So I'm sure you've all seen me one time or another mention the Big Crash of the '92. I haven't had the pictures on this computer, so I haven't been able to make a post about it until now. Enjoy.
The date was April 5, 2005. It had been gloomy and slightly rainy the morning of, so I took the cage to school. I had just picked up my '92 3 weeks prior from a friend of my father's from work. For $1000, I got the best deal of my life. The bike was in gorgeous condition and decked out as could be. SS brake lines, a full V&H exhaust, V&H ignition advancer, case guards, DynoJet jet kit, as well as a bunch of extra parts. For my first bike, I was very happy. I had been riding back and forth to school on a regular basis, using my lunch break to take rides around some of the curvier roads near my school rather than eating. That's what my Journalism class was for, right? I had been having a great time and LOVED the GS. On that fateful day, the weather cleared up from the muck and gloom and dreary morning to an absolutely gorgeous day, sun shining, blue sky.
After I got out of classes I had an hour or so before I had to be back at school for jazz band rehersal. I didn't have to haul my sax around, so I figured I'd go home and get the bike, just to be able to ride it. I geared up and started riding back towards my school. My house is situated at the bottom of three hills, so no matter which way I went it would be up. I decided to go on the hill to my left (I could get to the same place going up any one of them, despite the whole directional differences) and rounded the 90 degree turn leading to the main hill. Around halfway up this hill there is a turn that banks around 80 degrees, possibly 75ish or 70. It's a fairly tight sweeper and the pavement in it is washboarded from sun exposure. If you stay on the outside of this turn you're usually fairly safe, but cross into it and you are being risky.
The washboard:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/road_pics02sm.jpg)
Most of the turn:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/road_pics01sm.jpg)
Final placements:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/road_pics03textsm.jpg)
I've driven that curve for years now. I can't remember exactly what happened either, as I was smacked in the head fairly hard by the curb. I don't have memory of the incident nor anything before it for about 30-45 seconds before the crash. From looking at the scars in the road (yes, my bike left physical marks in the road where it went down) and the curb where the bike scraped, as well as a good knowledge of physics, I believe I was trying to enter this curve at somewhere in the vicinity of 45 to 50 mph. I didn't have the skills back then to be able to that safely, most likely, or I was just doing something stupid. I'm fairly certain that I was going through and hit the washboard, scared myself with it wallowing (I've felt it start to bobble about when I hit the washboard on the '04 a while back) and layed it down. Had I not panicked or had I not been riding above my skills at the time I might have been able to pull out of it.
After I layed it down, the bike and I slid up the hill, I most likely on my shoulder and right hand and the bike on it's right side, footpegs scaring the asphalt for life. I eventully got faced around where my feet were sliding up hill while I was on my side, the right side of my helmet showing the scrapes. After the road ran out I was on my right side and I hit the curb. My head smacked against the curb along with my back right behind my right lung. I then toppled into the grass and came to rest next to one of the big boulders. My bike, on the other hand, hit the curb and scraped along it, eventually jumped the curve and ran through the grass and came to rest after hitting the big green utility box, displacing it 9 inches, according to my father.
I layed in the grass for an unknown amount of time. From what I was told a woman and her daughter were driving down the hill, and the woman saw my bike sitting up against the utility box, and making some comment about it being a wadded up bike in bad condition. After they had passed the daughter said that there was a guy in the grass too. The woman turned around and called an ambulence for me. She sat there until they came holding my hand while I gave out information repeatedly. I was told I continued repeating my name, phone number, and address (I don't remember it at ALL). I never got to find out who that woman was, but if I could I would thank her from the bottom of my heart. To whoever she was, thank you!
I woke up while I was in the ambulence. When I first came to I was very confused. I was like, "What in the bloody hell is goin... oh crap." As soon as I realized I was in the ambulence and there was a paramedic over me, I said, "Dammit. I crashed my motorcycle, didn't I?" to which he replied. "Yes you did. I'm glad you're finally awake. Feeling alright?" I told him I felt alright, a little pain here and there. I then proceeded to ask, "Did you see my motorcycle? How is it? Is my bike alright?" Here I am lying prone in an ambulence on its way to the hospital with an IV stuck in my arm, and one of the only things on my mind is, "How's my bike?" Man. I must have really loved that bike! :lol: He told me it was fairly wadded up, but that I'd have to wait to see it myself. He gave me the run through on my damages, informing me that my finger was fairly nasty and how lucky I was I had my gear on.
After getting wheeled into the hospital I was in a fairly good mood, aside from being sore and in pain, but not too bad. I had some doctors talk to me and some nurses look me over. Each and every one of them told me how great it was I was wearing my gear and how much worse it would have been. I heard many people tell me that they see people in there all the time that didn't wear gear and were MUCH worse off than I was. My injuries were trivial in comparison. After the CAT scans and tests they finally took my helmet off and let me lie down in a more private area than the waiting room.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/inhospital_sm2.jpg)
I was on the phone with my girlfriend-at-the-time at the time of the picture. We only got off one picture before we had the security come up to us and tell us we couldn't take photos. While I was lying there a nurse came up to me and told me they just had a bicyclist come in who had just had an incident with the road and was going to be in full body bandages for many weeks, and might not recover fully as he wasn't wearing a helmet. He told me how great it was I was wearing my gear.
After some more tests they noticed I had collapsed my right lung by 5% and that I needed to stay overnight so that they could moniter me and make sure the lung reinflated. It didn't. By the next day my lung had collapsed over 35%. There are two type of lung collapsations. One involves air getting trapped inbetween the lung layers and the other involves fluid being trapped. With either one, the lung can't expand into that area because there is stuff there, be it air or fluids. I had the air type; I think they called it pneumothoria.
The first night I was there though, I was given a sponge bath by an extremely attractive petite asian nurse. Had I not been so doped up on morphine I might have tried to hit on her. That was the only thing that made my stay in the hospital bearable: hot nurses.
To correct the collapse of my lung they doped me up with some other stuff and knocked me out. They cut a one inch long hole into my chest and stuck a tube in there and hooked it up to this vacuum thing that I had to carry around. I had that in for about 4 days before they took it out and made sure it stayed inflated. All the while I had this in they had me doing lung capacity tests. They had this little thing with a foam floater in it that you sucked, thus drawing the floater up and measuring how much intake you've got. When I did this the first time the doctor was shocked at how much I pulled. I think I had somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 liters, even with a collapsed lung. I guess playing the saxophone did me some good. The doctor said that he saw healthy people that couldn't do that with BOTH lungs. By the end of my time there I was regularly able to pull 5L and over (it topped at 5L, but I held it there while drawing more air in). After my clean bill of health I finally got discharged. I was weak and slightly nauseaus for the rest of the day, so I slept for a few days after that.
Aside from the road rash on my finger and leg, all I had to contend with for the next month was a devastating pain in my shoulder. I couldn't move my arm more than 15 degrees without excruciating pain. Eventually it started to go away, but I still couldn't drive my car (a standard) for over a month because of the pain it would have caused just from shifting gears.
Then it was back to school to finish up high school and graduate!
My jacket had many busted seams all over, but it did its job overall. No abrassive damage to my torso except for the minor superficial stuff from the jacket rubbing on my neck. You can see the elbow padding got shredded fairly badly, but it didn't go through to the armor.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_05_sm.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_07_sm.jpg)
The right hand glove. You can see how the mesh failed miserably under these circumstances. There are gaping holes in the last three fingers of the glove, which translated to some serious road rash on my fingers. You can get a slim idea of the damage on the picture above of me in the hospital.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_13_sm.jpg)
The helmet. See the impact damage in the back? Imagine what would have happened had I not been wearing a helmet...
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/Gear_03_sm.jpg)
The sad part was seeing my bike for the first time after the crash. It was depressing. The bars got pulled back, the guage cluster smashed, the tank was half its size, as well as other stuff you can see in the pictures. I must say, however, that I'm very impressed with the case guards. My engine got out of this without a scratch on it.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/bike10sm.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/bike11sm.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/bike09sm.jpg)
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/bike08sm.jpg)
Notice the rear right footrest? The exhaust got pulled up and broke the frame. The centerstand was also broken. Thankfully there are still useable parts from her.
My external damage was minimal, thankfully. The thing that took the longest to heal was my finger (which can be seen in this thread (http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20659)). There were some scrapes on my leg and around my neck and shoulder from my jacket and some slight road rash on my foot (no pictures of that one) because I wasn't wearing good shoes. My jeans did a pretty good job of protecting me.
Taken 6 days after the crash, my leg had already healed considerably.
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/leg_scuff_1.jpg)
So now you all know my story now. I've got my '04 now, and I am still loving it!
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/bike-lake1.jpg)
Sorry to see such a beauty wrecked up so much (hehe, I'm talking about the bike :nana: ) Glad you went through it with so little damage... :)
Maybe we should all learn something from that and always wear our gear. That milimeter of clothes and helmet, can be the difference between life and death. By the look and sound of the force of impact, you might not survived that headbang without your helmet.
Ride fun but keep safe.
Awesom
Those scratches should buff right out.
Cool, thanks for the pics. If it were me, I would have just inhaled, held it, and fixed my lung by myself. :mrgreen: :P Or get a nurse to punch you. That should do it. :lol:
Your glove pic is missing a t, in the http:// part.
I know someone with thoes gloves, glad I got some beefer ones. I already have had finger injuries, they suck.
if you really wanted a high mount exaust, you could have just asked.
Wow, nice writeup, that must have taken forever! Glad your ok! What kind of gloves are those? After seeing what your finger went though I want to make sure those aren't the ones I'm looking at.
Quote from: porsche4786Wow, nice writeup, that must have taken forever! Glad your ok! What kind of gloves are those? After seeing what your finger went though I want to make sure those aren't the ones I'm looking at.
Yeah, it took a while to write, but I had nothing better to do at 4 in the freakin' morning. I just felt it was time to share my story.
The gloves are from Olympia, and they're called Digital Protector (ironic, I know). You can see the more extensive damage to my finger
here. I talk about wearing all leather gloves, something I won't ride without now.
Quote from: davipuif you really wanted a high mount exaust, you could have just asked.
:lol:
But seriously, that looks CRAZY. I am glad you made it through to ride again, and now have another GS :thumb: Good write up and pics.
Now don't do it again :nono:
Quote from: PhaedrusBut seriously, that looks CRAZY. I am glad you made it through to ride again, and now have another GS :thumb: Good write up and pics.
Now don't do it again :nono:
Heh, yeah. When I first saw the exhaust I thought to myself, "Damn. That isn't supposed to be like that. My thigh would burn off."
I'm quite fond of my new GS, too. I like the color more, too! :lol: I don't intend on crashing again, but I'll be wearing my gear if something happens. Had I not been knocked unconcious by that curb I would have been up and walking right after it happened.
I still find it kinda funny that the most serious damage to me was my finger. If that isn't a prime example for people to wear all their gear, then I don't know what is.
Thanks for sharing your story. That Fieldsheer jacket looks like it held up well for a mesh jacket. How much were your hospital bills, if I may ask?
I had a friend that wrecked at 30mph when a car pulled out in front of him, and he incurred over $98,000 in medical expenses. I'm just trying to get an idea of if I have enough insurance coverage in case someone hits me.
Yeah, that Fieldsheer jacket worked extremely well. It even served as my jacket on the '04 until I got my Mach 3. The armor from the old Fieldsheer is now being used in my Teknic leather jacket.
Hospital bills were covered by insurance, but they were somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 for 5 days. For some reason I got a flat rate pay-by-day billing rather than the itemized payments some people get. I was getting at least 6 x-rays a day, so maybe that's why? I dunno. That was just the hospital bill, though. Then there was the EMS and the lab fees and stuff and beauracratic bullshit. Thankfully we've got good insurance through my father's work. I would have been in the hospital for 6 months or more recovering from road rash, probably, had I not been wearing jeans, shoes, and the jacket.
I was kinda lookin at these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8008833049
But now that I see the fingers are not leather I'm not too sure. The ones I have now are like a fake leather I think.
Fake leather might be alright. Real leather is better no doubt, but what do I know? The Olympias I crashed with had leather palms and around the top of the hand, but in between the fingers were mesh. That is my main concern with any glove. I've got a pair of gloves now that are really good. They are called Terminator gloves, by Olympia.
http://www.newenough.com/olympia_model_744_terminator_gloves_page.htm
They've got the street fighter look with good all-leather protection. Plus, that aluminum knuckle protector looks killer.
Firts off glad to see your ok.
After seeing thos kind of gloves fail i'm definatley looking into some leather ones. Im glad to see the jacket held up cause i have the exact same one.
Quote from: neonflyFirts off glad to see your ok.
After seeing thos kind of gloves fail i'm definatley looking into some leather ones. Im glad to see the jacket held up cause i have the exact same one.
Thanks. In short, yeah, I got messed the f%$k up. I came through alright and I'm really glad about that.
The jacket is wonderful, you should feel very safe in it. There were a few straps that got fused together and a few spots on the arm where the mesh began to melt, but it held up surprisngly well, especially for mesh.
One thing that pissed me off was that the EMS guys CUT my shirt off. It was a button down shirt, don't you think they could have just been nice and unbuttoned it? No. They had to cut apart my nice designer dress shirt. Bastids.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5I still find it kinda funny that the most serious damage to me was my finger.
:) :P
On mine, tho, it was my
only damage - so wear yer motorcycle pants!
Yup, it's hard to see a moto beauty so messed up, but I'd MUCH rather see the bike messed up than the rider messed up!
Glad you came through as well as you did..... GOOD ON YOU for wearing your gear! ;)
:thumb: :mrgreen:
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: AlphaFire X5I still find it kinda funny that the most serious damage to me was my finger.
:) :P
On mine, tho, it was my only damage - so wear yer motorcycle pants!
Eh, the leg abrasions were superficial at best. It basically just looked badass for a week and a half before it disapeared. I didn't even feel it when it was there.
Plus, do you know how unbearably hot leather pants are in 100+ heat? I mean hell, my jeans would have been perfectly fine, minus one or two holes in the thigh (From the knife in my pocket rubbing against the asphalt through the denim, most likely). Had the EMS not cut the jeans up to my hip, I could still wear them. I can't even turn them into shorts! I can't even turn them into hot pants! They protected me adequately though.
I bought a lot of really nice, quality, expensive gear but I don't wear it when I ride because I don't want anything bad to happen to it. I just wear the flip flops that I got at the dollar store, some cut off jean shorts, and a free promotional t-shirt I got from a radio station. :dunno:
I don't want the gear that cost me so much money to get all scuffed up like that!!! :o
:P
Quote from: AlphaFire X5Plus, do you know how unbearably hot leather pants are in 100+ heat?
Ja, I sure do...
But I preferentialy wear:
http://www.newenough.com/firstgear_mesh_pants_page.htmwhen it's hot.
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: AlphaFire X5Plus, do you know how unbearably hot leather pants are in 100+ heat?
Ja, I sure do...
But I preferentialy wear:
http://www.newenough.com/firstgear_mesh_pants_page.htm
when it's hot.
I think you and I have different concepts of "hot" weather. I'd probably get a set of Fieldsheer overpants to compliment the jacket. They have really good high quality mesh that breathes VERY well. I'll take a look at those First Gear pants when I go to Cycle Gear next. A lot of mesh pants don't have large enough holes to allow any decent airflow in Texas weather which would cause quick and severe overheating issues.
:o glad you survived that
Quote from: Bluebellylint:o glad you survived that
I'm young and extremely lucky. I'm thankful I heal up quick, otherwise it might have taken twice as long to recover. I'm also lucky that there was no oncoming traffic that I could have slid under, and I'm also lucky there was someone who saw me. I'm lucky there wasn't a big cliff or a big wall opposite to me, because the force of impact might have paralyzed me.
Luck can be important, but you shouldn't rely on it.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5Luck can be important, but you shouldn't rely on it.
What is that saying about starting life with "a full bucket of luck and an empty bucket of skill"? The goal is to fill the second before you empty the first.
Is that the bike that donated a gas cap and seat lock to my bike? I may have to do some voodoo on them to remove any bad mojo.
Quote from: callmelennyIs that the bike that donated a gas cap and seat lock to my bike? I may have to do some voodoo on them to remove any bad mojo.
Yup that's the one! It's hunk-a-junk (but probably still race legal) frame was the one you saw in our driveway, and I've still got a bunch of parts to get rid of (ugh, find me time!).
Wow, I'm glad you're okay and still riding now!
Lovin the high mount exhaust of the '92 ;)
Glad you made out ok after the wreck :thumb: Your bike looked alot like mine.
(http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/mjc0672/DSCF0351.jpg)
Quote from: animal motherYour bike looked alot like mine.
Yours doesn't have the schweet high-mount exhaust, though.
Man that's a purrrrrrty bike! You should paint that headlight bucked matte black. It looks KILLER that way.
http://www.gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=21212
At least it does on the black frame.
Quote from: BadgerQuote from: animal motherYour bike looked alot like mine.
Yours doesn't have the schweet high-mount exhaust, though.
No, I think he bought the low mount exhaust. :lol:
I actually considered trying to work a high-mount onto the '04, but I'd have to hack the pasenger footpegs off because the brackets get in the way. I wish they were bolted on so there could be a clean removal. I mean, hell, the AlphaSports bikes that use the GS500 frame have bolt on rear passenger footrest brackets...
Wow. Glad to see you are alright and back riding. Getting back on is a very courageous thing to do, and tough. Good job. You are making me want to get my X-mas present a little early....
http://www.motogearusa.com/lane_large.html
Ride safe and always wear that gear! I have paid less than $1000 for my bike and over that significantly in safety gear.... Funny how that works...
Yeah. I've paid a significant amount of money for my gear. Thankfully I've gotten a LOT of good deals on gear, which has allowed me to get more than I could previous. I think I'm just shy of my '92's purchase price in gear right now. Useable gear. I could factor in the old busted up Fieldsheer, helmet, and gloves, which would bring it up to about half of what I paid for the '04.
Good deals are great when you can come buy them. It's allowed me to get my pants, an extra jacket, and an extra pair of gloves. I don't go ANYWHERE without gear. If I'm in a parking lot and I need to move the bike down a half dozen spots or so I feel very very nervous unless I'm wearing all my gear. Even if I'm just not wearing gloves I feel awkward.
Holy crap!! :o
Glad to hear you are up and riding again :thumb:
Maybe a lesson to be learned by people who refuse to wear proper gear. Accidents happen anytime, all the time. There are people who care for you and love that you are happy on your bike, but be nice back to them by wearing gear and surviving accidents.
Good luck and safe riding.
CG
That road is nucking futz! You should send the pics to the city and get them to fix it.
Poor GS :(
Quote from: RVertigoThat road is nucking futz! You should send the pics to the city and get them to fix it.
Poor GS :(
Yeah, that's a good idea about seeing if I can get the road fixed. I doubt they will though. Lazy ass government.
Despite how nice that '92 was, I think I like the '04 better. It might be because I feel a connection to it doing all the mods myself, especially the fairing removal and headlight mounting. It looks similar to others, but it has its trademark characteristics that make it unique. I think I've grown attatched to it because I'm having to go through the pains and problems with my poor bike. We bonded! :mrgreen:
I recently read a thread that my dad started the day after I crashed. I really didn't realize how much grief I caused him that day and how he was feeling about the whole thing. The guys on the FZ1 board were very supportive of me during my recovery and only now can see how tight the motorcycle community can be. Everyone on that board was extremely supporting of my dad and how he felt too, which means a lot to me.
I'm going to be thanking my parents for being with me through the whole ordeal and being, well, parents. I don't think teenagers appreciate how much their parents do for them; I'm only now realizing how much they've helped me during my life.
So everyone, thank your parents, just because.
A few weeks after I bought the bike:
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b123/AlphaFire_X5/GSTwin/92crash/brian.jpg)
Well said, Alpha.
Someday my son may want to ride. He's only 13 now, and not much interested in motor vehicles yet. If he ever lets go of the Playstation controller, he may go outside to the garage and remember that his old man rides a motorcycle, and hey, wouldn't that be fun to try. My wife is not crazy about either of us riding, and he hasn't even ridden pillion yet. For my wife's sake, I don't encourage him to try riding with me. But I don't want to discourage him either. So I'm kind of conflicted; it can be a dangerous activity, and I would probably never forgive myself if my son (or daughter) ever took up riding, because of me, and got seriously hurt.
I have 2 1/2 years, until my son gets his license to think about this. For your part, you can thank your Dad for introducing you to a sport that will give you enjoyment for the rest of your life. For me, I can thank my big brother.
D.
Glad to hear you made it out with only mild battle scars. I'm particularly surprised to see how well the textile jacket held up and it reinforces some confidence in my own gear.
Did you choose to go with leathers after this mishap?
Regards,
JG
Quote from: groff22 on March 29, 2006, 09:25:26 AM
Glad to hear you made it out with only mild battle scars. I'm particularly surprised to see how well the textile jacket held up and it reinforces some confidence in my own gear.
Did you choose to go with leathers after this mishap?
Regards,
JG
I have both leather and textile gear now. I have a leather jacket, leather pants, two pairs of leather gloves, and another Fieldsheer mesh jacket. I had the Mach 1 when I crashed, and now have the Mach 3 (off eBay for pretty cheap). I have no worries about my safety when I'm wearing the mesh jacket.
So... any input on the Icon Merc jacket? It's the one that I've got. How does it hold up?
Quote from: solaron on March 29, 2006, 10:38:08 AM
So... any input on the Icon Merc jacket? It's the one that I've got. How does it hold up?
I have no idea. I have never used that product before. I don't know how high or low of a quality Icon's products are either. I tend to stay away from them because I prefer much more reputable gear makers.
I know Icon gear is quite popular, and the merc jacket is one of the nicer ones they offer... however I find they market to a group of people that doesn't include myself -- so no input on their gear :)
I just recently ordered new gear from New Enough. The FirstGear Hammer Jacket, and FirstGear Fuel Pants will replace my aging Joe Rocket Atomic jacket and jeans :)
Maybe I'll post a little review once it arrives.
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 28, 2006, 09:28:05 PMSo everyone, thank your parents, just because.
How about I thank YOUR parents.
Quote from: RVertigo on March 29, 2006, 11:06:12 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 28, 2006, 09:28:05 PMSo everyone, thank your parents, just because.
How about I thank YOUR parents.
Okay. I didn't realize you liked me so much! :)
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 29, 2006, 11:12:14 AMQuote from: RVertigo on March 29, 2006, 11:06:12 AMQuote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 28, 2006, 09:28:05 PMSo everyone, thank your parents, just because.
How about I thank YOUR parents.
Okay. I didn't realize you liked me so much! :)
Nah... Mine just suck THAT bad. :icon_confused:
Crikey! Who does Icon market to and why wasn't I given the memo that I may or may not want their gear?
Quote from: solaron on March 29, 2006, 11:33:00 AM
Crikey! Who does Icon market to and why wasn't I given the memo that I may or may not want their gear?
Icon's main market is the "stunter" crowd as well as the "hooligan" sport bikers. A lot of the wannabe racers wear Icon stuff too because it has all the cool logos and patches and stuff.
Ohhh..... I got the one with no symbols or patches, just plain black with a little white symbol over the left breast. That sucks though, I don't want to be seen as a wannabe.
don't worry about what other people think :D
I ended up w. an Icon helmet (gloss silver Mainframe) and took all the stickers off of it just because I'd have taken them off of whatever brand helmet I bought.
I ride this jacket, well diff year, so there's grey and black, but pretty much the same. Would you guys consider this a squid jacket?
http://www.suzukicycles.com/Accessories/detail.aspx?modelId=7cca3b6b-fdd2-41dc-b4e9-e387ad965edc&accessoryCategoryId=d64b856c-7257-458f-98f2-eb99300ecf15&accessoryId=c5f90070-9147-4e06-a566-d11210a4c26f
This guy (http://www.bikepics.com/pictures/388257/) is waring a squid jacket :laugh:
But yours looks good especially with the CE approved armor in it
HAHA
at least his head and hands will be in one piece. not attached but in one piece.
I can attest for some gear in a crash. One thing I would say is that Joe Rocket Mesh pants are a no go. My friend wrecked behind me at about 45, and they did nothing. The armor on the knees just slid over making the knee protection just regular mesh, they ripped up big time. He was wearing a Joe Rocket Violater I believe jacket, the one that you can zip off the textile part exposing mesh for warm weather riding. He was riding with the mesh part and it help up pretty good. He was wearing Teknic leather gloves and they didn't do as well as I expected. The seam burst and his finger slid along the ground grinding off half his fingernail.
When I can get a place to host the pictures I will put some up
Patrick
PS where is the wall of fame?
Yeah, my gloves busted up too. I only trust full leather gloves with good stitching (no Joe Rocket. They have stitching issues. Just my opinion, though). Mesh pants have to fit extremely well in order for me to trust them. I love my leather ones.
Wall of fame is down for a while.
Quote from: PatrickInNC on March 29, 2006, 08:59:23 PM
I can attest for some gear in a crash. One thing I would say is that Joe Rocket Mesh pants are a no go. My friend wrecked behind me at about 45, and they did nothing. The armor on the knees just slid over making the knee protection just regular mesh, they ripped up big time. He was wearing a Joe Rocket Violater I believe jacket, the one that you can zip off the textile part exposing mesh for warm weather riding. He was riding with the mesh part and it help up pretty good. He was wearing Teknic leather gloves and they didn't do as well as I expected. The seam burst and his finger slid along the ground grinding off half his fingernail.
When I can get a place to host the pictures I will put some up
Patrick
PS where is the wall of fame?
The wall of fame is currently down, I believe. As for hosting, try photobucket.com, they're free..
http://www.newenough.com/olympia_model_744_terminator_gloves_page.htm
They've got the street fighter look with good all-leather protection. Plus, that aluminum knuckle protector looks killer.
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Just ordered these gloves due to your recommendation. I currently have some Joe Rocket's that are not leather. Dont think those are going to be good enough protection. Thanks
Quote from: bsj177 on March 29, 2006, 09:56:30 PM
http://www.newenough.com/olympia_model_744_terminator_gloves_page.htm
They've got the street fighter look with good all-leather protection. Plus, that aluminum knuckle protector looks killer.
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Just ordered these gloves due to your recommendation. I currently have some Joe Rocket's that are not leather. Dont think those are going to be good enough protection. Thanks
Hey no probem. Those are great for the summer, but for winter you're probably going to want a gauntlet style as they won't let air come in from behind. I do have an issue with those Terminator gloves right now, but maybe it's just me. The velcro on the gloove (the loop side) came off stuck to the hook side. I am just going to get my mother to sew it back on, or possibly learn to sew myself and do it on my own. :) Good gloves though.
Okay, here's the jacket I ended up with:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=15809&department=112&division=1&WT.MC_ID=80003
Here's the helmet (flat black version if it doesn't autopop):
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=&L2=&L3=&L4=&item=PAR_0101-2401_G
I also chose some heavy duty full leather gloves with some weird knuckle protector things, since the other pair looked incredibly flimsy.
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Hey no probem. Those are great for the summer, but for winter you're probably going to want a gauntlet style as they won't let air come in from behind.
I live in AZ so we dont have much of a cold winter here so they should be good for most of the year at least!
Quote from: bsj177 on March 30, 2006, 08:11:06 AM
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Hey no probem. Those are great for the summer, but for winter you're probably going to want a gauntlet style as they won't let air come in from behind.
I live in AZ so we dont have much of a cold winter here so they should be good for most of the year at least!
Yeah, same thing with Texas, but it still gets cold for a while here! Just keep an eye out on the stitching coming loose.
Is it a recent thing, I mean the degraded quality of Joe Rocket apparel? When I started riding back in '04 everyone was saying Joe R gear was the shizznit, and everything else was inferior... now I get the other impression. I suppose personal opions vary, but it seems more of a widened view now.