waterproof overcoat for wet weather. ~$550 including armour.
b) Klim Carlsbad. This one seems to tick all the boxes. Goretex, enough vents. ~$900 inclusive taxes.
c) A* Andes v2/v3. Not in the same league, but inexpensive. ~340 inclusive taxes.
d) Klim Badlands. This seems like an overkill. The most well made of the bunch, but the most expensive as well! ~$1500. Unless I can foresee a REALLY good reason for this purchase, dropping it.

For the boots, does anyone have any feedback on the a) A* Corozol or the b) A* Toucan. They look the same except the goretex and a little additional protection.

Thanks for your responses though!
 
I've a tall, slim build. With the exception of the Klim Kodiak (which has a so called Euro cut) all Klim jackets fit me like a potato sack. Too big around the stomach, too short in the sleeves.

If you're a skinny runt like me, give Rev'it! a try.

I would love a textile jacket with leather completely around the joints (light, comfortable, waterproof, protection where it is most important) but I don't think those exist.

They do exist: Rev'it! Cayenne Pro and Klim Kodiak.

Also, if you already have a pair of AStars pants, I'd start with them for a jacket to make sure they zip together nicely...

Good advice, but don't allow it to be deal breaker. In some cases, suitable zippers can be sewn in after the fact.
 
I will throw this in for good measure
Inflatable, jacket, vest or suit.
Expensive, oh yes.
Prepare to sell your left arm. Lol..
 
I will throw this in for good measure
Inflatable, jacket, vest or suit.
Expensive, oh yes.
Prepare to sell your left arm. Lol..
Not for offroad/adventure riding thank you.

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