Riding pants are good if you're doing some serious riding. Just to commute, I wear whatever pants I'm going to work in. Jeans on the weekend. Riding pants are bulky and get pretty hot.

 

Ever had a big accident with jeans on? I'd rather be hot.

You might change your opinion if you do

 

I always ride with overpants and jacket. ALWAYS. There were some comments here about leather being better then textile - I'd have to say that's not always true - depends on the textile. I use BMW riding gear which is always all textile. It's very expensive, but it's a fabulous protection, and it can be had in the "summer" versions. Their materials are extremely high quality, don't stretch don't burn, don't tear, etc. Plus all of them have armor built in for street. I would recommend it.

 

Helmets are not expensive because of their weight. Theres more to it . Some of you guys are giving bad advice. Minty take a trip to a local motorcycle dealer and see the difference in person in helmets, jackets, boots, and gloves. Jeans are usually worn for convenience purposes not protection.

 

Quick comment on jeans. Draggin Jeans look like regular Levi's but have a kevlar lining. I doubt they protect as well as full leather pants, but it seems obvious to me that they offer more protection than chaps or non-riding pants.

Helmets, I'd buy any brand as long as it was SNELL approved. The main difference I noticed between brands is the fit. I really wanted the inexpensive HJC that was on sale, but Shoei was the only brand that fit my large round head.

Good luck with the shopping,
-Bob

 

Oxtar as well.

 

[QUOTE=MintyWinty,May 23 2006, 09:49 AM] I only saw 2 people post comments regarding pants.

 

I wear a two-pice Motoport suit, Arai Quantum helmet, Oxtar Matrix boots, and Held Profi gloves. The Motoport is not very stylish but it gets the job done in almost all weather. Comparable outfits can be found at Aerostitch (mail-order only) and in the BMW clothing line.

For all-season wear I go with armored textiles but I'd never pretend they are safer than dead cow. Nothing beats animal skin (cow, kangaroo, deer) with armored inserts if you hit the pavement. If I was on a budget I'd look at something like the Kilimanjaro jacket and Joe Rocket Ballistic pants.

When the temperature rises past 95 degrees I sometimes switch to a cheap Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket and Tourmaster mesh gloves. I need some mesh pants but for now I just sweat. At lower temperatures I add wind-blocking hand guards, Gerbings electric jacket liner, and their new (thinner) Gel gloves. I have the insulated Goretex Motoport liner but I find it too hot most of the time (I should get their Goretex-only liner for rain).

 

since everyone listed everything already...

stick with the SHOEI helms.. you'll be glad you did.

 

I reccomend HJC helmets. I went down pretty hard in mine and it held up absolutely perfect. Dented/scratched all around but I didn't even have as much as a headache when it was over. Leather is much better than textile but I still wear textile. Don't get the cheap $80 joe rocket textile(mine wore through when I went down)...get something a little more substantial like the A*. I have some Setup boots...cheaper offbrand of SIDI. I like them, espeically for the price although they don't have all the cool features that the $300 boots do. Jeans at least on the street but don't look for protection from them. Textile is a step up and pretty cool even in the heat of summer (I have ICON ti-max/mesh pants). I'm a believer is leather though above all. I have an AGV (a little heavy and bulky and hot, other brands are probably better) and a 1 piece Joe Rocket suit which is surprisingly more comfortable for me than jeans for all day riding. Sure it's a little hot but not bad with the perforations and the vents unzipped. Wear as much gear as you are comfortable with and live with the risk that textile will offer less protection than leather but the trade off could be worth it in 100 degree/95% humidity weather cruising around town.