Transitioning from street to dualsport, need clothing recommendations

[DigDug 0]

All I can say is that I was in my 40's in the 80's, my prime, that is my generation's memories of bikes and cars. I know the bikes and cars from that time and I can still work on them myself. I don't use shops. I do my own work and enjoy doing it. There is an elegance and beauty in simplicity of design. Tear down a Vintage Husky engine sometime and you will see why they are admired by weirdos like myself.

Respectfully out of touch with modern mayhem,

Don

Don!!!!

Now I remember where I know you from!

You were one heck of a football player in the 80's, weren't you??

You know - tntmo has a TIME MACHINE for sale, maybe you should give it a shot!!!

Don, we love you man!!! :lol:

[Zenosan 2]

WOW!!!

I am sure glad this day is almost over. I have spent most of the day grading exams, fighting off a cold, posting DD photos and fending off abuse from the arrogance of youth.

Quality is timeless guys. Think good music, good dancing--good boots, good bikes.

Time for a little Zen Meditation.

AUHM

[RogerTOWM 0]

Quality is timeless guys. Think good music, good dancing--good boots, good bikes.

Don did you just use the word quality in reference to 1980’s automobiles? As in Chevrolet Cavalier, Chevettes , Chrysler Cordoba, Plymouth Colt, Ford Escort and the ever popular Yugo?

[Joliet 0]

Quality is timeless guys. Think good music, good dancing--good boots, good bikes.

Don did you just use the word quality in reference to 1980’s automobiles? As in Chevrolet Cavalier, Chevettes , Chrysler Cordoba, Plymouth Colt, Ford Escort and the ever popular Yugo?

Don't forget the AMC Pacer and the Ford Pinto's, or were those from the 70"s, awe, dang it, I'm old too.

Boy we seriously hijacked this thread. Andy, like someone said earlier, just go out and ride and see what everyone else is wearing. Get there early and check out their stuff and and ask questions. Until you get enough gear to feel comfortable ride well within your comfort zone. The first time I rode with the group, I wore combat boots, jeans a T shirt and a jacket. The only things I still use are the helmet, gloves, and goggles. I had never rode in sand before, it was an eye opening experience. What part of town are you in? Look forward to riding with you soon. Ken

Don, I only tease you because I am jealous of all the cool stuff you have. I never took good enough care of my things to make them last.

[Zenosan 2]

Quality is timeless guys. Think good music, good dancing--good boots, good bikes.

Don did you just use the word quality in reference to 1980’s automobiles? As in Chevrolet Cavalier, Chevettes , Chrysler Cordoba, Plymouth Colt, Ford Escort and the ever popular Yugo?

No argument from me here. Notice that other than my Jeep the only American vehicle I have is the Ford F250 Diesel which, except for the engine, is of questionable quality. The 6.9 liter diesel engine is bullitproof but Ford bought that from International Harvester.

Just to be nasty -- notice I have never owned a Harley.

Hijack off.

[Jaynen 0]

Bikeslut, as soon as I've got all the basic components (armor, boots, knee/shin pads, googles) I'll be chompin' at the bit to head out! Just trying to play the gam safely from the start so the game isn't severely delayed by healing time that could have been prevented.

One more time, thanks for the continued support. I promise this thread won't last forever

I've had a bike about a year maybe a little more now. I bought most my stuff from this place since they were local in LA http://www.gmo1.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

Best thing to do imo is buy the better quality gear thats a year old so they discount it a ton. like I have fox f3 boots, they are white which would not have been my first choice but I paid 199 bucks for 360 dollar boots and got the protection KLRoger was talking about.

Also I tend to prefer to buy helmets from a company that their business is making helmets rather than a moto company slapping their label on someone elses product.

Pants are cheap, I just got the super deal over the boot ones and they are nice I was used to under the boot before that. I am built a bit like you. skinny, 6'0 165 or so. Gloves I sometimes use my alpinestar road gloves now. Most MX gloves have very little to them just a bit of ridging for protecting knuckles but barkbusters do that anyway.

Jersey is pretty unnecessary a long sleeve T-shirt works fine, its mainly just very breathable and something to match your gear imo.

Kneeguards are inexpensive but very valuable for learning.

Gloves for MX are in general cheap

Pants are optional ;p well you know what I mean and cheap

The most important things IMO are good boots, and good armor.

I use the 661 pressure suit and its been a lifesaver or at least a painsaver quite a few times. I think its awesome because it includes kidney belt, spine protector, elbow pads, shoulder pads, and chest protector into one thing. (the rock gardn etc are similar. and robertaccio was selling a brand new acerbis koerta one in the for sale a couple weeks ago)

[bikeslut 1]

another point on gloves... my current two pair of gloves are both from Home Depot... mechanix and a set of the Home depot name brand... MX gloves have never impressed me, except for "feel" ... EVERY time I crash in a pair, they tear... GP gloves have held up much better.

Jaynen is right about a long sleeve T, except when dealing with extreme temp changes... when it gets cold, a cotton T might as well be an ice vest.

and jeans DO work... i rode all last weekend in jeans, with knee guards on the outside.

also; a street helmet is not a deal breaker for most rides... keep the faceshield down, and it has SOME dust protection. They do seem a bit heavier, though.

Oh Yeah, Andy... I have an off-road jacket that may fit you... and it is Honda red/black... it kind of reminds me of michael Jackson's "thriller" jacket, but has protection... heck; it could probably be painted black... has elbow and shoulder protection... you need to start some PMs to pick up your gear.

[tntmo 887]

I quite often ride with long sleeve t-shirt and BDU(cammie) pants even though I have several sets of gear, you don't need specialty riding gear. In the past I used an old street helmet without the visor. Just like the bikeslut, I use mechanix gloves quite often. Sometimes I use motocross gloves for working on stuff in the garage so I guess maybe I'm just backwards on some stuff.

[Zenosan 2]

Andy

As you can see there is no unanimity of opinion with this group.

I finally have to agree with Bikeslut on a few things. I end up wearing just a nice pair of natural leather gloves unless the weather is hot. The long sleve shirt is important even in summer because of wind and sun burn to the arms. I almost always wear jeans because I am usually too lazy to change and I like my pockets. You can use your rollerblade knee and elbow guards if you like falling down. Personally I gave that up long ago. All you have to do is be honest with yourself about your limitations and don't try to ride at someone else's pace and you will not beat yourself up. I use a street helmet only when it is really cold like the XPlane ride we did in January. Otherwise I like the big duck bill visor of the moto helmet. An enduro jacket is nice but I have used my old Army field jacket as one quite often. Lots of pockets and warm.

[RogerTOWM 0]

No argument from me here. Notice that other than my Jeep the only American vehicle I have is the Ford F250 Diesel which, except for the engine, is of questionable quality. The 6.9 liter diesel engine is bullitproof but Ford bought that from International Harvester.

Just to be nasty -- notice I have never owned a Harley.

Hijack off.

Hijack on. What's wrong with Harleys? Don't you like oil stains in your Kitchen?

I know it is hard to believe but Harleys have improved some since the AMF days.

Hijack off.

[paulmbowers 236]

No need for a street helmet when it's cold- I just take my dirt helmet and put it on backwards.

Much warmer.

[TrophyHunter 15]

No need for a street helmet when it's cold- I just take my dirt helmet and put it on backwards.

Much warmer.

Ah, this explains the need for a coccyx cover....

[RogerTOWM 0]

The only advantage to moto shirts and pants is: The shirts are synthetic and may not tear as easily as a cotton shirt. The pants might have padding at the hips and knees.

On hot days I wear an Underarmor tee shirt beneath my Thor Impact Rig. Again it is synthetic and keeps you cooler the cotton shirts. In cold weather it keeps you warmer because it takes the sweat off of your skin.

I like jeans or surplus “BDU” style pants but sometimes I want the extra protection and pads.

[socalhodaka 104]

Andy

All you have to do is be honest with yourself about your limitations and don't try to ride at someone else's pace and you will not beat yourself up.

I agree again with you. This is definitely the rule I follow, sometimes I like to where open face on a trail ride.

[Crawdaddy 96]

The only advantage to moto shirts and pants is: The shirts are synthetic and may not tear as easily as a cotton shirt. The pants might have padding at the hips and knees. On hot days I wear an Underarmor tee shirt beneath my Thor Impact Rig. Again it is synthetic and keeps you cooler the cotton shirts. In cold weather it keeps you warmer because it takes the sweat off of your skin.

Synthetic is the way to go.....packs easy/light.....and washes easy/drys fast so you can wear it straight into the motel shower/hang it on the motel room shower rod on multiday trips when living off the bike.......save the cotton T-Shirts/jeans for walking around AFTER the ride.......while your synthetic stuff drys out....

[dirt dame 559]

I agree again with you. This is definitely the rule I follow, sometimes I like to where open face on a trail ride.

I used to wear an open face helmet all the time. I wore an open face AGV scooter helmet (looked like a trials helmet) till the foam rotted out in it, before I went to using a regular full face dirt helmet in 2001. I liked the air flow and the great visibility that it afforded.

[bikeslut 1]

busted chin, 4 teeth through my lip (plastic surgery to fix it), SEVEN times I've broken my nose... I'll stick to a full face, thank you very much... I know the trials guys do it, and it shocks the Hell out of me...

but they also ride vertical, balance for minutes on end without touching a foot down, and bunnyhop over 3 foot chasms... so, who am I to question them?

[dirt dame 559]

busted chin, 4 teeth through my lip (plastic surgery to fix it), SEVEN times I've broken my nose... I'll stick to a full face, thank you very much... I know the trials guys do it, and it shocks the Hell out of me...

but they also ride vertical, balance for minutes on end without touching a foot down, and bunnyhop over 3 foot chasms... so, who am I to question them?

I remember practicing the endless balancing on my Beta TR33, not any bunny hops over chasms, though.... The only injuries I got was a scraped jaw from the ground and some scratches from some tree branches.... but Heck, I manage to get those now with a full coverage helmet (and an occasional blackeye.)