Gear 2.0

Well man, you asked for it...

I'm gonna weigh in as an ER doc here. If you drop it in that setup, you're in for a long and painful go. A hundred bucks worth of mesh jacket is going to save you a world of hurt and at least several weeks of expensive treatments.

Listen to the guys who've been doing this stuff for years. I'm a noob to bikes, but not the injuries that result from them. I applaud your steps to protect yourself, but then why skimp on one of those same crucial steps?

 

Blackjack!!!

 

Guys, cut him a break, he's young and healthy, so when they harvest his organs, a luck recipient will be over joyed at his mistakes.

 

Hey Pyro:

If you were an attractive woman of fench decent who owned a 2003VFR and lives in Hawaii you'd be left alone regarding this issue.

I guess being a women has its fringe benefits.

BZ

 

Bubba you make a good point. But I think your last post on that thread was uncalled for.

Pyro: Ride safe buddy! See you at Long's.

 

:thumbsup:Great stuff... I wear those shirts all the time I even found I like the long sleeves better than the short ones, because of how well they work, the more that's covered the better the temp. control is.......
I get mine at REI stores....

 

Pyro... I'm not going to try and change your mind(my son's 44,so I know about that)..... I'd like to know a few things about what you're wearing in the pic's.... I can't see what the riding pants are, so what's the pants made of ? .... Your vest looks like it will protect what it's covering, but do you have a zipper, or a couple of loop straps on the back to attach to the pants..... if not I'd suggest sewing something on the back to keep it in place.... Won't change the look or be any hotter.... Another way around the look/protection thing is to go with consealed protection.... For me in the hot season I'll look like a "half-squid".... Flip full-face/air flow Vanson jacket/draggin-jeans(with a solid hinged upper-leg,knee,shin guard straped under the jeans/All my jackets are attached to the pants by zips;straps/ shin high boots that come within inches of the knee guard/ gloves have hard shell protection for knuckles and ulner(little finger) side of palm/under that is wicking shirts to keep me cooler.

For the winter I just go with the leather jackets, and pants(attached)... What you have on looks nice nice, and like I said, it will help what it's covering. Just do some mod's to be sure it doesn't move. If you've ever seen anyone "pants'd" ..... The road will do the same thing....:wink:

You're my Grandson's age..... Something came back to me while writing this.... "the older I get, the smarter I think my Father is" I know I didn't think so when I was your age, it took me a while. "Age is nothing to prove, it's just a goal to get more of."

 

Well, currently my riding pants are jeans, and ankle boots... But I'm savin' in preparation to order some Draggin' Jeans, my bro has them and I find them wonderful. I already have a zipper attachment in the vest, just no pants to attach to it as of yet...

 

You can make some straps that well loop around your belt with snaps or velcro....

 

I've got perforated leather sport pants (AGV) and the Defender jeans from Diamond Gusset. Regrettably I've been down twice in the kevlar jeans and had almost no injury. The last time I just got a little quarter sized strawberry on my knee and that was it. I wasn't wearing my knee armor either. I went down on a gravel shoulder in my leathers and they just got dirty - that's all. Still love wearing both though. I would have some nasty scars if it weren't for my gear.

 

Well if you are worried about comfort, go with Motoport, can't beat the mesh kevlar.

 

At least Pyro has elbow protectors on. Assuming they won't get pulled off when you slide on the road surface, they should help provide some protection. I still have scars next to my right elbow from a spill I took 14 years ago. It was a hot day & I rode without the jacket. Not sure what was worse - brushing the wound at the hospital with a very hard brush, or the road rash along my arm that felt like it was on fire for a week.

On a somewhat related topic - I find the lack of safety gear worn by various police motorcycle units to be a poor example to the public. Some departments do issue meshed fabric as opposed to leather jackets. Those that issue leathers have their officers wearing short sleeved shirts in the summer. This appears to especially be the case in North America. I get the impression that European motor officers tend to wear much more modern gear.

 

Hadn't thought about this too much, but you're right. I don't see anything except boots, gloves, and a brain bucket. The moto cops here look like they only wear long sleeve t-shirts to prevent sunburn. When it gets cooler I see some wearing a jacket, but I don't know if they are armored. If I get a chance, I might ask one of them why they don't wear more gear.

 

Don't blame the Motocop. They wear a "Uniform" It is their employer who is short sighted. But I do not understand why, in this day and age, that attutude about safety gear for them has not changed. In the RCMP, soft body armour used to be oprional. They supplied it but it was up to you if you wore it. Since around 2001, it has been mandatory to wear it. I suppose that gives them some protection but I would hardley think it comes anywhere close to being enough.

 

Yes, absolutely. I believe that some of the decision makers must be more concerned about preserving an old-school image (complete with horse riding pants and leggings) than with function & safety. At least they're wearing body armour which will protect to some extent, but their arms are gonna be in for it.

On the flip side, wearing body armour & a dark uniform while riding an air cooled v-twin (for those that ride the Harleys) on a hot day in city traffic is already enough to cause one to be drenched in sweat even in just the short sleeves.

 

Yup. And maybe....just maybe...some day... they will get their collective heads out of the sand and dump those expensive fart noise making machines and go Japanese.

 

Easy answer.... It cost the department $$$ to outfit their "people", When does the government want to put out $$$ on it's employees. There are better vest for our troops(just ask any press personal over there0.... the press have the top of the line vest that can take 3 hits in the same spot, while the troops will only take one....I could go on, but I think I made my point. It would cost one jet-fighter to give every troop a vest and the most up to date weapon.....

 

Finland:



Luxembourg:



Sweden:

 

I wouldn't run if I saw you driving by

Hey Pryo, I hear you. That equipment is expensive. The "worrywarts" and "mommasays" guys have already made their investments in clothing. Its that parent in their memories that's telling you to play safe :director:. They have nothing to loose. They have made the investment. The jackets start at nearly $200 and the pants are not cheap either. The boots are $90 minimum and so everytime you go riding you have your $500-800 wardrobe on the line? Those guys with the riding suits ainkiller: are the guys who can afford a new bike every few years as well.

So make up your riding gear while you watch Craigslist for a bargain that fits you to come along. Look at all that gear that is out there for sale and pick up something you can get for half or more off. There are scores of guys with money to burn on accoutraments. The majority of them have the suits because they are afraid of their own limited skills and have purchased all the body armor because they expect to fall or expect to be in an accident. Those are the guys who spend the big money up front with the expectation that it will provide some sort of incentive for them to get on the new bike they told themselves they wanted to ride. Their ads often say things like "like new, only worn in the bathroom twice or to take a picture". You are probably not one of them. Just wait until they get bored :bored: or they get broke and buy when price is right for you (they usually take first offers because they can't wait to get on to the next thing, so start low).

Meanwhile, have fun, keep those elbow pads up, and keep riding safely. I think what you have brought together deserves praise. At least you are trying. I like to see that kind of iniative. Not everybody can run out and "buy buy buy" whenever they want to, especially in today's economy. Who knows, you might start a new trend in riding "haute coture" with your roller blade look. Besides, some of the same advocates of buy now, buy at any price, drive so dangerously to prove themselves, that they have to pay full price for protection before they hit the streets. Take your time and get some practice in before you put your low price suit of armor on to go out the door (while your mother yells at you to drive safe) to play hard.

Meanwhile, if you see me riding an old black Magna V30 around Riverside in my shorts and tshirt in the 100+ heat, don't run away in fear because I didn't dress right. I'm looking for duds on Craigs list too, but I have less luck looking for XXL stuff. The leather jacket I ask for help in finding someone to repair on the next thread down from yours was purchased for $5.00 at a swapmeet. That's the kind of saving I'm looking for. It may not have a zipper to attach it to my pants but it sure feels nice and cozy on a cool night. I'm sure with your slim body you could find tons of cast off riding gear that will fit you for less than half price. Don't buy any of the shredded clothes from the crotch rocketeers, they have used up the useful life of their gear. You want to buy the hardly been used stuff. The big problem is finding it within driving distance.

DKC

Drive sane, drive and keep a weather eye out for something better to wear on Craigslist or otherwise etc. when and where you can afford it. I'm sure whatever you chose to put together in the form of riding gear will have that touch of individuality that makes it yours alone. :biggrin:

 

Thanks DKC :thumbsup: I try not to rag on the guys of the forum, cuz they are right, good gear can save your life, not to mention limbs.

But hey, for a dude with no job and a SUPER tight budget, I think I do ok in terms of protection... I'm a cautious rider, especially since I had a run-in with another biker who rammed me into a car (there's a thread about it, "accident stories")... Of course, I also feel a bit confident in my riding ability, having taken the MSF course and being told by my instructor that I looked born for bikes. Once tax season comes along and I'm makin' my solid paychecks again, it's all about some Draggin' Jeans.

As has been said a million times, "ride your own ride". It's the guys that are worried about image that bug me. As long as my choices in gear don't prohibit people from riding beside me, I'm good :biggrin: I'd hate for someone to pull alongside me on the freeway and think "wow, that guy with the pads is just too damn unsafe, I better give him a wide berth."

That having been said, I love the individuality of motorcycle gear. My step-dad has the exact same lid as me, but it looks completely different (mine's kinda adorned with stickers, mohawk, and tinted lens lol)... Whatever you're comfortable and careful in, awesome :thumbsup: