Beat the credit crunch: Bargain bike kit

lonewolfxix says

RE: Bargain Bike kit

Oooo nice, I'll probably look into buying some of this stuff in the near future, I would like to mention some things though, the Lazer LZ6 is a damn good helmet for 60quid (with my local store - South Wales Superbikes - Selling it for 50quid) But I would like to mention something about them, I tried one on.. pretty comfortable for me and I nearly bought it (then tried on some Spada helmet which was even better.. then went to M&P in Swansea and tried on an RST Cobra Vent) Anyway, my point is, good helmet for 60quid.. 5stars on the SHARP safety test? Well worth looking into one (especially as a new rider in my case, incase i drop it i can replace it without hurting my wallet too much) But the chin is soo high and really restricts your view, another good one, is the RST Cobra Vent, okay, only 4stars, but M&P in Swansea sell them for 25quid on the site with 5quid shipping or in store for 30quid, also well worth it and it doesn't restrict your view so much (not so bad for pillion with an LZ6 though maybe?) also, my first post on this site ^.^ I'll definitely look into those "Speed pants" and the boots (got a jacket... about to get my helmet and gloves in the mail.. all i need is leg protection :D) Also, Snave, I've got some safety boots (due to engineering/mechanical engineering courses i've been on) I don't feel they're really suited to riding but that's just me ^.^ (I think they cost about a tenner but the council paid for them for me going on the college course, along with my overalls!)They're also not very comfortable after extended periods of use...

13 October 2008 19:28

snave says

interesting...

..but how about doing an article about utilsing NON-motorcycle gear in a motorcycle application? - after all, thanks to the incompetence, ineptitude and lassitude of our industry moguls, all motorcycle kit except helmets still attract VAT, despite being purpose-made for protecting bikers on bikes, even that which has passed CE marking and therefore is `protective` and therefore should be VAT-exempt... I have a nice pair of workboots bought from a local workwear supplier - £15, easily as protective and waterproof as any low- or mid-range bike boots. In winter I have thermal wear bought from the same source, waterproofs that are actually waterproof unlike most claimed bike gear, and I combine that with a Knox armoured vest that provides all the protection one could need. Elsewhere, there are some very nice kevlar overtrousers made for tree surgeons that are around £60 and have at least twice the abrasion resistance of any bike gear to EN381-5 - a safety standard that pisses on the ECE standard for bike gear. If you like the cruiser style of glove, then buy TRUCKERS gloves, with a CAT2 protection, for £12. Bit cheaper than the H-D alternatives, which have no such protection verification and cost what? £60+ A joke! There's lots of sources for good, cheap effective gear well away from the VAT-riddled bike accessory showroom: Workwear suppliers, farm supplies, industrial protection suppliers, army surplus stores, camping & outdoor shops, climbing suppliers, and the aforementioned tree surgeons and chainsaw suppliers, to name but a few... I bet you could shave at least another fifty quid if you did that, although I appreciate it wouldn't be popular with the ad sales team.

03 October 2008 11:50