Riding gear. Should it be Cheap or affordable?

Riding gear. Should it be Cheap or affordable?

Here at BirotarUK HQ we’ve seen a rise in the number of "cheap gear" reviews, promising the best gear for the least amount of money. Just like you, we love saving a few quid here and there but sometimes "cheap gear" can cost you more in the long run. 

But we believe that there is a difference between "cheap" and 'affordable". If you're just starting out on a bike, or if you are a seasoned rider it is hard to gauge what is good value and what is over priced. With high-street giants retailing garments for very little, we understand that it can be freighting to turn the price tag to reveal an item of gear worth hundreds or even thousands.

So, we’ve put together a list of affordable gear that we think will get you from A to B in comfort, all year round and last for a few years too (depending on the miles you cover). We haven’t tried and tested all the gear mentioned in this review but where we have, we will let you know.

Let’s start with the most important item, a helmet, the minimum legal requirement of protective equipment you need to ride a motorcycle. At this point we’ll say we are huge advocates of always riding in full protective gear.

The most important thing about a helmet is the fit, a £600 ill-fitting helmet will be no better than a £200 properly fitting helmet. On this basis we can only recommend what fits our heads and suggest you visit your local bike shop to try on their helmets and get some expert advice, it could be a life saver after all..

With all that a side we’re a big fan of the HJC R-PHA ST for many reasons. It's a fully spec’d touring helmet that also holds a gold ACU sticker meaning it’s good for track/race use.

The HJC features:

• Good airflow vents to keep you cool in the warmer months
• Quick release visor mechanism
• Double D retention system
• Pinlock ready visor
• Internal sun visor
• Slots for bluetooth kit

HJC R-PHA ST - Image from Google

We think it’s a great all round helmet for commuting, touring and track days and it can be had from £179 (at time of writing).

When it comes to jacket and trousers we’re torn on what to recommend, but to keep things affordable we’ll go with what we’ve been wearing for the past 10,000 miles.

Birotar Jonjo, taken on a winter shoot with Wil Collins

The RST Pro Series Adventure 2 textile suit.

First off it’s not the most ‘attractive’ of 2 piece textiles but they are functional, very functional.
There’s a clue in the name, the adventure jacket has been designed with the adventure fit in mind, think more upright adventure / touring bikes, giving it a slightly looser fit. This doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable on a sports bike, we’ve used this suit on GSXRs, Ninjas and GS’ to name a few.

So what makes this a good jacket;

• 2 year warranty
• Full Connection zip
• Removable waterproof membrane
• Removable quilted thermal liner
• CE approved back, shoulder and elbow protection included
• Vents, lots of vents!
• Detachable wind collar
• Removable map pocket that doubles as a bum-bag

RST Adventure 2 Jacket - Image from Google

You’ll notice there’s lots of detachable parts meaning this can be used in the depths of winter or heights of summer. We’ve certainly been happy all year round, and think the price is good too. Before we get to the price let’s skim over the features of the trousers;

• Removable waterproof membrane
• Removable quilted thermal liner
• Full connection zip
• CE approved knee armour and pockets for hip protectors
• Slightly flared to allow a good fit over adventure boots

Again, removable inners mean you can tailor to the weather and ride in comfort, avoiding arriving to work or a meet all hot a sweaty! (Or cold and damp).

RST Adventure 2 Trousers - Image from Google

The jacket can be had for £179.99 (at time of writing)

The trousers can be had for £149.99 (at time of writing)

Gloves are an important part of year round riding and it’s hard to find a glove that’ll work in all seasons, we tend to have a set for winter/rainy days and a summer set however there is an answer for both.

Held have a glove called the Air ‘n’ Dry, whilst we haven’t managed to try them yet we have heard good things from like-minded bikers.

The Air ‘n’ Dry features:

• Kangaroo leather palm
• Gore-Tex waterproof, windproof & breathable membrane
• Hard plastic knuckle protection
• Visor wipe on index finger

In a nut shell, the palm of the glove has summer like features and the back of the glove is Gore-tex waterproofed to keep you warm and dry yet cool in the summer months.

Held Air N Dry - Image from Google

These gloves can be found for £148.49 (at time of writing)

The final piece of the puzzle is boots, long gone are the days of something big and cumbersome needed to fulfil the all-round requirement for the past two years we’ve been wearing the TCX X-Street waterproof casual boot. They are seriously comfortable, waterproof and best of all look just like a normal high top trainer.

They feature:

• Full grain leather upper
• Waterproof lining
• Toe and heel reinforcement
• Lace up closure

TCX X-Street Boots - Photo by Birotar Jonjo

We’re a big fan of these boots, tried and tested, we even wear them as casual trainers with a pair of jeans (and to do the gardening, DIY, shopping). They can be had for £89.99 (at time of writing)

The total cost of all this gear is £747.46. It sounds like a lot of money, in fact you can buy a bike for £800 but we believe these items will last you a good few years making the equivalent annual spend less than £250. 

Our point isn't that you should stop what your doing to go out and purchase these items. Instead consider the alternatives. Do your research, check out reviews and most importantly, go and try the gear on. Take your time. 

You'll know as soon as you try an item of gear, that it fits. feels comfortable and has all of the features you want and need.

Everyone is different and has different requirements, but there is a risk associated with buying "cheap gear". The price may be good, but you will find that the item won't last as long as you want it to and it may not perform in when you need it most.

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BMW R1200GSA

The first instalment of our new #teaBreakreview - approx read time under 5mins

After racking up a few thousand miles on our R1150GS, we decided to see what a new R1200GSA would be like.

Left: R1150GS, Right: R1200GS Adventure

Official specs:
Seat height: adjustable 35" - 35.8"

Max power: 125 bhp

Max torque: 92 ft-lb

Top speed: 135 mph

Average fuel consumption: 46 mpg

Tank range: 350 miles (it’s already tempting isn’t it)

Autumn mornings are warm on the GSA

The model we test rode had all the goodies which included:

• Shift assist pro
• Electronically adjustable rider modes
• ABS
• LED headlight
• Manually adjustable screen
• Cruise control
• Heated grips
• Tyre pressure monitoring

The engine is punchy and makes riding along country lanes a real pleasure, motorways are comfortable with very good levels of wind protection. The screen can be manually adjusted on the move and there is very little buffeting at motorway speeds. The standard exhaust note is surprisingly good, certainly good enough to think twice about an aftermarket upgrade.

The GSA weighs nearly 300kg but the bike carries the weight surprisingly well. Car park manoeuvres are a doddle and motorway cruising is made effortless with the cruise control and very comfy riding position. Whilst not advisable we are told if you set the cruise control to 70mph and take your hands off the bars, the bike will carry on dead straight.

Enough lights to be seen

BMWs shift assist pro is brilliant, seamless shifts up and down the gear box. The first time we’ve experienced a feature like this and certainly brings a smile to your face, it really livens the bike up and transforms it from what may be considered a boring touring bike to quite the sporty number.

We left the bike in dynamic mode supposedly giving direct throttle response and tighter damping - it certainly made for a thrilling ride and would suggest the brochure is right. It's worth noting those big Brembos up front stop the 300kg beast really well.

Very aggressive in appearance in comparison to the R1150GS

So how much is all this going to set you back? The model we rode, including all the electronic aids, full metal pannier system and satellite navigation mount came to just over £17,000. A big price, but you do get a bike that could take you effortlessly around Europe and provide just as much fun as a modern sports bike on the road - but with added comfort.   

Its certainly a bike we're considering for the garage.

Thanks for reading! We hope you enjoyed it.

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TomTom Rider 400 review

Motorcycle satellite navigation - testing the TomTom Rider 400

Map applications on mobile devices have become a popular form of navigation for bikers in recent years. As you already know, mobile phones can be fixed to a bike using various mounts, or they can be kept in your pocket and directions can be listened to via some earphones or a bluetooth headset.

This is great, but what if you want to go overseas? Or If you want to plan a particularly twisty route? Well, that’s where the TomTom Rider 400 comes in.

TomTom Rider 400 - ready for an adventure

Unlike other makes of satnav, the TomTom Rider 400 (let's call it TTR400) allows you to program an unconventional route based on how twisty the road is, or even the altitude! This means you can avoid main roads, and enjoy all those hidden ones that you dream about riding when you’re bored at work.

A screenshot of a lovely twisty road in Northern France

We tested the TTR400 during our recent trip to Italy on our GSXR 1000 (#Bthou on Instagram). We covered approx. 2k miles in 3 days and we discovered that there’s a big difference between using a mobile device and the TTR400.

@Birotar_Max about to set off after checking tyre pressures!

Here are just some of the most obvious differences:

• Battery life
• Device access
• Touch screen ability
• Satellite/mobile signal
• Waterproofing
• Charging
  

After a full charge, the TTR400 lasted for approx. 8hrs and once it was plugged into the charging point on the bike, it didn’t forget our route, which meant there was no faffing around. The TTR400 got well and truly soaked and showed no signs of water ingress. The touch screen usability wasn’t effected by thick soggy gloves and the TTR400 functioned perfectly between -2 – 24 degrees Celsius.

The #Bthou posing just after crossing Mont Blanc

Max, BirotarUK test rider (@Birotar_Max on Instagram), is very good at getting lost. But the TTR400, allowed Max to do the whole journey without taking one wrong turning. This meant that there was no wasted time at the side of the road looking for the correct route. This was thanks to TomTom’s easy-to-follow visual directions on the colour display.
 


Mounting the satnav is super easy thanks to the bike-specific RAM mounting system. This requires some preparation, but once installed, it is a very solid and reliable mount that can be used for a variety of other phones/cameras/satnavs. Preparations to the mount include some cutting of a rubber tube and some minimal bolt/nut adjustment (it took approx 10 minutes to install the RAM mount).

The TTR400 comes with a quick release system, but you can also purchase the anti-theft system for an extra £80. This might be worth considering if you don’t have much space on you to put the satnav away in a pocket. It’s not overly sized, but you’ll notice it in your pocket if you’re stopping for a coffee or going for a stroll.

The moment you pick up the TTR400 you realise that TomTom have worked hard to make this device durable. It’s not so heavy that it will effect your 0-60 times, but you can immediately tell that it s a well constructed device.

The menu, maps and navigation are intuitive and responsive to your movement. The satnav can be used vertically or horizontally, and it will automatically adapt your surroundings with the night and day riding modes.

TomTom Rider 400 night mode

The TTR400 will alert you as you enter an area where speed traps are used, even in France and Italy. The TTR400 will also give you a countdown to the exact location where the cameras are. But we didn’t tell you that!

The TTR400 will tell you the speed in MPH as default, but this can be easily converted to KPH in the settings. We kept the setting to MPH for the duration of the trip, and it was nice to see that the TTR400 gives you a constant reminder of the speed limit and it alerts you when there is a new speed limit approaching.

The #Bthou relieved to be recovered

It was our fault for not being prepared enough, but there was something that disappointed us about the TTR400. On the way down through France on the A26, cruising at the speed limit, the GSXR’s throttle cable failed.  Once pulled over in a lay-by, we discovered that our mobile phones had no signal. We immediately reverted to the TTR for support but unfortunately; there were no emergency service, breakdown or motorcycle dealer information on the device.

The #Bthou being recovered on a rediculous flat bed truck.

This was our own fault completely. We should have written down all the numbers for the emergency services of the countries we would be traveling through, and possibly the break down service details also. But it would have been nice, for TomTom to have thought about emergency situations when loading the software. Fortunately, we were able to walk some distance to access mobile internet and get the bike fixed to continue our journey.

If you are thinking about doing a trip like this, we would highly encourage you take out European break down cover and to bring a spare mobile phone with a sim-card loaded with some credit just in case you get stuck – especially if you are travelling on your own!

Lesson learned!

A big bonus about this satnav is that you automatically receive 'lifetime' maps of Western Europe (45 countries), lifetime TomTom Traffic and lifetime TomTom Speed Cameras - all pre-loaded. It might be worth noting that you can also use this satnav in your car, by purchasing the additional windscreen mount.

Taking all of this into consideration, we can highly recommend the TomTom Rider 400 to any biker looking for a versatile and sturdy navigation system that enables you to reach any european destination, regardless of the weather!

The TomTom Rider price ranges on the package you purchase:

TomTom Rider 40 £249.99 (Lifetime maps of Western Europe (23 countries) and Lifetime TomTom Traffic)
TomTom Rider 400 £269.99 (Lifetime maps of Western Europe (45 countries), Lifetime TomTom Traffic and Lifetime TomTom Speed Cameras)
TomTom Rider 400 Premium £349.99 (Lifetime maps of Western Europe (45 countries), Lifetime TomTom Traffic and Lifetime TomTom Speed Cameras; as well as a Car Mounting Kit, Anti-Theft Solution and Travel Carry Case)


You can find the TomTom Rider 400 for sale on the Bike Stop website.
Do you have any questions? Comment below!

All the best

BirotarUK 

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Riders Club London - Armoured Hoodie review

Riders Club London - Armoured Hoodie review

Rider’s Club London (RCL) have recently released their new Armoured Hoodie for 2016. We attended the launch where they held an awesome stunt show in Hertfordshire – you may have seen the video of it!

They hooked us up with a hoodie so that we can show you guys what we thought.

Our first thoughts are that it’s very well made, and it’s great to see the DuPont Kevlar fiber lined back and impact areas (shoulders and elbows).

The CE removable back, shoulder and elbow protection is also a really nice addition.

Double-stitched seams and super strong zip make the hoodie a great option for those spring-summer short rides.

We can’t stress enough the importance of wearing riding gear. No matter what bike you’re on – coming off at 30mph hurts, and could leave you with some life-long injuries or even worse, fatal injuries.

We come across far too many riders that don’t wear adequate protection on motorbikes. Many of them are riding in the city, or make the excuse that they are not traveling far, so there is no need to gear up! We think Riders Club London’s armoured hoodie is a great option for those who don’t currently wear any riding gear. Or even for those who have a heavy-duty waterproof jacket only, and are looking for something lighter for summer rides.

You might like to know that the hoodie is actually very comfortable to wear, on and off the bike. The embroidery is also a very nice touch. We approve!

The hoodie retails at £70 and can be found here. Nice work Riders Club London!

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Knox Biomech - A long term review

Knox Biomech Gloves - A long term review

Having owned the Knox Biomech gloves for over two years we are in a pretty good position to offer a long term review. We've thrown everything at them, except some tarmac and they have done brilliantly so far.

The Biomech glove is a summer/racing glove with some of the best impact and slide protection we've come across. Super strong and tear-resistant 'Kangaroo' leather covers the inside palm and fingers. The unique Knox 'Boa Lacing' system makes them easy to get on and off - which is a real bonus on those hot summer track sessions. 

They are one of the only gloves to date that offer maximum feel, making track days and fast riding so much easier. There's nothing worse than a thick glove that offers no feedback when pulling the brake lever.

If you get caught out by the rain, you can expect the dye to stain your hands. We found his out the hard way, but the gloves haven't lost any colour and some warm soapy water got rid of the staining on our hands.

Because we like a glove with feel, these have covered well over 10k miles and are still holding up well. They have even suffered the cold of last winter - but we won't be making that mistake again this year, now we have the Dainese Ergotour Gore-Tex glove.

Apart from the usual discoloring the only major wear to these gloves has been to the leather on the corner of the palm slider. It hasn't worn all the way through but we think they would be due a replacement end of next year.

If someone could make a waterproof, thermal glove as comfortable as these, with as much feel, they'd be flying off the shelves. They are available online for around £100 now, since there are new versions out, but we think they are a worth while investment if you're after a race/road summer glove. 

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Back protector review

Back injuries are one of the most common form of injuries amongst motorcyclists in the UK. Wearing a back protector is the best way to protect your spine from what could be life changing, in case of an accident. We know that’s pretty sobering.

But - fortunately for us bikers, the back is an easy area to add serious protection to. Whatever you ride, a back protector is a piece of kit that is seriously worth investing in.

Back protectors are certified to one of two safety standards: CE1 or CE2. They're both pretty safe but back protectors with the CE2 standard can halve the amount of force that transfers through to the body during an impact. According to a study carried out by TFL in 2015, wearing a back protector could reduce your chances of a back injury by 26%.

With a variety of brands offering back protection inserts in jackets, it’s worth checking what the CE rating is in your jacket’s back protection. Go on, have a look at your jacket now - what’s the rating on the back protector? Do you wear a standalone back protector? Or maybe you don’t have one?

Before you you go out on your next ride, consider if your back is properly protected. After all, Guy Martin couldn’t praise his Dainese back protector enough after his 2015 Ulster GP crash.

We’ve teamed up with Bike Stop to bring you an unbiased review of four back protectors which can be worn under your existing jacket/s.  

Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector – RRP £149.99

The Pro Sub 4 back protector will withstand greater impacts than any other back protector on the market. A great place to start right?

It’s the ‘largest’ in terms of length and width of the four we tested and initially, it seemed like it would be the most uncomfortable - however it really wasn’t. It has the highest level of impact protection (this one is even better than the CE2 standard).

Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector

After removing the back CE armour from our current jackets (RST + Hein Gericke) and donning the Sub 4, it did make the jackets feel a bit snug when leaning forward to reach the bars (not uncomfortable though).

We’d recommend trying any back protector on, under your current gear before making a purchase – if you can, try sitting on a bike to replicate the riding position. You may find you’ll need to re-adjust the straps or loosen the velcro around the waist.

Forcefield Pro Sub 4 Back Protector

The first ride with this back protector on was on the sports bikes. The Sub 4 was noticeable for the first 40 odd miles, but it has some flex and felt like it conforms to your body shape. The shoulder and waist straps are easily adjustable but very durable - which is reassuring in the event of an off.

This is certainly a back protector we would recommend but would emphasise the need to check how it feels for you, under your jacket.

Forcefield Pro L2K Evo Back Protector – RRP £119.99

The Pro L2K back protector can be described as a ‘slimmed-down’ version of the Sub 4, and it conforms and exceeds CE2. It’s comfortable to wear and it’s also fairly flexible – the honeycomb structure makes it breathable too.

Forcefield Pro L2K Evo Back Protector

Now this is where it all gets a bit clever; Forcefield tell us that the NitrexEvo (the material the back protector is made with) provides ‘Repeat Performance Technology (RPT)’ to ensure that even after multiple impacts there is no loss of protective performance.  This makes it ideal for track and race use.

Forcefield Pro L2K Evo Back Protector

The shoulder and waist straps are fully adjustable making it easy to get a perfect fit, quickly. Being thinner than the Sub 4 it was a more comfortable fit under our jackets.

Dainese Manis Back Protector – RRP £149.99

The Manis is probably the most recognisable back protector on the market. It is CE2 certified and has a hard external structure - almost iconic to Dainese style of hard protection.

Dainese Manis Back Protector

It’s formed of protective ‘plates’ connected with a tough elastic-like material making it very light and flexible. It’s slightly thicker than the Forcefield Pro L2K but still fits easily enough under our current jackets.

Dainese Manis Back Protector

The inside of the protector is soft, as are the shoulder and waist straps. The Manis has an additional chest strap - every little helps. This back protect felt perfectly comfortable on and off the bike.

Dainese Gilet Manis Nero Back Protector - RRP £164.99

The Gilet has the same structure as the Manis back protector, however instead of shoulder and waist straps it has a simple gilet with a full length zip.

Dainese Gilet Manis Nero Back Protector

This didn't feel as comfortable as the Manis as the elasticated material at the front feels quite tight (maybe we need to cut down on the pies). ‘You need a bigger size’ we hear you shout - but it has to be tight to keep the protector in place.

Dainese Gilet Manis Nero Back Protector

One thing we thought was a little frustrating was that there was also no room for adjustment. Meaning it may not be suitable for everyone.

For us, the Dainese Manis back protector is the one we would go for.

It offers great levels of flexibility, comfort and easily fits under existing (leather & textile) gear meaning weather we are commuting, touring or racing around a track, it will perform and perform in comfort.

The back protectors in this review are available to purchase from Bike Stop.

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