Suggestions for discreet urban riding boots?

[cyb3rbyte]

Currently I'm using some Sperry boots as my get around footwear. They fit the nice middle road between having no protection via the normal Samba's I wear, and having full protection but limited movement using my Forma boots.

I really should be wearing the Forma boots, but they are hard to use with the shifter. I still have yet to brake them in, despite using them for snow duty (which they were pretty good at).

Jacket wise, I just got my Barbour back from their re-wax / repair shop, it was $185 for a rewax and a sleeve lengthen (I bought mine secondhand). Hopefully shouldn't have to get anything else done on it for a few years.

For my helmet and gloves I use Biltwell, they've been fine to me so far, but I'd love to get a better set of gloves at some point and my inner voice tells me something snell approved would be a better choice. But I'm going to ride the helmet out a while.

I do badly need a set of wind resistant pants. Jeans just don't cut it next to Lake Michigan on spring days.

 

[Uncouth44]

Currently I'm using some Sperry boots as my get around footwear. They fit the nice middle road between having no protection via the normal Samba's I wear, and having full protection but limited movement using my Forma boots.

I really should be wearing the Forma boots, but they are hard to use with the shifter. I still have yet to brake them in, despite using them for snow duty (which they were pretty good at).

Jacket wise, I just got my Barbour back from their re-wax / repair shop, it was $185 for a rewax and a sleeve lengthen (I bought mine secondhand). Hopefully shouldn't have to get anything else done on it for a few years.

For my helmet and gloves I use Biltwell, they've been fine to me so far, but I'd love to get a better set of gloves at some point and my inner voice tells me something snell approved would be a better choice. But I'm going to ride the helmet out a while.

I do badly need a set of wind resistant pants. Jeans just don't cut it next to Lake Michigan on spring days.

A new helmet is the last thing I’d go cheap on. If yours is 5 years old you should cut off the chin strap and get a new helmet. 5 years or dropped on the ground = replace it with new. You can survive damaged legs but your head? Not so good…

 

[oldskool]

A new helmet is the last thing I’d go cheap on. If yours is 5 years old you should cut off the chin strap and get a new helmet. 5 years or dropped on the ground = replace it with new. You can survive damaged legs but your head? Not so good…

That is an old suggestion that had more relevance back in the 70s but it probably is still wise if you buy lower end helmets. Top end helmets can last longer, much. Simply dropping your helmet is not likely to damage the impact liner, an impact that rang your bell is another matter altogether. That impact absorbing material will be degraded by chemicals and direct exposure to sunlight. Inspect your helmet. Obviously the outer shell should not be damaged or cracked . The comfort padding should hold the hat snug but if it is worn out high end helmets have replacement liners available. Helmets in excess of 20 years old have been tested that still provide the protection intended. If you don't leave the helmet exposed to the elements, use chemicals to clean it and it has not suffered a hard impact it will do its job longer than 5 years. Use common sense inspect it and replace it when it becomes suspect. An abused helmet will not last even 5 years. You head your money.

 

[Uncouth44]

My new ARAI helmet literature states 5 years. And it’s 2024 now.

 

[cyb3rbyte]

A new helmet is the last thing I’d go cheap on. If yours is 5 years old you should cut off the chin strap and get a new helmet. 5 years or dropped on the ground = replace it with new. You can survive damaged legs but your head? Not so good…

Are you referencing me? My helmet is about 1 year old, and is DOT. At some point, would a better one be in order? Yes. No brainer there. But for now it's what I have and it works well, and most of all I feel safe in it.