Getting myself the kit

[MellowMatt]

I'm going to start biking in June (hopefully...) but I haven't got all the kit I need. I was wondering whether you lot reckon it's a better idea to wait until after my DAS to get it all, or get it before?

I've heard bike shows are a good place to get discounted kit, but the only show I know of that's coming around is the Bikesafe show at the end of March, but it's at Cheltenham Racecourse, so it's miles away. Are there any others? (Although they can't really be in May, 'cos I've got my finals then :reading:confused:)

So, failing that, are there any particular shops you'd recommend in Chelmsford/Witham/Maldon/Colchester area?

[richy rich]

have a look around all the shops you know of that your willing to travel to!..

and check out who has the best prices... i dont know about anybody else but i could tell the difference between a decent pair of boots (sidi carbons) and the cheaper ones (spidi)...

i dont think its worth spendin 200 quid+ on a helmet.... i had an 80 quid one then a 70 quid nitro one, the nitro one saved my head in my accident just fine and i whacked my head pretty hard so just 'cus its cheap doesnt mean its crap

[richy rich]

theres a shop near me that sells sidi boots cheap... i got my sidi vertebra race carbons for 120 instead of 225... im not sure if they mail order as they are only a small shop
www.westmidlandsmotorcycles.com

[MellowMatt]

I think I'll do that, I'll just have to have an explore and find all the bike shops!

I've read up on helmets a bit, and it seems that most helmets will give you the same amount of protection regardless of the price, and that the fit of the helmet is the most important part. The price seems to affect the style/vents/wind noise more than the safety aspect. So that'll save me a few quid :grin2

edit: ta for the link

[richy rich]

yea when you look for size get one that is just tight when you put it on 'cus it will stretch a little bit and you dont want to go out and buy one that isn't tight at all and then a few weeks later it will have stretched,

i bought one that was tight and it stretched a bit... it was perfect after it stretched, didnt feel a thing through the helmet in my accident

[crescent750]

if ya not too fussed about named stuff, try Lidl's supermarket, or Aldi's.
They've been sellin some bike stuff for the last couple of weeks, and people seem to rate it pretty highly...

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20070308.index.ar1?OpenDocument&id=772&country=GB&zipcode=SS7+2AE&city=Benfleet&city2=Hadleigh&street=London+Road&ar=1&nf=True

[MellowMatt]

Cheers, I'll check it out, not sure I'd feel comfortable buying anything but accessories from there though! Looks like they might stop doing them from tomorrow though, according to the site :(

[richy rich]

ive got the disc locks from there:)

[SDM]

if ya not too fussed about named stuff, try Lidl's supermarket, or Aldi's.
They've been sellin some bike stuff for the last couple of weeks, and people seem to rate it pretty highly...

http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20070308.index.ar1?OpenDocument&id=772&country=GB&zipcode=SS7+2AE&city=Benfleet&city2=Hadleigh&street=London+Road&ar=1&nf=True

LIDL'S AND ALDI'S WHATEVER NEXT...............................:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

[Pants]

Try the BMF show, some stalls are tat, some are factory seconds (that can mean inferior stitching, keep away from those, or it can mean blemishes on laquer etc, these are usually fine) some are end of line stuff.

There are some bargains to be had just inspect the item before handing over money. Its not a bad day out, if the rain stays away.

BMF is at Peterborough (East of England show ground) 19-20 May or Kent GEMS (Garden of England Motorcycle show) 9-10 June

[STEALTH52]

ebays always a good bet, wouldnt get a helmet from there though, i always think your best to pick your helmet up rather than have it being chucked around in a courier van

[MellowMatt]

Ta for the replies. The BMF show in Kent looks like it might be a good bet :clap

Ebay's tempting, but I'm not too eager about it at the moment, having just got shafted for £30! Also I wouldn't get to try anything on, and it's hard enough trying to find stuff that fits me even when I can try it on! (I'm only 'ickle, 5'8" :headshoot)

[richy rich]

oiiiii :eek: im only 5 foot 8 LOL... you'll find stuff easily for that size

[MellowMatt]

Heheh, no offence meant lol :p That's reassuring though, cheers :grin2