Riding gear

Unlike the old days where I'd pull on a knit hat, my army field jacket, and head out for a ride, today's tourer needs the right kind of gear.  I bought a Shoei GT Air II helmet that has all sorts of features that make it both comfortable and quiet but I needed a jacket, pants, and gloves to round out the outfit.  Since we don't have a cycle store with lots of options, I had to do lots of research online, primarily at Revzilla.  The comment sections are great and provided lots of pros and cons of the various selections.  

Due to the range of weather we have in Montana during the riding season, I decided that I needed a multi-season jacket to start with and looked for one with both removable waterproof and thermal liners.  It was a confusing search with prices ranging from $150 to $800.  I decided I wasn't going to buy on the high end and picked a Sedici Avventura with matching pants.  I also picked a pair of Sedici waterproof and insulated gloves.

In the meantime, a friend who I've known for decades, and who sold me my Honda CB750 in the 1970s, asked if I had a set of leathers.  He was a test rider and was given a set of Bates leathers back in the '80s and said he'd only worn them once.  We're the same size so he sent them to me.  Getting leathers wasn't on my to do list but I have to admit, they are really nice.  Here they are:

When the package with the Sedici gear arrived it turned out that the pants were the wrong brand.  Revzilla was great about it and paid for the return postage.  The new pants showed up and they fit just right.  Without the liners they pull over a pair of Levis just fine.

One thing I noticed, my waterproof gloves are way too warm for days when the insulation isn't needed so I ordered a pair of summer gloves, this time, the brand is Alpinestars.  That decks me out.  Next I think about some upgrades to the bike.