Clothing

MREGAN

I am taking the test soon and thinking of a Honda Transalp or similar style of bike. I have no gear at all as the guys I am learning with provide everything. For someone starting out what is the best thing to look at clothing wise. My biking will probably be commuting not that far and touring at the weekends or holidays. Any suggestions or websites. I want good gear but at a cheap price if there is any such place out there.

Oryx

Essentials: Helmet, jacket, gloves waterproof leggings.
Non essential but should have: Boots, armoured waterproof trousers.

Youll probably get as many brands recommended as there are posters, we all have our own favourites. Just make sure your jacket is guaranteed waterproof, with armour on the shoulders, elbows and back.

BlueBandit

Just get the best gear you can afford. Think of it as an investment youll be wearing the stuff every day so its worth putting a few pound into it. Take a spin down to Hein Gericke thir stuff isnt wild cheap but is top quality.

unklerosco

I went up to Hein Gericke last weekend.. Got Helmet, jacket, boots, gloves n tank bag for €700. Tis alot of money but its worth it. When I was pricing it up I thought it was mad but then I thought about how much my normal clothes cost, and then thought about coming off a bike a 50mph in them. The cost makes a lot more sense then...

It'll last me and protect me... U could easily spent near €2k if not more getting kitted out up there. Some of the gear is crazy pricey

Have yet to get a bike :-( was meant to be collecting it today but it still aint ready

omb0wyn5ehpij9

Oryx wrote: »

Youll probably get as many brands recommended as there are posters, we all have our own favourites. Just make sure your jacket is guaranteed waterproof, with armour on the shoulders, elbows and back.

It is well worth spending a few extra quid and getting a seperate back proctector. Most jackets have terrible back protectors in them, and the few that have good protectors in them still wouldn't be as good as having a serperate one. In my opinion it's the second most important thing to saving you in a crash after your helemt

unklerosco

BrynW wrote: »

It is well worth spending a few extra quid and getting a seperate back proctector. Most jackets have terrible back protectors in them, and the few that have good protectors in them still wouldn't be as good as having a serperate one. In my opinion it's the second most important thing to saving you in a crash after your helemt

2nd that... Was one of them that saved a mate of mines spine. Was about to pick one up at the weekend but ran out of cash. Aim to get one next week.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

unklerosco wrote: »

2nd that... Was one of them that saved a mate of mines spine. Was about to pick one up at the weekend but ran out of cash. Aim to get one next week.

Well worth the money. I haven't been riding bikes for the last 2 years but I have had a know back protector for about 4 years at this stage, it's a stow away one so it rolls up when you are not wearing it which can be handy

MREGAN

Cheers for the advice. Some useful things to remember. I think it is just all the excitement of taking the lessons its all I seem to be thinking of. I will wait and see what I plan to do if I get the test first before jumping into anything. If I get a lone for a bike may as well add a bit for decent gear and do the thing right.

gabgab

BrynW wrote: »

Well worth the money. I haven't been riding bikes for the last 2 years but I have had a know back protector for about 4 years at this stage, it's a stow away one so it rolls up when you are not wearing it which can be handy

Any links to these Brian?

I am safety man

gabgab

MREGAN wrote: »

Cheers for the advice. Some useful things to remember. I think it is just all the excitement of taking the lessons its all I seem to be thinking of. I will wait and see what I plan to do if I get the test first before jumping into anything. If I get a lone for a bike may as well add a bit for decent gear and do the thing right.

If you're in Belfast, go to Hein Gericke. I got a gore tex jacket off them. It kept me dry yesterday morning in torrential rain, good quality stuff I think, but I am a novice

BlueBandit

I have a BMW back protector, got it as a present a couple of years back and its the business, missus has a knock one and I would reccommend them just as much.
Your doing it right anyway getting training and decent gear before you even get on the bike

gabgab

Very sorry,

Looks the business. Will put it next on my list,

omb0wyn5ehpij9

gabgab wrote: »

Very sorry,

Looks the business. Will put it next on my list,

No problemo!

Yeah definatly stick it on your list, well worth the money!

Hotblack Desiato

There is a Hein Gericke in Newry, too.
Also Cotters in Ballymount (Dooooblin) are good for cheap clothing, good quality stuff.
If the budget is really tiny, try the offers in Lidl and Aldi that come around every few months, although their stuff wouldn't be as good.

paulieeye

Theres a built in back protector in my targa jacket..are these any good?

also Jacket and trousers (both targa) have developed holes after a year of motoring. They're worn almost everyday and have done a few cross country trips. This usaully ends in a bad dose of wet crotch syndrom when its raining. This leads me to believe that the Back Protector in the jacket cud be completly pointless.

so basically what i'm asking is...Are targa clothing brand a pile of crap???

omb0wyn5ehpij9

paulieeye wrote: »

so basically what i'm asking is...Are targa clothing brand a pile of crap???

I've been into bikes for about 7 or 8 years and i've never heard of Targa....so that's not a good sign!

paulieeye

BrynW wrote: »

I've been into bikes for about 7 or 8 years and i've never heard of Targa....so that's not a good sign!

thats tells me all i need to know...now a have an excuse to buy new gear!

BlueBandit

paulieeye wrote: »

thats tells me all i need to know...now a have an excuse to buy new gear!

Have Targa waterproof for over the leatrhers, they have been grand for the last year, dry as a bone in some torrentail downpours but recently seem to be letting in some water around the seams. You'd be doing well to find any gear that wouldnt though, so I wouldnt have a problem with Targa gear. But deffinitly get a new back protector. IMO the ones in jackets, even expensive ones, dont offer the same protection as a seperate one. Also, take out the one in the jacket if you have a seperate one.

faceman

Its worth getting a neck tube or something similar for the winter too

Oryx

Targa brand are marketted by the same company that do Richa clothing, as a more budget line. Theyve been on the market for at least 7 years. Their waterproof overgarments are really good. Cant speak for the rest of the line as I havent really seen much of it.

paulieeye

BlueBandit wrote: »

seem to be letting in some water around the seams.

same with mine. Seams around the shoulders and crotchal region. They held up well for bout the year but gone to pot the last month or so

The Sheriffk

Howya , i can recommend Simon Cotters for gear , dont expect much in the line of customer service , its a real help yourself and ask the price .He has a great range to suit every budget .

And no i dont work for him ..........

if you get him while he is busy , the price is better .......

Niall06

+1 Cotters

Always get good gear and really cheap.