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Help with first motorcycle apparel, best places to buy.

O

Osros

New member
I searched some posts but did not really find what I wanted.

I never been on a motorcycle so when I get the Spyder it will be my first time with helmets, jackets and such. I been to a dealership a seen what they had to offer which was ok just don't know if they where my best options and prices.

Is there other stores in the North Texas area anyone can recommend or any online sites that you are happy with. What you recommend for my first helmet and jackets? Do I need the padded jackets?

I realize its a preference thing, but would like some ideas on my first setup and maybe later I will get more comfortable getting something better or stylish :doorag:

Thanks
 
I try to support the local dealers whenever I can - though I am not familiar with TX. I have found most will deal to get in the ballpark of online store pricing. I am willing to pay a bit more for the ability to see actual product and have a local place to go to. That being said, it is sometimes hard to find dealers that have inventory to try on and feel. That being the case, I have researched on the internet. I have found Competition Accessories to be good to work with. Also, Iron Pony.
 
Don't know where you are in North Texas, but there are several locations for Cyclegear here in the Metroplex. Another good place is Motoliberty in Dallas. If you are in our area , I am also including a couple of our Spyder Ryders of North Texas site links. Our Facebook link is a good place to ask questions about local rides and get local info. Also, you can hook up with other Spyder owners. I like to buy a lot of my stuff on e-bay, but I also buy locally when I can. For a newbie, I would go to a brick and mortar and try stuff on and get a feel for the sizes and get a first hand look at what some of the different offerings are.

Kyle

http://www.cyclegear.com/

http://www.motoliberty.com/da_store.asp

http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/177340962330792/

http://www.spyderrydersofnorthtexas.com/
 
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Riding Gear

Central Texas Powersports in Georgetown has a good selection of gear and the staff is very helpfull at selecting the right gear for your riding style.
 
Only you can make the decision about how much protection you want to wear; we're proponents of ATGATT. You definitely need to try on different helmets and figure out what one suits you the best. Check out different helmets at a local bike shop, if you can. We like helmets with a built in sun visor, so we've had HJC and, more recently, a Vega V-comm helmet (built in communications system). It's nice to be able to try on different apparel, but our local dealer doesn't carry much in the way of clothing. We personally like armored jackets, but we've been on rides with people in short sleeves. That's just not something we do. We've purchased jackets from Competition Accessories as well as off eBay (you can find good deals on Can-Am stuff there). We have chaps for colder weather riding, although some folks we ride with wear motorcycle pants. (I've found them a little more cumbersome to walk around in and prefer the chaps). Good luck deciding what to get.
 
as far as helmets go.. don't buy on line.. you have to try them on.. walk around the showroom for awhile and notice the pressure points.. they don't ease up with wear... you don't need a vise on your head that will give you a headache a few hrs in..
 
Sorry that I cannot give you advice about local dealers. A great place to "see it all" on line is

motorcyclesuperstore.com.

I am also a proponent of buying local where possible but if I want item x and cannot find it, I will go elsewhere.

Also a proponent of ATGATT so this would be a basic list that I would suggest.

Helmet: recommend full face. Communicators, Cardo or Sena. I like Nolan helmets because they have an articulated front piece that raises up and makes access to the helmet easier.

Riding Gear: Leather or Textile? I like both. A really, really, good deal available from Alaskalealther.com Boots, chaps, and a leather jacket for $299.00. package price. Textile jackets and pants can run $700.00 and up depending what level of protection you want. In your area of the country you do not need cold weather riding gear. I like Firstgear and my 3 outfits prove it. BajaRon on our site sells Firstgear also.

Boots: traditional or european. You can get a good pair of european style waterproof for around $150. traditional (engineer style) can run from $90 and up.

Gloves--get good leather ones. I have light, medium, medium waterproof, and heavy for winter driving.

You can spend a lot of money or a little--but need to look around a bit. Good luck with your search and have fun with the new gear.

A "leather package" above will get you into business for about $800 or less for everything. Helmet, communicators, leather riding gear, boots, gloves.
 
My 2 cents

I have a leather jacket and a textile one. I use the textile one almost exclusively. It's tour aster and has 3 layers. In summer I use only the mesh jacket, then when it's cooler I can zip on the outer shell. In the coldest times I add in the quilted lining. I really like the flexibility.
 
Gotta give a shoutout to Motorcyclegear.com. They are a family business in Shallowater Tx. Great selection at affordable prices. Their customer support has always been knowledgeable and responsive. I had to return a jacket (mis-sized) one time and they shipped my replacement out before I sent the old one back. http://www.motorcyclegear.com/
 
Being newbies ourselves, we had to invest in all the gear too so know what you are going thru! We checked out our local stores tried on various helmets to check for fit, style, etc. My first helmet was a modular Scorpion, my hubby a modular HJC. Just got the same as his a few weeks ago. We had to order his because most stores didn't carry the size he needed. My sister recommended motorcycle-superstore.com -- she has purchased from them for years. Their prices were $30+ cheaper with free shipping and no tax. We have also had no hassles from them with return either. Plus they always give you a discount coupon for your next order! I love a sale! I recently purchased my leather jacket from there too - had found it at a local store, but again, the price is why we purchased from them. I like to shop locally, but sometimes it just doesn't work out. Have purchased gloves, my first helmet, and other accessories from them.

We ended up with the modular helmet because they give you the benefit of a full face, has built in sunglasses, is easier to out on, can have the chin part up when want to (especially during hot days I found it more comfortable). I know some people say full helmets aren't necessary, but after knowing people who have had accidents and knowing how the helmet saved them I won't go without. We have also adopted the ATGATT philosophy. Have fun shopping!




"knees to the breeze!"
 
Riding Gear

Try to find a store in your area that only deals in motorcycle gear. There prices for the most part are cheaper than Motorcycle
dealer prices for gear.:spyder:
 

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remember.. when you buy locally .. you support your neighbors and yourself in the tax dollars that go back into to your community.. not someone elses ... loose a nickle spend a dime
 
Also, the International Motorcycle Show is in Dallas this weekend at the convention center. The will have gear vendors there for you to check out and BRP will be there with the new Spyder lineup. Would be a great place to start for a newbie. You can talk to the BRP reps personally if you need to know more about the Spyder. Also, on Saturday at 2:00, about 50 or 60 riders from DFW, Houston and parts unknown will be there for a meet and greet. Great chance to hook-up with a lot of us Spyder folk and ask some of those burning questions.

http://www.motorcycleshows.com/dallas
 
Newbie

Right now CycleGear.com has a great 66% sale going on. Check it out. Plus they have riding boots that are waterproof.
 
For your first time, do find a local store to buy from. The fit of Motorcycle gear is way different than regular clothes / jackets. What we did was some research online, then went to a local store that carried the same products, and tested them out. They had a higher price tag than online, so I asked if they would price match. All I had to do was to pull up the website on my phone for them to verify the price, and they matched. I had to pay sales tax, but saved on shipping.

As someone else has said.. never buy a helmet online unless you are simply replacing yours with the same make / model. Helmet sizes vary from every manufacturer. Also the shape / style of the helmet will affect the fit.
 
BlueMule mentioned the International Motorcycle show which is in Dallas this weekend. I would agree wholeheartedly. You will not only find a lot of gear there and much of it at show special prices but many very well informed sales people. I'd recommend attending and, if you do, be sure to stop at Arai helmets' display and listen to Bruce Porter explain about motorcycle helmets. I don't think anyone in the world knows more about helmets than he does.

BlueMule also recommended Motoliberty in Dallas and included a link. I agree. They are very well stocked and also have well informed sales people.

Online, BajaRon has good prices on riding gear and helmets, and ships faster than anyone. He also knows his business and is a site sponsor. Just PM him on Spyderlovers. Motorcyclegear.com in Shallowater, Texas just outside Lubbock, is a good online source as well.

Cotton
 
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