New to motorbikes!
Discussion
Hi chaps.
I passed my tests in December having never ridden prior to my CBT back in September. I will be using a bike as a daily commuter and have purchased a 650 Suzuki V Strom.
My question relates to gear as I have no idea...
Luggage comes with the bike and hand guards too. I have a helmet already and a jacket that kind of fits (might not now after Christmas)
So I’m looking for affordable recommendations for
Winter gloves
Disk lock? Oxford okay?
Jacket
I have the boots I learnt in and I need Kevlar jeans too I think. Also I got a balaclava for Christmas.
Am I missing anything?
Thankyou and apologies if this has been done to death. It’s a bit daunting and a whole new world of stuff!
I passed my tests in December having never ridden prior to my CBT back in September. I will be using a bike as a daily commuter and have purchased a 650 Suzuki V Strom.
My question relates to gear as I have no idea...
Luggage comes with the bike and hand guards too. I have a helmet already and a jacket that kind of fits (might not now after Christmas)
So I’m looking for affordable recommendations for
Winter gloves
Disk lock? Oxford okay?
Jacket
I have the boots I learnt in and I need Kevlar jeans too I think. Also I got a balaclava for Christmas.
Am I missing anything?
Thankyou and apologies if this has been done to death. It’s a bit daunting and a whole new world of stuff!
Avoid Oxford locks and chains. They're crap and the thieves know that too. Consider an alarmed disc lock if your bike is parked out of the wind (also means you're less likely to ride off with it still on!). Xena did a good one years ago, but I don't know if that's still the case.
Edited by WaferThinHam on Saturday 30th December 14:43
I was in the same position as you a few years ago, I now ride all year and have done a few miles since then.
I recently found a pair of gloves from Inifinity called Merlin, they fit me well enough and seem to have enough feel and they were about £35 ish so I'm calling that a win, supposedly waterproof. However I normally only use summer gloves because I put some muffs (snigger) on the bike which makes a HUGE difference when it's 45 mins to get to work and it's -6°C. Bear in mind that if the gloves are too tight the blood vessels will be constricted and your hands will get colder faster, like with ski boots.
My grips are heated but really that only helps the palm of your hand, someone needs to make gloves which will transfer the heat to the back of the hand from the heated grip and to the fingers more effectively. I haven't tried heated gloves.
If you ride in the winter won't jeans just get wet? I've never tried them and instead use Rev'it stuff which I am really happy with although it is pricey!
I have a disk lock but don't remember the make.
Things I found that really help:
Handlebar muffs
Softshell thin wind-proof jacket from suitable outdoor shop, if it is windproof with a bit of insulation it really helps to put under a jacket even if the jacket is serious.
Thermal glove liner from outdoor shop above.
Neck buff to protect your ...neck.
Good boots - I have Sidi Adventure 'Squeekmaster 4000', they are essentially perfect for me, waterproof, warm, protective and have no smell what-so-ever even after 3/4 years. Must be lined with death or something to kill any bacteria. Never needed to wear extra socks even when I have been really cold.
Things I found that don't help:
Silk glove liners - v little thermal help and utterly destroyed by velcro, they do make putting on or taking off wet gloves much easier though.
Fleece to wear under jacket - I did not get on with this v well last year, makes everything too bulky at the elbows and neck, plus has to be reasonably snug so getting it off at work ends up pulling my shirt over my head, good for humour value I spose.
Wiping your visor - this can be really dangerous when the roads have that muddy spray crap on them that dries quickly, one wipe and you'll be blind. It's not funny, worth keeping a damp cloth on you/the bike somewhere or have alternative solution.
I recently found a pair of gloves from Inifinity called Merlin, they fit me well enough and seem to have enough feel and they were about £35 ish so I'm calling that a win, supposedly waterproof. However I normally only use summer gloves because I put some muffs (snigger) on the bike which makes a HUGE difference when it's 45 mins to get to work and it's -6°C. Bear in mind that if the gloves are too tight the blood vessels will be constricted and your hands will get colder faster, like with ski boots.
My grips are heated but really that only helps the palm of your hand, someone needs to make gloves which will transfer the heat to the back of the hand from the heated grip and to the fingers more effectively. I haven't tried heated gloves.
If you ride in the winter won't jeans just get wet? I've never tried them and instead use Rev'it stuff which I am really happy with although it is pricey!
I have a disk lock but don't remember the make.
Things I found that really help:
Handlebar muffs
Softshell thin wind-proof jacket from suitable outdoor shop, if it is windproof with a bit of insulation it really helps to put under a jacket even if the jacket is serious.
Thermal glove liner from outdoor shop above.
Neck buff to protect your ...neck.
Good boots - I have Sidi Adventure 'Squeekmaster 4000', they are essentially perfect for me, waterproof, warm, protective and have no smell what-so-ever even after 3/4 years. Must be lined with death or something to kill any bacteria. Never needed to wear extra socks even when I have been really cold.
Things I found that don't help:
Silk glove liners - v little thermal help and utterly destroyed by velcro, they do make putting on or taking off wet gloves much easier though.
Fleece to wear under jacket - I did not get on with this v well last year, makes everything too bulky at the elbows and neck, plus has to be reasonably snug so getting it off at work ends up pulling my shirt over my head, good for humour value I spose.
Wiping your visor - this can be really dangerous when the roads have that muddy spray crap on them that dries quickly, one wipe and you'll be blind. It's not funny, worth keeping a damp cloth on you/the bike somewhere or have alternative solution.
I swear by these: http://www.brandedbiker.co.uk/Weise-Motorcycle-Clo...
Worn under jacket keeps you warm even at freezing.
Worn under jacket keeps you warm even at freezing.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff