My Favorite Riding Gear and Why

[U-Turn]

How about everyone listing their favorite riding gear for the winter and summer from the helmet down to the boots. And if possible, list one to two alternatives you were considering. If we could get this information consolidated a bit, it would be very useful for many.




Helmet: Shoei RF1000, wanted the X-Eleven...not in stock when needed.

Winter jacket: Joe Rocket Ballistic 6.0...liked the styling and protection. 80 and above it is hot without liner and zippers opened.
Summer jacket: Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 Mesh...one of the coolest.

Winter pants: Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0...definitely warm, cannot remove liner, not waterproof.
Summer pants: Joe Rocket Phoenix 2.0 Mesh...the ST does get warm.

Winter boots: Oxtar Matrix Gore-Tex, considered the Sidi On Road Sympatex...very happy with the Oxtar boots
Summer boots: none

Winter gloves: Olympia Windproof...soft and warm
Summer gloves: Tourmaster Summer Elite perforated

Misc: Turtle Fur neck warmer, Turtle Fur pull mask/neck warmer

 

[1999purple]

Hi, I'm riding with all Belstaff Merlin coat and easy on pants. Belstaff boots great boots. HJC full helmet. Gerbing liner for cold days.

 

[EASt]

1) Aerostich Roadcrafter 1-Piece: Spring, Summer, Fall, and on nice dates.
2) Shoei X-11
3) A pair of waterproof Red-Wing boots
4) Whatever gloves I can find

 

[sherob]

My Scorpion EX-700 helmet... all around great helmet!!! All of my Tourmaster Cortech jackets, the armour and protection in them is bar none... especially my GX Air Oxtar Matrix boots... toss up on my gloves... love my Cortech GX Air and my Frank Thomas leather gloves... JR Phoenix mesh pants are great for summer with shorts

 

[Joseph]

Shoei TZ1 full face (cold)
Shoei Air open face (not cold)
Sidi boots all the time
Indian River gloves
Everything else depends on the ride

Joseph

 

[jslarson]

Aerostitch

I have found the Aerostitch to be the best for all seasons. I bought the Darian series. In the summer if you just wear the jacket it is well ventilated and provides great protection in the event of.... When it gets above 90 deg nothing is cool enough. You can buy zip in liners with sleeves, wo sleeves and both versions heated. Therefore one jacket can be used all year round. Also it the jacket or pants are damaged they will fix them!!
Helmet - Shoei X11 - light and quiet
Boots - Found a good pair of hiking boots work best - keep feet dry - cool - warm - and when you stop comfortable to hike around in.
Gloves - whatever works for you

 

[MGDaversa]

I live in Northern Illinois and generally ride in temps ranging from 40 to 100.
- I just replaced my HJC AC-3 open-face with a Sy-Max.
- When it's really cool, I wear a fleece neck warmer that has a thinner part that I can pull over my head before donning my helmet -- don't recall the brand, but it works. Otherwise I wear one of many cheap pre-sewn doo rags, which keep my helmet liner cleaner longer, but may block some air flow.
- My AGV Sport Evolution jacket handles colder weather riding just fine with all its components worn. Above 80, the jacket alone starts to feel warm, and the vest part alone feels quite unsafe.
- Still vulnerable in the pants department, I usually wear double-knee utility jeans by Dickies. If it's cold, I wear longies underneath.
- Olympia gloves, leather palm w/mesh back for hot, Thinsulate-lined leather for cold, both with Velcro wrist closures.
- Cheap over-the-ankle boots. Wish I could find a cycle boot suitable for casual office wear.
- Cheap sunglasses (under $25) with decent optics and lens colors that do not interfere with traffic signal recognition.

 

[Tor]

Helmet: Shoei RF1000
Winter jacket: Firstgear Kilimanjaro / Firstgear Fuel Jacket
Summer jacket: Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 / Firstgear Fuel Jacket
Winter pants: Firstgear HT Overpants / Firstgear Fuel Pants
Summer pants: Firstgear Mesh / Firsgear Fuel Pants
Winter boots: Oxtar Infinity
Summer boots: same
Winter gloves: Held Narvik
Summer gloves: Held Steve

 

[LDMike]

First off, I believe in ATGATT and don't use the motorcycle to go to the grocery store. If I get on the bike, it's for a RIDE, usually not less than 50-100-200-300 miles

Helmet: Caberg Justissimo - LOVE the flip down sun visor. It fits round heads better than my oval melon, but I still like it. Nolan fits me better and another one may be in my future.

Riding suit: Aerostich Darien jacket (Hi-Viz yellow) and pants for ALL riding conditions - waterproof, windproof, practically bulletproof. Have been comfortable in temps from 20s (with Kanetsu electric liner) to over 95 (in shorts and T-shirt underneath) with vents open. Protection is good to very good (shoulders, back (extra cost), elbows and knees.) Pockets are very generous and accessable with gloves on, and zippers are fantastic.

Boots: Oxtar Explorer and Infinity. Explorers are excellent all-around boots = good protection for both sides of ankles and shins. No problems with heat in any conditions. Infinitiy boots are more combat touring style - 3" higher on shin, but still confortable and as much or more protection than Explorers. May be hot in warmer conditions, but I don't know that for a fact yet.

Gloves: Aerostich Elkskins for most riding (= above 45 degrees) sometimes UnderArmor liners under Elkskins for 40-50 degree temps. Love these gloves because they feel so much heavier than deerskin and are just plain tougher.
Winter: BMW Extreme Winter gloves, sometimes with aforementioned UA liners. I used some wateproofing on the fabric part of the gloves and they are even warmer than before.

Other: I'm a strong believer in hi-tech underclothing and wear poly T-shirt and underwear, fleece overshirt (UA microfleece shirt is WONDERFUL!!) and a windproof overshirt(Aerostich) for even more warmth in colder weather. In the coldest weather (below 30 degrees), I'll have on the UA winter shirt (tight fitting) and boxer underwear, UA fleece, 'stich overshirt, Kanetsu electric liner and the Darien jacket, jeans amd Darien pants. Sometimes I feel like the Michelin Man or a kid going out for a sled ride with an overprotective mom, but I can move in it and still ride in cold weather comfortably.

In very high temperature riding, I'll have on a cotton T-shirt and shorts under the 'stich. If necessary, I'll wet the entire inner layer with water and let it evaporate on it's own for better cooling. Can't imagine riding w/o the 'stich - it's the best riding suit I've ever had and would/will buy another one when needed.

 

[Fastraveller]

clothes

Winter:
Shoei X-11 with dark shield
Firstgear Scout Jacket (I would like to change to a textile this year)
Tourmaster Winter Elite or Olympia mid-weight lined gloves
Motoport Goretex lined pants
Alpinestars GTX Road boots

Summer:
Shoei X-11
Tourmaster GX Air (no liner) jacket
Tourmaster GX Air gloves
Jeans (I'm looking for ventilated summer riding pants)
Alpinstars GTX Road Boots or Alpinestars Stunta's (high-top shoe style)

Tourmaster 2-piece rainsuit

 

[Mark]

Summer:
RF1000
Motoport Air Mesh 2 piece
7.5 EEE boots (they don't make MC boots in 3E)
JR air mesh gloves

Winter
RF1000
Motoport Air Mesh 2 piece
7.5 EEE boots (they don't make MC boots in 3E)
JR air mesh gloves or if it is below 50F (you know in the mornings!) JR leather

Rain:
RF1000
Motoport Air Mesh 2 piece w/liners
7.5 EEE boots (they don't make MC boots in 3E)
JR air mesh gloves

Hot:
RF1000
Motoport Air Mesh 2 piece w/wet vest
7.5 EEE boots (they don't make MC boots in 3E)
JR air mesh gloves

I know, I know, I get off cheap on my motorcycle apparel...

 

[tdeboeser]

Winter: (been down to 24 degs for about an hour)

• Helmet: Caberg Justissimo - Love the visor, good overall - BUT I really want the S1
• Gloves: Held Steve Glove - awsome, no liners, with heated grips I can stand ~ 1 hour in mid 25 deg weather
• Jacket: Cyclock by Remia ( they make lots of snowmobile gear) - alot like the FG Kilo with liner
• Heated vest: Harley!!! with Heattroller, got it from my dad as a Xmas gift. Harley place was the closest place :?.
• Pants: FG HT overpants with liner
• Boots: Just got Oxtar Matrix, I did have Rockport waterproofs and big wool socks

I beleive the Heated vest and grips are the best two things for cold weather survival.

Summer:

• Helmet: Same
• Gloves: Same - grips off
• Jacket: Same, no liner
• NO heated Vest
• Pants: FG HT overpants - no liner. Sometimes just the jeans... I know, but DC metro can get hot and humid
• Boots: Oxtar Matrix... hopefully they wont get too hot...

Tom de

 

[timmybob4]

Helmet: Scorpion EXO700 (light smoke shield with sunblocker strip at top)

Winter jacket: Harley-Davidson FXRG leather jacket.
Summer jacket: First Gear Mesh Tex.

Winter pants: Harley-Davidson chaps over jeans. (need to replace with armored pants)
Summer pants: First Gear Mesh Tex pants.

Winter boots: Oxtar Matrix Gore-Tex
Summer boots: Oxtar Matrix Gore-Tex

Winter gloves: Harley-Davidson cold weather gauntlet
Summer gloves: Joe Rocket Phoenix

Misc: Goose down long underwear (tops and bottoms) and wool hunting socks for sub 40 degree days.

 

[Gug]

Helmet: HJC Symax

Summer Jacket: Gericke Aero X
Winter Jacket: Firstgear Z Pilot

Summer pants: Draggin Jeans or Shorts (under chaps)
Winter pants: " " & leather chaps

Summer gloves: Gericke Anza's & Gericke Velon
Winter gloves: Tourmaster Cold Front Carbon Gloves

Winter boots: Oxtar Matrix Gore Tex
Summer boots: Have to see if the above is good for summer as well

Winter under gear: Cabella's Polartec underwear, turtleneck & balaclava.

The winter gear keeps me comfortable well into the low 30's. I won't ride in any cooler weather or primarily below freezing.

 

[Jim C-G]

I just knew I was going to be in trouble here.

Full face helmet - can't remember what make
Permanently lined biker style leather jacket w/extra long arms
Lined gauntlet gloves
Jeans
Chaps
Cowboy style boots with steel toes and shank
kerchief
T-shirt
long sleeve shirt
army surplus sweater (in top box)
underwear (long when necessary)
wool socks
another pair of wool socks

Thats summer riding!

I feel like a cruiser reject - gonna have to change my ways. You have all given me a great list to pass on to my wife re:Christmas and birthdays. She's got green leather jacket and pants - think it may still work on the red ST.
Jim

 

[Highrider]

Riding Gear

I'm a minimalist - this gear has stood the test of time for riding from 5 degrees to 105 degrees-

All seasons:
Aria Quantum helmet
Aerostich 2 piece suit:
Northland LW Ranger boots

Below 40 degrees add:
Gerbings heated liner
Gerbings heated gloves

Rain add:
Aerostich boot covers

Dave
:biker:

 

[Clair]

ATGATT all the way!

Always ATGATT, learn it, live it.

Helmet: Scorpion EXO-700 with both clear and dark grey shields

Jackets: Note the plural ... Winter / cold riding Olympia 3/4 something-or-other (great jacket, wind/water proof, warm liner, CE armor). Cool / warm riding Olympia Airglide meshtext jacket (same warm wind/waterproof liner as the 3/4 jacket, CE armor). Warm / Hot riding, Firstgear Mesh-Tech II jacket (very good hot weather jacket).

Gloves: Oh, too many to list but a couple from Olympia (summer riding breathable, wind/water proof with a bit of a nice liner), two waterproof pairs with one for more colder weather, and a Polar-Tech thick insulation glove for way cold riding.

Pants: First Gear HT Overpants, Olympia Airglide pants, Draggin Jeans

Boots: Cortech waterproof. Aplinestar waterproof, but these are pretty much not used now since the velcro is shot to hell. They're a good cool/cold boot tho, but too warm in the summer.