Hi folks,

I am planning a one year travel by motorbike and my current schedule hits places where is going to be burning hot and places where it is freezing even in summer.

This will be my first serious travel by motorbike and I’ll use a 250cc Honda. I like to pack lightly and I have under control all the tent, stove, panniers and this kind of stuff BUT I would like to hear your recommendations for jacket, pants, helmet, boots and gloves.

-Is there any gear that is good both for winter and summer?
- Which are the best brands?
- Which is the most durable, comfy and simple gear?

I would like to keep it as simple as I can. No high tech, no racing stuff, etc. I do not want to step in a store and hear what dealers want to sell as I will rely on your experience! :-)

Cheers from Spain!

Clothing think layers, you don't need to spend a fortune to get good useable gear. Do you have Decathalon stores ?

I would use kevlar denim jeans these can be worn on or off the bike, underneath leave enough room for thermal leggings and then a good waterproof trouser to go over the top that will keep you warm and dry, Ex military gear is good for this layer you can get cheap gore tex military jacket and pants that are tough and will go over your other clothes.

For a jacket again go for a good sturdy riding jacket maybe leather, leave room underneath for a fleece and a thermal longsleeve top then gore tex jacket over the top.

This combo should cover most climates and keep costs low.

Boots? if you pick good strong hiking boots then you can hike off the bike and they are very useful ok they offer less protection than bike boots but they are more useful overall. if you have waterproof covers or plastic bags then your feet stay dry in heavy rain. ( again ex military gore tex socks can go underneath) Military boots are also strong and cheap.

I like mx gloves as they are nice to control the bike and I use again a military over mitt than is waterproof and warm and cheap.

You should check out the guy who is traveling Africa with a surf board in ride tales section for how little you need to take.

Remember travel light and enjoy the ride. You can alkways buy cheap warm garments on the road and pass them on when you get to a warmer climate.

A one piece waterproof suit is very good for keeping cold wet weather out but they are not normally as durable or useful off the bike.

Check out Sydney to London, that guy rode the whole journey through many changing climates in non biking gear.

Get a helmet that fits and one that you dont mind people trying on and it will probably take some knocks, open face lets you smile at the world as you go by, mx also does the same but adds chin protection. Flip up seems a good comprimise of safety and smiles full face most safe but more clasutraphobic and head gets hotter!!

You proabably wont ride much faster than 50mph on most of your journey. I took mx shin, knee gaurds but you can get cheap kevlar denim jeans now with knee gaurds in from discount stores like Aldi and Lidl etc

Spain has 5 times the amount and variety of gear the UK does ... and at better prices too. Big Spanish cities sometimes have "clusters" of bike shops. Lots to choose from and wide variety of prices HIGH to LOW. Bikes are a BIG deal in Spain and so is riding gear.

I'd first go to a few good shops and ONLY LOOK ... do not buy. See what is there, learn price ranges, look for good and bad quality. Look at Moto Cross type gear for HOT weather, look at touring type gear for cold, look at everything and learn.

Local Moto magazines have gear reviews, read them, but don't take them as word of God. But you can learn a lot about products and what features they have.

Advice here on HUBB will probably mention many brands you don't have in Spain ... so, useless to you.

Perhaps there are some experienced Spanish Motoqueros who can help you with shopping for gear in Espana?... if not, then you are on your own.

For HOT conditions, wear what the Moto Enduro or Motocross guys wear. For
cold weather, find warmer gear and use layers and use heated gear like a Gerbing elec. jacket. (lifesaver!) You will need at least two pairs of gloves.
One for hot weather, another for the cold.

As you travel you will learn what is good or bad.
You can always buy gear on the road or trade with other riders or give away what you do not like or need.

Suerte!

Thanks for the info guys!

I have been checking the website / stories of the guys that have done looong travelling and I see that almost all of them use leather pants and jacket
Why?
Is there any practical advantage in using them?

I wouldnt go for leather pants (just watch the Friends episode where Ross gets stuck in a pair to see what happens when you get hot)

Leather jacket is fine it offers good protection but be aware that protection is only there if the jacket is fastened correctly!! so make sure the jacket is not too hot.

One more thing to consider is what gear/clothing you have already from that you should know what works and what does not.

enjoy the journey

Leathers one and possibly only advantage is wear. Jeans are only good for one crash and you'll wear the knees out of a clown suit changing tyres. Your old leathers will be cold, hot, wet and stinking but you won' t be chucking them out because they are trashed.

Andy

haha, just watched that Friends episode
So then which is the advice on the pants? I have a waterproof trousers from Decathlon already.

Oh, by the way, what about gore tex leather pants? Are they a good option?

Alex
Life on Bikes - ride, experience & live

Sorts the problem that clown suit nylon shreds on impact, burns on exhausts and wears out faster that a students bed springs during rag week. Also partially solves the lack of waterproofing in leather.


Filthy leather will block the pores in the Gortex turning it into a sweat bag. Soaked leather that's been over Goretex over sweaty legs is not something you'd want to share a tent with.


7/10 for effort.


There is no 10/10 answer.


To me waterproofed cotton or nylon over trousers work better as all the inner layers stay dry and you don't have to take the wet bit into the tent.


Andy

Leather? Really? Folks on this forum and many RTW types do not wear leather all that much, least I haven't noticed it.

Modern synthetic fabrics are what most wear, have done for ages now ... most all products are off shoots of Dupont Cordura, which got into moto gear about 30 years ago.

Some commuters and weekend riders wear full leathers and of course the sports bike and vintage bike guys still wear it full time. But among ADV types leather went out maybe 20 years ago for most??

This especially true since companies like BMW, Aerostich, Rev'it, Klim, Motoport and several other good ones started going UP market with their gear. So yes, higher prices but more features, better fit and quality.

Most top of the line Cordura type gear includes Gore-Tex in some form. Gore Tex you know as a hiker and you also probably know it does not work when dirty.

Some are foolish enough to believe Gore-Tex's breathable quality means it will be perfect in HOT weather. WRONG! Gore-Tex works in Cold, like when your hiking up a mountain, cross country skiing.

But when sat on a bike in 100F and 90% humidity with little ventilation, Gore-Tex will par boil you as ANY synthetic gear will.

My thoughts on Leather:
About 12 years ago the guys I was riding with used Cordura type gear, pants and jacket.
Most guys use Aerostich (USA) many still use it exclusively for our 2 to 4 days rides here in San Francisco Bay area.

But some of us realized we liked our leather pants better than synthetic ones.
Not for the hottest weather but it's good nearly year round here in California where we have HUGE range of weather, from 120F Death Valley to minus 24F in our Sierra Nevada. I've ridden in BOTH extremes dozens of times.

It's leather pants for me every time.

But now, about half our group of 25 riders, wear leather pants for all but the hottest weather. No one wears leather off road ...if they can avoid it.

Many riders forget that leather is the "original" breathable fabric and breaths 100% better than any synthetic pants I've worn (and I've tried many as I get the stuff free from a magazine to test)

I like leather. It works for me in the coldest conditions up to about 85F. Over 85F I switch to mesh dirt bike riding pants (with armor underneath).

Good leathers offer great protection and comfort. While my synthetic pant clad buddies are sweating like rapists at the fuel stop, I'm nearly always fine.

For a jacket, I went to Cordura type synthetic jackets 20 years ago and have never looked back. So, synthetic jacket, leather pants is how I roll.

But traveling I always pack dirt riding vented pants for hot conditions. The leathers are a PAIN to pack but worth it when it cools down or I go back into the mountains.

If it rains, with leather you have to have a plan. I always carry rain pants. These pack to nothing and can be slipped over my leather pants in 2 minutes. My leather pants are also treated with Sno-Seal, a Bee's wax leather treating
product that makes them quite water proof.

hi apinajus
a quick note for you, I am using leather pants and jacket, with thermal long pants and long sleaved top underneath. We rode Alexandria to Cape Town 2010-2011. (Sudan was 54') Sure it was warm but the thermals were quick to wash each day and kept (most, lol) of the stink off the leathers. We rode around Auz (2013) after working for a bit in W.A. Currently in Santiago waiting for bikes and leather clothes to arrive!!
Diane has synthetic with thermals under, worked well to. BUT yes you do needs waterproofs over when it gets rainy, mine, super cheap two piece from a builders merchant, pants and jacket roll up to the size of a mug.
We did hit the tar (70kph) Sudan / Ethiopia border, both set of clothing got scuffed, no more. Diane does find it a bit of a drag unzipping rezipping water proof and thermal layers out of hers. I just cook gently!!!!
Final note I had the leathers for years before I left, old Belstaff gear. not new or 'fancy'.
Check all our gear out www.rimorterra.wordpress.com
Safe trip!

Ok, Im going to tread carefully because I've been stomped on before on Horizons Unlimited forums. Firstly I'm an ex outward bound instructor, why ex? I have cervical spondylitis which means I can no longer carry a backpack.

When thinking about clothing always think about closest to your skin and work outwards.

Base layer: There are a shed load of products here but I recommend natural fibres, merino wool or equivalent . Why? Because it doesn't chaffe and doesn't smell like you've just taken a dump in it after 24 hours, sorry to be crude but it's true.

Intermediate layer: This is the layer that keeps you warm or cool, choose clothing that traps or dissipates air. It's the trapped air that keeps you warm or cool not the material. Choose whatever you like here but avoid synthetics because again they stink after 24 hours use. Strangely enough wool will keep you warm even when wet, another shout out for natural fibres compared to synthetics.

Outer layer: This is the layer that protects you from the elements, Firstly leather looks cool but is 100% useless because it absorbs and transports moisture or heat to the layer which should keep you warm or cool.

One thing that I'm absolutely sure about (Including me) is the fact that for the majority of us the second we swing our leg over our bike we are more interested in the image we project than the functionality of our kit which is a big, big mistake.

Back to the outer layer. You can think I'm talking out of my bum but my recommendation is jacket and pants that are waterproof and will protect you in a serious off. If the suit is made of Goretex or has an internal waterproof membrane doesn't matter but it should include an approved back protector and so on................why? do you really need me to explain how I got cervical spondylitis.

Hope this helps

Bob

Sorry mate, the above makes absolute NO SENSE to me. Thermals worn in hot weather? TIP: heat stroke will kill you!

Good info on Base and Intermediate layers! You may be a bit Wool crazy Bob, but Wool is a good thing, I use it myself ... but does NOT block wind very well. You have to know how to use synthetics and mix with natural fabrics as needed to suit conditions and activity. Riding a bike is a bit different than Hiking up a mountain. WIND CHILL.

On the road on my bike in HOT weather, I like wicking synthetics under my riding jacket. Some venting, but not too much. Dehydration can be an issue.

I wash "smalls" almost every day ... my stuff dries in 2 hours, takes 5 minutes to wash undies, t shirt, socks in sink. I only use Wool in cooler temps, but Wool socks everywhere! I love the NO STINK aspect of it and it's versatility. The modern, thin Wool Merino stuff is awesome! Great base layer up to about 85F.

No riding jacket/pants is "made out of GoreTex". I know you know this ... GoreTex is always a separate layer of fabric between outer layer and inner liner of garment.

Also, as I know you must know ... GoreTex is useless once dirty and terrible in high heat. It was never designed to work in high heat. Yes, it breathes ... but not fast enough to exhaust heat and sweat in high temps and humidity. Works great for cross country skiing however!

I know, I tested some of the very first ever GoreTex gear for North Face in the Antarctic years ago. Great in cold, bad in high heat and humidity. North Face staff and Mr. Gore himself met with us to promote the gear.

In the Antarctic work environment dealing with Birds, Seals and SHite, plus grease from Heavy Equipment, Outboards, Snow machines, the GoreTex stuff got dirty and gave up! ... GoreTex failed us.

Once dirty, we got soaked. Wash it and the GoreTex fabric no longer kept water out!

Regards armor ... agree! ...back protector is essential ... but so is armor everywhere. Most built in armor in jackets and pants is JUNK .. and ends up being useless in a crash ... as it moves when you fall. Typical so called CE armor is just wimpy foam. Get the GOOD STUFF!

I prefer strap-on, dirt bike style elbow and knee guards. This armor stays in place in a fall. Positioning a back protector is more forgiving as it's so big. My custom pad slips into the armor pouch on back of my Jacket. My Camel Back drink system also adds extra back protection ... especially when full of water. (Crash Tested!)

I've ridden in leather pants A LOT in heat and some rain. rarely had my leather pants get wet, I use rain pants over, stay dry.

Fine for me up to 85F (29C), above that I switch to Synthetic Dirt riding pants. Tough and vent well. (armor worn under).

For rain I use Cheap, synthetic rain pants. They also provide a nice wind break and extra warmth when cold ... and they are not even Wool! But I've only ridden down to 10F (-12C). I'm sure you've ridden in much colder conditions in Sweden! (but why would any fool want to?)

Hi Mollydog, the human body can survive butt naked at an air temperature of around 26ºC this varies a little according to the surface area of your skin, wind chill and a few other factors. Your internal core temperature, that is to say the part of your body that contains your vital organs is happy, if you're not sick, at 36.5 to 37.5ºC. When your skin temperature exceeds the happy medium of 26ºC you begin to sweat, where is the sweat coming from? your body at 37ºC. So how does a liquid that is warmer than your external skin temperature cool you down? Evaporation, as the sweat evaporates it leeches energy and thus cools you.

OK, so now the thermals, If they are made of modern technical material they will absorb the sweat and distribute it more evenly than the globules of sweat that appear on your naked skin and enhance the whole evaporation process.

Andrew Fenn's theory holds water, get it a little pun there , until you reach the leathers which do not breath and allow the continuation of the sweating process but if the windchill on the exterior of the jacket reduces the temperature within your jacket to less than 26ºC then your body will need to heat the moisture trapped underneath the jacket to 26ºC which requires energy that in turn will cool your body or if you're at the happy medium of 26ºC then you won't sweat so no problem.

I hope I've explained this correctly because I had a huge problem getting my head around this when I sat through the lectures.

I think the proof of this theory is our friends in the road racing fraternity, they can happily race in Malaysia at temperatures in excess of 40ºC but if the race directors hold them on the start line too long they start passing out.

Jeez I've got a headache now

On the whole Gortex thing, it doesn't work when wet either.

you posted while I was writing this and I have to say I agree whole heartedly with what you wrote.