What should i expect to pay for a jacket/helmet/gloves - i'm not looking to break the bank, but i also want to be as safe as i can. Basically what's the cheapest equipment i can get that will still serve their purpose and look good?

the biggest thing is the helmet, spend the extra money and buy a nice light good helmet, usally from 350 - 500 for a shoei who make very nice helmets....coat is a preference usally 250 - 600 depends who makes it whats in it and etc, and gloves are easy just find something you like, something that will be well ventilated, thats why i like the dirtbike gloves but either way they are like 30 - 50 bucks....check a bmx site like www.danscomp.com cause they sell DIRTBIKE gloves for bmx including the mechanics gloves and what not usally for less than a bike dealership

I agree somewhat with the helmet.. however I only paid 125 for mine (a Z1R) but it is DOT and SNELL approved. That is the biggest thing. i look for both because they test in different areas. I spent alot on a good leather jacket. (380 for an Alpinestars) For gloves I spent 40 for a set of Icon superduty's. Good gloves but they fade fast.

i adgree with the helmet too... i bought a shitty KBC for like 100 bucks.. was loud. didn't fit right.. visor opened when u went over 80. and it was heavy... just got my new Shoei RF1000 today.. 10 times better.. got it off ebay for 300 bucks.. was 500. i also bought a Alpine Star stunt jacket.. 260... then some Alpine star Sp 1 gloves which were 70.. it adds up. but at least i will have some of my skin if i crash.. :roll:

So i should be able to find everything for well under $1,000?... hopefully less than $600 or $700?

Depends on what you want.
Figure 200-300 for a nice quality helmet that will last. I use a shoei rf1000. I commute to work everyday, so there's now time for the padding to expand after I wear it. It's still very tight after a year and I ride from Feb. to Nov.
My jacket for commuting is an Aerostitch Roadcrafter 2 piece. I wear the jacket everyday and the pants probably half the time. The suit has like 700 but you can get just the jacket for 350-400. www.riderwarehouse.com
I've crashed out at the track twice and once in the parking lot at work :( and the jacket has some scuffs but is still very usable. The pants got rashed up on the knee but that was when I wore through a puck.
All before I got a dedicated leather track suit. Albeit the jacket was a little pricey at $400 it is very durable and completely rebuildable through aerostitch. Not so for many other jacket brands so don't forget that everybody goes down eventually.

I have a hjc and had no problems with it. Visors never has come up, pretty quite to, i paid, $179.00 here in kc.

when it comes to safety i wouldnt hesitiate to pay the extra money for something a little better or comfortable....knowing since i layed my r6 down last night

4 deer ran out in front of me on a dirt rd, at 20 mph and they are 4 feet in front of me, and i hit the brakes and the bike slid out from under me, i hit one of the deer, bike hit another....1400 in body damage later but the gas tank is ok and i think i am too...but i had my jacket, helmet, gloves, and heavy jeans with thermal lining in them and i just slid across the rocks and dirt and what not....i think my bike is more injured than i am

Man, Shoei is getting all the love. I happen to be a huge fan of Arai helmets, which are in my opinion the best all around helmets on the market. I have worn all types and I have found Arai to be the best all around for me. My opinion at this point my be a little biased because for the last 4 to 5 seasons I have been wearing the RX-7RR4, which is Arai's best offering. There is an old saying that you get what you pay for, and for me, my head is one of my greatest concerns, so I have no problem paying between $500 and $700 for a helmet. I used to think differently, but two seasons ago I went down at about 110 mph and my head was one of the first parts of my body to hit the pavement. After the wreck, my helmet was completely intact. I even sent it back to Arai and had it compression tested to make sure it was still safe, which it was...just a few scratches. I was pretty sold at that point.

As far as a jacket and gloves, again, think safety first. Get a jacket that will protect you if you go down. Trust me, I have never planned a wreck. I am a big fan of Vansen, Dainesse, and AlpineStars.

Lastly, although I am not a huge fan of Icon, their stuff seems pretty good and is also pretty reasonable in price. Good luck and be safe. :P

Buy the most that you can afford. I believe this to be some of the most important purchases you can make. Body gear should be their along with tires, brakes, etc.. I have seen people go down at various speeds and the stiffer the leather the better it holds up and look for Kevelar stitching. Most middle of the road gloves seem to be this way($50+). BMX gloves are grossly messy. Keep them over the dirt. Synthetic materials will melt into your skin. Except the aerostich suits that fierohink mentioned. They withstand gets offs very well. Just remember that you don’t want spend time and money with the Hospital. I would rather spend $300+ for a jacket than thousands and thousands for skin grafts. Read all reviews in mag’s, here, net, ask anyone that has gone down! Dealers should let you give most items a test ride.

I could go on too, but everything has been covered. I agree, helmet is the most important and if you get a shitty one, you're out more money cause you have to replace it. The thing I would add is to look for closeouts and end/beginning of season sales. I got a good deal on a joe rocket leather jacket for $125 on a price tag of $300. Just look around and stop into the dealer a couple times a week to see what they have. Good Luck.

are jackets pretty universal for season if you live in a place like cali or do most of you guys have one for summer and one for winter?

Depends on the jacket.

There are summer only jackets. Generally they have alot of mesh or perforated sections of leather. There are heavier jackets that will roast you in the summer. Most good jackets are a little of both. They are hot and heavy, but have zippers and vents that can be opened to make them cooler. Plus you can always wear a flannel or thermal underneath if it gets colder.
I rode to work today. I had flannel lined draggin jeans. A t-shirt, my college sweatshirt, and my aerostitch jacket. Oh yeah and it was 35 degrees and I have 22 miles of highway to ride. Only thing that was cold were my fingertips because I forgot to grab my heavy gloves.

yup yup yup....... only thing i got to add is.... if it's your first set of gear MAKE SURE YOU GO INTO A STORE AND TRY IT ON! don't do no good if it don't fit, i went into a store and found out i wear a small helmet, XXXL jacket and large gloves, but i'm a regular build 6' guy. my gear is perfect fit though, i barrowed some gear, and it's just not worth it when it don't fit.

thanks for the tip on that.. because I just got my bike and been lookin at gear almost bought a couple times but I just thought to myself.. I do not know what size I am.. and dont trust their size charts..

Edit : just bought my new gear this weekend... ended up with

KBC VR-1x Helmet dragon racers black/white with chrome shield.
Icon Daytona stealth jacket.
Icon superduty gloves

I think them should hold up fairly decent if something bad happens