Boot Barn always has good prices, and sales. Of course you will want to try on boots. Go to a couple local places, find what you like, and the right size. If they have good prices, get it there... if not, get it at Boot Barn http://www.bootbarn.com/

I have all the leather stuff... and wear it. But I am starting to figure out that although leather is probably the best option for protecting you if you go down - there are more comfortable, warmer or cooler, options out there for riders. So, get what works for you and don't get caught up in trying to fit in some sort of image.

 

Dude, go get chaps, you wont regret it.

 

Me,Jackets: FXRG (cold weather) HD perforated (warm). Gloves: FXRG (cold) Fingerless (warm). Boots: HD 8in. lace ups, HD premium Chaps, HD vented 3/4 helmet w/flip-up shield. and a partridge in a pear tree.

 

OH, I forgot, the wifey: HD Jacket w/blk suede flame inlays,Hd premium chaps, HD 10" lace up boots, HD gloves,HD helmet. It about broke me buying all that in one week, Mine then hers. I guess the dog is next, I'll buy her "pleather".

 

dude, you gotta think about this stuff more personally. forget what the rest of the "Harley riders wear". lots of em barely ride anyway, and the costume for your fair weather barhopper is very different than the serious gear a daily rider wears.

think about what you would want to wear if you crashed. full suit of armor no? then think about what stuff you are actually willing to wear, after all a full suit of armor doenst do shiggity if its gets left at home. where you make the bargain is up to you, depending on riding style, conditions (urban vs country, all weather vs just when its nice, etc).

i will make one suggestion though. full face helmets do a much better job of keeping your teeth and jaw from getting messed up if you crash on your face than open faced helmets. ive seen it first hand. most harley folks dont wear fullface helmets, so if you are not used to doing your own thing, that could be a prob.

as for chaps, an alternative is cordura riding pants, or overpants. they look less "village people", protect your junk better, and if you ride in the rain many of them offer some water resistance. you prob wont see any other harley dudes wearing them, so if you are not comfortable being different, they may not be for you.

 

What to wear when riding.... all depends on where you are riding and the weather conditions.

I currently have alarge foot locker of riding gear, and used to spend the time it took my Sportster to warm up as an opportunity to dig out what I needed for the days ride.Different days will require a different set. Think: dry vs. wet, bar hop vs. day ride, organized ride vs. solo ride, toy run vs. bike week,cold day vs. warm day.

The current contents of my riding gear collection:

Perforated mesh textile jacket with removable armor (black and silver w/ reflective)
Textile jacket with vents, zip out vest liner,and removable armor (Joe Rocket, white an black)
Leather racing style jacket with vents and zip out full liner (unknown brand, 9 year old jacket that is now a faded black color)
HD Heated Vest
Textile waterproof overpant(black)
Carhart unlined bib overalls (black)
Carhart "arctic" lined bib overalls (black)
Leather Chaps (black)
HD Engineer style harnessboots (black)
REI Waterproof oversocks
Fleece winter insulated socks
Fingerless leathergloves (black)
Full finger textile/leatherglove (black)
Full finger leather glove (black)
Gauntlet style gortex insulated glove (black)
Neoprene lower face and nose mask (black)
Neck gaitor
Thick cotton "do rag" (black with union logo)
Thin cotton "do rag" (black with jack daniels logo)
Denim cutoff vest with patches
Half Helmet with zipout earflaps (blackwth offensive stickers)
Half Helmet (black without offensive stickers)
SHOEI full face helmet [RETIRED DUE TO BAD DROP, BOUNCE, and ROLL]
ARAI Vector full face helmet (flashy graphics)
Panoptix transition lens glasses
Oakley sunglasses
Yellow lens "shooting" glasses
Disposable Earplugs
SHURE Sc2 Noise Cancelling Ear Speakers
iPod Mini loaded with 70's and 80's rock (and some Jimmy Buffett for rainy days)

I think you get the idea. Add to this a collection of Harley and Motorcycle Ride T-Shirts and some jeans my girlfriend insists are not suitable for daily wear, and the amount of riding gear starts to add up.

I will mirror the views some prior posts - it's should be more about comfort and safety than about the look. I will admit that at certain times I will sacrifice personal safety for appearance. When it occurs, it is a deliberate decision and I'm willing to accept the consequences of my vanity. As a driver of fire trucks and ambulances, I highly recommend you select the highest level of protection that you will use consistently. While down in Daytona I couldn't help but laugh at the kids on Sport Bikes with their backwards baseball cap and a $600 full face helmet hanging off the side of the bike. It's great that you spent the money on the helmet, but it doesn't work if it doesn't get put on your head.

 

In my Marlon Brando days (the 50's and 60's) I had engineer boots. To me now, they are too clunky. Go to a good boot shop and try on a pair of Ariat boots. They are a plain toe boot with excellent soles that really are good when it comes to anti skid/slip. I have dropped bikes in the past because of the soles on my boots and once you've done that it becomes a more important issue.

Also among the pro-helmet crowd (I'm one) there's a saying: Put a $10.00 helmet on if you have a $10.00 head.