JoshDunn
Expert Class
Posts: 373
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posted April 11, 2004 05:17 PM
Time to talk about riding gear.
I just thought now would be a good time to talk about riding gear especially here in the Northwest, It seems like as soon as the sun comes out everyone freeks out, takes off most of there clothes and in a stupid "I haven't seen the sun since last year" fit goes riding. 70% of the bikes I saw on the way to work were being riden by shortsleeve wearing dumbasses flying along at 80MPH.
  
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JoshDunn
Expert Class
Posts: 373
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posted April 11, 2004 05:18 PM
Man this post makes me look old, NOT OLD JUST SMART
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zzzzzxxxxxr12
Expert Class
Posts: 214
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posted April 11, 2004 05:45 PM
I have to agree, I was wondering if using the mesh clothing is protective in your opinions, or is leather the only way to go.?
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Y2KZX12R
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CompetitionCNC.com
Posts: 3762
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posted April 11, 2004 06:12 PM
I guess i'm old fashond, I like leather.
Has anyone ever seen a real un biased test on the new materials vs leather?
I currently use a vanson 1 piece, kobe gloves, Sidi vertabra boots, and a Shoe RF-800 helmet, everything all black.
Most of the time i'm riding like nobody really should on the street. The rest of the time i'm still well above posted limits. So, good gear gives me a false sence of security and eases my mind so i can concentrate on the task at hand, which is to have fun. Right ? !!!
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Y2KZX12R
CompetitionCNC.com
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 11, 2004 07:28 PM
y2k, there was an article doen by one of the major bike mags (motorcyclist maybe?) comparing the different materials, but it was many years ago & i cant find the reference to the article that i once had. you could contact the people at http://www.motoport.com as they are who i heard abotu the article from. honestly tho, it was so long ago i dotn know if the article holds much relevance anymore. my limited experience says kevlar approaches the protection of leather but i think a good quality leather suit will still beat a good quality kevlar suit (far as i know, motoport's GP suit is the onyl quality kevlar suit produced). i'd be pretty interested to read an empirical comparison between different grades/types of leather too. i'm sure there must be a HUGE variance there.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 11, 2004 07:29 PM
oh, and zzxxr12, if u'r talking about those mesh armour jackets (i mean loose mesh, not a proper textile jacket), avoid the polyester ones. seems alot of them are made from polyester, which is pretty much useless if u crash (plus it melts easily).
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zzzzzxxxxxr12
Expert Class
Posts: 214
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posted April 12, 2004 04:59 PM
Well i can tell you this, like a squid on 7-5-02 i went down on the 405 frwy at an est 106 mph in only levis and a tee shirt, no gloves. Levis are tough, but not tough enough and i have the scars to prove it. I wont ride without a jacket and gloves now. I was wondering about the balistic mesh suits? But hell i guess i should get me a full leather suit.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 12, 2004 06:29 PM
ballistic nylon mesh suit ought to be good for city riding, but i wouldnt wanna go above 55mph. i would suspect it would prolyl be completely destroyed by a crash at that speed. but clow city riding is where heat is the biggest issue, so i guess it's a good match.
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Hells Dark Lord
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living life, and loving it.
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posted April 13, 2004 01:46 AM
you ever see a proffesional racer wear nylon????? me either......there is a reason for that....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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koz
Expert Class
Posts: 304
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posted April 13, 2004 03:56 AM
There is nothing that works as good as leather, but there are some advantages to material suits. They are cheaper, cooler in summer, warmer in the cold, breath better, lighter, most are waterproof, more functional (more compartments), etc. The down side is, they tend to get more damaged when they hit the pavement. I have both, and I wear the material jacket more. I do wear the leather pants more then the material ones, they seam to reflect the engine heat better then material.
I find the First Gear line of riding gear top quality, either leather or material. I have had the First Gear 2 piece Stealth leather suit for 15 years and it is still in great shape, even after touching down twice. I also have the First gear ballistic nylon Sirocco suit (similar to the Kilimanjaro), which I wear most of the time. It is more functional and versatile then the leather.
I also have a pair of 15 year old pair of Corbin boots, that are in great shape.
The most important thing I can recommend about protective gear is DO NOT BE CHEAP when purchasing. Spend as much as you can afford, it can be the difference between just brushing off your pride and getting on your way or, taking a visit to the hospital.
http://www.intersportfashions.com/prod_htj_kilimanjaro.htm
Koz
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Hells Dark Lord
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posted April 13, 2004 04:09 AM
dam Koz....15 year old boots???? dude buy a new pair...they may look to be in good shape, but the tread has got to be deteriorating...I would hate to fall and have my boots come apart.....when I fell on Roebling Road back in Jan, the slide too the soles of my brand new Joe Rocket Speedmaster boots and pulled them form the boot its self...cant imagine what would have happened on a pair of boots 15 years old.....yikes....
I have a mesh jacket that I wear on occasion, but if I am gonna ride twisties , or even think I might, I will put my suit on......
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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Ninjaman12R
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as a Deal's Gap tour guide.
Posts: 4767
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posted April 13, 2004 06:29 AM
Good thread....
I have both leather & textile gear and Like Koz says they both have their advantages and disadvantages. In hot weather those textile jackets are HARD to beat. They are lighter and have more ventilation, which is nice when you're sitting in traffic and it's 95* out. I also think that the level of protection given by the ballistic nylons,etc., are better than what most people think. I've read a ton of great things about Aerostich stuff, and other similar products.
I have 2 Joe Rocket jackets, an older Meteor, and a new Meteor 4. ( I think) The older jacket is almost 4 years old and has held up great and has some really nice features for something that cost around $180. A thinsulate liner,body armor, multiple pockets, and gobs of air vents make it very user friendly, the newer jacket is even nicer.
With all that said, when I know I'm gonna be really wicking it up I reach for the leathers. They are tried and true.
I think the main thing is wear some form of protection. I see the squids cruisin' the strip in town wearing shorts and tank tops trying to look cool and I just cringe. I sometimes wonder how people can be so stupid. Hell, I still have these fucking dumbasses ask me "It's not cold out, why are you wearing that jacket"? Why is it the jacket, never the leather pants or the boots, which kinda look like Gene Simmons may have designed them. 
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What we're dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law.
Sheriff Buford T. Justice of TEXAS
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Hells Dark Lord
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posted April 13, 2004 07:13 AM
those guys that ask you that Rick, are the guys that ARE going to fall down, and are the guys that that give us a bad name as sportbike riders.....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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koz
Expert Class
Posts: 304
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posted April 13, 2004 07:58 AM
The Corbin boots were made more like work boots, then like motorcycle boots, and have held up really good. The inner soles and the top of the left boot have some wear, but they still have a couple years left in them. The point I was trying to make is that, if you buy the good stuff, it will give you a better service life.
Koz
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 13, 2004 08:25 AM
HDL, true about racers using nylow, but i believe it's not an option anyway. nylon is not allowed at any tracks (i believe). on the other hand, kevlar suits are approved and there are a few racers using the cycleport GP suit. one disadvantage of the kevlar suit tho, whereas plenty of peeps go down in a leather suit and jsut keep using it, cosmetically the kevlar suit needs repair. mine held together fine, but the very outer layer (some lycra weave) which gives it the texture and colour, scrapped away REAL fast, esposing the kevlar layer (which took little damage). but yeah, in hot weather it's awesome.
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REDX
Novice Class
Posts: 56
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posted April 13, 2004 09:05 AM
spent 3 1/2 years in Hawaii, the mesh ballistic is good for the city or where you only have to go a few miles on the highway but here in the mainland where the speeds a far greater and we have a hell of a lot more cars and longer roads I wear leathers. saw people go down in both mesh works good for less than 45-50 mph otherwise go with leather.
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beansbaxter
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posted April 13, 2004 09:44 AM
Anyone heard of or know or have any experience with...
Supposedly some companies say if you wreck or go down in their gear, they will replace them for free, or at cost, practically next to nothing?
Is this true or false?
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zzzzzxxxxxr12
Expert Class
Posts: 214
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posted April 13, 2004 11:00 AM
NO but i sure would like to see that warranty. Just hope i never have to use it.
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Hells Dark Lord
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posted April 13, 2004 11:54 AM
I never heard that BB...but I would say its BULLSHIT......
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted April 13, 2004 01:22 PM
your bike insurance may cover yoru gear tho. all depensd on teh exact package you buy.
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Hells Dark Lord
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posted April 13, 2004 02:25 PM
good point freek....I know my insurance wont cover anything but the bike....I am looking for new insurance as I type this.....
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When in doubt, lean farther and go faster....
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted April 13, 2004 03:08 PM
check out Bates leathers! I have seen a few riders go down in a big way. karen stouffer went down at 185 and walked away with bruses and a broken finger!
batesleathers.com
Tell them Mad Mike sent you!!
the girls are really cool!
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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necro
Needs a job
My Grandma Is A Virgin
Posts: 2148
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posted April 13, 2004 05:09 PM
quote:
I just thought now would be a good time to talk about riding gear especially here in the Northwest, It seems like as soon as the sun comes out everyone freeks out, takes off most of there clothes and in a stupid "I haven't seen the sun since last year" fit goes riding. 70% of the bikes I saw on the way to work were being riden by shortsleeve wearing dumbasses flying along at 80MPH.
It makes me shake my head everytime I see an idiot like that.
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