From another post about picking a first motorcycle, I get that a lot of you ride. As I assume most of you are also pretty big guys, I was just curious where you get your riding gear. At 6’4, 230lbs, I’m having kindof a hard time finding a good jacket(considering one from Icon), as they had pants that actually fit.
Keep in mind, i’m not looking for some one piece set of race leathers. I guess those are fine, but I’m looking for stuff I can get off the bike and actually walk around and not look like a retard.
[quote]hedgrinder wrote:
From another post about picking a first motorcycle, I get that a lot of you ride. As I assume most of you are also pretty big guys, I was just curious where you get your riding gear. At 6’4, 230lbs, I’m having kindof a hard time finding a good jacket(considering one from Icon), as they had pants that actually fit.
Keep in mind, i’m not looking for some one piece set of race leathers. I guess those are fine, but I’m looking for stuff I can get off the bike and actually walk around and not look like a retard. [/quote]
I can’t wear a jacket with pads. If I did, I wouldn’t be able to see out of the rear view mirrors. Couple that with me looking like a low budget Superhero or a football player who wore his pads home and you get why I don’t. It is too hot to wear leathers in the summer. I hate it because I spent 200 bucks on a jacket (a XXXL supposedly) and they made the thing with the arms so snug that I can’t even bend my arms. Needless to say, they don’t make riding gear for bodybuilders with any real size on them. I almost always wear a helmet though. Because I live near a beach and cars are always kicking up sand on the high way, I sometimes wear long sleeved Under Armour heat gear for protection from it.
You all could just add this to the other threads because there are now, what, maybe 4 different bike threads?
I have a hard time finding leathers that fit–if it’s good in the arms and shoulders, you can fit two of me in the gut. A couple years ago I just went to a flannel lined canvas shirt. It’s surprisingly warm, comfortable, and even water resistant if you get one waxed. That’s good to about 50 degrees. Under that I put on a sweatjacket under it, and I’m good to about 35 degrees. Under that and I have to break out the leathers.
We should have a motorcycle forum.
Check
Good stuff good prices. You might get lucky and find your size.
Carry a cell phone when you ride. If you break down, you can’t walk away from the bike, 'cause it won’t be there when you get back. Four beefy boys and a pick-up truck and it’s gone.
I love Icon stuff. I have a bunch of it. My jacket is the Icon burner, and women just LOVE it. “You look really hot in that jacket.” is a comment I have received on numerous occasions.
Of course, I’m not as huge as the prof, so “normal” stuff fits me better.
You can also check out, in addition to the above:
http://www.speedwerks.com/catalog
http://www.terra-powersports.com/
http://www.ridersinc.com/store/customer/home.php
[quote]Professor X wrote:
Needless to say, they don’t make riding gear for bodybuilders with any real size on them. I almost always wear a helmet though. Because I live near a beach and cars are always kicking up sand on the high way, I sometimes wear long sleeved Under Armour heat gear for protection from it.
You all could just add this to the other threads because there are now, what, maybe 4 different bike threads?
[/quote]
True…but as this relates to size, I think it’s a bit more relavent than the “what bike should I get” threads. I’m not complaining or anything, 'cause I just love talking bikes anyways.
I just got some black Icon Superduty pants in today. They look great, fit really well, and actually fit over my thighs and ass just fine. And even seem like they will probably take a fall OK.
I live in Chattanooga, which is reasonably temperate, so I think I can get away with a perforated leather jacket even during the summer. Right now the problem seems to be that I have a 36/37 sleeve length. Oh well, I’ll see what I can find.
Up to now I’ve just been wearing regular(non-biker) type leather jackets.
[quote]Zap Branigan wrote:
We should have a motorcycle forum.
Check
Good stuff good prices. You might get lucky and find your size.
[/quote]
Don’t waste your time with those sites (no insult). Go to www.ridersinc.com or www.flatoutmotorcycles.com and give Nick (ridersinc) or Slava (flatout) a call. They will set you up with exactly what you need and exactly what fits without having to search all over the internet. Plus, I can just about guaruntee it will be quite a bit cheaper than anwywhere else you’ll look.
[quote]notbigenuf wrote:
Zap Branigan wrote:
We should have a motorcycle forum.
Check
Good stuff good prices. You might get lucky and find your size.
Don’t waste your time with those sites (no insult). Go to www.ridersinc.com or www.flatoutmotorcycles.com and give Nick (ridersinc) or Slava (flatout) a call. They will set you up with exactly what you need and exactly what fits without having to search all over the internet. Plus, I can just about guaruntee it will be quite a bit cheaper than anwywhere else you’ll look.[/quote]
I have had great results with the sites I posted. Among other things I have gotten a $ 249 jacket for $69 and
$ 180 pants for $ 50. Can’t go wrong checking them out.
I will check out the site you posted.
It all boils down to just how important is your skin? Important enough to spend the money to save it? Armor is important too if you want to continue with a healthy active lifestyle.
You aren’t supposed to be able to do anything but ride in your leathers. If you can then they are doing their job. When I first purchased my jacket the only place on the planet it was remotely comfortable was while on the bike. Good news is, that’s exactly the only place I purchased the item to wear. I also can not wait to get the damn thing off as soon as the bike is parked. They will break in over time and become more comfortable.
If your leathers are loose they will not protect you. Consider it a second skin, it should fit better than your snuggest fitting Levi’s. Custom leathers are cheaper than skin grafts if all else fails.
I could go on and on, but as stated this isn’t a motorcycle forum.
Blast from the past: If you can’t afford leather pants but want a strong safety shield between you and the pavement try this. Get a pair of jeans large enough to slip over a pair that you regularly wear. Take the large pair and soak them in crankcase oil (used/dirty oil for non-mechanical types). Now let them dry out in the hot sun. When they are totally stiff (dry) beat them on the ground until they loosen up a bit. Wah-la, poor mans leathers. If you try to wear them without another pair of jeans underneath, you will most likely develop an awesome rash.
Also, these are not real hip to wear when you want to impress some sweet young thing, as they won’t smell to good but they will work great!
[quote]hedgrinder wrote:
Up to now I’ve just been wearing regular(non-biker) type leather jackets. [/quote]
There is a huge difference. My Icon jacket has hard shields built into the shoulders and elbows. It has a big thick pad along the spine. It’s double-stitched everywhere with really thick thread, and the leather itself is nice and thick.
As 911girl said, when I first got it, I could hardly move. Even now, I can only bend my arms in certain directions. It fits snug, but not constrictingly tight. However when I’m on the bike, it’s perfect.
I use the following items
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ICON hero daytona leather jacket for medium to colder weather.
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Joe Rocket Mesh jacket for hot days.
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Armored gloves are just a part of life.
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Riding pants, like armored jeans.
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2 helmets. One favorte and a backup.
I am 6’3 and 240lbs and all my stuff fits comfortably. All my stuff is XXL and i have no problems. You would have to be crazy to ride the street wearing a helmet only “sometimes” and in a t-shirt. Even a 20 mph accident will give your skin a rub down like 200 grit sandpaper on a ripe tomato. So put on gloves AND jacket in the very least.
[quote]Gregus wrote:
I am 6’3 and 240lbs and all my stuff fits comfortably. All my stuff is XXL and i have no problems. You would have to be crazy to ride the street wearing a helmet only “sometimes” and in a t-shirt. Even a 20 mph accident will give your skin a rub down like 200 grit sandpaper on a ripe tomato. So put on gloves AND jacket in the very least.[/quote]
Regardless of body weight, I weigh more than you and I’m about 4 inches shorter. It is like you comparing your hassles with gear to someone who is almost 6’8" to 7 feet tall. Our frames are different and I do have a hard time with jackets. I always wear gloves and have only gone without a helmet once (and that was down the street in a residential district). You are right about the risk of riding without a jacket that has pads, however, unless someone has found a way around having arms larger than the arm holes, I don’t think some can relate to what is being said about gear problems. I own a mesh Icon jacket and I would wear it more if it weren’t for that. I will evntually look into having one custom made, but the prices go up 1,000 bucks for that priviledge.
Prof X it sounds like you need to lose a few pounds 
I suggest a vegan diet, a lot of cardio and bodyweight only exercises.
do a search for banacle bill, he’s a custom leather maker who not only makes his own leathers, but also modifies existing leathers. If you already had a jacket, he could make it fit your arms, and it would probably be pretty ressonable. A lot cheaper than a skin graft operation anyway.
I ride too and have the opposite problem most of you have, but I still need custom gear. If you are willing to spend the big bucks, these folks are the best.
ATGATT
all the gear all the time.
I wear a joe rocket armoured jacket and pants, full face helmet, gloves and sturdy boots. I wear a one piece for track days. They are’nt the most comfortable, especially when it’s hot, but as a firefighter I’ve cleaned up too much road kill to even consider not wearing all the gear.
[quote]Magnus157 wrote:
ATGATT
all the gear all the time.
I wear a joe rocket armoured jacket and pants, full face helmet, gloves and sturdy boots.[/quote]
How many of you actually wear boots all of the time? I am mostly talking to those on sports bikes.
[quote]Professor X wrote:
How many of you actually wear boots all of the time? I am mostly talking to those on sports bikes. [/quote]
always. sometimes wear jeans as i cannot find leathers that fit at all (large legs for leg length, 29/30 inches around top)