Safety Gear

[Craig]

Hey guys,
Well i know that this subject has been done to death, but i would really appriate any information & opinions that you have to share.
Need info on all aspects of safety clothing.
Also how should a good fitting helmet feel wen fitting in a shop? coz i heard they should be pretty tite then mould to ya noggin.
leather or synthetic?
gloves with or without armour?
body armour?
Oh and chances are i wont be riding in rain as im a weekend thrasher wen the sun shining (yeh i know, sissy) so waterproofing isn't important, surviving a fall is.

Thanks guys

[James Deuce]

Hey guys,
Well i know that this subject has been done to death, but i would really appriate any information & opinions that you have to share.
Need info on all aspects of safety clothing.
Also how should a good fitting helmet feel wen fitting in a shop? coz i heard they should be pretty tite then mould to ya noggin.
leather or synthetic?
gloves with or without armour?
body armour?
Oh and chances are i wont be riding in rain as im a weekend thrasher wen the sun shining (yeh i know, sissy) so waterproofing isn't important, surviving a fall is.

Thanks guys

Right!

By those criteria you should definitely go for leather, probably a one piece with integral armour.

A brand new helmet should still be comfortable after watching telly wearing it for about an hour. Find a reputable bike shop that will let you try before you buy, not just try a bunch on in the shop. It needs to fit firmly and contact your skull from the base to the forehead. A washable liner is a good idea. Get the helmet that fits best, not the most expensive. Make sure it is DOT approved. Try and get one that meets multiple standards.

Get gloves with carbon fibre knuckle protectors. I like the Dri-Rider Vents for summer, but there are some mega expensive race type gloves from people like Spidi if you want to spedn $250 or more.

Get really, really good boots with ankle and shin protection. A Bi-Malleolar fracture is no fun at all.

[Ms Piggy]

Good to see another mainlander! Although I did export myself from my home town.

My advice (cos I'm such a new rider) would be try lotsa stuff on & see what's most comfortable & fits best - like my mate Jim2 says - most expensive will not necessarily be best. I have a jacket that's a bit big & it's annoying :sneaky2:

I would also say make sure you get all the gear & don't skimp. Good jacket, pants, goves & helmet. My theory has always been that what I wear is all that's between me & the road.

[Big Dog]

It is also important how much lateral movement is possible.

If your cheeks are pinched it is too tight. (when you try it on in the shop it should mush your face up a bit but not be uncomfortable)

If you can rotate it even a couple of degrees it is too loose.

Also the design needs to suit your chin shape. If it would be easier to take the helmet off than pick you up with it keep looking.


While other fastening systems work and are more convenient the double D ring is more durable and fares better in real life accidents, just another trade off between safety and convenience.

Choose a helmet with good ventilation as some helmets fog up even on clear sunny summer days.

Chose a helmet with a selection of visors available. The wider the selection the more likely that there will be one availible on short notice if you scratch ore break one.

[Big Dog]

leather or synthetic?
gloves with or without armour?
body armour?
Oh and chances are i wont be riding in rain as im a weekend thrasher wen the sun shining (yeh i know, sissy) so waterproofing isn't important, surviving a fall is.

If safty is your no one concern not wet weather riding do like Jim said get a 1 peice race suit. If you like to "pose" get a 2 piece as theyt are more practical at the movies etc.
Most synthetic does not come with knee sliders but does come with armour, however if you are a weekend warrior rider get a back protector and leather with properly placed armour.

Armoured gloves have their pluses and their minuses. If you are sliding or impacting on that side of the hand it is good but bruises really evil looking according to a friend who high sided in his. Different friend lowsided earlier that year and reckoned sliding aloncg on his palms sliced the backs of his hands open and broke the bones in the palms oif his hands where the armour was leveraging. Dr's and nurses on this site will tell you how hard that is to treat.

I wear leather synthetic hybrids but I need 365 all weather use out of them. if I was looking for "thrash gloves" I would get full leather NOT SUEDE (as it does not slide very well especially not if the road happens to be wet) race gloves for summer and winter weight ones for the other 1/2 a year.
Don't skimp but do shop around as the best price is no better indicator than the highest price. I try not to look at the part ofthe label with the price on it until I find something I want to buy, if I can't afford that then I look around until I find something to the same spec that I can afford.