so ive been riding for 30 odd years on and off. i do lots of research before i buy anything,and i try on lots of different stuff and i never ever buy anything first time around, yet , in the 30 years of riding ive never been fully comfortable. now i know the nature of the gear we ride in is a compromise between comfort and safety,. And i know alot of it is down to my odd shaped body parts, but surely i should be able to find something that im comfortable in,, Helmets pinch my ears, i even bought an Arai helmet and went to the main office place to have it fitted, it was ok , but not what i was hoping for, clothing, i have a long body and short legs, and im overweight so trousers dig in when i sit down and fall down when i stand up,, jackets, i have big shoulders apparently,so anything i buy big enough for my shoulders is 2 sizes to big for my body,, boots im using Alpinestar smx r? i find them too stiff and walking is a no. i think gloves im ok with, but a lot of them they are too tight to get on, and if they do go over my palms they are too big for my fingers? i sound like a right whinging bastard.. so the point to this is,,,are you guys comfortable in your biking gear or do you just put up with it?
On the bike I barely notice my gear, maybes a bit of heat in higher temps but surprisingly not restrictive and doesn't dig in or anything. Off the bike I'm like a penguin with a blue badge.
I agree with what Tuktuk says. Off the bike one piece leathers compress my spine plus I feel a right knob at Petrol stations etc walking like a weirdo. But comfort and motorcycle clothing in my personal account do not go hand in hand.
I've got a fucked up right wrist, so gloves are a twat to find, had several op on my feet when I was a toddler so boots are a twat to find, I'm 5'9" , 15 stone+, fat legs and calves so leather trouser are a twat to find, I don't have a six pack I've got a keg so Jackets are a twat to find, I've got a 50p head so helmets are a twat to find.... I guess the only thing east to find is a Twat like me ! But I can ride a 1299 for 3000 miles in ten days and not be uncomfortable
Kevlar lined jeans are good, really comfortable. There are some that are shower proof as well. They are designed for being sat down so they are roomy in that department. Hood make any size leg/waist combination you want. Good in the summer and look fine in normal use. You can get different colours and styles. I have had a couple of pairs of Hood, several pairs of of different styles from Oxford and Roadskins I "grew out" of the Hood ones which was a shame 'cause they were really good. Likely will get another pair of them.
Where you live as well can probably makes a difference to what you wear, and your journey times. People commuting to work have the full set of gear that they can take off when they get to work. Never really got on with textile jackets and rather have leather. I have had Alpinestars, Furygan and RST leather jackets. But again that is probably not as doable in the North of England during much of the year. Round here for short journeys I sometimes just wear an anorak with a the fur hood in the colder months - dressed like a Vespa rider
Bit of a kit pest and have pretty much any kind of outfit for the bike . I wouldn’t say any of them are super comfortable but I’m happy enough wearing the kit for a whole day and pottering around in it. 1pc Leather Suit for track (Alpinestars Atem) - not comfortable off the bike at all, not even that comfortable on the bike either haha 2pc leather suit (Alpinestars GP R V2 Jacket & Alpinestars Missile Leather trousers), much more comfortable and convenient (anyone who’s tried to take a dump in a one piece will know). Does get hot in the summer when you’re stuck in traffic. Jacket is not as aggressive as some and doesn’t have a race hump. I use this in spring/summer for commuting, these feel the least restrictive out of all the jackets/trousers/suits I have Set of Rukka textiles for wet weather/winter riding. Very pricey but a great investment with the 6 year warranty and courtesy garment scheme. Due to the thermal liners and the nature of the textiles, it does feel a bit more Michelin man like but I went touring in Europe with them and found them great. I also have various pairs of Bull It jeans for more relaxed days, more casual look - or if I’m going out socialising and still need to use the bike. For me, they’re all very slim/tight fitting and I have the “easy” cut jeans which should be the most relaxed fit. Theyre not unbearable but I prefer the fit of my A* Missile trousers. They’re not very breathable so get hot and sweaty in them. Mine are all 5-6 years Old so it could well be that the technology has moved on and they’re thinner and more breathable nowadays. I’ve sewn the lower half of my Alpinestars jacket zip on a few pairs of them so I can zip my jacket to jeans. boots wise, I wouldn’t dream of going hiking or trekking in any of them but I’ve worn them on various tours/trips and have been happy enough with them whilst off the bike and walked around a bit exploring the local areas etc. I have a pair of Alpinestars Web Goretex boots which I wear with my Rukka’s, Alpinestars SXM 1R short boots which I wear with my 2 piece leathers or jeans and a pair of Alpinestars SMX Plus boots that I wear on track or with the 2 piece leathers. I Like the SMX plus boots but I have chunky calves and these boots are not designed for that. One boots zip gave away and I had it replaced. The other one is starting to go as well now and sometimes the teeth didn’t engage together. My girlfriends dad has worked his magic onto it and sorted it as well as he can and it seems fine - but always a niggle of doubt that the zip will go again so I don’t wear them that much anymore.
I like my skin, so I wear leathers all the time. I wear a Rukka jacket and trousers in winter, which is so comfortable and great for the rain, wind, sleet and snow, but I don't feel safe in it at all. Even with the CE approved armour. But I ride much more slowly and cautiously in bad weather. Leathers are uncomfortable, but feel better once older and worn in. When new, I'm walking around like Robocop. The point to my story is however uncomfortable leathers are, I'm wearing them. That also includes boots, gloves and helmet. They are as comfortable as can be, but I put up with it for my own safety. Chin
I have a Arlen Ness one-piece but it's a teabag affair with millions of little holes in it so is summer only. Was a birthday pressie from a mate who it didn't quite fit. I say pressie - he'd remind me that I rebuilt a couple of crossers for his kids so in his eyes it was payment. Most of the time I wear the leathers my folks got me for my 17th birthday when I first got on the road. After 33 years they're like a second skin, little tight these days putting them on but on the bike yeah, couldn't be comfier. In the winter the old Rukka waterproof goes over the top. Again from the 80s - thon silver rubbery numbers. Lined jacket and bib-and-brace lined trews, blows my mind that they've survived this long. Still 100% waterproof and I'm cosy inside even when ice is building up on the outside Been through 5 pairs of boots and maybe 8 pairs of gloves in that time. They keep getting better and better but are still the weak link. Have heated grips sitting here waiting to go on the blade - that'll help.
I bought some heated grips. I've had them on all my bikes. Even in summer it's nice to flick them on when the sun drops.
Heated grips on a Sportsbike... What next, some high rise bars and a sidecar? It's time to get yourself a Harley me thinks! Chin
Sounds like you need a once piece suit and a different bran helmet (I tried arai and was way too narrow for my head, very very happy with my shoei).
I have a one piece .tbf it's the most comfortable thing I have .trouble is I only wear it once a year . Maybe on days like this. Helmet wise I now have a Hjc alpha ...
I wear 1pce always had Dainese last year bought D air suit very comfortable on bike I don't do social so don't need to stand round in them I just ride then back again D inner boot very comfortable and full metal race gloves really comfy as our boots...undersuit really helps getting on and off......lucky I am fairly normal size 50 suit small gloves and 41 boots....that's why I cycle a lot to keep weight off to be bike fit.....,,
Think I can wait another few years to get a bit of heat for my arthritic wrist no way i'm being insulted to the Harley level
