Riding gear

[B6Matt]

Steve:

HJC LT-20 helmet:    $75
Joe Rocket Blaster Gloves:  $25
Oxtar Infinity Boots:  $210
First Gear HT Overpants:  $145 (from Santa)
First Gear Granite Jacket: $80
Hein Gericke Urban Jacket: $135

Total: $670, which includes 2 jackets.   I saved money on the brain bucket; I bought it on e-Bay and it was pristine.  (FWIW,  I probably wouldn't buy another helmet on e-Bay, simply because fit is key.  I just got lucky.)  Next time around, I'll probably splurge on a Shoei or Arai helmet that's better ventilated.

I'll grant you that leathers would probably be better from a safety aspect, but this combo works well for me, especially for commuting on the Bandito.  Though I occasionally ride the Dragon, I don't drag a knee, so I don't need anything with pucks.  ( A buddy is offering me a used JR two piece textile suit with pucks for $100....hmmm.  Would that encourage me to ride more aggressively, thus increasing my chances of a get-off )

[PitterB4]

I'm a gear weenie and I'm well under 6 bills...

Used AGV 1-pc perforated leathers (worn most of the time) - $220 on ebay
Brand new Oxtar TCS boots - $100 on ebay
Brand new Icon Halo lid - $150 on ebay
Teknic race style gloves (forget the model) - $36 at New Enough
JR Atomic jacket (commuting or short trips only) - free from a friend who doesn't ride on the street anymore

I do need some ventilated gloves and a mesh jacket for hot commutes.  

Hey Matt - $100 for a 2-pc JR tex suit???  If you don't take your friend up on that offer, PM me.  Hell, if it will fit you, I KNOW it will fit me!  LOL!

[B6Matt]

PM sent, Rob.

[Red01]

Anyone have any suggestions on some good reasonably priced pants? Good fit and padding are a must.

If you're looking for pants and not overpants, I suggest looking at the Fieldsheer line. I got a pair of their leather pants at a local dealer (not normally the cheapest place to buy) for ~$150. They've got padding in the hips & knees, removeable armor in the knees and velcro for pucks, if you're that adventuous (I'm not). They're going into their fifth season and holding up wonderfully.

[txbanditrydr]

Fieldsheer also has a nice set of warm weather pants.  Air Titanium is the model for about $110.00 - lots of padding and adjustments.  Started looking at them last weekend - almost bought some but then I couldn't find the jacket I wanted.  Off to the stores this weekend to look again since things are heating up in Tejas!!!!  

[NCBANDIT]

Well, I just purchased teknic chicane pants from new enough for $175. This puts me at $300 for jacket and pants. When I add boots it will probably be around $4-500 total. I'm going to guess that keeping it under $400 will only be possible with textile, or used leathers.  I also got a JR manta tank bag from them for $35.  

[Steve]

OK guys, point well taken on the gear prices.

I guess my eye has wandered to a few "higher ticket" items. (Shoei hats, Vanson jkt, !st Gear Kilamangero jkt, Alpinestar boots...) After reading the helmet threads here though I did get all fired up and ordered a HJC AC-11 Zeke for $139 from NewEnough. Shoei prices have really gone sky high and getting the HJC in paint w/ removable liner for that price seems like a great deal. A couple of years ago I got a great pair of HJC leather pants from them too, $120. The best prices at NewEnough are found by clicking the "closeouts" button and looking in there first.

I'll post to the AC-11 thread after I have a chance to go for a decent ride in the new hat.

Steve

[B6Matt]

I passed on a Teknic one-piece suit and boots for $150 Just couldn't see me wearing a one-piece leather track suit.

[Red01]

My main beefs with 1-piece suits:

1. Most make you look like a Power Ranger wannabe.

2. Makes taking a dump a hassle.

[txbanditrydr]

2. Makes taking a dump a hassle.

[Red01]

Funny now, but not so funny when you're out for an all day ride (or longer) - especially if what you had for lunch decides not to agree with you and tell you you need to go - NOW!!![/i][/u]
You'll have an instant appreciation for the ability to quickly drop trou.  

[txbanditrydr]

Don't know why I found that so funny but I did laugh out loud.  Yet, nothing like a load of trouser chili to ruin a great ride.

[chippi]

Don't know why I found that so funny but I did laugh out loud.  Yet, nothing like a load of trouser chili to ruin a great ride.

What is it about bodily functions that are just funny to think about? Paul's comment is a good point and very valuble information to consider but for some reason gave me the giggles.

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good gloves and hats are so often overlooked IMO. You can spend $$$ on the right jackets and pants but if your hands are sweeting and swelling so much you can't get them off to drop trou or back on after you done I've seen people decide not to put them back on. I overheat easily so maximum cooling was high on my brain bucket characteristics list. RF100, good vent locations rear spoiler to create a vacuum to pull air through at lower speeds. But remember to brining a cap or do-rag couse you get these funny lines in your hair were the air goes through
I will agree Shoes are $$ but somebody has to pay for the R&D for the nock-offs to copy HJC AC-14 get my next vote

[Red01]

I will agree Shoes are $$ but somebody has to pay for the R&D for the nock-offs to copy

  I remember when Shoei was one of those cheapie knock-off companies - maybe that's why I still have a hard time justifying their prices.

I did try out a co-workers new RF1000 the other day when he let me take his new CBR1000RR for a spin. It is a really nice hat, but at the price level it's at, it really should have a removable liner.

[banditone1250s]

I have the Joe Rocket 5.0 Ballistic pants and the 2.0 Joe Rocket Jacket both of which are very nice. I often wondered why the pants did not get some "venting" like the jacket has. Joe Rocket has a "patented" venting system in the jacket that works really well, however the pants seem hotter than hell because of no venting. Is this common for over pants? I usually just wear shorts under them because they are so warm but they are really armored well and also fit really well. Even though the jacket is vented really well, on a 90 degree day at a stop light they can still get pretty warm. (the pants, that is).