View Full Version : Riding Gear
Started a new thread for all to post up on your experience with your riding gear .... How did it hold up in your last Toss/Crash/Collision ....
What is everybody wearing and why ....?
Is it worth the money?
What was your exspenses at the doc or hospital ....?
DK
former AMA 250 GP competitor, street rider, track day enthusiast
Better than 20 get off's between street and track riding
((maybe 30) OK like over 150 if you include Dirt bikes and Mini's))
7 years of skate boarding before the start of my roadracing career paid off
big time, just knowing how to hit and being aware of it when tumbling
Still paying medical from 6 years ago ...
I would endorse companies like , Shoei, Kushitani, Held, Alpinestars(but not all), Joe Rocket (again limited), Syed, Zooni, Heine Gerricke and others...
Jordan
Injury list : Too many details, but not as many as you would think...
Broken Talus bone (ankle) Customized Right Ring Finger, Customized left Middle Finger, Grapefruit sized testicles, Fractured wrists L&R etc, etc, etc
More details and stories later ....
If you have a tale to tell , let it be known and heard by all ....
Thanks for posting ....
Yep, good idea to post this.
I've had one get-off on the street, and somewhere over a dozen on tarmac/dirt riding 50's.
I dumped my 929 while taking the right-hand on-ramp that connects I-26 E with I-526 S, and wearing a full Aerostich suit, Arai Quantum F helmet, and Sidi boots. The impact, and short slide (I was doing around 30-40mph when it happened), felt about like bumping my shoulder into a stubborn door; it didn't hurt at all. The right side of my helmet made contact with the ground, but again, it wasn't even uncomfortable, never mind painful. Had I not worn my gear, I would without a doubt had serious road rash on my entire right side (my hip also made contact), I might've lost my outer right ear, I might've broken my collar bone and/or disclocated my shoulder, and my right hand would've been shredded. My gear, especially the suit, took minor damage, so minor in fact that I had an alterations shop just cover it up with some flag patches.
The various 50's get-offs were all minor only because I was wearing gear. Anyone riding these things thinking that they're too small to get hurt on to wear gear is flirting with disaster. The couple of times I got hurt was in the dirt and guess what, I wasn't wearing much gear (gloves and a helmet).
CBRjunkie
02-15-2006, 03:49 PM
Two crashes on the street and about 9 times on the track. Everything has held up pretty good accept for my denim jeans. Just don't make them like they used too. :roll:
jason 41
02-16-2006, 11:14 AM
3 crashes on the street 5 on the track 3 high sides "no one makes a helmet like suomy" I swear by them!!!!
jason 41
02-16-2006, 11:16 AM
3 crashes on the street 5 on the track 3 high sides "no one makes a helmet like suomy" I swear by them!!!!
Kat_Mac
03-06-2006, 10:01 AM
Ok, thanks to yesterday's track day, I'm scouring the internet for leathers. I want to a track day with leathers that aren't borrowed and that fit. Question is: How are leather's supposed to fit? Tight? Please for some help!
burns
03-06-2006, 10:43 AM
You will have to get a suit that is a little bigger so that the back protector fits. If someone tell you you do not need a back protector I say FUCK THEM and bash them with one of my hammers.
I have the info you asked about earlier this year whenever there is time to go through it with you.
Glad you had a blast!!
SUM650
03-06-2006, 02:12 PM
How are leather's supposed to fit? Tight? Please for some help!
Yes they are susposed to fit tight. Leathers are not susposed to be all loose on you and flapping in the wind. Did you see the way Dave aka Nash and June's leathers fit. Nice and snug all the way around. There's fit perfect because they had them custom made. It's hard to get a off the rack suit to fit perfectly unless you happen to be the right size like Kenny or some of the other 5'10" 150 lbs guys. The best way to find out who's leathers will fit you best is to try them on, and the best place to do that is at Daytona bike week. As you know there are tons of vendors with just about every brand of product sold will be there. There are also a few mgfs. who make leathers specifically for women. It may be a little more difficult to find a square cut set of mens leathers to fit a woman.
Whos the guy that alters leathers mine need fitting.. Its a bitch being tall. it's like if im 6ft3 i have to be 250lbs...Kenny told me about someone but i forgot....
CameraTrick
03-06-2006, 08:45 PM
1 spill on the road~50mph. Joe Rocket Jacket, Froo Froo designer jeans, HJC Helmet, Tennis Shoes, Icon Ti Gloves. Let's just say the top half of me was fine. Tennis shoes broke all the laces down one foot but stayed on somehow. And CBRJunkie is right, they don't make jeans like they used to. If you're going to wear jeans go get some Dickies because Levi and the rest have gone soft - In fact, I think they may be making them out of paper mache now.
Scotty2
03-06-2006, 08:50 PM
Burns what type of leathers do you sell at KWS. I'm also looking for a set but I'd like to try them on instead of ordering over the internet.
Same question for Kenny.
And CBRJunkie is right, they don't make jeans like they used to. If you're going to wear jeans go get some Dickies because Levi and the rest have gone soft - In fact, I think they may be making them out of paper mache now.
DragginJeans :wtg:
How are leather's supposed to fit? Tight? Please for some help!
Very nearly skin tight. As I mentioned before, you'll almost certainly need a custom suit to get a proper fit.
burns
03-07-2006, 05:30 AM
Komodo, Joe Rocket, Teknic, Alpinestar. If you want it we will do our best to get it for you.
I know they have suits out there for women, most 2 piece. But because of the lovely way women are shaped it might be best to get a custom suit. Most custom suits are not cheap. I would almost say a grand or more.
SUM650
03-07-2006, 08:52 AM
Whos the guy that alters leathers mine need fitting..
For your custom leathers, alterations and repairs you can try one of these folks. June has the custom syed leathers. This will probably be my next set as well. Matt can vouch for there quality and fit.
http://www.syedleathers.com/
http://www.racingleather.com/
Kat_Mac
12-05-2006, 03:54 PM
ICON GLOVES....crap.
I've own two pairs of Icon gloves. Both pairs are less than a year old and the seams are coming apart. I didn't use either ones on the track just street.
http://mxdirtrider.com/i-products/apparel-icon-gloves-women-2006-pursuit.jpg
http://www.kneedraggers.com/html/Icon/04/superduty.jpg
I also own an Icon jacket. Let's hope the seams withstand a bit more. I have crashed in the jacket once. It seems ok still.
http://www.metricbikes.com/BP_Pages/pursuitjwopink.jpg
burns
12-05-2006, 04:23 PM
You may wish to Take the gloves back to where you got them and have them see if they can send them off for repair. Icon should stand behind them. Plus they are not a year old so I think they would.
heidi just redid my alpine stars. worked out great! 10min and all fixed up! talk to her
dumwinnie
12-05-2006, 07:54 PM
i had a pair of icon ti max (yeah, the mad max lookin gloves). those held up for better than a year and a half with 2 wrecks, 90 and 70 mph. little stiff and tough to get used to, but i wouldn't talk bad about them.
crash
12-05-2006, 09:19 PM
Never crashed but heard Kobe from marietta motorsports is good.
SUM650
12-05-2006, 11:28 PM
Never crashed but heard Kobe from marietta motorsports is good
:eek:
What he meant is that he isn't going to crash anytime soon, like me. I can vouch for the Kobe Race gloves form Marietta motorsports as well. I usually get two crashes out of a set before I have to replace them.
http://www.1888fastlap.com/store/customer/product.php?productid=16679&cat=266&page=1
crash
12-06-2006, 05:00 PM
Something like that!
Arai helmets are worth the money if you can afford them.
burns
12-06-2006, 05:29 PM
I tried an ICON helmet once. After wearing it for a bit I ordered another Shoei. I would not wear another helmet unless it was a SHOEI or an Arai. Spending the high dollars are worth it.
dumwinnie
12-06-2006, 06:27 PM
I tried an ICON helmet once. After wearing it for a bit I ordered another Shoei. I would not wear another helmet unless it was a SHOEI or an Arai. Spending the high dollars are worth it.
+1, if you've got a $5 head, wear a $5 helmet.
crash
12-06-2006, 07:48 PM
Get the slogan right Dave. Its if you got a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.
OriginalOne
12-06-2006, 10:53 PM
I have the Icon Hooligan gloves. Kevlar knuckles.. took a while to break in but they were pretty good, survived a crash!
Shoei Helmet... never hit my head, yet. Fits a little big and isn't as comfortable as the Suomy but it's alright... for the 650 though I wish I'd of gotten a Suomy
the_MAC
12-08-2006, 05:58 AM
so were counting wrecks here, eh?? well i've had 2 wrecks on the street, 5 on the track, and probably some of the worst injuries and road rash of anyone in chucktown (except for maybe dk...), but somehow my gear always made it through the crash. getting the road rash in my first crash definitely made me realize that i'd rather be hot and sweaty in a leather jacket than lose my skin. on the track, even though i've had some high speed get-offs, my equipment did its job very well. i have to give props to suomy helmets, as they are worth their weight in gold. the first holy grail made it through 2 fast crashes without even touching the ground, but i finally had to retire it and get another one when i got launched off my bike at roebling rd last march. my agvsport leathers and alpinestars boots are still raceworthy, i just had to get a new pair of gloves. i also have to give props to honda, because the only thing i had to replace on the bike was a subframe and a wheel. i don't think a zuk would have looked so good after that many cartwheels (had to throw that one in there for ya, chris... :wtg: ). maybe i'll have better luck on the new pavement at roebling, but by then i'll be slow as shit anyway because i haven't been on a bike in forever...
SUM650
12-08-2006, 10:43 AM
Mac you thought that you know about crashing, let me tell you, this guy hear knows more about crashing more than anyone in the AMA. I'm told that he's got the AMA record on crashing. If you don't believe me just ask Steve at KWS. Notice the Astar gloves, and the vanson leathers. This has to be some good gear!
Ask anyone from the old LCSB crew.......I KNOW A LOT ABOUT CRASHING!!!!!!
I will say this. Teknic leathers are pretty good. Laid down one time at the GAP at about 60mph with a good 60ft slid on my ass. Had one seem come undone a little.
The crash that too this day stands as a reason why not to run from the cops!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 130mph+Teknic gloves...SUCK ass at high speeds when hands hit first. Shoei helmets are awasome!!SAVED MY LIFE no dought!!
Oh yea!!!!! CBR F3's dont stand up too well when the slid into R1's at over 100mph.
Again another reason why not to run form the police!!! $25,000 in med bills!!!!!!!! Oh KWS T-shirts dont do too well at high speeds either!
Surfdancer
12-10-2006, 10:34 AM
In about 200k miles over 25+ years, I've only had 1 unfortunate get off. Was doin' bout 90 and lowsided a sweeping turn when I hit something slick (sand probably). That was a long time ago - I was wearing Bates leathers and a Bell helmet. Don't remember what boots or gloves I had on. Other than a rashed up bike and gear, I came out with a couple bruises from rolling and tumbling a bit. I was very fortunate that I didn't dislocate or break anything.
Today, I wear a Teknic jacket (armored, with back protection of course), TiMax pants, KBC helmet (Snell and DOT, but light), touring boots and either my Joe Rocket or my Cortech Scarab RR gloves on the street. Sometimes I wear my Power Ranger gear on the street (AGV Sport 2 pc leathers). I'm currently shopping around for better boots.
When I ride, I feel much more comfortable wearing a cow over my carcass. Leather slides nicely if it needs to.
It's not a matter of if, but when :wave:
the_MAC
12-10-2006, 01:13 PM
i said SOME of the worst injuries...i know other people who have had some pretty nasty get-offs, too. luckily i've learned from my mistakes and wear better gear now. none of us were lucky enough to get a helicopter ride out of it like shane did, though...
SUM650
12-11-2006, 10:11 AM
Very well put Surfdancer. It was good meeting you yesterday. It was good that you had the tools and screws to help out the guy on the gixxer.
Kat_Mac
12-11-2006, 10:35 AM
What about you, Brian? You've seem to become an expert lately with crashing. Any gear you'd recommend, squishy bear?
Kat_Mac
12-11-2006, 11:54 AM
Anyone have any suggestions for a chatterbox? I wanna buy my sister one for Christmas.
A chatter box?? What the one you got on your head is not enough :shrug: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Just playin Kat...please don't beat me........ :crap:
, squishy bear?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
OriginalOne
12-11-2006, 09:22 PM
Randy don't you have a chatterbox?
yea i bought one off ebay...the ebay ones suck there remanufactured ones. the good news you can here cops bad news thats all you here. cant talk to anyone cant hear anyone. but when your coming up on cops i can hear them key'ing there mikes.
Buy from cycle gear there new and work. me and heidi are getting 2 next week.
SUM650
12-12-2006, 10:55 AM
yea i bought one off ebay...the ebay ones suck there remanufactured ones.
Thanks for putting that out there, because I was thinking about buying the remanufactured one off ebay myself.
the_MAC
12-12-2006, 11:12 AM
you might want to check with lorenz, barry. if you remamber he used to have one when we both had our zx-6r's, but he'll probably be willing to part with it cheap since he doesn't ride anymore.
killerB
12-12-2006, 09:20 PM
What about you, Brian? You've seem to become an expert lately with crashing. Any gear you'd recommend, squishy bear?
i hate you :ninja:
but the joe rocket suit seems to hold up pretty well. and the spidi boots are worth my weight in gold.
i still hate you :club:
killerB
12-12-2006, 09:23 PM
i have a chatterbox. i never use it because no one else has one. it works good with an i pod. i think if you use ear plugs it pelps you hear the speakers better . they cut down on the road noise.
well here's a chatterbox count. Eric jessie myself and now heidi. so thats 4 people
Surfdancer
12-13-2006, 05:49 PM
So, back on topic...
I just received a package from a member of the ZRXOA - new leathers :wtg:
1 pc Teknic Chicane (perforated). They seem a bit snug on me though. Tight in the crotch when I stand up (a little more pressure on the daddy parts than I am used to), but are fine when I'm sitting on my ZRX. They should definitely protect better than my baggy AGV Sport 2-pc if I have an unplanned departure from my bike :eek:
They are solid black = a nice change from the blue / black and grey AGV's that gave me the Power Ranger look :doh:
the_MAC
12-14-2006, 04:33 AM
my old leathers are teknic chicane's and i have the same problem when i stand up. mine also seemed to fit better when i was on the bike, even with a back protector. the agvsport phantom leathers that i use now don't have that problem, but they fit a little baggy in the torso and arms.
Surfdancer
12-21-2006, 09:14 PM
Upon further reflection (and over 17,000 miles in airplanes during the last week pondering all sorts of stuff while trying to get a nap in), I decided the best gear is the gear you are willing to wear. Something always beats nothing.
For those who prefer not to wear any gear, check this out:
http://www.speedfreakinc.com/content/articles/riding/roadrashqueen.html
The girl on that post should just about sum it up for anyone ....http://www.cornerjunkies.com/forum/bbcode_box/images/phpcode.gif
PHP
Always shop around for your gear and don't buy into the latest release ....
Talk to those who know and if you can afford it or you are looking to hit the racetrack I always suggest custom suits.... A lot of your alpinestars, icon, teknic and other gear is production based and does not actually run through any type of quality control at all.... Some women in china has just run your suit across her machine and could care less about it's quality, she has a quota to make......
Inspect the last set of gloves you purchased and have a careful look at the seam in the outside of the palm...
This portion of a glove should have two layers at a minimum as if you look at how the glove is manufactured you will see the stitch is nothing more that a prefferation just like notebook paper.... The stitch is too close together and you will note after an accident this stitch will blow apart, rendering the outside portion of the glove useless.... If you don't have two layers than you will most likely have your hand exposed to the road.... I have seen it many times from just about every glove manufacturer out there... A good glove will also have a quality strap to tighten the glove around the wrist... This is to retain the glove on the hand when you make impact and slide down the road.... Many people I see where short style motocross gloves.... Leather or synthetic material
makes no difference as if the glove is not fastened to the wrist you open the door to it being pulled off your hand....
I have injured my hands in some way from every manufacturer I have used.... Kushitani, Held, Alpinestars, Teknic, and others .... I wear held gloves for the abrasion quality and feel from the Kangaroo skin.... Joe Rocket probably has the best abrasion resistance of any brand, just not my preference, I don't get a good feel from them.... They add to my fatigue at races end...
Until recently many of the race boots were nothing more than mid calf bedroom slippers.... There are now many great boots available....
I used to wear the Frey Daytona Boots with the inserts to protect my ankle... I had broken the talus bone backwards..... (Imagine someone grabbing your foot and pulling your toes straight down making the toes parallel to your tib/fib... )The frey and the new alpinestars do a lot to prevent that.... Then Frey however did leave my toes exposed to flying objects on the track which is very painfull...(broken metatarsals) The alpinestar boot also does a lot to save your heal in the event of a highside..... Your heal is about 12 feet in the air before it smacks down on the asphalt because you have been thrown into a summersault.... I had a bad habit of holding on to the handlebars too long after a highside trying to tame the bike and as I would usually lose, my heels would paid the price...
Not enough can be said about good boots and gloves
The payoff is excellent when compared to the trip to the hospital ....
(You also get to pay someone to practice on you, without actually making repairs./ don't be a sucker)
Be safe ..... Ask around.....Buy function before fashion....
Check out the new line of denim replica riding pants by Kushitani ....
These look nice!!!!!
http://www.kushitani.co.jp/kushitani-web/products/k1593.html
Leather pants with ventilation to wear and look like jeans .....
:wtg: =D> :chin:
http://www.kushitani.co.jp/kushitani-web/products/ex413mn.html
Clicked on the link, but I can't read Japanese very well. Do you know if the Kushitani's have a lining in them or not?
Thanks for putting that out there, because I was thinking about buying the remanufactured one off ebay myself.
I had bought a couple of eBay chatterboxes and they worked pretty good. Could have used a little more volume. The VOX sensitivity sucked because of wind noise, you'd have to yell to transmit or listen to wind the whole time. Then...the final days of my less than a month old pair...when we got caught in a huge downpour in Gatlinburg. Pretty much ended them both that day.
:crying:
JMAN,
The Kushitani pants do not have a liner in them.....
They are lined for comfort, like their jackets are but not to be confused with all weather liners.....
Just pop your Rain Pants over them ......
These thing's really look nice .....
Those look nice, especially the leather ones. In the grand scheme of things, their ~$360 asking price isn't too bad either.
With something like this, though, I'd still rather spend my money on some Aerostich pants instead: water repellent, armored, crash tested by countless long distance riders, take seconds to put on or take off, and go right over more work-acceptable pants than Kushi's fully-prefed lederhosen.
No,
Probably not the most functional piece of equipment in the riding arsenal but most definitely unique.......
Have yet to see any other manufacture offer anything close to these pants when searching for fashionable alternatives ......
A mere luxury for the budgeted rider, but damn nice none the less......
They look great !!!!!!!
When you pull up to the restaurant you don't have to look like Buck Rogers or search for your saddle bags to store the throw over pants .......
Not for all, but I am in on these .......
SIDI boots. can beat em ask porto. 100yrds on his right leg and all he was missing was a toe slider....oh yea the bike was on that leg too.
KTM is taking things one step farther for their riders.......
Check out the new neck brace .......
Maybe something we see a little more development on in the future .......
Check it out ......
Interesting, although I can see potential problems. Hopefully they'll have broken plenty of test dummies' necks to get the design right, so that no real riders wind up "beta testers."
Where's the latest finds ....?
the_MAC
06-24-2007, 10:04 PM
Interesting, although I can see potential problems. Hopefully they'll have broken plenty of test dummies' necks to get the design right, so that no real riders wind up "beta testers."
not so sure it would be a good idea for me to volunteer for that one... :wall:
Hey lets put seat belts on the bikes next :shrug: yea thats about as stupied as that neck brace...but thats just my view :duh:
the_MAC
06-26-2007, 07:19 PM
Hey lets put seat belts on the bikes next
well, gold wings have air bags on them now, so i guess thats pretty close...
Sweetruss
07-12-2007, 04:43 PM
...none of us were lucky enough to get a helicopter ride out of it like shane did, though...
Unfortunately, I was lucky enough to get the helicopter ride via MUSC, I think Barry might have been there but I'm not sure.
one lung, six teeth, every rib broken, every fiscal bone broken, couple of chipped vertebrae, mouth wired shut and a 16 hour surgery and a face full of steel plates and screws puts me back on a 2002 blackbird about 5 years later. All of this is thankful to a hunting dog that wanted to cross the street straight threw my front tire when I was playing catch-up at about 160mph. My aria helmet cracked in half they tell me but I never saw it. Luckily for me it was the guys I was riding with and my gear that saved me. That's when I was told the devil never takes those early he's assured of. WTF! :eek:
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