New Dirtbike! Advise From Your Riders Wanted...

SB42 · September 30, 2010

Hi everyone, well I just pulled the trigger on buying a new to me dirtbike! I am picking up a 99 WR 400f friday night!! Now for the question part; what advise do you guys have on buying the gear? I am headed to Moab in about 2 weeks and would like to pick up a helmet, boots, goggles, and jersey/pants if I can afford it.

With that being said, where do you guys get your gear? Price is a big factor right now since i just dropped that cash but I do want things that wont break first time out. What features do you suggest that I get over other ones and what brands should I steer towards?

I have heard decent things about ebay but I'm unsure what features are the "gotta" haves compared to just nice to have.

Any advice and direction is greatly appriciated; thanks everyone!

Sam

EDIT: Can a mod change "Your" in the title to "You". thanks!

700 sportsman · September 30, 2010

First off definately invest in a good helmet, I would reccomend, an HJC, Fulmer, or a bigger name brand, be prepared to spend $150-$300, but that is something I wouldn't skimp on for sure. Also some goggles, I prefer oakley or smith's, but I also have a cheaper pair of spy's that I like too. . I have a fulmer and I'll probably be getting a new one sometime in the near future, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy another. Also I have tinted lenses for them, which I find very nice to have on sunny days. Next I would say a good pair of MX boots I would highly reccomend Alpinstars, they have several different models available.

Jerseys and pants are more optional I think, some always wear them, but me I feel more comfortable with just jeans and a t-shirt. But I do have a few fox jersey's that I like, I never invested in a pair of pants, but my buddy has a couple pair of fox pants that seem to be very durable, and he says are very comfortable.

Itsme7 · September 30, 2010

Congrats on the new bike!

As far as where to buy apparel, ive bought some gear from motosport with no problems. They have a real good return policy if something doesnt fit or not what you wanted. The prices are pretty good as well. Heres their site.

http://www.motosport.com/

Price plays a big factor on what you buy. You could buy a $100 HJC/AFX which are DOT an Snell rated, or you could go for a high end Arai/Shoei for $500-600. The only different between the low end and high end is usually weight, high end being real light, and also some of them have better materials/ventelation. I have a Thor Quadrant helmet i picked up for $150 at my local stealership, fits good, comfortable, removable liner for easy washing, and is both DOT and Snell rated. If your picking up a helmet, definitly make sure its DOT and Snell rated.

Goggles, depends on price as well, and if you plan on wearing glasses underneath. I had a pair of fox goggles, $30, and they worked good, but i have glasses so they didnt work so good for me. The companies make goggles called OTG which are a little bigger to fit over glasses. There are also prescription goggles which cost a bit, but no hassle of glasses under goggles.

As for boots, Alpinestar makes real good stuff. They have different grades, which increase in price as they go. Any pair of alpinestar will last you, as they are made from good materials.

Jersey and pants, typically just choose a brand that has a color scheme that you like. I have Answer pants/jersey, and they are comfortable and so far held up real good.

Another good thing to look at would probably be a chest protector, specially if your a first time rider.

Hope this helps. Just my 2 cents on what ive read and first hand experience. Another good thing that would probably be good to have in Moab is a camelbak, so you can sip water while you ride.

Zed-Seventy-One · October 1, 2010

Good helmet, good chest protector, good boots. All will save you injuries and headaches down the road. Ive been saved by helmets, saved by chest protectors, and my ankles have my boots to thank for being intact.

KMGZ400 · October 1, 2010

im not a dirt bike fan but any HJC, Z1R, Bell, Thor, are all good helmets just dont go with a no-name brand.... i have a buddy who works at my suzuki dealership and got me a brand new shoei helmet for free! i know for chest protectors and whatnot alpinestrars makes really good stuff

GPSilverado · October 3, 2010

I still remember the advice I got from a friend of mine when I started riding. He was a factory Kawasaki Rider, and has been to the race in Europe (7 days of cross country IIRC) with the US team. He now owns a shop in Spartanburg SC (Neeley Racing). I was about to buy new gear before starting out Motocross racing, and he was trying to talk me into buying a better helmet. I told him I didn't want to spend 250.00 on a helmet (this was 1986) so he told me that if I had a 50.00 head, to get a 50.00 helmet. That stuck with me.

I actually rode for Answer when I was racing. They have very good quality products. I have also used Scott, Smith, and Oakley googles. Scott seemed to have more accessories available, but I actually thought the Smith googles were a better product.

I wore AXO boots, but the Alpinestars were a step up in quality and price. What ever you do, make sure you have a good quality pair of Gloves as well. make sure they fit correctly, and don't wad up in the palm of your hand when you hold onto the bars.

brandonhynes · October 3, 2010

helmet is obv needed! i had a thor helmet, it looked awsome and it was only 170$

boots would be the next thing to buy, i wouldnt use a dirtbike without them, alpinestars are the best. you can get tech 3's for 150$

SB42 · October 5, 2010

Thanks for all the replies everyone! One of my buddies has an extra helmet that I'm gonna barrow for the trip so I can focus on getting some boots. Anyone know of a decent $100-120 boot? Also, what kind of maitentance should I do before Moab? My coolant is low so I figure I will top that off but not sure if I can just use the generic prestone premix? Also I figure I will try to change the oil and clean the air filter.....spark plug probably too. What am I missing or anything that I should check other than what I alraedy mentioned? Oh yea, what kind of tire pressure does everyone run?

Thanks again guys!

stlavsa · October 5, 2010

www.rockymountainatvmc.com You can frequently get good deals on gear and parts here. Alot of the time they have clearance prices for the gear on '10 model jersey/pants etc cuz the '11 is coming out. As far as a helment goes HJC makes great economical helmets. They are the largest helmet manufacturer in the world. If its snell/Dot approved its fairly safe as helmets go, tho not are all created equal.

Boots are the one thing you should NOT skimp on. And it sucks because they get beat up, BUT there literally is no such thing as a "decent" 100-120 dollar boot. Any boot you find for 120 dollars is considered an entry level boot and doesnt provide much as far as comfort OR protection.

Cheapest boot I would consider buying would be the alpinestar tech-3 @ $199.99 and I wont even buy those boots. I highly recommend the alpinstar tech-7 or higher. These boots offer a much higher degree of ankle protection than any of the entry level boots, which basically just provide some impact protection and thats bout it.

if you buyin 100 dollar boots you might as well save your money and wear your old work boots.

KMGZ400 · October 5, 2010

Thanks for all the replies everyone! One of my buddies has an extra helmet that I'm gonna barrow for the trip so I can focus on getting some boots. Anyone know of a decent $100-120 boot? Also, what kind of maitentance should I do before Moab? My coolant is low so I figure I will top that off but not sure if I can just use the generic prestone premix? Also I figure I will try to change the oil and clean the air filter.....spark plug probably too. What am I missing or anything that I should check other than what I alraedy mentioned? Oh yea, what kind of tire pressure does everyone run?

Thanks again guys!

bring extra parts such as spark plugs... i keep an extra front sproket and chain, i have an extra set of rims and tires for my atv. etc. what ever you feel is nessecary. Wd40 is a must for me...

since your going to dusty moab, make sure you have a clean filter and bring an extra one just incase.

tire pressure, its all prefrence and its all what type of terrain your in, i personally run like running soft tires like around 2-4 psi in rear and around 4-5 in the front but im also in on an atv

KMGZ400 · October 5, 2010

oh and my favorite atv parts and whatnot website is motosport. never had any problems with shipping and its always fast. great prices too

http://www.motosport.com/

Mike G · October 5, 2010

I have found that at my advanced age.... A good kidney belt helps keep the back straighter for long rides.

--Mike

Squirrely · October 5, 2010

Boots are the one thing you should NOT skimp on. And it sucks because they get beat up, BUT there literally is no such thing as a "decent" 100-120 dollar boot. Any boot you find for 120 dollars is considered an entry level boot and doesnt provide much as far as comfort OR protection.

Cheapest boot I would consider buying would be the alpinestar tech-3 @ $199.99 and I wont even buy those boots. I highly recommend the alpinstar tech-7 or higher. These boots offer a much higher degree of ankle protection than any of the entry level boots, which basically just provide some impact protection and thats bout it.

if you buyin 100 dollar boots you might as well save your money and wear your old work boots.

+1

Buy a good boot! Nothing compares to good gear, especially if you go down. I ride with Tech 7 boots myself.

And you need a helmet that fits correct. Too big and it will just spin on your head allowing your face to hit the dirt in a crash!

I've been dirt bikin for 30 years now. Good gear only for me now.... too many bargin deal mishaps.

brent1234 · October 5, 2010

there are only three things that a person actually needs. A helmet, boots and googles. I have been racing motocross all my live and i have learned cheaping out on gear is the biggest mistake!! DONT DRESS FOR THE RIDE DRESS FOR THE CRASH!

mkelly · October 5, 2010

You can probably find a good deal on a-stars tech 6's or tech 8's. They are the older generation of boot, but still good boots.

As far as the helmet goes, the fit is more important than the brand. A poor fitting shoei will be worse than a properly fitted hjc....... I would go to the dealership and try on helmets.

Remember that the best piece of safety equipment is one that you cant buy. Use your brain and dont ride over your head. Dont try to keep up with friends and ride out of control.