Leathers vs jeans and T's...you decide.

A boy my daughter used to date just binned his brand new ZX10. He broke a femur and a wrist and rashed up his arms and torso really bad

After I told him I was glad he was alive, I yelled at him because we had talked about gear many times. He said he had gear on, but it was cheap gear.
We talked again about good gear and the results of not having it.

I would post his pics here if I could, but I am not permitted.

 

Motorcyclist Killed While Riding Without Helmet to Protest New York Helmet Law | Fox News

Irony at its best

 

In a subsequent story, Fox News points out that the dude that bought it was a Democrat.

 

I hate open face helmets and I'd gladly see them banned.

 

A mates mate just crashed a bicycle at 50 mph and in Hospital with bad road rash, apparently colorful spandex doesn't qualify as ATGATT.

 

Ouch! looks like it hurts. I never ride without my full face helmet, but I have been known to rock the jeans and T every once in a while:bandito:... makes me want to reconsider

 

I've crashed in spandex at 35 - 40.. not pretty, but not too bad. The worst thing in those crashes are the riders behind you.

 

The worst thing about those crashes are dudes in spandex.

 

Yup, you'll never catch me without my full face. I ended up with a broken collarbone in leather jacket and riding jeans, but saved my face for sure. I know from experience why I will never ride without full face helmet padded jacket and gloves at the least. In these hot humid Texas summers I do trade the leather for padded mesh. I wish no one had to learn the hard way how important that FF is.

 

AMEN +2 because my wife says the same exact thing about what went through her head when she got that phone call.

 

The helmets I don't get are the ones that barely cover the top of your head and have next to nothing for padding, basically just an over sized fiberglass bowl with a chin strap.

 

What don't you get about it? Certain people believe that they have a God given right not to wear a lid, so IF the government makes laws that says it is a requirement for all, they go about wearing the absolute least about of material on their head as is allowed (or not, many true badass bikers actually have been known to put a DOT sticker on a non-DOT approved helmet). So the helmet is only to appease the PO-PO, and keep them out of tickets.

What I would like to see is the CHP wear full-face helmets, armored jackets, and pants. Sheriff depts in CA wear full-face helmets. Just downright silly tradition that the CHP do not. I saw the aftermath of a chipper go down (appeared to be because of speed and oil, no other cars around it was reported) on an merging-ramp and he was all messed up. His pants ate right thru to the meat, his arms were hamburger, and his chin was bloodied as well as all over his face. The newpaper reported later that he had multiple facial lacertions to go along with the ones on his legs and arms. At least much of his injuries would have been reduced if he wore a full-face helmet and armored gear. Nobody seems to ever question why the CHP tells their officers to dress like (per code) the largest squids of them all, and the policemen's union does not a thing about it to better protect their fellow officers. Gotta love the short sleeves! Sheriff are more geared up, why not them?

 

Another really dumb thing that is done by many PD motor divisions is riding in tandem. The officers know this but for some really idiotic reason the tradition lives on. Reminds one of somebody that only believes in the missionary position.

BTW this only happens when there is more than one bike mounted LEO..

 

Well I get what your saying, what I should have said is I don't get how these get DOT approved?

 

Not a clue. Seems very silly for anything more than a skateboard or bicycle.

No comment in regards to the CHP and their lack of gear?

 

As far as CHP, I think you are right. Not sure why the Sheriff do and the CHP do not. It could be a tradition thing, something that they've been doing for years and don't see a need to change it. Maybe the riders feel like some of these 1%'ers and don't want to have to wear a full face helmet. Maybe it's the state of California trying to keep up appearances for the tourist or new recruits. "You too can be riding around the California roadways on brand new bike and dressed for the sunshine".

I can say that I see a lot of local PD (Huntington Beach, Cypress, Buena Park) wearing modular helmets but a lot of them ride with the front lifted up. Same difference as an open face if you think about it.

Cheers.

 

AGREED.

Check out this link for some reads on DOT and helmet testing. CLICK HERE

In another separate article, I read that helmets in the US get certified DOT by the "honor system" and the DOT guidelines at the manufacturer. I guess the DOT tests less than 40 a year. Good thing we have SNELL and ANSI for supplemental testing. Since Motorcyclist Mag called out Snell for BS a number of years ago, I have more faith in their system. If I remember correctly, it turns out they were testing helmets at high impact speeds, higher than would normally happen.....for all head sizes the same, which had the helmet manufacturers creating stiffer higher density foam in order to protect the rider, in turn the impact increased the damage to your melon in the most common lower speed accidents, which studies have shown happen in 80-90% of all MC accidents. I am a little rusty on all of it. In short, they never admitted anything needed revising, but quietly changed their testing standards down the road.

 

Ahh, the old "Look over there!" trick. I'm going to read this DOT link you sent.

Cheers!

 

I am clostrophobic, & I force myself to wear a full-face helmet!
If you have read my earlier post in this thread you know why.
When I was shopping for my last helmet, I was walking around the store for about 20 minutes with a full-face on my head, & the sales rep, asked how I has doing? when I told her all was good & that the only thing that was really bothering me was my clostrophobia, she about ripped the helmet off my head, & was addamet that I buy an open face! I walked out of there with a new Full-face helmet. But I would like to get a modular in the future.

 

Sorry about the crash.
Well, imagine what could be happened if I dont have my helmet?






ATGATT please!