I am a new rider of sportbike's and want all the protection i can get. I am improving my skills everyday while realizing what i wear would not help me when i push things to far one day. So i would very much appreciate some advise on buying new gear. Also i plan to take the bike to Barber Motorsports Park and am reading the Lee Parks Total Control book but that's for another thread.

The Helmet. I have 3 but wear a Fulmer SS maelstrom green/white/black now. It is a XS which to be honest is still a little big and i plan to sell. It is comfortable but has way to much wind noise when turning your head and pulls up a lot at speeds over 60 with even more wind noise. Also i plan to get the Zero Gravity Double Bubble. I assume this will help with helmet and jacket aerodynamics right?

http://www.fulmerhelmets.com/Product/afss.html

I am looking at a Joe Rocket RKT 101Good N'Evil -MC 5- Black.White.Silver. I like the idea of it having space for a communication/bluetooth device when or if i decide to get one and that it says it is race ready. All the RKT look to have the same aerodynamics so i was wondering if the wind noise would be better than the Fulmer and other options but i really like it.

http://www.extremesupply.com/joerockethelmets/joerocketgoodnevil.htm

The Jacket. I currently have a FieldSheer Bullet TX. I really like it a lot and don't really have any complaints with other than it does get hot even with all the vents open and with them open causes a lot of drag. I am looking at Underdog O'Neil Body Armor. The idea is to wear just it when it's really hot and possibly with the FieldSheer in the winter seeing that the elbow and shoulder armor is removable. Just wondering what you guys and girls think of them and if they would work together.

http://www.oneal.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=302

The Pants. I currently only have one pair of Icon Victory Denim Jean Pants. I hate to admit it but i don't wear them much it's usually just jeans "hangs head in shame". But i plan to change that although i am really kinda lost in choosing a pair. I guess my preference's are the Textile FieldSheer Pants and what i have or the FliedSheer Street Pants. When i wear the jean pants or the street pants i plan to also have O'Neal Protector Shorts and some sort of Knee Guards on which i will probably wear also with the textile pants depending on which one's i choose. So i would like ask what you guys and girls think about these products, the configuration, about different types of pants and the brands.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/40/DEPT/Street-Bike-Pants-Mens-Riding-Gear.aspx#&&Back=186-0

The Shoes. Again i hate admit it but i ride with low cut socks and Etnies skate shoes "hangs head in shame". But again i want to change that. What i really like and have tried on are the ALPINESTARS SMX Plus but since i really do like the low cut feel also i may go with the S-MX 2Boot from Alpinestars also. I want something that will truly protect me when needed. So again i would like to know what you guys and girls think about them and other options.

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=2&L3=119&L4=120&item=PAR_A512-1-36_G

http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=5000&L2=2&L3=119&L4=120&item=PAR_3401-0062_G

Basically i want to be as well protected as i possibly can be and still be able to wear the pants and shoes all day which may or may not be a tall order. Hope all this makes sense. Oh and i have the gloves already but am open to suggestions.

http://www.joerocket.com/catalog/index.cfm/189/309/Gloves/Mens_Z-Moto_Glove


Advice, suggestions and info on better deals would be Greatly Appreciated Thanks,

as far as the helmet and wind noise... wear earplugs, no matter what helmet you end up wearing. The high frequency wind noise can kill your hearing. if your ears ring after you ride, you are doing damage to your hearing.

I do but they are just foam. It is louder than a 50 dollar Hawk helmet i have.

any ear plugs will help as they cut the high frequency wind noise.

price of the helmets have nothing to do with how quiet they actually are. fit on your particular head shape is important, plus the extra scoops and vents the higher end helmets have actually increase wind noise over more simple designs.

Good to know thanks. Think i will just wear the hawk one till i sell the Fulmer. And then buy the Joe Rocket. I am going to try them on today.

Ear plugs save my ride. You get so exhausted just from wind noise alone. It is weird, but it is like my body tenses up trying to fight the wind noise. I used to only be able to ride for an hour or so before it started to really get to me. Now that I wear ear plugs, I can ride for several hours with no issues (until the seat starts to get to me, lol).

There is no one true way! There is no magic gear that everyone likes/wears/etc... To each their own...

The key about the gear is the fit. I highly suggest going to a local dealer to try on the gear and then either purchase there or find it online (which is usually cheaper)

Jackets should be tight (not overly so but not loose either). They should have armor in the elbows and shoulders area along with some back padding (unless you are getting a back protector to wear under it.)

Pants again should fit snuggly. You have to remember that if/when you go down your most likely going to be in motion and if your gear moves on you then it isn't protecting the spots it is designed to protect. I suggest with pants you get the type with knee pads...

Usually if you get the same brand the zipper attached to the back of the jacket and pants will zip together making it a 'one piece' this helps out if/when you do go down it helps hold the pieces in place. (If that is something your interested in)

I notice you did not mention gloves. VERY IMPORTANT unless you like roadrashed hands... Yeeuck... I would suggest getting a pair. Prefereably with knuckle guards and reinforced palms. These are realtivily inexpensive and will save you a lot.

Shoes you want to make sure they support your ankles and have re-inforced toes. Also be sure when your riding that they are going to be comfortable. This is one of the pieces of gear that you should go try on in a store because you need to make sure your feet will be comfortable in them. It may look wierd but when you try them on squat on using your feet as the primary point. This will let you get a better feel for the shoe in a 'bent' position.

Brands and such don't matter. It is the protection you are after. If it meets what you feel safe with and it fits in a way that you are comfortable, which is key! If it is not comfortable you are less likely to want to wear it, then you are golden.

Hope that helps a little! Feel free to correct me if I am wrong! :)

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions. I think i have found everything i want except for the helmet. I went today and tried on pants and jackets and nothing fit but i have looked at size charts and measured just hope these do. I am still up the the air about the helmet but a Shoei RF-1000 SM felt really good. I am going to take my time and try on as many helmets available at shops in my area before i pick one. As for the jacket, pants, boots and gloves here is what i am going with for now. The Fieldsheer bullet jacket i have should work with the pants but i plan to get leather pants with a jacket attachment later also.

Joe Rocket Sonic 2
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/2501/Default.jpg


Fieldsheer Street Textile Pants
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/21278/2009_Fieldsheer_Street_Pants_Black.jpg

O'Neal Protector Shorts
http://www.oneal.com/catalog/images/08-protector-short.jpg

TCX SS Performance 2 Racing Boots
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/13540/black.jpg

Joe Rocket Z-Moto Gloves i already have them and will probably get the 09 version in black.
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/10352/green.jpg

OH and the earplugs i already have :)
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:lrkEDyN_oyUT7M:http://www.earinc.com/images/products/p1/classicfoam.jpg

I'm sure i will buy more stuff as i go but hope to be happy with these for awhile. I will take a pic with it all on when i decide on the helmet. :rolleyes: Thanks again for all the help :thumbup:

P.S. Let the mods begin lol.

where are you buying from?

Newenough. http://www.newenough.com

I wouldn't wear just the O'neal body armor... it offers no abrasion resistance.. in a high speed fall, the lining will shred and there will be nothing left to hold the armor in place. Additionally, O'neal makes MX gear and their armor is not meant for road-riding (not CE certified). If you're wearing this under your jacket for additional protection, that's good and all but I wouldn't recommend wearing only this.

If you're too warm in your jacket, consider perforated leather jacket.. tons of airflow. If you like textile, Alpinestars has nice textile/mesh jackets available with integrated chest and back protection.

Newenough. http://www.newenough.com

:thumbup:

great vendor! I buy most of my gear from there, too!

Oh the heat i am ok in the Fieldsheer i have just gets hot when i close the vents. I am going with the The Joe Rocket it has removable leather with mesh arms i hope it will be ok. The Underdog i may or may not get but it would be worn under a jacket.

I have a Fulmer helmet and do not notice much noise from wind no matter what position my head is turned. As far as the rest of your gear never order out of a catolge or online until you try it out at a dealership.

I think the problem with the helmets is that i have a small head. I am going to try a XXS Shoei TZ-R on later this week. I also like the way it vents under, not with a aerodynamic vent in the middle.