The £ 400 BUDGET
LEE SKELLETT, DESIGNER
“It was outrageously discounted online”
IKNOW 400 QUID sounds like a decent budget, but I want to be able to go on track – and at least look like I know what I’m doing while I’m there. So this means I need some good-quality leathers for protection and a race-replica helmet for style. That makes £400 an almost impossible budget to stick to. Almost...
Thing is, even if it’s nice to have, the latest and greatest kit isn’t actually necessary. When you start hunting out the bargains on discontinued items, you’d be surprised at how much good kit you can find. Each of the things I’ve spent my budget on is a brilliant item and you can still find them online with outrageous discounts.
HELMET: AGV K3 £119.99
www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk
A Guy Martin helmet for £120! AGV’S K3 is a few years old now and doesn’t have the drop-down sun visor of the newer model. What it does have is the ACU Gold sticker needed to get out on track, plus it comes in Guy Martin replica colours – which, to date, are virtually unchanged. It’s safe, comfy and the finish is flawless.
BOOTS: Spada ST1 £74.99
www.infinitymotorcycles.com
The ST denotes Sports Touring. It’s a compromise, but I’d say there are no better new boots available for this money. They’re sporty enough and the build quality is good, but they’re too roomy, flexy and cumbersome to be perfect for sporty riding. The alternative would have been to scour ebay for some older and used Sidi Vertigos or Alpinestars SMXS for around the same money.
LEATHERS: Oxford RP-3 one-piece suit £169.99
www.megamotorcyclestore.co.uk
Discontinued for 2017, these Oxford leathers can be found discounted online from £300 to as low as £169.99 on Mega Motorcycle Store’s ebay page. The fit is great, they feel tough enough to withstand a good tumble and they look the part, too. There’s a removeable lining with an internal chest pocket and a pocket for a back protector (which would bust the budget, but you should absolutely shell out the extra money for one. I’m cheating by fitting one from another suit…).
GLOVES: Buffalo Jerez £29.99
www.sportsbikshop.co.uk
These are the best bargain of the lot. There are plenty of leather gloves at this price, but none with such a good spec. Made of soft and comfy goat leather, they feature vented fingers and carbon-fibre knuckles, Velcro wrist and cuff closures, extra padding at vulnerable areas and a hard scaphoid slider. An additional stretch panel on the thumb would make the fit more flexible, but c’mon, they’re £30. What do you want – the moon on a stick?