Gearing up for Mr7211 (Our new Harley Davidson)

Indeed it is a good morning when you have something new, isn't it? We i.e. Rocker57 and I were eager beavers. Why? You asked? Well, simply because we have a new 'toy' and we get to 'play' dress up all over again!!! YAY!!!!

You see...when you ride a big bike or superbike or super touring bike like ours, this is what you wear.

But when you ride a Harley Davidson(H-D), these are what you'll need to wear:

1) H-D bikers normally wear different type of helmets from superbikers. Basically non full face but not necessary so if safety is your first priority. Mostly, if you watch the movies, H-D riders normally wear these:

There is a grey line here in terms of helmets. So my suggestion is, wear what is safe for you and not what is the norm. In any case...what norm? For the time being, I will use my very own open faced helmet and Rocker57's Nolan X-lite full face helmet when I ride ZacBOy. 

By the way, did you know that helmets has expiration dates too? As a rule of thumb, from manufacturing date, expiration is approximately 4 years. Yup! Well, now you know. Ours is 3 years old, so we will make do for now and then buy new ones when ours expire. If you are reading my blog for the very first time, what-it-takes-to-ride will give you a good indication the cost of gears/apparels,etc.

Below, more helmets examples :

                  Picture credits - iStockphoto

2) And then, you have to have the boots! The H-D biker boots are different from those worn by the big bikers/ superbikers.

 

Just in case you think Rocker57 is wearing this...the answer is NO. He took the pix for me. We did check out this outlet but we didn't buy the boots but something else. Stay tune to learn more....hehehhe...

I fell in love with this pair of H-D genuine leather boots. Sold for RM890 at Naza Prestige Sdn Bhd. It was the only pair left and it fitted me like a second skin. So, OK....I exaggerated a bit, but these boots were meant for riding and yes....it had my name written all over it. Ok OK...I exaggerated again but who cares...I bought them boots and love them to bits! YES!! Do not be deceived by the mean looking boots, it may look mean but it is seriously very comfy yet has proper protective elements. Awesome!

Next :
3) The leather jackets: 
We bought these made in Pakistan leather jackets for RM200 each. Although not really to our liking, temporary, these should suffice until we find something we really like. FYI, dressing up for superbiking and H-D biking is totally different. It's like errr...dressing up for a cocktail function & the other a beach wear. Or something to that tune...oh well, you are smart, you get my drift :)

Leather or Denim jackets are a-OK for H-D riding because H-D bikes are not called cruisers for nothing. One is expected to cruise on a H-D and enjoy the loud patented Vroom Vroom exhaust sound and take time to relish the ride.

The H-D logo is original H-D embroidery bought at RM79 from Naza Prestige (same place I bought my boots) Then, we had to bring both jackets to Pertama Kompleks to have them sewn on. Incidentally, you can get your leather jackets, boots, etc tailor-made in the many outlets in Pertama Kompleks at a fraction of the original cost. Quality wise, no comment. Just for cross comparison, my embroidery is RM79, the jacket is RM200...the embroidery cost is 40% of the jacket! Insane!!

 

Purchased the front logo for RM15 from a logo embroidery shop in Pertama Kompleks. (no..not typo, just sounded better when Complex is spelled in Bahasa Malaysia) Oh, before I forget, this is MY jacket - back & front. Cool, eh?

Below is Rocker57's jacket :

This is even more ridiculous. The original H-D embroidery logo bought from Naza Prestige cost RM119 vs the RM200 jacket. It is more than half the cost of the jacket!!!! CraaZZZzy!! The front logo is also RM15 from the same shop in Pertama.

This pair of gloves I purchased from H-D Singapore 3 years ago for SGD70 or approximately RM160. It looks "rugged" ( a phrase rarely heard of these days) but logically, provides not much of a protection BUT then I get to show off my manicured hands!!! hehehehe.... Meantime, this would do until I get a full leather glove that I really like or one that can fit my XXS-sized hands.

Seriously, dressing up for a new bike is a serious affair and a costly one as well. We need to "dress for the occasion" or risk looking out of place. So, for you pillion riders who intend to embark on one in support of your love one, think again! Ka-ching, KA-CHING...$$$ rolling out but on a positive note, you get to look CHIC! (again, rarely heard of these days..."Hey, you look Chic, man") But...if you have already thought about it....well, well, well...WELCOME to the club!!!

Also, you'll need lots of H-D t-shirts :~ 

The first of two H-D T-shirts I bought from Naza 3 years ago. Cost about RM100 but I got it on sale for half the price :)

Smart shopper, eh? 

Rocker57 bought this when we were in Tasmania couple of years back. The outlet was in Launceston, Tasmania called Richardsons Harley Davidson They even had a museum dedicated to H-D. Awesome!!

The rear view of the same long sleeve T-shirt.

Below, some of our H-D T-shirt collections

bandannas: 

 jeans, H-D belts, H-D belt buckles, etc to complete the H-D biker/pillion look. And oh...a few stick-on tattoos should do the trick, that way... one would look so 'IN'. 

In the event, you don't want to spend too much or rather don't want to be swarm by an overdose of H-D stuff, you can don these and look really cool too :

Cool "ride"? Afterall, it sounds like right, ride? Right! Oh well...until the next blog >>>>>

Ride strong, Ride far & Ride long....Vrooom, Vrooom, Vrrrroooom! (ramp it up, babe...ramp it loud)