Talk to me about gear

[CanberraR3]

I used to ride in an open face in warm weather and full face in the rain and cold. Decided it wasn't worth the hassle, especially after getting caught out in the rain once too often - and seeing the damage done to Amanda's helmet in her accident (all on the chin bar and visor). It meant she didn't leave her jaw on the road. The cold I can stand but rain bloody hurts. So do stones and even birds. In really hot weather it's actually cooler in a full face while you're moving because it stops you face getting blasted with hot air. I wear a perforated leather jacket too. I sweat a little in it but that actually helps keep me cool. In just a shirt, once all your sweat dries on you it's like standing in front of a hair drier. It's a myth that less gear is cooler. And besides, I've seen how gear saves people from serious injury. Imagine ending your riding career because you wanted to look tough, when just a small amount of sensible protective gear would have made all the difference.

 

[CanberraR3]

R Jays Breeze leather jacket.
Five Air Flow EVO 1 gloves
Shoei XR1100
SIDI Strata Boots
Kevlar Jeans - Hornee and RST.

 

[ksquared]

I also forgot to mention another critical bit of gear - one I won't ride anywhere without:

Wish I had found these decades ago - maybe I wouldn't have tinnitus in both ears if I had.

Easy to use and cheap - a no-brainer.

 

[JackG]

I wear a Fulmer modular helmet and a riding jacket of some sort(I have 4) anytime I ride. I wear Joe Rocket pants on long trips, partly because they are more comfortable. I know from experience that protective gear helps. Better to replace a helmet, jacket, etc than to have skin grafts or metal plates and screws. Any gear is better than no gear.

 

[R3Tex]

I also forgot to mention another critical bit of gear - one I won't ride anywhere without:

Wish I had found these decades ago - maybe I wouldn't have tinnitus in both ears if I had.

Easy to use and cheap - a no-brainer.

Agreed...I use custom molded ear plugs with cords embedded in them for my ipod

 

[Rolltide100]

All I can add is that full gear saved my life on the 29th of June last year in Colorado. I will not I repeat will not ride without it period. Within two weeks time last year, I went down Richard's Amanda went down, and 1olbull went down. If using the three of us as examples saves just one life then it was all worth it in my books!

 

[DRMD421]

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/speed-and-strength-ss2200-spin-doctor-helmet

Watch the video. This is the best helmet I've ever owned. A bit noisy, but light and cool and peripheral vision is awesome. I don't use earplugs but I do use the earplug type headphones and ipod in one ear only so I can still hear traffic. My wife uses the other earplug when she rides with me. Works out great.

 

[Sensfan]

I have gone with Rev'it Mesh style jacket and pants, they have the armor in it(swap the stock sponge back pad for a solid one) and water proof inserts. if its cold or raining I use the inserts, but remove them in warm weather and get a nice breeze blowing through the jacket and pants.

 

[Triple Trouble]

I believe in ATGATT. It's saved my bacon more than once over fifty years of riding. Currently I use a Shark Evoline 3 modular helmet and a cheap jacket . The following is not for the sqeamish so don't read if you have a weak stomach.Last year my rding buddy's son was dating a therapist whose job was teaching guys that had lost part of their face to eat again. All were involved in bike accidents and had ground away bits, some had lost their jaw completely. What really amazed me was that, at the time she had 20 patients! Obviously it is not that rare though we never hear about it. I saw what happened to Warp's helmet when he went down on the way to Maggie Valley via my place and if he wasn't wearing an Evoline with the front flipped down It wouldn't have been pretty(not that it is at the best of times.......). Your head your choice.

 

[kblahetka]

Thanks for the input. I went and purcahsed a HJC modular helmet today.