First Time; What to Wear?

First Time; What to Wear?

by Kathy

Piaggio MP3 500 Scooter

This is me on my first bike - Piaggio MP3 500 scooter. I'm old and fat; not the kind of shape that most clothing fits well.

I don't want to spend a fortune; I might find that this isn't really for me - let my husband ride off by himself. But, I might decide I like it; especially for riding back and forth to town - 18 miles away.

He and I want me to have proper gear to increase the chances of getting up in one piece should I fall down. I do have a good helmet and heated jacket and gloves to keep me warm, and new boots.

But finding an armored jacket and pants that will fit my big tummy and short legs is proving to be difficult. I wear size 18-20 pants (1X) and dresses 16-18 or EL tops (if blousy around hips), my inseam is only 27 inches - my arms are short too, but my "waist" (what "waist") is 42 inches, chest 43 inches, hips 46 inches.

On top of my own unique fitments, it seems that every manufacturer of women's jackets has their own unique size chart - not helpful.

I'll be riding on pavement only and not in really bad weather.

Question: What brands and models might fit me (top and bottom could be different) - synthetic, not leather - and are good for keeping dry, venting in warm weather, and padded for safety?

Comments for
First Time; What to Wear?

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Jun 14, 2009

Another Piaggio Newbie
by: Ev

I hate to change the subject, but I just bought an MP3-500 too and was wondering if you've had any trouble with stopping the scooter since you only have a 27" inseam!!! My inseam is 29" but the Piaggio's is 31" - and I'm really nervous about dumping it (even though it has the 2 wheels in front).... I had an accident 6 weeks ago on a Silverwing scooter and ran into a mailbox that was built on a 5" steel I-beam and broke my left arm and leg! I'm healing really great and am determined to get back on the bike (I'm taking the 2 day Motorcycle safety course next month to get my license), but I'm still really nervous.

How are you doing with yours?

May 13, 2009

New Enough Dot Com
by: Jenny

I adore this website, but the Teknik jacket that was fifty million sizes too large (wearing a size 16, the size 12 was still too big) was listed on the website as being true to size and then when I talked to the customer service rep, she said that she was the one who tried it on and modeled it and that it was about a size larger.

In general, their information is better then what i find on most websites, though. I always go there first when looking for something for my bike :-)

May 12, 2009

Clothing Sizes
by: Anonymous

Try Newenough web site. I have bought several things from them and they are great to work with. If you call and talk to them they can help you with sizing on different items. From what I understand, they have a few girls that work there that actually try the stuff on so they know how most of it fits on the sizing charts. Everything I bought fit exactly like they said.

May 12, 2009

Pants
by: Jenny

If you ordered the jacket from newenough.com, I'd suggest seeing if they have the pants. Their stuff can be a bit hit or miss since they buy a lot of closeout items or overstocks from others, but I always start there. Then I'd go right to the manufacturer's website and contact them for a distributor!

Oh, and don't forget eBay. I've been trolling it for some gear lately. Folks buy bikes and then change their minds and get rid of really new gear or they just like getting new gear regularly or they get gifts they can't return or whatever.

There are a few other motorcycle gear outlets that my husband tends to troll when he needs something, but I can't remember what they are.

I'm going to get Draggin' Jeans in a few weeks. They don't have padding to stop breaks or bumps, but they'll stop road rash if I have an accident. It's not ideal, but I dislike the idea of my hips getting even fatter looking with padding. I'm too vain, I guess!

May 11, 2009

Ordered!
by: Kathy

Thanks for your response. Based on your experience - I hope it fits! - I ordered the Teknic jacket in size 18. Hope it's too big, that would be an ego boost. Now, where to get the overpants to go with the jacket?????

Any more ideas for a fat short legged old lady?

May 11, 2009

Teknic?
by: Jenny

I don't own a Teknic jacket. I tried to buy one, but I failed miserably. I ordered a size 16 when I wore a 16. It was huge. I mean, it was seriously huge on me. It had some great adjustment options, but it was huge. I returned it and ordered a 12. It was still huge (I wore a 14/16, and I was way closer to a 14 then a 16 at the time!). I don't know if all Teknic jackets are so over-sized, but I would recommend the Teknic Sevilla Jacket if you're looking for something in a larger size. They had great options for tailoring it to fit (velcro, etc.) as well as vents.

I wear a Joe Rocket Lotus jacket. The sizing seems standard within their brand (I tried on two different styles of the same brand). I chose the size L for my size 14/16 body. I think it comes in a size XL, too, but I didn't need it. I also purchased the liner for chillier days. It's got a great vent system and the sizing options (snaps and velcros) blew me away. Without a doubt, Joe Rocket works best for my body type (serious hour glass, larger tummy then boobs, but large breasts, and hips that just keep on growing!), but the Teknic jacket would have worked well if they'd ever managed to send me something with decent sizing! I mean, seriously, a woman in a size 16 jacket should not have to return a size 12 because she's swimming in it!

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