Give a gear noob some direction.

[Athan]

I've been riding for the better part of my life but I've never had any proper gear to this point.   Since I got the bandit I've started thinking VERY hard about some protection.   I'd like something all weather that isn't too bloody hot in the summer.  I like the look of the joe rocket alter ego but looks don't really mean much.   I'd appreciate any and all opinions.    

FYI I currently have an off brand leather jacket with tit vents and a back vent and it's too hot once it gets over 75 or so.

[chornbe]

I gotta tell you... there's no "one" gear. I've tried pretty much everything over the years and I'll give you my CURRENT stock of gear for myself. This is after decades of trying a lot of different stuff and I *wish* I "knew then what I know now".

I have an Aerostich that currently handles most of my riding duties. It's a good 30-80 degree, dry or wet solution.

Most days:
Aerostich 2-piece with back elipse
Gloves du-jour, including Olympia mesh things, Olympia Windtex, Gerbing or my Harley gauntlets.

Very Cold weather:
I use my Joe Rocket Ballistic 5.0 pants without heated liners (Yes, they're *that* warm).
Teknic Spyder jacket, mostly without heated liner (yes, it's *that* warm with the outer shell on it).
Gerbing heated gloves.

or (new this season because I just got it a few months ago)
The 'Stich with heated liners. We'll see. I don't have pant liners.

HOT weather (>85 and humidity):
Joe Rocket Phoenix pants (I'm sure there are better quality items out there; these fit me best)
Teknic Spyder jacket without the outer shell
Glove du-jour

In all weather I'm wearing either my Alpine Stars boots (waterproof, warm,   ) or my thick-leather western boots. My feet never have been cold enough to worry over with either boot.

[Raphy]

I agree with chornbe - you really won't find one piece of ALL WEATHER gear, don't matter how hard you try.

Here's my setup:

Warm weather:

- Joe Rocket Alter Ego jacket + pants (great when it gets REALLY warm or for in-town cruising)
or Alpinestars T-Venom textile jacket
- Alpinestars SMX-4 boots
- Joe Rocket Highside gloves

Cold Weather:

- Joe Rocket Highside leather jacket
- Joe Rocket Blaster 2.0 racing leather pants or Alpinestars Drystar pants (extremely warm!!)
- Alpinestars SMX-4 boots
- under-clothes, long-jons, thick socks, etc.
- warm(er) gloves

Rain:

- rubber oveboots (bet $10 i ever spent)
- currently using liners that came with the jackets/pants, most are OK, the A* Drystar pants are 100% waterproof (+ tested)
- will be buying a RHYNO or TECNIK rain suit for like $40


....all-in-all, i think the Joe ROcket Alter Ego is a decent setup as it has a liner for rain/cold mornings and zips out to an almost full mesh for blistering hot afternoons... i seem to wear that most of the time.

Hope that helps! GOOD LUCK!  

[Kool shades]

I have a Joe Rocket alter ego and have been nothing but happy with it. 3 seasons, all weather, no problems.

[Motocentaur]

Agreed on the issue of no one set of gear for all conditions, but you can get pretty close.

I have an Aerostich Darien jacket and pants for 90% of my riding (30-90 degrees). When it is humid and desperately hot, I use a Fieldsheer mesh jacket. My trusty leathers spend a lot of time in the closet, unless I have the urge to be fashionable.

[Boone]

NewEnough had a nice deal on a Perf'd Icon leather jacket in their closeouts section.  Check it out!

[bandit-o]

F'in Hot weather (95 or higher)
Joe Rocket Reactor 2.0, mesh jacket with thin perforated leather overlays on the shoulders and elbows.
Denim jeans or JR Alter Ego Pants
JR Highside gloves
A* Ridge Boot

Cold to medium hot (45-95 degrees)
Cortech (Tourmaster) Magnum Perforated Leather Jacket (I use the Reactor 2.0 liner if it's below 50 degrees, works better than the Tourmaster one that came w/ the jacket)
JR Alter Ego Pants
JR Highside gloves or Tourmaster Carbon Cold Front Gloves below 50 degrees.
A* Ridge Boots

F'in Cold weather (30-45, I don't ride much below 30)
Tourmaster Advanced Full textile 3/4 length jacket
JR Alter Ego Pants
Tourmaster Carbon Cold Front Gloves
A* Ridge Boots

I've got the Tourmaster Elite 2-piece rain jacket and pant setup for wet weather.  Despite looking and walking like ski boots I love my Ridge boots.  They really do work the whole temperature range for me.  The Cold Front gloves are disappointing though, my fingers are the first body part to get cold and once exposed to 20 minutes of rain they are drenched.  

Regarding the jacket - I believe Tourmaster has a jacket similar to the JR Alter Ego; I think it's called the Flex or something like that.  It's priced competitive to the AE, check out Newenough.

[1moreroad]

I'll pack all this on any tour since I usually have to cross a desert at some point to get to the mountains.

Perforated 2 piece leather suit (Spidi Viper, $650).  
* When it's cold, add a heated vest (exchange but $100?), heated grips (Dual Stars, $35), and a waterproof windbreaker ($50 - $75 for Columbia) over it.  
* When it's hot, wear a wet t-shirt under it and carry a Camelbak ($30 - $50).  
* When it's raining throw the windbreaker and a pair of rain pants (New Enough, $35)with long ankle zips over it.  
Good for 20 - 115 for anything but commuting (it *is* a hassle to change in and out of).
As good or better protection than anything textile.

A* SMX waterproof boots ($220?) for everything.
A* GP1 gloves ($90, NewEnough) for 50 - 115 and dry
A* Tech Road gloves ($60?) for < 50 or raining

For commuting -- Teknic Sprint jacket ($200?, DRS Powersports), FirstGear leather overpants ($40 on closeout at the FG warehouse) with Joe Rocket and FirstGear Hiprotec CE armor ($50?, NewEnough).  Sprint is waterproof for at least my 30 minute downpour.  Overpants are waterproof enough for my 30 minute commute in light rain to stay dry.  Commute in 40 - 90 degrees.