As far as gear goes; I urge you to spend a good $1,500 on gear.
And depending on the weather in your area, (buy a uniform that you can use the majority of your riding).
You'll appear as though you'll be racing every time you ride, but your body is your responsibility - no one else's. If you got friends that demonize your safety, get new friends.
Be sure you're mobile and can move around freely in your gear, but also don't buy loose-fitting gear (there is a balance; you'll find it, eventually). Don't base your decisions on brand alone; every piece of gear in a lineup is constructed differently. Try them
all before you choose what fits you best.
It took me a couple weeks to find
the right gear (I tried on about 20 helmets, 10 jackets, and 5 pants before I developed the sense of what fit me). I also tried on about 5 different pairs of boots and 5 different pairs of gloves. It's all subjective - don't let anyone tell you how you feel about gear; you're the one who is going to be riding in it.
- Helmet (full face: SHARP, Snell, or ECE-certified) (read up on the differences; I don't recall what makes them different)
- Textile or leather (no mesh):
- Jacket (long sleeve)
- Pants
- Leather gauntlet gloves
- Leather above-ankle boots
- Rain riding gear (depending on if you're going to be riding in the rain, of course, usually ends up being just a thin waterproof jacket and pants to put on over your other gear)
You have to spend alot of time searching for gear that fits you; don't decide to buy something just because it has cool colors. I ride in all-black gear (with a matte helmet), not because there weren't other colors available, but that's what fit me the best (and the helmet was like $30 less expensive than the colored versions). Getting good gear and learning all you can about riding on the street (and making good choices on when
not to ride) will save your skin.
Also, riding
with gear may actually be
more difficult than riding
without it; but ultimately,
you are the one responsible for your skin & skull if you go down. If that just so happens to be the day you rode without your gear, then it'll be an experience that will help you feel good about putting all that gear on every next time you ride.