The weather is officially getting better, with this Easter Weekend having great biking weather. Unfortunately, there are some that haven't got bikes yet and have got that insatiable itch to go for a blast on two wheels. This isn't a decision that should be taken lightly, and remaining as safe as possible is a crucial part of having a stress-free time on two wheels.
It goes without saying that getting into biking properly is not the cheapest of endeavours, but there are things that can be done to reduce costs; buying the correct gear for your budget and requirements is a key one. If you've got a little bit of recklessness in you, you probably wouldn't feel too bad on a bike at 60mph without any gear on, but for most of us, especially bikers with experience, the thought sends shivers down your spine. Sure, gear can be expensive, and, in truth, the abrasion and impact protection may never get used if you're skilled (and lucky), but when you need it, you'll consider it worth every single penny when it saves your hide (literally).
Decent gear also offers other kinds of protection that will become more apparent once you start riding. Weather protection is the most obvious, whether that be heat, cold, wind or rain, but you'll also find it handy for those occasions when a bee decides to get in the path of your head, or a small stone flicks up into you - if you were wearing no gear, not only would they be extremely painful, but they could even make you lose concentration so much that you come off the bike.
If you're just starting out, you're going to want quality gear that doesn't break the bank (unless you're loaded of course!). It's completely understandable that you don't want to spend loads in case you fall out of love with the idea, but compromising on your protection is a very bad idea. You'll also want your gear to last a while, otherwise a lower cost is null and void!
Different brands tend to (but not always!) belong to different price brackets, although it isn't always down to their protection levels. Higher prices can account for other features than sheer crash protection, be that technology to keep rain out or an expensive design that took thousands of hours to perfect. The brands that Bike Stop carry are ones that we'd feel comfortable wearing ourselves (providing they fit okay of course!). You'll find some other shops will have cheaper gear with brands you've never heard of that shouldn't be anywhere near an actual motorcycle rider.
One of the most critical pieces of gear you'll buy is your helmet, and it's one that is much more personal than most other pieces of gear, as head shapes are more unique than you may think. You'll find prices vary hugely, sometimes topping £1000, but dipping down to around the £100 mark. AGV do some great budget models, starting with the K1 at around £140, moving up to the K3 and K5 as you head towards £200. Unlike some cheaper models, they come in a mind-boggling array of colours, including some MotoGP inspired liveries. The K1 includes a quick release visor, decent ventilation, removable lining, and 2 shell sizes to reduce your appearance of bobble head, while the K3 includes an internal sunvisor, and Pinlock antifog insert as standard. If you find that AGV helmets aren't quite right for you, it's worth considering Shark as a rival at this price point.
Moving onto your jacket and trousers, and your choice widens hugely. Prices, again, can range from as little as £100 for each, pushing up to several times that for the latest and great pieces of kit. RST is often seen as the brand to beat in this segment, with great style, features and quality. They don't quite match the big, premium brands in terms of out and out performance and features, but in terms of value they're extremely hard to beat. Arguably, textiles are what you want for your first set of gear as they're more flexible in terms of use, with better waterproofing, thermal liners included and sometimes looks that ape their sporty leather cousins. The Blade Sport II jacket is great jacket to get started with - it includes sturdy armour in the elbows, shoulders and back, a thermal liner, waterproofing and a look that doesn't seem remotely budget. It's got a relatively slim fit, and also has a well-fitting women's version to boot. At £139.99 it doesn't break the bank and should give you years of use if cared for.
The RST Blade Sport II trousers can zip onto that jacket for better insulation, and includes the same kind of sturdy armour, with waterproofing and thermal liner; all for £109.99. Perfect for your first set of motorcycle trousers that can withstand British riding. If you're planning on keeping more to dry weather, or are getting a set of waterproof overtrousers then you could even consider going for aramid fibre (including Kevlar) jeans - some of the best are made by Dainese as they have a wide variety of fits for both men and women. A good quality pair will be very versatile and a worthy investment, as well as being more usable off the bike.
Moving onto gloves, and this'll become more subjective on what works for you as hands vary a fair bit. RST, once again, do very well here, with the Paragon V waterproof leather model putting in a very good showing. These come in both men and women sizes (a relatively unusual, but good, thing) and includes a handy zipper on the cuff to widen it when needed. Armoured knuckles, good quality leather, waterproofing and thermal liner seal the deal on these £69.99 gloves.
Last, but not least, you're going to need some boots to protect your ankles and feet, and, almost unsurprisingly, RST have this area sewn up too, with the Paragon II boot. If you want to stretch a little further then TCX and Sidi models come in reach, but the Paragon II is such a solid boot you'd probably be better saving the money unless you prefer the looks and features of the others. If, however, you've chosen to go the aramid fibre jean route then you may want to go for a boots that look more like a traditional boot or high-top trainer, and recent advancements mean that the range of these is now huge. TCX offer my favourite, the X-Groove, but most big manufacturers now offer a casual boot that offers similar protection to a 'proper' boot, including waterproofing in some cases.
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