first helmet

what is a good helmet and gloves for a new rider to buy? money is a problem. trying to keep under 300 bills for these two... thanks

Try going to a dealership and trying on some of their helmets to get a good idea on your head size and what feels comfortable. HJC is a brand name helmet and is very good quality wise, they are usually from 250-350 so you might be able to sneak under with one of those. Gloves are all about what you are going to be using them for, need kevlar inserted? winter riding gloves? non insulated leather? you should be able to find a good pair online, remember they don't have to be called motorcycle gloves.

Oh, also make sure they are SNELL and DOT approved

I concur with R1. HJC is a GREAT helmet that can be had for fairly cheap. The newly redesigned (as of last year) AC-11 helmet is lightweight, and QUIET. I highly recommend it at around $200 on NewEnough.com

Respectable glove companies are Joe Rocket, Gerike, Teknic, and Icon to name a few. You'll have to buy something that fits the area you live... For example, Pittsburgh rarely gets above 90*F, so my mesh gloves rarely get used. My full leather gloves do get used, however.

i live in california so it gets pretty hot over here and i would want something that wont make my hands sweat. do u guys recommend some gloves for my hands.

ive had tried some helmets already and i think a medium will do. its kinda hard to slip my head into the helmet but after my head is inside the helmet. its feels nice. i treid a large and its very easy to slip my head into it but when i do i could feel that its not as tight as a medium. so i go for a meduim now.

thanks for the reply

1.5 Liter im from cali too and I have full length leather gloves with carbon knuckles and my hands dont get sweaty. So I would suggest any full length leather glove.

Newenough.com will definately be the cheapest when it comes to gloves and leathers. They have some teknic violaters for 39 bucks and I have a set of them and they are very nice and for 39 bucks you CANT beat it.

HJC helmets are nice if you are on a budget. It was my first helmet but when I tried on the shoei rf1000 i had to have it. Not even close in comparison but you get what you pay for. Not saying either one will protect you better but I like the features of the shoei way more. But if you have only 300 get those teknic gloves and get a shoei tz-1. You can find some for like 220 and they are a very nice helmet. Just my opinion.

Yea HJC and shoei are both good helmts on a budget, and truthfully are very close behind doubly expensive helmets like Aria. Alot of my friends wear the RF-1000.

Anyway if you are going for bike equipment that is good for heat, this is what I wear in AZ:

Arai Astro Aurora Blue (have to ride with shield up alot of times, otherwise way to hot and stuffy)
2 Arai Signet Replicas (riding with a passenger)
Sidi Strada Evo ventelated boots (only for the track)
Alpinestars Stunt jacket (gets really hot)
Teknic Supervent jacket (mesh, good air flow)
Joe Rocket Atomic pants (gets hot in them, thinking of finding a good mesh pants)
Alpinestars SP2 gloves (only for the track, hot and sweaty)
Icon Tarmac gloves (usual riding, VERY good value)

Anyway, my gear has put a big dent in my budget, but I know it will be money well spent when I go down again.

Anyway, my gear has put a big dent in my budget, but I know it will be money well spent WHEN I go down again.

:lol: I like how you say WHEN. Well its the damn truth though especially at the track.

It may sound funny but year round I wear this...

Fieldsheer Tungsten 1 pc. Full Leathers
Teknic Violaters or my Astars Gp Plus Gloves
AStars SMX Plus Boots
Shoei RF1000 or HJC CL-14?
Teknic Lightning Leather Jacket, for around town errands

I just dont feel comfortable in a jacket only, and everyone laughs at me but hey I dont give a shit, I dont wanna go down in a pair of freakin jeans. Just the thought of it scares me.

EG, good call, shows some common sense. The only advice I can offer about helmet purchase is this. If you have a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet. Its ok, really.

Otherwise, get the best, even if you have to pay a little more than you planned to. There is no way to over stress the importance of safety gear.