New riding kit, what have you bought lately and why?

[scottyuk]

For some reason I thought it was time I got one of these airbag vests ... or rather I just stopped justifying not getting one.

I did all the sizing checks on all my gear etc and then went and tried one one. So much lighter and thinner than I expected. Maybe 25% bigger than the back protector it's replacing and I don't notice the weight difference at all.

It can switch from Street to Track mode via the phone app in a couple of seconds.

[weeksy]

What's the difference between street and track then ?

[MingtheMerciless]

A new Arai Tour X4 to replace my very old one in diamond black. It's a great bit of kit, with a nice field of view and I like the looks. The new one has a heavily revised venting system is it'll be interesting to see how that copes with cold damp commutes and visor misting.

[Mr Moofo]

still looking at the idea of motorcycle jeans to ride in - first choice will always be leather - and the Daineses I splurged in last year have worn in really well. But jeans would be easier a lot of the time ...

I know resurgence get a look of votes from here - my prior Draggin" strides were so badly cut, with allow rise, I want to try before I buy...

Just bought two pairs of Furygan gloves mind. I worked out my current ones are around 15 years old ( at least) - so a pretty good return on investment (and Hein Gereike did make some great gloves)

[gremlin]

For me, a pair of FT Renegade jeans. Nice fit, better than Hood IMO, and look like a pair of casual strides, not so much like denim jeans, IYSWIM. Nice and comfy to ride in and to walk about in. Bit of stretch in the fabric too. Minor gripe is they're a bit narrow and just fit over my A* adv-style boots.

For the kid, a new A* Stella leather jacket, matching strides, new A* boots and a pair of BKS gloves. She's well chuffed with them, my wallet less so.

Here's hoping we get to Italy in October.

[Supermofo]

I might get a pair of the Bullit single layer jeans next time, or the single layer with reinforced parts for the AAA rating. They look like they have improved the cut of them from the older ones.

[gremlin]

I might get a pair of the Bullit single layer jeans next time, or the single layer with reinforced parts for the AAA rating. They look like they have improved the cut of them from the older ones.

The Frank Thomas ones I got are new out. The Rebel ones are AA, Renegade AAA and about £30 more, IIRC, Really nice fit, only they do come up a bit long. I'm normally a regular leg length, but in these a short, much to the Gremlinette's amusement, as she reckons I'm short.

J&S link: https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/fra ... /45502.htm

[Supermofo]

I might get a pair of the Bullit single layer jeans next time, or the single layer with reinforced parts for the AAA rating. They look like they have improved the cut of them from the older ones.

The Frank Thomas ones I got are new out. The Rebel ones are AA, Renegade AAA and about £30 more, IIRC, Really nice fit, only they do come up a bit long. I'm normally a regular leg length, but in these a short, much to the Gremlinette's amusement, as she reckons I'm short.

J&S link: https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/fra ... /45502.htm

Ta will take a look. I had to get short in my last pair of Bullits. The regular were OK on the bike but I looked like a clown to walk about in them so sent them back for the short. There's a J&S in St Albans as well down the road

[Mr Moofo]

I might get a pair of the Bullit single layer jeans next time, or the single layer with reinforced parts for the AAA rating. They look like they have improved the cut of them from the older ones.

The Frank Thomas ones I got are new out. The Rebel ones are AA, Renegade AAA and about £30 more, IIRC, Really nice fit, only they do come up a bit long. I'm normally a regular leg length, but in these a short, much to the Gremlinette's amusement, as she reckons I'm short.

J&S link: https://www.jsaccessories.co.uk/buy/fra ... /45502.htm

shame the site has such rubbish photos ....

[Mr Moofo]

Richa Cobalt cordura armoured jeans - £99 at Motorcycle Megastore at the moment . Happy with these too.

Nidge - as a matter of interest , what do those waxed Cobalt jeans look like...
Not sure if I can stomach paying 160 quid for something that looks like a 15 quid Tesco jean - so those have an appeal. But are they shiny / nylon looking - or just dead hip and groovy?

[Nidge]

I think they look pretty good actually. Obviously nothing I put on is going to be dead hip and groovy, but on others, yeah I reckon they could be...

[Mr Moofo]

I think they look pretty good actually. Obviously nothing I put on is going to be dead hip and groovy, but on others, yeah I reckon they could be...

So they don’t look like shell suit? The material is cotton like? And how waxy?

[Nidge]

I think they look pretty good actually. Obviously nothing I put on is going to be dead hip and groovy, but on others, yeah I reckon they could be...

So they don’t look like shell suit? The material is Colton like? And how waxy?/

Nope, they’re like a heavy denim. Not as too waxy, certainly not like a belstaff. One thing to more is that they are cut quite long, fine on the bike but do pool around the ankle a bi5 off it- I’m a short arse so used to that but the 30 in inside leg are nearer 32

[scottyuk]

What's the difference between street and track then ?

The types of crash you have, the forces involved, etc. That's why most of the manufacturers only make them specifically for one purpose. Some can swap modes by uploading a whole new software version from a laptop. I've not seen another that can be just switched between the two modes so easily.

[weeksy]

What's the difference between street and track then ?

The types of crash you have, the forces involved, etc. That's why most of the manufacturers only make them specifically for one purpose. Some can swap modes by uploading a whole new software version from a laptop. I've not seen another that can be just switched between the two modes so easily.

Yeah but what does it do differently ?

[Horse]

For some reason I thought it was time I got one of these airbag vests ... or rather I just stopped justifying not getting one.

I did all the sizing checks on all my gear etc and then went and tried one one. So much lighter and thinner than I expected. Maybe 25% bigger than the back protector it's replacing and I don't notice the weight difference at all.

It can switch from Street to Track mode via the phone app in a couple of seconds.

Do they specify that it's a replacement, rather than supplement, to a back protector, and that you should remove it?

Edit: "Horse, why are you asking questions? Google it!" So I did.
– Integrated CE back protector

Edit 2: Reading further down the page, did you go one-off payment or installments? How did you decide?

[Hot_Air]

Arai QV helmet. Got it before Xmas but only worn it 3 times so far and yesterday was the first ime with tinted visor. Much quieter than my old Shoei, maybe because it's tighter.

The quietness is good to know. I thought that Shoei lids were quieter than Arai? Maybe I'll see if there are any deals on Arai QV's.

[Hot_Air]

So much lighter and thinner than I expected. Maybe 25% bigger than the back protector it's replacing and I don't notice the weight difference at all.

This was my biggest surprise: the In&Motion airbag feels the same weight as my existing back protector (Do you think I could ask Santa for an airbag?)

Do they specify that it's a replacement, rather than supplement, to a back protector, and that you should remove it?

The In&Motion airbag, like the D-Air Road and Tech-Air systems, includes a back protector. (And supplementing it with a second back protector would give less room for the airbag to inflate.)

did you go one-off payment or installments? How did you decide?

I reckon the annual or monthly fee looks a better bet than buying the In&Motion outright. With the rental programme, In&Motion gives you new hardwear every three years.

[GuzziPaul]

Arai QV helmet. Got it before Xmas but only worn it 3 times so far and yesterday was the first ime with tinted visor. Much quieter than my old Shoei, maybe because it's tighter.

The quietness is good to know. I thought that Shoei lids were quieter than Arai? Maybe I'll see if there are any deals on Arai QV's.

I've had three or four Arais before the Shoei, then back to the Arai QV as I wanted the rounder shell. I believe the QV has the same shell as the RX7 but is the touring version with less sticking out vents.
It has a removable chin/neck cover (as well as the pull down chin piece) I've got it removed at the moment to get some more air through. That may make some difference to the noise coming up from below. Had it up to about 110mph and it seems steady enough on a Tuono with double bubble screen.

[scottyuk]

What's the difference between street and track then ?

The types of crash you have, the forces involved, etc. That's why most of the manufacturers only make them specifically for one purpose. Some can swap modes by uploading a whole new software version from a laptop. I've not seen another that can be just switched between the two modes so easily.

Yeah but what does it do differently ?

It means I can use it on Street and Track
For the user that is the difference. The actual difference is all in the logic that it runs through 1000 times a second. They keep tweaking it based on the accidents where they're involved.

All I need to know it Street works best for road user and Track works best for track. I don't know the details of the actual algorithm differences but I don't need to.