Returning to riding after 20+ years

[andycan]

Howzit fellow travellers

So I'm turning 40 on the 10th of July and collecting my Cherry Arcadia Red NC750x on the 16th of July. Mid life crisis much?
I have been cageing it for about 19 years and as a laaitie I didn't really put much planning into my biking experience.
Now that I'm all grown up (or at least taller) I hope to do this properly. I have added a taller Givi windscreen and I am getting a
Givi E55 top box to increase the bike's usefulness. I see a center stand and some crash bars in the bike's future, but easy does it on
the money for now. I have also added a Nolan N44 helmet, a Berik jacket and Xkultcha Jeans.
I got some light summer gloves too, but there are obviously some gaps in my equipment line up.
I need boots, winter gloves and probably another pair of riding pants.
I do have windproof over pants that I plan on keeping in my frunk in case of super chillos weather. 
Can any body lend me some advice on boots and winter gloves? Or any advice in fact.
I am on a budget (having just dropped R75k on the bike) so I'm hoping to keep the boots and gloves together below R2.5 k

[EcoRider]

andycan, I am sure you will enjoy the bike .

[ryc]

!
Best advice I can give on the outstanding gear is shop around. Most shops have specials every now and then. Apart from that I would say buy the best you can afford. The gear needs to be comfortable and do what they should. I spent R600 on "weatherproof winter gloves" two years ago which only lasted me a couple of months and did not deliver on the "promises".
I bought a pair of leather gloves on special last year (R450) and these have been serving me much better.
Gear needs to be comfortable, keep you safe and keep you warm/dry.

[Rissiepit]

andycan, enjoy and be safe!
I got the Oxford wintergloves where you have 2 fingers together and your thumb alone... it has inners and works like a charm for me.
Not sure where you are based. There's a little shop in Harties where I found my helmet, boots and pants for much cheaper than the "normal" bike shops... its basically behind "Upper Deck", in the fleamarket area...

[Rissiepit]

The gloves are called "Oxford Tri finger glove"

[davido]

!

Agree with Ryc, spend the money on quality stuff, one piece at the time, as you will end up using them for years to come. Otherwise, you will be visiting the shops on the seasonal basis...

Before you read further, don't get me wrong. I am an advocate for ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME and I ride ride with what I preach. However, the below is merely a suggestion as to not to break the bank in one go...

For now, you can get a pair of those thin micro-fleece inner Hiking gloves, to be worn inside the motorcycle-specific gloves, on those wintery days. For those rainy days, you can get a pair of surgical latex gloves to wear over the micro-fleece, inside the motorcycle-specific gloves. This way, you get protection on the outside and warmth/driness on the inside.

A good pair of high-ankle hiking boots or work boot with steel toes will beat any tekkies or slippers. Start with those if you can't find a "good and suitable" pair of motorcycle boots. All of the motorcycle boots with the "Gortex" label are most water-resistant, whether vented or not, but they are not all water-proof as claimed.

You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned about brand or model, because that is upto personal preference. I guess at the end of the day, buy only what you really need and what really suits your riding purpose. Don't rush out to buy what you think you might need...

Happy riding!

[sl0m0]

[royw]

Well, it is after the 16th July! Happy birthday and hope you enjoying your gift to yourself

[chrisgp007]

Andycan.
LOL we all have those mid life crisis lol
Enjoy the bike and I hope u find all the gear u where searching for.

[murray]

Hi Andycan,

enjoy the bike, and yeah, enjoy the midlife crisis, roll with it!

have to agree with the other comment, and davido's, ATGATT. Yes be careful of pricing, and especially the boots with waterproofing, very few boots are actually waterproof, and will last. My personal suggestion, would be to save up and do your self a favour with the kit. It took me basically two summer rain seasons to figure that out, and with cost. I ended up going for the sidi adventures, they offer mx boot protection, and comfort as well as being waterproof, you can wade, or tour, or commute in comfort, and even walk in them! most cages come with protection and comfort built in, thats now what you kit has to do.