Gear for the fire plug

[knary]

A good friend of mine has just signed up for the MSF class. I've shared a bit of what I know with him and done what I can to point him in the right direction as to what bikes to consider - after he completes the class. What he needs that I can't help him much with is good gear on a budget. He believes in having the right tools for a task, but also has a phobia against spending money unnecessarily. IOW, he's not going to be buying aerostich or rukka or BMW gear anytime soon. The other twist is that he's is very stoutly built - 5'8", 230 lbs, with an upper body that has strangers asking if he's a power lifter (he's not). He usually wears XL clothing, but can't always get his neck/head through. I've painted quite the picture, eh?

Any recommendations? If he was a BMW guy and wanted to spend the money, I'd point him at a Savannah suit.

 

[Kadison55]

Fistgear

You may want him to try the Firstgear Kilimanjaro. I know quite a few people who match your friends discription (except for the neck thing). These jackets seem to be cut fuller than a lot of jackets. Armour seems to be OK and is also upgradeable for a price. You may have to add some additional velcro in the neck area if his is much over 17.5" around.

 

[Boingo]

You may want him to try the Firstgear Kilimanjaro.

Excellent jacket. Totally waterproof.

 

[Rasbutan]

Bought a Cortech 3/4 Touring jacket for $250 on sale in spring 2005, its been good to me so far.

Or, he can look at used too!!! Broken in=looser fit.

 

[sjbmw]

Tell him to stay clear of euro sizing it's just not a good fit for us stout Americans
Unless he can try it on, BMW stuff is risky.

I have a FirstGear Kilomanjaro Air. The "L"s are American (XL, XXL, etc), and it has right handed zippers.

Reasonably priced, with a zip out winter liner makes is a great air flow summer jacket too. 2 jackets, one price.

It has more airflow than my FirstGear Meshtex. I got caught without the liner in the mountains one summer morning and froze my arms off it had so much air flow.

But the winter liner is toasty. It's a good fit at a good price.

 

[kbasa]

Used is the way to go, that's for sure.

 

[beemokat]

Good Stuff at good prices

I've gotten a lot of stuff at
www.newenough.com
They do great closeouts.

 

[RIDERR1150GSADV]

I've gotten a lot of stuff at
www.newenough.com
They do great closeouts.

+1

Cool folks to deal with. Best is to have your friend call them and talk to a rep. This way he can get something that actually fits.

 

[jimvonbaden]

I started out with Joe Rocket, and found it to be pretty decent for the price, and a very good fit.

I was 5'8" and 320 pounds, so I can relate to needing good sizing.

Now I have used plenty of other brands, and Revit is also sized well for the big guys.

Thanksfully I lost 120 pounds.

Jim

 

[Mar]

Thanksfully I lost 120 pounds.

So let's see the "after" photo!

 

[ultracyclist]

First Gear K II

K-II is good "entry" level gear, it is good value.

But I, too, am gravitationally challenged, and for a little more money the Belstaff Mercury jacket will fit a lot better.

Fit meaning he will not look like the Pillsbury doughboy, becaue the cloth will not bunch up when he sits on the bike. I hate that.

I wish I had researched "fits" more in depth before I actually bought the gear.