View Full Version : Suggestions on What Gear to bring
msnyder755
08-07-2006, 04:46 PM
Ok so I didn't own a MC for about 10 years before I bought my dream bike the ST earlier this year. Obviously since I got a new bike I had to get new gear. I ended up with some JR mesh stuff that I love but heres the question...
What level of riding gear will be required in CO during Septemeber...obviously weather changes quickly and you can't carry enough for every single situation but in general...
Cold WX
Mild WX
Warm WX
I have been looking at some new stuff and am willing to pay for it but I don;t want to carry alot of stuff I mostly likely will not need. I have been looking a the Tourmaster and the Olypia brands both offer good jackets and pants and I really like the Olympia but I not sure about the 3/4 length since I never owned one.
So any suggestions....
TOM BOGNAR
08-07-2006, 05:05 PM
I don't think mesh is going to cut it. Don't forget that on some of these roads that you'll be over 12,000ft. I plan on bring my Firstgear textile jacket with zip out liner. You can run into some snow showers at anytime up in the mountains:biker:
Mesh with liners and layering beneath for me.
I've got to start in the desert and end in the desert on this ride...
Mark
msnyder755
08-07-2006, 05:13 PM
I don't think mesh is going to cut it. Don't forget that on some of these roads that you'll be over 12,000ft. I plan on bring my Firstgear textile jacket with zip out liner. You can run into some snow showers at anytime up in the mountains:biker:
Yeah....I figured mesh was out. I guess what I was trying to ask if anyone would suggest cold wx or really cold wx stuff
Highrider
08-07-2006, 05:29 PM
Get a full suit with good venting that can be adjusted or shut off, and will also work as good rain gear. In September you can expect temps normally ranging from high 20 degrees up to 85 degrees. I wear a light T shirt and shorts under my Aerostich suit for weather 65 and above. For 45 to 65 degrees, add a pair of pants and heavy shirt. Below 45 degrees you will probably be wanting a heated liner or vest. This should support you for riding all day under most circumstances. As for brands of gear, you can can get a lot of opinions and advice from this group.
Mellow
08-07-2006, 06:04 PM
I'll have my 3/4 gore tex jacket. Will be leaving dallas so it will be hot.
If you have gerbings, that should cover your cold weather options pretty well but you still want some layers and the first should be synthetic, hot or cold.
Go to walmart and and get some Starter or Athletic Works 'wicking' tees, they are thin and will help pull sweat away from your body when it's hot and keep you dry when it's cold... cold and wet are bad...
It's hard to pack for every possibility but mesh isn't the answer although many like the joe rocket alter ego and tourmaster flex options.
Hope that helps.
msnyder755
08-07-2006, 06:08 PM
I'll have my 3/4 gore tex jacket. Will be leaving dallas so it will be hot.
If you have gerbings, that should cover your cold weather options pretty well but you still want some layers and the first should be synthetic, hot or cold.
Go to walmart and and get some Starter or Athletic Works 'wicking' tees, they are thin and will help pull sweat away from your body when it's hot and keep you dry when it's cold... cold and wet are bad...
It's hard to pack for every possibility but mesh isn't the answer although many like the joe rocket alter ego and tourmaster flex options.
Hope that helps.
Great suggestions...Thanks Joe
clmixon
08-07-2006, 06:53 PM
Mike,
I was there at the beginning of June and saw a range from 104 in Gateway to 36 ontop of Independence Pass. Average was about 70-80. I have been wearing an Alter Ego for 3 years.
I found that the best combo was the Alter Ego with the outer panel zipped in, and a windproof fleece when it got colder. The inner liner in the JR Alter Ego just trapps sweat and makes you uncomfortable since it does not breath. Desert days I wore shorts under the Alter Ego pants and added a pair of sweats under them on the high altitude days.
Light and heavy gloves unless you have added heated grips, boy did I miss them this trip.
If it starts snowing like it did on me on Independence, I find that the Nelson Rigg rainsuit and pants make the perfect final layer.
No matter what you do, as everyone has said....Layers are your friend. You can add or subtract as needed. If I was in Mesh only, I think that a windproof fleece and a rain suit would make up the difference when needed very nicely. OTOH, if you can use this trip to justify Gerbing to the spouse, than you will be ready for anything from now on......:cool:
Chris
Mellow
08-07-2006, 06:58 PM
OTOH, if you can use this trip to justify Gerbing to the spouse, than you will be ready for anything from now on......:cool:
Chris
You still need to bring layers... when I was in Yellowstone my Gerbing plug screwed up and it was 28 degrees overnight... I was not as prepared as I should have been.. From now on, I bring enough clothes/layers just in case the Gerbings fail... it's very rare, but it can happen.:nuke1:
FG mesh pants for me...I can layer underneath as needed.
I too must start in the desert and end in the desert...triple digits.
JR Atomic jacket on top. Bringing winter gloves as I don't have heated grips.
--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:
AzDesertRider
08-08-2006, 08:22 AM
Bringing winter gloves as I don't have heated grips.
--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:
No Heated Grips because you live in the desert? :eek:
LMAO.
clmixon
08-08-2006, 07:32 PM
No Heated Grips because you live in the desert? :eek:
LMAO.
I am still trying to picture "winter" gloves for a guy who's winter is hotter than most of the U.S. Summer :eek:
Chris :06biker:
I am still trying to picture "winter" gloves for a guy who's winter is hotter than most of the U.S. Summer :eek:
I also waited until July to buy em ;) Momma didn't raise no fool.
--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197
:04biker:
I am still trying to picture "winter" gloves for a guy who's winter is hotter than most of the U.S. Summer :eek:
Chris :06biker:
My *winter* gloves are thick leather (not a lot of rain) I wear them for about 3 weeks. :-)
I have a set of really thick gloves that wear when it is below 30F in the mornings; but, I have to have a light pair for the ride home as it is usually in the 70F range in the afternoon...
I know we do have to suffer.... :-)
Once I got acclimated to the desert I started to need more layering... I didn't know how *bad* wer were until we were in New Bedford MA at the Whaling N.P. All the rest of tour group was hiding in the shade while listening to the docent. We were standing in the sun. Chris was wearing a dark sweater. The docent asked where we were from and then pointed out how me and mine were trying to stay warm. :-) The whole tour group laughed about it.
Mark
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