Gear Help? | GTAMotorcycle.com

Gear Help?

Sig_Girl

Sig_Girl

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I am looking for a backpack, riding shoes and knee pads. I just have a few questions, if you guys don't mind helping a newbie rider out.

1) I was looking at the Dianese Knee pads for about $80 at GP Bikes, I really like how the bend and feel, my problem is I'm not a big girl so the straps and pads are to big for me. Anyone recommend a similar type of knee pad that is made to fit smaller people?

2) What is the difference between a motorcycle back back like a OGIO vs a regular backpack like a JansSport? Does the rididng backpacks offer anything special?

3) I have narrowed down my rididng shoes selection down to the Dianese Scarpa Dyna and the Alpinestar SMX 2. Which one do you guys think is better and where can I get one, GP has no stock in my size 7 1/2.
 
Sig_Girl said:
I am looking for a backpack, riding shoes and knee pads. I just have a few questions, if you guys don't mind helping a newbie rider out.

1) I was looking at the Dianese Knee pads for about $80 at GP Bikes, I really like how the bend and feel, my problem is I'm not a big girl so the straps and pads are to big for me. Anyone recommend a similar type of knee pad that is made to fit smaller people?

2) What is the difference between a motorcycle back back like a OGIO vs a regular backpack like a JansSport? Does the rididng backpacks offer anything special?

3) I have narrowed down my rididng shoes selection down to the Dianese Scarpa Dyna and the Alpinestar SMX 2. Which one do you guys think is better and where can I get one, GP has no stock in my size 7 1/2.
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3). Dainese shoes are miles ahead than Alpinestars, but for the price of course.
2). Ogio (no-drag or less-drag models) are more streamlined, come with waterproof cover, have pocket/compartment for helmet if I remember correctly.
1). Check out Knox armor knee pads - those are pretty good. Also, check out actual riding jeans or pants. Velocity (see Dealers section) makes pretty good ones.
 
Ogio Mach 5 has a visor pocket in it to hold and protect an extra visor. It zips up from the back which should help prevent your stuff going all over the road.

 
Zoodles95 said:
Ogio Mach 5 has a visor pocket in it to hold and protect an extra visor. It zips up from the back which should help prevent your stuff going all over the road.

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I have this backpack. It also "sticks" to you well. At speed I always felt a regular backpack trying to "pull" vs this one just stays still thanks to the aero shape. Worth the money to me.


Sent from my commodore 64 on dial up
 
After much shopping around, I bought the Dainese knee/shin protectors from GP Bikes a couple of months ago... they are excellent! You mentioned that they are a bit too big for you, so you might want to consider some of the offroad armour that is available. There is a good selection at both Royal Distributing and GP bikes in Whitby. In particular, you might find these Shock Doctor KGL 5450 knee/shin pads to be a good fit - they come in sizes XS - L http://www.royaldistributing.com/Catalogues/Main/2013-Spring-Fall/m/#19

I've often thought that wearing a backpack might lead to more injuries in the event of a crash, so I have never worn one while riding. There are a number of bags available that you can bungee on to your rear seat that convert to a backpack when you leave your bike. Here is just one example... http://gpbikes.com/oxford-x30-tailpack-lifetime-luggage.html There are many other alternatives out there if the Oxford is too expensive.

Hope this helps!
 
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No comment on dainese vs alpinestars as I've never worn either.

Motorcycle backpacks are just slightly better than normal backpacks. The only real differences COULD be (and only the nice bags) specialized compartment for visor or even helmet, harness system that is easy to use (say, with gloves, and doesn't cut into your armpits when you pull it tight), and that's about it. I use an old school Everki backpack I bought for $30 and it is aerodynamic (shaped just like the ogio but soft shell), slim, water resistant enough for normal use and the straps aren't uncomfortable either. I've been on the market for a new one, perhaps a 'motorcycle' one but honestly any good backpack will have the same features, minus the slight aerodynamic shape. Any good backpack will provide venting against your back.

I prefer knee guards to pants only because pants for guys are generally too baggy. For girls it's probably great. That being said, I feel safest in track pants but I don't wear that for daily use obviously. The reason is built-in armor will shift around if the clothing its attached to isn't tight against your body (same with jackets, which is why I like leather vs mesh..the fit is usually much tighter, at least in my experience). The problem with knee guards is if you go with a race boot, you have to get one without a shin guard, or a really short one. I have been trying to find a RS Taichi Stealth (hard shell) but haven't been able to locate it anywhere. I would make sure the knee guard also protects the sides of your knee, and doesn't come loose when you're in a riding position.
 
ike said:
After much shopping around, I bought the Dainese knee/shin protectors from GP Bikes a couple of months ago... they are excellent! You mentioned that they are a bit too big for you, so you might want to consider some of the offroad armour that is available. There is a good selection at both Royal Distributing and GP bikes in Whitby. In particular, you might find these Shock Doctor KGL 5450 knee/shin pads to be a good fit - they come in sizes XS - L http://www.royaldistributing.com/Catalogues/Main/2013-Spring-Fall/m/#19

I've often thought that wearing a backpack might lead to more injuries in the event of a crash, so I have never worn one while riding. There are a number of bags available that you can bungee on to your rear seat that convert to a backpack when you leave your bike. Here is just one example... http://gpbikes.com/oxford-x30-tailpack-lifetime-luggage.html There are many other alternatives out there if the Oxford is too expensive.

Hope this helps!
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Thanks for the links, will check them out
 
Shoes offer zero ankle protection in a crash compared to boots. Wear boots under your jeans and toss shoes in your backpack.

Bike packs offer a couple compartments as stated above but other than that I find no difference. I use a North Face "Recon" pack and I never even feel it on me (no "pulling away" even at high speed either). Put the zippers to the side and it'll never open while riding.


Get riding pants/jeans if you don't have any yet. Knee pads wont help against rash.
 
ViperZ said:
3). Dainese shoes are miles ahead than Alpinestars, but for the price of course
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This is an opinion. Are you talking about shoes or boots. If you're talking about shoes I know Aplinestars makes sneakers which are clearly not meant for riding. However, if you're talking about boots... you're wrong. They both make a full range of riding boots and they have comparable models all throughout the range. The fact that that Alpinestars makes one of the top 3 boots on the market isn't even debatable.
 
Most tank bags will snap on to your tank and also work as a back pack off the bike but are more pricey than just a back pack. What tank bags work best will depend on you tank shape.

Also have a look at the www.revzilla.com site as they have a lot of product selection and videos.
 
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bboySushi said:
The problem with knee guards is if you go with a race boot, you have to get one without a shin guard, or a really short one. I have been trying to find a RS Taichi Stealth (hard shell) but haven't been able to locate it anywhere. I would make sure the knee guard also protects the sides of your knee, and doesn't come loose when you're in a riding position.
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I've been trying to get GP Bikes to order in some Dainese Soft Six pads since they are significantly shorter than the Knee Vs they have in stock. I have the Knee Vs and love them, but they don't work with my Supertech R boots as they are just too long for me when combined with a race boot (with short boots, they work perfectly).
 
redridernl said:
This is an opinion. Are you talking about shoes or boots. If you're talking about shoes I know Aplinestars makes sneakers which are clearly not meant for riding. However, if you're talking about boots... you're wrong. They both make a full range of riding boots and they have comparable models all throughout the range. The fact that that Alpinestars makes one of the top 3 boots on the market isn't even debatable.
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Obviously, it's an opinion. Search youtube for video of Dainese vs other full-height boots. Most boots do not have proper ankle protection - i.e. will bend sideways, whereas Dainese will not. But again, you are paying extra $$ for extra protection. I ride in Icon boots, which held up in a crash quite well.
 
ViperZ said:
Obviously, it's an opinion. Search youtube for video of Dainese vs other full-height boots. Most boots do not have proper ankle protection - i.e. will bend sideways, whereas Dainese will not. But again, you are paying extra $$ for extra protection. I ride in Icon boots, which held up in a crash quite well.
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Absolute nonsense.

Alpinestars & Daytona both have models that do the same thing.
 
My tcx boots do not bend at all. I find them comfortable even all day long. Nothing wrong with dainese but there are definitely other options out there


Sent from my commodore 64 on dial up
 
also depends on what fit your feet -- I went to buy a pair of Dainese TRQ boots a while back and I couldn't stand to wear them for more than 5 minutes (one size too small, and going one size up I was swimming in them length-wise. Tried on a pair of AlpineStars and ended up getting the Supertech Rs instead.
 
I find that the trouble with knee pads of that you have to land on your knees for them to work. Check out bohn armour. I've been thinking about getting some for under my drayko jeans.
 
redridernl said:
No, that's a fact. Do a little research if you're going to give people advice.
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FFS, that's exactly what I did. Take your head out of ... sand and go check other forums. Dainese are one a few pairs of boots which will not bend 90 degrees on the side. I guess you own alpinestars boots and just too blindly proud.

EDIT: even googled it for you - one of many links:
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums/threads/23835/

First two youtube links are great reviews: http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...83.1.1.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.dfysUCRXMtg

Then check videos of inner construction from the same stores of any other boots, including Alpinestars.

And yes, I did have a pair of great alpinestars boots before, well, at least I saw those were great considering $300 price tag.
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