What gear to get?

[ccoll5]

I am in the procress of getting a black 2006 c50. So far the posts on here have been really helpful in persuading my decision on getting the bike. I had been looking and when I found this forum it sealed the deal. But my question now, is what gear do you all suggest for cold weather and riding in the rain. I am a college student so the budget is kind of tight, but any info would be appreciated.

[Captain Steve]

You should get the basics first, then get more gear as you can afford it.

You want a full faced helmet if you are going to ride in the rain. Rain @60mph HURTS bare skin. This is especially true if you don't have a windshield. Personally, I will probably never ride a bike without a full face helmet, my reasons include the faceplant I experienced riding my first bike in the rain at 25mph. My front tire slipped on a rail road track that crossed the road at a 45 degree angle, the bike went down and I went over the windshield. Luckily I was wearing a full face helmet and a huge backpack.. I walked away from it with a scratched up visor and a torn up backpack.. If I had been in a helmet that didn't protect my face, I would have needed plastic surgery.

You want to have a jacket that will protect you. Since you're on a budget, I would suggest just buying a heavy leather jacket with no lining. You can always layer your clothes to keep warm and you don't want to decide between heat stroke or going with out protection.

Jeans are better than shorts. They won't protect you as much as you'd think from road rash if you go down though. If I were you, I would invest in a pair of mesh overpants that you can throw on over whatever you're wearing. You can keep them in the saddlebag of your bike, just throw em on before you ride and take em off when you get there.

Wear over the ankle leather boots. You can get them cheap from an army/navy store. Just do it.

[bloomfieldrich]

I live in South Florida and so I ride in the rain every other day. I have the Nolan N441 helmet and I love it. Check it out at Nolan N41 CLASSIC PLUS OPEN FACE HELMETS : JC Whitney: Motorcycle Parts & Accessories
It has a visor to help block the sun and you get lots of air with the vents open and little with them shut. I love it so much that I aleady bought a spare. I also went to Jcwhitney.com and bought my rain suit, my cruise control, cup holder, foam lever covers, and my seat cushion which is also awesome.

[Rocken]

I wood not ride in the rain without a full face helmet, boots, jacket with pads and a windshield. Freeway bars wood come soon after.

[Clintoysterwood]

Full face helmet and the best rain gear you can get. It does not have to be expensive, just good. I am trying out some very inexpensive Jafrum rain gear on a trip to yellowstone and back next week. Hands a feet next. One area that you need to research is gloves. Cold and wet can really make your hands uncomfortable. I have stopped at a fast food place and filled the sink with hot water and just held my hands in the water. You need insulation and waterproofness. In another forum mistresses was suggestion dishwashing gloves as an over glove. I brought my leather insulated gauntlets to the store and bought dishwashing gloves that pulled over my riding gloves. Still could move my hand and fingers enough to work the brake and throttle. Hope it works this next week in the mountains were I can expect 20 degree nights and thunderstorms nearly everyday. When it is raining, the color does not matter. I bought yellow ones that match the yellow stripes on my rain suit. Clint