The most basic riding gear question .....

[Lannis]

Have you and Miss Date decided which bike you will be using?  The Stelvio or the Triumph?

Haven't decided yet.   I've got the front end of the Stelvio apart to fix a damper cartridge that came loose, and I'm going to put some LED headlights in while there's room.   The Stelvio has the Russell Day-Long seat and is the most comfortable of the two.   

I'm mapping the route out, and just now getting west of the Mississippi where the 340-mile range of the Triumph might be nice, compared to the 180 of the Stelvio.   (I've eked 203 miles out of the 4.9 gallon Stelvio tank since it was re-mapped, but I don't want to push that range, far from home).

Either one has plenty of carrying capacity, so I'll see when we get closer .....

Lannis

[redhawk47]

I'm mapping the route out, and just now getting west of the Mississippi where the 340-mile range of the Triumph might be nice, compared to the 180 of the Stelvio.   (I've eked 203 miles out of the 4.9 gallon Stelvio tank since it was re-mapped, but I don't want to push that range, far from home).

The greatest distance in the continental US between fuel stops, that I know of, is US6 between Ely, NV and Tonopah, NV -- 169 miles.
You do need to look at your map and plan ahead, and there are places on the maps that don't have fuel.

[Lannis]

The greatest distance in the continental US between fuel stops, that I know of, is US6 between Ely, NV and Tonopah, NV -- 169 miles.
You do need to look at your map and plan ahead, and there are places on the maps that don't have fuel.

Yes; and moreover, we're avoiding Interstates wherever we can (unless an Interstate is the only road through a pass or across a river), so good planning is always a good idea.

The main thing about having more gas in the tank is that it gives you more flexibility if you see something unplanned and fascinating on the way - a road, for example that you'd just LOVE to take but you can't because you don't know if there's any gas there.   If you've got it in the tank, you can go and see ...

What do the aviators say? .... the most useless things in the world are altitude above you, runway behind you, and gas at the last airport you visited ....

Lannis

[pressureangle]

... and I'm going to put some LED headlights in while there's room.   

Lannis

Don't.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

[redhawk47]

Don't.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html

However, good LED driving lights have reflectors designed for the lighting element. I used Piaa with rear facing LEDs on my Stelvio and Denali from Twisted Throttle on other bikes with good results. However, these are high beam only lights and will "blind" oncoming traffic. I recommend wiring them so they are only on with your high beams, or using a dimmer that activates when on low beam. Skene or Denali are two sources.

Dan

[Lannis]

However, these are high beam only lights and will "blind" oncoming traffic. I recommend wiring them so they are only on with your high beams, or using a dimmer that activates when on low beam. Skene or Denali are two sources.

Dan

LED warnings duly noted; but I ALWAYS dim my lights when there's oncoming traffic, so why is there a concern about the brightness or pattern of the high-beams?   I'm not going to shine them on anyone ... ?    

Lannis

[pressureangle]

LED warnings duly noted; but I ALWAYS dim my lights when there's oncoming traffic, so why is there a concern about the brightness or pattern of the high-beams?   I'm not going to shine them on anyone ... ?    

Lannis

Redhawk made the point above, if you want LEDs, add additional lamps that were designed for them. Read the entire piece I linked to; you'll understand it's not about the glare, it's about reduced visibility and importantly, fooling yourself into thinking a different short pattern and whiter wavelength translate into better lighting at speed. Installing LED bulbs in your non-LED housing is a straight reduction in down-the-road light.

[redhawk47]

LED warnings duly noted; but I ALWAYS dim my lights when there's oncoming traffic, so why is there a concern about the brightness or pattern of the high-beams?   I'm not going to shine them on anyone ... ?    

Lannis

LED driving lights are high beam only. Therefore, what I said.

[Scud]

Good discussion. My experience, FWIW...

I have used a mesh Hein Gericke two-peice suit with an internal rain liner for probably close to 15 years. It shows major wear, zipper pulls gone missing and replaced with zip ties, all pads rotted out and replaced, etc.  It's been great and was waterproof on the rare occasions that I needed it. More importantly, that waterproof layer was also windproof and good insulation. But it has finally given up it's waterproofness (that's a word, right?)

So the mesh sits in reserve now. Currently, fore the street, I am wearing a two-piece leather sport-riding suit by Vanson. It was spendy, but it was an "I always wanted it" type of gift to myself. The jacket is perforated at the front, has good back and sleeve vents, and the perforations can be "sealed" by closing large internal panels. I just bought a cheap, high-vis two-peice rain suit - (AGV Sport Thunder) Received it only yesterday, so I haven't ridden in it yet - however, it fits will over my leathers (without removing boots).

I've decided to go with the rain over-suit because I can take it when I want to and it will go over anything. This is important to me, because I also intend to buy a well ventilated ADV suit for hard dirt riding in hot weather - and the rain-suit will serve as a top layer not just for rain, but also as a windproof, insulating layer when needed.

For gloves... keep some latex gloves on the bike somewhere. They keep your hands a bit warmer, and even if your gloves leak through a little, your hands will be dry inside the latex layer. Also handy if you have to do some messy work along the road.

[Chuck in Indiana]

What do the aviators say? .... the most useless things in the world are altitude above you, runway behind you, and gas at the last airport you visited ....

The only time you have too much gas is when you are on fire.. 

[Lannis]

So, just for what-the-hecko, we submitted an RFQ to Tiger Angel of Australia for a custom-made waterproof leather touring suit for Fay.

There are 27 separate measurements that you need to submit, and if you weren't married before the measurement process, you HAVE to get married afterward (I'm given to understand).

This is to get a quote; I expect that when I DO get the quote, I will stagger backward with my hand on my chest like Fred Sanford hollering "It's the Big One Elizabeth, I'm comin' to see ya now" BUT before final submission if we go this way, I would probably have a (lady) tailor redo the measurements, or make real sure myself after talking to the folks.

So no decision yet, just continued investigation ... thanks again to everyone for the info and ideas, they'll all go into the decision ....

Lannis

And .... 3 weeks now and nothing back from Tiger Angel - they say "For sure in 72 hours" but I'm not going to chase after them trying to find a reason to give them money .... wasn't Email, was a form on their own website.

So the search continues.

Lannis

[Tom]

Good Luck! 

[OlderSlower]

If I could only have one set of gear, it just might be an Aerostitch/Darien outfit.  My preference is to go with leather and a rain suit for touring.  my experience is that a dedicated rain suit just keeps me dryer, so I make room for it.  New leather often have ventilation options to keep cooler(ish) when it's hot too.

[Lannis]

Just an update in the ongoing process ....

We ordered a set of Klim "Artemis" gear for Fay.   Careful measurements resulted in a close match to the sizing table for a "small" jacket and a "6 Tall" pants in gray/HiViz.

Ordered it from Revzilla ($1269 for both, free shipping).   Fay has been trying it on (it fit very well) and walking around in it and decided:

1) It's too heavy and bulky for her.   The shoulder and elbow armor bothers her.

2) It "looks too masculine".   I can assure her with the greatest confidence and emphasis that it does NOT by any means look "too masculine" - it's cut for a woman and looks great on her, but I have no say in matters like that, I find.

3) She mentioned "getting something cheaper", although it was already paid for and in the budget.   I'd pay twice as much for a good working solution, but ....

To me, it was a fairly "svelte" and good-looking outfit, and would obviously have been very protective; adjustments everywhere, pockets all over, etc.   But the competition, Rukka and Aerostich, is going to have exactly the same issues ... sooo ... back to Revzilla it goes.   It looks like were back into sort of "piecemeal" jacket/pants solutions, with raingear coming out if clouds threaten ....

I'm going to let her pick her own, then, and I'll pick mine.   If it's not GoreTex or another waterproof solution for both, there's no need in having it just for one ....

Lannis

[Muzz]

1) It's too heavy and bulky for her.   The shoulder and elbow armor bothers her.

2) It "looks too masculine".   I can assure her with the greatest confidence and emphasis that it does NOT by any means look "too masculine" - it's cut for a woman and looks great on her, but I have no say in matters like that, I find.

3) She mentioned "getting something cheaper", although it was already paid for and in the budget.   I'd pay twice as much for a good working solution, but ....

Lannis

After my wife and I slid in a huge oil slick, enough to have the light grey front panel on my wife's jacket turn black, I am a 100% dedicated fan of armour. Once you are on the bike I personally don't notice it, but when you need it it man is it worth having.

Neither of us can remember going down, it happened so fast, but the first thing my wife can recall is me being underneath the bike, and although the suit had the odd scuff the armour and boots meant that I came out without a scratch. She cracked her elbow with the impact because she was sitting with her arms folded, but you can see from her suit the damage would have been much worse without the armour.

[Seventy One]

The last set of riding gear I purchased was for my then-girlfriend. I knew she wouldn't have worn anything I picked out so I let her pick it out. She ended up in some utterly atrocious Icon gear including a very gaudy hot pink helmet.

I ride in a Darien two-piece with a white Neotec. We looked like the odd couple.

Manufacturers sure need to do a better job on womens riding gear. I hated paying for that Icon stuff. 

[Lannis]

The last set of riding gear I purchased was for my then-girlfriend. I knew she wouldn't have worn anything I picked out so I let her pick it out. She ended up in some utterly atrocious Icon gear including a very gaudy hot pink helmet.

I ride in a Darien two-piece with a white Neotec. We looked like the odd couple.

Manufacturers sure need to do a better job on womens riding gear. I hated paying for that Icon stuff.

I've realized it's going to be too hard for me to do.   

This Klim outfit is:

1) Top-drawer quality - the zippers work like butter, the material FEELS expensive, every buckle and fitting is slick.

2) Great-looking on her.

3) Obviously highly protective.

The benefits are pretty quantifiable; the complaints are very subjective (TO ME, not to her).

So I'm sort of out - she's got an account on Revzilla and a couple other sites now, and looking for exactly what she wants.   I'll follow her lead ... if she picks something that requires rain gear in the wet, so will I .... since we gotta stop anyhow ....

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

I know about wimmens and riding gear.  It's too heavy. It rubs me the wrong way. It's too hot. It's too cool. It makes my Uhh.. you know look too big.
FWIW

I believe that its a good system for me to have the bottoms w/water tight jacket

That is what I've settled on. My Olympia jacket is waterproof with full length sleeve vents for when it is warm. Armored mesh pants with water proof overpants for rain/cold. Aerostitch spock overgloves for rain, too. Gotta be polite to Vulcans.

[Lannis]

I know about wimmens and riding gear.  It's too heavy. It rubs me the wrong way. It's too hot. It's too cool. It makes my Uhh.. you know look too big.
FWIW
That is what I've settled on. My Olympia jacket is waterproof with full length sleeve vents for when it is warm. Armored mesh pants with water proof overpants for rain/cold. Aerostitch spock overgloves for rain, too. Gotta be polite to Vulcans.

Sounds like a good option.   If I don't go with leather, it'll be something like that .... maybe.

Lannis

[SmithSwede]

I do not know if this helps you Lannis.  But the modern textile stuff from Aerostich is initially very stiff and bulky feeling.   Maybe tell her it all feels bad at first, but it gets better after you use it a LOT, and then it feels molded to you.

It is kind of like buying new leather boots or a belt.  Yeah, feels bad at first but gets much better.

Or maybe go drastic.  If she is concerned about looks and style, tell her how much better and
stylish she will look with high quality gear that precludes the need for skin grafts.

[Lannis]

I do not know if this helps you Lannis.  But the modern textile stuff from Aerostich is initially very stiff and bulky feeling.   Maybe tell her it all feels bad at first, but it gets better after you use it a LOT, and then it feels molded to you.

It is kind of like buying new leather boots or a belt.  Yeah, feels bad at first but gets much better.

Or maybe go drastic.  If she is concerned about looks and style, tell her how much better and
stylish she will look with high quality gear that precludes the need for skin grafts.

I think she'll end up with high-quality gear, with the proper abrasion protection, and armor in the appropriate places (back, shoulders, elbows, hips, knees).    And my wish would be that she'd let the Klim gear "break in" and see how it feels then.

But I think that the waterproof-ness (if that's a word) of the Klim jacket and pants makes it "feel" too heavy and stiff to her, and the "feel" and "look" just doesn't click with her.   

So I think it'll end up being mid-level-price stuff ($700 for jacket and pants) that is lighter, NOT waterproof, and fits and looks more like she wants.   For reference, her present, worn-out stuff is "Joe Rocket" brand; she's looking at FirstGear and Tourmaster at the moment ... After 44 years of riding together, I know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em, as the song says ... !!

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yep. Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Yeah, except for local riding in SoCal, I gave up on leather years ago. Too cold when it's cool, too hot when it's warm, not waterproof. Obviously, though, you can't beat the protection.

[Tom]

 :1: out here in Hawaii.  My go to riding gear is an old JR Phoenix vented jacket.  I finally killed the zippers from age.    Trying to figure a fix.  Maybe velcro.

[malik]

:1: out here in Hawaii.  My go to riding gear is an old JR Phoenix vented jacket.  I finally killed the zippers from age.    Trying to figure a fix.  Maybe velcro.

Even in Hawaii, there has to be people who do alterations. Keep on asking around till you find them, even if you have to take along you own new YKK. Ask around the Harley crews & the racing/track day people, someone will know.

[Tom]

Thanks for some solutions but the solution is to buy a new jacket.  No repair shops.  No race tracks.  I'll probably repair the old jacket myself when I have the time. 

[Lannis]

I know about wimmens and riding gear.  It's too heavy. It rubs me the wrong way. It's too hot. It's too cool.

Well, she's mailed back the Klim "Artemis" outfit and has ordered a Klim "Altitude" jacket and pants.  I said "You mean 'Latitude' don't you?"  (thinking she had reversed the first two letters, since I already knew about the 'Latitude'), but no, she had it right the first time and I learned something new.

She's been watching all the "Revzilla" videos about the different items in the line, and in this case the model demonstrating the outfit was almost exactly her height and weight and build, so she was able to see what it would look like, but more importantly hear and see that it was lighter and more flexible than the Artemis.

So when it gets here we'll see!

Lannis

[Chuck in Indiana]

Ya gotta love em.. 

[Lannis]

So the Klim "Altitude" jacket and pants came in.   

The pants, although marked as exactly the same size as the Klim "Artemis" pants that she had returned for exchange, are 3 full inches shorter than the Artemis, and look like "Flood Pants" when she sits on the bike, over the top of her boot.

So she's called Revzilla back and going to return them, they're going to see if they're mis-sized (6 Regular is supposed to be 29" inseam, 6 Tall is supposed to be 32"), and she's trying to decide whether to keep the Klim jacket or not.    She tried on her old "Bilt" jacket just for comparison, and she loves that jacket's feel compared to the Klim; it's just not GoreTex or waterproof.

So the search goes on.   Nobody has this stuff in the various sizes and colors in stock in any store, so this constant game of UPS Tag is really the only way to do it.  Frustrating, but hey, it's a First World Problem ....

Lannis

[Ncdan]

I�ve narrowed it down the last few years to just keeping a set of frog togs and boot covers along with my bike cover, in a small gym bag which stays in one of my hard hard bags. Then I simply wear the appropriate jacket for the weather conditions. Coldest weather a full artic cold suit which can be rolled  up and strapped on the back with bungee chords if not needed. Simple.