Gear I need help/incite/reviews

[jemdesigns]

Hello all I am interested in getting some gear together for my first bike. A rundown of what I'm looking for is something for a daily driver "crotch rocket" so hunched position climate is VERY hot and humid (Miami FL) I am 6'4" big guy meaning spare tire included In the military Air Force Security Forces (I know big guy in the "chair force" not proud of it ) so something noticeable with reflective if included if possible.

Ok sorry for the long intro down to business here are some items I'm interested in with some questions (apologize for all the sites instead of pictures) looking for reviews, incite or personal experience every little bit helps

Helmets all HJC found at hjchelmets.com (under street)
AC-12 Carbon
FS-10 solid ANTHRACITE
CL-SP TYPE O
CL-15 CRYPT
Sy-Max II ANTHRACITE
Sy-Max Pearl

Jackets
For now I have a motorcycle knockoff leather jacket its heavy and thick but no armor or anything of sorts, It FITS (not baggy) could this work as a "leather riding jacket" ? Few leather jackets fit me right I have broad shoulders with a wide chest short arms so big and tall makes me look wierd
http://www.newenough.com/protective_...le_jacket.html

www.newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/394 (Sand/black can fix the patches love the design of pockets)

www.newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/391 (Sand/camo)

www.newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/305 (White/black)

http://www.newenough.com/browse/view...ct_images/1455 (Black/silver)

http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr...C_2_JACKET.htm (can one wear just this, without looking like a noob or this to be worn under a "real" jacket?)

http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr...S_2_JACKET.htm (can one wear just this, without looking like a noob or this to be worn under a "real" jacket?)

Gloves
whats a good/popular brand? Looking for short ones or is that a bad idea?
http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr...ING_GLOVES.htm

http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr...IRON_GLOVE.htm

http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr...VE_-_SHORT.htm

http://www.sportbikedude.com/eshoppr..._PRO_GLOVE.htm

Will plain Mechanics branded gloves work?

Pants
anything special or will jeans be decent? No balls to the wall yet, simple riding

Boots/Shoes
I have some steel toed military boots would these "pass"? Also I have heard experienced riders prefer boots over shoes but what are good shoes or even boots that can also be worn for a long duration ie. walking/ casual work?

I have listed Hayabusa items I will be getting one when I feel more secure in my riding skills.
To everyone who has made it this far THANK YOU for helping out a poor noob who's trying to join the culture.
P.S. this "blog" is way more helpful than any Evo blog. Why does everyone have to be full of themselves SHARE your knowledge/incite for Pete sake be the help not the problem. THANKS AGAIN.

[pintslayer]

Icon makes a vest that meets all military specifications for riding on base. Reflective areas, pocket for ID, etc. It's pretty cool. I don't know if the military actually specifies these things, or if it's just clever marketing.

[jemdesigns]

Thanks pintslayer by chance do you know the model or do I just search icon military vest?

[Ashe0211]

Well I have been riding for 8 years now, (I'm 26) so I know a little about style and gear. I live in Fort Myers Fl, I have added what I use when I ride. It's nothing special but I really like it, and my cousin wants my Jacket . Alright, here we go.

The answer to your Bionic Jacket question, I see tons of guys wearing them right out of the box. They could be total noobs but look freakin sweet wearing one of those jackets. People will envy you. Most people don't even use gear. I do.

(Will plain Mechanics branded gloves work?) Yes, but if you buy gear you might as well get good gloves. Any brand will do, but I love ICON.

All the Jackets you chose look really nice and really its up to you on what you get. Don't worry about looking like a NOOB thats the last thing people are thinking unless you are riding like a noob. If you show off make sure you know what you are doing, or go to place where new comers go so you aren't the only one.

(Boots/Shoes
I have some steel toed military boots would these "pass"? Also I have heard experienced riders prefer boots over shoes but what are good shoes or even boots that can also be worn for a long duration ie. walking/ casual work?)
Well, as much as military boots look good but when you do buy boots I would have them go over your ankles, I am always scared of breaking my leg or ankles lol. Just a little fear of mine.

Pants? ICON makes some really nice riding jeans. Just go to rideicon.com and look at them.

VEST...I added a PIC

So anyways love the gear you chose just choose what you think is cool and what you would be happy with. Don't worry about looking like a noob, we all start out some where and when you have that gear you will be ahead of most riders.

[jemdesigns]

Hooray finally some more feedback. I've narrowed it down to

Helmets
HJC Sy-Max II Anthracite (still deciding)
ICON - DOMAIN DECAY (silver on black still deciding)
ICON AIRFRAME REGAL Lace (for the Mrs.)

Jackets
newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/394 (both colors De badge for my unit)
newenough.com/browse/view_product_images/305 (White/Black)
rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1237&id=5756 (for the cold and long drives *better protection*)
Alpinestars BIONIC 2 JACKET

Gloves
stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=1710
rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=1239&id=5801 (for HOT days)

Pants
Either ICONS hooligan denim or Recon

Footwear
Still undecided trying to find something that can be worn awhile comfortably (ie a few hours) besides my military steel toes

Goodies
Interphone Bluetooth Intercom (for my few honey do's cell phone calls and soon to be friends also starting to ride)

[Ashe0211]

Bluetooth? Thats very cool. I have a phone that is Bluetooth compatible but I have yet to get one Heres what i like...

[jemdesigns]

I have finalized my decision with ICON's TiMaxII white leahter jacket for colder weather and Joe Rockets Busa textile in orange and black for cooler weather. Gloves Icon pursuit black perforated. regular "street" jeans. Military boots or Joe Rocket's Orbit leather motorcycle boots. Helmet still finalizing I wear an XL but new choices are
ICON's DOMAIN DECAY Red, ALLIANCE SSR BATTLECRY Silver SCORPION's EXO-700 BURST red/white or silver/black, EXO-700 BLACK DAHLIA
Joe Rockets STAIN red

[grappler]

Nice gear man, now make sure you wear it!

[jemdesigns]

Oh I will I don't see why people shell out $200+ on gear and never wear the S*** thats just crazy. Hopefully my first bike is gonna be either a 08 GSXR750 or 08 GSXR1000 both quoted to me by a dealer yesterday. I told him it's my first and gave him a run down of what I know about bikes and he was impressed on how much info I new about the bikes I was interested in. Even being a new rider knowing all the basics of the bike like duh the clutch and gear shift are on the same side as well the front and rear brake on the same side. Most the people he sees in his shop are complete noobs and ask all sorts of dumb questions like is this bike fast (let me sum it up look at the price tag) Like buying a car do your homework or hop on a helpful blog as such here and ask away, thats how I learned most of the info I do now. You learned to read use the power and learn. Now I'm not saying I know everything of course I'm gonna drop it, I expect to I'M LEARNING if you don't have the pocket book or are to timid to ride DON'T it'll only get ya killed.

Sorry for going of course but alot people need to hear that it takes a special person to ride, a person who knows their limit and when to quit, especially when to quit. Drive safe and wear your gear you bought it use it!

Again apologies for getting off subject. What gear do you guys use and or plan to use out there? I know there are several threads here on the same subject, I just like feedback and personal experience. Anybody have experience with the gear I chose? or even favorites I'm all ears. God speed and be safe.

[grappler]

Well the gear I use...

Shoei RF-1000 helmet
Shift SR-1 jacket
Cortech Vice gloves
Jeans
Boots

Still looking for some leather pants and some riding boots/shoes. But so far I am pleased with the gear I have.

Just a side note, thats a HUGE bike you are getting right there (gixxer 750/1000) and VERY fast. I ride/share a '03 GSXR 600 and a '00 Yamaha R6 and they are PLENTY fast enough to get me into a great deal of trouble. Not trying to preach, just saying make sure you know what your getting yourself into.

[jemdesigns]

I do and appreciate the help the shop I'm interested in is selling the 1000 model $200 more than the 750 so why not right? Just as long as one plays it safe no worries. I know I'm gonna drop it so I'm not worried I've yet to talk to anyone who has yet to drop there first bike. Plus the whole buying and selling and trading to get to the bike I want seems trivial and a waste of good money dip me in chocolate and throw me to the lesbians I say I wanna learn as fast as possible and take the streets SAFELY, on a bike I plan on owning for a long long time. Rather than learn feel comfortable sell or trade loose money next model repeat and so on.

Check out the Joe Rocket Orbit boots they fit like wolverines or lugz boots great ankle support and extra leather for the shifter to "chew" on. I have some military steel toes but was told they would be eatin up quick due to the shifter so he recommended these, they are quite comfortable. (haven't elongated the wearing process yet ex. mall walk or nothing) and for $100 why not?

[jemdesigns]

Oh as far as jeans/pants I was told (me using it as a daily) to wear regular jeans it's WAY to hot and humid in Miami to comfortably wear thick riding pants maybe chaps but ICON has some nice pants (I am in the younger X generation dunno your ages) but they look nice/cool some of the denims even come in black, if thats up your alley. I just search riding pants gather "Intel" then come back search here for reviews. I would like to be geared all up including pants but would rather ride comfortably than a rolling mass of metal and sweat, I dunno yet to find a pair myself.

[grappler]

I'm 19 heh

I am looking at full leather pants and some "sport" style boots. The only place I really go where I have to change is school and I have a locker there for my stuff. That and I prefer full leather as the roads I ride on (Point Loma/Downtown) seem to have lots of nasty sharp edges and gravel.

As for rolling mass of sweat I'm fine with that. I wrestle and am in a FIPT (fire protection) program at school so I'm pretty much a rolling mass of sweat every waking moment haha