Ollie_A3 Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Just wondering where the best place is to buy the above either online or mail order as no doubt it will be a fair bit cheaper than going to a bike shop like South Wales Superbikes? The reason i ask is because ive found all of the above and it came to £930!!! Thats for Alpine Stars 2 piece leathers, boots and gloves, and an Arai helmet. (No real reasons other that i like the design and colour) Now lots of people have said just buy some cheap stuff to start with as you will come off and ruin them etc, while others have said it depends on how much you value your body parts! and i would rather fork out for something that is meant to be high quality, that skimp on the cost and regret it if i came off What makes do all of you guys use? is there any to be weary of and to avoid? any that have a particularly good reputation? Any help much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forresthills Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I've always had Arai helmets and have never had a problem, but only had two. I bought both of them at the Alexandra Palace show....I seem to remember getting a pretty good deal. Have you considered looking at end line/last seasons stock? You might get a better deal. As far as what you can spend....as much as you can afford. At the end of the day your helmet and leathers could well save your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 I've been looking into this and if Alpinestars are good for you have a look at their webshop. You can order from the US to be delivered here for something like $60. Given current dollar rates You should save a couple of hundred quid if you want all the gear (less helmet of course). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie_A3 Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] At the end of the day your helmet and leathers could well save your life. [/ QUOTE ] Too True! So whats the going rate for a decent helmet?, as the range in costs are huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie_A3 Posted May 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I've been looking into this and if Alpinestars are good for you have a look at their webshop. You can order from the US to be delivered here for something like $60. Given current dollar rates You should save a couple of hundred quid if you want all the gear (less helmet of course). [/ QUOTE ] Thats a good shout, i hadnt thought of that! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avus_Bub Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 My advise would be don't sucked into the 'If it costs a lot it must be good gear' argument. But I wouldn't buy a helmet for less than £200 retail (less with discount) very cheap helmets are normally very nasty too. The point about buying last (or even longer) seasons gear is a good one. There are plenty of bargains to be had. You can do a lot worse than Hein Gericke. Their own brand clothing is well made and always priced sensibly. Good luck! BUB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee_ Posted May 9, 2007 Report Share Posted May 9, 2007 Alpinestars boots leave a lot to be desired, I find them nowhere near as good as Sidi. Also my Alpinestars gp plus gloves are wearing thin after only 2 years. As Bub said though, get a good helmet - you can't put a price on your head. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mort Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Yep... Hien Gericke is the best in my book.... but if you know exactly what you want why not use the web. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie_A3 Posted May 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Cheers lads, all good replies! So would 900ish quid be the ball park sort of figure for the complete outfit, or should i aim to be paying lower? I know it depends on what stuff i opt for but a vague estimate would be good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forresthills Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 It sounds about right....I think (it was 5 years ago) I spent about 300-350 on my lid. About 100-120 on my boots, 50 or 60 on gloves and about 400 on my two piece leathers. I do however remember being disgusted at how much it was all costing me. As with anything else you generally get what you pay for. With some of the bigger more fashionable names part of that cost is the name (like anything else). If you want to be safe but need to do it on a budget either consider some of 'less' fashionable names or look at end of line/last season stock. If you get good gear you'll enjoy riding more and worse case you be glad you did when you come off....it only took me a couple of weeks after my test! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chelsea Mick Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I recently brought all new gear after being away from 2 wheels for a while. My shopping list was.... Hein Gericke Pro Sport Leather Jacket £140 Hein Gericke Pro Sport Leather Jeans £120 Sidi Vertigo Boots £150 AGV Air Tech Helmet £199 RST Leather Gloves £70 So around £680 for the lot. Not far off your £900 but the £200 odd I saved went towards the insurance (amongst other things - ABBA stand, visor, double bubble etc...). I was initially looking at all Alpinestar gear but after asking mates and reading some forums, the impression I got was that Hein Gericke gear is fairly good kit and reasonably priced. As I'm only a "summer nancy" rider, I couldn't justify the extra cost just to have the latest stuff. Obviously if you want the latest gear then it's gonna cost you more as you have found out. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cris Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Cheers lads, all good replies! So would 900ish quid be the ball park sort of figure for the complete outfit, or should i aim to be paying lower? I know it depends on what stuff i opt for but a vague estimate would be good! [/ QUOTE ] Here's where I am if it helps: Lid - Arai perhaps a Condor £200 (plain colour) Alpinestars - Jacket Tz1, Bat Pants, S-MX4 boots, SP-1 Gloves, Tech Race Protector - cost $1,049.80 ~ £550 Please bear in mind that I don't want a suit and I dislike the power-ranger look. However I'm temped by an AstroR lid and may replace the other items if I'm feeling flush. It might also be worth considering Crowtree - they will produce made to measure suits very cheaply. Takes a while mind. I have constantly heard good things about their products so... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R32Ash Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] ...Thats for Alpine Stars 2 piece leathers, boots and gloves, and an Arai helmet. (No real reasons other that i like the design and colour)... [/ QUOTE ] I'd add a back protector to the list. IMO it's well worth the <£100 to possibly prevent you being paralysed if the worst happened and you went back-first into something hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeDesmo Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 [ QUOTE ] So would 900ish quid be the ball park sort of figure for the complete outfit, or should i aim to be paying lower? [/ QUOTE ] I would think that £900 should get you some good kit if you avoid the top-of-the-range stuff from the bigger brands. Obviously you could get kitted out for less but you may have to compromise on certain items, the upcoming BMF rally should have some good deals. FWIW and IIRC my current kit cost me around £1,400 and I did buy all during during sales/promotions etc, so at full RRP would have probably been nearer £1,800, but I've not got any 'budget' stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veracocha Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 As said, look around for last years deals. I just got an alpinestars gpu 1 piece for £350 when it retails at £550. There are some good deals about, especially if you dont just jump in and buy all the kit. try and haggle it. I have: alpinestars 1 piece £350 sidi vertebrae boots £150 lazer helmet (poor I know) £70 rst gloves £50 total = £620 for a lot of very good kit. Next priority is to get a better helmet although there is nothing wrong with the lazer and it is very wind noise proof Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brabus Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Bikers bargains This might be quite useful too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hudson Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 I may be going out on a limb here but i sort of agree with the cheap route argument........let me explain. I would not skimp on a helmet, boots or gloves. I have a Shoei XR1000 and would not have purchased anything other than Shoei or Arai, the boots need to fit you very well and the gloves the same, cheap boots and gloves never feel right and as such you will not feel comfortable in them thus potentially losing concentration on a ride. I commute on my bike (only) never go out at weekends and ride all year round. I went to J & S accessories and bought their end of line/bargain basement textile jackets and pants (Buffalo), i then replaced all the armour with good stuff (Forcefield T Pro). The jacket was £30 (reduced from £90, and the pants were £25, reduced from £80) my lid was £170 at a show, the boots were £100 (sidi black rain) and the gloves £40 Alpinestars SP2's. Add in a couple of extras like neck tube and the like and i have spent around the £500 mark, all the gear was new but not the most trendy of makes or look. I still feel well protected when i ride and the sort of riding i do, i would suggest is more prone to accident that a twice monthly blast on the bike for fun. I would consider used kit but never a helmet, you can pick up some good makes for little money just make sure they fit you right or all the build quality in the world is a waste of time if it comes off as soon as you hit the deck. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omi Posted May 10, 2007 Report Share Posted May 10, 2007 Have any of you guys actually come off while wearing Hein Gericke gear? I know 3 people that have, low speed offs and every one had burst seams on the HG leathers. - They perform really well in magazine tests, but based on real-world experience I'd be inclined to steer clear. All my leather is Rev-It... Dutch brand, quite new and reasonably priced (c.£450 for a 2-piece) but the quality is superb, very comfortable, removable liners for all-year wear. I've seen a set that have been down the track and through a gravel trap and they're slightly scuffed. Good looking too, no need to look like a Power Ranger, even if it's a monochrome one. Helmet, I swear by Arai and wouldn't wear anything else. Between myself and a few other biker friends we've pretty much decided that there are the three top brands, AGV, Shoei and Arai... Each will fit different heads better/worse than the others. - All top quality, find something with a good reputation that fits nicely and lands in your budget and you're laughing. Boots, I've got Alpinestars S-MX3 and I've never tried any others (no decent stockists nearby.) Every pair I tried on from £49.99 up to £249.99 reflected the price well in terms of comfort, materials and (I'd hope) protection. Gloves, get 2 pairs, summer and cold weather. I can't remember what brand my summer ones are, but they're light and give a great feel whilst riding, but fully armoured in case of the worst. As a side-note, avoid Frank Thomas leathers... There are two man-made objects visible from space. One is the Great Wall of China, the other is Frank Thomas' stitching returns pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie_A3 Posted May 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Loving all of these various replies!! Much appreciated! and some food for thought too! The search goes on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whisky Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 I've got an Arai Astro R and its a beauty of a lid, hardly know you're wearing it and its pretty quiet too. You might want to consider that a tinted visor (be it legal or not) with a pinlock will cost you another £50 but worth every penny and a damn site cooler than sunny's under your visor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whisky Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 Also summer/winter gloves are a must. Even when you don't think the weather is that cold your hands get freakin freezing on a bike..! Waterproofs? Lots of people favour a cheapy oversuite (1piece). Again, a must have and another £50 probably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packa Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 I too will be after new gear as the last lot got trashed in a spill, Shoei helmet,RST one piece,Sidiboots,Rev-it gloves. Your helmet is one of the first important things to purchase(In person,not over tinternet)As it should fit correctly.Price wise how much is your life worth? It only has to work once,so £300 or so is not that dear. Your choice of leathers is important but not a fashion statement, I chose RST because they where good enough for Karl Harris BSS super sport champion, untill he got better sponsor. Boots, I think Spidi speak for them self, Look at what others are wearing next time at a meet or race,More Spidi than any thing else. Gloves(these wear my down fall) I used both summer and winter, But my next pair will be up the higher end of the market,Dont be fooled that some £30 gloves will protect your pinkys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted May 11, 2007 Report Share Posted May 11, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Now lots of people have said just buy some cheap stuff to start with as you will come off and ruin them etc [/ QUOTE ] And spozing you phuck y'self up in ther first crash cause you were wearing rubbish? Who are these people! You wear the kit to protect ya schitt, looking pretty is a bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie_A3 Posted May 12, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2007 Whisky - cheers for that, and good choice of car and bike!! got the car, i just need the bike now! Dobe - yes i dont intend skimping on cost for obvious safety reasons, but also dont really want to spend god knows how much on fancy kit just to change the bike and have to get all new stuff a year or 2 later! The easier option is to just get black leathers etc, but i do like the look of the colour coded leathers. I suppose i just want to be a power ranger at heart! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mb Posted May 15, 2007 Report Share Posted May 15, 2007 There are lots of 2nd hand shops that have some really good deal on leathers etc. I bought my stuff in Italy (Dainese jacket, AGV lid) was much cheaper than in UK - they have sales twice a year (just after Xmas & in August) when everything is heavily discounted (as well as being much cheaper already) Only problem is you have to be fairly small as your average UK is a large in Italy ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.