Picking up gear today!

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Because_Motorcycle

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I'm heading out to GP Bikes and Royal Distributing today to get all my gear for my course this weekend (I know it's a bit late but i couldn't get up there until now)

Any last minute tips for gear shopping?

I'm picking up a helmet, jacket and gloves
 
Boots, you need some type of ankle-high boot that (obviously) covers the ankle (in the Humber course I took, they wouldn't let you ride without 'em). Also, there's a chance of rain this weekend...strongly suggest some type of rain suit to lessen the misery of standing in the rain for hours and hours, drenched...(you can get rain suits at Canadian Tire, Mark's Workwear House and Bass Pro, where I got my Frogg Toggs brand for about $65 +taxes). When I took my course, I also invested in boot coverings, just so my boots didn't get drenched through.

Good luck.
 
GP Bikes is a great place! Was just there a few weeks ago, they had all gloves at 30% off, I think. They also had a clearance section too, I think. Staff is pretty knowledgeable too.
 
Because_Motorcycle said:
I'm heading out to GP Bikes and Royal Distributing today to get all my gear for my course this weekend (I know it's a bit late but i couldn't get up there until now)

Any last minute tips for gear shopping?

I'm picking up a helmet, jacket and gloves
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Take your time picking the right helmet, try several models from several brands and see which one fits your head best.
Get gloves that cover your wrists and boots that cover your ankles.
 
2live&ride said:
Take your time picking the right helmet, try several models from several brands and see which one fits your head best.
Get gloves that cover your wrists and boots that cover your ankles.
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+10000 to that

I was stupid enough to not understand that brand names with high price tags don't necessarily mean good quality or good fit, and ended up with a $500 Shoei that is just really worse than my $100 Zox, in pretty much every aspect I can think of except for weight.
 
Gloves that cover the wrist, boots that cover your ankles. Not all helmets are made equal. Make sure you try some on and get the ones that fit you. One of the sales guys at Royal was giving horrible helmet advise last time I was there (it was basically more expensive helmet, better protection.....and he didn't help or care about the fit or pinch points).
 
Thanks so much for the advice. I have some good boots that are more than ankle height so I think I'm covered on that front.

responses like these are one of the reasons I love the motorcycle community
 
Because_Motorcycle said:
Thanks so much for the advice. I have some good boots that are more than ankle height so I think I'm covered on that front.

responses like these are one of the reasons I love the motorcycle community
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Agreed... this forum is much more helpful and welcoming than any car forum i've been on :)

don't forget to have a tough pair of pants! I'm also taking the course this weekend and have learned in the lecture session that i need a better pair of gloves.

Will I manage in a leather jacket this weekend? i have an Alpinestars Indy leather jacket... I was betting on the weather being a little cooler this time of year but this weekend's weather is well above average... should i invest in a textile or mesh jacket??
 
leather could be tough... I did my course mid august in my fall leather jacket (not even a motorcycle one, since I figured I'll wait til I'm actually set on the bike)
I was sweating buckets hah, but I was having too much fun to be concerned :rolleyes:
 
Gotta stress the point on getting boots. I fell once, going very slow, the only part that bruised was my foot/ankle because the bike falls on you :D Luckily, I wasnt wearing running shoes, or I woulda been in ALOT of pain after that very slow speed spill (20kmh).

I was wearing hiking boots, they covered ankles and were pretty durable...however riding boots offer much more protection, much more durable and you can walk away without feeling a thing!
 
luujerr said:
Will I manage in a leather jacket this weekend? i have an Alpinestars Indy leather jacket... I was betting on the weather being a little cooler this time of year but this weekend's weather is well above average... should i invest in a textile or mesh jacket??
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You will be fine. The weekend is under 30, you will just be a bit uncomfortable. Remember to drink water.
 
skip said:
You will be fine. The weekend is under 30, you will just be a bit uncomfortable. Remember to drink water.
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Water is key. You'll sweat more than you realize. Plus make sure you dont have any plans sat night or you'll really feel sunday.
 
Water! I drank 2 litres on my first day, thinking it'd be enough. WRONG. I got a massive headache/heat exhaustion Saturday night when I got home. Sunday I returned with 4 litres, and I was still cutting it close
 
tricky said:
Water! I drank 2 litres on my first day, thinking it'd be enough. WRONG. I got a massive headache/heat exhaustion Saturday night when I got home. Sunday I returned with 4 litres, and I was still cutting it close
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Yeah... thats the thing with riding... you sweat and the wind/air movement evaporates it before you realize. I know as an instructor I get exhausted and thirsty and I'm not trying to learn how to ride a bike.. Just teaching it.
 
luujerr said:
Will I manage in a leather jacket this weekend? i have an Alpinestars Indy leather jacket... I was betting on the weather being a little cooler this time of year but this weekend's weather is well above average... should i invest in a textile or mesh jacket??
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Not sure which school you're with, but at the Humber course, they did allow you to use a jean jacket in lieu of a leather jacket (should be lighter than the leathers...).
 
dr_sarcasm said:
Not sure which school you're with, but at the Humber course, they did allow you to use a jean jacket in lieu of a leather jacket (should be lighter than the leathers...).
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Regardless of school we all have to meet ministry standards.

Heavy material boot that covers the ankle (heavy canvas or leather or reconized motorcycle boot)
Gloves that cover the wrist (leather is what ministry calls for but most schools accept reconized motorcycle gloves that cover the wrist but thats up to the senior on site)
Leather or Jean coat (or motorcycle coat with padding and ballistics material)
DOT approved helmet (or another reconized standard aside from the British standard)
Jeans or motorcycle pants

If there are any questions ask the senior whos on site. That person will be the one with the ministry signing authority. Its their license on the line so up to them.
 
If you must buy a jacket today get a textile or mesh one. The mesh one will vent better. The textile one will be waterproof. Both should have elbow and back armour. I wear my mesh jacket the most during the season, then my leather jacket. This Saturday will be 32C, 40% chance of rain. A jean jacket with elbow pads would do if you're short of cash.

Gauntlet gloves will be better for general riding. I also prefer over the ankle boots, though not necessarily motorcycle-specific ones.
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