Riding Gear

Every once in a while, I'll give all my riding gear a once over and a wipe down. It's a good chance to inspect everything to ensure it's all still up to par. So I figured this would be a good chance to highlight a few things and just have a general discussion about it.

First off, let me start by saying that this isn't some sort of product review. Everything that I'll show in photos, and talk about, is riding gear that I've purchased for myself. When I first started riding, I lived in California, so a DOT helmet was required by law. Since it was required, I never thought much about it, in regards to wearing it, or not wearing it. I now live in a state that doesn't require a helmet, but I continue to wear one anyhow. Partially out of habitat, but mostly because I place a pretty high value on my brain.

Helmets, jackets, boots, gloves and goggles are all readily available for anyone to purchase. You've got choices of buying vintage gear, modern gear and even modern gear that's made to look vintage. At the end of the day, it's all personal preference when you select something. Hopefully based on comfort, riding style and simple preference for the way it looks and feels. The biggest issue with this is that it's often difficult to try on a wide range of options before you buy anything. These days, most of this stuff is purchased online, and sometimes it's an instant disappointment as soon as it arrives. It doesn't take long to realize that the helmet or jacket you thought would be perfect, simply isn't comfortable or fit correctly. Rest assured that I've bought my fair share of riding gear, only to turn around and have to resell it, generally at a loss. So anytime I have a buddy that buys something new, or meet someone, I always check out their gear. After all, the best way to get a feel for something, is to see it yourself and get some feedback as to what the owner thinks. I try and do the same when I run across people that are thinking of buying some new gear. Offering to have them check out and try on what I have for purposes of comparison.

So this post is really to show what I've found to be comfortable and appropriate for me. Keep in mind that I ride a vintage motorcycle, so I choose things that lend themselves to that. Over the years, I've had all sorts of stuff. Full face helmets, helmets with bubble visors, flip down visors, modern jackets / gloves and vintage jackets / gloves.

Helmet - by far the most important part of any riding gear, in my opinion. This is the Davida Classic Jet helmet, which is DOT approved. I've owned 2 of these exact same helmets over the years, and hopefully that's some indication of what I think of them. For some reason, it looks like Davida no longer offers this particular model, but the Jet and Speedster styles are very similar. They offer these helmets in just about any color you can imagine and for a cost, will even design and paint a helmet to your specifications. I like Davida for a lot of reasons; first and foremost because it fits my head and is very comfortable, classic styling and because they're hand made in the UK. Certainly not the cheapest helmet choice out there, but I've never squawked at the price. Another reason these are the perfect choice is because they offer a set of goggles that were designed specifically to work with it. To check out all the helmets: Davida

Jacket - things get pretty difficult when it comes to finding a jacket. Vintage jackets in my opinion are the best bet. Old leather just seems to be of higher quality in most cases, and the leather is nicely broken in at this point. I've gone through my fair amount of jackets, and I've liked a few, and disliked a lot of them. Usually it just comes down to fit and overall quality. Anytime you buy a jacket online, it's basically impossible to know what you're getting until it actually arrives. Sizing on vintage jackets is all over the board as well. A 42 in one make, might be a 40 in another. If you get the chance to get into a shop that carries a variety, it's best to try on as many as you can. Noting what you like, and what size in certain makes will fit the best.

This is a vintage jacket that I found years ago in LA at a great shop called Glory. As soon as I saw it, I knew that I had to have it. It was hanging high up on the rack, so I couldn't tell what size it was, and assumed that there was no chance it'd fit me. I'm a Norton guy, so for obvious reasons, it was the perfect find. After asking the clerk to pull it down, I tried it on, and it was a perfect fit. What are the chances? It's a custom jacket, with no indication of a maker. Certainly looks that someone long ago had commissioned it to be made for him. The leather is amazing, being thick, yet having a soft hand. It's well broken in, but not worn. It's got a nice plaid liner, custom paneling, padded shoulders and elbows, Norton lettering, plenty of zip closure pockets and even an internal pocket where I keep a small screw driver handy for quick carburetor adjustments. If you ever get the chance, stop in at Glory. They've got an excellent selection of vintage jackets as well as their own brand of jeans and other motorcycle related items. The owner Justin Kell has been active in all things vintage motorcycle related for a long time, and is an all around great guy. Glory Sales

Goggles - Aviator T2 Goggles by Leon Jeantet. I originally got these goggles because they were made specifically to go with the Davida Classic Jet helmet. Turns out that they look and feel just right as well. Peripheral vision is great, and they've got a soft leather lining. Fully adjustable, and they work perfectly with the helmet. I had gone through a few sets of goggles that just didn't sit right. Mainly they'd "float" over my eyes since the width wouldn't allow them to sit inside the helmet. I've recommended these goggles to a lot of people, and like the helmet, this is the second set I've owned. They're available with tinted and different color lenses, and you can swap the lenses in and out if you need to. They're also built so that you can wear your standard seeing glasses underneath them. You can get these direct from Davida and other dealers online as well.

Gloves - Harold's Gear gripping glove. No pun intended here, but these are hands down the best gloves ever made. Excellent leather quality, double layer palm construction and superb fit. The glove is sewn in a way that it keeps it's shape and won't allow the bunching of leather over time in the palm area. I bought these years ago and they look nearly new. Harold's Gear is a Japanese company, and unfortunately, old man Harold passed away a while back, so they not longer make these. But the good people at Deus Ex Machina have carried on the legacy. When I purchased these, the only place to get them were from Deus in Australia. And they obviously think as much of the gloves as I do, since they've acquired the original patterns and are making the glove again under their own brand name. Not to get side tracked here, but in my opinion, Deus is one of the only motorcycle brands that's doing it right. They've got excellent product offering and they build really great motorcycles. They've managed to capture that vintage feel without copying anything. Truly original, and well worth spending my hard earned money. Have a look at they're website. Deus Ex Machina

Boots - I've been wearing these Thorogood work boots for several years now, and they're about as comfortable a work boot as I've ever worn. Made in the USA, and unfortunately they tend to live in the shadow of Red Wing. The leather is great and the Vibram soles are comfortable. My only real complaint, and it's got nothing to do with the boot, is that the soles are a bit thick. I run rear sets on the Norton, and it's got a roll over gear change, so I can't adjust the relationship between the foot peg and toe shifter. So I'd really like a lower profile sole. But these boots definitely do the job, and I like that they're a boot that you can actually just wear. Most motorcycle boots are pretty specific to simply riding, meaning that you can't really walk around in them away from the bike, without looking like a clown. I've resoled these boots 3 times as the foamy Vibram sole just really isn't made for riding, and tends to wear fairly heavily. Some of this is my fault based on my riding style and how I put my feet down when coming to a stop. I've also got a habit of delaying my left foot as I pull away from a stop, therefore causing some wear. I feel like a different sole material altogether would be a better solution for me, but have yet to find anything suitable. Thorogood Boots

So there you have it, a snapshot of riding gear, or at least the gear that I've chosen after having gone through countless different options. Never under estimate the importance of riding gear. You'd be surprised at the difference in fit and comfort and the affect that it could have on your riding experience. These things tend to add up in regards to cost, but in reality, most of this stuff you can have nearly forever. You'll also thank yourself when the time comes that you suffer a crash. Even at low speed, the results can be tragic. I've gone down before at a speed of about 35-40 mph, and ended up with just some road rash on my hip and knee. Certainly the outcome would have been far worse had I not had all this stuff on. Especially after bonking my helmeted head off the ground.

On a final not, let me just say that it's called riding gear for a reason. Meaning it's meant to be used to ride in. Most of this stuff isn't made as a fashion statement and isn't supposed to be used off the bike. So if you're riding to a motorcycle event, obviously it makes sense to wear this stuff, but if you're driving there simply as a spectator, please don't show up with riding gear on. Unless the event you're going to is on Halloween, you'll look like an idiot. I've seen guys get dropped off by their wives at a show, wearing riding boots and jackets. True story.

Ride Safe.