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Post by rj2para (Bisto) on Dec 28, 2008 18:42:11 GMT 1
Sorting though another thread, I have uncovered some references to gloves etc and started thinking this may make an interesting thread? Kind of interactive survey. What do you have now? Would you buy another etc. Hope it is of interest. Roger Helmet:- Nolan N102 flip lid With external sun visor (easier than sun glasses) and internal anti mist clip in. (My last lid was about £60 and used to steam up all the time, double glazed lids are FAB ) Neck warmer:- Windstopper bandaner style with velcro fix at the back. Very warm and better than my old scarf. It stops the wind dead and I can still move my neck. Jacket:- Good jacket but has lost its back protector on the way. (my brother gave it to me to get me going) Tempted to go cordura next time. Interested to understand what you think? Gloves:- £20 soft leather summer gloves with lots of feel but none of the armour that all modern gloves seem to have. These are 14 years old and go back to my days on a cg125, full fairing in white, many hours riding tall playing bobby, amazing how many drivers look but do not see. Careering over the road reaching for seatbelts. lol but thats off topic! £20 winter pair with long cuffs, ok for mild weather but when the ice is out ie now, I am wearing silk inner gloves which I find makes a big difference. I did try a 20 year old pair of damart as inner gloves but could not move my fingers and the ends quickly became cold. (Micawber's idea - see further down the thread - of carrying another pair sounds like a good one though) Trousers:- Other half of the leathers which lack any hip protectors, but are so big I always have another pair of trousers underneath. Again tempted to move to codura but like the grip of leather on the saddle. Thoughts please? Boots:- Oxtars with GORTEX inside, very warm and comfortable, plain black and just about acceptable for meetings under a pair of office trousers. :-)
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Post by McF on Dec 28, 2008 19:42:05 GMT 1
Good idea for the survey
Helmet:- Caberg with internal sun visor
Neck warmer:- Tog24 windproof plus Oxford balaclava for really cold riding)
Jacket:- Hein Gericke Textile/Goretex
Gloves:- summer = RST, Winter / Rain = Frank Thomas
Trousers:- Hein Gericke Textile/Goretex
Boots:- Nitro
I also have a superb base layer recommended and purchased from HG. This makes a huge difference, not just keeping me warm in colder months, but incredibly dry and comfortable in hotter weather - riding and walking around - I never feel sweaty.
I would buy everything again (now that I have decent gear). The only thing I'm considering upgrading are the boots, but as it's going to cost well over 200 beer tokens for anything to beat what I'm wearing now, it can wait a while.
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Post by Buzzin (^_^) on Dec 28, 2008 20:50:28 GMT 1
Nice idea Here's my list of dos and don'ts Helmet: Airoh sv55s flip lid (BT prepared) with internal sun visor + stickin type antifog visor. (recommended, very nice so far) Neck warmer: 10 euro woolen thing from local bike shop...works great, even when not on a bike Jacket: Evolution textile all-weather. It's ok, but not the best in the world. Great value for price (they are reasonably cheap) Gloves: Difi winter gloves, waterproof/fleece lined (great, and inexpensive), grid summer gloves (Brilliant fit, great feel, too bad the quality wasn't up to spec, I tore it apart after about 9 months trying to take them off) Trousers: Evolution textile, all-weather (great, no complaints yet) Boots: Difi touring boots without zipper (don't buy these unless they are very cheap...like mine...they are not 100% waterproof, and are not very good for walking) I have no experience with my new leather suit yet, will update when I know more.
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micawber
All Weather Rider, well hard
No longer lurking in the shrubbery.
Posts: 151
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Post by micawber on Dec 29, 2008 19:18:10 GMT 1
Well, this is what I wear. No real rationale to it, has been acquired over the years in sales etc.
Helmet:- Takachi TK86N flip front with retractable sun visor.(£99) Comfortable, but noisier and more prone to misting than the Vemar flip front it replaced. Good strap system.
Neck warmer:- Winter Buff. (£18) Very effective.
Jacket:-IXS Goretex -don't know what model, about 7 years old now. Recently reproofed, tolerably waterproof and warm. Has non -ce armour in shoulders and elbows. (£99)
Gloves:- Several pairs of anonymous long style gloves. Not particularly waterproof, but can keep a spare pair in my top box for longer trips in the rain. (£15 each)
Trousers:- Usually wear thick jeans for general use. Have a pair of unlined waterproof nylon overtrousers permanently in top box -J&S (£15). If planning a longer trip, have a pair of Aldi Crane Sport lined trousers with ce armour (£25-ish). They are certainly warm and showerproof but not been put to severe waterproofing test yet.
Boots:-I have a pair of steel toecap/sole work and walking type boots which are comfortable for riding and walking. (Stone Creek, £25.) In wet weather or longer trips I use a pair of Frank Thomas Aqua boots (£30) which have proved totally waterproof, though not so comfortable for walking any distance.
Base Layer:-I bought a set of M&S merino wool thermal under wear in a sale a year or so ago which, though white and reminding me of my grandad, are very effective. Why pay bike shop prices? £22-00.These replaced an ancient set of Damart Double Force which I'd had for years. Also use a couple of pairs of anonymous "thermal" socks I bought on my travels.
This is not much help to anyone wanting recommendations for top of the range stuff but also shows that you don't need to spend a fortune on useful bike gear. I suppose that this just shows what a tight (old) git I really am. I try not to look like a biker when off the bike, eg shopping etc. Ee, when I were a lad we used to do hundreds of miles wearing Dunlop industrial wellies and firemens trousers (available in black)with a Belstaff waxed cotton jacket. Also, open face helmet and goggles. What a fashion statement! But then, we used what there was. There is much more choice now.
Micawber
Afterthought. Talking of base layers, I was reminded by my brother that in my skint early days of riding, I would wear a pair of M&S or Woolies flanellette pyjamas under my riding gear for longer trips in the winter. They worked surprisingly well, with the added bonus that if you timed it right and arrived in time for bed, you could just peel off your bike gear and hit the sack. At the time, it occurred to me (rather unrealistically) that if one was to fall off and be admitted to hospital one would be suitably dressed for the occasion.
All getting a bit surreal now, I suppose. Not many can say that they've ridden tens of thousands of miles in their pyjamas (though who knows, this embarrassing revelation might encourage other furtive pyjama wearers to come out of the closet!) Happy New Year!
Micawber
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Post by De Graaf van Salland on Dec 30, 2008 10:45:57 GMT 1
Clothing is extremely important when riding an motorcycle. Remember it's the only thing between our bodies and the roadsurface (or any other collision body) in case there is an accident. Unfortunately it's also rather expensive. And most of us don't plan to have any accidents (are we ?). For my line up of clothing I have to differentiate between my private stuff and my profesional clothing (Yes, my boss also makes me ride a motorbike once in a while). Private:Helmet: HJC (flip-lid type, because I wear glasses). Coat 1: Hein Gericke Touareg (which I bought second hand). Coat 2: Spidi Trousers: Evolution Boots: Don't know the make; all it says is: Drytex (which is (I think) a membrane) Gloves: 3 versions: - Summer (thin leather combined with textile with vents), - Spring & autumn (one layer leather with waterproof lining) - Winter (leather with insulation). - I also have a pair of thin undergloves. If it gets really cold I also have one of those thin hoods I can wear under my helmet. Exept the gloves & boots, all my clothing is made from cordura (textile). I bought the Hein Gericke jacket, because my Spidi jacket is a tight fit. For safety it's better to have a tight fit (the body protection won't shift during an accident). But it's also a lot of work to put the jacket on. And a wider fit is more comfortable. When riding in low visibility circumstances, I also wear one of those bright orange vests with reflective stripes. Professional:I have two complete sets of motorcycle suits. Both made for me specially by MJK (http://www.mjk.nl/). One is leather (summer) and the other one is cordura (winter). And both have my company logo on the jacket. The jackets & trousers can be detached, so I can wear the leather trousers with the cordura jacket (if I want to). Helmet: BMW system 5 with communication. This is a very good helmet. If my old (private) HJC helmet must be replaced, I will serously consider to buy this one, even though it is rather expensive. One set of leather boots and also three sets of leather gloves. Under the clothing I also wear a back protector: Akira 7. This is also a piece of motorcycle gear I can recommend to everyone. With normal back protectors, you get a sweaty back. This one has some sort of ventilation system installed, so it reduces the sweaty back a lot. Drive safely ! Franklin
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Post by McF on Dec 30, 2008 12:32:16 GMT 1
For my line up of clothing I have to differentiate between my private stuff and my profesional clothing Franklin I'm worried you might be spending too much time reading Roger's posts - private and professional clothing - what exactly is going gone here? Am I missing out on something? I am impressed if your boss makes you ride your bike and appears to provide made to measure clothing - Any vacancies?
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Post by De Graaf van Salland on Dec 30, 2008 15:26:26 GMT 1
Well, my boss doesn't make me ride my own bike....... I do that for fun.
I ride other bikes (plural) profesionally (keep guessing ....)
Franklin
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JJ
Bad ass biker
MAD on BIKES
Posts: 417
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Post by JJ on Dec 30, 2008 15:40:12 GMT 1
Helmet - Nitro (cheap but very good I have two) Neck Warmer - Buff (three of them but I wear two in winter I don't have those double fleece ones) Jacket/trouser - Leathers - J&S Textile - Rayven trouser and Proto jacket Gloves - MDK Boots - ALTBERG ;D FANTASTIC boots and I wear them all day in work as well VERY comfortable. And two pairs of Sidi one waterproof comfortable but 0% waterproof and the other a pair of vertis
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Post by Buzzin (^_^) on Dec 30, 2008 16:25:49 GMT 1
Well, my boss doesn't make me ride my own bike....... I do that for fun. I ride other bikes (plural) profesionally (keep guessing ....) Franklin Only posibilities I can think of: - Police - Ambulance - Marechaussee (Royal/National police?) - Driving instructor I might be missing something there though...
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Post by McF on Dec 30, 2008 22:33:22 GMT 1
Well, my boss doesn't make me ride my own bike....... I do that for fun. I ride other bikes (plural) profesionally (keep guessing ....) Franklin Journalist - reviewing Motorcycles?
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Post by Jaz66 on Dec 30, 2008 23:00:23 GMT 1
Ok time for my guess. Own kit and Work bike kit.....? Could be a Virgin Bike Chauffeur...... OR Some sort of engineer, working in a big City, where a car is less practical for speed or parking, maybe....? jaz
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parad0x
Ahh! Just passed their bike test
Posts: 27
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Post by parad0x on Dec 31, 2008 21:15:35 GMT 1
Helmet:- Shark S800S "Alert" My pride and joy! I love it ;D Really comfy and doesn't mist up on me. It came with an external optional sun visor that clips over the top of the regular visor and can flip up separately to the regular visor. Neck warmer:- Err... none Need one though... Jacket:- An Akito jacket My housemate gave it to me to get me going, it's good enough for now and has elbow/shoulder armour Gloves:- Some Hein Gericke gloves the guy that sold me my bike gave me! ;D Trousers:- Just jeans for now Boots:- My friend's promised to get me some as a belated Xmas present! Any recommendations? ...So yes, I need some gear
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Post by Hubcap on Jan 6, 2009 13:11:53 GMT 1
Helmet:- £35 quick replacement that lasted longer than expected.
Spare visor though!
Neck warmer:- Cold Killers one, goes right round and comes up over mouth and nose to keep those warm, breathable but toasty warm.
Jacket:-
Crane, somethinorother, the long one out the Aldi from last year!
Gloves:- Richa big thick winter gloves, and Alpinestars little summer gloves, winter ones are fairly good, still get cold hands but can't completely protect against that. Summer ones are great for getting a nice breeze through your fingers on those hot days, while still offering carbon knuckle and abrasion protection
Trousers:- Forgot what thse are, long skinny things with a lovely thermal lining., knee protectors and bum padding, toasty!
Boots:- Magnum Classic lace-ups, with custome multi-coloured smiley face laces!
Not the warmest or dryest, better for summer use but do the trick all year round!
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Post by rj2para (Bisto) on Jan 6, 2009 22:21:37 GMT 1
My guess is franklin is a pro photographer. Not sure where the bikes come in. May be he is a pap and needs two bikes, one for on and the other for off road. . I wonder what it is that makes bikers interested in photography ans it does seem to be a common thread. R.
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Post by rj2para (Bisto) on Feb 16, 2009 22:38:44 GMT 1
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