Opinions for a noob on my new gear.

Razz · April 14th, 2013, 11:15 AM

So I decided not to be a Moron and raise everyone's insurance while I wait for my license.
But I do need opinions on my first Gear set. Don't be shy and please be honest on your opinion. Safety first always.

Jacket: Icon Anthem
http://www.bikebandit.com/icon-anthe...FQU4nAodMhsAsg

Helmet: LS2 FT2
http://www.motovicius.com/boutique/c...-ft2-burn.html

Gloves: Alpinestars sps
http://www.everythingmotorcycles.com...product&id=311

Boots: Cortech Latigo Air
http://images.motorcycle-superstore....Race-Boots.jpg

Pants: RHOK Kevlar Jeans

http://rhok.com.au/jeans.htm

If I'm missing anything or have some better advice please let me know.

thanks,

tnr4 · April 14th, 2013, 11:31 AM

Hey man, good on ya' for taking your gear seriously. I think it looks like a pretty good start, but would just say the following FWIW:

1. I would not get a full mesh jacket, if you can stand it. It says there are 'impact panels', but I couldn't see details about how good or extensive they are. Anyway, you may want to at least look to make sure that there is 600-1000D panels covering all impact zones (minimally: elbows/forearms and shoulders).

2. While those gloves are pretty good for shorties, I would spring for gauntlets. Your wrists will be completely unprotected, especially with that jacket. My one crash a couple years ago was in shorty gloves, and my only real injuries were a crushed radial nerve and two damaged medial nerves in my wrists.

Nerves take years to heal, and I may never have 100% strength back to my hands. For me: gloves and boots are a serious priority, as your extremities take so much impact.

3. I also wear kevlar jeans, as long as I'm not hitting the twisties (leathers only), BUT, I wear KNOX cross leg armor underneath. The armor in the jeans is definitely better than nothing, but has a tendency to move in a crash. I like having something strapped into place.

I like those boots a lot for entry level, and I'm hearing good things about that helmet. Nice job doing some research and asking for advice, and GOOD LUCK!

xSean13 · April 14th, 2013, 11:32 AM

I'd recommend getting gauntlet gloves, check out the A* SP2.
You could get a perforated leather jacket for around the same price as the current mesh jacket you have.
Never heard of that helmet brand, so idk.

Motofool · April 14th, 2013, 11:33 AM

Avoid mesh jackets if you can; textile is better, even for Florida's summer.

Gloves are too short to protect above your wrists.

For the price of those jeans, you could buy a good protective textile over-pant with integral CE rated protectors for knees and hips.

Most damage occurs to the legs.

Razz · April 14th, 2013, 11:49 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I will look into the gauntlet gloves and the over pants, the kevlar jeans I got because of a friends experience with them, he had a pretty bad fall and they worked out pretty good for him. The mesh jacket does have decent armor, I went with mesh due to the heat here in Miami, but I rather be hot than unsafe so I will look into something a bit better. This is pretty much my start off set to get back and forth from work and things like that and become accustomed to my bike. Thanks again everyone.

xSean13 · April 14th, 2013, 11:54 AM

I have a mesh jacket and a perforated leather jacket. Once it's hot, it's hot...no matter what you have. I found that the leather jacket is actually cooler though. I was still riding in it when it got up to 115 here. It was ridiculously hot, but protects the skin from the sun/heat better than mesh, imo.

Alex · April 14th, 2013, 12:18 PM

/moved to gear area

Motofool · April 14th, 2013, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razz

..........Thanks again everyone.

You are welcome, Gustavo

Some good info here:

http://www.bikesafer.com/injury.html

http://roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/75.html

Whiskey · April 14th, 2013, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razz

So I decided not to be a Moron and raise everyone's insurance while I wait for my license.
But I do need opinions on my first Gear set. Don't be shy and please be honest on your opinion. Safety first always.

Jacket: Icon Anthem
http://www.bikebandit.com/icon-anthe...FQU4nAodMhsAsg

If you're going for a mesh jacket I'd suggest something like the KNOX Cross Shirt under it.

Usually I'd recommend leathers, but I don't ride in Florida heat. Perfed leather maybe an idea.

MistahT · April 14th, 2013, 06:07 PM

I'm looking at the Latigo Air as an upgraded boot for myself. I have an Icon Contra, same thing but half mesh and half textile. The full mesh stuff I've worn doesn't feel as safe, but I bake in the Contra come summertime. I don't think I'll buy another Icon jacket though but I might have to get a mesh. My zipper teeth pop out sometimes (I'm not that fat, this is actually a size big on me) and I've had many loose strings. Just my 2 cents.

April 14th, 2013, 11:15 AM	#1
Razz ninjette.org member Name: Gustavo Location: Miami,FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 17	Opinions for a noob on my new gear. So I decided not to be a Moron and raise everyone's insurance while I wait for my license. But I do need opinions on my first Gear set. Don't be shy and please be honest on your opinion. Safety first always. Jacket: Icon Anthem http://www.bikebandit.com/icon-anthe...FQU4nAodMhsAsg Helmet: LS2 FT2 http://www.motovicius.com/boutique/c...-ft2-burn.html Gloves: Alpinestars sps http://www.everythingmotorcycles.com...product&id=311 Boots: Cortech Latigo Air http://images.motorcycle-superstore....Race-Boots.jpg Pants: RHOK Kevlar Jeans http://rhok.com.au/jeans.htm If I'm missing anything or have some better advice please let me know. thanks,

April 14th, 2013, 11:33 AM	#4
Motofool Daily Ninjette rider Name: Hernan Location: Florida Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. MOTY - 2016, MOTM - Dec '12, Jan '14, Jan '15, May '16	Avoid mesh jackets if you can; textile is better, even for Florida's summer. Gloves are too short to protect above your wrists. For the price of those jeans, you could buy a good protective textile over-pant with integral CE rated protectors for knees and hips. Most damage occurs to the legs. __________________________________________________ *Motofool* *.................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly* "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí

April 14th, 2013, 12:18 PM	#7
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	/moved to gear area __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

April 14th, 2013, 06:07 PM	#10
MistahT ninjette.org member Name: Matthew Location: Maryland Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2012 FZ6R, 2006 Ninja 250, 1977 Suzuki GS550 Posts: 186	I'm looking at the Latigo Air as an upgraded boot for myself. I have an Icon Contra, same thing but half mesh and half textile. The full mesh stuff I've worn doesn't feel as safe, but I bake in the Contra come summertime. I don't think I'll buy another Icon jacket though but I might have to get a mesh. My zipper teeth pop out sometimes (I'm not that fat, this is actually a size big on me) and I've had many loose strings. Just my 2 cents. __________________________________________________ 2012 Yamaha FZ6R (mine) 2004 Kawasaki Ninja 250 (wife) 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Street Fighter project

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April 14th, 2013, 11:31 AM	#2
tnr4 ninjette.org sage Name: Travis Location: Washington, DC Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): Suzuki GSX650F! Past: Kawasaki Ninja 300 (Sold); Triumph Street Triple (Sold); Kawasaki Ninja 250 (Sold) Posts: 664	Hey man, good on ya' for taking your gear seriously. I think it looks like a pretty good start, but would just say the following FWIW: 1. I would not get a full mesh jacket, if you can stand it. It says there are 'impact panels', but I couldn't see details about how good or extensive they are. Anyway, you may want to at least look to make sure that there is 600-1000D panels covering all impact zones (minimally: elbows/forearms and shoulders). 2. While those gloves are pretty good for shorties, I would spring for gauntlets. Your wrists will be completely unprotected, especially with that jacket. My one crash a couple years ago was in shorty gloves, and my only real injuries were a crushed radial nerve and two damaged medial nerves in my wrists. Nerves take years to heal, and I may never have 100% strength back to my hands. For me: gloves and boots are a serious priority, as your extremities take so much impact. 3. I also wear kevlar jeans, as long as I'm not hitting the twisties (leathers only), BUT, I wear KNOX cross leg armor underneath. The armor in the jeans is definitely better than nothing, but has a tendency to move in a crash. I like having something strapped into place. I like those boots a lot for entry level, and I'm hearing good things about that helmet. Nice job doing some research and asking for advice, and GOOD LUCK!

April 14th, 2013, 11:32 AM	#3
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	I'd recommend getting gauntlet gloves, check out the A* SP2. You could get a perforated leather jacket for around the same price as the current mesh jacket you have. Never heard of that helmet brand, so idk.

April 14th, 2013, 11:49 AM	#5
Razz ninjette.org member Name: Gustavo Location: Miami,FL Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: 17	Thanks for the advice guys, I will look into the gauntlet gloves and the over pants, the kevlar jeans I got because of a friends experience with them, he had a pretty bad fall and they worked out pretty good for him. The mesh jacket does have decent armor, I went with mesh due to the heat here in Miami, but I rather be hot than unsafe so I will look into something a bit better. This is pretty much my start off set to get back and forth from work and things like that and become accustomed to my bike. Thanks again everyone.

April 14th, 2013, 11:54 AM	#6
xSean13 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Sean Location: Middle TN Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250r (sold) / '03 CBR 600RR Posts: A lot.	I have a mesh jacket and a perforated leather jacket. Once it's hot, it's hot...no matter what you have. I found that the leather jacket is actually cooler though. I was still riding in it when it got up to 115 here. It was ridiculously hot, but protects the skin from the sun/heat better than mesh, imo.