CRF's Only Forums

I've been out of riding for about 20 years, but recently bought a CRF230 that I want to do some trail riding on. What do you guys wear to trail ride in? My only point of reference right now is sales brouchures, and naturally everyone in those are fully decked out in team colors. But how much is actually necessary? Riding boots, long sleeve shirt and jeans? Or go for the full team gear? Or a mix of the two? Goggles? Helmet is a given.

I guess I'd be considered as the "fully-decked out" category. Not sure of your ability, but I know if I went down I'd want the full protection of riding gear. I wear a helmet,gloves, and goggles (of course), boots (I have some x-rays to prove these are necessary), Shift brand freestyle pants (great for trailriding, they have pockets), vented and non-vented jersey to match, and chest protector. I ride in some tight trails which in my mind require all of the above. I pretty much use every piece of my protection almost every time I ride. You could probably get away with jeans and a t-shirt as clothing, but my opinion is the prtective gear is necessary anywhere and anytime you ride. I could tell you story about each piece and how at one time or another saved me from "........". Let me know and I can go into "bench-racing" mode!!

so i too ride with full gear...mostly. the following are things i will NOT ride without (trail or motox):

1. Helmet
2. Goggles
3. Gloves
4. Boots
5. Riding pants
6. Knee/shin guards
7. Chest protector (also provides back protection)

I've been known to toss on a tee-shirt or sweat shirt if I'm riding trail. In really extreme rocky trail riding when i'm riding with a fast group i'll wear elbow guards. for long trail rides i'll take a camelbak mounted after i put on my chest protector.

these things are expensive but will pay for themselves easily in allowing you to enjoy the most expensive thing you've purchased...your dirt bike.

good luck...ken

OK, I think I'll go that route, I just didn't want to show up at a trail looking like an MX star wannabe and get laughed out of the woods.

What about how much to put in to the gear? I'd rather not break the bank more than I already have (The wife's getting tired of me asking for money). Is the economy lines that most brands have (ie O'neal Element boots, etc) adequate for the casual rider? Unfortunately, I'll be limited to one to two rides per month, so I have to think about cost/value of the gear, but I don't want to shortcut. Any advice? Thanks.

I'd say shortcut the clothing, but do NOT lowball the boots or helmet. I consider boots to be the most important item to purchase. The helmet ofcourse has to protect, but only in a crash. Your boots will be used everytime you put them on...but 2 surgeries on your left foot will make you value a good boot!! And I was already wearing Tech 8's. Imagine what a cheap boot would have resulted in!! Shift makes a good chest protector for ~$80. This is the low end $-wise of chest protectors. Good luck with the bank...

OK, $ wise, what's the low end on boots and helmet? I haven't seen any kind of comparison showing what features make one boot or helmet better than the next. Seems that helmets have to meet Snell and DOT standards, from there it seems like the prices are driven by which designer of the graphics or which MXer is using that helmet. From what I've seen of boots, they all pretty much look the same. Most shops around here don't have much if any inventory, and online I'm just looking at pictures. Tech 4's is a $200 boot, the Tech 8's gotta be in the $300+ range, but where's the line?

For helmets, Snell approved is the best you can buy as far as standards go. That doesn't mean all Snell helmets are equal. Your right, the spectrum goes all the way to $600. I've had good luck with HJC. They have a snell approved CLX-4 that retails for around $150. Sale prices can bring these much closer to $100. Shop around. The boots start with Thor around $110. I always tell my customers (I work part time in a parts and acc. shop) to spend some $ on the boots. If you shop around, you should be able to find Sidi/Alpinestars/Gaerne mid-grade boots for around $200. Our store just had a sale, all boots were on sale. I'd have to ask Ken for a plug since I work there part-time...

There are a lot of year end clearance deals that can get you started for pretty cheap. ARC has some really well made boots for about 159$ http://www.rockymountainatv.com/Index.atv You can also check on Ebay and pick up some used stuff for cheap. I've tryed many brands of boots and they may look the same but performance and protection are what you are paying for. I am a die hard alpinestars wearer and will not change that, the tech 8's are amazing. But if your looking for value thor has some good starter boots and ARC. For helmets You get what you pay for. I wear a suomy and love it but most DOT/Snell approved helmets will meet your needs. If you are still looking for gear PM me, I've got a couple of sets laying around since i just bought new stuff and I'd be willing to let it go real cheap.

look at www.bobscycle.com they are usually $10-20 cheaper than any where else there are other bargain shops like another site outlet I would look in the back of a magizine like mxa of dr for website and compare I have oneal element atv boots and element pants and jersy an oneal cheast protector gloves zeaus helment ( goes for about $89 and has procted my head just fine through alot of hard hits ) I wear shift knee guards and evs option elbow gaurds I guess you could say I am decked out too Back to the boots the atv boots are good in mud but not good for mx and googles are a must

and I wear a kidney belt on rather rough rides

I just got the ARC 220V boots, more out of curiosity, they fit my feet perfectly, they are Sidi Force Flex knock offs except for the weak seam construction on the Sidi's heel
if you take out the inner sole you learn the ARC is in fact a Bieffe
they only come in 'imperial trooper white', but when riding I tend not to look at my feet

helmet? full face! the one that fits you best, removable liner helps keep it clean, try your goggles on with the helmet, some do not match

gloves, knee+ ellbow guards, roost protetor are mandatory
kidney belt is a matter of discussion, I wear one with lots of plastic on the back to prolong the spineguard of my chest protector

pants and jersey, the real stuff lasts longer, protects you somewhat and gives you more freedom of movement than jeans and sweatsy, not mandatory

they only come in 'imperial trooper white'

I found some black boots also.

http://www.rockymountainatv.com/Product_Details.atv?pid=00088275

out of stock, with no date for availability
if you call they will tell you they do not have them in black

Thanks for the tips, guys. I went with a Fox Tracer helmet, Snell compliant without breaking the bank. The shop I went to sold Fox Tracer boots and Alpinestar Tech 6's, 8's and 10's. I tried on the Tracers, they were much too narrow for my foot. I went up a size to see the difference and they were wide enough but way too long. They didn't have my size in any of the Alpinestars, not that I could have afforded them anyway. I'll keep looking for boots. I'm not real comfortable ordering something like that over the internet, especially since my first experience trying them on went that way. Anybody make wide sizes?

Next on my list is a pair of goggles. I went riding last weekend with some ATV's and ate a lot of dust, but still had a blast. Can't wait to go out again.

Another good source for inexpensive gear is E-bay. You can find new previous years clearance stuff or even good used stuff. I have bought all the gear for my 3 kids from there cause they outgrow it so fast. Also you can go around to your local shops to try the boots on in the store, find the one that fits you the best, then shop online for that boot to find a sale or maybe clearance.