Topic: The $500 Gear Up Challenge

[Scott S]

 I'm in the market for some new gear. Namely, a new helmet, summer jacket and gloves.

 I've been wearing some of the Bilt stuff from Cycle Gear and it's OK....you get what you pay for...
 The helmet is alright but noisy. To be fair, the reviews said it was. The jacket is fine but has ZERO reflective piping or patches. The gloves they sell just don't hold up well at all.
 The main reason I've gone with their stuff is A) affordability, and B  ) they have several locations near me and I can actually try stuff on before buying. I don't like buying a helmet or jacket online that I can't test fit first. I'm open to just about any brand.

 Let's say you have $500-600 to spend on some new gear. What would you get and why?

 My wish list:
 
Helmet- Solid color, flip down sun visor (and by that, I mean the integrated, internal style), full face. I'm not opposed to a modular helmet, but it's not a requirement. If it's Bluetooth, that's a bonus.

Jacket- Mesh, textile (or some combination) Summer jacket. Armored, comfortable, reflective piping/patches. I prefer subdued colors....black or something. No Power Ranger look, please.

Gloves- Something suitable for near year round riding. I can wear liners in cooler weather and I don't really ride when it gets stupid cold. I don't like gauntlet style gloves; just something that stops right around the wrist.

 Feel free to post up your own personal choices, too....even if they don't exactly meet my criteria. Who knows? I might just see something I like.

[eigenvector]

I'm not sure I'll meet any of your requirements, my helmet itself cost about $500, but as for jackets - I've never done wrong with a Tourmaster Transition - liner removed and it breathes well enough to function as a summer jacket.  Does make you look like a stormtrooper though.  Has lasted me 3 years of hard riding - at least 50,000 miles and I do ride when it's stupid cold.

I also have a Fox Creek leather jacket for spring and summer.  Best leather jacket I've ever worn - but you'll pay through the nose (although looking at their site it appears they're pretty hard hit by the slowing economy).

Don't think I'm really meeting your requirements.  I'd be interested in what comes out on jackets, my Transition is in need of replacement (frayed, no longer sheds water ever after treatment, smells like gasoline)  Was looking at a Rev'it Tornado jacket, but I'm not sure I can fit into one - seems like they're sized for European superbike riders or something.

[Scott S]

 I took my cheap Bilt mesh jacket to a local alteration shop and for $5 and 5 minutes, they repaired the velcro stitching. That'll do for now, as I actually like the jacket. It's cool and fits right. I just wish it had some reflective piping.
 It'll do for now. And I have much nicer, higher quality cool/cold weather jackets.

 For the helmet, I went to Cycle Gear and tried on a bunch of helmets. I told myself I was NOT going to get another Bilt helmet, but the price range at Cycle Gear goes from $39 - $200, and then jumps WAY up to a Shoei on sale for $549.
 
 I bought one of their Bluetooth helmets....and returned it 3 days later. I couldn't get the microphone to work. The volume was too low, even turned up all the way. And at 55-65 MPH the wind noise was so bad I was wishing for my ear plugs. Lesson learned.

 Then, I stopped by my local dealership. Their selection has never been that great, but I thought I'd see what they had, for size comparisons if nothing else.
 They were recently bought out and are in the midst of swapping inventory. I found a Scorpion EXO-900 Transformer helmet that fit me perfectly. I was the color I wanted (solid silver), had the integrated sun shield, was a modular (bonus), and as I found out later, actually converts to a 3/4 helmet.
 It was originally $279, marked down to $199.99.  I asked the lady at the counter if she could do any better... She attempted to look it up in the system and said "I can't even find it in inventory. We don't carry that brand anymore....would $99 be OK?".

 Uh...heck yeah! I was out the door for $106 with a solid mid-range helmet with all the features I wanted and then some! Then, I got on ebay and bought a used Sena SMH-10 for $115. It works GREAT. The sound quality is amazing, the volume is great. And, combined with the built in quietness of the Scorpion helmet, makes for a very nice riding experience.

 I still need gloves, and would buy a new Summer jacket if I found the right one. I'm going to Barber in October and I'll do some shopping there.

[flybox1]

Jacket  ~ $200, Cortech GX Air 2, comes in all black with reflective piping. My first jacket(gray/black)
perforated for max air flow, its got a rain AND a thermal liner.  SUPER air flow for those hot days, but pop in the rain liner, keeps you cool, but all the breeze off.  The thermal liner will keep u warm.  leather on the elbows and shoulders.
Decent elbow, shoulder and back protection built inside.  slightly adjustable.  I'd buy this jacket again.
Gloves - ICON Pursuit leather gloves (short).  comes in solid or perf.  not ultra padded, but good on the back of the knuckles, and added layers in the palm

[Duke McDukiedook]

No moto pants?

[Scott S]

No moto pants?

 Some day.