How to decide what kind of protective gear to wear while riding

[Gryphon Rider]

At the time of day and weather conditions you intend to ride in, ask a buddy with a 4 x 4 pickup to give you a ride to your favourite riding road.  Put on your riding gear and lie down on the open tailgate of his truck, then ask him to accelerate up to your typical riding speed.  Whenever it feels right, gently roll off the edge of the tailgate and enjoy the ride!  Once you've come to a rest, pretend you're unconcious or immobile (I know that given how tough you are, this is highly unlikely, but play along with me), consider the amount of daylight, weather conditions, etc., then decide if what you are wearing will help or hinder the chances other drivers will notice you in time to avoid running over you.  After getting off to the side of the road (safety first, you know) decide what changes, if any, you want to make to your protective equipment.  Perhaps you'll want to switch your "Laughlin River Run" t-shirt for a fluorescent orange denim "Can you see me now, ___hole?" button-up shirt.

Are you tough enough to wear a do-rag instead of a helmet?  Imagine you've just said the wrong thing at the wrong time to your girlfriend, and she takes a terrific swing at you with a very sharp machete.  Your head cleanly separates from your neck, and it falls to the ground unimpeded.  The speed at which it hits the ground is about 12 MPH.  Now stop imagining, and let's get back to reality.  Go the the parking lot of your local gun shop to find a jacked-up 4 x 4 with its bumper at about the same height as your face.  Find a place behind the truck which will give you enough distance to run and accelerate up to 12 MPH, then put on your motorcycling headgear.  I figure 12 MPH is achievable because I think I can run at least half the speed of the fastest runner ever, Usain Bolt, who has done 27.79 MPH according to Wikipedia.  Now take a good run at that bumper and let your head bounce off it.  You get to choose which part of your head to strike it with, although only the most athletic will be able to achieve a top-of-head strike.  Please let me know if the black leather do-rag with the red flame inserts does better than the skull-patterned cotton one does.

If we all report our results in this thread, carefully reporting speeds, meteorological conditions, material and manufacturer of do-rags, etc., we should be able to come up with a scientific study that ABATE can use to support the repeal of helmet laws in the states that still have them.

P.S. I think I got the "roll off the tailgate" idea from David L. Hough's Proficient Motorcycling: The Ultimate Guide to Riding Well.

[fudgie]

That would be good if I was planning on crashing. But I aint. 

[RoadKill]

I used my Valk to gain the speed and 12mph is for sissies,try 65 !  It was about 55 degrees at 9pm in early February,so I was wearing jeans,t-shirt and a 'traditional' leather jacket.  I used a Buick bumper to slam my head off of and managed to get ALL of the cranium involved at that speed. I know it was not the 4X4 you requested to be used but I believe it's close enough. If you want a re-do with a 4x4 I suggest you use your own Valk and try it 1st with a helmet and then with out...I'm STILL not wearing mine so I will let you borrow it, you can stuff it up yer ass for the trip and you will be double protected !    I had my Ariat boots on and they must have saved my life...better get yourself a pair !  They should be mandated by LAW

[Valker]

That would be good if I was planning on crashing. But I aint. 

Good thought process. I think I'll drop the fire insurance on my house since I'm not planning on my house burning. As a matter of reference, not a single house on my block has burned down in the 30 years this block has had houses on it...
AND, no one I personally know has had their house burn down, so I should be fine: after all, I'm just betting the $250,000 my house is worth. It's not like I'm betting my life or anything.

[Oss]

lol

at all of it

[Gary]

That would be good if I was planning on crashing. But I aint.  

Message understood GR.  

I've always felt, in most cases, that if I'm going to be involved in a motorcycle accident that the risk of loss or injury would be greatly reduced, but not necessarily eliminated or guaranteed, if sporting safety gear.

Personally I'm not at all comfortable wearing a full suit of armor while doing my touring, it completely takes away from the riding experience.

As far as that house fire insurance... based on this discussion its not the insurance you need, it a protective fire bubble surrounding your house.  

Forgot to mention, I have never felt that cruising without safety gear was going to make me out to be a bad ass or cool ass for that matter, its all about the riding experience.

[Gryphon Rider]

I'm STILL not wearing [my helmet] so I will let you borrow it, you can stuff it up yer ass for the trip and you will be double protected !

I don't have much experience putting things there, but if your think it's possible, your helmet must be pretty small!

[BigAl]

I have never understood why people dress for a crash.

Kinda takes the fun out of a trip, thinking about crashing.

But it is part of our past time, and I do try at all times to at least wear a DOT LID, boots and gloves.

Not always do I wear my jacket, both armored somewhat, but I wear it when I can.

But I always enjoy a ride no matter what.

That is the important thing.

We will cry about the carnage later.

Not before.

AL

[The Anvil]

Kinda takes the fun out of a trip, thinking about crashing.

I don't really see that preparing for what is an inevitability (if you do it long enough you WILL eventually crash) is "thinking about crashing". If most of us really thought about crashing long and hard and often enough we probably wouldn't choose to take part in the activity. Would you go into combat without body armor (assuming it were available) or without the best weapon you can acquire? I wouldn't. That's the way some people look at crashing; potential contact with the enemy.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not an ATGATT myself, but I don't necessarily think that people who focus harder on that part of it are having a lesser experience than I am.

[RoadKill]

That is why I never leave the house any more...might get hit by a bus or bit by a dog. Have you heard about all that damage that the sun does to your skin ? I am sick and tired of all my tax dollars going to treat skin cancer paitents that aint smart enuff ta stay indoors !  

That is money that the lazy people that dont want to work could use to pay for cable T.V. and meth lab ingredients 

[sandy]

If you have one person love you, you owe it to them to take the best care of yourself that you can. Eat healthy, exercise a bit and wear safety gear when doing something dangerous. Would you operate a metal grinder without eye protection? Wearing safety clothing has never taken away my pleasure of riding a motorcycle. After 46 years of riding, I've never been down or been hit. BUT: Last week I was blown off the road by a gust of wind that I couldn't fight. I had to dump the wing on it's left side which caused no damage to me or the bike. Basically I got lucky. My helmet didn't hit the ground. You just have no control of all situations.

[RoadKill]

More wheels is the ONLY proper safety equipment. that is why I drive an Eco Friendly ,solar powered,18 wheel tractor trailer semi out to the end of driveway to check the mail. It has 42 airbags and the windshield is made of jello just incase I hit my head on it   

[The Anvil]

the windshield is made of jello just incase I hit my head on it   

Jell-O meeting Jell-O?  

[Gary]

I'm STILL not wearing [my helmet] so I will let you borrow it, you can stuff it up yer ass for the trip and you will be double protected !

I don't have much experience putting things there, but if your think it's possible, your helmet must be pretty small!

Talk about an uncomfortable ride... I'm curious, what do you think the best seat combo will be for that set up; Corbin definitely out, Russell Day Long or Ultimate? Please keep us posted.

Now THAT would be one Bad Ass 

[DarkMeister]

Nobody 'expects' to crash. Like some posted, though, preparing for any eventuality on each and every ride, takes something away.

ATTGAT doesn't always help, either. Reminds me of a few summers ago, when I almost cut my foot off with the chainsaw. Wasn't planning to do that. I had all the right bush gear: t-shirt, shorts, thong sandals and a cigarette dangling from my lips. Yet, still, somehow, the saw bounced and rev'd across my foot. Lots of blood but no lasting damage.

[scoot]

Nobody 'expects' to crash. Like some posted, though, preparing for any eventuality on each and every ride, takes something away.

ATTGAT doesn't always help, either. Reminds me of a few summers ago, when I almost cut my foot off with the chainsaw. Wasn't planning to do that. I had all the right bush gear: t-shirt, shorts, thong sandals and a cigarette dangling from my lips. Yet, still, somehow, the saw bounced and rev'd across my foot. Lots of blood but no lasting damage.

Thong and sandals........That must have been a site

[Oss]

Always wear my boots and long pants (usually the draggin jeans- they saved my butt once and the one day I actually wore the knee armor back in 2003 was the day I ended up needing it)

The jacket is on when I start a ride but if its freakin hot it will come off and just the evaporative vest stays on.  I have a friend who wears just a leather vest when he rides.  Its what works for you as only you can live your life

Others may mourn you, or not and wearing a helmet wont protect me if I get squished by a truck on day on the cross bronx, well maybe but I really doubt it  yet still I wear one whether half or full face

Govmt aint my daddy  but I am a daddy and I have an obligation to take care of my family

Unless you think I can cancel the life ins with the fire ins

[designer]

Hahaha... After reading the thread above, GR it looks like you might want to keep your MC Instructor instruction to those that pay for it or ask for it.  Unless you really like that helmet that was offered... Interesting way to test, I just go with what I like.

[fudgie]

That is money that the lazy people that dont want to work could use to pay for cable T.V. and meth lab ingredients 

They can save even more when they do the one pot methods of cooking. They can be penny wise when they want. 

[YoungPUP]

Just curious, whats ATTGAT stand for? I'm a helmet ( half shell or full face depending on the weather) , and leather or armour jacket rider depending again on the weather, temp, I wasn' t much of a safety gear guy when i started, but after having the fortunate misfortune of responding to a mc vs tractortrailer accident, where the LUCKIEST rider in the world put his bike down safely to avoid an accident was snagged by a passing truck and dragged some several hundred feet before the driver saw him and stopped. The ER docs told him and us that his leather, dot helmet and kevlar jeans ( not dragging jeans, but Gator skin?) Saved his life. I've failed every math class I've ever taken, but 55mph + skin= bad juju

[Oss]

all the gear all the time

[dubsider]

all the gear all the time

I have the best intentions..  always helmet and boots.. and a Jacket >however when it is in the high 90s and you are quickly swimming in your own juices..  I go with a vest.  I wear my Rangers (Olympia) in the winter and fall.

[Hoser]

I wear my helmet, but being honest, it's just as much to keep my earbuds in as it is for safety.  I can't ride safely without my music!
SKYNYRD!!!!!  Hoser 

[hubcapsc]

boots on and they must have saved my life...better get yourself a pair !  They should be mandated by LAW



-Mike

[ValhallaIamComing]

Most of the gear all of the time!  I just can't wear my chaps in the summer!  But I have a Tourmaster Flex3 jacket with both an inner insulated liner and an outer waterproof shell.  With both removed it is just a mesh jacket with armor and it is comfortable enough for hot weather riding.  I am not comfortable on a bike without a jacket and I can't stand the feel of my ISO grips without riding gloves on.  Guess it is good to get conditioned to riding with the gear rather than getting used to nothing but a t-shirt and then not being able to stand the gear when you smarten up!

And although they are sweet to look at, I feel sorry for all of the pillion gals zipping around in their Daisy Dukes and shoulderless half-tees... they won't look so hot after six months of skin grafts!

[rocketray]

my wife got her handlebar clipped by a truck mirror as he came  well over the centerline on the highway-it caused to highside pretty quickly at 50 mph and all her gear got used up-the 1/2 helmet saved her life as she hit her right temple,the $400 leather jacket got the right wrist zippper nearly torn out and multiple abraided areas and undoubtedly helping her to only a small liver laceration and limiting her to 1 rib fracture,the heavy gaunlet gloves had the palm ripped out on one hand and plenty of abrasions on the armored knuckles, the double layer aramid fiber jeans kept her bruised skin on and the scuffed motorcycle boots prevented any foot injuries   it took place in the blink of an eye     it only takes a minute or two to put on      buy lots of gear for all the seasons    the BMW guys are always outfitted well   the harley people are the worst dressed   

[Walküre]

I agree - everyone should wear whatever they want - helps to weed them out.

When I was in the hospital from an auto wreck, saw a young kid who stole a bike, and hit a concrete abutment. His skull was so badly crushed, that it would "sag" to whichever side they rolled him, several times a day. Took a while to do it, but the up-side would be somewhat flat, when they rolled him, and slowly even out. But, he just wouldn't die. Or anything else. That was 35 years ago, and I don't think I've ridden further than the 1/2 mile to the gas station, without a helmet, since. I've seen people live without arms and legs, but never anyone without a head. Well, cockroaches can...

Don't always wear the leather jacket, but do always wear leather shoes, and jeans. I DO wish the comfortable protective gear, wasn't so expensive.

Still, personal choice.

[oxfordhog]

I'm STILL not wearing [my helmet] so I will let you borrow it, you can stuff it up yer ass for the trip and you will be double protected !

I don't have much experience putting things there, but if your think it's possible, your helmet must be pretty small!

 

[Jabba]

I wear a helmet and gloves.  Almost always.  It's a VERY rare and SHORT ride that I don't have them.

I ride about 3 miles home from the gym in shorts and tennis shoes after a training session.  Just too hot to gear up.  (That will be later today).

I almost always have long pants and boots. 

I wear my Joe ROcket jacket when I can.  Something that makes me mad... is why does everything have to be BLACK?  I'd like a nice shiny, chrome mesh jacket to reflect as much sun as possible.  Plus the armor takes up so much saddle bag space...    blah blah blah.

Be safe folks.

  Jabba

[MP]

Just curious, whats ATTGAT stand for? I'm a helmet ( half shell or full face depending on the weather) , and leather or armour jacket rider depending again on the weather, temp, I wasn' t much of a safety gear guy when i started, but after having the fortunate misfortune of responding to a mc vs tractortrailer accident, where the LUCKIEST rider in the world put his bike down safely to avoid an accident was snagged by a passing truck and dragged some several hundred feet before the driver saw him and stopped. The ER docs told him and us that his leather, dot helmet and kevlar jeans ( not dragging jeans, but Gator skin?) Saved his life. I've failed every math class I've ever taken, but 55mph + skin= bad juju

It is actually ATGATT, All The Gear, All The Time.

MP

[Jess Tolbirt]

That would be good if I was planning on crashing. But I aint. 

Good thought process. I think I'll drop the fire insurance on my house since I'm not planning on my house burning. As a matter of reference, not a single house on my block has burned down in the 30 years this block has had houses on it...
AND, no one I personally know has had their house burn down, so I should be fine: after all, I'm just betting the $250,000 my house is worth. It's not like I'm betting my life or anything.

insurance has NOTHING to do with the amount of damage,,
same as insurance on the bike,,,
house has insurance, bike has insurance,,,
if the house is about to catch on fire you cant do anything about that,,,on the bike if you are about to crash you have at least got a chance to avoid it or minimize it..
I will wear what i want to wear, and i will insure as much as i want to insure,,,by the way,,,
250,000 home? i am thinking sell it and retire and ride!!!

[czuch]

Gloves and a full face all the time. Dont wanna scare the kiddies. The helmet provides shade.
 I've heard folks say its too hot to wear a bucket. At first maybe but when ya get a little sweat goin the wind cools you off real good. I also owe my mostly non-drooling state to a 1985 ish Bell Tour Star.
I dont care what you ride, or what you wear while doin it. How you insure your stuff or who you wake up with.  I ride with a guy who says gloves and a helmet impair his fun-o-riding. i pod at 11 and shorts with a wife beater, 250 miles, lost his shades at 60 miles. Sun burn, wind burn, wont learn.

[RoadKill]

[BF]

I've heard folks say its too hot to wear a bucket. At first maybe but when ya get a little sweat goin the wind cools you off real good.

That may work in a low humidity environment like AZ, but sweat don't evaporate in Florida in 85-90% humidity. 

There is only one instance that I'll ride without any safety gear on.......and that's when I'm riding to/from the the walking/joggin track.....and that's only a half mile away. 

Otherwise.....I won't ride unless I'm at least wearing jeans, gloves and half helmet and eye protection (usually wrap-around shades or safety glasses). 

Maybe I should wear 'em more, but I wear jackets to protect me from the weather....not the road.
 

[mario]

LOL! the pics are funny!  yep,  i guess i am an atgatt.  i just picked up some kevlar underwear/longjohn type to go under my armor, under my jeans.  i wear fullface, gloves, armored jacket or shirt depending on heat, and boots or mc racing shoes.
i've always ridden with such but this article and testimony sealed the deal for me.  and i am a firm believer of 'when your numbers up, it's up'.  but i want it to be up, and not be physically wounded in the worst mc accident way and still be breathing.

http://www.rockthegear.org/index.php?/testimonials/view/brittany_morrow_the_roadrash_queen/

[rocketray]

google"motorcyclist magazine helmet test" and read it all the way thru for a very scientific and realistic  analysis

[Walküre]

Another interesting read:

Hurt Report Summary

All I know, is that I like being as safe as I can be, under any given circumstances. A year and 1/2 ago, Christmas Day, in fact, I was in an accident, in my Jeep Liberty. 60 mph, two lane road, a car ran the stop sign, from a side street, at 50 mph. I T-Boned him, precisely on the driver's door. He was driving a little Honda car, with his wife, two young children, and an infant in a new-born car seat!. In 1960, in an accident like this, there would have been deaths. Perhaps MANY deaths! No car seat, to speak of, probably no seat belts, metal dashes, dash right in front of the passenger, no crumple zones, no air bags, especially no side curtain air bags. Imagine putting 5 raw eggs, in a big jar, and shaking it as hard as you can for 10 seconds or so. Any survivors?

As it was, I had a bruised left knee. I didn't even get skin rash from the driver's air bag going off. Walked away, and immediately called the wife. All 3 kids in the other car, were untouched, even the new-born. The wife walked away, but the driver had his bell rung. Two ambulances were called, and the kids and mom rode sitting up. The driver rode on a gurney, and didn't know his name, or that it was Christmas. He basically took ALL the impact of his car and my Jeep, but was alive. I don't think he ended up with any broken bones, or other injuries, just very rattled.

The bruise on the knee, never went away. That bought my Valkyrie. I can't say I'm not happy that safety gear is in place, and our hated government is the reason that they are as safe as they are. I don't complain for a moment, when going through a state that has mandatory helmet laws. I wouldn't mind seeing all states have them. I'm not an advocate FOR them, but neither am I and advocate against them. I ride with one, 99% of the time, and always when going anywhere, other than a few blocks away. Do I think they save lives? I don't think there's really any question that they do. But, I do believe in safety gear. I can't help but shudder, every time I see a nice looking couple, riding helmet-less, on the highway. All I can think about is what they'll look like, when that Honda runs the stop sign.

Scrambled eggs, anyone??

Your mileage may vary.

R

[fordmano]

Ride your own ride I ain't your momma!

I have a friend from High school that has been in way to many crashes to even try and count or explain them all. Motorcycle, Auto and most any other wheel transportation. He has some of the worst luck but he has survived all of them. I was the one that collected his helmet and cloths from the ambulance guys after a 25-30mph crash when a car made an illegal “U” turn in front of him across 2 sets of double yellows.  Anyway he slid over the hood and onto his face, luckily for him he had a full face helmet on. He also was wearing a leather jacket fingerless gloves and levis low cut sneakers. He managed to destroy his right femur and tore all but about 1.5” of his left (full circumference) arm and both bones broken, took meat off most of his fingers and cracked a couple ribs. 1 month in ICU, 1 additional month in hospital and managed to walk after about another month at home. Since that day after seeing the carnage on inside and outside of his helmet I will never wear anything less than full face helmet ( that's what I had  always said) until now I recently picked up a modular helmet for my Vegas ride coming up in August. In ALL temps so far I wear full armor jacket or leather, leather gloves, full face helmet, steel toe leather boots, long pants (levis) and leather chaps.


This is just how I ride, you ride in whatever you want too, and I promise if I am there I will not preach at ya and I will help hold you together till professional medical help gets there. Just don’t tease me for wearing what I wear and can you get me a glass of water if I am passing out from dehydration please?
 

[Walküre]

LOL! the pics are funny!  yep,  i guess i am an atgatt.  i just picked up some kevlar underwear/longjohn type to go under my armor, under my jeans.  i wear fullface, gloves, armored jacket or shirt depending on heat, and boots or mc racing shoes.
i've always ridden with such but this article and testimony sealed the deal for me.  and i am a firm believer of 'when your numbers up, it's up'.  but i want it to be up, and not be physically wounded in the worst mc accident way and still be breathing.

http://www.rockthegear.org/index.php?/testimonials/view/brittany_morrow_the_roadrash_queen/

Mario - This sounds weird, but the guy with the Gixxer in the article, Shaun? He is the son of Matt Crum, one of the guys I work with!! I never knew it, but we were talking about me leaving work this morning, hotter'n'ell, and putting on my leather jacket and gloves. He proceeded to tell me about the girl his son was dating,the accident, and what happened, and I pointed him to your link. He said yeah, that's Brittany! I didn't read all the article, and didn't see it mentioned, but he said she is basically touring the country, telling her story, and advocating for always wearing safety gear. He implied that his son had a pretty hard time with it all. But, he's still running hard, and fast.

such a small world, after all!!

Roger

[mario]

hey roger,

i was only turned onto this article a few weeks ago on a sabre forum 'cause we were discussing gear as well.  one of the guys posted her story.  i wondered about the young man who was driving the bike.  i was hoping he was able to learn and move on with his life.  i've done some pretty stupid things, especially in my youth, that could've landed me anywhere but in a safe place, so i'm not judging him.
it's so good how she's using what has happened to her as a platform for safety gear and not letting the 'accident' ruin her life.