Dirt Bike Gear - Help a dirty newb out

[Cath]

OK, I don't know the first thing about dirt bikes or dirt bike riding, but I want to give it a go... and I'm pretty sure I won't think 'meh' and give it up. I reckon I just might get hooked...

So, dirt bikers out there: What do I need? What don't I need? Any brands to avoid? Anything to look out for? Anything not worth cheaping out on, because I'll just end up buying the better version within a month anyway, so may as well buy it up front?

Helmet:
I see dirt bike helmets are different and cheaper than road helmets. The different shape is to deflect branches? Can I make do with my road helmet, or will I get my head flushed down the loo by all the cool dirt kids if I show up in my Shoei?

Goggles:
I guess this is necessary (if I have a dirt bike lid), since everyone has them... Do I need them if I'm always out in front?

Jersey:
What's with this? Why not just wear a long-sleeve shirt??? They don't look protective at all. I don't get it. Please explain

Pants:
Do they have armour in them?

Boots:
How are these different from SIDIs? Can I get away with using my SIDIs for a while, or are dirt-specific boots necessary?

Gloves:
Yeah, they're cheap. I'll just get a pair. No need to explain

Protective gear:
What is there? I haven't seen anyone dirt riding in full leathers, but what is going to save me when I go airborne into a tree, or tumbling down Disco's little hill?
I've seen some knee protection - is it always separate, or is it often included in the pants?
I've seen some upper body armour that resembles acartoon action figures - does this go over or under the jersey?

What else don't I have any idea about?
Do dirt bikers wear skins too?

[Cwidova]

most brands are alright
Helmet: same as road bike, get one that fits, not one thats cheap. the major brands are good i have a thor quadrant and it does the job well!!
goggles: i always wear goggles, stops dust/branches/bugs getting in your eyes and at a bit of pace stops the wind from making your eyes water!! get anti fog ones at the least. i have transition lens in mine and great when it's too sunny, but not fantastic when its dark..
jersey: not nessacary, but a long sleeve top is recommended. although, jerseys are lighter and dry faster than a cotton top.
pants: they generally come with padding on the thighs and are more durable. they also dry faster (jeans get heavy and can wear you out quicker) also, get some knee guards-they will save your knees from rocks and branches.
boots: dirt specific are a lot heavier and protective. the can handle anything that will be thrown at them and give better support. i wont ride without them(a few friends have and have stuffed their feet/anklesfrom not wearing boots) i wouldnt wear road boots they will get trashed pretty quickly.
gloves: give a bit more grip on the bars and protect a bit better. they are cheap so any that dirtbike ones that will fit will do the job.
i would also recommend a pressure suit(body aromr)with a kidney belt on it. and a camel back or similar brand of hydrating backpack thingy.....
the pressure suits generally go under the jersey, but can go over it's personal prefrence!!
as you get into it, you will pick up what tools and stuff you need to carry with you, but get the right gear first up and it will save you later down the track!!!

[Bogan]

Dirt helmets and goggles offer less chance of fogging up, go for an exertive ride in a full face road helmet and see how much you fog. Plus most dirt helmets are very light, and have removable washable liners.

Nylon jerseys don't absorb sweat like a cotton t shirt would. No padding. If you're going on a cool weather adventure ride feel free to wear a bulky all weather style textile road jacket which will protect and has pockets for stuff.

Dirt bike pegs are serrated steel and will rip shit out of your road boot soles, also smashing stumps and logs hurts, get some dirt boots. You don't have to spend a fortune I have the entry level Shift ones which were under $200 or you can pay almost a grand for SIDIs if you've rocks in your head.

Some pants have hip armour but dirt bike pants just have narrow short calves to fit inside the boots.

Knee and elbow guards can be handy, and you can get a couple of styles of armour, the under shirt full setups are probably better:



Oh and I also wear a kidney belt.

[Blurr]

KNEE GUARDS ARE A MUST.

Usually the well known brands are all good. Much like road going stuff

[MadKaw]

Try BGW and Actions, they have some good sales..
Don't use your road boots they will tear up. I used a pair of $40 Aldi boots I had laying around when we first got the KX, lasted about 4 rides and the souls were ripped up and went into the bin. Picked up some Answer MX boots from Actions for $90..
Jus and the kids have the full armour suit like Bogans pic, grabbed those for $50 each from a place in Castle Hill, knee guards and we got jerseys from Whites Racing for $15 each.
Check with Craig White as he does have a bit MX gear, may be worth a call...
Jus rides in Jeans and occasionaly remembers to put the knee guards in... but she isn't going anywhere fast... that doesn't stop faster ppl running into her though..

[Bogan]

http://4bpracing.com.au/armour.html#SnrArmour

[Glen]

Good on you Cath

I can't recommend a good quality upper body armour high enough, particularly if your riding in the bush. Chris was wearing mine when he had his big stack and if not for the armour he would have done more serious damage then he did (and he did some pretty serious damage even with all the gear on)

Other than that cover your pointy bits, elbows, knees, head, feet, hands as that's what's going to make big ouch in a stack.

BGW have some good specials on MSR gear I think it is.

Good luck

[Naked Twin]

I found the motocross helmets a bit lighter, which can make a difference after a day of bashing through the bush

Make sure the boots have good shin protection, it hurts like all hell when you come a cropper and use your shin to slow you down, found that out on the first real ride through the bush wearing jeans and colorado shoes (I didn't say I was smart). Kidney belts are so underrated if you are out for decent ride.

Even on the coldest days whilst riding around the zig zag railway I was sweating in about 10 minutes of some hard hill riding so the jerseys are a must as they let your body breath whilst covering your body. The body armour especially the suits are top value these days and anything that will protect you from a fall is worth it
Check the US sites for some big savings at the moment.

If you plan on doing any riding on your own look at an epirb, they have come down in price a lot from when I looked at them. Part of the reason I gave up MX riding, wasn't the safest/ brightest idea to just up and go for a ride through the bush on your own when you felt like it.
Makes me want to get another MX bike, couldn't ride to save myself but it was fun

[timmyrocks]

get a dirt bike helmet and goggles, stops the dust getting in you eyes and less fogging up also i find them much cooler esp when u take to goggles off for a breather.

get some body armour, i find the soft padded ones with the hard plastic outers more comfy, not the hard plastic "roost deflectors"
try and get the body armour that has a chest plate, back protector, shoulder & elbow protection

knee guards/pads are a must!

and the boots offer better ankle/shin/toes protection...... you'll need it! there alot harder to move in but hella worth it when you smack a rock or tree branch flick up

for the price of jersy and pants id reccommend them, if nothing else but for the ease of washing

also get yourself a camelpack! you'll definatly need this!!!

enjoy cath when u going to ourimbah

[timmyrocks]

also try these websites

this is aussie and quite cheap
http://www.torpedo7.com.au/

rocky mountain,,,, enough said!!
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/

chain reaction, i used these guys as my brother does downhill mtb and they have gear for this also (alot is the same) i think an order over $400 its free postage, and only took 5 days the get to my door

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Default.aspx

have fun shopping

[Wattie]

And yes, when you wear dirt boot, you cant move your ankles. They are like that for a reason

[smithy5]

Gear What gear I thought everyone was going naked nowadays

[Disco]

I'll sell you my AXO boots cheap ....They are the most uncomfortable boots the inner right ankle guard has formed a crease and rubs when I ride they are only like 5 rides old

Oh and that hill was massive Cath almost a Mountain ....

[the kid]

Im with Smithy .. or check out http://www.revzilla.com/motocross-gear

[hoffy]

And get decent goggles, good ones wont fog...the mx jerseys and pants are baggy simply so you can wear armour underneath..