By the grace of his riding gear my friend is alive

Message

#11 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:26 am

It is very possible that gear could save your life. But you don't have to spend a mint on it. As mentioned in other threads recently cost doesn't always correlate with quality or safety. My $85 Fulmer full-face helmet was just named by Motorcyclist as one of the safest you could get regardless of price. And you can find excellent jackets in the $150-$200 range if you shop around. Boots and gloves can be had for good prices as well. The important thing is to get good gear and get gear that you'll actually wear every time you get on the bike.

CustomZ · #12 Unread post by **CustomZ** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 4:48 am

i heard in some cases the more you spent the better your getting, (i don't know thats what i just heard) and i bought a arai helmet and it was one of the more expensive one, and i wore all types of helmets 30 min at a time at the dealer over a couple weeks as i was shoping and i found the more expensive ones where why more comfertable. so maybe thats what they where talking about. but what about gloves and boots? because i noticed the more expensive ones had quiet a bit more padding and armor. i did notice on jackets your paying for the name a bit.

bennettoid · Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:00 am

Glad to hear he'll be ok.

#14 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:19 am

Prophet wrote:i heard in some cases the more you spent the better your getting, (i don't know thats what i just heard) and i bought a arai helmet and it was one of the more expensive one, and i wore all types of helmets 30 min at a time at the dealer over a couple weeks as i was shoping and i found the more expensive ones where why more comfertable. so maybe thats what they where talking about. but what about gloves and boots? because i noticed the more expensive ones had quiet a bit more padding and armor. i did notice on jackets your paying for the name a bit.

I'm sure the expensive apparel makers make some fine gear. But a lot of it is marketing as well. And there's a ton of room for personal preference, riding style, etc. I don't wear the same gear for a trip to the store as I would if I'm going to ride 8 hours. I do a lot of in city riding. My minimum is full-face-helmet, denim jeans, leather boots with a rubber soul and no laces, thick leather gloves and a thick leather jacket made for motorcycle riding.

Even that minimal kit leaves me dressed safer than most riders I see on a daily basis and I'd say Seattle riders as a whole dress safer than riders in some other regions I've been to. If I was commuting at high speeds on the interstate or putting in a lot more miles than I do (I walk to work so I just ride for pleasure) I would upgrade my jacket to armored and wear armored pants or leather chaps. I truly think the most important thing - MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THE HAVING THE LATEST, GREATEST OR MOST HIGH-TECH EXPENSIVE GEAR... is having gear you'll wear every time on the bike. A $2000 leather racing suit doesn't do much if it's draped across the chair in your bedroom. I wear the jacket, gloves, full-face helmet, jeans and boots even if I I'm just going to the pub down the street or the grocery store a mile away.

CustomZ · #15 Unread post by **CustomZ** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:41 am

-ya i have a mesh jacket with armor for hotter days and a leather armor jacket for cooler days. do you have a differant helmet for different ridding? cb360.

#16 Unread post by **cb360** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:19 am

Prophet wrote:-ya i have a mesh jacket with armor for hotter days and a leather armor jacket for cooler days. do you have a differant helmet for different ridding? cb360.

I'm a big proponent of the full-face helmet. I think it is the single most important piece of safety gear so I wear it every single time I start the bike no matter how hot it is. I just leave the faceshield open and wear sunglasses if it's hot. It isn't exactly phoenix around here, but I wore it in 95 degree heat and it wasn't uncomfortable at all. A lot of people wear the 3/4 or half helmets and like them. I've just seen too many studies showing common impact areas in helmet studies - a full 40% happen right in the jawline - makes perfect sense if you imagine hitting the ground after coming off your bike. I'm all for freedom and all that but I feel plenty free with my helmet on. I haven't had an accident yet - don't know if I ever will and I'll continue to work hard to make sure I don't, but if it comes I want a full-face helmet on. Drinking through a straw for 2 months - or worse - would absolutely suck. Plus, I have a wife who rides and she took the MSF and read Proficient Motorcycling and we have a deal.... 'if you're on the bike you're wearing your gear, no exceptions.' So, even if it wasn't important to me personally, I'd still gear up because I damn sure want her to.

CustomZ · #17 Unread post by **CustomZ** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 6:44 am

thats awsome i wear a full face and like you said was the most lickly place to hit on your head, maybe you won't brake anything but even road rash on the face would really suck

jmillheiser · Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:03 pm

My friend was actually wearing the Fulmer Full face helmet you mentioned.

the damage to the helmet consisted of a cracked chinpiece and shattererd faceshield

Will definately be investing in a good armored jacket. Should hopfully be taking the MSF course soon.

jmillheiser · Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:31 pm

more good news. my friend was released from the hospital today