chjade84

It should be more snug than regular clothing. If it's loose and comfortable the armor will slip out of place when you fall causing all sorts of problems. Also loose clothing will flap in the wind and be uncomfortable.

I actually used to have a looser textile jacket that flapped during an 800 mile trip and when I got home a 6-8" section of seam had come undone. That was the end of that jacket.

Go with the large, you'll get used to it.

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RocketPunch

1k for "full" gear is pushing it a bit, but that doesn't mean it can't be done.

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gnosis-zx

Alpinestars gloves been really good to me. you should consider getting a back protection.

Cheers.

Diesel250R

You think? I been shopping on newenough.com and I can put quite a few packages together with top quality gear for well under $1,000. Not to mention just looking at Craigslist, you can find some really good deals on used but in like new condition stuff

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Blue 2009 Ninja 250R, Rear Seat Cowl, Yoshi SS Slip On, DynoJet Stage 2, DeSnorkled, Targa Fender Eliminator

Ninjabadger4

most good suits new are around 1k (not saying you will need a full suit yet)

I got my 2 piece suit from a guy on this site for 100 bucks (Asteelo)

He basically let me take it lol

It has seen some use in the field but im not bitching, no tears, no loose threads. He even gave me free used ear plugs in the pockets...!

How ever here on KF, we will never let you live wearing an icon vest with a tshirt underneath it... (while street riding that is)



P.s. have you met pipedown yet?

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cpb086r

My take on gear is much different than alot of others on KF. I've been down twice and believe me broken bones suck alot more than skinned elbows.

Don't waste the money on a racing suit unless you're going to the track. Then by all means go for it.

As far as the jacket goes. I've had 2 and been down in 2. Pavement went through my joe rocket summer mesh jacket like it was a t-shirt and my back has the scars to prove it. However my teknic jacket (which is mesh with an optional textile shell and I was only wearing the mesh with the armor) was barely scuffed when I went down.

IMO boots are a good idea but overly protective pants aren't a big deal. Noone I know that has gone down had much rash on their legs, and ive never seen a pair of leather pants that are gonna stop you from breaking a leg(maybe ur ass bone but thats it). When I went down in jeans I scrapped my knee. When I went down in a pair of scrub pants(like nurses and doctors wear) I just tore a pocket off the pants, no road rash on me. Of course I'm just talking about street riding, track is different.

In conclusion IMO, leathers on the street are just gonna make you sweat your ass off and not really give you that much more protection.

Call me a squid if you want but I'm not sweating my ass off in 90-100 degree weather with 70%+ humidity for the extra millisecond of protection that leather offers.

I always wear a full faced helmet with visor, almost always wear gloves(more for control than protection), and I wear my armored teknic jacket about 95% of the time. I wear whatever pants I feel like(usually jeans, shorts or scrubs) and usually tennis shoes. And I ride everyday rain or shine(but not snow).