Motorcycle gear at reasonable prices? Safe 'n' Save?

Money_saving_Martyn

Hi all,

I've just passed my category A (hurrah!) and I'd like to get kitted up properly on a motorcycle so I can be safe(r) and be seen.

I've seen a few motorcycle gear websites - and although I don't expect safe to be cheap, but I'm sure I could save on some on the prices.

Can any motorcycling money savers recommend how to get biking gear for a good price?

(I need the works, helmet, boots, jacket/vest, trousers, gloves, thermals, waterproofs)

Any other non-money saving tips about gear welcomed along the way. I'll be using the bike (which I'm yet to buy!) for commuting and possibly the occasional Sunday ride.

Takoda

Good bike gear tends to be expensive. It is probably better money saving to spend a bit more on decent gear to begin with. I like Dainese. Hein Gericke used to be cheaper but isn't now.

You looking for leathers or textiles?


You can sometimes get nearly new bargains on ebay or bike forums.

Locknut

Also ALDI do some good deals on biking gear quite cheap every now and then.

I have some boots for sale if you have big feet lol, other than that try busters.co.uk if you leave it for a few weeks the season is starting to wind down so the sales will start in ernest;)

boyse7en

Where are you? George White has loads of Opening weekend offers in the new stores in Plymouth, Torquay and St Austell.

It is a cliche, but the "buy cheap, buy twice" adage could have been made for motorcycle gear. I've bought cheap-end stuff in teh past, and it looks the part but "waterproofs" leak, boots let water in, zips break, Helmet liners compress and they get loose, etc.
I'd buy decent brand stuff where possible, as they sell mainly on reputation.

missile

www.jtsbikerclothing.com have a wide range, including value items.

Lidl regularly have very cheap motorcycle gear. It is waterproof and meets the minimum standard.

Don't expect the same level of style, comfort and protection afforded by an Arai RX7 GP and Crowtree leathers.

Maybe you don't expect to fall off?

venus1978

missile wrote: »

Maybe you don't expect to fall off?

Does anyone expect to fall off ?? You cover yourself the best you can incase you do.

Radsteral

instead of buying cheap better go to ebay or gumtree and check for best brands..., .. i know they second hand etc but go to aldy to buy boots and they are like you got wooden boots! they are waterproof etc but not comfy
if you planning to ride through winter spend 70-100 quid for a pair of heated gloves conecting to the battery- you ll remember me;)

or ride for 1 year with standard gloves then next winter buy the heated gloves-- you ll remember me forever this way
grebing heated gloves or many other makers

a windproof long sleve clothing =around 30 quid is great as without it you ll need lots of clothes to compesate and ll look like a fatty biker
:rotfl:
and remember getting inside the bike clothing shop will mean an expense of 50 + any time ... its cheaper shoping for party clothes at harrods
buy a visible jacket=3 pounds.. it dont look good sometimes but who cares, well worth it

congratulations on passing your test and stay safe

Money_saving_Martyn

Thanks for all the imput so far.

I'm not planning on falling off, but I want the right gear on in case I do!

I'm happy to get good stuff if it's a case of "buy cheap, buy twice", but I'm not interested in brands for the sake of having a name on the clothes. I'm looking for the best price for good gear. Some shops can add ££££ to the stuff they sell because they're a well known shop, as anyone who has ever been in Halfords will have hopefully noticed!

Radsteral wrote: »

... its cheaper shoping for party clothes at harrods

That's exactly what I want to avoid!

babyshoes

Don't ever buy a second hand helmet - you won't be able to see if it has been dropped. Once a helmet has been dropped , even from waist height, it is worse than useless, it could kill you in an accident you would survive with a good helmet.

Other essentials are boots, gloves and jacket (with included armour), which need not necessarily be new but should fit well.

The BMF's 'Tail End Show' in early September is a good bike show to get kitted out fairly cheaply for the first time - all the end of season/ end of line stuff is there because the stores are trying to clear space for the new season's designs. There are also 'seconds' which are often fine apart from a minor defect which won't impact on protection.. When my OH first got a bike licence that is where we went, and got full gear for both of us (apart from trousers for me) for under £400, which is not bad for bike gear for two people - that included brand name helmets and boots.

Expect to spend around £100, give or take, on a helmet. You should buy the best helmet you can afford, coz even though the protection of cheaper ones should be the same if they meet the standard, the comfort won't! Other things not to skimp on are boots. The other items are a matter of comfort/longevity, the protection should be similar, if you are comparing like-for-like.

Remember, there are only two types of bikers : Those that have come off, and those that are going to come off!