Hi guys!
I introduced myself here a few months ago, and I’ve now gotten to the point where I’m about to start my lessons for my A2. I have about a week to procure some decent trousers, shoes, and potentially gloves (decent jacket and helmet provided, but summer gloves) that I could use post-training for day-to-day commuting. Anyone have any suggestions for reasonably cheap kit that would fit those specs?
Cheers!
Hi and welcome, (again I suppose) I’ve found that what they say about being waterproof doesn’t quite ring true, I would suggest that if it’s doing it on the cheap just get the cheapest that is comfortable and go to the nearest army surplus store and get a set of waterproof jacket and trouser from there. I got a set from them and they work well, I don’t commute to be fair but for the money I don’t think you can go wrong (but I’m sure some others will have some other idea’s).
All the best John
There is some good used gear on ebay. Most textile gear is waterproof to a degree. Washing with Nikwax re waterproofs the gear but in a monsoon eventually most gear (bar Rucca) will give up so it’s handy to have a one piece over suit for that scenario, they don’t let any rain in at all.
When buying gear even 2nd hand have a look at the care label to see what it’s made of. I had some Frank Thomas budget gear once. 100% synthetic. Probably be fine in a crash but if the temperature was above 0 degrees you’d die of chronic discomfort first. To say it was not breathable was an understatement.
My first jacket and trousers were from Evolution Motorsport which is a Dutch firm. http://www.evolutionmotorsport.com/2012/uk/index.html. They were great, stayed waterproof for ages and I even crashed in them and they protected me well. I sold them on ebay in the end for a couple of quid. On reflection I should have kept them as they were 100 times better than the Frank Thomas gear I replaced them with.
Thanks guys for the quick response guys! I’ll be looking into the Evolution trousers, but I’d particularly appreciate advice on affordable (not necessarily super duper cheap) boots and gloves if thats available! Thanks guys!
What size are you? I’m about to flog a load of kit.
Hein Geric own brand gear is good value and good quality.
+1
Definitely go for some Hein Gericke kit. Get to a store with helpful staff and they’ll point you in the right direction and let you try things on etc; Ratty46 (a fellow LBer) works at the Gants Hill store IIRC, but Hanger Lane or Stockwell are also good branches.
I have had a pair of Spada short gloves that I use all the time and have had them for years. I’ve come off lightly a couple of times and they’re still going; just make sure to get some treatment wax/ balsam to nourish the leather i.e. Saddle soap or Renapur (which is top stuff).
But to be honest, I can see you getting a everything you need at HG, you might get a little discount for the bulk buy - sweet talk Ratty, he likes that 
Spada Enforcer are good value winter gloves, bit too warm for just now maybe but I’ll be getting mine out next month to see me through winter. I’ve had them 2 or 3 years now and they’re still OK, waterproofing is good although the outer bit of the glove does hold a fair bit of water (the waterproof membrane stops it getting to your hands). I think I picked them up for under £50.
Who specified waterproof?
The weather.
Exactly that haha! I really don’t want to come back from a day of test preparation soaked to the bone, nor have the same happen on my way to/from work 
I’ll be popping by Hein Gericke later this week to go pick up my gear. And then I shall spend the rest of the month eating pot noodle 
Oh and I’m typically a medium for clothes… I think Large for gloves and shoes a size 9 (43 Euro size)
Hi All,
Newbie to site just joined today.
I use Heine Gerricke waterproof overjacket that i think cost me £35…maybe, and regatta overtrousers with side zips that go all the way upto hip for easy on and off, cost about £25.
I regularly travel Bristol to London twice a week and haven’t had any problems accept wet boots, because they were real cheap.
Good news! I just picked up these boots from HG in Stockwell this afternoon http://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/boots-shoes/hein-gericke-tricky-gtxr-stiefel-schwarz.html and I’ll be picking up some trousers when they have stock in my size in not-super-expensive clothing 
In the meanwhile the school-supplied waterproofs will have to do. Looking forward to tomorrow!
Ah. Not the OP then.
Is it raining where you are?
Hehe. Poor, wet you.
Lesson one. Completed. No deaths, injuries, or casualties, except for the silent suffering of a gearbox
take spare stuff on the day of the test mate. i did and it was a god send. after an hours ride to my mod 1 in biblical rain and wind, putting some dry gloves on was a massive bonus
Just had lesson two/mod1 practice. Gloves and trousers must be purchased before mod one (this coming sunday. I am psyched). I got to the practise site with my hands frozen courtesy of the school’s gloves today… so yeah. Looking forward to (hopefully without failing any tests) joining the LB community in full soon.
Well done on making it through your mod1. What size gloves are you?
Check out our classified ads section you may see something in there from a member looking to sell.
I hadn’t completed it when you sent me that, but I can confirm that as of this afternoon, I passed it with zero minors. I have my mod two booked for Friday. Trying not to get ahead of myself but also massively keen to get onto a bike I can call my own soon
And I passed my mod 2. Time to get a bike!!!
