Now that you have something to ride...

Lets work on finding something for you to protect that skin you're in. There are literally hundreds of manufacturers out there making leathers, boots, gloves, etc. and each one has it's benefits and its drawbacks. If you are buying a set of leathers with racing in mind, then skip the whole idea of getting the two piece, you'll be glad you did. The two-piece leathers are geared for the person who is going to predominately ride on the street, and occasionally do a track day.

Other than that little bit of information, it is important that you get something that fits, and is above all comfortable. You want something that fits you, but that does not limit movement in any way. My brother used to put on leathers and then roll around on the floor like a monkey to see how well he could move in them. While not really the best method, it was definitely funny to watch. You also want to buy a set that has a nice thick bit of leather and good armor in the elbows, knees, and waist area. I havent used them, but I remember Barnacle Bill used to make some great leathers that were fairly thick and well made. Plus, he comes to the track and will do alterations there

Boots, gloves, back protector, are all pretty standard equipment. Some manufacturers would definitely take offense to that statement, but when it comes down to it, its true. Each one has a slightly different construction and different selling points, but for right now, you dont need Nicky Hayden replica boots. You need boots that are going to keep the skin on your toes, and if they match your leathers, all the better.

With gloves, you want to try as many different constructions as possible from as many different manufacturers as possible. some have thick palms that make it feek awkward to grip the handlebars, others have venting along the back of the knuckles for those with long fingers. You want something that you can wear for 30 minutes or longer at a time, with your hands on the handlebars. When you are looking at them, hold your hand in a fist for fifteen minutes or so, if you still like the way they fit, they are the gloves you should wear. Keep in mind that they are going to loosen up a bit when they get warmed up and broken in, but that does not mean you should buy them a size smaller.

For your helmet, this is where I recommend you get a really good piece of hardware. After all, what good is your skin and bones if you don't have a brain? You dont need to spend the extra $100 or so to get the Bayliss graphic kit. Keep in mind that when you crash, the second or third thing that is going to hit the ground is your head. So, you want to have something that is going to do a good job, but you aren't going to go bankrupt when you have to replace it every other month. We were always fans of HJC, good helmets at a good price, and the graphic ones were not much more than a solid color - although we did ride with solid colors for a while...

I guess that about covers gear, I'll figure something out for the next post, until then, keep the rubber side down. (if its warm enough to ride...)