Best protective gear - recommendations please
Discussion
Hi all, first time posting in the biker section on piston heads so please be nice 
I've had a husqvarna svartpilen 125 for about 3 years and in February I thought it was time to go for a direct access and get a unrestricted licence.
This is now all done and passed. Bike has been bought and is being collected Sunday Kawasaki z900rs, all being well, I have just thought I better get some new protective kit for my ride home.
I have a agv helmet, and although 3 years old hasn't been dropped and always stored inside, dry etc. It's the jacket and trousers I'm having trouble with as there are so many. Are there any recommendations or any must avoid makes.
Thanks
I've had a husqvarna svartpilen 125 for about 3 years and in February I thought it was time to go for a direct access and get a unrestricted licence.
This is now all done and passed. Bike has been bought and is being collected Sunday Kawasaki z900rs, all being well, I have just thought I better get some new protective kit for my ride home.
I have a agv helmet, and although 3 years old hasn't been dropped and always stored inside, dry etc. It's the jacket and trousers I'm having trouble with as there are so many. Are there any recommendations or any must avoid makes.
Thanks
2nd that Sportsbikeshop are great! I must have ordered a dozen pairs of riding jeans last year before I found ones I liked and that fitted properly. Fast delivery, good prices and free returns. I bought an AGV helmet from them after that too and the service then was amazing, and knowing you can just buy & return hassle free is a big worry off 
I assume you're going to spend as much as you can afford on AA or AAA rated gear, after that I think comfort is more important than brand. If it doesn't fit right and is uncomfortable in anyway then that will be all you can think about when riding.
Also, you can upgrade armour in anything, so if you want to add a back protector or upgrade to L2 armour is easy and very low cost.
Also, you can upgrade armour in anything, so if you want to add a back protector or upgrade to L2 armour is easy and very low cost.
As good as it gets, UK made too - https://www.scottleathers.co.uk/
Check out the Venom and Dominator gear, their gloves are top notch as well.
As for lid's Arai or Shoei both top quality helmets not cheap though but its your head, and I am sure the other brands are good too, I've always stuck with Arai.
I don't know if its old wives tales but I heard that if a Shoei doesn't fit your head an Arai will...and the other way around.
Check out the Venom and Dominator gear, their gloves are top notch as well.
As for lid's Arai or Shoei both top quality helmets not cheap though but its your head, and I am sure the other brands are good too, I've always stuck with Arai.
I don't know if its old wives tales but I heard that if a Shoei doesn't fit your head an Arai will...and the other way around.
If you really want the best protective gear then you need to go for made to measure from the likes of BKS and Hideout. Their products are significantly better than even AAA rated products, fit better than anything else, will last for years (if you avoid the pies 
) but they are f**king expensive.
) but they are f**king expensive. Most of the brands you will find in reputable dealers and online shops will provide adequately protective gear.
Clothing is rated by abrasion resistance (A, AA or AAA) and the impact armour fitted into it is rated Level 1 or Level 2.
So the best level of protection would be AAA with L2. But this comes with a downside - an AAA jacket will always be thicker/bulkier/heavier/hotter than an AA or A rated jacket, so you need to consider the type of riding that you will be riding doing, and the level of protection you are most comfortable with.
Then you move on to leather or textile. Roughly speaking, leathers are highly protective and abrasion resistant but not waterproof or practical like textiles. That decision is likely to be mandated by the type of bike you are planning to ride as much as anything: a panigale in a Rukka suit would look odd, as would racing suit on a BMW GS.
Premium price clothing doesn't usually offer more protection than lower-priced offerings, but will be more durable/waterproof/breathable/warm/windproof/comfortable. The more often you ride, the more little niggles like a leaky zip will grate... If you re a regular rider it is worth spending a bit more to get something that works.
Clothing is rated by abrasion resistance (A, AA or AAA) and the impact armour fitted into it is rated Level 1 or Level 2.
So the best level of protection would be AAA with L2. But this comes with a downside - an AAA jacket will always be thicker/bulkier/heavier/hotter than an AA or A rated jacket, so you need to consider the type of riding that you will be riding doing, and the level of protection you are most comfortable with.
Then you move on to leather or textile. Roughly speaking, leathers are highly protective and abrasion resistant but not waterproof or practical like textiles. That decision is likely to be mandated by the type of bike you are planning to ride as much as anything: a panigale in a Rukka suit would look odd, as would racing suit on a BMW GS.
Premium price clothing doesn't usually offer more protection than lower-priced offerings, but will be more durable/waterproof/breathable/warm/windproof/comfortable. The more often you ride, the more little niggles like a leaky zip will grate... If you re a regular rider it is worth spending a bit more to get something that works.
Thanks all, I will have a look at sportsbikedirect and see what takes my fancy.
Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
eggchaser1987 said:
Thanks all, I will have a look at sportsbikedirect and see what takes my fancy.
Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
I've had my alpinestars tech air 5 vest for 4 years now. I just size each jacket I buy a size up to allow it to expand in the event of an accident. Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
Even on hot sunny days I find it ok. Imo they're definitely worth getting if you can afford one.
bogie said:
That’s very sad news eggchaser1987 said:
Thanks all, I will have a look at sportsbikedirect and see what takes my fancy.
Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
If protection really is your top priority (within a budget) then the best approach is to look around (eBay, Facebook Marketplace etc.) for second hand made to measure kit from one of the big name suppliers. There are a fair few for sale due to the "pie issue" I mentioned before. While it's not made to measure for you, it's the same as off the peg kit, made for measurements that aren't yours!Yes I was going to get the best I could within budget, it's not something I want to scrimp on. I'm not going to be going hell for leather every where but still want to be protected.
My parents, even though I am now the wrong side of 35 not living with them and have 2 boys of my own, still aren't keen on the idea of biking. They have offered to get me one of the airbag vests, does anyone have experience with these?
I've seen good condition BKS 2 piece suits for around £250 and less if you're happy with an ex-plod suit. You can always find somewhere that will adjust a suit. My youngest son is using my 1996 BKS 2 piece leathers that I used for 20 years, having spent less than £100 to get them adjusted to fit him.
Have a Google around your area and have a look at the bike Facebook groups to see what's about, there could be decent cheap independents near you that we won't know about.
I found mine after spending way too much in J&S..
https://www.essexbikerscentre.co.uk/
I found mine after spending way too much in J&S..
https://www.essexbikerscentre.co.uk/
black-k1 said:
I've seen good condition BKS 2 piece suits for around £250 and less if you're happy with an ex-plod suit. You can always find somewhere that will adjust a suit. My youngest son is using my 1996 BKS 2 piece leathers that I used for 20 years, having spent less than £100 to get them adjusted to fit him.
It may be unfounded but I worry about the age of the stitching on old leathers. Its quite easy to get leather looking good but it could have been poorly stored for years and weakened the stitching. You can have the best leather possible but if it tears at the weakest link going down the road its useless.I wouldn't like my son in 30 year old leathers that were sweated etc. in for 20. The stitching in that can't be anywhere near 100%.
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