Gear that offers the best protection

One piece suits are actually cut so that they fit best, when in a sportbike crouch. Two piece suits can either be for racing, or for touring (mostly the former). For example Aerostich has a new leather touring suit, that's impregnated with Goretex for weather protection.

http://www.aerostich.com/transit-two-piece-suit.html

Something like that looks perfect for the cruiser route. I'm just not sure about the protection pads, the description doesn't really say much about them.
 
Don't blow a fortune on gear, spend some additional money on riding courses. Better road craft will always be safer than just wearing top of the line gear.

I'll be doing both :)

Maybe I'm paranoid but it's better to be over prepared than under.
 
I would not buy a 1 piece for day to day riding. To impractical, in my opinion for using the bike for commuting as well as touring. Unless your ok with walking around in superhero attire.

I personally like corduro 2000 products. Klim, Ruka, BMW all make exceptional gear with top quality armor and overall quality. They breath better then leather, very durable and look better, again my opinion.

For helmets, buy what fits your head best. If its go Dot, Snell or ECU approval, its good to go.

To be honest I'm not really sure what exactly I'll be doing with the bike. Right now it's touring around that interests me and for that it makes sense to spend 15-30 mins gearing up. If I do end up wanting to commute to work and run errands I might have to rethink my approach. As far as how it looks, I really couldn't care less.
 
Something like that looks perfect for the cruiser route. I'm just not sure about the protection pads, the description doesn't really say much about them.

The armour in their Nylon/Goretex suits is quite good. From the sounds of it this suit uses a variation of their older armour; an visco elastic foam that conforms to the shape of what it protects, but resists rapid compression. Aerostich has consistently done well at making motorcycle touring gear, with features that motorcyclists want and need.

Optional hip pads and a back pad (not a real "back protector") are also available.

It takes me about 30 seconds to get into and out of my Roadcrafter suit.

http://www.thunderpress.net/Articles/motorcycle_products/reviews/2009/03/Aerostitch_Transit_suit/

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/aerostich-transit-motorcycle-suit-review
 
To be honest I'm not really sure what exactly I'll be doing with the bike. Right now it's touring around that interests me and for that it makes sense to spend 15-30 mins gearing up. If I do end up wanting to commute to work and run errands I might have to rethink my approach. As far as how it looks, I really couldn't care less.

Heat is another danger. Dehydration can cause fuzzy thinking etc. Black leather while stuck in traffic on a hot muggy day and you realize the temptation of a beanie, shorts and flip flops. I don't suggest you go that route but as you have already noted life is constant adjustment.
While brolly girls are great for keeping the sun off you they are impractical for touring.
 
also, back protectors... i would highly recommend knox. i have the aegis. back when i wa shopping around hte knox was reviewed very highly.
 
New rider??
Learn not to fall off.
Take the moto-cross course at Moto-park and get a road machine appropriate to your skill set.

In fatal crashes the level of gear often matters little to the outcome as the forces are too high for the human body.

The stuff geared for protection at the track does just that.....but the lamp post doesn't exist at the track....it does down your street.

Armouring up does not improve your riding skills and in my mind does not make you safer. from serious injury or death.
It MAY make you over confident.

Riding skill is the number one safety feature you can own. Acquire it and if you have the money take the courses offered.

You don't even know you will like riding....decent gear can be had for a few hundred dollars ad there is lots of top notch used stuff out there.

Putting money into a bike with ABS would be money far better spent in my view especially as a new rider where managing braking under emergency conditions will be a challenge.

Starting with an upright or sport touring riding position on a mid-weight with ABS would be my "best practice" recommendation.
Get trained, get saddle time, get modest gear until you know what it's all about.

You are antsying about protection pads......antsy about learning not to need them.
 
In fatal crashes the level of gear often matters little to the outcome as the forces are too high for the human body.

True enough. I've known two people who had their chests caved in, one by a hydro pole and the other by the grille of a car. In both cases it wouldn't have mattered what they had on.
 
New rider??
Learn not to fall off.
Take the moto-cross course at Moto-park and get a road machine appropriate to your skill set.

In fatal crashes the level of gear often matters little to the outcome as the forces are too high for the human body.

The stuff geared for protection at the track does just that.....but the lamp post doesn't exist at the track....it does down your street.

Armouring up does not improve your riding skills and in my mind does not make you safer. from serious injury or death.
It MAY make you over confident.

Riding skill is the number one safety feature you can own. Acquire it and if you have the money take the courses offered.

You don't even know you will like riding....decent gear can be had for a few hundred dollars ad there is lots of top notch used stuff out there.

Putting money into a bike with ABS would be money far better spent in my view especially as a new rider where managing braking under emergency conditions will be a challenge.

Starting with an upright or sport touring riding position on a mid-weight with ABS would be my "best practice" recommendation.
Get trained, get saddle time, get modest gear until you know what it's all about.

You are antsying about protection pads......antsy about learning not to need them.

Learning to ride is essential, no question. But you can never go wrong wearing protective gear, no matter how well trained you are.
 
The armour in their Nylon/Goretex suits is quite good. From the sounds of it this suit uses a variation of their older armour; an visco elastic foam that conforms to the shape of what it protects, but resists rapid compression. Aerostich has consistently done well at making motorcycle touring gear, with features that motorcyclists want and need.

Optional hip pads and a back pad (not a real "back protector") are also available.

It takes me about 30 seconds to get into and out of my Roadcrafter suit.

http://www.thunderpress.net/Articles/motorcycle_products/reviews/2009/03/Aerostitch_Transit_suit/

http://www.ultimatemotorcycling.com/aerostich-transit-motorcycle-suit-review

Very cool, will definitely look around for it and try it on. I just hope it fits me since I usually wear size 34-36 jackets and their smallest is 38.
 
Heat is another danger. Dehydration can cause fuzzy thinking etc. Black leather while stuck in traffic on a hot muggy day and you realize the temptation of a beanie, shorts and flip flops. I don't suggest you go that route but as you have already noted life is constant adjustment.
While brolly girls are great for keeping the sun off you they are impractical for touring.

That's good to know. If I end up commuting on the bike I'll definitely have to think about that.
 
also, back protectors... i would highly recommend knox. i have the aegis. back when i wa shopping around hte knox was reviewed very highly.

I've actually been trying to find something like that but didn't see it in a lot of the online stores I've looked at. Thanks for the recommendation
 
Very cool, will definitely look around for it and try it on. I just hope it fits me since I usually wear size 34-36 jackets and their smallest is 38.

Unfortunately Aerostich only sells directly and they're in Minnesota. Can you say "road trip"? :lol:

They're very good to deal with, via phone or email. They make up the suit from your measurements and if they tell you to take a specific size, other than the one you think is right, they always seem to be right about it. I'm on my 3rd (two Roadcrafters and a Darien).
 
New rider??
Learn not to fall off.
Take the moto-cross course at Moto-park and get a road machine appropriate to your skill set.

In fatal crashes the level of gear often matters little to the outcome as the forces are too high for the human body.

The stuff geared for protection at the track does just that.....but the lamp post doesn't exist at the track....it does down your street.

Armouring up does not improve your riding skills and in my mind does not make you safer. from serious injury or death.
It MAY make you over confident.

Riding skill is the number one safety feature you can own. Acquire it and if you have the money take the courses offered.

You don't even know you will like riding....decent gear can be had for a few hundred dollars ad there is lots of top notch used stuff out there.

Putting money into a bike with ABS would be money far better spent in my view especially as a new rider where managing braking under emergency conditions will be a challenge.

Starting with an upright or sport touring riding position on a mid-weight with ABS would be my "best practice" recommendation.
Get trained, get saddle time, get modest gear until you know what it's all about.

You are antsying about protection pads......antsy about learning not to need them.

As I've said:

I'll be doing both :icon_smile:

Maybe I'm paranoid but it's better to be over prepared than under.

Avoiding an accident is ideal, no doubt about it. But **** happens and when it does I want the most protection. It might not help in a devastating crash but if the added armor makes a difference between a scratch and a broken bone or a ligament tear I'm willing to invest in it.
 
Learning to ride is essential, no question. But you can never go wrong wearing protective gear, no matter how well trained you are.

yeah but c'mon - rider does not even have a bike yet.
The focus should be on what bike and the training not over board on high end gear.

Seen too much of it end up on the used market and way too many think the gear will save their *****.

Some motocross gear and the MotoPark course would be money better spent initially IMNSHO. Learn to ride, learn to fall, learn what bikes do in soft stuff and slippy stuff.

OP hasn't even mentioned visibility.

OP if you are paranoid I'd suggest you'll have a hard time out on a bike in traffic or adverse conditions....it will NOT be enjoyable.

I'm simply not onside at all with this OPs approach....my 2¢
 
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yeah but c'mon - rider does not even have a bike yet.
The focus should be on what bike and the training not over board on high end gear.

I can't do anything about any of that until the spring. The only thing I can focus on now is the gear and since winter is approaching I'm expecting that there are good deals going around so I'm trying to figure out what's worth buying.



Seen too much of it end up on the used market and way too many think the gear will save their *****.

I don't think you're really listening to me:
Avoiding an accident is ideal, no doubt about it. But **** happens and when it does I want the most protection. It might not help in a devastating crash but if the added armor makes a difference between a scratch and a broken bone or a ligament tear I'm willing to invest in it.




Some motocross gear and the MotoPark course would be money better spent initially IMNSHO. Learn to ride, learn to fall, learn what bikes do in soft stuff and slippy stuff.

Again:
I'll be doing both...
I wasn't thinking motocross specifically but additional training in general yes.




OP hasn't even mentioned visibility.

Why should I have mentioned that? I'm asking about protective gear. It's easy enough to slip on a bright, reflective vest to make yourself more visible and if I can find a jacket that's already bright then even better. If you're referring to anything not wearable than that's off-topic.



OP if you are paranoid I'd suggest you'll have a hard time out on a bike in traffic or adverse conditions....it will NOT be enjoyable.

The "paranoid" part was a figure of speech. I have ridden a small motorcycle a long time ago before moving to Canada.
Not trying to be a big-shot or anything but some other things I've done over the years: sky diving, snow boarding, martial arts (20 years)... Whenever I do stuff like this I ALWAYS prepare as best as I can.



I'm simply not onside at all with this OPs approach....my 2¢

I've never heard of anyone speak so loudly against finding good gear. I honestly don't understand your objections. All (smart) riders wear gear and I'm just asking for advice on what's the best out there. It doesn't mean I won't do any of that other stuff you mentioned.
 
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If you want the best in terms of protection, Id go with Daytona boots and the forcefield sub-4 backprotector.


Definitely not cheap! But they beat AlpineStar, Dainese, Diadora, Gaerne, Ixs, Oxtar, Sidi, Spidi and Styl Martin in tests for protection. Nice looking boot also. Like the technicals on the new Daytona Security Evo G3.
 
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