Buying new kit - what order?

[Jamieg285]

Back to biking after 15 years away.  I've managed to salvage a few bits of old kit that were stashed away in the loft, but I will need to get new stuff to be properly sorted and prepared for daily, any weather commuting.


What I currently have/use is:


New helmet
Original leather jacket (breath in). 'Tis a summer jacket, so good for now, but not so when it rains and gets colder.
Original gloves.  OK, but found they aren't waterproof anymore.  Didn't notice when it rained, but they were damp inside for the next 2 days.
Jeans
Water proof over trousers (Millets)
CAT boots.
Water proof over boots (HG) - bloody awful, but all I could afford.




So, I figure I need to buy new:
Gloves
Winter Jacket - Textile
Trousers - Leather or Textile
Boots


Budget is very tight, but I also believe in buying quality kit where possible, so I will be buying these one at a time over the next year or so. 


My question is, which order would you go for them?  There's plenty of factors in choosing, and I keep changing my mind.

[Tmation]

What size are you? I have loads of nearly new stuff I have, Ahem, grown out of over the years.


Some cheap stuff on eBay. Same in Lidle and Aldi.

[mcyoungy]

I've a pair of Held leather trousers I'm putting up for sale. 38" waist. Any good?

[pete786.u]

I`ve got an Akito Desert Air Vent fabric jacket and trousers in XL, comes with all the zip-in zip-out liners in very good condition apart from slight damage to L/H knee following my off  last year. I notice you are not a million miles away from me, I`m just off the A505 between Royston and the M11 if your interested relpy to my post.

[caretaker]

you need to get a bike next mate! but seriously, i wore my (too tight) leather jacket over a cheap waterproof suit for years on my long commute. derri boots from millets were cheap and waterproof. never had any serious offs which was just as well. enjoy the road back and take it easy.

[Oxygen]

Gloves first as cheapest
Trousers are a must as jeans won't work
Boots - better protection than CATs
Jacket - you have an old one

Just my thoughts if you have the cash trousers first

[Looney tune]

Google 'Mega motorcycle sale'. Plenty good offers on there from helmets right down to socks.
Good luck and as said, take it easy.

[virtual bodysnatcher]

Sharon's got some stuff from her stall that's new but old stock, def' has gloves tho' they're more cruiser style they're not too bad, and does have some textile trousers but may be girls ones (tho' not much different) gloves are a bit on the small size, I'll ask her when she gets back, what size are you?


Cissbury Leathers used to do 2nd hand, I sold my Manx suit there years and years ago, are they still going?



Looking at the rain lashing, sideways, our hen house you might be better with a jet ski....

[bigralphie]

Cissbury Leathers

Thats a blast from the past i have a pair of gloves from them that are like kid leather ,still my fav,s and had them 12 years :-)

[Jamieg285]

Thanks for all the responses. Due to an unexpected and generous bonus from work, I've been able to get all the stuff I needed in one go.

[Bitfik]

Great that you got sorted m8!


I use Frank Thomas Dry Viz coat, RST textile trousers. Both have removable linings. Great for all year use.Sartso Kevlar lined jeans on good days. Alpinestars boots.


Got a pair of RST gloves that are quite heavy and great for winter, but uncomfortable in hot weather and a pair of Dianese summer gloves.


It is amazing how much more comfortable a pair of light gloves  can make you on a warm day!


If there was one "double up" item for summer/winter... go gloves