FINALLY!!!! Real Gear that is good!

[GypsyRR]

I finally found some protective riding gear that meets all of my criteria.
1. Protective 2. Quality 3. Functional/Fit 4. CUTE It's been a nine month search, but it all came together in the last two days.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me suggestions over the length of my search. And thanks to all the threads and discussions on helmets, riding pants, and jackets. I read them all and kept a file of things I liked on my desktop. I finally ordered stuff and everything arrived within the last couple of days.

1. Helmet: Shoei TZ. I apparently have a $300.00 head. Which is good news since I tried on all the Shoei's and chose the one that fit the best before I saw the prices of the ones that didn't fit! I was sure glad I didn't have $700.00 head! This was the only helmet that fit and I tried about 10 different helmets of all different brands. I wore it for a 6-7 hour ride today and it was never uncomfortable.
2. Jacket: Cortech Magnum for Women. A nice leather jacket that doesn't look like I sit on the back of a Harley. And doesn't fit like a man's.
3. Pants: BMW Savanah II. Now these are some quality pants and they fit right. Now all I need to do is find a way to get BMW to sponser me so I can always wear BMW gear!!!! Their prices are reflective of their quality, but not reflective of my checking account.

[ebiker]

I finally found some protective riding gear that meets all of my criteria.
1. Protective 2. Quality 3. Functional/Fit 4. CUTE It's been a nine month search, but it all came together in the last two days.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me suggestions over the length of my search. And thanks to all the threads and discussions on helmets, riding pants, and jackets. I read them all and kept a file of things I liked on my desktop. I finally ordered stuff and everything arrived within the last couple of days.

1. Helmet: Shoei TZ. I apparently have a $300.00 head. Which is good news since I tried on all the Shoei's and chose the one that fit the best before I saw the prices of the ones that didn't fit! I was sure glad I didn't have $700.00 head! This was the only helmet that fit and I tried about 10 different helmets of all different brands. I wore it for a 6-7 hour ride today and it was never uncomfortable at any place.
2. Jacket: Cortech Magnum for Women. A nice leather jacket that doesn't look like I sit on the back of a Harley. And doesn't fit like a man's.
3. Pants: BMW Savanah II. Now these are some quality pants and they fit right. Now all I need to do is find a way to get BMW to sponser me so I can always wear BMW gear!!!! Their prices are reflective of their quality, but not reflective of my checking account.

Looks good, but may I suggest that next time you shop for riding gear, pick BRIGHT red or orange color clothing and a BRIGHT white or red helmet.

IMHO black color riding garb may be trendy among motorcyclists, but bright color gear helps you stand out when you're among the brain-dead cagers in city traffic.

[MikeCam]

Prove it!

[NHighCotton]

You look fantastic Gypsy hope to see you roaming!

[ebiker]

Prove it!

Prove what? Exactly what are you're asking?

[munchmeister]

You do look good in that outfit, GypsyRR Sounds like quality gear, too. I just got a Cortech leather jacket a few weeks ago and it instills a lot of confidence, with all that nice thick leather and good CE protection. And I don't think you can beat a Shoei helmet, tho' others have "Arai heads."

I'll watch for you when you make it up to Colorado

[DJ Downunder]

Looks good GypsyRR...looks real good.. ..I love the neutral colors.

My new riding gear is also similar colors.. http://members.optusnet.com.au/~djp1/mypic2736.JPG

DJ

[Boxer]

Prove what? Exactly what are you're asking?

Cam has another thread about this going on over on channel 47. He's saying, in a not so tactful way, to prove that the brighter colors are safer.

I happen to agree with him. I don't think the brighter garb does anything but make you more obvious to those who are trying to run you down on porpoise. Seriously (not easy for me), there seems to be little evidence of your statement about bright gear. Maybe for tractor drivers, but not for motorcyclists.

Oh almost forgot! Gypsy that is some nice looking gear. And if its comfy you have the right stuff!

[munchmeister]

For What It's Worth:

A recent New Zealand study also agreed:

Fluorescent clothing, white or light coloured helmets, and daytime headlights may reduce motorcycle injuries and death. Wells and colleagues (p 857) analysed 463 motorcycle drivers admitted to hospital following a road traffic incident and 1233 other drivers (control group) to evaluate how wearing conspicuous attire affected the risk of having an accident. They found that with reflective or fluorescent clothing the risk of a crash injury was reduced by 37%, with a white helmet by 24%, and with headlights by 27%.[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_Safety

I still like black helmets and black leather jackets. The best safety device is the rider's brain.... and lots of riding experience.

[GypsyRR]

For What It's Worth:

They found that with reflective or fluorescent clothing the risk of a crash injury was reduced by 37%, with a white helmet by 24%, and with headlights by 27%.[1]

I think the key word in that quote is reflective or fluorescent It doesn't have to be a bright color to be reflective. My new Cortech jacket is reflective AND comfy, which adds to it's protective quality. I agree with Boxer, as long as it is comfy and I can manuever my bike without feeling restrained, it is a good choice for me.

[CARTEEUSMC]

The new outfit looks really good.

As for reflective anything... I do not think it matters, I get hit sitting still!!

[chris]

Nice Kit Gypsy...looking good!

On the reflective kit issue. Just remember that these cagers regularly pull out in front of each other, buses, trucks, so if they can't see a truck what chance have we got?

I saw an accident yesterday where a bloke on a scooter was waiting in traffic and a car pulled up to the junction opposite, looked right and drove right into him. Never saw him at all, bright red scoot, brilliant sunshine, unbelievable.

The problem is that their minds are not attuned to think about bikes if they've never ridden one and no amount of reflective or brightly coloured gear is going to change that. I admit a white lid might be easier to spot than a black one but shouldn't my headlamp be even easier to spot?

When I first got on a bike I remember feeling very exposed while in traffic and I think a few days riding bikes as part of the driving test might make car drivers appreciate that and take a little more care.

OK..finished...

[scottybooj]

If you want to be noticed affix a nice big airhorn from a semi and leave it on all the time.

our luck, we'll wear bright orange and they'll get blinded and swerve into us.