Whos got a motorcycle here?
06-17-2009, 10:28 PM
#41
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Yep, you got it. The idea is to keep the jacket and pants held together if you go pavement surfing. Some just zip together in the back with crappy zippers. The better ones have strong zippers that go all the way around.
Add a back protector, a good one. Mine is a Dainese. Alpinestars makes good ones too. Mine is this one
http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbi..._uso=45&cat=41
Helmets - All good choices
Leathers - Add AGV unless you read otherwise. I think the higher end Dainese leathers are good, but they are pricey like Alpinestars. Not too sure about Joe Rocket or Icon except for the mesh stuff. I have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants though I have not crashed in them.
Pants, same as jackets. I would get a matched set.
Boots - Sidi and Alpinestars are both great. The Sidis I have are no longer made but are very similar to the B-2 model
Sidi B-2 Motorcycle Race Boots :: New Enough, LTD
Sidi Strada Evo Air Motorcycle Sport Boots :: New Enough, LTD
Gloves - Alpinestars, not sure about others. Maybe AGV here too. Mine are rebranded ones I bought from a race tire supplier after inspecting them first hand. I think Held is good too. I recommend the gauntlet style for the extra protection. Ventilation is good if you are in a hot climate.
You can do some searching at these motorcycle racing forums to get the skinny on what is good and what is not so good. Many opinions are based on crash-testing.
CMRA ::: Message Board
Wera.org - Careers Resources and Information.This website is for sale!
Add a back protector, a good one. Mine is a Dainese. Alpinestars makes good ones too. Mine is this one
http://www.dainese.com/us_en/motorbi..._uso=45&cat=41
Helmets - All good choices
Leathers - Add AGV unless you read otherwise. I think the higher end Dainese leathers are good, but they are pricey like Alpinestars. Not too sure about Joe Rocket or Icon except for the mesh stuff. I have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants though I have not crashed in them.
Pants, same as jackets. I would get a matched set.
Boots - Sidi and Alpinestars are both great. The Sidis I have are no longer made but are very similar to the B-2 model
Sidi B-2 Motorcycle Race Boots :: New Enough, LTD
Sidi Strada Evo Air Motorcycle Sport Boots :: New Enough, LTD
Gloves - Alpinestars, not sure about others. Maybe AGV here too. Mine are rebranded ones I bought from a race tire supplier after inspecting them first hand. I think Held is good too. I recommend the gauntlet style for the extra protection. Ventilation is good if you are in a hot climate.
You can do some searching at these motorcycle racing forums to get the skinny on what is good and what is not so good. Many opinions are based on crash-testing.
CMRA ::: Message Board
Wera.org - Careers Resources and Information.This website is for sale!
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06-17-2009, 11:49 PM
#42
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That back protector looks awesome, I think I can classify it as a must have, but with something like that under a jacket does it make sense to spend more then needed on a jacket? Like getting a jacket with additional armor?
Would it be possible to stay under a grand when shopping for gear?
Also.
http://www.newenough.com/armor/back_...rmor_vest.html
Garbage or decent compared to the one you mentioned?
Would it be possible to stay under a grand when shopping for gear?
Also.
http://www.newenough.com/armor/back_...rmor_vest.html
Garbage or decent compared to the one you mentioned?
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06-18-2009, 12:03 AM
#43
Boost Pope
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My last crash was a pretty bad one. Highside at a fair rate of speed. Broke six ribs, punctured a lung, tore the **** outta the tendons in my left foot (boot got caught under the shifter) and did some surfing. Rode away from that one strapped to a board in the van with the flashing lights.
After the initial workover by the trauma team (which I swear felt pretty much like being in the TV show ER) the chief resident spent some time going over me as well. I'd already been stripped by that point, but it was obvious from the lack of road-rash that I'd been properly geared up. The chief, who I later found out is a biker, commented "I take it you weren't wearing Joe Rocket."
Apparently he holds quite a low opinion of them. And I place a great deal of weight on the opinion of a motorcycle-riding trauma surgeon insofar as the issue of riding gear is concerned.
Ironically, the textile Hein Gericke jacket & overpants I'd had on both failed pretty dramatically. The left shoulder tore completely out of the jacket, the plastic front zipper on the jacket and one of the two plastic side zippers on the pants popped apart, and the pants abraded down to the point that my jeans and wallet both got scuffed. After that, I only rode in leather.
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06-18-2009, 08:21 AM
#45
Amidst all this discussion of gear please remember one simple truth:
The best gear in the world is the gear that you WEAR.
Some gear will look awesome in the store, but be a pain day in, day out. I also have heard a lot of trash on Joe Rocket gear, but mine held up well. It was a simple lowside (gravel) at about 40mph though, so your mileage may vary. It was also the only real leather padded jacket I could afford, and I wore it EVERYWHERE, which made it the best jacket in the world to me. Same with my knock-off brand gauntlet gloves. My wife was impressed and spent big bucks on some Alpinestar replacements. Don't skimp here, your hands will invariably be the first thing to hit the ground.
Lots of new riders buy things like armored pants and boots, and then never use them outside of a track. If you won't use it, invest the money elsewhere. I feel like a douche saying that, but be truthful with yourself...don't skimp $75 on a jacket when you could have had a Dianese only to drop $200 on some pants you never feel like slipping into. There are a few options in intermediate gear out there like Shift loose leather pants with padding, and the Draggin' jeans. In my experience folks use them just as often as they would full leathers. They sound like great ideas when you're ordering them, but I feel that if you're going to cover something, you might as well go all the way.
+1 on expensive helmets. Try on as many as possible. This can't be said enough. This is your main battle piece, and you should feel ready to step into the Coliseum when you slip the right one on. The expensive ones will do basically the same thing as far as protecting your brain, but do so much more in the way of comfort. This includes weight, noise, vision, and ease of removal on top of actual fit comfort which is usually far and away better with the nicer brands.
One option I've always told myself I'd look into is the famous Aerostitch suit. Folks swear by 'em...but I've never even seen one.
The best gear in the world is the gear that you WEAR.
Some gear will look awesome in the store, but be a pain day in, day out. I also have heard a lot of trash on Joe Rocket gear, but mine held up well. It was a simple lowside (gravel) at about 40mph though, so your mileage may vary. It was also the only real leather padded jacket I could afford, and I wore it EVERYWHERE, which made it the best jacket in the world to me. Same with my knock-off brand gauntlet gloves. My wife was impressed and spent big bucks on some Alpinestar replacements. Don't skimp here, your hands will invariably be the first thing to hit the ground.
Lots of new riders buy things like armored pants and boots, and then never use them outside of a track. If you won't use it, invest the money elsewhere. I feel like a douche saying that, but be truthful with yourself...don't skimp $75 on a jacket when you could have had a Dianese only to drop $200 on some pants you never feel like slipping into. There are a few options in intermediate gear out there like Shift loose leather pants with padding, and the Draggin' jeans. In my experience folks use them just as often as they would full leathers. They sound like great ideas when you're ordering them, but I feel that if you're going to cover something, you might as well go all the way.
+1 on expensive helmets. Try on as many as possible. This can't be said enough. This is your main battle piece, and you should feel ready to step into the Coliseum when you slip the right one on. The expensive ones will do basically the same thing as far as protecting your brain, but do so much more in the way of comfort. This includes weight, noise, vision, and ease of removal on top of actual fit comfort which is usually far and away better with the nicer brands.
One option I've always told myself I'd look into is the famous Aerostitch suit. Folks swear by 'em...but I've never even seen one.
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06-18-2009, 11:42 AM
#46
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^ Good point about buying something and then not wearing it. I can see myself putting on the leather pants once and then just wearing jeans, boots, and the jacket and never touching the pants.
But in all seriousness, how comfortable/uncomfortable is that body armor? Or outside the track people dont normally wear it?
But in all seriousness, how comfortable/uncomfortable is that body armor? Or outside the track people dont normally wear it?
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06-18-2009, 11:53 AM
#48
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Yes I agree with Sam, it is a good point. Livable gear is important. That is why I do not recommend one-piece leathers for anything but racing. They are just too impractical for everyday use. Too hard to get in and out of, and very close fitting (hard to wear street clothes underneath). Get fully perforated leathers if you get them. You can always make them warmer in the cooler months by wearing a cheap vinyl rain suit over the outside, works great. Main point, like said before, the armor does no good if you are not wearing it.
If you have good fitting leathers that are designed to accommodate armor it is not bad at all. No worries. Most come with pockets that the armor slides into. I just remove the armor for the back that comes with the suit and use my separate back protector.
That used Vanson I bought did not come with good body armor, so I bought a separate set of good quality elbow, shoulder, and hip pads, and slipped them into the pockets in the suit. CE rated armor IIRC. They were like $100+ for the set IIRC but worth it. Another option is to buy one of those Mad Max looking armor suits and take all of the armor out of the leathers. Or just get leathers with good armor.
Sorry Magna but that is really bad advice IMO. How much you spend on armor has nothing to do with what the bike is worth. It has more to do with what you are worth. There is some pricey stuff out there, and some overpriced stuff. But there is some cheap crap too that does not work well at all. What you spend is up to you, but budget as much as you can afford, especially being a new rider. Saving one broken bone, or one case of road rash, or worse, is well worth the price of several hundred to $1000+ dollars of gear IMO. If you think that is a lot of money, wait until you see the hospital bill. I have crashed on the street once, and on the track three or four times including a pretty fast highside, and walked away from all of them. In all cases I was wearing full gear, and it saved me from significantly more pain for sure.
BTW that may seem like a lot of crashes, but my experience is pretty typical from what I have seen. Even the best riders crash for whatever reason, sometimes no fault of their own, especially on the street. One of my racing team mates was t-boned by a car on his way to work last year. It sent him to the hospital after he blacked out at the scene with a minor concussion, but he was OK otherwise. Actually, since he is an Aggie, the concussion does not make much difference
. Anyway, it turns out his head hit a curb. If he had not had on a helmet (a good Shoei) he would most likely be a vegetable or be dead. His bike, a nice FJR, was totalled. He is a very experienced rider, at least 15+ years IIRC, careful on the street, and is a very good racer on the track, faster than me usually.
Just focus on quality, and not the bling-bling (helmet graphics, multicolored rider edition leathers, etc) and you will be OK. For example, just the money you save on a monotone helmet versus the same one with graphics will pay for the difference in cost for some good Sidi boots.
Crashing sucks, and it does happen, so be ready for it
I put some time into this response, but this is a very important topic so it is worth it.
If you have good fitting leathers that are designed to accommodate armor it is not bad at all. No worries. Most come with pockets that the armor slides into. I just remove the armor for the back that comes with the suit and use my separate back protector.
That used Vanson I bought did not come with good body armor, so I bought a separate set of good quality elbow, shoulder, and hip pads, and slipped them into the pockets in the suit. CE rated armor IIRC. They were like $100+ for the set IIRC but worth it. Another option is to buy one of those Mad Max looking armor suits and take all of the armor out of the leathers. Or just get leathers with good armor.
Sorry Magna but that is really bad advice IMO. How much you spend on armor has nothing to do with what the bike is worth. It has more to do with what you are worth. There is some pricey stuff out there, and some overpriced stuff. But there is some cheap crap too that does not work well at all. What you spend is up to you, but budget as much as you can afford, especially being a new rider. Saving one broken bone, or one case of road rash, or worse, is well worth the price of several hundred to $1000+ dollars of gear IMO. If you think that is a lot of money, wait until you see the hospital bill. I have crashed on the street once, and on the track three or four times including a pretty fast highside, and walked away from all of them. In all cases I was wearing full gear, and it saved me from significantly more pain for sure.
BTW that may seem like a lot of crashes, but my experience is pretty typical from what I have seen. Even the best riders crash for whatever reason, sometimes no fault of their own, especially on the street. One of my racing team mates was t-boned by a car on his way to work last year. It sent him to the hospital after he blacked out at the scene with a minor concussion, but he was OK otherwise. Actually, since he is an Aggie, the concussion does not make much difference
. Anyway, it turns out his head hit a curb. If he had not had on a helmet (a good Shoei) he would most likely be a vegetable or be dead. His bike, a nice FJR, was totalled. He is a very experienced rider, at least 15+ years IIRC, careful on the street, and is a very good racer on the track, faster than me usually. Just focus on quality, and not the bling-bling (helmet graphics, multicolored rider edition leathers, etc) and you will be OK. For example, just the money you save on a monotone helmet versus the same one with graphics will pay for the difference in cost for some good Sidi boots.
Crashing sucks, and it does happen, so be ready for it
I put some time into this response, but this is a very important topic so it is worth it.
Last edited by ZX-Tex; 06-18-2009 at 12:43 PM.
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06-18-2009, 12:29 PM
#49
I have not read any post except the first one.
So whos got one? me
What kind do you have? sv650
How long have you been riding, history behind it? 6months
One piece of wisdom you would like to pass on to a new rider? INVESTING RACE BOOTS, if i id i might not have drop foot from the impact killing my shin muscles.
after i was t-boned (no blood just impound lot bike pic and some icu pics) aftermath pictures by jeff_man - Photobucket
So whos got one? me
What kind do you have? sv650
How long have you been riding, history behind it? 6months
One piece of wisdom you would like to pass on to a new rider? INVESTING RACE BOOTS, if i id i might not have drop foot from the impact killing my shin muscles.
after i was t-boned (no blood just impound lot bike pic and some icu pics) aftermath pictures by jeff_man - Photobucket
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06-18-2009, 09:24 PM
#51
Cpt. Slow
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Wow you guys go crazy with gear. I wear a DOT and M rated Icon helmet which cost me $189, $20 leather joe rocket gauntlet gloves, a $200 joe rocket textile armored jacket, jeans, and usually steel toes boots, but nothing above the ankle. That's the one thing I wish I had, comfortable high top riding boots, that don't look like cowboy boots, military boots, or something out of Back To The Future, where they go forward to 2015. I've ridden in shorts once, not only did I know I was being unsafe, but it was incredibly uncomfortable. I've ridden without my jacket a few times in really hot weather, it feels great but I know it's fairly stupid. Oh well, at least I'm not bitching at you guys for not having seat belts, airbags, and abs like the new Goldwing.
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06-18-2009, 09:55 PM
#52
Boost Pope
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Actually, ABS is becoming kind of widespread. BMWs have had it for a while (even the lowly G650) and a couple of Suzukis, including the SV and the hideous BurgerKing, have it as an option too.
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06-18-2009, 10:09 PM
#53
Cpt. Slow
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Hideous? I love the b-king! It is way too huge for me, I can barely swing my legs over it's ***, but hot damn would I hump ride that everyday all day if given the chance.
I just checked and I'm wrong about the seat belts. How the hell do the airbags not just blow you off the bike? That thing is a 2-wheeled car, not a bike. It's toss up between what I think Honda will put on it next, seat belts or a roof.
I just checked and I'm wrong about the seat belts. How the hell do the airbags not just blow you off the bike? That thing is a 2-wheeled car, not a bike. It's toss up between what I think Honda will put on it next, seat belts or a roof.
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06-19-2009, 06:36 AM
#54
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I'm in 2 minds on all the leathers etc.
I know from my own experiences that if i'm wearing me full leathers and everything else i take more risks and tend to push it further.
Often in summer i'll ride with T-shirt, shorts and sandles, obviously if i have a off i'm foooooked.
But i tend to ride knowing that so ride a hell of a lot slower and a lot more defensively.
When ya made up like a power ranger, the process of putting on the kit and the knowledge that you've got leathers, back, shoulder, knee etc protection really goes some way to that "i'm invincible" feeling (till ya crash).
So my feeling is yes all the kit does offer more protection in some areas, but your also more likely to take risks and therefore crash wearing em.
Tough choice.
For me i'll just echo what's already been said.
Buy stuff that's well made (look at the sticking and seams, give it a good pull in the shop see if the stitching stretches) fits well and is comfortable.
On helmets more money tends to buy you lighter helmets with more ventilation, they're not really any safer.
The 3 rules of helmet selection are 1/ fit, 2/ fit, 3/ fit.
Never buy on-line, always try on as many helmets as possible from as many manufacturers as possible.
AGV's for example just do not suit my head shape.
Cheers
Mark
I know from my own experiences that if i'm wearing me full leathers and everything else i take more risks and tend to push it further.
Often in summer i'll ride with T-shirt, shorts and sandles, obviously if i have a off i'm foooooked.
But i tend to ride knowing that so ride a hell of a lot slower and a lot more defensively.
When ya made up like a power ranger, the process of putting on the kit and the knowledge that you've got leathers, back, shoulder, knee etc protection really goes some way to that "i'm invincible" feeling (till ya crash).
So my feeling is yes all the kit does offer more protection in some areas, but your also more likely to take risks and therefore crash wearing em.
Tough choice.
For me i'll just echo what's already been said.
Buy stuff that's well made (look at the sticking and seams, give it a good pull in the shop see if the stitching stretches) fits well and is comfortable.
On helmets more money tends to buy you lighter helmets with more ventilation, they're not really any safer.
The 3 rules of helmet selection are 1/ fit, 2/ fit, 3/ fit.
Never buy on-line, always try on as many helmets as possible from as many manufacturers as possible.
AGV's for example just do not suit my head shape.
Cheers
Mark
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06-19-2009, 09:49 AM
#55
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Ive been riding about 15 years and have had 8 bikes. 7 of them have been Hondas! I have NEVER had any problems out of ANY of my Hondas!! Change the oil and check the tires and ride em.
Last bike......07 600rr
New bike/DD......07 1000rr Dyno'd at 146 HP
If you are into caffe style bikes I think a 80's CB350 or CB500 would be a great starter bike. They are quick, handle well, easy to maintain, and have no plastic to tear up if your do drop it. The best part is with a little time and money you can have this!
As for advice........Some of em go faster than they stop. lol
Last bike......07 600rr
New bike/DD......07 1000rr Dyno'd at 146 HP
If you are into caffe style bikes I think a 80's CB350 or CB500 would be a great starter bike. They are quick, handle well, easy to maintain, and have no plastic to tear up if your do drop it. The best part is with a little time and money you can have this!
As for advice........Some of em go faster than they stop. lol
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06-19-2009, 11:23 AM
#57
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01' Honda 929 RR here. My second bike.
I got into motorcycles with an SV650 - I swear, there are days I consider selling my 929 and getting another SV - they are that much fun. I love my 929.. it has very few and only minor faults and is IMO a very live-able litre bike unlike some of the newer ones, but there is just something awesome about how nimble and comfortable the SVs are, and riding a naked bike is just the ****. I highly recommend one for a starter bike - many go with the little 250, but I didn't b/c I didn't want to outgrow the bike too quickly, and the 650 is ergonomically good for a beginner and although it's not fast at all in the relative world of motorcycles, is really quite quick. First time I went wot on the SV, a smile was glued on my face...
I think I've found a good compromise though... I just pulled all the front plastics off my 929 and now have a naked bike again!
As for gear, if you get into any riding clubs and such, you will hear something referred to: ATGATT (All the gear all the time) - and a LOT of guys who ride that I know just don't get this but it's not about how aggressively you intend to ride your bike, or if you are just cruising a few miles, there are SO many variables out there that you have absolutely no control of when you are on a bike that could end your life or seriously change it, if you are not wearing all your protective gear. I wrecked my SV - I had a full face helmet, leather gloves, leather jacket, and motorcycle racing boots... and jeans. I couldn't walk for 2 days because of the road rash on my left leg, and limped for a month. The rest of my body was 100%. Asphalt cuts through denim so fast it is literally no better than wearing shorts. Get the proper gear and always always wear it.
-Ryan
I got into motorcycles with an SV650 - I swear, there are days I consider selling my 929 and getting another SV - they are that much fun. I love my 929.. it has very few and only minor faults and is IMO a very live-able litre bike unlike some of the newer ones, but there is just something awesome about how nimble and comfortable the SVs are, and riding a naked bike is just the ****. I highly recommend one for a starter bike - many go with the little 250, but I didn't b/c I didn't want to outgrow the bike too quickly, and the 650 is ergonomically good for a beginner and although it's not fast at all in the relative world of motorcycles, is really quite quick. First time I went wot on the SV, a smile was glued on my face...
I think I've found a good compromise though... I just pulled all the front plastics off my 929 and now have a naked bike again!
As for gear, if you get into any riding clubs and such, you will hear something referred to: ATGATT (All the gear all the time) - and a LOT of guys who ride that I know just don't get this but it's not about how aggressively you intend to ride your bike, or if you are just cruising a few miles, there are SO many variables out there that you have absolutely no control of when you are on a bike that could end your life or seriously change it, if you are not wearing all your protective gear. I wrecked my SV - I had a full face helmet, leather gloves, leather jacket, and motorcycle racing boots... and jeans. I couldn't walk for 2 days because of the road rash on my left leg, and limped for a month. The rest of my body was 100%. Asphalt cuts through denim so fast it is literally no better than wearing shorts. Get the proper gear and always always wear it.
-Ryan
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