Riding Gear Questions
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek, MI
Riding Gear Questions
OK folks, just took delivery (to storage) of my 04 Heritage. Now I realize I should have kept my gear from years ago, but didnt.
A few questions, and I know a lot of these are preferences, but I figured I would ask experienced riders. I need to "gear up" before spring.
Most of my riding will be commuting about 40 miles each way on the highway and city streets...and a lot of pleasure cruising, nothing too long.
Helmet - full face, half, open face?
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
Any suggestions are appreciated, as well as opinions. I am trying to do this on a budget of about $350 total, so please keep this in mind.
Thanks
A few questions, and I know a lot of these are preferences, but I figured I would ask experienced riders. I need to "gear up" before spring.
Most of my riding will be commuting about 40 miles each way on the highway and city streets...and a lot of pleasure cruising, nothing too long.
Helmet - full face, half, open face?
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
Any suggestions are appreciated, as well as opinions. I am trying to do this on a budget of about $350 total, so please keep this in mind.
Thanks
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: MI
Hey Bro I'm located in Battle Creek too! 
When it comes to gear it is really user preference. For me I prefer a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet, full finger gloves, mesh jacket or sweatshirt jacket or both when it's cold, and ankle high boots. You're going to get a different answer from everyone. Whatever gear you get make sure you are comfortable in it.
When it comes to gear it is really user preference. For me I prefer a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet, full finger gloves, mesh jacket or sweatshirt jacket or both when it's cold, and ankle high boots. You're going to get a different answer from everyone. Whatever gear you get make sure you are comfortable in it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Affordable gear.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...nt-jacket.html
Everyone has their own preference on what to wear. Wear what makes you comfortable and feeling safe.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...nt-jacket.html
Everyone has their own preference on what to wear. Wear what makes you comfortable and feeling safe.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 99
From: P.E.I. Canada
Personally, I wear a leather jacket most of the time, leather chaps in the spring and fall, leather gloves (full finger), leather boots, and the smallest DOT helmet money can buy. If you're going to do it under $350, I'd start watching for deals now. A good jacket alone can be that much or more. On the other hand, a ride in the summer is more likely to be just jeans and a t-shirt...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,215
From: Green Country
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 535
Likes: 2
From: Saint Johns, FL
OK folks, just took delivery (to storage) of my 04 Heritage. Now I realize I should have kept my gear from years ago, but didnt.
A few questions, and I know a lot of these are preferences, but I figured I would ask experienced riders. I need to "gear up" before spring.
Most of my riding will be commuting about 40 miles each way on the highway and city streets...and a lot of pleasure cruising, nothing too long.
Helmet - full face, half, open face?
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
Any suggestions are appreciated, as well as opinions. I am trying to do this on a budget of about $350 total, so please keep this in mind.
Thanks
A few questions, and I know a lot of these are preferences, but I figured I would ask experienced riders. I need to "gear up" before spring.
Most of my riding will be commuting about 40 miles each way on the highway and city streets...and a lot of pleasure cruising, nothing too long.
Helmet - full face, half, open face?
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
Any suggestions are appreciated, as well as opinions. I am trying to do this on a budget of about $350 total, so please keep this in mind.
Thanks
Helmet I always wear full face,
Gloves I have a good pair of plain black leather gloves for cooler weather and gloves like these when it is warm. http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...fCatId=&mmyId=
I have tall waterproof Frank Thomas boots for long distance riding and ones just over the ankle for around town, they are similar to these
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1...=TUC_09-8343_G
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Helmet - full face, half, open face?
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
************************************************** **********************
Helmet- 1/2 or 3/4 ($40)
Jacket- Leather ($80)and fabric ($5) - (keep in bike for nice weather)
Boots- Leather over the ankle. ($35) Personally I like no zippers-keeps wind out
Gloves- Leather gaunlet ($20)and wrist length ($15) (keep other in bike)
Glasses- Tinted ($15) and clear ($10) for night dark riding
Pick up a rain suit too. Comes in handy. Packs in its own small bag.
Bought all my items off Craigslist except boots - they were HD new. All quality and next to new. Check the list often and don't fear giving an offer. Many people are just done riding.
Jacket - Leather, fabric ?
Boots - High, low, zip, lace etc.
Gloves _ I will only ride with full finger after prior experiences a long time ago.
************************************************** **********************
Helmet- 1/2 or 3/4 ($40)
Jacket- Leather ($80)and fabric ($5) - (keep in bike for nice weather)
Boots- Leather over the ankle. ($35) Personally I like no zippers-keeps wind out
Gloves- Leather gaunlet ($20)and wrist length ($15) (keep other in bike)
Glasses- Tinted ($15) and clear ($10) for night dark riding
Pick up a rain suit too. Comes in handy. Packs in its own small bag.
Bought all my items off Craigslist except boots - they were HD new. All quality and next to new. Check the list often and don't fear giving an offer. Many people are just done riding.
Last edited by softone; Feb 18, 2011 at 05:08 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 1
From: Pirmasens Germany
The whole helmet thing depends on what time of the year you are riding. It was 35 degrees when I left for work yesterday so I wore the full face. Try wearing a half helmet at that temp on the German Autobahn!
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 884
Likes: 0
From: n
+1 on all the comments. but I don't like boots with the speed lace hook type eyelets. Used to wear some over the ankle Red Wings when riding and snagged my seat a couple of times. They get pretty sharp with age. You can buy a repair kit for your seat, but it it's never the same.