neck protection?

Totally true Jambo

Originally Posted by agy

Those dragging jeans cost a fortune. I've only been biking a few months, in this time I bought a 125 bike, sold that (lost money in part ex), bought the current bike, two jackets, trousers, boots (three pairs since first two didn't fit properly), various other bits and bobs, insurance etc... trouble in buying online is you never know if it will fit. i bought a lovely pair of leather trousers, one size bigger than i would normally wear - couldn't get them passed my knees. also it's harder to find stuff for women. even on ebay it costs a fortune. Hein Gericke sale is absolute pants! Went two days ago: 10-20% closing down sale my ar$%.

I have always wanted a pair of draggins but not been able to justify the money on them. The most money I've ever spent on kit was £100 on new Goretex textiles from Hein Gericke. They're worth every penny, fit me well and I've worn them through all the seasons.

Originally Posted by jambo

Agy,
It's dead easy for everyone here to say "Protection is the most important thing" and justify an Arai RX7, full Hideout leathers, forcefield armor, Daytona boots, Held gloves, and a full Rukka textile suit for if it rains. We just spent upwards of £3000.

Originally Posted by jambo

When I started riding, I wore jeans, a cheap lid, a hand-me-down leather jacket, DMs & hand-me-down gloves. You build your kit up as you can, just identify what you would buy next and buy it when you can afford it. When you've just started riding make sure anything you buy will be useful for as many situations as possible. No point buying something that's only useful for 2 months of the year when you're just getting yourself sorted.

+1. When I started riding pillion with YC I borrowed kit off a lass who was 3 sizes bigger than me, had to scrabble whatever I could at the time.

I managed to find a new lid (normally £150) for £50 which was a stroke of luck (having an XS head certainly has its perks!) and I've not had to spend more than that on a lid since.
Pair of Belstaff leather bottoms were £20 off ebay (only knew they'd fit by the measurements given on the listing)...
Buffalo Textile/leather jacket, actually got off here for £20...
Boots were another £20 odd purchase off Ebay.
Gloves, tenner.
I then proceeded to wear this kit for the next 3 years (admittedly not every day but most days plus trips away) before I got my own bike. Then I wanted to make sure I had better kit (mine was wearing out well by then) so spent a bit more but still on bargains haha. My Goretex Oxtar boots are amazing, £39 they were.

I know I've been immensely lucky in my findings but I'm pretty sure all bargains are there to be had, it's just knowing when and where to look. I really do feel your frustration Agy, it's hell trying to find half-decent and usable kit on a budget, let alone being female. But it is possible, I have hardly any money really but I manage and you don't need the best of the best to be able to ride your bike and be safe. Just enough to make you satisfied and confident to ride.

I'm doing ok so far with getting bargains. Pretty much everything I have bar my lid came off ebay. Trousers are a lot harder than anything cos females just come in way too many shapes. waist measurement means nothing to me because i'm muscular so things that fit or are even too big for my waist, don't fit my legs