Gear suggestions

[TattooLost]

Okay, I posted up in the introduction section. Now to get down to the good stuff. I just got the bike last week. I've got a helmet, and i've been wearing jeans and skate shoes and a t-shirt to ride in. Needless to say I drive pretty consertatively right now.

I'm looking to pick up a new helmet and a leather jacket asap. Hoping to stay at about $500-600 total for the two. Someone else suggested something better for the feet too, so suggestions for riding footwear are appreciated as well.

I do like some of the feathers Icon has, especially the breath deflector. The KBC helmet I have right now fogs up bad, and really makes it a pain to see. I like the idea of the modular helmets, mainly because I'm a smoker, but I don't know about them staying together if my head hits the pavement?

BTW, the bike is red and black. Don't really wanna look funky with a blue helmet or jacket while I'm riding.

HELP! :hello:

[Faylaricia]

BTW, the bike is red and black. Don't really wanna look funky with a blue helmet or jacket while I'm riding.

HELP! :hello:

Hehe, been to bike nights? I don't think too many folks' fashion matches.

I'd definitely invest in some good riding boots. Another thing you should consider are riding pants (dragging jeans or overpants). :nod:

You won't appreciate gear until you have had to use it. There is one thing about looking 'cool' and another about riding, going down, getting back up and being able to continue or plain being able to survive a crash.

If it was me, I'd stay away from the flip-up helmet and get a fullface. When I crashed, I slammed on the side of my helmet and it busted the visor lose on that side. I've seen some pretty destroyed flip-ups from crashes. It is pretty risky for the chin and face.

[less_than_coop]

Okay.
heres my $.02

Icon helmets are junk, most icon gear is "okay" but for the money you can get much better.

Helmet: No icon, try some on and see what brand fits the shape of your head the best. Dont get a modular helmet. For one, they are about as safe as a 3/4 helmet, the face shield being able to fold up ruins its strength. Plus you might get made fun of.

As for footwear, the idea of wearing moto-boots everyday you ride, like to school or work, is kinda hard to swallow. Just make sure youre wearing something substantial(like leather) that GOES OVER THE ANKLE. Thats the minimum level of protection you want on your feet.

Jackets: Well, ill let others chime in on jackets, but I have a couple Joe Rockets, and like them. I also have an icon, its allright, but again, for the $$$ you can do much better.

[Solracer]

if you check with one of our sponsors... they can get you set up pretty nicely for that range..

decent helmet for 200-250 (maybe less if they have a good one on close out)

Good pair of gloves for less than $50

You can get a good mesh jacket for $150 or less

I bought my current boots used off ebay, they were in 99% new condition and got them for less than $100 (they retail for around 200-250)

[BigComfy]

^Chris beat me to it (sponsors section)

also another site worth checking out is www.newenough.com

Welcome to the site :hello:

[less_than_coop]

Motohouston has lots of sponsors thatr sell gear.
My personal recomendation has to go to Patrick and the gang over at Motorcycles unlimited. He can set you up with a good deal on a helmet, and will take the time to work with you and make sure youre making the best choice for your head(helmets have varying shapes, and some brands fit some heads better than others.)
If you do end up wanting some boots, Patrick can hook you up with some Set-Up boots for a great deal!

Again, just my opinion.

Welcome to the board, glad to see youre getting gear squared away.

[less_than_coop]

^Chris beat me to it (sponsors section)

also another site worth checking out is www.newenough.com

Welcome to the site :hello:

Good call. Visit the site and sign up for the email, they will email you great deals almost daily!

Ive seen damn nice short cuff moto-gloves for less than $20.

[TattooLost]

Thanks you two, and thanks for more opinions on Icon. Yeah, I like some of the designs, but I'm not a huge fashion junkie. Just want to try to stick with red on the red bike. lol

I did stop by a local motorsports shop in town today, and there were some Fulmer helmets that didn't seem too bad. I like the idea of the removeable insides to wash 'em (my KBC doesn't have 'em, and you can guess how much Febreeze it takes to make it wearable), but I'm guessing this is standard on the majority of decent brands out there? Are Fulmer's pretty good to go with? I read a thread on here and several people were recommending Scorpion helmets? Any good online shop to check those out at? More opinions on the brand?

Jackets it seems like as long as it's decently thick leather and has shoulder/elbow/back protection I should be in good shape?

Someone steer me towards an online shop so I can order! :D

[TattooLost]

lol you all beat me. Thought "hey, I'll just ask which sponsors have the best deals" and bam.

Thanks guys! Fixing to go shopping! Might have to make a ride down to Houston this week!

[Solracer]

Id buy 2 jackets

1. Mesh/With liner for the warmer 8 or so months

2. Leather for the other 4

[TattooLost]

Thanks Sol. I know you. :P

Yeah, I was kinda shying away from mesh jackets though my bro-in-law suggested one. Just don't seem like they'd protect as well as leather? If they're just as good or close I'll go that route, but probably just get a leather right now since the cooler temps are coming soon.

[Solracer]

Thanks Sol. I know you. :P

Yeah, I was kinda shying away from mesh jackets though my bro-in-law suggested one. Just don't seem like they'd protect as well as leather? If they're just as good or close I'll go that route, but probably just get a leather right now since the cooler temps are coming soon.

lol CREAM PIE RICK!:rofl:

[Solracer]

FYI

Mesh will protect you about 85-90% of what leather will.... it just cant be used again after that wreck, where as leather can be re used.

Right now, I have 1 mesh, 1 textile, and 2 leather jackets.

[dnix600]

lol you all beat me. Thought "hey, I'll just ask which sponsors have the best deals" and bam.

Thanks guys! Fixing to go shopping! Might have to make a ride down to Houston this week!

I bought my first jacket from MU. I almost bought a jacket that was too big, because of ignorance on proper fit. But Patrick caught it and explained to me why I needed a smaller size. Defiantly suggest you get with a sponsor so you make sure you get the right gear. :thumb:

[wever411]

if you're just cruisin around during the summer, you'll probably want a mesh jacket. if you're gonna be riding more aggressively, get something with more protection. FWIW, I got a frank thomas leather jacket from cycle gear on sale for 179.

[less_than_coop]

I would say as far asd ordering online goes...
gloves maybe, if you have tried on gloves by that manufacturer.
Boots, and jacket, NOPE. try on in person, you'll be happy you did.

As far as the helmet goes, you could go to one of our sponsors and test fit some of the lids and figure out which brand you like and what fits best. then you can take that info to the web and search for a good deal.
BUT BE SURE YOU GIVE THE SPONSOR A CHANCE TO BEAT ANY DEAL YOU FIND ONLINE, these sponsors will surprise you !!!!

[BigComfy]

BUT BE SURE YOU GIVE THE SPONSOR A CHANCE TO BEAT ANY DEAL YOU FIND ONLINE, these sponsors will surprise you !!!!

:nod:

[TattooLost]

Roger that. I checked MU's website and they don't have any gear listed. Looks like when I can make it down to Houston (soon hopefully) I'll be making a stop there. Bike needs an oil change anyway, and it looks like one of the front forks has a small leak, so might see about getting both of those taken care of and shop for gear while I wait. ;) Looks like their prices are good, and they keep getting recommended on here so they must be doing something right!

Thanks guys! Hope to ride with all of ya soon!

[TattooLost]

Okay, I've been searching off and on all day. I think I've found the helmet I want. Now to find out if anyone can beat the $210 price it seems EVERYONE has. If not, hoping at least one of the sponsors carry it or can get it so I can at least keep my money in this community. The helmet is...

Scorpion Burst, black and red. Now I just need to try one on and see what size I need. Does MU carry Scorpion helmets?

Still searching for a decent jacket/gloves/boots, possibly pants soon. :)

[CarbonJames]

MU no longer carries Scorpion helmets unless by some chance he still has some left overs, Powersports of Houston has plenty of the Scorpions in stock. Cycle Gear has one of the largest helmet selections in Houston (as far as i know ) they have tons of helmets in stock!

[Blue91]

While CG has a ton of diff helmets, they don't carry Scorpian. Honda of Houston has a large selection of them though.

I tend to be overly cautious so I have an A* leather jacket. Rode with it every time on the bike even during the hottest months of the summer and I was still fine.

[TattooLost]

Okay, so I got my Scorpion helmet ordered from Powersports. Picked up a pair of A* gloves, low end model for now. After some research, seems everone prefers a hard knuckle glove over the ones I got (just some extra padding on the knuckle), so I may just pick up a better pair. Ran by cyclegear and found a Frank Thomas leather jacket in my size and picked that up.

I'll be heading back into Houston when my helmet comes in, to pick it up. Probably pick up a better pair of gloves when I do, and I want to size some boots.

As far as pants go, what are some suggestions? I see the icon denim jeans all over the internet. Are they worth spending $100 on, or should I get something different? I want to be safe, not so much fashionable.

[Japawhat02]

Iwould go with some textile pants, They are a lil more but give you better protection.

[TattooLost]

Iwould go with some textile pants, They are a lil more but give you better protection.

Like pullovers, or wear alone types?