wncbmw wrote: I forgot the helmet, gloves and boots!
I do that all the time running to the mailbox.
The usual: full face helmet - Shoei fits great; head sock to keep the buglets out of my ears; Ray bans under face shield; Roadgear Leather jacket, fleece or polypro underlayer; BMW Commuter Pants (1st Gen- 2000), leggings - silk or wool underlayer; Combat Boots over wool socks; Elkskin gloves.
I have the Streetguard2 jacket and pants. The gear is quite expensive-I got a break on the pants through a friend who gets a huge discount at a dealership that sponsors his racing efforts.
It is the only real riding suit that I have ever owned, other than an old snowmobile suit that I used back in the 70s for cold weather commuting. Therefore, I can't offer a comparison regarding it versus less expensive gear. The Streetguard2 gear imparts a real sense of security while riding. There is all kinds of armour in it and special membrane technology which reflects excess heat and water. The quality seems exceptional. You can wear just a thick shirt under it and zoom around in 0-5c weather. A full suit, here in Canada at retail prices, is going to set you back at least two thousand dollars.
The pants appear to be completely waterproof- 2 hours in heavy rain (at 125KPH) and no leaks. The jacket is good for many hours in light/intermittent rain but the cuffs will wick water up from gloves that don't overlap the opening. It comes with a removable storm collar that is really useful in wet and cold conditions.If it is blasting rain I just put a Technic rainsuit jacket over top and it is dry forever...
Oxtar boots at 2 years old are completely waterproof still.
Dainese "waterproof"gloves are losing their edge and heavy rain gets in within 30 minutes.
I tried the "worlds finest natural earplugs"recommended by this a user on site and they are excellent.
Open face flip up HJC helmet. I feel claustrophobic with full face lids and hate how they fog up and feel hot at stoplights.
I have a ten year old first gear jacket. It is still not broken it.
I am looking for a new type of riding gear. I mean a whole system top and bottom.
Any advise??
Helmet:
previous: HJC, Arai. Currently Z1R. My next helmet will be another Arai.
Boots:
Some kind of Alpinstar (Web goretex, I think)- probably over 50k miles on them and almost ready for replacement (starting to leak). Good value - original cost $160.
Hot weather:
First Gear Mesh 2.0 jacket
First Gear Mesh overpants
Held mesh leather gloves
Various rainger for covering the mesh stuff for when it gets wet
Cool/Cold weather: Jackets: First Gear Kilimanjaro 3.0. I recently waterproofed it - after about a year it started leaking. Thier recommendation - Nikwax. Waiting for rain to test it. I previously had a first generation Kilimanjaro and it was great but got worn out. The new models are very different form the original - you know, they don't make them like they used to! Pants: Currently a pair of BMW overpants. I haven't used them yet but I'm looking forward to the cooler weather and rain to give them a test. I previously had a pair of the Tourmaster Venture pants - they were advertised as "waterproof", but weren't. Before that I had a first generation First Gear HT overpant - no removeable liner but great overall pants; didn't leak until worn out. I still have them and like the jacket, they don't make them like they used to. Gloves: Various depending on the temps. I have the BMW winter gloves (water/windproof) and while a little bulky, great in the cold and wet stuff. Thinner Olympia "winter gloves", not waterproof but good down into the 40's. Some other cheesey branded leather/carbon fiber-lookalike sport-type glove - good from the 70's down to the 50's.
My next jacket will probably be the BMW Tourance - a great priced jacket in the First Gear range - and by BMW! You have to admit, BMW probably makes the most versatile, long lasting, engineered gear, but the high cost turns a lot away. Face it, the high prices may be worth it in the long run. Cheap often turns out to be expensive.
John
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Arai RX-7 Corsair(clear shield and sunglasses)
Darien light Jacket(Aerostich)
Hein Gericke mesh jacket for really hot weather
Gerbings electric jacket liner when it gets cool
Tourmaster Deerskin gloves(sealskinz for rain)
First Gear hypertex overpants(just jeans if it is beastly hot)
Alpinestar boots
