Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 03, 2004, 01:28:35 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 03, 2004, 01:28:35 PM
Riding without boots and crashing might cost you some road rash or foot mash
or even in an extreme case might lead to amputation. You might never walk
without a limp. You might battle a weight and fitness problem for the rest of your
life. You might never walk with pain. But it probably wouldn't kill you.
Riding without gloves and crashing might cost you some road rash or a
Munched hand or the severe, excrutiating pain of mangling a body part rich with
nerve endings. Or you could lose a finger or two. It could cost you the
ability to play ball with your son, to properly feel the gentle curve of a
womans breast, or to hold a beer. But it probably wouldn't kill you.
Riding without at least an armored jacket and leather trousers or full
leathers or an Aerostich or even just a leather jacket and jeans and
crashing might cost you serious road rash. You might grind off a nipple.
You might embed gravel in your elbow. You might get beef jerky all over
your back. You might grind off your kneecap or have a scar resembling
Australia on you calf like a friend of mine does. You would be scarred for
life and not be able to walk on a beach shirtless without feeling self
conscious. You might end up like Kevin Spacey's character in "Pay It
Forward" and have to deal with the same awkward moment every time you remove
your clothes with a new lover. But it probably won't kill you.
Riding without a back protector and crashing in all but rare crashes would
be inconsequential. However, there are so many variables out there- curbs,
fenders, poles, guardrails, debris in the road- any one of these could be
the golden BB that nicks your spinal cord in just the wrong way and leaves
you in a wheelchair for life. Or, maybe you just have constant sciatic pain
in one leg. Or you can't move your legs. Or you have to wear diapers for
when you @#%$ yourself, and/or a colostomy bag you have to pull out of your
pants leg and squeeze your waste out into the toilet at a bar like a guy I
know. Or you can't move from the chest down. Or from the neck down. Are
you good at working joysticks with your mouth? Or maybe you might need a
respirator? Or 24 hour care? Certainly, there are impacts that are
completely forseeable that would permanently injure you even with the best
back protector in the world. But there are crashes and subsequent impacts
that even mediocre back protectors can make that little bit of difference
in- the ones you get up and walk away from, sore all over, but *walking*.
Do you want the last time you walked to be when you walked out of 7-11 with
a pack of smokes and then got on your bike? Those precious few steps out
the door and over to the bike to be the five steps you remember the rest of
your life because the next time you were off the bike you were lying
strapped to a backboard staring at the headliner of an ambulance, tears
running down your face because you couldn't feel the little piggies and you
were almost ready to vomit at the stench of your @#%$ because you lost
control of your bowels? Riding without a back protector and crashing might
not make a difference, or it might make all the difference in the world. It
might not kill you, but it might make you wish it had.
And, finally, helmets. Riding without a helmet and crashing might be of no
consequence. You might never even touch terra firma with your head. Or you
might give yourself an asphalt facelift. You might get a concussion that
results in only a bad headache the next day. You might get a serious
concussion that lands you in the hospital for endless CAT scans and MRIs,
and for the rest of your days be plagued by migraines. You might fracture
your orbital and lose your vision. You might fracture your skull and end up
fully functional but with a horrible Frankenstein like scar and a metal
plate that bothers you on cold days and sets of metal detectors in airports.
You might have a closed head injury from which you don't awaken from for
hours or days or weeks or months- all the while your mother, father,
sister, brother, children, workmates, and/or riding buddies come a visit
you, filling an utterly depressing hospital room into a gauche jungle of
flowers and bright card saying "get well soon!" that you never see or smell.
Sure, you might awaken completely normal besides the hole drilled in your
head to reduce pressure. Or you might awaken a little fuzzy, unsure who
these people are. Or you might awaken and have to re-learn everything it
took you all your life to learn, eventually returning to normal or even
better like Harrison Ford in "Regarding Henry". Or you might awaken a
man-child, drooling and laughing as you try to stack blocks, wearing
sweatpants and a t-shirt signed by your mother, father, sister, brother,
children, workmates, and/or riding buddies- which you will never read. Or
you might have an open head injury, from which the "you" you know will most
likely never return. The rest of your life -be it a day, a week, a month, a
year- will consist of feeding tubes, the endless beep and whoosh of the
heart monitor and respirator, and the drip-drip or IV fluids, catheters in
your rod, and feeding tubes. Of course, you won't mind all of this, you'll
be in a dream land no one knows about. Your body will waste away and
atrophy. Eventually, the shell that used to be you would give out, and your
loved ones would have to make the most grueling decision of their life. Or,
you might die on the road, fluffy gray brain matter mixing with blood and
cerebro-spinal fluid. Perhaps you last ride would be twenty miles an hour
down the street by your house combined with an impatient young driver and an
ignored stop sign. Or perhaps it would be a ride on the freeway and a
pothole denting your rim and popping the front tire off the bead sending you
into the guardrail. Or you might go out in a blaze of glory qith a 100 mph
wheelie ending the wrong way. Whichever way, would make maybe a 10 second
news story depending on where you live, maybe a paragraph buried on page 32B
of the paper. Riding without a helmet could be of no matter- or it could
mean the difference between going on as you are now, or having life taken
awy from you as if God flipped a switch.
I can live without toes or a mangled foot- but I choose to try and prevent
that. I can live with a hand that looks like a burn victim's and maybe
relearn to write with my left hand- but I choose to try and prevent that. I
can live with a scar in the shape of Australia on my calf- but I try and
prevent that. I can live with road rash on my torso and arms- but I try to
prevent that. I could live in a wheelchair, agonizing through every day,
but I chose to try and prevent that.
I can't live as a man-child. I've already played with blocks. I only drool
when I sleep.
We all make choices. Gear can't always save you. All the best leather,
denim, Cordura, Kevlar, fiberglass, and plastic is useless when fate throws
the Immovable Object or the Irresistible Force in your path. But I choose
to stack the deck in my favor. If it all ends up for naught and the stacked
deck and the cards up my sleeve end up losing to Fate's royal flush, so be
it. But I'll try.
-Author unknown-
or even in an extreme case might lead to amputation. You might never walk
without a limp. You might battle a weight and fitness problem for the rest of your
life. You might never walk with pain. But it probably wouldn't kill you.
Riding without gloves and crashing might cost you some road rash or a
Munched hand or the severe, excrutiating pain of mangling a body part rich with
nerve endings. Or you could lose a finger or two. It could cost you the
ability to play ball with your son, to properly feel the gentle curve of a
womans breast, or to hold a beer. But it probably wouldn't kill you.
Riding without at least an armored jacket and leather trousers or full
leathers or an Aerostich or even just a leather jacket and jeans and
crashing might cost you serious road rash. You might grind off a nipple.
You might embed gravel in your elbow. You might get beef jerky all over
your back. You might grind off your kneecap or have a scar resembling
Australia on you calf like a friend of mine does. You would be scarred for
life and not be able to walk on a beach shirtless without feeling self
conscious. You might end up like Kevin Spacey's character in "Pay It
Forward" and have to deal with the same awkward moment every time you remove
your clothes with a new lover. But it probably won't kill you.
Riding without a back protector and crashing in all but rare crashes would
be inconsequential. However, there are so many variables out there- curbs,
fenders, poles, guardrails, debris in the road- any one of these could be
the golden BB that nicks your spinal cord in just the wrong way and leaves
you in a wheelchair for life. Or, maybe you just have constant sciatic pain
in one leg. Or you can't move your legs. Or you have to wear diapers for
when you @#%$ yourself, and/or a colostomy bag you have to pull out of your
pants leg and squeeze your waste out into the toilet at a bar like a guy I
know. Or you can't move from the chest down. Or from the neck down. Are
you good at working joysticks with your mouth? Or maybe you might need a
respirator? Or 24 hour care? Certainly, there are impacts that are
completely forseeable that would permanently injure you even with the best
back protector in the world. But there are crashes and subsequent impacts
that even mediocre back protectors can make that little bit of difference
in- the ones you get up and walk away from, sore all over, but *walking*.
Do you want the last time you walked to be when you walked out of 7-11 with
a pack of smokes and then got on your bike? Those precious few steps out
the door and over to the bike to be the five steps you remember the rest of
your life because the next time you were off the bike you were lying
strapped to a backboard staring at the headliner of an ambulance, tears
running down your face because you couldn't feel the little piggies and you
were almost ready to vomit at the stench of your @#%$ because you lost
control of your bowels? Riding without a back protector and crashing might
not make a difference, or it might make all the difference in the world. It
might not kill you, but it might make you wish it had.
And, finally, helmets. Riding without a helmet and crashing might be of no
consequence. You might never even touch terra firma with your head. Or you
might give yourself an asphalt facelift. You might get a concussion that
results in only a bad headache the next day. You might get a serious
concussion that lands you in the hospital for endless CAT scans and MRIs,
and for the rest of your days be plagued by migraines. You might fracture
your orbital and lose your vision. You might fracture your skull and end up
fully functional but with a horrible Frankenstein like scar and a metal
plate that bothers you on cold days and sets of metal detectors in airports.
You might have a closed head injury from which you don't awaken from for
hours or days or weeks or months- all the while your mother, father,
sister, brother, children, workmates, and/or riding buddies come a visit
you, filling an utterly depressing hospital room into a gauche jungle of
flowers and bright card saying "get well soon!" that you never see or smell.
Sure, you might awaken completely normal besides the hole drilled in your
head to reduce pressure. Or you might awaken a little fuzzy, unsure who
these people are. Or you might awaken and have to re-learn everything it
took you all your life to learn, eventually returning to normal or even
better like Harrison Ford in "Regarding Henry". Or you might awaken a
man-child, drooling and laughing as you try to stack blocks, wearing
sweatpants and a t-shirt signed by your mother, father, sister, brother,
children, workmates, and/or riding buddies- which you will never read. Or
you might have an open head injury, from which the "you" you know will most
likely never return. The rest of your life -be it a day, a week, a month, a
year- will consist of feeding tubes, the endless beep and whoosh of the
heart monitor and respirator, and the drip-drip or IV fluids, catheters in
your rod, and feeding tubes. Of course, you won't mind all of this, you'll
be in a dream land no one knows about. Your body will waste away and
atrophy. Eventually, the shell that used to be you would give out, and your
loved ones would have to make the most grueling decision of their life. Or,
you might die on the road, fluffy gray brain matter mixing with blood and
cerebro-spinal fluid. Perhaps you last ride would be twenty miles an hour
down the street by your house combined with an impatient young driver and an
ignored stop sign. Or perhaps it would be a ride on the freeway and a
pothole denting your rim and popping the front tire off the bead sending you
into the guardrail. Or you might go out in a blaze of glory qith a 100 mph
wheelie ending the wrong way. Whichever way, would make maybe a 10 second
news story depending on where you live, maybe a paragraph buried on page 32B
of the paper. Riding without a helmet could be of no matter- or it could
mean the difference between going on as you are now, or having life taken
awy from you as if God flipped a switch.
I can live without toes or a mangled foot- but I choose to try and prevent
that. I can live with a hand that looks like a burn victim's and maybe
relearn to write with my left hand- but I choose to try and prevent that. I
can live with a scar in the shape of Australia on my calf- but I try and
prevent that. I can live with road rash on my torso and arms- but I try to
prevent that. I could live in a wheelchair, agonizing through every day,
but I chose to try and prevent that.
I can't live as a man-child. I've already played with blocks. I only drool
when I sleep.
We all make choices. Gear can't always save you. All the best leather,
denim, Cordura, Kevlar, fiberglass, and plastic is useless when fate throws
the Immovable Object or the Irresistible Force in your path. But I choose
to stack the deck in my favor. If it all ends up for naught and the stacked
deck and the cards up my sleeve end up losing to Fate's royal flush, so be
it. But I'll try.
-Author unknown-
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Aceluck on June 03, 2004, 01:44:39 PM
Post by: Aceluck on June 03, 2004, 01:44:39 PM
Pablo,
that was one heck of a sobering post.
Great post, should be an article, in my humble opinion.
that was one heck of a sobering post.
Great post, should be an article, in my humble opinion.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 01:49:39 PM
Post by: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 01:49:39 PM
if you're goin down in a crash, and time stopped, and someone walked up to you and offered more gear to you, would you take it? if you say "yes," then you're not wearing enough gear.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: AR5ENAL on June 03, 2004, 02:55:54 PM
Post by: AR5ENAL on June 03, 2004, 02:55:54 PM
i've seen this posted before. it's really sobering. i'd make it a point to show it to newbies...some people really don't understand the importance of wearing the right gear.
Title: Bump
Post by: scar_ace on June 03, 2004, 03:18:40 PM
Post by: scar_ace on June 03, 2004, 03:18:40 PM
Very touching to read, I couldn't even bare living without fingers, so I'm just gonna take this opportunity to bump this post up...
Nice find Pablo
Simon
Nice find Pablo
Simon
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Shadley on June 03, 2004, 04:46:03 PM
Post by: Shadley on June 03, 2004, 04:46:03 PM
Very nice post. I just happen to be a newby, got my bike a week ago and have put about 75 miles on it with only a helmet. I have been wanting to get some gear, but it's so expensive and didn't really know what to get. Anyone have some suggestions for me on?
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: MacDuff on June 03, 2004, 05:07:52 PM
Post by: MacDuff on June 03, 2004, 05:07:52 PM
Wow...
I think I'll be getting a riding jacket soon. One with body armor.
MacDuff
I think I'll be getting a riding jacket soon. One with body armor.
MacDuff
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 07:03:52 PM
Post by: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 07:03:52 PM
//www.newenough.com go to their closeout leather section. i got my gloves, jacket, and boots from them. the first time i did business by phone, cause i had sorta a special request. i've called every time since then just to chat with them for a short bit cause they're such nice people.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 03, 2004, 08:31:55 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 03, 2004, 08:31:55 PM
Quote from: Shadley... wanting to get some gear, but it's so expensive and didn't really know what to get...
you've got to figure the cost of the gear with the bike. If you cant afford the gear you cant afford the bike.
Newenough.com is definitely the place to start. Closeout section stocked full of good, inexpensive stuff and they're really great people. Big believers in customer service.
also check out www.motoxoutlet.com for closeouts.
GET GEAR!
joe Rocket, Firstgear, fieldshear, alpinestars, there are loads more. All good. Cowboy up and get yourself leather. jackets as low as $100 if you go textile -good enough if thats what you can afford. Boots about the same. Gloves for $19 right now at newenough...theres no excuse to NOT buy them!
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Michael on June 04, 2004, 02:59:01 AM
Post by: Michael on June 04, 2004, 02:59:01 AM
...and I have personally seen EVERY single one of those scenarios. And I have seen the friends and relatives who have blamed the bike rather than the DH who didn't try to stack the deck in their own favor because full-face helmets don't look cool and boots are for wimps. And I have seen those who have allowed the very possibility of any injury stop them from ever getting on a bike again. And I have endured the ridicule of colleagues (usually orthopaedists) who wonder how I can subject myself to the risks of motorcycling, the same colleagues who actively increase their own risk of dying prematurely from a dead heart (figuratively as well as literally). And I have looked at my sons sleeping the sleep of the innocent and have realised that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to me, but I owe it to my sons to show them how to really live. And I never roll out of my driveway without every bit of protective gear I can afford.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 04, 2004, 05:45:53 AM
Post by: pantablo on June 04, 2004, 05:45:53 AM
Quote from: MichaelAnd I have looked at my sons sleeping the sleep of the innocent and have realised that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to me, but I owe it to my sons to show them how to really live.
That's beautiful Michael.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: v on June 04, 2004, 06:25:52 AM
Post by: v on June 04, 2004, 06:25:52 AM
Quote from: pantabloQuote from: MichaelAnd I have looked at my sons sleeping the sleep of the innocent and have realised that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to me, but I owe it to my sons to show them how to really live.
That's beautiful Michael.
true. very true. you have to always remeber about the ones waiting for your safe return home.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Turkina on June 04, 2004, 07:43:22 AM
Post by: Turkina on June 04, 2004, 07:43:22 AM
Quote from: ShadleyVery nice post. I just happen to be a newby, got my bike a week ago and have put about 75 miles on it with only a helmet. I have been wanting to get some gear, but it's so expensive and didn't really know what to get. Anyone have some suggestions for me on?
Spend the money and get yourself gear. Pablo always pimps http://www.newenough.com, and they have good deals, especially on closeout items!
I crashed with only 50 miles on my bike. Denim doesn't help a bit when you're sliding on the asphalt :( And boots... if I wasn't wearing boots, I'd be lucky if I only broke a couple toes (I didn't get hurt there, even with a big gouge that went right through the thick leather to the steel toe). And that was only at 30 mph!
Crashes happen to the best of us at the worst times. Be prepared!
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: cummuterguy on June 04, 2004, 06:12:42 PM
Post by: cummuterguy on June 04, 2004, 06:12:42 PM
Quote from: ShadleyVery nice post. I just happen to be a newby, got my bike a week ago and have put about 75 miles on it with only a helmet. I have been wanting to get some gear, but it's so expensive and didn't really know what to get. Anyone have some suggestions for me on?
8 years ago, I couldn't wait for my new heingeriche (sp) jacket to come in so i rode anyway, admittedly like a crazy person... irregardless... i went down,(Hard and Fast!!) and am now scarred all over my back, and shoulders. I get unusual stares when ever i take my shirt off in public, people often ask if i had been burned, etc. I tried to take some of the attention away by tatoo-ing over some of it, but that really didn't work... the ironic part is, the day after my wreck, my jacket arrived... i wasn't able to even try it on for 2 months... take it from me, park the bike till you get some gear.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: SmoothDave on June 04, 2004, 06:42:25 PM
Post by: SmoothDave on June 04, 2004, 06:42:25 PM
I've been riding all of a month now, and when I first got my bike, I planned on just wearing a leather jacket and jeans. Once I started hanging out here, I went for the mesh pants with pads, armored jacket, etc. Now when I ride, I'm completely decked out from the face shield to the heavy boots. As a part of this process, I've started taking notice of other riders and what they wear. I have yet to see even one other rider appropriately dressed. Not one. I occassionally see a rider in a leather jacket, and today I saw a rider in an armored mesh jacket like mine, but all of them were wearing jeans, and quite a few had skipped the helmet.
Anyway, I'm wearing the right stuff now, thanks to more than a few of you guys. We are, however, a very small minority. Unless it is different in other parts of the world.
Smooth Dave
Anyway, I'm wearing the right stuff now, thanks to more than a few of you guys. We are, however, a very small minority. Unless it is different in other parts of the world.
Smooth Dave
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Stime187 on June 04, 2004, 08:57:30 PM
Post by: Stime187 on June 04, 2004, 08:57:30 PM
Thanks for the post, nice reality check.
<===== ME, not wearing riding pants like I should be... :?
Scott
<===== ME, not wearing riding pants like I should be... :?
Scott
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Turkina on June 04, 2004, 11:03:03 PM
Post by: Turkina on June 04, 2004, 11:03:03 PM
Put a pair of mesh pants over jeans during the summer. That way you'll have pads and heavy cordura nylon at the initial contact points (knees, hips) and an extra layer of material while sliding on the pavement! Ummm... let's hope nobody gets to go on a test slide :oops:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: TheGoodGuy on June 05, 2004, 12:23:00 AM
Post by: TheGoodGuy on June 05, 2004, 12:23:00 AM
i dont have proper riding pants, i sometimes use my rain pants (not exactly a rain suit but it can be used as one) as an overpant.. works fine.;
I will get some overpants over teh summer..
I will get some overpants over teh summer..
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Hi-T on June 07, 2004, 04:55:29 PM
Post by: Hi-T on June 07, 2004, 04:55:29 PM
I'm kinda broke (like all the time...) but it's funny- my wife gets a little miffed when I buy an accessory (one of those not really needed upgrades) but never says a word when I drop extra cash on safety gear. She and I both know that it's not the money that matters...
Thanks Pablo for the reminder...
Thanks Pablo for the reminder...
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: jakers the 1 on June 07, 2004, 05:30:27 PM
Post by: jakers the 1 on June 07, 2004, 05:30:27 PM
Good post. I'm so glad that it's out here for all us NOOBS. I started riding about a month and a half ago, I found out what what color my bike was going to be and went out and bought my gear that day, even before the bike was really "mine". It's paramount to REALIZE the importance of your geer. Riding gear isn't something that is just out there, it's out there for a damn good reason. Again, Good post, thank you so much for findin it and sharing it with us. :thumb: :cheers: (after the ride)
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: huggybear14 on June 07, 2004, 05:35:45 PM
Post by: huggybear14 on June 07, 2004, 05:35:45 PM
do u mind if i spread this in other boards?
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 07, 2004, 08:36:18 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 07, 2004, 08:36:18 PM
not at all. I dont know who the author is or who posted it originally but I bought it from seeing it on another forum too. And I've now seen it on a third.
Please spread it around, just make sure you don't double post it... :oops:
Please spread it around, just make sure you don't double post it... :oops:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: BanannaMan on June 08, 2004, 06:31:31 PM
Post by: BanannaMan on June 08, 2004, 06:31:31 PM
If that doesn't do it for you take a trip to Deals Gap for the weekend.
The first time I went there I saw 11 crashes in 2 1/2 days.
Nothing like seeing mangled bikes and road rash (and worse) all close up and in person to wake you up to the advantages of wearing protective gear.
Yes it could happen to you!
<--(draggin' jeans in pic)
The first time I went there I saw 11 crashes in 2 1/2 days.
Nothing like seeing mangled bikes and road rash (and worse) all close up and in person to wake you up to the advantages of wearing protective gear.
Yes it could happen to you!
<--(draggin' jeans in pic)
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: higgimonster on June 09, 2004, 10:09:01 AM
Post by: higgimonster on June 09, 2004, 10:09:01 AM
I had been rding my new bike (I am a newbie) for about a month on usually just wearing a helmet and gloves and a sweatshirt. As soon as I read this thread I bought a armored jacket. Even though it busted my wallet I realized that you never know and a sweatshirt ain't gonbna cut it.
Thanks guys, I probably never would have bothered being safe.
Thanks guys, I probably never would have bothered being safe.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 10, 2004, 09:48:18 AM
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 10, 2004, 09:48:18 AM
Always wear proper gear!! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:
See below my website if you dont like to wear gear. Oh well, still some people don't care for hurting themselves... and also we forget the pain we got from the accident (yeah that's me! but I am still limping sometimes.).
Gear might not save your life from the accident. But most definitely, protect you from a lots of pain!
See below my website if you dont like to wear gear. Oh well, still some people don't care for hurting themselves... and also we forget the pain we got from the accident (yeah that's me! but I am still limping sometimes.).
Gear might not save your life from the accident. But most definitely, protect you from a lots of pain!
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: cajrovd on June 11, 2004, 09:59:46 AM
Post by: cajrovd on June 11, 2004, 09:59:46 AM
I just wear a t-shirt, jeans, helmet, gloves, and joe rocket shoes when riding around the neighborhood (15-35mph), kinda squidly i agree, but there's no question about wearing the full gear everywhere else.
The MSF "ladder of risk" is soooo relevant - the less gear you wear, the higher on the ladder of risk you put yourself before even riding!!
I don't know about you guys, but I always feel way more confident and comfortable when riding with more gear than with less gear.
The MSF "ladder of risk" is soooo relevant - the less gear you wear, the higher on the ladder of risk you put yourself before even riding!!
I don't know about you guys, but I always feel way more confident and comfortable when riding with more gear than with less gear.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 11, 2004, 03:29:22 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 11, 2004, 03:29:22 PM
Lil Brat,
I checked out your website-nasty little spill you took. Glad you made it out alright. What happened exactly?
ps-aren't you a little hottie...
I checked out your website-nasty little spill you took. Glad you made it out alright. What happened exactly?
ps-aren't you a little hottie...
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: HughRussell on June 14, 2004, 11:23:23 PM
Post by: HughRussell on June 14, 2004, 11:23:23 PM
Thanks, I've posted this on the UK site
:cheers:
:cheers:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 21, 2004, 08:39:11 AM
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 21, 2004, 08:39:11 AM
Quote from: pantabloLil Brat,
I checked out your website-nasty little spill you took. Glad you made it out alright. What happened exactly?
I know I know, I still have my nasty roadrash, and I live with it forever...
I was riding with buncha friends, and I didn't know where we were going, so I must catch up with them (They usually ride fast! I am a turtle.). I was looking at friends who were far far far away from me, and didn't look at the surrounding around me. When I was panicked, it was late, the double trailer semi was right next to me, and there was no way to go (I was #3 lane), and I saw the semi wobbled and came close to me, and I felt the semi would hit me. I believed I squeezed the front brake, I fell down. I saw my bike went under the semi. My friends (2 of friends were behind me, but I didn't see them.) saw I and my bike slided to the under the semi, but my bike went under the semi first, came back and push me away from semi. And stopped. Fortunately, the car just behind me stopped. My friends thought I was dead. He told me that he was afraid to open my faceshield. When he opened my shield, I blinked my eyes, and started screming because my foot was pain! But I wasn't scared because I didn't know what happened to me. While we were waiting an ambulance, , 2 nurses and 1 doctor stopped at the site. It was kool.
(OH, we don't know where the semi went...)
The accident was terrible, but I could take 2 months off from work! That was good thing!! I wanted to have a vacation so bad.. hehehehe
Quote from: pantablops-aren't you a little hottie...
~*Brat*~
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: 96gs on June 21, 2004, 08:54:13 AM
Post by: 96gs on June 21, 2004, 08:54:13 AM
I don't think I followed that. You were riding and a semi came up beside you. What happened, did the bike get sucked under?? If it did, your lucky as hell you didnt come out worse than you did. Glad your alright.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 22, 2004, 08:58:52 AM
Post by: MstrsLilBrat on June 22, 2004, 08:58:52 AM
Quote from: 96gsI don't think I followed that. You were riding and a semi came up beside you.
Hmm... That's mystery... I really don't remember how I was at a right side of the semi. I guess the lane which I was and the lane which the semi was merged.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 05:55:27 PM
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 05:55:27 PM
Pablo,
I've known you for a while now. Rode with you, wrenched with you, broken bread, and had lots of talks.
You still amaze me with the size of your heart to care so much for people - many of which you've never met.
I for one am glad that I've had the pleasure and honor to meet you in person.
GOD BLESS you brother.....
Paul
I've known you for a while now. Rode with you, wrenched with you, broken bread, and had lots of talks.
You still amaze me with the size of your heart to care so much for people - many of which you've never met.
I for one am glad that I've had the pleasure and honor to meet you in person.
GOD BLESS you brother.....
Paul
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 22, 2004, 09:43:07 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 22, 2004, 09:43:07 PM
Paul, that was real nice of you to say. Touches my heart. You are a good man too. I am amazed at the quality of the people on this board, how helpful, considerate and generally friendly people here. I still think this is one of the best boards around. You help it be that for me, as do many here.
:kiss:
How's your electrician gig going? Ready to ride yet?
:kiss:
How's your electrician gig going? Ready to ride yet?
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 10:13:58 PM
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 10:13:58 PM
Thanks Pablo,
Electrician gig going well. Musician gig going OK too. But, I am closing escrow on a Mercedes/BMW/Audi repair shop here in Lake Forest, CA. It'a a 6 bay shop up the road that's doing quite nicely dispite the disolution of the two partners. One guy is an awsome person (brilliant with the cars) the other is a Meth head. Guess which one I'm going to continue working with???? Wink, wink...
I'll tell you, it's not the tweeker. :guns:
I'm going to continue working the 4x10 Sun - Wed schedule for a little while longer until things stabllize at the shop - Barnhoorn / Kaas Mercedes service (The new name). Oh, was that a plug???? Shame on me... In Lake Forest. Hmm, already said that.
The Sunday Crest ride may have to wait a few more weeks to happen for me. but, FIRST chance, I"m going.
And yes, there are is a huge family of some GREAT people here. Hats off to all :thumb:
Paul
Electrician gig going well. Musician gig going OK too. But, I am closing escrow on a Mercedes/BMW/Audi repair shop here in Lake Forest, CA. It'a a 6 bay shop up the road that's doing quite nicely dispite the disolution of the two partners. One guy is an awsome person (brilliant with the cars) the other is a Meth head. Guess which one I'm going to continue working with???? Wink, wink...
I'll tell you, it's not the tweeker. :guns:
I'm going to continue working the 4x10 Sun - Wed schedule for a little while longer until things stabllize at the shop - Barnhoorn / Kaas Mercedes service (The new name). Oh, was that a plug???? Shame on me... In Lake Forest. Hmm, already said that.
The Sunday Crest ride may have to wait a few more weeks to happen for me. but, FIRST chance, I"m going.
And yes, there are is a huge family of some GREAT people here. Hats off to all :thumb:
Paul
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on June 22, 2004, 10:37:32 PM
Post by: pantablo on June 22, 2004, 10:37:32 PM
WOW! getting your own shop! Thats awesome. Good luck with the new venture. Was that in Lake Forest?
Hard work pays off.
:cheers:
Hard work pays off.
:cheers:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 10:48:35 PM
Post by: Pkaaso on June 22, 2004, 10:48:35 PM
Thanks Pablo. YES, it is in Lake Forest, CA. Near the toll roads and the 5 Fwy.
I like cars when they are parked OR in the shop. :guns:
Paul
I like cars when they are parked OR in the shop. :guns:
Paul
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: JohNLA on June 23, 2004, 10:03:19 AM
Post by: JohNLA on June 23, 2004, 10:03:19 AM
Congrats as well, on getting the shop.
I might have to buy an import for my next cage just so I can have you do any work on it. My girl is tired of me doing every but of matenance myself. Last time I changed the brake pads I did not bleed the lines and it left a big air bubble and she almost wrecked :oops: . Boy, did I hear about that one :o
I might have to buy an import for my next cage just so I can have you do any work on it. My girl is tired of me doing every but of matenance myself. Last time I changed the brake pads I did not bleed the lines and it left a big air bubble and she almost wrecked :oops: . Boy, did I hear about that one :o
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: ghettorigged on June 23, 2004, 05:56:44 PM
Post by: ghettorigged on June 23, 2004, 05:56:44 PM
I took a nice spill tonight... :oops:
Yeah, I bought the good Ballistic jacket with armor, so my arm & shoulder are just bruised.
Yeah, I have the matching gloves, so my hands are just bruised.
Yeah, I have a nice helmet, and now it has a few small scratches instead of my jaw or eye missing.
Yeah, I have good, heavy boots, so my one ankle is slightly sore.
But no, no I do not have riding pants, so now my knee and hip are road rashed and swollen with grit & dried blood. The jeans I was wearing? Torn and worthless.
Thanks for the great post about gear... too bad I hadn't taken the time to read it until AFTER I crashed. :roll:
Yeah, I bought the good Ballistic jacket with armor, so my arm & shoulder are just bruised.
Yeah, I have the matching gloves, so my hands are just bruised.
Yeah, I have a nice helmet, and now it has a few small scratches instead of my jaw or eye missing.
Yeah, I have good, heavy boots, so my one ankle is slightly sore.
But no, no I do not have riding pants, so now my knee and hip are road rashed and swollen with grit & dried blood. The jeans I was wearing? Torn and worthless.
Thanks for the great post about gear... too bad I hadn't taken the time to read it until AFTER I crashed. :roll:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Pkaaso on June 23, 2004, 08:02:22 PM
Post by: Pkaaso on June 23, 2004, 08:02:22 PM
ghettorigged, sorry to hear about your crash. Glad your walking.
JohnLA, how are you healing??? Is that a picture of the same bike in your posts?
Anytime you need auto work (we work on all cars) you bring it to me. Air in the brake lines.... BAD :nono:
PM me and I'll reply with the shop number. This goes for all interested LOCAL GS'ers
Paul
JohnLA, how are you healing??? Is that a picture of the same bike in your posts?
Anytime you need auto work (we work on all cars) you bring it to me. Air in the brake lines.... BAD :nono:
PM me and I'll reply with the shop number. This goes for all interested LOCAL GS'ers
Paul
Title: Gear is your friend
Post by: GVH on July 06, 2004, 05:18:25 PM
Post by: GVH on July 06, 2004, 05:18:25 PM
Unfortunatly I put my 1989 Kat into a sold object this past Sunday. My gear saved my ass big. I have a brken collar bone and hand finger. I also have lots of bruising. Never ride with out gear. I used to when I was younger but never again after a minor parking lot tip over.
Play safe and wear the gear.
Play safe and wear the gear.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: maximus conjugatius on July 16, 2004, 04:43:45 AM
Post by: maximus conjugatius on July 16, 2004, 04:43:45 AM
Safety First!
Right before my first MC driving lesson I bought myself a complete set of body armour. Not like the midieval stuff (though that looks nice I'm sure, it only scratches your tank a little bit :) ) but a nice suit with protectors inside. Just seemed like a good idea, lucky I never had to test it ( :cheers: ). Yet.
I see these guys driving the highway wearing only a crash-helmet, with shorts, a shirt, no gloves, and, off course a pair of sports shoes. Absolutely irresponsble. Think of the "ambulance-men" (correct English?), picking you off the ground...... they have families too.
But OK. Wise words. Keep sane.
Right before my first MC driving lesson I bought myself a complete set of body armour. Not like the midieval stuff (though that looks nice I'm sure, it only scratches your tank a little bit :) ) but a nice suit with protectors inside. Just seemed like a good idea, lucky I never had to test it ( :cheers: ). Yet.
I see these guys driving the highway wearing only a crash-helmet, with shorts, a shirt, no gloves, and, off course a pair of sports shoes. Absolutely irresponsble. Think of the "ambulance-men" (correct English?), picking you off the ground...... they have families too.
But OK. Wise words. Keep sane.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: straightforward on July 28, 2004, 04:46:26 AM
Post by: straightforward on July 28, 2004, 04:46:26 AM
Believe it or not, prior to reading this post I have not even been aware that this type of gear exists for street riding use. I was like 'hey, I've got a leather jacket and gloves so I am reasonably well equipped'...
know better now, went to the shop the day after reading this and bought some summer gear with all kinds of protectors... good feeling.
Great posting!
know better now, went to the shop the day after reading this and bought some summer gear with all kinds of protectors... good feeling.
Great posting!
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: proudlom on August 11, 2004, 04:16:46 PM
Post by: proudlom on August 11, 2004, 04:16:46 PM
If you're not going to wear your gear, at least have the courtesy to fill out your donar card...
(http://www.mdmedicalphotography.com/IE/scalpel.jpg)
(http://www.mdmedicalphotography.com/IE/scalpel.jpg)
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: sillysealey on August 16, 2004, 07:38:51 AM
Post by: sillysealey on August 16, 2004, 07:38:51 AM
Greetings,
I am a new certified parking lot rider. I just passed my msf class yesterday. I have been reading this board all summer trying to get into motorcycling. Its great to hear posts about the gear and proper attire. Besides responsible riding gear is definitely up there. After my msf course, I was driving my car home and behind me was a guy and a girl on a honda cbr. Really sexy bike. He was basically riding naked, wearing a gold chain, basketball shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt. He did have common sense to wear a helmet but with the visor up at 50mph. The girl on the back had not type of protection either. As a kid, I hit many things on my mountain bike, garages, parked cars, signs, and the curb. Each time they hurt. I remember a helmet saving me from going to the hospital when I was like 9. I had one of those bulging cartoon bumps on my head but luckily I was wearing a helmet. I am definitely going to gear up once I start riding. I even pointed out to my mom how stupid it is not to ride with gear on. I'm going to consider the cost of gear into the cost of the bike. So if i can't afford the bike and gear together, I dont get none at all. For me the cost of gear is definitely the cost of life. My insurance company will put thousands of dollars into saving my life but will I put a few hundred before they even have to? I definitely will. Thanks for all your help.
When you guys bought gear, did you buy it to match your bike? Did you buy it in a shop, although it might be pricier? or did you buy it online?
:cheers:
I am a new certified parking lot rider. I just passed my msf class yesterday. I have been reading this board all summer trying to get into motorcycling. Its great to hear posts about the gear and proper attire. Besides responsible riding gear is definitely up there. After my msf course, I was driving my car home and behind me was a guy and a girl on a honda cbr. Really sexy bike. He was basically riding naked, wearing a gold chain, basketball shorts, and a sleeveless t-shirt. He did have common sense to wear a helmet but with the visor up at 50mph. The girl on the back had not type of protection either. As a kid, I hit many things on my mountain bike, garages, parked cars, signs, and the curb. Each time they hurt. I remember a helmet saving me from going to the hospital when I was like 9. I had one of those bulging cartoon bumps on my head but luckily I was wearing a helmet. I am definitely going to gear up once I start riding. I even pointed out to my mom how stupid it is not to ride with gear on. I'm going to consider the cost of gear into the cost of the bike. So if i can't afford the bike and gear together, I dont get none at all. For me the cost of gear is definitely the cost of life. My insurance company will put thousands of dollars into saving my life but will I put a few hundred before they even have to? I definitely will. Thanks for all your help.
When you guys bought gear, did you buy it to match your bike? Did you buy it in a shop, although it might be pricier? or did you buy it online?
:cheers:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 12:49:35 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 12:49:35 PM
Quote from: sillysealeyWhen you guys bought gear, did you buy it to match your bike? Did you buy it in a shop, although it might be pricier? or did you buy it online?
It all ended up matching each other, although it was by accident. My first bike was red, the current one black and silver. I bought a silver jacket and black pants; I already had a silver helmet and black gloves. I got the jacket, helmet, and boots all on sale at a local cycle shop. I got the gloves from an online closeout. I found a set of grey Hein Gericke leathers on eBay, and got them for a song; but I would have gotten them even if they had been orange, because I wanted a full set that fit.
I knew I would be getting a bike, so while I was looking, I kept my eyes open for sales and accumulated.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 12:50:13 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 12:50:13 PM
I can't think of anywhere else to ask - but what's up with John's avatar? I :o every time I see it...
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Kerry on August 18, 2004, 03:02:38 PM
Post by: Kerry on August 18, 2004, 03:02:38 PM
Quote from: Roadstergalwhat's up with John's avatar?Do you mean "John - our beloved admin"? :roll:
The gal in his avatar is his wife Annie. The GS500 she bought a few years ago is what started this incredible journey called GStwin.com. See the Site Owner Info page.
Oh ... you're wondering about her riding gear? Must have been a "closed course, professional rider, don't try this at home" photo shoot or something. ;)
She really does (or at least DID) have gear. It even matched her bike! Follow the link above and check out the 1st photo on the page.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 03:17:06 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on August 18, 2004, 03:17:06 PM
Nice! I wanted a yellow one. :(
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pantablo on August 18, 2004, 03:45:39 PM
Post by: pantablo on August 18, 2004, 03:45:39 PM
Quote from: sillysealeyWhen you guys bought gear, did you buy it to match your bike? Did you buy it in a shop, although it might be pricier? or did you buy it online?
:cheers:
I bought my helmet in a shop (paid more for it too) but it was important to get the fit right. I figured they helped me with selection so I would help keep them in business since they're a good shop. Most other gear I bought online though. I bought my stuff in black (with grey accents). I dont like matching the bike but I recently bought a perforated leather jacket and the only color it came in was Red/Black/White, coincidentally matching the bike (for some reason Alpinestars only sells leather perf in red). helmet is Black. Wanted yellow for visibility, not to match anything.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: spirit33 on August 20, 2004, 06:48:48 PM
Post by: spirit33 on August 20, 2004, 06:48:48 PM
HERE IN AUSTRALIA, WE THINK ANYONE WHO RIDES WITHOUT HELMETS OBVIOUSLY HAVE NOTHING IN THEIR HEAD WORTH PROTECTING ANYWAY !
I SAW THE AFTERMATH OF MY FIANCE GETTING T-BONED BY CAR. BECAUSE OF HER LEATHERS HER HOSPITAL STAY WAS REDUCED BY MONTHS BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T NEED SKIN GRAFTS.
HAD BAD COMPOUND FRACTURES OF BOTH WRISTS BUT NO ARSE SKIN ON HER FACE. :o
ITS NOT THE SIZE BUT HOW HARD YOU GO ON THE TWISTY STUFF !
I SAW THE AFTERMATH OF MY FIANCE GETTING T-BONED BY CAR. BECAUSE OF HER LEATHERS HER HOSPITAL STAY WAS REDUCED BY MONTHS BECAUSE SHE DIDN'T NEED SKIN GRAFTS.
HAD BAD COMPOUND FRACTURES OF BOTH WRISTS BUT NO ARSE SKIN ON HER FACE. :o
ITS NOT THE SIZE BUT HOW HARD YOU GO ON THE TWISTY STUFF !
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Weed_246 on September 05, 2004, 09:51:34 AM
Post by: Weed_246 on September 05, 2004, 09:51:34 AM
wow guys...as a scooter rider (stop laughin all of you!! soon im gettin a "proper" bike) i never thought i needed to get all the gear. I've been riding now for about 4 months. I've got a material armoured jacket, a full face Shark helmet, and leather gloves. These three items i wear everytime i ride but i only normally wear jeans/work trousers and trainers/workshoes.
After reading this thread im going out to get some armoured material overtrousers and i'll probably get some army surplus boots to wear.
Thanks for waking me up!! :thumb:
After reading this thread im going out to get some armoured material overtrousers and i'll probably get some army surplus boots to wear.
Thanks for waking me up!! :thumb:
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: juggernaught on September 11, 2004, 07:11:45 AM
Post by: juggernaught on September 11, 2004, 07:11:45 AM
It was a hot summer over here but spending $140 on a joe rocket phoenix jacket was an excellent investment. Last year in my "accident" i got to hop away with a broken foot and only because after being airborne for 30 feet and landing on my back with the back of my cranium bouncing off Brooklyn concrete did i realize how my helmet and back protector did their work. Now this summer i have to say there were days i worked up a sweat in the heat at times (wear a cold wet bandana around your neck under the jacket) But i never regret wearing my gear. And already my leathers are ready for the fall... :thumb: :cheers: :thumb:
Keep the rubber side down.....
Keep the rubber side down.....
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: mrblink on November 16, 2004, 07:51:19 PM
Post by: mrblink on November 16, 2004, 07:51:19 PM
Pretty awesome thread. I'm actually one of those people who wears their gear. I made sure to buy a good jacket, gloves, helmet, and boots before I ever bought my GS (neutral colors - black and silver, so they would match anything).
My girlfriend went sliding down the freeway on her Ninja 250 one morning, and could have been seriously jacked up. Luckily, it was a cold day, and she had her nylon alpine stars jacket and joe rocket pants on. She popped a couple stitches on the jacket, and a tiny hole in the pants. Her helmet was torn up where her jaw still is, and her gloves were thrashed, but hands in tact. If she was only wearing jeans, her knee would still be on the freeway. She was able to get up, pick up her bike, and finish riding to work. A couple bruises, but not a single scratch on her. Oh, she was also wearing some $40 Nordstrom boots that were all chewed up, but her feet were fine, and Nordstrom's replaced them for free.
I wasn't so lucky with my crash. I broke my wrist really bad, but I didn't have a single scratch because of my gear. I was only wearing jeans, and don't even remember touching them on the pavement, and somehow got a hole in the knee. I slid the whole way on my back and arm, and my Tour Master jacket barely had a scuff. Amazing really.
I wasn't properly geared on my legs because I only ride 6 miles to work. After my crash, I ralized that it's no freaking excuse. I have a pair of JR mesh pants, and some warmer Tour Master pants. It's a pain in the ass to gear up to go 6 miles, so I bought a pair of Draggin Jeans. They don't have any impact protection, but are 100X better than regular jeans. I still wear the good pants on long rides. Has anyone here ever crashed in Draggin Jeans?? I'm wondering if they really hold up, or just give me a false sense of security...
I keep thinking about all this random crap to talk about... Advice for NOOBS on a budget. Buy the following at minimum:
* HJC full face helmet - cheap and good
* A light colored (mine's silver) textile jacket with removable insulation and good vents. I like Tour Master stuff. Very good quality. A light color won't attract as much heat in the summer, and should give you a well-rounded all-weather jacket.
* Joe Rocket leather gloves
* All-leather magnum boots. They are comfortable for all day wear, look nice, aren't bulky, light weight, and should help in most crash situations.
* Draggin Jeans or a mesh overpant. Regular overpants get really warm. If it's cold, wear long underwear or something. If it's that damn cold, you should drive.
So I'm basically saying "don't be a jackass". You will eventually crash. Most accidents happen when you are "just cruising", because you aren't as alert as when you are riding like a bat out of hell. Don't make excuses, or justify your dumb ass reasoning. If you have to justify it, it's probably not a good idea. You can probably buy all new gear for about $600. It's not that much.
My girlfriend went sliding down the freeway on her Ninja 250 one morning, and could have been seriously jacked up. Luckily, it was a cold day, and she had her nylon alpine stars jacket and joe rocket pants on. She popped a couple stitches on the jacket, and a tiny hole in the pants. Her helmet was torn up where her jaw still is, and her gloves were thrashed, but hands in tact. If she was only wearing jeans, her knee would still be on the freeway. She was able to get up, pick up her bike, and finish riding to work. A couple bruises, but not a single scratch on her. Oh, she was also wearing some $40 Nordstrom boots that were all chewed up, but her feet were fine, and Nordstrom's replaced them for free.
I wasn't so lucky with my crash. I broke my wrist really bad, but I didn't have a single scratch because of my gear. I was only wearing jeans, and don't even remember touching them on the pavement, and somehow got a hole in the knee. I slid the whole way on my back and arm, and my Tour Master jacket barely had a scuff. Amazing really.
I wasn't properly geared on my legs because I only ride 6 miles to work. After my crash, I ralized that it's no freaking excuse. I have a pair of JR mesh pants, and some warmer Tour Master pants. It's a pain in the ass to gear up to go 6 miles, so I bought a pair of Draggin Jeans. They don't have any impact protection, but are 100X better than regular jeans. I still wear the good pants on long rides. Has anyone here ever crashed in Draggin Jeans?? I'm wondering if they really hold up, or just give me a false sense of security...
I keep thinking about all this random crap to talk about... Advice for NOOBS on a budget. Buy the following at minimum:
* HJC full face helmet - cheap and good
* A light colored (mine's silver) textile jacket with removable insulation and good vents. I like Tour Master stuff. Very good quality. A light color won't attract as much heat in the summer, and should give you a well-rounded all-weather jacket.
* Joe Rocket leather gloves
* All-leather magnum boots. They are comfortable for all day wear, look nice, aren't bulky, light weight, and should help in most crash situations.
* Draggin Jeans or a mesh overpant. Regular overpants get really warm. If it's cold, wear long underwear or something. If it's that damn cold, you should drive.
So I'm basically saying "don't be a jackass". You will eventually crash. Most accidents happen when you are "just cruising", because you aren't as alert as when you are riding like a bat out of hell. Don't make excuses, or justify your dumb ass reasoning. If you have to justify it, it's probably not a good idea. You can probably buy all new gear for about $600. It's not that much.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: cujosocal on November 18, 2004, 12:30:24 PM
Post by: cujosocal on November 18, 2004, 12:30:24 PM
Quote from: mrblink
So I'm basically saying "don't be a jackass". You will eventually crash. Most accidents happen when you are "just cruising", because you aren't as alert as when you are riding like a bat out of hell. Don't make excuses, or justify your dumb ass reasoning. If you have to justify it, it's probably not a good idea. You can probably buy all new gear for about $600. It's not that much.
I spent close to $1,000 on my "base" gear... Not too much, my skin is worth more... IMHO
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: sanjay on November 28, 2004, 07:20:45 PM
Post by: sanjay on November 28, 2004, 07:20:45 PM
If there's one thing I learned out of all the talks I had with friends and family and strangers before getting a bike, it was to get the best gear I could. I spent more on my safety gear than on my GS. College student = low budget, but I didn't skimp on the gear. Bought through craigslist, and got some good deals.
It's kinda funny when I go riding up in the hills and pull over to talk to some of the guys on R1's and GSX-R's who are often wearing less gear than I am. They look at me, then at my not-so-shiny 12-year-old 500, then back at me,...
Thanks for posting that Pablo. I'd read it before, but every time I see it I read it again, just to keep things in perspective.
-Sanjay
It's kinda funny when I go riding up in the hills and pull over to talk to some of the guys on R1's and GSX-R's who are often wearing less gear than I am. They look at me, then at my not-so-shiny 12-year-old 500, then back at me,...
Thanks for posting that Pablo. I'd read it before, but every time I see it I read it again, just to keep things in perspective.
-Sanjay
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Nerobro on December 02, 2004, 12:46:22 PM
Post by: Nerobro on December 02, 2004, 12:46:22 PM
I would suppose I get the same reaction. new gear. 1980 bike. I ride a 1980 gs550. I am "on loan" from the gsresources.... :-) Big freaking forum that covers a lot of bikes.
Just about the first thing I did when I started riding was get a helmet, gloves, and jacket. when I took the MSF course, I got proper boots to go with it.
Every peice of gear I was wearing september 12's was damaged in my wreck.
http://www.zodnetworks.com/~shorah/greg
That's for those who are cuirous what happens to gear post crash.
I was in the middle of a group of riders, and I tried to catch up to the riders in front of me. I screwed up a turn, and went off at the very exit of the turn at ...45ish mph.
I broke both arms. The ball of the humorus on the left, and both the radius and ulna on the right. I also broke the metacarpal part of my pinkey.
last weekend I got the bike back togother. Tonight I will be making it nice. Sunday I will be doing the chicago toys for tots ride.
I am lucky to be alive. Wear that gear.
Just about the first thing I did when I started riding was get a helmet, gloves, and jacket. when I took the MSF course, I got proper boots to go with it.
Every peice of gear I was wearing september 12's was damaged in my wreck.
http://www.zodnetworks.com/~shorah/greg
That's for those who are cuirous what happens to gear post crash.
I was in the middle of a group of riders, and I tried to catch up to the riders in front of me. I screwed up a turn, and went off at the very exit of the turn at ...45ish mph.
I broke both arms. The ball of the humorus on the left, and both the radius and ulna on the right. I also broke the metacarpal part of my pinkey.
last weekend I got the bike back togother. Tonight I will be making it nice. Sunday I will be doing the chicago toys for tots ride.
I am lucky to be alive. Wear that gear.
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: mrblink on December 02, 2004, 05:51:50 PM
Post by: mrblink on December 02, 2004, 05:51:50 PM
Hey! I had the exact same break, and exact same external fixator on my LEFT wrist. You get full rotation?? I didn't. :-(
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Nerobro on December 03, 2004, 01:01:02 PM
Post by: Nerobro on December 03, 2004, 01:01:02 PM
I have a little more than 90 deg of rotation. I am much less concerned about that though. I can't lift my hand past horizontal. So my wrist only has 45deg travel in the vertical. Appearantly I am having some tendon issues.......
My rotation is slowly coming along. A few degrees a week.
My rotation is slowly coming along. A few degrees a week.
Title: German translation
Post by: straightforward on January 23, 2005, 12:45:38 PM
Post by: straightforward on January 23, 2005, 12:45:38 PM
Hi friends,
still being most impressed by Pantablo's initial post, I have sat down and translated it into German, posted it at gs-500.de, starting the thread Schutzkleidung? Brauch ich nicht! (http://forum.gs-500.de/showthread.php?t=4512).
I've convinced myself: even if there is only one single guy / gal out there who thinks twice and at least uses a leather jacket instead of a t-shirt, it was worth these my (http://1x1xl.com/dl/foto/2cents.gif)
still being most impressed by Pantablo's initial post, I have sat down and translated it into German, posted it at gs-500.de, starting the thread Schutzkleidung? Brauch ich nicht! (http://forum.gs-500.de/showthread.php?t=4512).
I've convinced myself: even if there is only one single guy / gal out there who thinks twice and at least uses a leather jacket instead of a t-shirt, it was worth these my (http://1x1xl.com/dl/foto/2cents.gif)
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: poormanracing on January 25, 2005, 09:31:55 PM
Post by: poormanracing on January 25, 2005, 09:31:55 PM
that original post makes this forum truly exceptional
ive been lookin in this forum way before i bought my gs (first bike!) and it always had been a great resource for a newbie like me...after doing msf, i bought my 94 gs with the bitchin purple paint. i bought a jacket, gloves, helmet and used my caterpillar boots. i was practicing figure 8 u-turns (like in the MSF) when i first fell.. the rear break pedal hit the toe area and boy was i glad that my boots held..i quickly remove the boots to look if it went straight to my foot..glad that it didn't....i rode the gs for 25 miles last weekend on traffic (from my parents house to my crib)and boy was i glad to get home safe i never felt so vulnerable...thinkin of buying some icon knee guards and shorts, updating my shoulder and elbow pad with ce armor and a back protector.
ive been sheddin some dough in refining my bike and buying gear no wonder my_celica_is_jealous and wont start :x :mrgreen:
ive been lookin in this forum way before i bought my gs (first bike!) and it always had been a great resource for a newbie like me...after doing msf, i bought my 94 gs with the bitchin purple paint. i bought a jacket, gloves, helmet and used my caterpillar boots. i was practicing figure 8 u-turns (like in the MSF) when i first fell.. the rear break pedal hit the toe area and boy was i glad that my boots held..i quickly remove the boots to look if it went straight to my foot..glad that it didn't....i rode the gs for 25 miles last weekend on traffic (from my parents house to my crib)and boy was i glad to get home safe i never felt so vulnerable...thinkin of buying some icon knee guards and shorts, updating my shoulder and elbow pad with ce armor and a back protector.
ive been sheddin some dough in refining my bike and buying gear no wonder my_celica_is_jealous and wont start :x :mrgreen:
Title: Re: German translation
Post by: pantablo on January 25, 2005, 10:00:11 PM
Post by: pantablo on January 25, 2005, 10:00:11 PM
Quote from: straightforwardI've convinced myself: even if there is only one single guy / gal out there who thinks twice and at least uses a leather jacket instead of a t-shirt, it was worth [it]
That's how I look at it too. Especially on this forum since the gs is such a popular first bike for many, it makes even more sense. glad its getting around. The more the merrier.
btw-welcome to the site guys!
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: nathanael on January 26, 2005, 01:10:52 AM
Post by: nathanael on January 26, 2005, 01:10:52 AM
Yeah, there is no doubt that good gear is an absolute must. I'm always amazed when I see kids on their gixxers, busa's, whatever driving down busy LA freeways like a bat out of hell with a T-shirt and shorts. Just this weekend I witnessed this very phenomena; kid on a sportbike weaving in and out of traffic, lanesplitting at high speeds wearing a baggy T-shirt and shorts! :o It made me cringe to be honest.
As you can guess, I have pretty good gear, except I must admit that I only wear good ol' Levi's when I'm riding. :nono: After my near rendezvous with the rear of a truck yesterday (read the post "almost got taken out by a truck") I am realizing my foolhardyness and wondering what type of protective gear you guys wear for your legs? I ride a lot, and short distances (don't have a car) so I want something that hopefully I can put on and keep on all day. What should I be purchasing here? Draggin jeans? something better?
Thanks for any and all advice.
nathanael
As you can guess, I have pretty good gear, except I must admit that I only wear good ol' Levi's when I'm riding. :nono: After my near rendezvous with the rear of a truck yesterday (read the post "almost got taken out by a truck") I am realizing my foolhardyness and wondering what type of protective gear you guys wear for your legs? I ride a lot, and short distances (don't have a car) so I want something that hopefully I can put on and keep on all day. What should I be purchasing here? Draggin jeans? something better?
Thanks for any and all advice.
nathanael
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: straightforward on January 26, 2005, 03:22:24 AM
Post by: straightforward on January 26, 2005, 03:22:24 AM
Pantablo, 'the more the merrier' does pretty well match my response to a posting at gs-500.de by Danny from Berlin, who indicated his intention to copy my translation to a different forum. Can't be copied often enough. I asked to keep a link to your original post intact, though.
nathanael's question shows that 'go buy the best gear you can afford' ain't always a reasonable enough hint when it comes to the daily use of that gear. I tend to include one more aspect, ie something like 'determine for yourself: how much hazzle will you accept as a part of your day-in-and-day-out dressing procedure, so you will NOT occasionally skip it?'
Little protection is given by the extra super trooper leather gear that's sitting at home in a drawer for all kinds of different reasons, including it not being appropriate for the place you are going to, or outside temp exceeding 100F (wonder why I'm thinking about 100F, while looking out of my window and seeing the road being covered with snow :x). Maybe some affordable summer (sic!) mesh gear that's always used and stowed away in a topcase when you're off the bike can, bottom line, provide better overall protection?
nathanael's question shows that 'go buy the best gear you can afford' ain't always a reasonable enough hint when it comes to the daily use of that gear. I tend to include one more aspect, ie something like 'determine for yourself: how much hazzle will you accept as a part of your day-in-and-day-out dressing procedure, so you will NOT occasionally skip it?'
Little protection is given by the extra super trooper leather gear that's sitting at home in a drawer for all kinds of different reasons, including it not being appropriate for the place you are going to, or outside temp exceeding 100F (wonder why I'm thinking about 100F, while looking out of my window and seeing the road being covered with snow :x). Maybe some affordable summer (sic!) mesh gear that's always used and stowed away in a topcase when you're off the bike can, bottom line, provide better overall protection?
Title: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Roadstergal on January 27, 2005, 10:02:27 AM
Post by: Roadstergal on January 27, 2005, 10:02:27 AM
Quote from: nathanaelI am realizing my foolhardyness and wondering what type of protective gear you guys wear for your legs?
Joe Rocket Phoenix overpants. Putting them on at home and taking them off at work, and vice versa on the way home, is a pain, but a lot less of a pain than losing the skin on my legs...
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Alphamazing on March 01, 2006, 12:08:19 PM
Post by: Alphamazing on March 01, 2006, 12:08:19 PM
Every time I read that I want to get more safety gear. Road rash hurts, but being crippled or dead is a lot worse.
Wear all your gear, people.
Wear all your gear, people.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: RVertigo on March 01, 2006, 12:41:07 PM
Post by: RVertigo on March 01, 2006, 12:41:07 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on March 01, 2006, 12:08:19 PMRoad rash hurts, but being crippled or dead is a lot worse.Well... When you're dead, you don't care any more... 'cause you're dead...
How f%&ked up am I that I won't let my wife ride with anything less than armored leather, but I rode around with a jacket that was WAY too big for me and wouldn't have done a damn thing in a crash?
I have a tex jacket that fits now... I think I'm going to get a perf'd leather one too...
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: TonyKZ1 on March 01, 2006, 01:31:51 PM
Post by: TonyKZ1 on March 01, 2006, 01:31:51 PM
I just read the post by pablo, wow... Kinda makes you think, a very sobering message.... I always wear my gear, rain, shine, cold.. But I know people who don't for whatever reasons. I just ordered some new leather armored gloves from newenough.com, Tourmaster Cold Front Carbon gloves, to replace my old joe rocket gloves that are too big and coming apart.
hmmm..... Tony
hmmm..... Tony
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Rick Blanc on March 01, 2006, 01:52:07 PM
Post by: Rick Blanc on March 01, 2006, 01:52:07 PM
Just incase some aren't getting the message. This thread is from one of the other boards I belong to. It's a crash story with pics.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119359
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119359
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: tophyr on March 01, 2006, 05:26:56 PM
Post by: tophyr on March 01, 2006, 05:26:56 PM
Reposted at www.pnwriders.com.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: sherry on March 01, 2006, 05:49:53 PM
Post by: sherry on March 01, 2006, 05:49:53 PM
I think of my riding gear, helmet (full face with shield down), gloves, boots and jacket with body armor like my American Express Card . I don't leave home without it!!!!!!!!!!!! :cookoo:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: banner on March 01, 2006, 06:53:17 PM
Post by: banner on March 01, 2006, 06:53:17 PM
lol...i admit i look like a freak when i get off the bike..but i'm usually riding it:)
full race leather pants...motocross boots you could beat the bleep out of someone with, full leather jacket, and those shiny gloves davipu has/had
:)
full race leather pants...motocross boots you could beat the bleep out of someone with, full leather jacket, and those shiny gloves davipu has/had
:)
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: daneilah on March 02, 2006, 06:59:36 AM
Post by: daneilah on March 02, 2006, 06:59:36 AM
Quote from: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 01:49:39 PM
if you're goin down in a crash, and time stopped, and someone walked up to you and offered more gear to you, would you take it? if you say "yes," then you're not wearing enough gear.
This one made me stop and think. :thumb:
I wear jacket, helmet, boots and gloves, but still wear jeans a lot of the time. No excuse. :cookoo:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Egaeus on March 02, 2006, 02:38:32 PM
Post by: Egaeus on March 02, 2006, 02:38:32 PM
Quote from: daneilah on March 02, 2006, 06:59:36 AMQuote from: perfdrug on June 03, 2004, 01:49:39 PM
if you're goin down in a crash, and time stopped, and someone walked up to you and offered more gear to you, would you take it? if you say "yes," then you're not wearing enough gear.
This one made me stop and think. :thumb:
The problem with that is that if someone were to offer me more gear, I'd take the whole store. However, you can't ride that way! :)
I have everything in that post. I dare someone to get in a fight with me! :laugh:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 09:16:37 PM
Post by: pandy on June 26, 2007, 09:16:37 PM
Bump for a good read. :thumb:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: galahs on June 27, 2007, 12:45:34 AM
Post by: galahs on June 27, 2007, 12:45:34 AM
Thanks for the bump Pandy. :thumb:
Wearing the right gear has saved me from suffering serious injuries during an off. The off just made me super concious of never taking a risk of riding without gear.
How many people I see riding without gloves suprises me. Can't believe they are willing to risk the use of their hands :cookoo:
Wearing the right gear has saved me from suffering serious injuries during an off. The off just made me super concious of never taking a risk of riding without gear.
How many people I see riding without gloves suprises me. Can't believe they are willing to risk the use of their hands :cookoo:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 06:18:47 AM
Post by: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 06:18:47 AM
i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: brk_05 on June 27, 2007, 08:16:49 AM
Post by: brk_05 on June 27, 2007, 08:16:49 AM
Quote from: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 06:18:47 AM
i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.
First, I'd like to thank whoever for the bump. Excellent read and I will show this to people who ask, "why do you need boots... why gloves?" or "Isn't it too hot to wear all that?"
In reply to Yupoo, I actually give you credit for being honest and posting your reply on the board. I agree that it is personal choice and you pointed out the key, YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES. It just reminds me what they taught in the MSF course that I took over the past couple weeks. Riding comes with a risk. Its all about how much risk YOU are willing to take.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Alphamazing on June 27, 2007, 09:54:14 AM
Post by: Alphamazing on June 27, 2007, 09:54:14 AM
Quote from: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 06:18:47 AM
i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.
This is why mesh jackets were invented. I live in Texas, and it's pretty regularly that hot, if not hotter. With a good armored mesh jacket you can walk away without road rash and not even notice it when you're riding. I don't wear boots when I ride to campus, but I don't wear flip-flops either. I wear jeans too, because they will save your skin in a low speed accident pretty nicely. I've worn jeans every day so far, and it's regularly over 90 here. It's not THAT hot.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: spc on June 27, 2007, 09:55:54 AM
Post by: spc on June 27, 2007, 09:55:54 AM
+1 Mesh jackets are great
Mine held up great when I got hit by a truck :o
Mine held up great when I got hit by a truck :o
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 11:50:07 AM
Post by: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 11:50:07 AM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 27, 2007, 09:54:14 AMI've tried pants and i was unconfrontable all day. Yesturday i wore shorts and i had a a puddle stain on my ass (just from sitting around in lecture) because my body is like a shag carpet, im way to hairy. I understand the risk, believe me but i never judge someone for riding without gear unless they are doing spirited riding. I am not being stubborn about gear, i just dont have the money to try a bunch of different stuff to suit my wants. I am willing to take a bit more risk but im glad most people atleast know what will happen in the event of a crash with compared to without gearQuote from: yupoo on June 27, 2007, 06:18:47 AM
i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.
This is why mesh jackets were invented. I live in Texas, and it's pretty regularly that hot, if not hotter. With a good armored mesh jacket you can walk away without road rash and not even notice it when you're riding. I don't wear boots when I ride to campus, but I don't wear flip-flops either. I wear jeans too, because they will save your skin in a low speed accident pretty nicely. I've worn jeans every day so far, and it's regularly over 90 here. It's not THAT hot.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: ohgood on June 27, 2007, 12:37:54 PM
Post by: ohgood on June 27, 2007, 12:37:54 PM
Quote from: Michael on June 04, 2004, 02:59:01 AM
And I have looked at my sons sleeping the sleep of the innocent and have realised that dying is not the worst thing that can happen to me, but I owe it to my sons to show them how to really live.
Good call man. :thumb:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: SuzyQ on June 27, 2007, 01:21:39 PM
Post by: SuzyQ on June 27, 2007, 01:21:39 PM
Last night I had the distinct pleasure of sitting across a table from a s*&t-brick who told me he *actually* swerves to scare or, if he's lucky, hit motorcycles when they split lanes on the Bay Bridge. I reached under the table and took off my lovely high-heel and pounded the pretty pointy heel into his skull. Don't I wish...
I gave him a calm, intelligent earful but I'm sure it won't stop him. A couple days ago I witnessed a different cager freak out on 280 and try to take out not one, but two different motorcycles who were commuters (not squids), riding responsibly, in full gear and obeying the speed limit. I'm not sure what set the guy off; I watched the first motorcycle from the time he appeared in my rear view (I was jealous that he was in the wind and I was in the cage) and he did nothing wrong! The second guy was just minding his own business and rode up on the scene in the carpool lane when the cager started to swerve and break at him too! I find myself thinking no such thing as too much gear when I witness behavior like this.
I confess, I ride in full gear (Arai helmet, Alpinestars jacket w/ extra back protection, Alpinestars leather gloves w/ knuckle shields and Alpinestars boots) except for the pants... still just wearing jeans (thin ones at that). After seeing the pics of the pretty girl with her road-rash body suit, I'll be picking up some pants before my next ride.
Keep it safe y'all.
I gave him a calm, intelligent earful but I'm sure it won't stop him. A couple days ago I witnessed a different cager freak out on 280 and try to take out not one, but two different motorcycles who were commuters (not squids), riding responsibly, in full gear and obeying the speed limit. I'm not sure what set the guy off; I watched the first motorcycle from the time he appeared in my rear view (I was jealous that he was in the wind and I was in the cage) and he did nothing wrong! The second guy was just minding his own business and rode up on the scene in the carpool lane when the cager started to swerve and break at him too! I find myself thinking no such thing as too much gear when I witness behavior like this.
I confess, I ride in full gear (Arai helmet, Alpinestars jacket w/ extra back protection, Alpinestars leather gloves w/ knuckle shields and Alpinestars boots) except for the pants... still just wearing jeans (thin ones at that). After seeing the pics of the pretty girl with her road-rash body suit, I'll be picking up some pants before my next ride.
Keep it safe y'all.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 01:29:12 PM
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 01:29:12 PM
I still find it increadable that people in the us ride with out a helmet , even if i wasnt the law to have one , id wear one , they look kool , and they save ur grey matter , very important , being one soild hit and game over , i wear full gear , apart from the Pants *Trousers* . i really cant get over the way they look , i dont like it , i have sum DRAGGIN combats , there pretty gd . and tthe boots , i dont like them , and so i wear converse , which i no wont save my feet at all , but the Jacket and gloves and helmet look really good ,
i was reading a post on someone wearing like shorts and flipflops , and my friend i rode with once just had a helmet and shorts on , Very silly,
i think road rash must hurt a ton , so i always wear good gear , i think everyone should
i was reading a post on someone wearing like shorts and flipflops , and my friend i rode with once just had a helmet and shorts on , Very silly,
i think road rash must hurt a ton , so i always wear good gear , i think everyone should
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: arcsecond on June 27, 2007, 02:22:52 PM
Post by: arcsecond on June 27, 2007, 02:22:52 PM
Regardless of all the safety concerns, why would anyone pass up a legitimate excuse to dress up like a spaceman?
-James
-James
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: CndnMax on June 27, 2007, 04:22:03 PM
Post by: CndnMax on June 27, 2007, 04:22:03 PM
Quote from: arcsecond on June 27, 2007, 02:22:52 PM:laugh: :laugh: :thumb:
Regardless of all the safety concerns, why would anyone pass up a legitimate excuse to dress up like a spaceman?
-James
mesh jacket, gloves, helmet is all i wear for now. im thinking about picking up some boots. maybe some knee pads to, i dont like the sound of "grinding off your knee cap" haha.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: 97dime on June 27, 2007, 07:02:39 PM
Post by: 97dime on June 27, 2007, 07:02:39 PM
when i started riding a couple months ago i didn't wear any gear. got my helmet (agv s4) last week and i always wear it except in town. i wear my work jacket which is very abrasion resistant and mechanics gloves. getting either some joe rocket stage 1's or alpinestar smx-6's this weekend. hopefully within the next month a new tour master intake jacket. as for pants i wear jeans and for boots right now i wear my steel toe work boots.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 07:09:27 PM
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 07:09:27 PM
Dime , Dont u read that most accidents happen near the home. so u dont wear a helmet in town , thats gonna be busy , and u started a few months ago , and uve only just got a helmet... be careful dude , its not worth it
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: 97dime on June 27, 2007, 07:33:07 PM
Post by: 97dime on June 27, 2007, 07:33:07 PM
there isn't much traffic here really. i work in a town with 30,000 people and live in a town with 9,000 (well town is 4 miles away). every one here watches for bikes and will usually give you the right away. there are a lot of bikes in town. on a 10 ride across town i will usually see atleast 30 bikes. no one has cut me off yet and the only person to almost rear end me was a cop.
the main reason i don't wear a helmet in town is because it is next to impossible to see anything when i look over my shoulder. i would hate to change lanes and cut someone off and get hit.
the main reason i don't wear a helmet in town is because it is next to impossible to see anything when i look over my shoulder. i would hate to change lanes and cut someone off and get hit.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 07:40:59 PM
Post by: Jay_wolf on June 27, 2007, 07:40:59 PM
Be safe , thats all i can say , Not worth any spills , :thumb:
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Iowa05gs on June 27, 2007, 09:19:24 PM
Post by: Iowa05gs on June 27, 2007, 09:19:24 PM
This is my first post on this site and all I can say is WOW!
Great post!!!
Great post!!!
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: jserio on June 27, 2007, 09:40:30 PM
Post by: jserio on June 27, 2007, 09:40:30 PM
i am appalled at the number of riders i see daily with little or no gear on. when my wife is in the car with me and we see someone with no helment i coment on how dumb they are. she replies that she agrees but the law states they don't have to wear a helment. now, isn't this line of law making double standard? almost every state i go to has a law saying you must wear a seatbelt or get a ticket. why do we wear seatbelts? here's a clu: THEY CAN SAVE OUR LIVES!! should it not be the same for riding gear? it can save our lives as well.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: darb85 on June 29, 2007, 08:12:46 AM
Post by: darb85 on June 29, 2007, 08:12:46 AM
This is well shocking. I would never dream of going out with out a helmet jacket gloves and boots , but i should probably invest in a good pair of pants. time to shop
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: astroaru on May 20, 2008, 11:12:17 PM
Post by: astroaru on May 20, 2008, 11:12:17 PM
this is a nice post. Thanks for sharing. A good reminder that we newbies should go and get some nice gear.
Title: Re: No need for safety gear...
Post by: Chokstick on May 25, 2008, 03:13:25 PM
Post by: Chokstick on May 25, 2008, 03:13:25 PM
Great post.
I'm a relatively new rider and I spent last season with an armoured jacket, full helmet and glove. Otherwise, wore jeans and a pair of boots. Just finished dropping some OT money on a pair of pants and riding boots. Can't be too safe.
That's awesome that you live in a town that is bike friendly, but all it takes is one mistake. Motorcycle accidents are gruesome, even at slow speeds.
I'm a relatively new rider and I spent last season with an armoured jacket, full helmet and glove. Otherwise, wore jeans and a pair of boots. Just finished dropping some OT money on a pair of pants and riding boots. Can't be too safe.
Quote from: 97dime on June 27, 2007, 07:33:07 PM
there isn't much traffic here really. i work in a town with 30,000 people and live in a town with 9,000 (well town is 4 miles away). every one here watches for bikes and will usually give you the right away. there are a lot of bikes in town. on a 10 ride across town i will usually see atleast 30 bikes. no one has cut me off yet and the only person to almost rear end me was a cop.
That's awesome that you live in a town that is bike friendly, but all it takes is one mistake. Motorcycle accidents are gruesome, even at slow speeds.