Dreaded boot shopping time -

[nhmaf]

may be coming - I've gooped the soles back on my old Alpinestars, but I think that I'm going to have to consider new boots this year.   Id like fairly decent, fairly waterproof boots so I'm currently looking at the BMW Pro Tour boots (appr $370) and some less pricey Alpinestars Effex Goretex and another model and Sidi On Road Goretex models (appr $330).  I read an online review article that spoke highly of some Triumph-labeled goretex boots, but I cannot find them anywhere now.

AS the current economic situation has impacted my income quite drastically, I may have to pinch a dollar or two if I can - I think that Melena and some other  folks have recently bought the BMW "All around" boot that also has GoreTex and is less pricey than the Pro Tour model - can you tell me how you like the boot, and how well it holds up in steady/heavy rain ?   I have rather long (size 12) and narrow (C width) feet, so I am not looking for wide style boots.

Any input/suggestions are welcome on boots to avoid or to consider!

I suppose that I am also due for a new helmet this year, but I may just have to get another year out of the worn Shoei RF700 or newer RF-800 in my garage (of course, they are now up to RF-1000 intheir model lines and those helmets are 10-12 years old).   One thing at a time...
 :-?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Hmmm, let's see, boots or a helmet?  Boots are kind of cool and if they fit right make riding a real pleasure.  On the other hand, a new brain bucket is always tight and takes a small bit of breaking in.  Just my opinion but if I had to choose one or the other I'd go with the new helmet.  I can always dry my feet off if they get wet but a cracked head is more difficult.  I try to replace my helmets every 3 or 4 years.

I just picked up a couple of new HJC Symax 2 helmets for about $275 each.  (One for me, one for Mrs. Phorqs.)  And the boots I found last summer at Cycle Gear are the Frank Thomas goretex boots for around $100.  Very comfortable fit and a decent value for the money.

[nhmaf]

I'm definitely going for boots first, my RF800 Shoei, while far from new, is almost pristine (padding is still a tight fit, nothing worn, scratched, or chipped, never dropped seldom out of the closet) and it is very seldom used.  The even older RF700 though, is definitely worn, the padding is getting compressed and the fit is looser and noisier than it ought to be.  I figure the 800 will be OK for this season, or at least the next few months, whereas I can't have the soles of my boots coming off and filling my boots with a couple pounds of water in any storm- already had the boots reheeled years ago, so they've certainly had a long & valiant run (probably around 8 years or so).  

I may scrimp a bit on boots, but I won't on helmets - I don't need to pay for fancy graphics on them, but Shoeis have always fit well for me, ever since Arthur Fulmer went out of business. I 've a preference for full coverage, Snell approved buckets, and my head seems to have the characteristics of a "Shoei head"!