Gear = Biohazard

[Septimus]

After two days of 95 degree MSF class, my gear is (by now) probably even offensive to other riders.

I took all the pads out of my jacket and pants and dropped them off at the dry cleaners.

How do you clean motorcycle boots? These are JR Meteor boots. I'm inclined to just wash them, scrub them inside and out, and let them dry, but with my luck I'll somehow destroy them.

Is there anything special to cleaning boots?

And do you (I hope) not have to clean your gear quite as often assuming you don't usually ride at 12-18mph for six hours in 90+ degree weather?

[Ian522]

Febreeze works wonders on the inside of your helmet.

In my experiance, as long as your jacket has good vents and you keep moving, you'll stay reasonably cool. Its only when you get stuck in slow traffic or at a really long red light when you start to really feel the heat.

Cant really help you with the boots but id imagine Febreeze would work well on the inside of those also.

[Jas0n]

I heard of Febreeze, but does it do anything for bacteria? I would think the inside of a helmet would get infested with bacteria, dead skin cells, greese from hair/face, and maybe some of those little nats that somehow get inside every so often.

[Ian522]

They do make an "anti-microbial" febreeze. Just give the inside of the helmet a few good sprays, and leave it upside down with the face shield open outside in the sun until it dries.

The once funky smelling nasty helmet will now smell like a fresh spring meadow.

As for the rest of my gear, I leave it alone unless it gets really bad. Wear those bug stains on your jacket and those scuffed up, dirty boots as badges of honor!

[Z (fka Sweet Tooth)]

I always spray my boots w/ lysol when I get back and open up the laces so it can "breathe" I have a pair of Harley boots that have fair pretty well for almost 2 years through rain and everything...Now that I think about it, might be time for new boots...lol

As far as helmets go I picked up a Scorpion helmet w/ removable padding. It's awesome, they pop right off and I throw them into the washer.

[Flesher]

There is a product called "Helmet Fresh" which you can use in your helmet and your boots. It does not mask odors. it eliminates them by killing the bacteria and other micro organisms that cause it. [product info]

[roscowgo]

You couldn't take my gear into an african game reserve right now. They'd shoot you for either trying to impersonate a buffalo thats been rolling in elephant poo, or arrest you for trying to poach the critters with toxic gasses.


Oddly enough it's my jacket thats turned into the stink-o-rama, and not my soaked overused helmet.

[Johnj]

Pull the pads and throw them in the washer. Mesh jackets too. Even textile jackets. Take your leather to a good cleaners.

[Septimus]

Both the jacket & pants (Phoenix & Ballistic) say DO NOT MACHINE WASH and apparently expect you to lovingly hand wash every inch with a soft sponge.

My MSF instructor (who has the same jacket) said to remove the pads and take them to the dry cleaners. The only drawback is that it cost $26, but there's another reason to get out of Manhattan.

[Veda]

I wonder if the chemicals from the dry cleaner would be determental to the textile?

I personally pull out the pads and put mine in the washer machine on the gentle cycle and hang dry. I try to only wash once or twice a year.