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gear!

5K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  ROBBO 
#1 ·
Another very important part of riding a motorcycle is protecting yourself. We dont have airbags (except 06 goldwings) or seatbelts or other safety devices found in cars, so we have to protect ourselves in case we go flying off our bikes.

In a crash you will most likely be thrown from your bike. Next will be impact, and possibly sliding across the ground, possibly followed by another impact. You never know whats going to happen, so its best to be prepared.

A helmet is CRUCIAL, and required by law in most states. Whether or not its required, it is absolute stupidity to ride without one. Your head can crack open from just falling while walking, now change your speed to 30-50 or highway speeds and imagine what would happen.
As far as helmets go, you want a DOT and SNELL approved helmet. They may be more expensive than some others, but not nearly as much as a helicopter flight, let alone brain surgery.
Full faced helmets are the way to go, It seems obvious to me, but apparantly not everyone thinks you can die by landing on your face. And if you were to live after cushioning your fall with your face, who wants to live with a face lookin like a burnt pizza??
I feel that you get what you pay for, but some people argue that the cheaper helmets (HJC for example) will provide you with just as good protection as the higher-end helmets (shoei, arai, etc).

Jackets. These help keep the skin on your upper body when you crash. Leather jackets were the best way to go, but technology has provided us with quality lighter materials that will withstand sliding down the road at high rates of speed. Also, jackets can also come with pads in them now to protect your shoulders, elbows and forearms, chest, and importantly your spine and tail bone.
Lots of people whine that its too hot to wear a jacket and blah blah blah. so they ride in t-shirts, longsleeves, and hoodies. None of these will protect you at all, and may possibly even fuse with your skin in the even of a crash. So you might as well go shirtless (not really). I recently picked up a product from 661 protection. its a mesh shirt with pads within it. so for those hot days, even i wont wear my jacket anymore. I'll still be protected tho.

Gloves. A first reaction when your falling is to put your hands out. Obviously, if you aren't wearing gloves, this is going to hurt. Tons of companies make them, in every color combination and style you could think of. Leather is Important here. Many arent made of leather, but I would strongly suggest NOT wearing the cloth type. Many come with protective plates above all your knuckles and back of your hand, and double padding on the palms.

Pants. Reinforced with various materials, at the knees and arse, these are a great product. Most people wear simply jeans when streetriding, feeling they are pretty thick. The truth is, jeans disintegrate sliding down the street and can even melt into your skin. Specialty made pants are reinforced at the most common points of contact for your lower half. Lots of people say leather is the way to go, but I know I'm not wearing leather pants (no matter what my girl says about how nice my arse would look).
If your wearing protective jeans, you're a step ahead of the rest.

Boots. Boots are a very good idea. I see tons of people riding in running shoes or skate shoes, usually because they look good. In an accident, if your rolling down the street, your shoes WILL fly off. I've seen it in a ton of videos, and a time or two in person. How do you think it would feel to smash or grind down your ankle bone on pavement?? yah. i thought so.

When it comes down to it. THis is part of the responsiblity you take on when riding a motorcycle. Caring about yourself. Granted this stuff costs a good amount of money, but as I said, Its much much less than hospital bills. And with how good this stuff looks these days, I dont see why anyone wouldnt wear it.

Expect to spend about $1000 or more if your buying the good stuff. and no less than $500 for the "cheaper" stuff. But dont forget to check out want ads and classifieds, if your on a budget. Used or old gear is better than none at all.

Heres a few companies to check out for gear:

http://www.joerocket.com/jrf/home.cfm
http://www.sixsixone.com/
http://www.rideicon.com/ <- good stuff, crappy web site. find it elsewhere.
http://www.shoei-helmets.com/main.html
http://www.araiamericas.com/
http://www.hjchelmets.com/
http://www.njkleathers.com/

Theres tons others, and major distributors (like chaparral) who buy in bulk so you can get stuff for cheaper.
Remember if you think your bike makes you look cool, your gear can only make you look cooler (chicks love matching outfits). Be safe, be smart, stay alive.
 
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#3 ·
joegixxer said:
Wow. Nice post! I see a lot of people riding without gear, and I wish people would realize the importance of it.
*cough JELLY *cough
 
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#5 ·
yeah yeah yeah matching shit is gay and i dont ride with shit ive gone down at 80 and gotten phucked up wearing a tank top and sweats! no matter what u are better off sliding!
last summer went down in tshirt and shorts bike landed on me and i slib into a pole, no broken bones minimal road rash and worseinjusry was where the peg went into my back!
thing is you learnd how to fall remember adam the crash with the dude wearing full leathers? his body broke apart and that was 2500 dollar race suit.
ride comfortable some of that protective shit gets in the way and i knopw that will twist almost everybodys panties but trust me i know
 
#7 ·
well heres the thing ppl riding gear is ok to have but i have to go with my brother on this one i know we are stupid but being comfortable is the way to go im a big kid and all that padding on me is not comfortable the only thing ill wear when i ride is helmet all the time gloves most of the time and if im on the highway ill wear my jacket but that about all you need and yes i do wear shorts 95% of the time but its a good thing for when you get swamp ass lol:smiliebiker:
 
#12 ·
FTP4LIFE said:
the only gear i understand is down one up 5 motha fucka one wheel ne day ne time ne where yo, if you think im all talk people, you can think again im not the best, but all that counts is one wheel so...............
who you talkin to gangsta?? LOL.
 
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