Riding Gear

[sungunr]

I was reading some older posts in another area about riding gear and getting the protection you pay for, $10 dollar helmet for a $10 dollar head kinda comments.  Generally I agree you get what you pay for, but sometimes you get the name brand you pay for as well.  Apply the logic to motorcycles and cars and we would all be riding BMWs and driving Rolls. 

I am an ATGATT rider, by choice, some may consider what I wear as not ATGATT at all.  Snobbery when it comes to riding gear belongs in the same place as snobbery among riders of various brands.  Get over it.  If someone goes from riding with no helmet to wearing a brain bucket, I say great! In my opinion they have matured as a rider and as a person in realizing they cannot control everything on the highway.  Next thing you know they may start wearing gloves .   Then again this is my opinion and most of us have one.  I know riders who have ridden for 30+ years with nothing but sunglasses and never a problem so who am I to say. 

The level of risk some may take on the bike is no different than those who choose to drink alcohol, smoke tobacco, eat fast food, or not exercise regularly.  I see so many handicapped license plates in the USA today it is depressing.  The only physical impairment with more than half is the lack of control with a fork and walking instead of looking for the closest HC reserved parking spot. 

Back to the subject of riding gear, any armored jacket regardless of price is better than none, period.  Any DOT helmet regardless of the manufacturer is better than none, end of discussion.  The next time someone chooses to look out their Arai helmet sitting in an Aerostitch suit at the guy wearing a Cycle Gear Built jacket and helmet and then make some snippy comment about a $10 helmet or suggesting they don't deserve medical treatment, maybe it is time they reconsider why they ride.

Everything is relative forum members, what maybe considered prudent in many aspects in life others may consider as foolish and extremely risky, like say riding a motorcycle even with ATGATT.   Many in society consider anyone who rides a motorcycle as an organ donor AT BEST.  What one may consider as a healthy lifestyle might be a joke to others.  Before judging too quickly a self check is in order before those among us without sin casts the first stone.

[plgoddard]

Originally Posted by sungunr

...
Everything is relative forum members, what maybe considered prudent in many aspects in life others may consider as foolish and extremely risky, like say riding a motorcycle even with ATGATT.   Many in society consider anyone who rides a motorcycle as an organ donor AT BEST.  What one may consider as a healthy lifestyle might be a joke to others.  Before judging too quickly a self check is in order before those among us without sin casts the first stone.

While I agree with the sentiment of your post in general, sungunr, I think it ironic that you yourself appear to judge quickly many of those who drive with a handicap plate. Could it be that due to medical advancements those who before could not drive are now able to do so safely -- and as a society we benefit from those who are able to now get 'out and about' whereas before they could not? (Stave off depression, increase lifespan with improvements in quality of life, etc.)  Sometimes, it's a matter of not knowing anyone in the situation that might lead one to a lack of compassion and/or a rush to judgment. It happens to us all.

Again, otherwise I agree with the sentiment of your posts -- let's all ENCOURAGE one another to ride safely -- and not judge another who chooses differently, for whatever reason.

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear" may be an appropriate expression in these cases. Peace!

[sungunr]

plgoddard,

Appreciate your comments.  The real intent was as stated in the subject line, riding gear.  A entire new thread could be well served about the proliferation of handicapped license plates, stickers, mirror passes, etc.  Studies suggest anywhere from 16-23% of all vehicles on the road have this type of pass.  Seems a bit excessive in my opinion, and anytime you have nearly a quarter of the population falling into a particular category they cannot all park in the 3-4% reserved parking spaces all right by an entry/exit.  I would wager an examination would not find 16-23% of registered motorcycles having this condition. 

I digress, good point, well taken.

[1150newguy]

Just a bit off topic, but still a safety issue with me. How many of the long time riders here claim to have a "sixth sense" that occasionally says to leave the bike in the garage today. My wife used to make light of me,  but after a close call or two she now respects my decision not to ride when it just doesn't "feel right." I have asked riders around here about that feeling and most of the long time guys claim to have days like that. 

As far as riding gear I have been very happy with my Tourmaster Flex pants, Sonora mesh jacket, and HJC helmet. Not high/low dollar stuff, but good quality for the $$$. I have been down on the street and the track and road rash is miserable. The road rash came on the street. On the track I picked myself up, cussed a bit, and retrieved my bent bike. Not a scratch on me. Hmmm, could it have been the protective riding gear??? 

[GarminDave]

+1 on the sixth sense NavyDad.  Some days it just does not feel right.

I take it one step further and like to ride with my Jade Triple Twist talisman, just does not feel right without it.

I use a Shoei Neotec and Roadcrafter one piece suite with Held Gloves and Altberg boots which after years of searching for my ideal gear all work for me.

There are however occasions when riding sans helmet would be good, such as on a sunny day along the coast on my 1951 Panhead doing 20mph without a care in the World!

However I am definitely of the ilke "let the rider decide", I think making informed decisions in an educated World is the way to go. 

"Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men."

Later

Dave

[atvtinker]

Navy Dad, I must be a Tourmaster fan. I also have the Tourmaster Flex 3 jacket and Flex pants although I wish they still made the pants in long. I had to settle for the regular length. Like you said, they are not real expensive, but are quality made and very versatile. For boots, I have the Alpine Ridge waterproof boots. I don't think they even make these anymore. My feet have never been wet with these other than from sweat. These boots will make your feet sweat! Helmet wise I have tried several and so far I have been happy with the Shoei Neotec. Fairly quiet with everything closed up and only slightly noisy with all the vents open. Pinlock shield is the best. I have a "cheap" GMAX38 that I use to just to run into town with. Very noisy at highway speeds (although I have found a way to fix that), but is very light.

[nervouswreck]

  Wow sungunr I'm glad you got all that off you chest, you must feel better now.

[twowheeladdict]

I had to build an 8 foot closet in my garage to store my riding gear.   

I wear varying levels of protection based on what I am riding and where I am riding. 

When commuting, I wear Hi-Viz jacket and Helmet, gauntlet gloves, knee armor, tall boots.

When taking a country back roads ride, I might just wear mid boots, Kevlar jeans, shorty leather gloves, armored jacket of non Hi-viz color, and whatever full face helmet I decide to wear.

When I think about not wearing all of the gear, I remember all those days I sweat in my gear and know that if I go down without gear I will have sweated all those days in vain.   

Regarding a 6th sense, I have always subscribed to the notion that I will not ride if my head isn't on straight.  If there is anger, frustration, etc. going on, I will not ride.  Anything that can distract me from the challenges of surviving on the road is not a good thing.