Obviously I need a helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots. What are good brands? What should I look for? What should I spend? Should I buy new or used? Should I get pants or are jeans fine?

Any other tips/suggestions/links are appreciated

 

I use to have a Arai motocross Helmet and a Bell motocross helmet but I don't know about street stuff. I'm sure there street stuff is good

 

Wouldn't trust used stuff. Figure out which helmet is comfortable, look at full face helmets first, but ultimately its what you deem more comfortable (I found the 3/4 faces more comfy, but still wish I got a full face). Also make sure it has the DOT sticker and if you have the money, a SNELL sticker as well. Jacket, your preference. Either a leather jacket or perhaps a Joe Rocket jacket (more expensive). JR's have built in armor and removable layers and stuff. Those run $300ish at my store. Gloves, Joe Rocket sells nice armored gloves as well (to protect the knuckles and such). Those run about $80 from what I've seen. For boots I would recommended a good sturdy pair of over the ankle boots. Thick jeans will be good, but even better are "Draggin Jeans", they have built in armor as well from what I remember, but also cost alot per pair.

Make sure your gear is comfortable and doesn't hinder any movement, someone at your local bike shop can help you fit stuff a lot better.

 

Thanks for all the info. What is SNELL?

 

It's like DOT but a higher grade

 

Like Bishop said, its a higher testing standard, exceeds DOT certifications. They do TONS of research and certify only the absolute best helmets out there. DOT is the minimum requirement, but if you can, SNELL is the way to go.

 

Do you pronounce it Snell...or say it letter by letter S-N-E-L-L? Just so I don't sound stupid when I ask for it at the bike shop.

 

Pronounce it

Out of curiosity, whats your budget on gear?

 

HJC helmets are good and relatively affordable.

dont ask me about other gear cuz i am a bad example h:

 

I was prepared for:

$100-$300 on Helmet (you guys shot down used ones so I am expecting to be at the upper end of that spectrum)
$100-$200 for the jacket (is that reasonable?)
$25-$50 for the gloves
$50-$100 for boots
??? for pants

So thats $275-$650 + cost of pants. I'm really prepared to spend $500-$600 (hopefully including pants)

But in all honesty price isn't much of an object when it comes to gear. I want to be as safe as possible and I am willing to pay for it. At the same time I don't want to over pay for fancy shit I don't need.