jvdb
stranger
Reged: 14/09/2008
Posts: 2
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Hello everyone,
First post here, apologies if it is not the correct place. I recently bought my first bike in the UK (BMW F800S), which I will (try) to use throughout they year for commuting, some touring etc. I need to kit myself out, jacket, pants, boots, gloves and whatever necessary, has to be waterproof and windproof (All I have is a Lazer Fibre Pro helmet). As my name does not start with "Sheik" I am on a bit of a budget, but don't want to put myself in unnecessary danger by going for the cheap option, even if it means not riding for a month or so to save up. I have looked at the RST range and they look OK, and also at Hein Gericke which is a bit on the pricey side but looks like quality.
Textile v Leather? Anything I should definitely avoid/have to get? Any advice from real experienced bikers will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers!
J.
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shinybusa
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 08/01/2008
Posts: 1608
Loc: away with the fairies..
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Buy a one piece set of Waterproofs ...SPADA are good.
I'm ex Military....as are a lot of others here... The BUFFALO Military kit is extremely good, windproof to about 90mph and waterproof to about 3mm rain an hour.(And you can get a variety of good colours..Green and Black)  No protection, just use as an outer layer.
As your on a BMW Trailie type bike you would probably be better with Textiles....I got the TEKNICS stuff, not the best TBH..  Bottom line is get the best you can afford. 
Someone here will guide you in the right direction...
Oh and Welcome to the Forum fella....
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Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day....
Teach a man to fish.........................................and he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day!!
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chappers
Carpal \'Tunnel
Reged: 31/12/2006
Posts: 5379
Loc: Mind your own business
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I'm sure you'll get different advice from every member I have always preferred leather altho I do have both Furygan and Richa textile jackets that I wear occasionally altho I always wear leather jeans.
I do think though that textile will be more versatile for you at the moment, when you buy kit check for heavy duty codura decent stiching and CE aptoved body armour.
You could start here.
http://www.harpersraceshop.co.uk/cat164_1.htm
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big_al
veteran
Reged: 16/01/2007
Posts: 1507
Loc: Germany (British Forces)
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as chappers said, leather is better than textile, but thats not to say that you shouldn't go for textile. You can get a pretty good set of textile jacket and trousers, and if you shop around you'll get a fairly waterproof set too. Also, as Shiney said, buy an all in one water proof, with a thick overjacket for extra warmth, and i can varify what he said about the BUFFALO range, its very warm indeed.
shop around as much as possible, there should be plenty of deals and sales around, and probably best to try on any kit before you buy to make sure its a comfy fit!
Good winter gloves are also an essential piece of kit, but you pay extra for ones that won't let your fingers freeze after the first 2 miles!
As for your feet, go to a camping shop and get some thick socks (Millits is a good shop). If you're doing a long journey, gortex socks will do you wanders, but are expensive.
All in all, if your budget is tight, go for decent gloves, boots and socks, you can wrap your body in extra layers of your own clothing if need be, but there's nothing worse that cold fingers and wet feet.
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If you succeed without having to try hard, you have failed.
If you fail but have tried hard, you have succeeded.
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Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Edited by big_al (15/09/2008 06:02)
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xxrider
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 07/11/2006
Posts: 2267
Loc: Somewhere over the rainbow.......
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I tend to wear textile more often than leather, and the single most important thing I've learned over the years - AVOID FIELDSHEER KIT.
It'll keep you warm and dry for about 2 wet journeys, then it'll need re-waterproofing.
Go for the best you can afford - Buffalo IS good kit - if you're using it all year round you want a removable quilted lining (top AND bottoms), CE approved protection in as many areas as possible, and make sure jacket and trousers zip together.
It's a shame you're on a tight budget - as with all things, the REALLY good kit (Rukka, BMW, for example) tends to be expensive.
You can always try eBay - I'd rather have second-hand Rukka than brand new Fieldsheer!
Good, warm, waterproof gloves are a MUST, but you'll need a second pair for summer. Strangely, I found Buffalo gloves to be completely useless. I'm currently wearing Richa, and they're not much better!
Boots - I still wair Sidi Blackrain Evos. My second pair, and my feet have NEVER been cold or wet. Don't know if you can still get them new (I think Sidi have a new waterproof boot to replace them). Again, though, eBay will have plenty of dealers with unsold old stock to get rid of.
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The simplest questions are the most profound. Where were you born? Where is your home? Where are you going? What are you doing? Think about these once in a while and watch your answers change.
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jvdb
stranger
Reged: 14/09/2008
Posts: 2
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Hi,
Thanks for all the fast replies and advice, really appreciate it! I'm going to start to do some research this week and will update this thread with any useful information I find.
Cheers,
J.
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leeroyr6
stranger
Reged: 05/12/2008
Posts: 6
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gotta be leather IMO i had a off last summer and walked away with pretty minor injuries after doin a nice superman over a punto's roof hehe... textiles prob more versatile though get the best u can afford as its yr health
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