Dirt bike recommendations?

**nzspokes** · 18th June 2013, 21:50

I had elbow armor on a while back. I came down and it moved. I lost a stack of skin which was no big deal. But buy the time I got home the wound got infected and I spent a month on antibiotics and daily visits to the doctor.

I now wear the suit. No more issues with armor moving.

**Ocean1** · 18th June 2013, 21:50

Aye, if it don't fit it's useless, be prepared to try everything they've got.

Aussie market snap...

http://www.ebay.com.au/bhp/alpinestars-bionic-2

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ladies-Bo...-/170740427057

**bosslady** · 18th June 2013, 21:51

Originally Posted by oneofsix

I think I had best leave this thread now, before I reply to that. Tongues, female bodies - shhh

You have a serious bike related question that I can add to. Oh wait, after compacting the spine in full ATGATT I was shown a race riders back protector and told it would have helped. if you are going off road, and I don't, I would be seriously getting armour. Looks much more robust than the stuff they build into the road gear.

I have a nice alpinestars back protector for the road already but don't think I'll need that for off road?

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

I like pressure suits as it holds the armour where it is needed, a bit like leathers on road.
I just haven't found one that fits properly as said before so have stayed with armour.

My other half had armour and now a pressure suit and wouldn't go back.
Try shit loads on and see what you prefer.

Good idea I'll try some stuff on when I'm over there and decide, just trying to research before I'm cut off fRom the interweb!

**Transalper** · 18th June 2013, 22:11

They are right, you would normally choose to go with either a pressure suit or roost deflector with separate elbow guards, kidney belt etc.

I had the traditional roost protector upper body armour and separate elbow guards in the time before pressure suits.
Now I have a pressure suit I'll never go back, I feel the back protection alone makes it worth it. Elbow, shoulder, chest and a kidney belt all included in the pressure suit as well.
For my next one when my current one is worn out I'll get either the Fox Titan or Thor pressure suits in the NZ$200 to $220 price range.

My knee guards are very basic old AXO guards (similar to these) and I find them to be quite functional. You need to pull a little bit of your pants up out of the boots to the top of the knee cup so there's a loose bit above the guard when you have a straight leg, then when you sit the guard won't be pulled by your pants being tight over the knee. (I wear the knee guard under my riding pants, some people don't)
They just have two straps that go round my calfs and a bit of extended foam rubber on the inside knee area where I clamp the bike with my knees.
The Knee guards (as with the pressure suit) are great at reducing and often totally eliminating pain and/or bruising when landing on river bed rocks or any manner of solid thing... or having the bike land on you.

But note; no matter what you wear it is still possible to land awkwardly and brake bones or tear AC joints etc. Collarbones are a common one.

**BoristheBiter** · 18th June 2013, 22:12

Originally Posted by bosslady

I have a nice alpinestars back protector for the road already but don't think I'll need that for off road?

Good idea I'll try some stuff on when I'm over there and decide, just trying to research before I'm cut off fRom the interweb!

Peter Stevens staff are great. last time we spent hours trying everything on and in the end just brought a bag and they shipped it back to NZ for free (motogp special)

Remember you can claim the Aussie GST back.
Catch is it has to be over $aus500, on one receipt and be with you (not in checked baggage.)

**bosslady** · 18th June 2013, 22:17

Originally Posted by BoristheBiter

Peter Stevens staff are great. last time we spent hours trying everything on and in the end just brought a bag and they shipped it back to NZ for free (motogp special)

Remember you can claim the Aussie GST back.
Catch is it has to be over $aus500, on one receipt and be with you (not in checked baggage.)

How do you claim the gst back? How much is their gst anyway?

**unstuck** · 19th June 2013, 06:36

Originally Posted by bosslady

How do you claim the gst back? How much is their gst anyway?

10 per cent I think, may of changed again by now though.

**BoristheBiter** · 19th June 2013, 09:27

Originally Posted by bosslady

How do you claim the gst back? How much is their gst anyway?

Pretty sure it's 10%.
After you go through passport control (in Aussie) coming home, there is a customs desk where you go and apply.

But like I said,
1) over $500,
2) all on the same receipt,
3) on your person when claiming.

We found out this the hard way.

**buffstar** · 19th June 2013, 10:35

If you choose to ride without armour that's cool - but be prepared to catch a rock in the chest. When you go on a trail ride the faster riders will not sit behind you, they will overtake you and even if they do it carefully (as they should) you will eat some roost - fact of life.Probably a good idea to hold off on a big investment like knee braces until you decide how far you want to go with this, but I do have to disagree that they are only for motox riders - I ride some fairly advanced trails and this is where my shitty old knee pads let me down but you will learn as you go I think. We all ride with different styles and different terrain.
regardless of the size of your *ahem* chest you need to protect it.
good luck with your decision - hope you get some good deals in Oz