Motorcycle Riders...Gear

[Challenger Deep]

Hi guys,

It appears that we have a fair amount of riders out there. This is my quick but important question, pointing more at the sport bike guys, but i'm welcome to all suggestions.

I'm in the market for a new pair of riding boots. I commute daily by bike, so i'd like something that is "sporty" or aggressive on the road and durable, well made but not too much on the wild side.

I've looked into it a bit and have found a few pair from Puma and Sidi that pique my interest but i don't know what to go off of.

My current boots/shoes are 1) a pair of Lewis Leathers Westway Boots. These are great boots. Good leather toe cap, and ankle. Leather has broken in very nicely. Double layer of leather over the foot for gear levers on both feet. Three retention straps about the boot give a good fit. I have good purchase on the pegs and feel through the leather. Even though the soles are thick rubber, i have this. 2) a pair of nomex MOMO racing shoes. I know these aren't the ideal kind of riding boot or protection but they're so light and such good purchase on the pegs, and feel on the levers that it's hard not to want to ride in them.---(If i could, i'd have a pair of bespoke boots made to the look and feel of those racing shoes, with a stiffer ankle and a thicker, but soft sole. Still nomex, but a double layer of leather over the foot for shifting on the left foot only. Traditional lace up as well, with a leather velcro strap at the top, same as they are now)--- They're great, but not ideal.

Does anyone have experience with Puma boots? Or Sidi in a commuting aspect? I commute daily, and do about 40-45 miles a day, to and from work, not including my errands.

I quite like the Puma boots because they are more subtle, but like the Sidi because of the aggressive look. I don't do much walking in them, if anything and i will change them when i get to work into my work boots. I never ride in work boots.

Then too, there is also Lewis Leather's Racing boots which i like above all else. I know the good, simple and outstanding quality of Lewis Leathers, so i might just be more keen on those, but i want to still do long rides and touring. But my concern now is commuting boots. And the two important ones are Puma boots and Sidi. Thirdly, and unlikely is those racing boots(which are more simple than you might think...in 1960 racing boots were pretty simple, lol).


Thank you guys, and i apologize if it seems a bit scattered in writing.

[nocrown]

Dainese Axial Pro IN

[CDNWatchNut]

I like sidi's. My last pair of vertebra's II's served me well, back in my racing days, for sure saving me from a serious leg injury in one particularly bad crash (shin plate cracked in half, and my shin was deeply bruised after, but no breaks). I ride with Sidi Vertigo's now, sidi's just seem to fit for me, are super comfy and I trust the protection they offer. I think if you find the right fit, most of the major boot makers make a sport boot that will offer very good protection on the street. The main thin is, you have proper boots on. I came across a bad crash last year, the guy was ok...but his foot, in a sneaker, was broken off completely above the ankle...a quality sport boot would have saved his leg.

[SrFADE]

Sidi brand is all I wear, from street to adventure to motocross. Have three different pairs for those different uses and they are all top notch.

[SLRdude]

Another vote for Sidi.
This is what I have been using for over a decade now.



Excellent in all temperatures, waterproof, and good enough for just about any casual social setting.


Sent from my iPhone

[Shibumi]

I adhere to the philosophy that the two most expensive gear purchases are for:

1. Head
2. Feet

These are the parts of the body that most often get hurt- and the hardest to repair. You stated that you change when you arrive, so for that length of commute you need serious boots. These run about $375, and are what I wear- they are like a bank vault for your feet, and I have the vented ones for hot weather riding. With thin socks on, I can actually feel air blowing on my toes at speed...

[SLRdude]

Head. Feet. Hands.

I wear Arai RX7 Corsair helmet and Dainese jacket and gloves. Sidi boots.


Sent from my iPhone

[Andad]

In the garage my wife and I have Bell helmets, Puma and Prexie boots and assorted jackets and gloves over the years

Most of the jackets were complimentary with the bikes.

The quality of the Peels leather jacket is excellent.

Some have done a lot of km's.

The Puma boots are comfortable, solid and very light.

[colpol]

Best boots I've ever had are BMW own brand - never let in a drop of rain & just plain & simple looking boots

[handsfull]

Hard to beat Sidi boots and Vanson Leathers.

[joeychitwood]

Originally Posted by directioneng

In the garage my wife and I have Bell helmets, Puma and Prexie boots and assorted jackets and gloves over the years

Most of the jackets were complimentary with the bikes.

The quality of the Peels leather jacket is excellent.

Some have done a lot of km's.

The Puma boots are comfortable, solid and very light.

Your Ducati jackets are awesome! I miss my ST2 (944cc motor) every day.

[Ruud Van Driver]

Originally Posted by Shibumi

I adhere to the philosophy that the two most expensive gear purchases are for:

1. Head
2. Feet

These are the parts of the body that most often get hurt- and the hardest to repair. You stated that you change when you arrive, so for that length of commute you need serious boots. These run about $375, and are what I wear- they are like a bank vault for your feet, and I have the vented ones for hot weather riding. With thin socks on, I can actually feel air blowing on my toes at speed...

+1 on these boots. I have the predecessors in white and they're fantastic.

My local bike shop in the UK have always advocated Dainese leathers and Alpinestars boots and gloves and that's what I stick by.

Helmets are different proposition as it depends what "head" you have. Mine is an Arai head so I stick with Arai helmets.

[Challenger Deep]

It sounds like Sidi is taking the podium. $375 isn't too bad for boots. It's fairly reasonable, and as you guys know, when it to comes to motorcycles what you spend is worth your hide...the more the better. I guess, but that idea has never been wrong for me. I'll look into those, thank you.

[Jakey]

Daytona boots get my vote. Totally different league IMO

[kilyung]

Sidi for me

[Shibumi]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

+1 on these boots. I have the predecessors in white and they're fantastic.

My local bike shop in the UK have always advocated Dainese leathers and Alpinestars boots and gloves and that's what I stick by.

Helmets are different proposition as it depends what "head" you have. Mine is an Arai head so I stick with Arai helmets.

I have a friend who was in a CAR wreck and broke his heel, just shattered it- it has never healed right after all the surgeries, and he still has a limp. I have seen videos of squids stunting in their skateboard shoes who go down, and their shoes are stripped off instantly on impact leaving them essentially barefoot...

Just like riding in jeans- you go down they are just gone- like putting your bare ass against a belt sander with 80-grit running full speed, and you can't stop it for the 2-3 seconds you are sliding...

No thanks...

PS- I bought these for when I feel I am not going to ride far or fast, my most conservative possible riding, but still feel a little insecure in them- even though they cannot come off in a crash, and provide some ankle protection. Alpinestars "Faster" shoes...

[nsumner]

Sidi St. I'm on my third pair. They're extreme comfy and ultra safe.

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by nsumner

Sidi St. I'm on my third pair. They're extreme comfy and ultra safe.

The ST's have caught my eye.

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by Shibumi

I have a friend who was in a CAR wreck and broke his heel, just shattered it- it has never healed right after all the surgeries, and he still has a limp. I have seen videos of squids stunting in their skateboard shoes who go down, and their shoes are stripped off instantly on impact leaving them essentially barefoot...

Just like riding in jeans- you go down they are just gone- like putting your bare ass against a belt sander with 80-grit running full speed, and you can't stop it for the 2-3 seconds you are sliding...

No thanks...

PS- I bought these for when I feel I am not going to ride far or fast, my most conservative possible riding, but still feel a little insecure in them- even though they cannot come off in a crash, and provide some ankle protection. Alpinestars "Faster" shoes...

Never a good thing to go down, but i've always figured that if you do and are in jeans then you'd rather tumble and roll than slide. Sure, you break bones, but you ain't, hopefully going to look worse. If you're wearing kevlar or high abrasion pants, then it'd be better to slide than tumble and break bones.

Of course, if in this car you were to go down you'd have a "say" in how you do go down. If it's too quick then it really doesn't matter what you're wearing, you're in a world of hurt period.

[Big Ern]

Sidi ST for street/ track. Very good protection and quick on/off. For light on/off road I use sidi adventure goretex. If taking the big GS deep in the desert, then A-Star motocross boots.

[dba]

I buy boots for protection first then walking. You neverknow when comfortable boots will come in handy!

[SLRdude]

I'm a die hard fan of Arai helmets and Dianese leathers.

I'm still searching for the perfect boot.


Sent from my iPhone

[lavaman]

you MAY want to check out the boots that Rider's Wearhouse (Aerostitch) carries.

I believe they are made by Sidi. I have heard very good things about them

http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/fo...ing-boots.html

as for lids, do check out the landmark article from some years ago in Motorcyclist..."blowing the lid off"

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by lavaman

you MAY want to check out the boots that Rider's Wearhouse (Aerostitch) carries.

I believe they are made by Sidi. I have heard very good things about them

http://www.aerostich.com/clothing/fo...ing-boots.html

as for lids, do check out the landmark article from some years ago in Motorcyclist..."blowing the lid off"

Those boots are interesting. My Westway boots look similar but a bit more slim and tight.

For lids/helmets i trust none other than Schuberth SR1 and S2. AGV's fit a little too small for my head. Valentino Rossi has a small head. I like the fit of that Arai Corsair but i'm devoted to Schuberth and was not noticeable normally. I had to really look and scrutinize for it.

The Pinlock feature they come with is UNBEATABLE. Anti-fog sprays, coatings or films are nothing compared to the Pinlock. Replaceable, 100% effective and does not interfere or hinder vision while riding. There was only one instance where fog developed inside the helmet, and that was on the outter edge of the visor where the Pinlock was not covering.

[lavaman]

Yea I really like Schuberth, but my god they are expensive...in US anyway, about 100% more than anything else. Granted, I am not one to skip on good gear just because of cost, but.....I saw a British survey that said wearing yellow lid cuts risk of.collision by as much as 50%. So I shop for fit and quality, and any.color as long as it's canary

[Challenger Deep]

Originally Posted by lavaman

Yea I really like Schuberth, but my god they are expensive...in US anyway, about 100% more than anything else. Granted, I am not one to skip on good gear just because of cost, but.....I saw a British survey that said wearing yellow lid cuts risk of.collision by as much as 50%. So I shop for fit and quality, and any.color as long as it's canary

The price deters people perhaps but they're an investment that is worth it. The SR1 is top line, $900+ and is worth every penny(for me.) The S2 is much more reasonable and still does, i think, a little bit more than the SR1. S2=$500 around.

The S2 is a better commute helmet. Quiet, that flip down dark visor inside the helmet. Quiet. The SR1 is loud but again, is a full race helmet. I thought highly about buying a yellow Arai or Shoei but the fit didn't really work. Kind of bummed that Schubert is so "plain."

But that's where the Joey Dunlop Arai Corsair comes in.

[joeychitwood]

I have a long, oval head. Has anyone tried the Arai Signet Q helmet?