Affordable Rider Gear That Looks Good?

LzeyUR on 17/07/2020 - 21:03
Last edited 17/07/2020 - 21:03

Yo guys,

Finally did a pre-learners and about to hit the roads on a motorbike (after I get that too). I intent to ride with full gear every time so I'm looking to invest a good set of gear that does the job. Ideally, a style that doesn't scream motorbike gear. Been looking online but I don't really understand the market, dunno what price point is just cheap quality that won't save my life, and what price point is just 'brand name'.

What do riders here recommend? After gear that I can also wear to a bar or to hang with mates, and also looks good. I'm early 20s and I don't intend to look like an old school biker gang dude.

Anyone know any good places I can get rider gear from? I'm based in Sydney but I hear online is better.

Cheers

Automotive

Comments

  • Mechz on 17/07/2020 - 21:44

    Aldi usually have some stuff every few months that mostly doesn't look terrible. Ultimately if you want trendy gear that will actually protect you, it will cost a bit.

  • ezekiel181 on 17/07/2020 - 21:57
    +1

    Bought jacket, gloves and boots from FC-moto online during a black friday sale a few years ago as my first set of gear. FX-moto including freight are always cheaper than local and offer regular discounts especially on weird sizes.

    • Master Bates on 18/07/2020 - 04:21

      Seconding this! Currently there is 10% off everything at FC-Moto using code TRAVEL10. I have used them several times, miles cheaper and no problems.

      I suggest you try gear on locally first to get your size before purchasing, as freight back to Germany won’t be cheap. If there isn’t much of a price difference then consider buying locally to support Australian businesses.

  • SydStrand on 17/07/2020 - 22:45
    +1

    Try MCA in the city; however, you'll find most riding gear makes you look like a biker or in MotoGP. Some brands like Dainese make normal-ish leathers, but they'll still have padded elbows, shoulder pads, thick around knees, etc., so the silhouette won't be flattering, and you would't go clubbing in them. Barbour and Belstaff make nice waxed cotton jackets, but I definitely wouldn't be paying their prices now after they've ascended to fashion/lifestyle brands. Ditto with Schott.

  • robberbutton on 17/07/2020 - 23:32
    +2

    Most of my gear is Dririder. Overall very happy - decent quality for the price.

    As for stores, check out AMX in Auburn. I've been super happy with their service. Pricing isn't always super sharp, but they do price match. 100% shop in-store. You want to try stuff on for fit. Fit is super important for safety, so making sure it's right is worth the slight premium IMO.

    • Euphemistic on 18/07/2020 - 08:47

      Agree. Fit is most important, which means in store testing. Paying a bit more for a great fit is worth it to be comfortable when you are it there.

      Despite it possibly being against the ozbargain code, don’t be that guy that tries in store and buys online. By all means once you’ve worked out size, but online but using a local shop to test fit and not giving them any business isn’t great.

  • DBBROS on 18/07/2020 - 08:19

    Try ferghals motorcycle gear on Facebook. He is based in Miranda and has some good gear at a bargain price and since you are in Sydney, you can try them out too. Also check out the clearance pages of almost every motorcycle gear websites including Sydney City motorcycles, bike biz, trooper Lu, Peter Stevens, the helmet warehouse,zarkie,finnmoto and so on. Just make sure that you have a ce 2 rated back protector and at least ce 1 for the others.

  • dirtybigbjelke on 18/07/2020 - 09:43
    +1

    "Ideally, a style that doesn't scream motorbike gear"

    Nothing about Motorcycle gear is cheap if you want to look stylish. Have a look at Rev'it they are the best for casual looking moto stuff. The Tracer Overshirt is the least obviously Moto Jacket going and will take a back protector, pair it up with some Kevlar Jeans and boots and you are good to go. The Rev'it gear has really flexible arm and shoulder protectors so don't look that obvious

    I order most of my stuff from Motostorm in Italy especially when the have a black friday sale and I have a heap of discount discount codes with them. Just make sure you order stuff showing as in stock as otherwise you need to wait for them to get it in from the wholesalers which depending on Italian holidays can take a while. Returning stuff is a risk as well and I've had some size fails in the past.

    Gumtree/FB can be good for used gear as a lot of people take up riding and give it away really quickly. Look for shops closing down or relocating and sign up for the mailing lists. Have got good deals on annual sales at MCAS and Peter Stevens before. Saint has deals on Jeans constantly and Draggin has a carpark sale in Melbourne every year.

    https://www.revitaustralia.com.au/collections/specials

  • shadowarrior on 19/07/2020 - 04:38
    +1

    Ride for the slide… I love my Alpinestars textile goretex jacket, pants and supertech r boots. Think they are way more stylish than the casual wear I wear :\

  • [Deactivated] on 20/07/2020 - 01:13
    +1

    Watch some of FortNine's videos on gear on youtube. He breaks down the safety stuff very well so you can get the gist of that side.

    The bad news is, you're not gonna get affordable gear that looks like it's not gear. With bike gear you have the old "pick two" thing where the three options are "safe", "stylish", and "cheap". If it's safe and affordable, it's going to be baggy and made out of weird adventure material or super thick leather. If it's safe and stylish it's going to be $$$$. If it's stylish and cheap, it ain't gonna be safe.

    I would go to a motorcycle gear shop by yourself and find someone who works there to talk about this stuff, try on gear, see what you like and what your wallet likes.

    Oh, as for a price point? Helmet, jacket, and gloves set me back around $600 to get safe and affordable stuff that's relatively well-made. It's functional but doesn't look cool. I didn't buy pants or shoes. You'd be looking at closer to $1k if you're including pants and boots.

    Happy to chat about this with ya any time btw mate, just on my L's myself :)

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