Riding Gear Revisited
 

From Top to bottom:

HJC Half Helmet with Earflaps, when it's hot out, CAN Modular full-face when it's not, or longer trips.

RayBan Wayfarers: cause if you can't see you can't ride.

Langlitz High-End Leather Jacket: Tough as nails, and super simple to keep up. No Zips, tassels or Farkles. With my shoulders armour feels like crapola.

Reimann Deer-Skin Leather Gloves: Very tough, very soft, and not overly nasty on hot days.

WorkWorld Double Bar stitched Blue Jeans: 'Cause They're comfy, and my build does *not* lend itself to chaps or racing leathers.

Doc Marten Steel Toed Ankle Boots: 75% of the time I am commuting to work, and the mandatory footwear is steel toes. Besides, do you know what size 13.5 MX Boots cost?!?!?

So yeah, not ATGATT, but not flipflops and a wife-beater either. Anyone else care to comment?

--Vince

HJC CL-Max Flip up, full face "Bash Hat".
Ray Ban eye protection.
Joe Rocket mesh armored jacket, with waterproof lining.
Leather gloves
Jeans and long johns. I can/should and will get riding pants this year.
I got non-steeltoe boots to take my riding course 2 years ago. They are good enough to keep my feet attached my ankles if I roll.
I keep med kit on the bike as part of the tool kit.

I have gone to the top of my street for ciggies a couple times with out boots. 45kph max. But that's as far as I go without ATGATT. A helmet is the law here, but I'd wear one anyway. I don't have to wear a full face, but I do.

I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do, and don't want to preach, so I won't. For me, gear is good.

Good call on the new thread. Sorry about the other one. :)


I didn't mean to sound like a "Gear Nazi" by any means. We are all adults and fairly free to do as we choose. Riding in and of itself is a risky proposition.

And while I don't intend on trying to force my opinion of gear of anyone, I refuse to encourage any other type of riding on a public forum where new riders may be lurking. I think the responsible thing to do is advise as much saftey as possible. If someone chooses to ignore the advice, that's their choice. Not a problem for me. :)

If I tell people it's all good to ride in jeans, however, and they return a month later showing me pics of their legs all rashed to hell, well then I'm going to feel a bit guilty.

I can live with the guilt and ignore it, but I choose to simply endorse ATGATT and maybe save someone a bit of skin. And yes, it is a wee bit of a "do as I say and not as I do" type thing, as I will ride around the block in next to nothing while warming up my bike for an oil change, or similar.

My comments in the other thread were aimed at anyone new to the sport, and probably shouldn't have been posted there in the first place. I got the impression the OP was a new rider, but he didn't ask for my opinion or say anything about jeans. :oops:


My gear:
HJC Full Face
3 Shift jackets - 1 textile, 1 mesh and 1 leather/textile mix
Tourmaster Quest textile pants / Teknic supervent mesh pants
Icon Standard boots
PowerTrip GrandNational Gloves / Cortech Scarab winter gloves
Skull Screws


I just got the earplugs. Still getting used to them. I hate having anything in my ears. :(

I've got a few leather jackets, a ZoX Corsa full face helmet, a couple half helmets, and leather gloves and riding boots. I haven't got any proper riding pants as of yet...

I like to show people the story of the "road rash queen"... Warning that if you follow the links to the pictures at the end of the story it might not be safe for work...

http://www.motortopia.com/blogs/view...h_cause_effect

Mr. South: Please don't think I was trying to chastise you regarding the Thread change, I just thought it was a good subject that the board hasn't touched on in a while, that I wanted to explore a little bit. At the same time, I didn't want to drag Dude's thread way OT... My apologies if I came off any other way.

Regardless, Most cycle gear doesn't come in what I call "freak sizes." (Me!) Hence the jeans. I figure, if I'm not comfortable in what I'm riding in, I'm going to be spending more time worrying about that, when I should be worrying about what that Arse-Nut in the Cutlass Cierra is doing, but that's just my opinion. :D

Also, from conversations with the local Gendarmes, they tend to be more concerned with Sportbike bike dudes in shiny new gear, than a gorilla on a cruiser... Just my 2 Francs.

--Vince

I know you cold-climate guys are gonna call me stoooopid, but I actually wear sandals during the summer.

I wear a full face helmet, because of a friends wreck a few years ago that shredded his jaw at 10mph. But it gets monkey-balls hot down here.

I don't do much distance though. I'd suit up for anything more than 30 mins. away. But for tooling around on the beaches, ya just take it easy.

No rush, mon.

I have some stuff left over from my Bandit 1200S. Shoei RF900, Alpinestars jacket, pants and gloves. But i usually end up using a Thor S/S Kevlar mix MX helmet, Scott goggles, Carhartt coat, winter gloves and MX boots. The warmest day so far has been 46F with the new HSUN.

ppe ummm whats that????

i have my dot approved brain bucket
cheap walmart trailrider glasses (can be used as shades or goggles)
neopreen full face mask
and harley davidson riding boots.

rest is just jeans and tshirts

**edit to add**

mostly because i cant find me chaps in fatman size

I have and use depending on weather.

First Gear, Mesh Summer Jacket with about a 12" zipper in back to attach to riding pants, and back protector pocket for foam back pads, fixed elbow foam pads. Pros: Works pretty good, even in hot weather, and rear zipper fits most riding pants regardless of brand. Cons: it will still get a little warm during stop and go traffic, I believe it would only hold up to one slide/wreck.

First Gear, Cordora/Leather Jacket with removable winter lining, 12" zipper in back to attach to riding pants, removable foam back protector, fixed elbow and shoulder pads. Pros: Works good in weather from about 50F to 85F. Could be used in both colder and hotter weather if undergarments are added or removed. Might hold up to more then one spill. Back protector pocket is big enough to add another foam pad for added protection. Good pocket locations and good ventalation zippers. Good touring or everyday motorcycle jacket. Cons: No wet weather protection. Is not approved on most tracks.

First Gear, Cordora/Leather Pants with fixed hip and knee pads and universal 12" rear jacket zipper attachment.
Pros: Good protection, double codora in the seat of the pants. Fairly comfortable in weather from 50F to 85F same deal as top weather can be colder or hotter depending on undergarments. Cons: Knee pad stitching digs into skin if your not wearing long johns. No Pockets. No ventalation. No wet weather protection. No velcro knee puck attatchment points. Not approved on most tracks. Not good for the tracks, yet not comfortable enough for touring or everyday riding.

Joe Rocket non-Gauntlet riding gloves. Pros: comfy, comfy, comfy. Knuckle protection, good dexterity. Cons: probably would could only handle one good spill. Not approved on most tracks.

Alpinestar GP-1 gloves. Pros: Top of the line Gauntlet style protection, approved for tracks. Cons: Stiff and uncomfortable for everyday riding.
Dexterity is slightly sacrificed for protection.

Icon Mainframe Halo Helmet. Pros: Good Ventalation, comfortable, good visability. Does not buffet even at speeds above 150mph. Cons: a little heavy.

HJC Full face Flip Helmet. Pros: Like to be able to flip the front up with fueling up, etc. Good Ventalation, No wind noise, does not buffet even deep into triple digit speeds. Cons: Can not be used on most tracks.

El Cheapo open faced helmet Fonzie style helmet. Pros: Cheap, don't have to worry about people stealing it, good in hot weather, great visability, comfy. Cons: You won't be picking up hot chicks, must use glasses or scott's type shield, removable plastic sunvisor rattles unless removed, not good in cold weather.

Komoto Back protector. Pros: Approved on tracks and comfortable enough for regular riding with or without a jacket on top. Heavy duty vertabre style backprotection. Cons: a little warm around the belly strap, doesn't fit under some two piece riding suits, a little bulky.

Diadora riding boots. Pros: Very comfortable both on and off the bike, One zipper and one velcro attactment means easy off and on. If you removed the toe slider it would be stylish enough for when your off the bike. Good protection with toe sliders and ankle pads. Cons: Ugly, fixed toe slider. Accepted on tracks but is the minimum protection you want on a track.

Demidesign under helmet cold weather stocking. Pros: Keeps head warm even down to 25F under a full face helmet but you will need a little more neck protection at those temps. Fits easily under a full face helmet. Does not bunch up. Good neck protection for tempatures down to 35F
Cons: The lower face part stretches after a season or two so the nose won't have the same protection when the stocking gets older.

Nelson Riggs mini tank bag and mini saddlebags. Pros: Solid contruction, good rain bags, big enough for one or two days worth of clothes and stuff.
Cons: Black fabric started to fade after about two seasons.

That's just some of the gear I've used and my experiences. Frankly I like riding with a good set of jeans, mesh or cordora jacket (I stuff two foam back protecters into whatever jacket I'm useing), joe rocket gloves and my work boots. I use a full face helmet most of the time, except for desert riding, and going up to walmart etc. I seldom use the pants, and I seldom use the Gauntlet style gloves. I used to own a two piece full leather track suit but I only used it on the track.

Full face helmet
Leather jackets
leather gloves
leather boots
Double knee Carhart jeans
Carhart coveralls for cold days
AK-74 :wink: Yup 223 cal. (my deer rifle)
and carrying rain gear is mandatory here in the rain forest!

Re: Riding Gear Revisited
 

I think your election of gear is just great.... as long as you don't wreck!
Seriously, it's your choice, but what you have listed isn't going to offer much in the way of protection WHEN you go down.

I could write a book about it. But WHEN you find yourself doing 50mph down the road without a bike, you'll figure it out.
The half helmet? You might as well not wear a lid.
But, it is your choice.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44379

i got jeans shirt and a helmet...broke cant get any gears >_< anyone wanna send me gear?? lol :lol:

Shoot. I meant to reply sooner. Kind of forgot that I hadn't.
Anywho, no appolgies needed. :)
I wasn't bothered by your post at all, aside from my own regret for having injected that bit into the other thread.
Your post was right on target, and I don't mind admitting my mistake...even if it wasn't the intention of your post.
It is what it is, and I was wrong.


I'm also glad that you started this thread to discuss the subject at hand. It won't be long before a lot of riders (both new and old alike) are gearing up for the season, so it's good to have this discussion.



For myself, I couldn't (and still can't) afford the really high quality gear, so I started with just basic everything. I place gear into 3 categories - cheap, middle of the road, and top of the line.

Everything I got to start with was cheap. My Icon boots were on clearance for $40. The Quest pants were also on clearance for $60. My first gloves were $20 "shorties".

As time went by I kept an eye on prices and started upgrading. First I went to the mesh because of the summer heat. Then I got better gloves. The leather/textile jacket went on sale so I grabbed that as well.

Now I have several options, depending on the weather....and I feel more pretected with each new bit. Next on my list is a better helmet, better boots and another pair of riding pants (leather/textile mix Shift "Havoc" pants).

There's no need to spend a ton of money at once. Get something...and then upgrade later as money permits. :)



eagle150, there's usually some good deals on Craig's for gear...just be careful not to buy something that's already saved somone else's hyde but isn't capable of saving yours. And I wouldn't buy a used helmet, myself...but I'm sure some are perfectly fine. Another good source is forums like these. My local forum almost always has used gear for sale. Hope that helps.

My butt doens't look good in those racing leathers either. 8O

My neighbor wears his leather/armored pants every time he rides. I used to watch him heading out before I got my chinabike, 10am sundays, fully kitted up on his VFR. I thought, I can see wearing a helmet, but pants are stupid. I got my 150cc and when going 65mph I started feeling like a test pilot without a partchute.

I looked into high speed wipeouts, and found out that riders who weren't run over by cars were surviving a tumbles at 60-70-80mph. Not all lived, but it wasn't always a death sentence. A full face helmet can save a life, and that is good. 24% of face plants are just that, landing on the face, mainly the chin.

What sold me on ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) was a study on riding gear and the recovery time after an accident. The number of skin grafts, and hours of physio, in relation to the type of gear a rider was wearing. I don't fear death, on a bike or in a bath tub. But if I can cut my hospital time down 80% after a survivable tumble, that concerns me a lot. I hate hospitals.

I was in the hospital for road rash when I was young. 45mph, downhill on a ten speed when the chain torqed off the sprocket, and I was flying through the air with no shirt, or helmet, and jeans with ripped knees.

3rd degree burn to 60% of my back with inbedded pebbles. I again stress that I don't want to sound preachy. You are all old enough to make your own judgements. I just wanted to let people know why I wear gear, and I agree that some is better than none. If you're not rich, gear is expensive, as SpeedSouth said, upgrade over time.

If I see a rider in flipflops and T-shirt I don't care. But now when I see a guy wearing nice gear I don't think it's overkill, I think "That guy is serious business".

I wear a full face helmet, armoured jacket, gloves, and boots. I don't have pants. (Yet) At least wear long pants and shoes. Shorts and flipflops don't belong on a bike. Put them on after you get there.

I used to ride with none of that. That was when I was stupid. I have upgraded helmets and jackets over time and now have some nicer ones.

I was going to get a new full face at the motorcycle show, they had some decent ones on for about $80 canadian, m2r, kbc, and some others... The guy said the m2r was better, but it sure didn't seem like it... I would have bought one of the kbc ones, except they crowded me in there and I couldn't get out for about 5 minutes, and then I just wanted to leave... Plus I'm broke and have a new ZoX full face which seems pretty good.

full lace helmets are ok ive got a fullmer (i think) full face but when closterfobia sets it i want to chuck it so i chose a half lid nice comfy over an inch of support all the way around.....

made by outlaw here is a link to the exact same one i purchased
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GLOSS...Q5fMerchandise

**edit to add**

plus im on a cruiser and full face just dont look right

I just wanted to add a warning here about riding in the rain even in the summer can be very dangerous. The only time I have had severe hypothermia was summer riding and I got caught in a rain storm. About a 45 mile ride on I-5 in a down pour. I literally fell off my bike when I got it parked. I got some cup a soup and took a hot bath, I was so cold the water went cold in about 5 min. I had to add hot water 2 or 3 times before I got core temp back up!

Be safe!

i will second that motion i hate getting cought in the rain... 45 miles even in a drizzle at 62 degrees. shook uncontrolably for 2 hours. then i finally changed to some dry socks and was fine...

Coming home from Quebec on the chinabike I got hit with rain all the way. Pre electric vest. 12 hours of drizzle, to down pour, to hail. I slowed to 55 and stopped in every little town along the way. About 500 miles. What a marathon. I rode the bike but I made it by sheer will alone. Then, in Toronto, an old man in a brand new caddy almost ran me over.

We yelled at each other till he pulled over, I parked behind and shut the bike off. He backed up and knocked my bike over.

Heck of a thing after a long cold day of riding. I got the bike started and went after him to get his licence plate #. It all worked out, I won't say how. :wink:

It's not bad if you can stay dry... I had some rain gear but it wasn't great, but good rain gear is a good idea too.

Mike, you have to say how now after a story like that...

I was a bad boy and can't recomend my actions. I will pm those who want to hear the end of the story. 8)

Alright, put me on the list :wink:

Back to the subject of gear...

I have some half helmets I wear while on my cruiser too, but I don't expect a lot of help from them if I go down... If I am on my Lifan, or when I had my cbr, I always wear the full face, and I wear it on the cruiser some of the time.

I always wear DOT approved MX helmet, goggles, armored mesh jacket, and full gloves. I'll be picking up a pair of ATV boots this month (pegs = ouchy). I still wear jeans mostly but my riding is typically low speed stuff to/from work and off-road single/double track.

A guy in the local DS club has a good motto, "protect yourself first, bike second'.

I don't like the MX helmet for on road, but that is my preference. I suppose it I was travelling under 40mph all the time it wouldn't so bad. I like the wind protection.

Most of my riding is 45-55mph. I do plan to invest into a mesh jacket this spring.

Which boots are you looking at? I've been leaning towards the Moose M-1 ATV boots. A buddy of mine has a pair and he likes them, plus the price looks good to me @ $99.

As for pants... did you follow the link to ADVrider I posted above? Dude's wife went down at less tan 10 mph and ripped her knee wide open, the knee cap was actually exposed.

Just to expand the thread a little farther still, What does everyone consider the most critical piece of gear to have, not counting a brain container? Myself I would say a jacket, and specifically, a good jacket. No World of Walton, or Sears Roebuck allowed. Third, Gloves. Again, gooders. Beyond that, I'm more than willing to Cheap out/Not have/Leave in closet.

Thinking back to when I first started riding, my first moto-horse cost me about $200, and I thought I was doing good with a 25+ year old Woolco Ping-Pong ball cut out Helmet, and a $25 Generico denim jacket, maybe some work gloves, if it was really, really cold out.

So! Here's the scenario-- You're 17, ou've just shot your summer's savings on a Bike, and have a 15 year old Belstaff helmet, your grandfather left in the attic. You've got $100 free on your next paycheck. What are you buying? Other than beer and smokes of course...

--Vince who did read the thread about the poor lady's knees. :D

I'd say #1 a good full face helmet, #2 a good jacket, #3 gloves, #4 boots, #5 pants... Though I think if you go down you'd be happy to have it all. This is just my thoughts though...

average 17 year old- got to spend at least $75 of that on go fast stickers and fake mohawks for their helmets(no seriously not pokin fun at the op of the other thread seriously im not i promise) and things the chicks dig.

smart 17 year old- got to get a better brain bucket and honestly most 17 year olds have done suckered momma and dadda out of a nice leather jacket so then move onto other gear..

me 17 years old- chrome lots of chrome cant have too much shiny beautiful chrome....

After the helmet, I'd have to say a Back Protector or a Jacket with real good padding along the spine. A back protector won't save your skin but hopefully it will keep you out of the wheelchair. Then Jacket, Gloves, Boots. Something like that. This is a great topic that promotes safety. Once in a while I get a little lazy with safety until I see a accident or a topic like this gets me thinking again. Thumbs up!

Yep, the spine protection. Even my joe rocket jacket has better spine protection than my leather. After that, I'd say the elbow protection that the jacket offers. If you get the chance to tuck and roll, keeping your elbows intact is nice. :wink:

1. Throw that old lid in the trash and buy a new one...

$27 FLY MX Lid...

Most brands say that a lid should be scrapped after three years.... less depending on how much it's used.

After that? It's all important, but I go with jacket, gloves, boots and pants. Hit some MC sites like advrider to find good deals on used stuff (NOT helmets!).

What size jacket do you wear? I have a waterproof XL that I don't use, PM me about it.

These boots? -
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...d=10201&mmyId=

They are the ones I've been looking at. I prefer that type of sole over what's on most other boots, and as you say...the price looks really good. How long has your buddy had them? I'm curious as to how they hold up over time, and how comfortable/uncomfortable they are to walk in. Not hiking, mind you...but just the normal short walks like into a store or maybe a few hundred yards away from the bike every so often.

My Icon boots were not comfortable at first, but they've broken in nicely and are quite comfortable to walk in now. I have spent a good deal of time in hunting boots though...so maybe I just adapt to them easier than most.

I recently pondered a similar question, only going at it from a different angle. That question was...."if you had to give up one peice of gear, what would it be?". My answer to that is really easy....earplugs. They were the last thing I added to my gear, and I still can't stand them. In fact, yesterday I stopped and pulled them out. I think I'll save them for hiway rides.

As for your question...I think I'd go with a good jacket w/ armor in the elbows, shoulders and over the spine. That seems to cover some of the most important internal organs (aside from the brain).

No, wait. I take that back. If I could only add one bit of gear in addition to the helmet, I'd go with a full one-peice leather suit... :D

Only having $100 to spend on it means that I'd have to buy used...but I'd have a few extra bucks since I quit smoking in 97 and never have liked beer. In the past I'd spend the beer money on a bottle of Crown, but I haven't done that in several years either. I know I can buy a full textile suit for $150 new, so a used leather suit for $150 might be possible.

That's the boots I was talking about. The guy who has them said they were pretty stiff at first, but broke in well and are pretty comfy for MX boots. He said he wears them all day when working on the farm (alot of walking) and has no trouble. Even after a year he said they remain waterproof too.
I have a pair of Thor 50/50's right now. While they are very comfortable they don't offer enough protection and they soak up water like a sponge... They are good on dry summer days, but when it's wet and/or cold they are awful.

Interesting thread.
I only just started riding on the road regularly last year.
I was torn when it came to gear, but came to a solid conclusion on a recent trip abroad.
A quality helmet is a no-brainer (no joke intended), but how far do you take it? Jacket, pants, leathers?
I believe that accidents are unlikely, and individually, quite rare.
It has become very common for people to outfit themselves with all the latest gear. Some for safety, my bet is, most as accessory.
I take my chances, and ride accordingly. I have work boots, a good helmet, and jeans.
I don't drive a Volvo because they are superior from a safety standpoint.
I don't care if my car has air bags, and even drive without my seatbelt, in the country. I don't plan to wipe out.

This is 1 member's opinion, and in no way represents the opinions or the direction of this site.

I don't plan to wipe out.

This is the most illogical and stupidly dangerous statement I've read on this site. Kudos Sir.

Plan for a wipe out so that you are prepared when it happens. If you haven't wiped out yet, you will if you ride long enough.

my bet is, most as accessory

Gear is not an accessory, it's a philosophy! Sitting in the Hospital with road rash clarifies this point to a fine edge. I know this from experience. Ask red2003 about his wipeout. Ask Ambassador. Safety starts long before you throw a leg over your bike. What you do and how you ride is your own deal. Have at it. But the question was.

You're 17, ou've just shot your summer's savings on a Bike, and have a 15 year old Belstaff helmet, your grandfather left in the attic. You've got $100 free on your next paycheck. What are you buying?

You are telling a 17 year old kid who reads this a year from now that gear is pretty much an untruth, an accessory that he doesn't have to buy into like all his friends.

I only just started riding on the road regularly last year. Finally, something that makes sence.

Please allow me to clarify.
I race motocross. We do dangerous stuff, at high rates of speed. Comparatively, we wear precious little gear.
I get the impression that many of the people you see wearing the newest, best gear are doing so for the wrong reasons, for the image.
I know people like this.
I don't plan to wipe out, and think the odds are in my favour.
I am not suggesting gear is for suckers. If you feel more comfortable with it, then by all means, wear it. I see people riding with full gear, and people in shorts and T shirts. For me, something in the middle makes sense.
I didn't what realize the original question was, as the thread seems to have mutated a bit.
If it were me, I'd toss that 15yr old helmet in the garbage, and buy a new one with the $100.

Please allow me to clarify. I don't care if you jump cliffs naked.

I get the impression that many of the people you see wearing the newest, best gear are doing so for the wrong reasons, for the image.

How are you getting impressions of the people I see wearing gear?