Should newbs start with top of line gear or not?

[Teamgreen]

Simple question, should new riders buy the best gear they can or just mid level priced gear?

I'm just asking because some idiot told me he once saw a newb on a kawi 250 wearing full race leathers, a $700 helmet and expensive daytona boots, etc. He thought it was so funny..but I said good for the rider..he's taking his safety seriously. And if he can afford expensive gear, buy it, even if you're a newb.

I said it's not posing to have full leathers, fancy helmet, etc if you're riding and not just hanging out at a coffee shop in them.

what do you all think? Yes it's fine for newbs to have the best gear they can afford, or get mid range stuff to start out?

[bush]

Dress for the crash, not for the ride.

It doesn't matter what you're riding if a situation arises that could cause immense bodily harm. Regardless of what you're riding, the best gear you can afford is the gear you should be wearing.

However, I think a $700 helmet is too pricey. I'll wear a $150 HJC if it meets DOT/SNELL standards (and I do).

[Half-fast Rider]

Get the good stuff if you can afford it. You're more likely to fall when learning, though hopefully at lower speeds.

That doesn't mean it's necessary to spend a fortune. Above a point, you're paying for style, logos, fancy graphics, and the like, not safety.

[Bredebee]

I bought the cheap stuff at first and I eventually spent more on the good stuff , I wish I had of bought the good stuff first

[Omahastylin16]

an hjc helmet is just fine and bargain priced, as well as joe rocket textile gear. feels good, decent price, and looks pretty damn nice too

[ruralhipster]

If your buying your gear after taking the intro saftey course I'd say sure spend as much as you want/need to to get the gear you will using when you ride. The only time I advise not to spend a lot of money on gear is before you have even ridden, if you are just picking up a helmet and jacket before you take the course (some of those supplied helmets for courses can be a tad nasty, if you are using one it might be worth 15 bucks to get a balaclava)

[thatguyx]

See my sig for my gear.

I think that you don't need top of the line gear ie spending $$$. But what you do need is quality gear. Not everything that costs a lot if the best gear, and not everything that costs very little is garbage. Arai helmets are $400+. Full leathers start at $300+ boots $120 and up. Gloves $70 and up.

Like others have said dress for the crash, it's just picking out what's good from what's garbage that's the problem.

A lot of people think a $150 HJC helmet is garbage, I think it's a good first helmet as long as it's DOT and SNELL approved. You don't need a $600 helmet at first, especially if you think riding may be a phase. If you have the money and really like the conveniences of a high level helmet by all means get what makes you happy.

As for leathers, I can see why it might be seem strange to wear full leathers on a 250, but then again 250's can be racing machines. I think wearing full leathers or at least textile gear is important for riding, beginner or experienced. A lot of people say it's mostly to prevent rash and that it won't protect you that well in slide then impact. Some people reason out that rash is just a scar or ugly. What a lot of people don't mention is that some people can go into shock and die from road rash! Leathers are for more than just preventing rash, they can save your life. Not in an impact, but from a slide. A rider who has his leathers on regardless of what he's on a 250, sport tourer, super sport is just plain prepared.
There's no sense in going out and buying a Rossi replica suit for your first bike, but it does pay to spend some cash on a well stitched, CE armor included, properly fit set of leathers. You don't need to spend $1000 on them because some people will start to ride and then change their mind after awhile. There's $1000+ down the drain.

Boots are important. Now I don't think you should go out and buy Sidi Corsas or A* Supertechs right away. But atleast a strong good pair of boots like the SMX-4s would be a good start. Once again, you have to reason out the costs with your budget. But I caution that boots are very important, your ankles and feet are essential. Yes you could live without them but would you really want to at this point? I think you should splurge a little bit in this area, or atleast get the best you can afford, DO NOT skimp.

Gloves are just as important. You use your hands everyday. A quality pair of gloves gauntlet or not are going to protect your palms and fingers from being ripped to shreds. You don't need Dianese Titanium Jewel encrusted Hyperspace 0.0oz weighted with built in webslingers at first. Down the line after riding more that's your call.


Overall, a guy who wears all gear all the time regardless of the bike, experience, etc. Is just being prepared. Smarter? Not always. No sense in spending $2000+ in gear when you're riding a scooter. Often people will buy a helmet, a jacket, and cheapo gloves and call it a day. Sure this can be great for just commuting or leisurely rides, but once you break past 30mph full gear will be great. Price doesn't always reflect quality.

Get all the essentials but no sense in spending TOO much for a name, spend enough for the quality of its protectiveness

Most people think quality gear is unimportant until it's necessitated.

[coronadozx]

if someone wants to spend $$$$$ on gear, i say let 'em.

as long as they're wearing protection, they can spend as much as they want to.

[matt500r]

60 MPH accross the pavement is just that...it dont matter what bike you fall off of

[RayOSV]

I'd feel better seeing a n00b in tons of proper, expensive gear rather than a hoodie, jeans, and Vans. The only potential problem with getting really pricey gear from the start is we all made some mistakes in our first gear purchases. Unless you get it all perfect the first time, you're going to be getting something else after a year or two.

[smokenjoe]

Cheap pays twice- or more. Quality gear will hold up for several crashes except the helmet. The time you are most likly to crash is when you are new you should have the most protection you can then.

You can often tell how experienced a rider is by the quality of the gear. Name brand is not automatically quality of coerce. If you can find a well fitting cheap full face DOT helmet go for it. HJC is great to start same for some of the bell helmets. Wait to get the Arai until ho get used to caring for the helmet(assuming anyting else fits).

[MAD_CAT]

I say why not...your going to buy it anyways in the future.

[DShred]

Protective gear is just that, protective gear. Why should it matter if you're just starting out or have been riding for years? People say you have a better chance of falling off the bike in the beginning, I know more people that have fallen with years of experience under their belt because they push the envelope and think they can ride like Rossi.

A guy at work laughed at me once and said nice suit, (full leathers) I said you're damn right it is and went on my way. Who cares what people think? If you're happy wearing a $1000 suit or a $700 helmet, wear it.

The only advice I would give is to buy good quality and maybe try and find some gear that will match any colour of bike because no matter what you think you will be buying a different bike eventually and chances are it won't be the same colour.

[Jehos]

If anything, new riders should be more protected than guys with 20 years of riding. They're much more likely to crash. I would applaud somebody on a 250 with full racing gear--that's somebody who obviously thinks a lot about their safety (starting on a good beginner bike and wearing the best protection they can get).

[kneedraggin650s]

I am with the others like stated the road doesn't care if you fall of a 150cc scooter or a busa. It will still shred your skin just the same at speeds. If I see a rider on a 1k wearing nothing but a helmet (required by law) I tend to stay away from the rider on the road, but if I see a rider on a 500 with full gear, I am ok being close to the rider on the road. My reasons are an experienced rider or a reasonably safe rider wears the gear, where as a squid is less likely to wear it regardless of what bike they are on.