Texting my mom about motorcycle gear when, suddenly, Miata appears.

"E. Julius" (soonerfrommi)
03/04/2015 at 19:21 • Filed to: None

Niiiice. I was kind of looking forward to riding with my dad, but at least I'll have access to a convertible. No idea what he's thinking about getting, but he's a pretty aggressive retirement saver and refuses to buy new so ND is out of the question. I don't think he likes the NA or NB either, so I'm guessing a later NC, soft top with the manual.

DISCUSSION (32)

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 19:24

there is no good reason to sell a bike. Other then your selling it for a better one.

-1 for your dad. but +1 for you. what gear wear you thinking?

daender > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 19:28

I'd make a guess between a NB2 and a NC1. They're starting to fall into the same price range now but's a matter of choice between a high-mile early NC1 and an average-mile NB2. Fyi, if he's the type to do work on his own vehicles, I recommend the NB2 over the NC1.

NC1 engine bay:

Kinja'd!!!

NB2 engine bay:

Kinja'd!!!

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:28

Ha well since I'll have to keep my bike at their house until I finish school, he'll still have something to ride if he feels the urge. I was actually planning on asking you if the stuff I'd picked out was any good. I did my best to read reviews and picked what looked like good stuff within my budget. I'll put some links in a separate reply so you can see what you think.

E. Julius > daender
03/04/2015 at 19:31

He spends too much time working or working on other projects to do his own wrenching, although he think he usually changes the oil on his motorcycle. I'm going to guess a 2010+ NC knowing the budget.

daender > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 19:35

Ah, that kind of budget! I totally recommend the Club package NC2 if possible or see what members on Miata.net are selling their NCs for because most of them are modified lightly in a tasteful manner. Hell, if he's West coast, there's a rare 07 MS-R for sale that's pretty legit.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.…

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 19:36

HIT ME

Sam > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:36

My dad sold his bike after he... NSFL below

Was riding past a guy who went down in front of a minivan. The guy was in full gear and everything, but his head was actually sheared from his body by the van. My dad saw it all, and hasn't ridden since.

bob and john > Sam
03/04/2015 at 19:38

god dam. that is terrifying. I dont know if I would quit riding for it, but I would definitely take a day or 2 off.

Sam > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:40

He had already nearly lost a leg due to a slide underneath a van. So he wasn't super keen on riding again in the first place.

E. Julius > daender
03/04/2015 at 19:40

Ha he's in Michigan but maybe I can convince him to fly out! If he's replacing his motorcycle with it, I imagine he's buying something to go up North on weekend trips with my mom, so he'll probably get something with a few more of the comfort features. He's definitely getting a manual though, which is awesome.

CRider > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:51

*MtrRider sucker punches Peter IN THE FACE!

daender > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 19:51

Fair enough, a stock-suspension NC provides a decently-comfortable ride. Might want to make sure it has underbody protection if he's wanting to go north with it.

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:53

I did some reading and a lot of people recommended Revzilla to shop for gear. I liked how they had videos of almost all of their products, and the reviews seemed pretty robust. For the time being I'm only going to be pleasure riding June–August and avoiding the rain, so I figured I'd get more summer appropriate gear for my first round of purchases. Then if/when I get more into it and start riding into other seasons I can spend a little more on the next batch of gear.

Helmet: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bil…

This is the only thing where I really considered the style a lot. I really like the look of this helmet, and it's full face + DOT rated. There's no vents and stuff, but the reviews seem to indicate it works pretty well with the available face shield. I'll probably buy this one online, and then once I get it go to a store and try some other stuff on to see what I like.

Jacket: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/spe…

Good airflow, CE rated armor for the shoulders, elbows and back, and belt loops on the back of the jacket to attach to pants. Seems pretty solid to me.

Pants: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/sco…

I decided to go with a pair of riding jeans after reading your Gear 101 article. Like you said, not the safest, but I like the idea of being able to ride to a friend's place or something and not having to change. If I was commuting or planning on doing any highway riding, I'd consider going with a full motorcycle pant, but I think this is a decent compromise. For what it's worth, these ones also have pockets for available armor, although I don't know how legit that is.

Gloves: http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-p…

These looked like good summer gloves, and I liked the included knuckle protection. I'm still not sure if I want to go with these or a full gauntlet design though. Thoughts?

Boots: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/fir…

I didn't really like the look of many of the lower cut riding boots/shoes I saw, so I figured I might as well up the safety factor a bit and get a taller boot. I like that these are perforated so my feet don't get all sweaty, and they seem safe enough to me.

All in all, I obviously have barely any clue what I'm doing. I don't know what the reputable/disreputable manufacturers are, so if I'm looking at an inferior product please let me know! I figured I should spend the most on my helmet and jacket, but not go super duper cheap on anything. I do have some wiggle room (probably about $200-300) in my budget though if you think I could make some substantial safety gains by spending a bit more money in one area over another let me know!

CRider > Sam
03/04/2015 at 19:53

That's the worst possible scenario and very unlikely to happen. I'm sorry that it happened, and that your dad saw it, but it's no reason to stop riding.

bob and john > CRider
03/04/2015 at 19:54

now why would you do that?

E. Julius > daender
03/04/2015 at 19:55

For the winter/salt you mean?

CRider > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 19:55

You asked for it! If you were wearing your gear it wouldn't have hurt!

daender > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:02

Yes, also any salty-coastal climates it might see.

E. Julius > daender
03/04/2015 at 20:05

Ah ok. This will definitely be a summer only car, they've already got toys for the winter drives (man being an actual adult has its perks haha). Maybe they'll drive out to the coasts one day, although no salt is one awesome advantage of the great lakes!

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:20

I like the pants and the shoes
the gloves work. personally I prefer something thats a little longer to help over lap a bit more with my jacket

the jacket ... I havent really heard anything about them, and the pictures dont really make it look THAT attractive for riding. didnt see any armor in it either (good armor is usually pretty obvious to spot... with it off the person, the shoulders should be bent more then that. )

I would rather go with a cheap dianese: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dai… for that.

for the helmet, i have never heard of them. I wouldnt buy it. I recommend what I use (though it appears rev-zilla doens have it: the Kaos carbon helmet. SUPER light (all carbon) the inside is CRAZY plush, it looks cool (though I admit its a slightly different look then what you want) and its quiet. Its actually so nice i got 2 of them.

I paid 350 taxes in for mine...so its about 200$ more. I REALLY REALLY like it. I have heard rumors that its not that great quality wise, but i've had good experiences with both of mine.

If you cant find one, I would look at the Shark Raw helmet. its not too much into your wiggle room (100 more) but its from a far more reputable company. (funny story: there is a single reveiw on amazon, with 1 star. guy said the visor doesnt come off and he broke it. in the box it says that the visor doesnt come off. guy was a moron)

the BIG helmet company, in order of lowest to highest quality are: Gmax, Bell, Shark, Icon, Shoei, Arai, AGV, And Schuberth.

the big gear ones are: (in the same order) joe rocket, icon, alpinestars, dianese

for boots, same order, but put sidi on the end.

bob and john > CRider
03/04/2015 at 20:22

(d'oh, I just understood where you got that from)

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 20:23

Thanks for the tips! I've got a couple more months to shop around before I get back to the US so I'll try and find some other stuff in the meantime.

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:29

ok, I JUST found some more info on the Kaos.

it was designed by a guy who works for arai distributing, made off shore. ECE certified (not DOT...although, ECE holder their helmets to a higher standard then DOT.

unfortunetly, it also looks to be a canada only product for the time being...dam it

so yea, i would look at that shark, or some bells. Bell DOES have one that look exactly like that one YOU posted, but its like 500$... so your choice. you could always go with an icon alliance http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ico… and just call it a day

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 20:32

I saw that Bell helmet when I was looking, wish I could afford it! I'll take a look at some other stuff in the coming days and try to improve on what I've got so far.

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:35

its not bad at all, aside from the jacket and the helemt. the jacket I gave you an option, and you know what companys to look for now. the helemt really is the hardest part of it.

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 20:38

Yes, the companies will definitely help. Would you recommend buying a helmet online or in store?

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:41

for your first, in store. see what fits and wht doest. remember that helmets WILL break in, so it should be snug

also, different companies fit slightly different. I think it was arai that made helmets a little more oval. some people swear by them. I dont like them. it REALLY is personal preference.

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 20:44

Thanks again for all your help! I can read all the gear articles in the world, but actually having somebody to ask about it is super useful. Can't wait to post about it on Oppo when I finally get my bike. I know I have this amazing opportunity in Europe right now, but part of me misses the open road so much I can't wait to come back and drive/ride.

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:49

any time man. what bikes were you looking at?

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 20:54

Whatever is on SE Michigan Craigslist pages. When I first started this endeavor, I asked a friend who rides/flips bikes all the time in my area if I could get something decent for $1000-1200. He said yes, and my searches have confirmed that there is a fair amount of decently maintained 80s Hondas/Yamahas/etc. in that price range. Honestly this was exactly what I was imagining when I first had the idea to start riding, but after reading your articles I'm trying to see what sort of newer stuff is out there. Disk brakes are definitely a necessity (hit or miss on the 80s stuff), but it doesn't seem like there's too much newer metal available in my original budget. Still trying to figure out exactly what I'm going to do. Fortunately my friend will help me avoid overpaying/buying something that I don't know is a piece of junk either way.

bob and john > E. Julius
03/04/2015 at 20:58

ah.

you might be able to find a ninja 250 or a suzuki GS500 in that range. i would honestly try and bump it to 2K and get something that isnt going to be junk. a LOT of starter bikes hover aorund there. if You not on the highway, CBR125s can be found for like 1500, but they really are underpowered for anything more then 50mph.

E. Julius > bob and john
03/04/2015 at 21:04

Yeah it's looking like I'm going to have to consider raising my budget. Not ideal, but honestly at this point I'm so excited about learning to ride that I think I can make it happen.