gear question

 

Hey,

    I'm taking the MSF class Memorial Day weekend to get my license (did I
mention I'm excited). I do have one question before hand and was hoping
some one can give me some hopefully simple advice.

    I need to be able to ride in all weather (fun rain) for the class. I
think I have everything except rain gear and was looking for some
advice. I'm looking for inexpensive right now till I feel things out and
actually get a bike of my own (the next step after the class).

    Anyway, What do I need for rain gear. Pants are no biggy I can pick
something up easily that will fit over jeans; but a jacket that fits
over me and a leather jacket. From what I can see from websites they
don't make rain gear big enough or am I missing something that rain gear
also acts as protective gear?

    Just kinda thinking I'm over looking something really stupid which
makes me feel like I am asking one of those cliched stupid questions.

Thanks,

TC

 

TC wrote:

There's a lot of protective gear that's also waterproof, but it's not cheap.
It DOES last nearly forever, though, so it can be thought of as an
investment in your safety and comfort, not a recurring expense.

Check out the cordura jackets and pants from folks like Aerostitch,
FirstGear, Joe Rocket, FieldSheer, and others.  Unlike leather, it CAN be
made waterproof.  And with high-density foam padding in strategic areas, it
can save you a lot of grief when your time comes, and you part company with
the bike at speed.  Unlike jeans, by the way.

My wife and I have Kilimanjaro jackets and matching pants from FirstGear,
and have found them to be very comfortable, very protective, and waterproof.
We've ridden for hundreds of miles in pounding rain and stayed dry inside.
We also have FieldSheer mesh jackets for short rides in hot weather, and
those have rain covers that fit into an internal pocket, so you have
something that WILL fit correctly over the jacket in case you need that
sometime.

There are plenty of similar options from other companies.  I've heard good
things about the riding gear from Cortech, too.

Google is your friend, here.  And you get extra points for thinking of
things like this in advance.  Ride safe!

 

On Sun, 14 May 2006 08:27:57 -0700, EffJay R. Yamaha said:


I have the Kilimanjaro jacket and the HT Air Overpants. They're great.

--
"I refuse to answer that question on the grounds
that I don't know the answer."
- Douglas Adams

 

On 2006-05-14, TC penned:

This is interesting to me.  At my MSF class, everyone wore jeans,
gardening gloves, hiking boots, some form of long sleeved shirt, and a
borrowed helmet.  The absolute fastest anyone went during the course was
*maybe* 35MPH.  I've done that on a mountain bike wearing lycra shorts
and a bicycle helmet.  Does the class require proof that you have all
weather gear?

All of which is not to say you shouldn't get gear -- you definitely
should.   But you may not have to have every piece of your gear by
then.  Good gear is expensive, and you should choose it because it's
the best thing you could find, not because it met a checklist.  Fit
can also be an issue -- as a woman, I have trouble finding gear to try
on, and the guy's stuff just doesn't fit right.  I don't want to mess
with ordering stuff because I am so sure it won't fit right the first
time, and I don't feel like hassling with returns.


As someone else has mentioned, you can get fabric jackets that are
also either water resistant or waterproof.  I have the women's
Tourmaster Advanced 3/4:

http://www.tourmaster.com/product.html?sku …-027

Between the removable liner and the roughly 8 billion venting options,
it takes me through an incredible range of temperatures, and from the
site:

"A waterproof, breathable barrier provides breathability without
compromising the water resistant integrity of the garment. "

I have mesh overpants, which are plenty because my bike breathes hot
air onto my legs.  They came with a waterproof (or water resistant?
don't remember) liner that I've never used.  They're FirstGear, and I
really like them except that the zipper keeps breaking.  (Okay, that
may be a statement about me, not the pants, but other than the zipper
thing they seem to fit fine.)


--
monique
newbie rider
'96 bmw r1100r

 

Monique Y. Mudama wrote:


It's not that we are required to ride cross country or anything and have
all needed gear. They just say be prepare to ride no matter what the
weather is. Since it's a rain or shine class. I just don't want to be
sitting in wet cloths all day.

So, no proof required unless you count being high and wet :)

The only things I have bought is a helmet and jacket and that's cause
I'm not skimping on a helmet and I've wanted a Leather jacket so now I
have a reason :) and not one of those trandy things I wanted a real one :)

TC