So I bought some gear...

[board]

I don't even have a bike yet but I figured I should get some protective gear before I ride at all. I'm thinking if I'm going to dump it, chances are I'll crash sooner than later as I don't have much experience. I'm wondering if the gear I've purchased is good.

Helmet is a THH TS-38 (http://www.bikebandit.com/product/19592) (snell2005 so I can use it for auto cross and drag racing as well as riding)
Jacket: Fieldsheer Corsair (http://www.bikebandit.com/product/9493)
Pants: Fieldsheer Apollo II (http://www.bikebandit.com/product/10335)
Gloves: Shift Barrier (http://www.bikebandit.com/product/13094)

Anyway, let me know if I've done well or not. I'm not planning on riding in rain much, but it does rain here being Vancouver Island so I picked this gear so I'll stay fairly warm and dry, won't look like a power ranger, have good protection without being too uncomfortable.

[derf]

I can't say anything about the gear except for the helmet, and only that you will be much happier with a better helmet. Also try new enough, they are better on shipping and prices than bike bandit

[neebelung]

I can't say anything about the gear except for the helmet, and only that you will be much happier with a better helmet. Also try new enough, they are better on shipping and prices than bike bandit

I agree. It'll be more comfortable, it'll vent better, and it will have better peripheral vision. Also, the fit will be snugger, so that at higher speeds (ie on highways/the interstate) you won't get as much wind "lift."

Fieldsheer and Shift both make some good stuff; two things to keep in mind no matter what brand you buy however is comfort and fit. Gear has to fit you properly to do it's job in the event of a crash/slide.... and comfort - well, if it's not comfy, you're more liable to go "Eh, I don't feel like wearing my jacket/gloves/boots today... it'll be alright." (and it can't do ya any good if it's hanging at home in a closet).

[Trip]

Did you try on the helmet? As long as it's comfortable and fits your head properly, you don't need a $500 helmet like some people think. $80 helmets have won helmet tests before and they are all pretty well protective. The most important piece is trying on helmets and finding something that is very snug on your head that puts some pressure on all points. Not something that is loose on top your head and snug at the base. Each helmet is made for a different shape head, so you need to look and find what fits you best. I would look for fit, before any of the bells and whistles.

[board]

Ok, so I checked out two of the three bike shops around here and went helmet shopping. HJC has some NICE helmets with great features...I'll probably go with them ALTHOUGH...I am not someone who buys the expensive stuff thinking its better, that THH helmet I picked IS lacking some good features but its safe, snell M2005.

HOWEVER, the helmet I tried on that fit the very best was a $900 Arai Corsair-V. I don't like the faceshield lock at ALL though, that finicky shit would make me crash IMHO. I'm going to go check out the third shop and see what they have, then buy the helmet I like online (yeah, I don't give a crap about local money, I'm not from here anyway heh)

[JoJoYZF]

Ok, so I checked out two of the three bike shops around here and went helmet shopping. HJC has some NICE helmets with great features...I'll probably go with them ALTHOUGH...I am not someone who buys the expensive stuff thinking its better, that THH helmet I picked IS lacking some good features but its safe, snell M2005.

HOWEVER, the helmet I tried on that fit the very best was a $900 Arai Corsair-V. I don't like the faceshield lock at ALL though, that finicky shit would make me crash IMHO. I'm going to go check out the third shop and see what they have, then buy the helmet I like online (yeah, I don't give a crap about local money, I'm not from here anyway heh)

Unfortunately when I was trying on helmets the one that fit the best was a shoei x11 and the ones with graphics retailed for like 690. I was lucky enough to find one brand new for 495 so I jumped on it and love it. Ive seen some arai corsairs on clearance for like 400 so that may be something to look into in the future.

[Phenix_Rider]

Ok, so I checked out two of the three bike shops around here and went helmet shopping. HJC has some NICE helmets with great features...I'll probably go with them ALTHOUGH...I am not someone who buys the expensive stuff thinking its better, that THH helmet I picked IS lacking some good features but its safe, snell M2005.

HOWEVER, the helmet I tried on that fit the very best was a $900 Arai Corsair-V. I don't like the faceshield lock at ALL though, that finicky shit would make me crash IMHO. I'm going to go check out the third shop and see what they have, then buy the helmet I like online (yeah, I don't give a crap about local money, I'm not from here anyway heh)

I'm amazed you found an Arai at a local place. They usually don't carry anything more expensive than HJC/KBC/Scorpion, Joe Rocket, and Icon. You defnitely want to try on as much as possible, and unless you're on a very tight budget you should look at other brands. Alpinestars is one of my favorites. You can always look around forums for second-hand that's as much as half off. Scorpion helmets are very nice for the price.

[Sixxxxer]

I had Shift Barrier Gloves...GREAT Gloves I just boght them a Size to Small and they didnt work with my Big Hands...

But hey, At least he is buying Gear

[Phenix_Rider]

But hey, At least he is buying Gear

:dthumb:

[tommymac]

I'm amazed you found an Arai at a local place. They usually don't carry anything more expensive than HJC/KBC/Scorpion, Joe Rocket, and Icon. You defnitely want to try on as much as possible, and unless you're on a very tight budget you should look at other brands. Alpinestars is one of my favorites. You can always look around forums for second-hand that's as much as half off. Scorpion helmets are very nice for the price.

For a while arai stopped their internet sales so all you could do was buy it from a dealer.

Tom

[racedoll]

Gear choices sound fine. Don't really know anything about the items you have chose. Anything really is better than nothing.

I keep getting hung up on the fact that you have said twice now about crashing. I understand that it's a very real possibility and that one shouldn't dismiss it. However, I believe that if you think too much about it WILL happen. You will be so focused on WHEN, that you won't be able to think clearly to AVOID it.

[CrazyKell]

I lived in Victoria for 5 years and it's where I learned to ride. I can't remember the names of the shops out there but the best one is over in Esquimalt. Those guys were amazing and would do anything for ya. So even though you don't care about local money...I'd go to them. ;)

[DLIT]

Getting good deals usually depends on how much research you do. By that, I mean get on some other forums' classifieds. I've gotten some ridiculous deals on the WERA forums. An Akrapovic slip-on, new, for $150 shipped, for example. There is always all types of new/used gear for sale and custom/performance parts too. Best forum I've seen yet as far as classifieds go.

[marko138]

Wear the best stuff you can afford. And wear it everytime.

[Particle Man]

Wear the best and most comfortable stuff you can afford. And wear it everytime.

fixed. ;)

minor detail but an uncomfortable rider becomes a fatigued rider (especially a newer rider) which is a dangerous thing!

[marko138]

fixed. ;)

minor detail but an uncomfortable rider becomes a fatigued rider (especially a newer rider) which is a dangerous thing!
Thats true. And thats alot of what you pay for in higher priced helmets. The DOT approved cheapo's will protect you just fine. The high dime lids offer more comfort.