caught in random los angeles rain !!!!!!! AAAAAHHHHH

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:07 pm

yesterday, I got SOAKED by the much needed, but unforgiving rain...

I've searched the thread, but can't find where people in los angeles buy motorcycle gear. does anyone know?

I need gear, I need to buy, but I am too tall and skinny to just wing it on the internet.

please help.

also, if anyone knows where i can buy a halogen lamp in los angeles that'd be cool also.

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:00 pm

My Fieldsheer jacket kept my upper half pretty dry yesterday.

As far as getting gear, most motorcycle and scooter shops carry any type of gear you want. If one doesn't have it, the next will (may not some of the Vespa boutique dealerships).

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:07 pm

You can also try places like Cyclegear, as they have quite a few stores.

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 9:58 pm

There are lots of places to get really good, pricey, full body rain suits for cycling. I hear Road Toads by Frog Togs are among the best.

When I was gearing up after buying my scooter I got a really nice Nelson rain suit ($90). It works great - keeps me nice and dry even in a downpour. But it is far to large to keep in my pet carrier or top case all the time. For occasional bad weather protection I have a very cheap plastic rain poncho. Even though the sides only snap together the front is solid and drapes nicely front of my knees - My lower legs only get wet when I have to touch down at stops. Works great for sprinkles and light rains, and will do well enough in a sudden downpour. Here's a similar poncho for less than a buck.

-Mark

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:14 am

Nothing random about that rain—it was in the forecast all week!

Believe it or not, there are few places to buy good gear in LA. NoHo Scooters carries Corazzo and possibly some other jackets. There are a few MC dealers closer to you (Honda of Hollywood on Santa Monica), but the selection at most of these is poor.

I just rode up to Simi Valley today for a visit to Cycle Gear. It's a long ride from Silver Lake (probably 90 minutes or so) but you get to go through the beautiful Santa Susana pass west of Northridge. My first time riding in that area. In a car, it's probably a pretty quick trip up the 5 to the 118. [Edit to add: The location in Canoga Park is actually closer to SFV, but doesn't have the fun ride through the pass.]

They carry more apparel than any other shop in the area that I've visited. I was particularly impressed by the Frank Thomas line, which wasn't (all) too motorcycle-y looking and was reasonably priced. What they didn't have much of a selection of was modular helmets, which is why I rode up there. So you may want to browse online then call before making the trip up.

I recently posted on the Vespa Club of LA group looking for shops with better helmet selections so I'll let you know if I find any others.

For the halogen, it's a pretty stock size, so many MC/auto places will have them. You can also order the bulbs from scooterwest.com in San Diego, who usually ship same day.

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 2:24 am

ericalm wrote: What they didn't have much of a selection of was modular helmets, which is why I rode up there.

If you're looking for modular helmets, definitely check out your local BMW motorcycle dealers, as they tend to carry those more than the average cycle shop.

dannyW · Post by **dannyW** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:08 am

ericalm wrote:Nothing random about that rain—it was in the forecast all week!

i know, but I left culver city and the skies were blue, then all of the sudden, dow pour again!!!!

it seems there aren't a lot of motor cycle stores around

i read about glory, but haven't gone

i have a corazzo (from noho) but they have a pretty small and retail section...

i can't believe in this giant city and sprawling county there would be a f---ing store that sells boots, rain gear, helmets, etc.

i'll have to go up to the vally and check it out....

thanks

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:33 am

dannyW wrote:i read about glory, but haven't gone

i have a corazzo (from noho) but they have a pretty small and retail section...

i can't believe in this giant city and sprawling county there would be a f---ing store that sells boots, rain gear, helmets, etc.

Glory is cool, though more vintage style stuff than the practical things.

Kind of crazy that all the suggestions I've gotten for places to look for gear in the LA area are deep in the Valleys, down south in the beach cities, out in the Inland Empire. Anyone want to bankroll a new gear shop?