OzSTOC
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: AliSTair on August 21, 2015, 01:07:29 PM
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In preparation for purchasing myself a bike, I need to arrange the basic protective wear as I no longer have any of this gear. With so many brands and styles available and a host of ebay retailers with seemingly amazing deals, I don’t know where to start. So thought I would seek recommendations here.
For a helmet I just want a basic full face design, that is comfortable and not too noisy.
Jacket I want fabric (cordura???) rather than leather, mainly for the improved visibility and lightness
I also want to pick up some jeans.
So can you recommend any particular brand and model of protective gear? Or an online retailer that I should check out?
Cheers
AliSTair
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Get yourself an OzSTOC jacket...
http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=8680.msg114416#msg114416 (http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=8680.msg114416#msg114416)
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With helmets, I suggest you go into a shop and try them on, different makes and models have different shapes. Leave them on for a while, make sure they don't become uncomfortable after a while.
Jeans, I got mine from Shark Leathers, competitively priced, pretty true sizing and they have return insurance.
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Grinfactor make good jeans. Local manufacturer in Lilydale,east of Melbourne.. Helmets. Try them all. See which one is most comfortable. My Shark can be a full face or open and the bar is right over the back when not being used, not on top in the wind.
Check out Zen Motorcycle gear online or home near Drouin for quite a bit of bike gear. Club sponsor and very good guy. We have his hoodies which are good and versatile and dont look like bike gear.
Cheers
Sent from my iPad
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Helmet
Our head shapes vary, so it's not possible to recommend a particular brand. Simply try lots on and find the helmet that is the most comfortable and snuggest fit on your head, as the correct helmet for you is one that fits well and is comfortable. With the helmet on your head and straps done up, if you grasp the helmet and try to spin it sideways on your head, it should pull your face skin around with it. Grab the back of the hemet (straps done up) and try to pull it forward and off your head. It should not be able to come off, and if it does, it may come off in a crash, which is bad. Full face helmets with minimal vents seems to be the quietest and flip front helmets, while popular, have a reputation for being a bit noisier. In a crash, a light helmet may be preferable to a heavy helmet, as less mass is swinging around on your neck. When touring, always wear hearing protection, as many of are now paying the price for poor hearing protection from past years.
Jacket
Very much a personal choice, based upon the climate and conditions where you live. I use a short RST "Ventilator" mesh jacket year round, insert the waterproof liner in winter, and wear a decent jumper underneath. That keeps me cool in summer, dry and comfy in a light shower, but if it's raining hard I wear a DriRider fully waterproof overjacket, which keeps everything out. The RST is not very expensive and has good shoulder, elbow and back protection. I've had limited success with so called waterproof, all season jackets, as the water everntually soaks through.
Jeans
My last few pairs of kevlar jeans have been from Bikers Gear Australia http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/ (http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/) and they have lasted well and fitted nicely, but I've not tested them in an "off". $150 from Bikers Gear Australia.
Gloves
I have several pairs. Mesh gloves with good knuckle protection for summer, Full leather with good knuckle protection for mid season, and a pair of thick battery powered heated and waterproof gloves for the depths of winter. BMW Pro Winter gloves have a good reputation as a warm and waterproof glove. Australian Road Rider ran a comparison of a whole range of winter gloves in a past issue, and their test for "waterproof" was to wear the gloves and immerse them up to the wrists in a bucket of water for thirty seconds. I remember that the BMW gloves passed this test. Here's my review of the Venture Epic 2 heated gloves. http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=2576.msg113405#msg113405 (http://ozstoc.com/index.php?topic=2576.msg113405#msg113405)
I trust this helps. :thumb
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http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=common/home (http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=common/home)
This is the second jacket I bought from these guys........ http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_67_79&product_id=78 (http://bikersgearaustralia.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_67_79&product_id=78)
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are you happy with the jacket Alan?
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are you happy with the jacket Alan?
This is my 2nd one with the only difference being the old one was all black. The flap on front now has studs instead of just Velcro to keep it closed. Waterproofing is ok and tested out on recent border ride. Only issue was the water running into the gloves where they made contact with the jacket sleeve which also got wet at that point. After about 140 km of rain the sleeves were drip drying when I took my gloves off at Border Village. All pockets are waterproof which is good if you carry your phone on you.
I still use the old one for around town etc. and keep the new one for longer rides. Happy with both of them, same styling just blue added to the newer one.
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Whilst the site is American, http://www.webbikeworld.com/menu/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/menu/) is a good review site for everything biking, even if some items are not relevant to Aust.
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Here's link to Steve Eilersten's "Flames on my Tank" web site, which I often browse. Steve has compiled lots of information about clothing and helmets, equipment, touring and really just about everything related to motorcycling.
http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/navigation.htm (http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/navigation.htm)
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I'm a fan of the OzSTOC jacket (if you can find one in your size) otherwise I use the "Dririder Climate Control 2" or the "Zen Motorcycle Gear kevlar hoodie"
For pants I use the "Hornee" Kevlar Jeans that can be purchased at Team Moto.
For gloves either "Dririder Levin" for cold weater or "Zen Motorcycle Gear FNQ summer gloves"
For a helmet anything that fits and feels good will do the job. Even cheap ones will do the job as ALL helmets sold in the shops must meet the stringent Australian safety standards.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk
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Thanks for everyone's feedback. Took a bike for test ride 2day and tried on some gear...still no purchase yet but it's close, I can feel it!