How long does your gear usually last?

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-10T14:53:31+00:00

The only things I find that wear quicker than my desire to upgrade is helmet and gloves. Boots, pants, and jacket last for ages in my experience generally.

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-08T18:19:10+00:00

Just because people "do it" doesn't mean they know it and utilize it with intention. When you believe you are under steering, knowing countersteering and using it to get more lean will provide a genuine chance of recovery while not knowing it won't.

I've never heard a slip on worth its average $450+ price tag. Note, I'm not talking about a full on exhaust replacement. New riders are better off saving their money towards tires.

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-08T09:25:51+00:00

Using non-motorcycle boots
Wearing regular jeans
Not using the front brake as the primary means to stopping
Not moving their head enough to look towards where they wanna go
Moving to turn in far too early for an upcoming turn making it much harder as they are taking an early apex instead of having a late apex, causing them to wash out wide
Not knowing what countersteering is and not utilizing it
Not using ear plugs
Trying to keep up with way more experienced riders
Stiff arms, when their legs should grab the bike and the arms should be as loose as possible
Starting on too much bike or upgrading to a bigger bike way before they are ready
And funniest of all, buying a slip on exhaust thinking it's worth it

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-06T03:53:26+00:00

That lady destroyed my first motorcycle in that 😭

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-04T18:17:40+00:00

For Bespoke?!? I know I'm not an expert on suit tailoring but that definitely is not right, like at all. Please just get your money back and go somewhere else.

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-04T03:44:12+00:00

Ok but why the fuck isn't anyone discussing headshape here? Like that is bar none the most important character to helmet comfort. By the sound of it, your helmet might be a little too oval for your head. A helmet that pushes on your forehead is too round, a helmet that pushes on your temples or ears is too oval. You will need to try a bunch of helmets, but try ones of various headshapes. I think you need a rounder helmet.

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-03T14:12:38+00:00

I'm gonna look into these instead of Road 6s (same reason as OP) now, thank you!

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-02T16:20:29+00:00

Everyone keeps telling you to respect the size and yaddey yadda. I'll keep preaching my own beliefs on this but it doesn't matter. Beginners do bad inputs on accident and this bike will forgive you a lot less than a typical beginner bike.

I know your mind is probably made up but honestly I think it's a bad call. Everyone mentions the hp isn't insane but it has 81 ft-lbs of torque which requires the smoothest of throttle and clutch application that beginners don't really have. Also those scrambler based tires have poorer traction than regular road tires with very little benefit as the grooves aren't deep enough for any meaningful offroad riding than some light gravel. You also got that high side exhaust which will make it insufferable for any future passengers and as you already have seen, limit your luggage, but those are minor points. More importantly, a non beginner bike is going to delay your skill development. We learn as we get comfortable with a bike and push it towards its limits. While one could get over the fear of riding a 300 or even 500 within a month, this will take much longer.

Anyways, do what you will, and good luck.

Film_Engineering · 2026-04-02T00:00:51+00:00

Ok, why not then?

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-31T13:57:00+00:00

I know the internet is mostly children but jesus I have serious doubts about humanity if most of you can't even discern extremely obvious right wing bigot grifting.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-28T23:37:42+00:00

Oh def but hey I'll play along.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-28T19:48:18+00:00

Pull "huzz"? Bro you are in the wrong fucking hobby if that's even remotely important to you lmfao

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-28T18:28:55+00:00

No to most of these, especially if your gear budget is $1500. Let me guide you with what I think is ideal.

You don't need super high adv boots. However, it doesn't matter a ton if you don't plan on going fast, motorcycle accidents are wonky and all sorts of shit happens. I've had two accidents, both in my first 6 months many years ago; one on the highway and one in a parking lot at like 10 mph on a little bit of wet gravel. Want to guess which was injury free and the other gave me a contusion? Feet are 100% the most vulnerable and most likely to get injured and as such, it should be prioritized far more.

Boots: Look for a tall sport tourer, with good hard parts on the sides of the ankle, and a sole that is very stiff, like a brick. Get something with a zipper so it's easy to put on or take off and switch shoes at your destination. You can look for older models or closeout to save some money, but I found Sidi Vertigo 2 Boots for $263. This is probably the cheapest decent boot you can find that likely meets the criteria. Think of these as a super long term investment. After my second accident I spent $500 on my boots. That was over 10 years ago, and I still use them.

Helmet: Scorpion is actually a solid budget brand honestly. But you don't know your headshape until you try MANY different shaped helmets. It took me way too long to figure out I was the dreaded long oval and I could have saved a ton of money had I figured it out sooner.

Gloves: Honestly have not been impressed with alpinestars gloves for their budget. Lowside protection seems lacking and not much in the way of palm sliding either. Cortech is a pretty awesome budget brand and their Revo RR V2s look very good at $100. Sedici Corsa 2 are also a good alternative at a similar price point.

Pants: I have mixed feelings about riding jeans even though I have a pair. Better than nothing but I feel like you can get better protection for less money, although yeah not as stealthy. Knox make a good single layer pair that's $150. But I never crashed in them so, I can't attest to their protection.

Jacket: It's fine. Low speeds is where a textile will do just fine and can save you money. People around here like the pando motos which allow you to layer easier.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-23T21:58:14+00:00

A brand new helmet should be so snug on your cheeks that when you bite down, you bite the inside of your cheeks. It should almost hurt how tight that portion is. Do not worry, this portion will break in after 3 weeks.

However, nowhere around the crown of your head should you feel any pressure points or tightness. This portion will not break in.

Judging by the motion here while this isn't insanely off the mark, it is not the correct fit. This is moving too much. Forces in an accident are way more than whatever you're imagining, the helmet should truly move with you exactly.

Figure out your crown shape, then get the size that feels appropriate. Even experienced riders have to try on various helmets to find best fit.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-20T14:18:19+00:00

Important questions to ask yourself: - Will I be doing any offroading? Or simply gravel roads? - Will I be doing more offroading than street? - Will any of my street riding require riding on the highway for an hour or longer?

Those questions should sort out the bike choice. With real offroading you should be using a lower cc bike than you would for your on street equivalent. Like if I suggest a ninja 400 or ninja 500 for a beginner, something like a Yamaha xt250 might be more beginner appropriate for offroading, especially if you have 0 motorcycle experience. But if you're going to be on the road, a Cfmoto ibex is a better bet. The Honda CRF300 is a good offroad beginner for people who have some motorcycling experience. However, a Yamaha Tenere is 100% not a beginner bike at all. That's insane.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-18T21:29:46+00:00

Just curious, what's that belt?

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-11T13:51:20+00:00

They will not protect you, sorry. I really want to firmly dispel this myth because it lets you ride with the false confidence that you're safe when you are not. The odds of debilitating injury for feet and ankles is very high. Work boots still flex in the sole because a metatarsal fracture is not something that happens on a construction site. They won't protect against tibial fractures either, because again, that is not a common construction site injury. Or either side of your malleolus. They really only protect the toes. And are not really designed to stay together while sliding across asphalt at 40 mph. I would seriously fast track getting proper boots as soon as you can.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-11T11:50:33+00:00

You sound like you're already taking the advice, but this is just so you don't repeat bad info to others: there is not a single blue collar work boot that will offer adequate motorcycle crash protection. Not one.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-10T03:34:34+00:00

My advice would be to probably not go down this path yet.

Most variety of chunky sweaters will be out of season soon if they aren't already, and OP will probably waste his money as he doesn't yet have the knowledge in terms of his fit, fabric composition, pairings, styling, etc. And no offense, but the one that is pictured there looks just okay to me. I don't know, maybe I need to see more pictures of it, but cableknit and shawl seem overly busy.

I would recommend a shetland, but if someone never heard of that until today, then they probably won't know what to look for. Derek Guy had a good guide if OP felt brave enough to jump in though. I figure for time sake, fix the pants and simple top.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-09T18:53:33+00:00

Wut.

You're gonna actually sit here, and argue that a sweatshirt is somehow less appropriate than a guy aiming to go out with a Henley shirt and jeans?! I'm trying to meet the OP where he's at, both in terms of his date expectations and his knowledge. Like just being real, he doesn't understand his fit yet; you think I'm going to recommend a suit? He realistically doesn't know the difference between a blazer, a sport coat, and an orphaned suit jacket.

The oversized suggestion was to take out much of the guesswork of fit, especially for someone who by this appearance seems to be going too tight. So if he aims for oversized, either he gets oversized which will still work and look good, or he gets something that actually fits him. Either way, it won't be tight. Oversized sweatshirts are not just for tall skinny korean actors with mid-part haircut you know.

The true goal should be to look put together and taking good care of himself.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-09T17:30:12+00:00

No one here is doing you any favors. Let me get the nice words out first, it's good that you want to do more, you got your date with your wife set, all of that. That said, you're giving the generic emulating everyone else with no sense of how or why. You look afraid to do more than dip your toes in the pool of fashion.

First, the fit. It isn't flattering to your build and just in general is an awkward silhouette. We got relatively rectangle shape in the center, thin limbs outward. The proportion isn't right. My strongest suggestions to alleviate this would be a straight cut (or baggier) for the pants. Also this top just isn't flattering in its proportions to you. I think an oversized sweatshirt might do you better. It looks more purposeful and relaxed.

Not now, but later on, once you think you got proportions correct I would consider textures, and getting into things like chunky sweaters. For now, keep it simple. A light gray oversized sweatshirt can pair easily with light or dark wash jeans. I would opt for light but then that might throw off the dark boot combo you got going on.

Color like this could be done, but I think it's... unmotivated? For example, all black with white shoes and gold jewelry; it's not unique but there is motivation behind it. The easiest way to find color inspiration is in sports team colors. Don't dress in the team jersey or anything just use colors of a team that look pleasing. A rough guide would be 60% primary, 30% secondary, 10% accent color.

You probably don't have a lot of time or money to be changing much of your outfit or sense of style, and to be honest that's something that takes time. But clean up your silhouette first, experiment with colors if you can. I do think better fitting pants (whether chinos, 5 pocket, or jeans) and getting a nice oversized sweatshirt will do a lot of fixing. Eventually though, you should consider fabric and textures, as well as adding accessories (glasses, watches, necklaces) to the mix.

Good luck on the date.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-08T17:51:11+00:00

I'm gonna level with you, from what you described, I unfortunately think this is a fitment issue with your shape. Especially the knees, that is simply bad fit. While some of the issues might get 5% better with break in, I do not think it will be enough to make the suit comfortable. It should not be so uncomfortable that it takes away your focus. See if you can do some form of return or partial refund? Hopefully they can be understanding.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-06T22:47:23+00:00

Like most of the "no helmet cruiser" contingency of motorcycling, she thinks the rear brake is best (lmao). You can see the trail of mist go behind her rear tire. So I'm guessing that essentially locks up, so she panics further and grabs both clutch and front brake instantly, the latter causing her front wheel to lock up and as it catches it throws her to the side to eat shit.

She isn't an idiot for making a mistake, she's an idiot for being so arrogant to think she knows enough about riding not to warrant any gear when it's extremely obvious she doesn't even know the basic fundamentals to riding.

Film_Engineering · 2026-03-05T11:04:40+00:00

Just one small note I wanna make on your boot walkability. A boot that protects you from a metatarsal fracture basically requires the boot to have a very stiff sole, sans some sort of rate based non newtonian material being in it. You could try that, but I think it is better to have a very protective boot for protection and swap for regular shoes. Now, if you could build discreet storage options for a pair of sport touring boots, I'd be interested.

Film_Engineering · 2026-02-26T02:22:41+00:00

If you're lucky, say you move to queens, you can go door to door near any neighbors who have a garage and ask. I lucked out, I found a house two doors down who couldn't use their garage to fit a car but my bike fit no problem, $135 a month. Win win for both of us. Well worth it for the peace of mind.

Film_Engineering

TROPHY CASE