New member
- Thread starter chanfzs
- Start date
Motorcycle gear is so personal.
I suggest you go to a motorcycle store and try on some gear to get a sense of what kind of gear you like for the budget you have.
For jackets, get something with armor inside that covers all your pointy bits (shoulders, elbows and a good back protector insert).
Material-wise, you want something with good abrasion resistance in case you go sliding down the pavement. Leather is the best, but it's super-hot in the summer, and most people who own leather jackets tend to leave them in the closet when the temps go higher than 30C, so it's important to buy something you'll actually wear when you ride.
A good summer material for jackets is mesh, made of ballistic nylon or a kevlar weave. Allows good airflow and offers medium abrasion resistance - much better than jeans, but not as good as leather.
Boots-wise, get something that covers your ankles, as that's the pointy bit that's vulnerable in a slide or if it impacts something hard. Leather or plastic armor over the ankles is key. Shorty boots/shoes that come up just above the ankle are adequate, or better yet, find calf-high boots with good shin protection as well.
Try the gear on while sitting on a similar bike as your MT-03, just to see how comfortable it is when you are in the riding position. Make sure the jacket isn't too loose and that armor stays over your pointy bits when your elbows and knees are bent in the riding position and that the cuffs of the jacket aren't too short and ride up your arms, exposing your wrist bones.
Happy hunting!
I suggest you go to a motorcycle store and try on some gear to get a sense of what kind of gear you like for the budget you have.
For jackets, get something with armor inside that covers all your pointy bits (shoulders, elbows and a good back protector insert).
Material-wise, you want something with good abrasion resistance in case you go sliding down the pavement. Leather is the best, but it's super-hot in the summer, and most people who own leather jackets tend to leave them in the closet when the temps go higher than 30C, so it's important to buy something you'll actually wear when you ride.
A good summer material for jackets is mesh, made of ballistic nylon or a kevlar weave. Allows good airflow and offers medium abrasion resistance - much better than jeans, but not as good as leather.
Boots-wise, get something that covers your ankles, as that's the pointy bit that's vulnerable in a slide or if it impacts something hard. Leather or plastic armor over the ankles is key. Shorty boots/shoes that come up just above the ankle are adequate, or better yet, find calf-high boots with good shin protection as well.
Try the gear on while sitting on a similar bike as your MT-03, just to see how comfortable it is when you are in the riding position. Make sure the jacket isn't too loose and that armor stays over your pointy bits when your elbows and knees are bent in the riding position and that the cuffs of the jacket aren't too short and ride up your arms, exposing your wrist bones.
Happy hunting!
Welcome to GTAM!
guzzirider
Well-known member
Welcome
Rain gear! never leave home without it. Does not need to be expensive
unless you are planning to ride all day in the rain.
A lot of the modern jackets and pants do a good job and have removable liners for warmer days.
Good gloves and extra socks. Keep your hands and feet warm and the rest of your body is happy.
Vented gloves for warm weather and moisture resistant long gloves for those cooler days.
All I wear for boots is cheap high top lace up work boots (no steel toe) from Walmart.
I have not had a lot of luck with boot rain covers and bread bags and a roll of electrical tape
work just as well for a lot less money.
Rain gear! never leave home without it. Does not need to be expensive
unless you are planning to ride all day in the rain.
A lot of the modern jackets and pants do a good job and have removable liners for warmer days.
Good gloves and extra socks. Keep your hands and feet warm and the rest of your body is happy.
Vented gloves for warm weather and moisture resistant long gloves for those cooler days.
All I wear for boots is cheap high top lace up work boots (no steel toe) from Walmart.
I have not had a lot of luck with boot rain covers and bread bags and a roll of electrical tape
work just as well for a lot less money.
Welcome Aboard!
Gear: Tons of used stuff to had. Lots of folks try riding and find it isn't for them (hence lots of lightly used gear for sale).
Who knows, this could be the case for you. I'd give it a year or two before buying the full Klim.
Like @guzzirider I wear high top work boots. Mine are steel toed cause that's what I had. They work fine and are comfy for walking when you turn of the key. Among my collection of gloves I have a few pairs of leather work/gardening gloves. They work fine.
There is a large faction here that shun used and think you can only ride a bike after spending thousands on gear and a brand new bike. That is frankly bollicks. I'll say it again Buy used Own more.
Gear: Tons of used stuff to had. Lots of folks try riding and find it isn't for them (hence lots of lightly used gear for sale).
Who knows, this could be the case for you. I'd give it a year or two before buying the full Klim.
Like @guzzirider I wear high top work boots. Mine are steel toed cause that's what I had. They work fine and are comfy for walking when you turn of the key. Among my collection of gloves I have a few pairs of leather work/gardening gloves. They work fine.
There is a large faction here that shun used and think you can only ride a bike after spending thousands on gear and a brand new bike. That is frankly bollicks. I'll say it again Buy used Own more.
guzzirider
Well-known member
Check to see if there is a used gear store in your area.
eg Re-gear.ca
They also have new non-current year gear as well as consignments.
I was fortunate when I once bought a jacket the dealer let me try them on
and then walk out into the cold wind blowing that day.
Discovered it was well worth paying a bit extra for the jacket I did buy.
A few years ago I was able to purchase a brand new jacket with a defect on Ebay for about 25% of sugested retain.
It was only missing a part of the buckle from the strap that allows you to cinch the jacket in at the waist for that hourglass figure.
I am shaped more like a bowling pin so no issue!
With 4 layers of material they do not flap in the wind regardless.
eg Re-gear.ca
They also have new non-current year gear as well as consignments.
I was fortunate when I once bought a jacket the dealer let me try them on
and then walk out into the cold wind blowing that day.
Discovered it was well worth paying a bit extra for the jacket I did buy.
A few years ago I was able to purchase a brand new jacket with a defect on Ebay for about 25% of sugested retain.
It was only missing a part of the buckle from the strap that allows you to cinch the jacket in at the waist for that hourglass figure.
I am shaped more like a bowling pin so no issue!
With 4 layers of material they do not flap in the wind regardless.
