Looking for gear advice | GTAMotorcycle.com

Looking for gear advice

DDean

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Im at day minus one of my life of commuting on a motorcycle, which is to say that I have not started it yet!

My bike isnt even plated, but Im headed in that direction quickly and while I dont expect to commute 12 mos a year on a bike, I expect 10mos.

The details:
Im a newbie! Just got my M2. Just bought a Yam WR250X.
I live 6km from downtown Toronto and work downtown, so cold weather rides will be short.
I work in a suit so whatever I get will have to go over that.
Right now Id rather be on the warmer side of cold than buy gear that I will be able to wear over a suit in July.

My current thoughts:
Buy an armoured textile jacket with a zip out liner and textile pants that will fit over a suit.
Try that.
If thats not warm enough, but a rain jacket/shell (something like an Icon PDX) to cut the wind and wear that over the textile jacket.

The idea is that I can use all of that in the summer and the commute is only 6km.

Id love your input because you guys have seen this and done this already.

Am I on the right track or should I buy upper body armor and use that with winter clothing that is not riding specific (like the Rapala clothing mentioned in another thread) for 2-3 months a year and buy the textile jacket/pants for 8ish months of the year?

Thanks for the advice in advance!
 
Im at day minus one of my life of commuting on a motorcycle, which is to say that I have not started it yet!

My bike isnt even plated, but Im headed in that direction quickly and while I dont expect to commute 12 mos a year on a bike, I expect 10mos.

The details:
Im a newbie! Just got my M2. Just bought a Yam WR250X.
I live 6km from downtown Toronto and work downtown, so cold weather rides will be short.
I work in a suit so whatever I get will have to go over that.
Right now Id rather be on the warmer side of cold than buy gear that I will be able to wear over a suit in July.

My current thoughts:
Buy an armoured textile jacket with a zip out liner and textile pants that will fit over a suit.
Try that.
If thats not warm enough, but a rain jacket/shell (something like an Icon PDX) to cut the wind and wear that over the textile jacket.

The idea is that I can use all of that in the summer and the commute is only 6km.

Id love your input because you guys have seen this and done this already.

Am I on the right track or should I buy upper body armor and use that with winter clothing that is not riding specific (like the Rapala clothing mentioned in another thread) for 2-3 months a year and buy the textile jacket/pants for 8ish months of the year?

Thanks for the advice in advance!

I have a relatively short commute (17km) to downtown. A year ago I bought the Icon Patrol pants and jacket, followed up later with the gloves and boots. There are some shortcomings, but overall the coat and pants have been fantastic. I wear a suit as well, but fortunately I can leave my suit jackets and shoes at work. With the liner in the riding coat, I CAN wear a suit jacket under, but it's more comfortable (if I need it) to wear a sweater.
Plus side:
Coat and pants great for cutting wind, super warm with the liner in, lots of ventilation when necessary, waterproof for a while.
Boots - comfortable, not too expensive, waterproof, good for riding and walking. Generally warm enough.
Gloves - Keep the water out for a while.

Negatives:
Sizing for the coat and pants - I have a 35" waist and usually a 30 to 32" leg depending on what I'm buying. Large was too tight around the waist, xlarge is about 4 inches too long. They have a feature that allows you to roll them up, but it just adds bulk at the bottom. Same with the coat - it's a little bulkier than I would like, and with the liner in the neck is really high and stiff - but it breaks in. Again, large was too small, xlarge is a bit big.
Waterproof? Yeah, for a while. Not for long periods in the rain, and that period gets shorter with heavier rain. Very good for the commute though.
boots: the top guides for the laces are fabric loops. Tightening and loosening the laces eventually cuts through. They do have a tongue that covers over and buckles like ski boots though, so it's not a big deal.
Gloves - bulky - I think I have short fingers becuase it's the fingertips that are most awkward for me. and the waterproofing again is more like water resistent - but it takes a while to soak through and they're still warm.
One of the issues with the gloves and coat is that the gloves have a big guantlet, and the coatsleeves can be made tight - but water can work its way down your arm and into the glove. That's uncomfortable, to say the least. The gauantlet is too big to go inside the jacket sleeve, so you really want to make sure you've got it tight around the outside. This happens on the commute if i'm in really slow traffic for 30 to 40 minutes. If you're moving faster it's less likely.

got it all from canada's motorcycle.com
 
Im at day minus one of my life of commuting on a motorcycle, which is to say that I have not started it yet!

My bike isnt even plated, but Im headed in that direction quickly and while I dont expect to commute 12 mos a year on a bike, I expect 10mos.

The details:
Im a newbie! Just got my M2. Just bought a Yam WR250X.
I live 6km from downtown Toronto and work downtown, so cold weather rides will be short.
I work in a suit so whatever I get will have to go over that.
Right now Id rather be on the warmer side of cold than buy gear that I will be able to wear over a suit in July.

My current thoughts:
Buy an armoured textile jacket with a zip out liner and textile pants that will fit over a suit.
Try that.
If thats not warm enough, but a rain jacket/shell (something like an Icon PDX) to cut the wind and wear that over the textile jacket.

The idea is that I can use all of that in the summer and the commute is only 6km.

Id love your input because you guys have seen this and done this already.

Am I on the right track or should I buy upper body armor and use that with winter clothing that is not riding specific (like the Rapala clothing mentioned in another thread) for 2-3 months a year and buy the textile jacket/pants for 8ish months of the year?

Thanks for the advice in advance!

All of that for a 6km commute in a suit? You will spend more time getting your gear on and off then on the bike. The best option for over a suit is something like a roadcrafter 1 piece.

Then buy some other gear for pleasure only rides as you see fit.
 
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I commute pretty much every day from some time in March until sometime in November or December. I ride rain or shine, hot or cold. The only thing that really stops me is the chance of ice or snow on the roads (although this past Tuesday I found myself riding home in a streamer that dumped about 3 inches of fresh snow on the roads.) I have only taken my car to work two or three times since March this year and that was because some after-work activities required a car. Before the end of May this year my commute was 120 km round trip, since the end of may the round trip is 160 km.

I work 5 days a week, four of those days I wear a suit and tie, the other "business casual." I leave a pair of shoes at work and have somewhere to leave my gear.

I went through couple of money-wasting other choices before getting my two-piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. In cold weather I layer with fleace (and lately a heated jacket). In moderate weather my suit goes under the Roadcrafter. In hot weather I put my dress suit in my topcase and wear shorts under the Roadcrafter.

The Roadcrafter is Goretex and for me has been very water resistant. It literally goes on in about 15 to 20 seconds and is designed to go over your work clothes.

It's expensive but is one of the reasons I can commute as much as I do.. just no hassle to wear.


The other nice thing is that it is kind of ugly so it cuts down on the crowds of women that would otherwise swarm around you when you stop somewhere.

..Tom
 
Thanks Emefef - that is very helpful. I like your idea of keeping the jackets and shoes at work.

KJM, yup all that for 6km each way. It shows you how keen I am to do it! But dont underestimate the time that these 6km take when Im doing them - I currently drive and it sometimes take 30minutes to get home. I suspect that I will find creative ways home to avoid traffic that a car cant do -which if Im honest is some of the appeal too.
 
Thanks Tom - Ive been guided to the Roadcrafter before as its recognized as the best thing out there for this.

Im going to set myself up for spring and see if I can make spring gear work for now with some creative warm additions. If it doesnt work, I will have to decide if Im up for buying winter specific gear. Im not sure that I would fork out for a roadcrafter yet but we will have to see how it unfolds.

Maybe Ill find one on Kijiji that makes it easier
 
Thanks Tom - Ive been guided to the Roadcrafter before as its recognized as the best thing out there for this.

Im going to set myself up for spring and see if I can make spring gear work for now with some creative warm additions. If it doesnt work, I will have to decide if Im up for buying winter specific gear. Im not sure that I would fork out for a roadcrafter yet but we will have to see how it unfolds.

Maybe Ill find one on Kijiji that makes it easier


If your gear stops the wind you are half way there. Layers of fleece can make a HUGE difference. On my old commute I rode 58 km in -16 weather with no heated gear. (It was really pushing it cold wise though, especially at highway speeds.)


..Tom
 
If your gear stops the wind you are half way there. Layers of fleece can make a HUGE difference. On my old commute I rode 58 km in -16 weather with no heated gear. (It was really pushing it cold wise though, especially at highway speeds.)


..Tom

I did that last year with a Tourmaster 2pc rain suit and either a cashmere or a cable knit wool sweater. Only time I wasn't riding was with snow on the ground.
Gloves were the biggest issue I had at negative temps. I was using Joe Rocket Nitrogens, waterproof and comfortable, but not the greatest heat retaining sub 0C. I upgraded to Gerbing T5s for this winter. Already they are pretty amazing and its only been -2 or -3.
 
I did that last year with a Tourmaster 2pc rain suit and either a cashmere or a cable knit wool sweater. Only time I wasn't riding was with snow on the ground.
Gloves were the biggest issue I had at negative temps. I was using Joe Rocket Nitrogens, waterproof and comfortable, but not the greatest heat retaining sub 0C. I upgraded to Gerbing T5s for this winter. Already they are pretty amazing and its only been -2 or -3.

Gerbing Heatied gloves are amazing!

I only got into heated gloves last year. Got Tourmaster Gloves and Jacket at the time. I returned them this year as they stopped working. I picked up soem Gerbing Gloves and am thrilled with them Very warm! I couldn't find a jacket my size in Gerbing at my preferred store so I ordered a Warm N Safe Jacket.

Before the heated gloves I would put a set of Aerostich triple Digit Rain Overgloves over my heavier gloves. The made a huge difference in cold weather. Perhaps people could adpat something else to do the same.

..Tom
 
Gerbing Heatied gloves are amazing!

I only got into heated gloves last year. Got Tourmaster Gloves and Jacket at the time. I returned them this year as they stopped working. I picked up soem Gerbing Gloves and am thrilled with them Very warm! I couldn't find a jacket my size in Gerbing at my preferred store so I ordered a Warm N Safe Jacket.

Before the heated gloves I would put a set of Aerostich triple Digit Rain Overgloves over my heavier gloves. The made a huge difference in cold weather. Perhaps people could adpat something else to do the same.

..Tom

I'm kicking myself for missing the gerbings clearance at gp on the g3's. Did you go with the g3's or t5's?
 
I'm kicking myself for missing the gerbings clearance at gp on the g3's. Did you go with the g3's or t5's?

I am not sure. I'm pretty sure they are the newer ones whichever model number that is.

I have to make a comment about GP Bikes and how good they have been at taking care of me.

Last year I got the Tourmaster Gloves and Jacket with dual controller. Great deal price wise, especially since the controller was included. Early this past spring I had intermittant issues with the Jacket and/or gloves not heating. The controller worked fine (even though the plastic mounting clip broke off early.) When I went to use the stuff first time this fall the wires on the gloves broke off. I went back to GP Bikes and talked to Parts and Accessories. (I usually deal with Will but al of them have been great to deal with.) They sent back my gear to Tourmaster in Canada. Evidently Tourmaster was in the process of moving so it Tourmaster them quite a while to decide what to do. Ultimately they gave GP a full credit for the jacket and gloves (which was really straight up on Tourmaster's part!) The problem now was that I missed out on the sale at GP Bikes. There was no Tourmaster left, at least not in my size (which I think was good) so I started looking at the Gerbing. GP had my size of glove in but the jackets were not coming until later in October or beginning of November. GP Extended the clearout pricing on the Gerbing stuff even though it was the latest generation and I think would have donethe no-HST sale they had as well. Turned out that Gerbing did not ship a size of jacket that fit me (or I lost some weight) and the next batch would be late December. I am super impressed that GP Bikes went out of their way to take care of me like this. I ended up ordering the Warm N Safe Jacket and hope it comes shortly (it has been shipped.)

..Tom
 
Get a 1 pc or 2 pc you can step into. I forget the brand name but there is one that is specifically known for this type of gear. It's not the most stylish but would probably be the most functional and easiest. If I did it all again that's probably the route I would go.

Edit: Roadcrafter I think is what I was thinking of.
 
I commute to downtown 50km each way. From March through until we have snow I ride everyday. As others I use a 2 piece Aerostich Roadcrafter. Goes on very easily and is very water resistant. If I'm riding in a downpour I do put on rain gear (frogg toggs). In coldish weather (down to 0c) I wear good long underwear and a fleece sweater plus the frogg jacket. When the temps get below zero I add in an electric vest and turn on my heated grips. I'm good until -10 or so, my feet get too cold at this temp. The key to staying warm is two fold. Insulation and wind breaking. Combine the two and it is very easy to ride in cold temperatures.

Im at day minus one of my life of commuting on a motorcycle, which is to say that I have not started it yet!

My bike isnt even plated, but Im headed in that direction quickly and while I dont expect to commute 12 mos a year on a bike, I expect 10mos.

The details:
Im a newbie! Just got my M2. Just bought a Yam WR250X.
I live 6km from downtown Toronto and work downtown, so cold weather rides will be short.
I work in a suit so whatever I get will have to go over that.
Right now Id rather be on the warmer side of cold than buy gear that I will be able to wear over a suit in July.

My current thoughts:
Buy an armoured textile jacket with a zip out liner and textile pants that will fit over a suit.
Try that.
If thats not warm enough, but a rain jacket/shell (something like an Icon PDX) to cut the wind and wear that over the textile jacket.

The idea is that I can use all of that in the summer and the commute is only 6km.

Id love your input because you guys have seen this and done this already.

Am I on the right track or should I buy upper body armor and use that with winter clothing that is not riding specific (like the Rapala clothing mentioned in another thread) for 2-3 months a year and buy the textile jacket/pants for 8ish months of the year?

Thanks for the advice in advance!
 
I commute pretty much every day from some time in March until sometime in November or December. I ride rain or shine, hot or cold. The only thing that really stops me is the chance of ice or snow on the roads.

The Roadcrafter is Goretex and for me has been very water resistant.

Hey Tom, how "water resistant" is the Roadcrafter? I'm a fan of quick & easy textiles, and have eyed the Aerostitch products, but not being waterproof has kept me away...

To the OP: I also have a short 10km commute daily, but I don't need to worry about wearing a suit. I have a Teknic jacket that's very waterproof, and the thermal liner is pretty warm for the begining and end of season. I have a pair of Joe Rocket Alterego pants, which I bought a size too large so that I can wear them as overpants. I eventually added Frogg Toggs rain gear, as the JR "waterproof" liner is anything but, and a soaked crotch on the bike is no fun. If I'm on the way to work, I don jacket, pants, and rainpants if required. On the way home I forego the rainpants, as I can change when I get home. Heated grips keep the paws warmish too.
 
Hey Tom, how "water resistant" is the Roadcrafter? I'm a fan of quick & easy textiles, and have eyed the Aerostitch products, but not being waterproof has kept me away...
...

I commute 80 km each way, roughly half at highway speeds on 407. For any light rain or moderate showers I don't think about water coming in at all. On heavy rain I have to make sure my neck is really snugged in tight or I get a wet collar on my shirt. I had two times recently where I got a wet crotch.. Very heavy rain and I think the bottom of my jacket wasn't sitting right.

I am going to send my Roadcrafter back to Aerostich this winter for some freshening up. I have some zipper parts that need attention and a few seams that need redoing. Realize I have probably about 200,000 km on the Roadcrafter with lots of riding in rain, gravel roads, salted roads, etc. Temperature ranges from -16 to over 50c. I haven't washed and cleaned it enough and right now the outer layer doesn't seem to "take" the DWR coating so it gets very wetted and heavy in rain (but doesn't leak.) A friend sent his back for a freshening and it came back looking like new. The Roadcrafter cost me a lot, but cost less than the two sets of jackets and pants I bought previously that didn't last me 100,000 km between them.

..Tom
 
This is all good advice and I would definitely listen to V-Tom.

From my own experience, I also am interested in the suit but maybe the one piece jumpsuit. What I have found is that if it is cold, if you can block the wind then wind chill isn't really an issue. Hence why if I stuff my leather jacket full of fleece it stays warm, and why my feet don't get cold, because I've repurposed my old 14-hole Docs that I bought over 20 years ago. Those leather boots don't have ventilation either and are high cut.

Stop the wind, you'll be warmer. In a pinch you can wear Frogg Toggs to stop the wind. I bought the Horny Toadz version for rain and they do work for wind and rain.

I know BMW sells a 1-piece rainsuit that I have never seen in person that I think is not breathable. That might be good for cold weather. To just put on your warm clothes and jump into it.

I don't have a lot of money so my gear is very ghetto but I do have the basics. It's a hassle putting on and taking off every piece especially the laced boots.

Do some math, if you can get a zip-up jumpsuit then it's so much easier to just run out the door rather than assembling it piece by piece, layer by layer and having to haul around rain gear in case of emergency. I don't want to buy it sight unseen though, so I have to figure it out.
 
The two pice Roadcrafter works in the same way as the one piece except it has one extra zipper. They mainly stay zipped together and go on and off the same way. I picked the two piece as I can split it up if I want. I rarely do although at 50c in Death Valley I just wore the jacket (literally had the pockets stuffed with a bag of ice.)

..Tom
 

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