weird

[John]

Yep, when I binned the ol XR on that wet coro loop, I did a face plant into the tramac at about 100kmph. Just scraped up the chin of the helmet and only managed to cut my lip up as my mouth bashed into the inside of the helmet. If I was wearing an open face, I'd be eating out of a straw for the rest of my life...

Likewise, Just cut my lip full face plant - concussed but not dead, dont make me show you the pictures of those dudes that crash on the highways and grate off there face - its not pretty.

[Waylander]

Nothing wrong with an open face helmet aslong as you know what you are risking and are prepared to risk it. I can tell you nothing feels better than having the wind in your face on a nice cruise. Gotta watch out for bugs though and have a look at Tristanks' "Bugjuice?... More like birdjuice" thread. Never been in a wreck where my face hit the ground, but I know I've been lucky. Also helps that I really don't care. Your choice though.

[Mr Skid]

MX style helmets are a good compromise between the ventilation offered by a open face helmet and the protection offered by a full face.

I'll be getting one for summer.

[sunhuntin]

[QUOTE=Beemer]Open face helmet? I thought only gang members and little old ladies on scooters wore those!

As for jeans, why not wait for summer and wear shorts and jandals? They'd offer about the same level of protection. Must haves as far as I'm concerned - boots, protective pants and jacket, full face helmet and gloves. I've come off a push bike and mashed myself and there is no way I'd like to do it on a motorcycle.
QUOTE]

i already explained my reasoning on the whole helmet, aint gonna bother re-typing it, cept to add, my old man, hounddog, is part of what will likely be a puppet group for the angels if the young members have their way. [heres hoping they wont, for the good of the group] the only full helmets i saw for 6 months were on jap bike riders.

and as for saying shorts and jandles, what kind of lunatic do you think i am??? hell, i wear steel toed cowboy boots, they just wouldnt look good with shorts!! i do have a pair of chaps i bought last year, gotta dig them out at some point. i wear a leather jacket [have about 5 of them, lol] but its hard getting good quality pants that will a] fit over my legs and ass and b] be comfy enough to ride and walk in. until then, the jeans will be fine. once ive been knocked off, ill come crawling back sayin you were all right

[Ixion]

MX style helmets are a good compromise between the ventilation offered by a open face helmet and the protection offered by a full face.

I'll be getting one for summer.

Problem here is that they don't have a visor , and I don't think you could wear goggles with them (not MK VIIIs anyway) ? I sort of like the idea of the open face , but want the chin and jaw protection. So the MX seems good, but for fast road work you do need eye protection . Or can you wear goggles with them (I've tried goggles with a full face and it just doesn't work)

[Mr Skid]

Problem here is that they don't have a visor , and I don't think you could wear goggles with them (not MK VIIIs anyway) ? I sort of like the idea of the open face , but want the chin and jaw protection. So the MX seems good, but for fast road work you do need eye protection . Or can you wear goggles with them (I've tried goggles with a full face and it just doesn't work)

Yes, you'd wear them with goggles if on the motorway - same sort of goggles the MX riders wear to keep roost out of their eyes.

Also, if like me you wear perscription lenses the Scott 87 OTG will fit over them. Mightn't look particuarly stylish, but who gives..

[Gremlin]

Getting back to speed...

I found that toodling along the quiet neighbourhood roads at 30-40, then 50 during the quiet times was the best. You get your confidence up quickly, and the more successful rides you get under your belt the better you feel. After a total of 5 hours riding (I had no previous experience on motorbikes) I was riding into the city.

Initially I thought anyone would be nuts to go over 70 when a learner, but having done a fantastic country ride today (now 10 hours riding), (and getting to 120 - shhh)you realise that keeping in the powerband makes a difference, and safe speed is a lot of fun.

[Keystone19]

I got my learners 5 weeks ago, my VTR250 3 weeks ago and I've ridden just under 2000km since. I also race a bicycle at times, frequently over 70kph (downhill anyway). Before I got my VTR I got the full face helmet and the whole kit - pants, jacket, gloves. Cost me nearly as much as the bike. I figure if I want to ride over 70kph even if it feels slow, I'd rather have all the gear on if I do come off - it's nasty on a bicycle, it must suck on a motorbike.

[sunhuntin]

well....i found some leather pants....so big they fit OVER my jeans and still heaps of room to spare. should i be worried?? LOL. how do i soften them up? they feel as though some one got them wet and didnt dry them properly. im going to attack them with neopol at some stage to get the marks off and add some shine. will that soften them?

[froggyfrenchman]

you really need a full face helmet! mad not to! just keep riding at your pace and learning at ur speed. Dnt let ignorant cagers rush u at intersections, thats a bad 1 when learning. Practice makes perfect. remember to practice things like emergancy stops and violent swerving! pays to know how ur bike will handle when the little kid runs across the road in front of you or the cager dsnt give way. All the best. Keep the shiny side up

[froggyfrenchman]

wearing the leathers is best way to soften. dnt put anything waxy or greasy on the arse! makes it hard to stay on the seat