Gear for when your bike is your only vehicle

[Justaerin]

Good morrow ladies and gents! Just trying to collect some advice on the gear you use/want/need/wish you had when your bike is your only mode of trans.

I live in a desert, so riding days are about 360ish per year. It gets fairly cold (can snow and hail) and really hot here.

I have general cold weather gear that isn't motorcycle specific that I can wear over my other gear. Might need some better cold weather pants though. I also have some good mesh protective gear that leaves me both fully protected (as much as can be with mesh) and really comfortable temp-wise in 110 degrees.

I'm working on some luggage for making grocery shopping and road trips easier, thinking of the Kriega set of tail bags and the Alpinestars Aero Tech bag for my tank.

Also very seriously considering a new seat. I've been advised that some padded bike shorts would make a new seat irrelevant, but I can't wear those constantly, so I think a new seat would be the better route.

I've got some kevlar jeans and Alpinestars Miglia shoes that make it easier to ride somewhat protected but also be able to go out and socialize without lugging a ton of gear around.

I've got a rotor lock/alarm en route, seriously considering a chain (though I have nothing to anchor it to) and a bike cover, as well as one of those license plate mounted helmet locks.

Anything at all you Buellers can recommend? From gear that makes riding more comfortable, road trips easier, groceries easier, protective gear that suits multiple roles, security (very important for me) any of that. Please also advise if you think it'd be a "must" or just a convenience.

I'm currently riding an XB12R, but am seriously considering an X as well, or maybe as a replacement if a bike is going to be my only mode...

I also plan to do all my own maintenance, so I know I'll need stands, which I'll probably either get from HF or CG, or get some used pitbulls off CL.

Please feel free to include any gear that is a complete waste of time and money too

 

[CrazyTexan]

I buy a little over 1 week supply of groceries when I go to the store and I just cram it in my backpack with the loaf of bread just sticking out the top. IMO a mesh jacket is still freakin hot in the summer so I just went with a leather one. I have leather gloves for that one week it gets cold, and mesh every other day. My helmet shields was the biggest thing I had to worry about. I ride at night very often, and hated wearing sun glasses under my clear shield so i bought a helmet with Dual inner/outer shields so i can choose clear/dark w.o carrying a second shield. And Other than that, I wear jeans and boots every day, not only cuz i prefer it, but its required at work.

 

[Justaerin]

I usually get a ton of groceries in one of those Kitchen Sink Oakley bags too, which is awesome. But since my girl goes to school in Flagstaff and I'm in SoCal, I'll need to get some luggage anyway for the road trips Same idea with the seat.

Good point on the visors. I've got one of the CHEAP Bilt helmets with the dual shields. It works great, but I question its durability in an impact situation, so I was considering a new helmet with a gold or iridium shield, I've read both are good at night and day. I have iridium snowboard goggles and their clarity in all light levels is phenomenal.

Thanks for the input!

 

[vance580]

I ride all year and have a lot of gear. I have a cage for mainly laundry since I have to go to a laundramat. I do grocery in the cage but I did go a month between selling a cage and getting a new one. I would get some good rain gear if rain is a problem there. It is here. I have 3 jackets, one for summer that is mesh, one that is a cool weather jacket, and a Bilt 3/4 jacket that I wear in the winter. I also have the matching overpants for the Bilt jacket and on the coldest days I wear that with thermals underneath kevlar jeans and on top of a tshirt. The nice thing about the winter setup is it is waterproof so even if it rains I stay warm and dry. I also have some really thick waterproof winter gloves for cold days also. With gloves I also have a summer set and a cooler set. I wear Alpine Stars S-MX2 boots. They are a good mid boot. I wear them all day long and they are comfortable for that yet are nice for riding. I have not used them in the winter yet. Last year I wore just normal waterproof hiking boots. I use a Cortech tail bag for carrying stuff and I also have about 3 different sized backpacks depending on what I'm taking with me. I also have some kevlar khakis and cargo pants which allow me to look decent when going out on a night on the town without looking like I'm wearing biker gear. I also carry a bicycle cable lock and if its really hot I lock my coat up to the bike by running it through the sleeves then through the wheel with the coat laying on the seat. I used to put my helmet underneath it with the cable ran through the face opening then I put the shield in a shield bag that I carry in my pack so there is nothing someone can just pull off and steal. It is perfectly doable it's just a matter of how dedicated you are to it. Days of continuous rain does suck a lot. Its always good to have a cage just in case something happens and you arent able to ride. ie pull something in your leg, break something, there is always that possibility.

 

[Jmal18]

I got a Kriega R25. I have heard nothing, but great things about them. I'd look into the newest luggage system. Plus everything can be locked together.

 

[Justaerin]

Vance man, you sound like me, or at least where I'd like to be haha. All the right gear for the right occasions. And thanks for reminding me about the winter gear and waterproofing. I may invest in some Klim, especially since I'd like to do some adventure touring at some point. I'm not sure, I guess I'll have to research more when winter rolls around. The wind gets cutting around here, and in winter it can get all kinds of suck.

Jmal, thanks man. The Kriega US 40 (two 10s and a 20) are where I was going to start. Or the US 30, if Revzilla gets back in stock. Is it pretty usable? Anything you have found you can't do with it? Anything lacking at all? Even if there was, I still don't think I could find something better, just want to know before I invest a huge chunk of cash, you know?

Just put an ASB seat and the Alpinestars Aero Tech tank bag on order today