2 questions inside

[actionjackson]

Hi all,

Firstly - how long do you keep your helmet for before you buy a new one??

Secondly - How much would do you spend on your protective gear for your chosen weapon?

Am just being noisy :)

Scooter rider and to be honest only brought a cheap helmet ($100) and just water proof clothing for the jacket ($100)

[blackdog]

i think you have stumbled upon the wrong website

most of the scooter riders i know belong to 'nzknittingandbingo.co.nz'

[Milts]

Helmet - unless you intend to do a lot of riding, including track days and a lot of motorway time, I wouldn't bother going above $200 unless you have money to spare. My $200 helmet did it's job in my only crash and my current $150 one is comfortable enough and passes the safety tests.
You can look up safety ratings online here: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

Gear wise, minimum would be $80 gloves, $200 jacket, $150 pants, $150 boots from online stores, but I would stress that that is an absolute minimum. If you buy the cheapest you'll probably find yourself buying again in 12 months or so and you'll still be wearing lower quality gear. If you're riding a scooter, then perhaps just gloves, helmet, codura jacket, and something other than sneakers will do.

[mattian]

I spent $900 on my white Arai. Had it for about a year.
If you drop it or slam it hard, get a new one.

Your helmet is, arguably, the most important safety gear you will have..... don't go out and get one of those hideous half face helmets that scooter riders are so fond of wearing. I can tell you a really disgusting story about my mate who saw a scooter rider slam into the back of a 4x4. He described his jaw as "literally hanging off his face"

[wysper]

Hi all,

Firstly - how long do you keep your helmet for before you buy a new one??

Secondly - How much would do you spend on your protective gear for your chosen weapon?

Am just being noisy :)

Scooter rider and to be honest only brought a cheap helmet ($100) and just water proof clothing for the jacket ($100)

I commute every week day, ride as many weekends as I can.
I expect 3 - 5 years from my lid. I will only spend 300 - 500 dollars on it.

Gear, I ride in full leathers, boots and gloves. Cost on that is around $1400 all up.

Remember, if you are commuting on a scooter or a 1000cc sports bike, an off at 50kph is the same. Painful. Gear up.

[actionjackson]

Sorry was just interested how much bikers spend on gear, have got mine and am more then happy with it for a 50cc scooter, great point about half faced helmets though

[\m/]

$495 helmet, $430 jacket, $370 pants, $185 gloves, $369 back protector, $159 chest protector and $350 boots.

[caseye]

Sorry was just interested how much bikers spend on gear, have got mine and am more then happy with it for a 50cc scooter, great point about half faced helmets though

I'd like to think that one day you might get brave and buy a bigger motorcycle.
Wysper has hit the nail firmly on the head, the off speed and results are exactly the same no matter the size of the bike.
For Gods sake get geared up, wear gloves, jacket, trou and boots at least.naturally a good full! FaCE helmet.

[Highlander]

I'd like to think that one day you might get brave and buy a bigger motorcycle.
Wysper has hit the nail firmly on the head, the off speed and results are exactly the same no matter the size of the bike.
For Gods sake get geared up, wear gloves, jacket, trou and boots at least.naturally a good full! FaCE helmet.

To extend this slightly, while I can understand the desire to ride in T shirt nad shorts on a hot day, the road is only softer because the tar is starting to melt.

Surely the hottest, most uncomfortable gear you can possibly imagine, on the hottest day of summer has got to be better than the best skin graft you could wish for?

[Ocean1]

nad shorts

Dodgy. Very very dodgy.

[Highlander]

Dodgy. Very very dodgy.

:facepalm: Was a typo, actually meant "and" not "nad" but yes riding in nad shorts would be pretty dodgy. :sick:

[FJRider]

$10 heads in $10 helmets ... how much you value your ass will determine how much you spend on the rest of your riding kit. :sunny:

Scars are cool ... right ... ??? :shutup:

The best you can afford is the guide ... :yes:

[porky]

I spent $900 on my white Arai. Had it for about a year.
If you drop it or slam it hard, get a new one.

Your helmet is, arguably, the most important safety gear you will have..... don't go out and get one of those hideous half face helmets that scooter riders are so fond of wearing. I can tell you a really disgusting story about my mate who saw a scooter rider slam into the back of a 4x4. He described his jaw as "literally hanging off his face"

the thing that sits in ya helmet is the most important piece of safety kit, and it comes with each body free of charge. Problem is that some dont understand how to use it. (starting to sound like........)

[Tink]

Hi all,

Firstly - how long do you keep your helmet for before you buy a new one??

Secondly - How much would do you spend on your protective gear for your chosen weapon?

Am just being noisy :)

Scooter rider and to be honest only brought a cheap helmet ($100) and just water proof clothing for the jacket ($100)

Heh pretty cool ya wanna ATGATT on a scooter... I bought a $100 helmet (bad) on tm, and was in a crash did me proud, but bought a more expensive one, ready for my next helmet 14 months later, black is old and people can't see me is why.

One day lets hope you move up too a bigger bike, cause a 50cc in this heat with ATG, I would burst a bubble.

[Hawk]

oh come on Fj say it as it is

you pay for you get if you want cheap there's a red brick building in your town go spend fj's $10.00 there.

or you could do as someone suggested a few months ago here, ride naked oh the joy gravel rash

[FJRider]

oh come on Fj say it as it is

you pay for you get if you want cheap there's a red brick building in your town go spend fj's $10.00 there.

or you could do as someone suggested a few months ago here, ride naked oh the joy gravel rash

Trust me on this ... there is NO joy in gravel rash ... :crybaby:

[Highlander]

Trust me on this ... there is NO joy in gravel rash ... :crybaby:

the "Joy" in gravel rash is the sadistic nurse brushing the gravely bits out of your bits and loving every second of it. :shutup:

[FJRider]

the "Joy" in gravel rash is the sadistic nurse brushing the gravely bits out of your bits and loving every second of it. :shutup:

with the best part is he's (the nurse) gay ... :lol:

[SMOKEU]

the thing that sits in ya helmet is the most important piece of safety kit, and it comes with each body free of charge. Problem is that some dont understand how to use it. (starting to sound like........)

If that thing inside the helmet is defective to start off with....

[rwh]

Remember, if you are commuting on a scooter or a 1000cc sports bike, an off at 50kph is the same. Painful. Gear up.

While I haven't come off (or ridden, for that matter) either, I'm not convinced. Yes, the slide along the ground is probably similar - unless the bike is on top of your leg. In that case, I'd rather have the scooter than the big bike.

On the other hand, my bike is rather heavier than a 1000cc sports bike, and I mostly ride in ordinary jeans. Really must get round to checking out some kevlar ones ...

Richard

[SMOKEU]

While I haven't come off (or ridden, for that matter) either, I'm not convinced. Yes, the slide along the ground is probably similar - unless the bike is on top of your leg. In that case, I'd rather have the scooter than the big bike.

On the other hand, my bike is rather heavier than a 1000cc sports bike, and I mostly ride in ordinary jeans. Really must get round to checking out some kevlar ones ...

Richard

That's what I thought. Last time I binned a bike I was in leathers and I still managed to break my hand. Good gear won't really stop you from breaking a bone.

[caseye]

While I haven't come off (or ridden, for that matter) either, I'm not convinced. Yes, the slide along the ground is probably similar - unless the bike is on top of your leg. In that case, I'd rather have the scooter than the big bike.

On the other hand, my bike is rather heavier than a 1000cc sports bike, and I mostly ride in ordinary jeans. Really must get round to checking out some kevlar ones ...

Richard

Each to their own, I own and use Rhino jeans(kevlar lined with a know type armour at knees and hip) for shortish , work commutes.
I also own good Q Moto leather trou which are always worn on long rides, trips.
My jacket is coming form Q moto too and will always be worn over any other sort of protection, despite the heat.
I've seen the results of long slides without good gear and I would not wish that sort of injury on my worst enemy.

[superman]

Decided that when I was getting a motorbike I wasn't going to cheap out on the gear. So found a 5-star Sharp Rated helmet, and got a set of leather gloves, jacket, and pants from Qmoto. Plus some epic boots.

Good gear definitely feels much nicer than a 4 hour ride at night in jeans :facepalm: (while I awaited the pants). Plus you got to have the full gear, not gonna have some biker bitch at me about raising their ACC levies.

Means I can smoothly transition to track day without having to buy anything more than a back/back and chest protector. :innocent:

Now lets hope I don't suddenly get fat in the next couple years and won't be able to fit in my expensive leather no more :blink:

[pritch]

Most people don't wear the same gear on a moped that would be appropriate on a bike. There was a relatively recent thread where someone commented on being amused at seeing a scooter rider in full kit.

I don't wear leather jacket and boots on my moped either. Always a helmet and gloves, and some sort of a jacket though.

[Gremlin]

I own at least 3 full sets of gear. Most expensive is $3000 for jacket and pants, $225 for gloves, $470 ish for back and chest protector, boots are $500, helmet probably $900 ish? Doesn't include all the extra bits and bobs. Don't use it for around town commute tho, as its comfortable below freezing.

[wysper]

Most people don't wear the same gear on a moped that would be appropriate on a bike. There was a relatively recent thread where someone commented on being amused at seeing a scooter rider in full kit.

I don't wear leather jacket and boots on my moped either. Always a helmet and gloves, and some sort of a jacket though.

This is interesting.

I believe the risk is the same, as if you are travelling at legal speeds in town, the off is pretty much the same no matter what bike you ride. This is assuming a no collision off.

The interesting thing for me here is that a few bikes ago, when I changed from an SV to a DR, I felt when I was riding the DR round town I didn't need the same level of gear I would automatically put on when riding the SV.

I think subconsiously what we ride affects how we gear up. It shouldn't but it does.
Look at all the comments about gearing up no matter how long the ride. Surely it should be the same with gearing up no matter what the ride. (if possible keep replies to that last comment out of the gutter :shutup:)

[Grubber]

This is interesting.

I believe the risk is the same, as if you are travelling at legal speeds in town, the off is pretty much the same no matter what bike you ride. This is assuming a no collision off.

The interesting thing for me here is that a few bikes ago, when I changed from an SV to a DR, I felt when I was riding the DR round town I didn't need the same level of gear I would automatically put on when riding the SV.

I think subconsiously what we ride affects how we gear up. It shouldn't but it does.
Look at all the comments about gearing up no matter how long the ride. Surely it should be the same with gearing up no matter what the ride. (if possible keep replies to that last comment out of the gutter :shutup:)

I actually think your right. We often change our thought pattern somewhat when we jump on a dirt bike to shoot down the road to the dairy as opposed to the big road bike. Also right about the fact that we shouldn't!

I have a helmet at $900 a Cordura jacket and pants at $600ish a leather 2 piece at $1900, boots at $350, gloves for winter at $190 and summer at $250. Plus a few bits of warmer gear for the winter.
Would be lucky to find me wearing anything but ATTGAT now days. Had a couple of falls and it bloody hurts at speed.

[Ocean1]

$10 heads in $10 helmets ... how much you value your ass will determine how much you spend on the rest of your riding kit. :sunny:

Scars are cool ... right ... ??? :shutup:

The best you can afford is the guide ... :yes:

I agree a 10$ helmet is likely to be less than the very best you can buy, but don’t make the mistake of equating price with quality.

I'd suggest a full face helmet with a standards compliance rating. But outside that there's very little correlation between the price and the protection offered by any one brand or model over another.

In fact if you want value for money I'd take note of all the big flash adds and buy something else, I'll guarantee in most such cases the advertising budget is more than the manufacturing one. I’d rather pay for the product, the shiny pictures aimed at the fashion brigade won’t keep my head safe.

[scumdog]

I'd like to think that one day you might get brave and buy a bigger motorcycle.
Wysper has hit the nail firmly on the head, the off speed and results are exactly the same no matter the size of the bike.
For Gods sake get geared up, wear gloves, jacket, trou and boots at least.naturally a good full! FaCE helmet.

Or wear leather pants & jacket, fingerless-gloves and a 'shorty' open face helmet if you want, your choice.
Just be prepared to be possibly more hurt if you come off your scooter if you're wearing that sort of gear.

But for somebody starting out I'd follow the advice of these other guys.:yes:

[Toaster]

That's what I thought. Last time I binned a bike I was in leathers and I still managed to break my hand. Good gear won't really stop you from breaking a bone.


Exactly right but it does stop other surface injuries and is well worth good money on good gear.

People also need to remember that falling off had little to do with the bike and everything to do with what your body will hit. Sliding happily along the road like those on TV is unrealistic.

In NZ we have potholes, rough surfaces, uneven surfaces, road markings, cats-eyes that would hurt like hell, signs, fences, ditches, wire barriers, livestock and all manner of other road users to smash into.

The better the gear (if you do come a cropper) and the more defensively you ride the better your chances of surviving your ride the first place.

[Genestho]

Your brain is like a blob of jelly, it floats around inside your skull.
When you impact your head the effect is, that the brain will bounce backwards from impact point and impact again at the opposite side of the skull.

As per the universal laws of motion; when the skull stops suddenly, the brain continues forth having its own collision within the skull.

Obviously get the best helmet for you that you can afford with approved safety ratings, no helmet will make a difference to brain to skull impact, although some helmet liners are designed to slow the skull/brain impact down - and a good 'shell' can absorb some physical impact, and could prevent your head being intruded by pointy things.

[Highlander]

I think subconsiously what we ride affects how we gear up. It shouldn't but it does.
Look at all the comments about gearing up no matter how long the ride. Surely it should be the same with gearing up no matter what the ride. (if possible keep replies to that last comment out of the gutter :shutup:)



In NZ we have potholes, rough surfaces, uneven surfaces, road markings, cats-eyes that would hurt like hell, signs, fences, ditches, wire barriers, livestock and all manner of other road users to smash into.

The better the gear (if you do come a cropper) and the more defensively you ride the better your chances of surviving your ride the first place.

They used a statistic at the first defensive driving course I did, I don't remember the percentage, but it was something like 65 - 70% of accidents occur within 5 km of "Home" for one of those involved.

[actionjackson]

Who else can say that they are the same as in wear next to nothing when they just pop down the road,
the one that gets me is jandals on a bike but in saying all this I'm sure cyclist can go 50km on a bike and they don't wear a full faced helmet and full gear

[Toaster]

They used a statistic at the first defensive driving course I did, I don't remember the percentage, but it was something like 65 - 70% of accidents occur within 5 km of "Home" for one of those involved.


Interesting you say that because "home" is where most accidents occur. Period.

Dang dangerous them houses! Safer out on the roads!!

[skinman]

I used to be a cyclist & my best speed was 80km (downhill) could make 50 on the flat with a bit of effort.
I found that when I went from a 50cc to a 250 that the $100 helmet was horrible, wind noise, shake and heavy. Very quickly got a slightly better one but still wish had really bit the bullet & got a much better helmet. Still, should need a new one in a year or so.:wait:

[Smifffy]

I agree don't equate price with quality.

I have the lid the dealer sold me when I bought the bike, it wasn't their cheapest, but it wasn't much more. It has all the ratings etc, now I think I'd like something a bit lighter and quieter.

Tempted by the Shoei Qwest. I have a cordura jacket, which I'd like to upgrade to leather as and when finances permit, and leather trou. A good pair of boots is also essential IMO and I have two pair, that are also comfortable as hell when off the bike.

[PrincessBandit]

Price is not the most important issue of helmets - a cheaper one can save your noggin as competently as an extremely expensive one. However when I compare mine (my first, a relatively cheap FFM) and the one I have now (a comparatively much pricier Shark) they simply don't match up in terms of comfort, noise level, visor quality etc.

As for other gear riders wear, I must admit there are times when on a hot hot day I dread putting on the leather pants (I get friction burns above my knees from where the liner and armour rub) due to getting sweaty and swollen. (Yes, girlies do sweat...) and there are times when I've only worn them because when it rains I hate climbing onto a wet saddle and riding with a wet bottom.

The only crash I've ever had where my bike and I slid down the motorway I was wearing a pair of white dress jeans (the only piece of non-ATGATT apparel) and they got ripped open all down my right leg. Interestingly enough though I had no injuries to my legs despite the jeans not being kevlar ones. I really can't explain why that happened, but the state of my clothing - including my leather jacket, gloves and boots - as I got to my feet was a graphic picture of what the road could do to uncovered skin. My helmet didn't look particularly damaged other than road rash but I was not going to ever wear it again after that impact.

How much you pay for your helmet is up to you, but ensuring it is the proper fit is probably the most important thing. Too tight in some spots and it will be uncomfortable, even painful after a while; too loose and well, the consequences of having one come off in the event of an accident is not pretty.