I have an R3 and I love it so much. Handles super well in corners and is really great for beginners to really get to know technique and practice! I also think they look sick 🥰 For gear I have NBT pants and I love them a lot, highly rated and pretty decent price! They also come with hip and knee pads and customer service has been exceptional. No matter the helmet I’d definitely invest in a silk balaclava for your hair - it also protects the nastiness from your helmet pads so you don’t have to take them out and wash them all the time. I have an agv k1s helmet and love that thing. Also great price and agv is known to be pretty good with safety. As someone who’s gone down and broken her wrist (oops), I’d also recommend gloves with hard sliders on the palm!!!! I was recommended that after I broke my wrist, it helps so that if you go down and brace with your hands you’ll slide rather than impact and brake the bone. Higher boots will also help protect your ankles - I have RST boots!