Need advice on riding gear

"RWC" <user DeleteThis @example.net> wrote in message
news:VSSwc.54917$oi5.21110@fed1read07...
 > I live in Southern Arizona, and it's hot here, very hot, and it's summer
 > now. I'm just getting back into riding, and I need gear.
 >
 > I have a helmet, but might look at some nicer, higher air flow ones.
 > It's a "No Fear" which is actually made by KBC. I had to stop off at
 > the local Cycle Gear shop yesterday to pick up a ramp (so I could get
 > them out of the truck) and a cheap helmet. $150 was the cheapest they
 > had. Anyway, what is lightweight, good air flow, and good protection?
 >
 > What else do I need? All I really know right now is from to color
 > glossy ads in mags.
 >
 > My leather street riding jacket is not going to cut it, it's just way
 > too hot, even if it's big, comfortable, and thick as hell. I want to
 > find something that offers good protection, but gives great air flow,
 > and of course, in white or very light colors for the 110° sun! I guess
 > I'm very naive, so most MX'ers wear a jersey, and elbow pads under it?
 > What should I be looking at?
 >
 > And pants... I don't think jeans are going to cut it. I'm going to go
 > down, I know it. But, what to wear? Asterisk knee protection looks
 > slick, but $550? Are there lower cost decent knee protection products?
 >
 > And, what about boots? If I look at the color glossy, Sidi Force are
 > the only thing that protects against ankle twists. That can't be true.
 > Are there boots that are good, and some to stay away from?
 >
 > Finally, gloves. What's good for max protection, and max airflow?
 >
 > Last, are there any good online shops that have good prices? I try a
 > lot of stuff on at Cycle Gear in town, but found I can get better prices
 > online with a search. I really like to try it on before I buy, but once
 > I know what the product I want is, I'm all about price.
 >

On the helmet, go to a dealer and try some on. Different companies fit
different heads. You don't want your melon to be uncomfortable on a long
ride. I have a Shoei VFX-R that is nice. Pick what fits you, just make sure
its Snell approved.

You definetly want vented riding gear. Moose Sahara is my favorite. I made a
slightly less intelligent move and bought black vented gear, don't do it.
Black attracts heat and goes against the purpose of vented gear. Go for the
vented Sahara gloves with the rest of the gear. I don't wear elbow pads at
all. Some say I should but I've never felt the need. I wear EVS SC04 knee
pads. They are comfortable and don't move around or bunch up.

Boots tend to be another one of those where different brands fit people
different. My favorite is the Gaerne SG1. If your on a budget look at the
Alpinestar M4.

For a great deal on the Moose gear give Jim Cook at Smackover Motorsports a
call. He knows his stuff and is a good guy to deal with. Don't count out
dealing with your local dealer. At least let them get you a price on your
gear. Sometimes paying an extra few bucks at the local dealer can help you
out down the road when you need a favor.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice on riding gear 

In the summer all I wear is Moose Sahara gear, pants, jersey and gloves.
Even their kneepads are vented. I also wear white boots because they don't
get nearly as hot.

Doug
Folsom, California
2003 KX-500



"RWC" <user.RemoveThis@example.net> wrote in message
news:VSSwc.54917$oi5.21110@fed1read07...
 > I live in Southern Arizona, and it's hot here, very hot, and it's summer
 > now. I'm just getting back into riding, and I need gear.
 >
 > I have a helmet, but might look at some nicer, higher air flow ones.
 > It's a "No Fear" which is actually made by KBC. I had to stop off at
 > the local Cycle Gear shop yesterday to pick up a ramp (so I could get
 > them out of the truck) and a cheap helmet. $150 was the cheapest they
 > had. Anyway, what is lightweight, good air flow, and good protection?
 >
 > What else do I need? All I really know right now is from to color
 > glossy ads in mags.
 >
 > My leather street riding jacket is not going to cut it, it's just way
 > too hot, even if it's big, comfortable, and thick as hell. I want to
 > find something that offers good protection, but gives great air flow,
 > and of course, in white or very light colors for the 110° sun! I guess
 > I'm very naive, so most MX'ers wear a jersey, and elbow pads under it?
 > What should I be looking at?
 >
 > And pants... I don't think jeans are going to cut it. I'm going to go
 > down, I know it. But, what to wear? Asterisk knee protection looks
 > slick, but $550? Are there lower cost decent knee protection products?
 >
 > And, what about boots? If I look at the color glossy, Sidi Force are
 > the only thing that protects against ankle twists. That can't be true.
 > Are there boots that are good, and some to stay away from?
 >
 > Finally, gloves. What's good for max protection, and max airflow?
 >
 > Last, are there any good online shops that have good prices? I try a
 > lot of stuff on at Cycle Gear in town, but found I can get better prices
 > online with a search. I really like to try it on before I buy, but once
 > I know what the product I want is, I'm all about price.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice on riding gear 

I recently did alot of research when I bought my 04 KLX300 as I needed all
new gear (switched from "Riding Red" to "Going Green" and I had old,
old-outdated gear). This is the setup I went with:

Helmet: HJC CLX-4 (Snell & DOT approved)
Pant/Jersey/Gloves: Thor 2004 Phase Gear (jersey & gloves are vented)
Boots: Alpinestars Tech-6 (I wouldnt trade them for the world)
Goggles: Oakley (nothing special)
Chest protector: MSR (comfortable and durable)
Knee/Elbow guards: None (will get knee soon)
Socks: Fox Racing w/wick-away

The main thing I wanted to point out is that I bought all of the above
online. Everything fits VERY well because of the research I put in as to
how everything fits. Once you do decide what you want, ask your local
dealer or talk to the guys here on RMD as to how to pick out sizes that will
fit the first time. I bought all of the above at these two places:
store.bobscycle.com/ and <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.motoworldracing.com/" target="_blank">www.motoworldracing.com/</a>

--
Cory -
Fenton, Michigan
04 Kawasaki KLX-300R


"RWC" <user DeleteThis @example.net> wrote in message
news:VSSwc.54917$oi5.21110@fed1read07...
 > I live in Southern Arizona, and it's hot here, very hot, and it's summer
 > now. I'm just getting back into riding, and I need gear.
 >
 > I have a helmet, but might look at some nicer, higher air flow ones.
 > It's a "No Fear" which is actually made by KBC. I had to stop off at
 > the local Cycle Gear shop yesterday to pick up a ramp (so I could get
 > them out of the truck) and a cheap helmet. $150 was the cheapest they
 > had. Anyway, what is lightweight, good air flow, and good protection?
 >
 > What else do I need? All I really know right now is from to color
 > glossy ads in mags.
 >
 > My leather street riding jacket is not going to cut it, it's just way
 > too hot, even if it's big, comfortable, and thick as hell. I want to
 > find something that offers good protection, but gives great air flow,
 > and of course, in white or very light colors for the 110° sun! I guess
 > I'm very naive, so most MX'ers wear a jersey, and elbow pads under it?
 > What should I be looking at?
 >
 > And pants... I don't think jeans are going to cut it. I'm going to go
 > down, I know it. But, what to wear? Asterisk knee protection looks
 > slick, but $550? Are there lower cost decent knee protection products?
 >
 > And, what about boots? If I look at the color glossy, Sidi Force are
 > the only thing that protects against ankle twists. That can't be true.
 > Are there boots that are good, and some to stay away from?
 >
 > Finally, gloves. What's good for max protection, and max airflow?
 >
 > Last, are there any good online shops that have good prices? I try a
 > lot of stuff on at Cycle Gear in town, but found I can get better prices
 > online with a search. I really like to try it on before I buy, but once
 > I know what the product I want is, I'm all about price.
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Need advice on riding gear 

"RWC" <user.TakeThisOut@example.net> wrote in message
news:VSSwc.54917$oi5.21110@fed1read07...

 > I have a helmet, but might look at some nicer, higher air flow ones.
 > It's a "No Fear" which is actually made by KBC. I had to stop off at
 > the local Cycle Gear shop yesterday to pick up a ramp (so I could get
 > them out of the truck) and a cheap helmet. $150 was the cheapest they
 > had. Anyway, what is lightweight, good air flow, and good protection?

For the price, HJC is pretty good. It has removeable washable liner.
My new one breaths better than the one I bought 5 years ago. Shoei's
breath even better, but cost is 3X the HJC.

 > What else do I need? All I really know right now is from to color
 > glossy ads in mags.

They will tell you that you need the latest flashy gear adorned
with the mfg'rs logos. I think they should pay us to advertise for them.

 > I'm very naive, so most MX'ers wear a jersey, and elbow pads under it?
 > What should I be looking at?

Go to Wal-Mart. Get a long-sleeve Starter brand jersey for $10.
Make sure it's synthetic. I've got one in white & it's the coolest
riding jersey I have. Wear elbow pads & body armor on the
outside. The body armor has plenty of vents & sits mostly off
your jersey, so it really isn't too hot.

 > And pants... I don't think jeans are going to cut it. I'm going to go
 > down, I know it. But, what to wear? Asterisk knee protection looks
 > slick, but $550? Are there lower cost decent knee protection products?

Fox Pivots are some of the best knee pads out there. They might be
a little warm tho. Get something lighter for hot weather. You can
also ventilate it with a drill. I'm not a big believer in the knee brace
pads. There isn't a knee brace out there that will prevent a rotational
injury to your knee. Most will prevent against a hyper-extension
injury, but this is more of an MX type problem.

Pants: I have a pair of MSR pants, but do most of my riding in
some modified Carhart work pants (heavy denim).

 > And, what about boots? If I look at the color glossy, Sidi Force are
 > the only thing that protects against ankle twists. That can't be true.
 > Are there boots that are good, and some to stay away from?

The stiffer the sole, the better. You want something that offers
good ankle protection, and good protection against foot crushing.
A lot of folks swear by the Tech8. I like the Fox Forma. Both
are upper end boots.

 > Finally, gloves. What's good for max protection, and max airflow?

Too many brands to say. You should visit your local shop. I
haven't found too many that are well ventilated. Avoid the ones
with the big plastic pads if you want cool.

 > Last, are there any good online shops that have good prices? I try a
 > lot of stuff on at Cycle Gear in town, but found I can get better prices
 > online with a search. I really like to try it on before I buy, but once
 > I know what the product I want is, I'm all about price.

Do a google group search on rmd. You'll find pros and cons of most
of the online/mail-order places.

-Jeffrey Deeney- DoD#0498 NCTR UTMA BRC COHVCO AMA
'99 ATK 260LQ-Stink Wheels '94 XR650L-DreamSickle
We don't stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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