Gear question!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, California
Gear question!
I have yet to buy a bike, but "BIG" funds won't be available until February. I'm looking at a Nightster 1200 and will be converting it to a Bobber style. I am stocking up on gear with the extra money I have before Santa takes it all for Christmas. Here's a list, tell me if you like or don't like and why. Other suggestions and is it a rookie move to gear up before the bike? I have justified it by saying I need it for the rider's course...ha, take that Santa!!!
Open face helmet - Fulmer V2
Fullface helmet - Fulmer SS or S1
Gloves - Churchill Classic Mavrick
Jacket - Schott Casual Racer
Boots - ???
Remember, I dig that old school look. Any other gear that I will need or you recommend?
Open face helmet - Fulmer V2
Fullface helmet - Fulmer SS or S1
Gloves - Churchill Classic Mavrick
Jacket - Schott Casual Racer
Boots - ???
Remember, I dig that old school look. Any other gear that I will need or you recommend?
Banned
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 1
Nuthin to do with which bike(gear) would suit you, but I knew a guy in grade school that always said he was gonna buy a vette when he was older and had enough dough...
Well, this guy actually saved his allowance and about every two months he got out his JCWhitney catalog and purchased one spoked hub cap for his vette when he gets it. Once he had the full set, he then began to buy chrome hood ornaments and other nick-nacks that were shiny and cool to him. We grew up with him always showing what he had bought this month, that went on for about three years til my family and I moved away.
Then fast forward about 20 years, when my wife and I were visiting her family in the same area we grew up in. I got out the phone book just to see who I could find still around there. Yep, I found his parent's old address and their number so I gave them a call. Hooked up with him the next day. He had four kids, was divorced, and was driving a beat up van that his boss let him use to get back and forth to work cause he couldn't afford his own ride.
Moral of this story is don't spend your time thinking of what yer gonna get and how you want it to look when you get it. Just save yer money and get what comes available, then do what you like to it. Too many dreams are crushed by unforseen circumstances...
Well, this guy actually saved his allowance and about every two months he got out his JCWhitney catalog and purchased one spoked hub cap for his vette when he gets it. Once he had the full set, he then began to buy chrome hood ornaments and other nick-nacks that were shiny and cool to him. We grew up with him always showing what he had bought this month, that went on for about three years til my family and I moved away.
Then fast forward about 20 years, when my wife and I were visiting her family in the same area we grew up in. I got out the phone book just to see who I could find still around there. Yep, I found his parent's old address and their number so I gave them a call. Hooked up with him the next day. He had four kids, was divorced, and was driving a beat up van that his boss let him use to get back and forth to work cause he couldn't afford his own ride.
Moral of this story is don't spend your time thinking of what yer gonna get and how you want it to look when you get it. Just save yer money and get what comes available, then do what you like to it. Too many dreams are crushed by unforseen circumstances...
Last edited by CroK; Nov 23, 2009 at 12:29 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 1
From: 2000 Softail FXST
There are several good boots to choose from, I prefer Danners. They're a little high priced but they're warm and keep my feet dry. You may not have to worry about that in LA but it's a plus here.
I had an open face three quarter Fulmer helmet quite a few years back that had a bill on it. Whenever the wind hit the bill just right it would pull the helmet back on my head like a wind sock. The windshield on my RK helped but I eventually got rid of the Fulmer because of the bill. I've been using a Bell Drifter and it works well with a windshield but not without.
I just picked up an 04 Sporty that I'm riding without a windshield and I'm wearing a half-shell helmet that's good around town but grabs the wind like a wind sock on the highway. I'm looking at getting one of the old school looking three quarters to see if it will work better. Just something to think about on the helmet purchase.
As for picking up your gear now I think that's the way to go. It's expensive to buy all at once and it'll be nice to have when you ride that new bike home the first time.
I had an open face three quarter Fulmer helmet quite a few years back that had a bill on it. Whenever the wind hit the bill just right it would pull the helmet back on my head like a wind sock. The windshield on my RK helped but I eventually got rid of the Fulmer because of the bill. I've been using a Bell Drifter and it works well with a windshield but not without.
I just picked up an 04 Sporty that I'm riding without a windshield and I'm wearing a half-shell helmet that's good around town but grabs the wind like a wind sock on the highway. I'm looking at getting one of the old school looking three quarters to see if it will work better. Just something to think about on the helmet purchase.
As for picking up your gear now I think that's the way to go. It's expensive to buy all at once and it'll be nice to have when you ride that new bike home the first time.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
If you are saving up for a bike you already don't have enough money for some of that gear. You only need 1 helmet, not too. Got a good pair of cowboy boots or work boots? Riding boots are expensive. A good riding jacket could set you back a couple of payments on the bike.
I think if it were me, I'd budget the cost of a bike, insurance, the rider's safety course, and the gear. Then when I hit that number I would buy the bike, followed closely by the gear.
I think if it were me, I'd budget the cost of a bike, insurance, the rider's safety course, and the gear. Then when I hit that number I would buy the bike, followed closely by the gear.
Provided that you are serious, take the money for all that stupid gear and put a down payment on the Sportster. Nobody gives a sht what brand your gear is. The less expensive the better because it gets beat up and used (provided that you actually ride your bike and don't stare at it). I understand your enthusiasm but don't get ahead of yourself.
Yep and silly if you ask me. You can get well-made work boots for cheap. You want steel (or ABS) toes and shank? For a much better price PLUS better construction, buy work/combat/LE boots.
Don't be a guy who just wants to look the part. Buy the bike, study the manual, read some history, respect the sport. It's not just dress-up to some riders.
EDIT: So I don't come off as a complete ashole - enjoy your HD.
Riding boots are expensive
Don't be a guy who just wants to look the part. Buy the bike, study the manual, read some history, respect the sport. It's not just dress-up to some riders.
EDIT: So I don't come off as a complete ashole - enjoy your HD.
Last edited by stupid_rope; Nov 23, 2009 at 02:35 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 565
Likes: 1
From: Here and There
I weak work gloves and works boots, dickies, flannel, and carhart coveralls. works fine for me. and my 20 dollar helemt (not the safest but what the hell)
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 110
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From: WA
Here's a link to some pretty cool bobber helmets. I'm planning on buying one myself. http://www.biltwellinc.com/helmets.html
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles, California
Sorry, guys. I wasn't very clear about "BIG" money. I was going to buy the bike 2 weeks ago and I have the money. I was just being smart and wait until I pay off my truck in February. Why add another monthly payment when I can wait and pay off one bill for another. The bike will be half my truck payments. I just wanted some experienced rider's thoughts about gear. I've controlled my impulse buying. Trust me, I'm getting it!!!
