asphaltpilot
07-07-2005, 12:07 PM
If you're contemplating whether or not to get gear, think about this:
The only protection you have between your skin and the rough asphalt is your gear. Broken bones can heal, but skin injuries are more painful, more costly, and remain ugly. So here are the very basic essentials to help you stay alive:
Helmet – Get one, no if's, and's, or buts. The head is a part of your body that should always be protected. Helmets should be full-face and meet or exceed D.O.T. and SNELL standards. To ensure a proper fit, the helmet should be snug on the head but not tight. You should see a little “puffy-ness” in the cheeks when the padding pushes against them. With the helmet on and chin strap fastened, shake your head side-to-side. The helmet should not shift on the head. If it does, go one size smaller.
If you’re indecisive between two sizes, go with the smaller size. The padding will conform and “wear down” as you wear it. If you must buy one online, try one on at the local shop before you buy it. Ensuring the proper fit is important. There are states reinstating the helmet law because the sheer numbers of deaths relating to unprotected heads is increasing. Wear it!
Gloves – Another must have. Imagine trying to do anything with no fingers, just nubs. Gloves protect your hands in an accident. It is instinct to brace yourself with your hands if you go down and you DO NOT want to do this with bare hands. Hands are highly visible, keep them protected. Gloves also help keep a better grip on the throttle. Sweaty palms to not work well on the handlebars. Gloves should be form fitting but should not restrict movement. Make sure they have reinforced palms, hardened knuckle protection, and gauntlet wrists. Example:
http://www.solomotoparts.com/image.php?productid=16436
Jacket – Jackets protect you and your body from the asphalt and the impact during a crash. Sliding/tumbling on asphalt is bad, ummmkay? A Jacket also helps protect against the elements like wind, bugs, sun, and misc debris. It is preferable to get a leather jacket. There is no substitute for its protection. The jacket should be snug, but not restricting. A loose jacket will end up flopping in the wind and worse yet, slide around and can come apart if you crash. Look for jackets with elbow, shoulder, and back protection. These are high-impact areas in a crash and need to be protected.
In warm weather environments, leather jackets can be impractical, so try to find one with perforation and vents or buy a textile jacket. Textile jackets offer maximum flow at the cost of a little protection. If A textile jacket is before for you in a practical and financial sense, look for one with maximum protection.
Boots – Protect your ankles, toes and heels in an accident by wearing proper footwear. Racing boots are good for help retaining the proper position of your feet in an accident. Boots are also ergonomically designed to work better for you while on the bike. Get boots that have breathable lining, are CE approved, and are resistant to oil and gas. Example:
http://www.solomotoparts.com/image.php?productid=17347
Pants – look for the same protection and fit as you would in a jacket. If you get pants, make sure that they will be able to zip into the jacket to make a legitimate “2-piece” suit. DO make sure there is additional knee and hip protection for crash impacts. Elastic inseams are pretty much the norm but make sure your pants have this for additional comfort.
One Piece suit – the ultimate in neck to knee protection. If you get a one piece, it is in your best interest to get one that is the most ergonomically correct for you. 90 degree elbows, elastic accents, and good ventilation placements are the norm in many suits. Suits can be from $250 to $4000. Buy the best that you can afford. Cow hide is better than goat, and kangaroo is better than Cow. Of course, you’re going to pay for the difference. Again, be sure that there is added protection at high impact areas, and wear a back protector and under armor (that meets or exceeds CE standards) if possible.
http://www.abate-of-maryland.org/xfatlfct.htm
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/ourplace/Biker/riskpool.htm
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/reports/crash_facts.html
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/pdf/2001/helmet_version2.pdf
Adding to this post is most welcome.
Be safe :thumbup
The only protection you have between your skin and the rough asphalt is your gear. Broken bones can heal, but skin injuries are more painful, more costly, and remain ugly. So here are the very basic essentials to help you stay alive:
Helmet – Get one, no if's, and's, or buts. The head is a part of your body that should always be protected. Helmets should be full-face and meet or exceed D.O.T. and SNELL standards. To ensure a proper fit, the helmet should be snug on the head but not tight. You should see a little “puffy-ness” in the cheeks when the padding pushes against them. With the helmet on and chin strap fastened, shake your head side-to-side. The helmet should not shift on the head. If it does, go one size smaller.
If you’re indecisive between two sizes, go with the smaller size. The padding will conform and “wear down” as you wear it. If you must buy one online, try one on at the local shop before you buy it. Ensuring the proper fit is important. There are states reinstating the helmet law because the sheer numbers of deaths relating to unprotected heads is increasing. Wear it!
Gloves – Another must have. Imagine trying to do anything with no fingers, just nubs. Gloves protect your hands in an accident. It is instinct to brace yourself with your hands if you go down and you DO NOT want to do this with bare hands. Hands are highly visible, keep them protected. Gloves also help keep a better grip on the throttle. Sweaty palms to not work well on the handlebars. Gloves should be form fitting but should not restrict movement. Make sure they have reinforced palms, hardened knuckle protection, and gauntlet wrists. Example:
http://www.solomotoparts.com/image.php?productid=16436
Jacket – Jackets protect you and your body from the asphalt and the impact during a crash. Sliding/tumbling on asphalt is bad, ummmkay? A Jacket also helps protect against the elements like wind, bugs, sun, and misc debris. It is preferable to get a leather jacket. There is no substitute for its protection. The jacket should be snug, but not restricting. A loose jacket will end up flopping in the wind and worse yet, slide around and can come apart if you crash. Look for jackets with elbow, shoulder, and back protection. These are high-impact areas in a crash and need to be protected.
In warm weather environments, leather jackets can be impractical, so try to find one with perforation and vents or buy a textile jacket. Textile jackets offer maximum flow at the cost of a little protection. If A textile jacket is before for you in a practical and financial sense, look for one with maximum protection.
Boots – Protect your ankles, toes and heels in an accident by wearing proper footwear. Racing boots are good for help retaining the proper position of your feet in an accident. Boots are also ergonomically designed to work better for you while on the bike. Get boots that have breathable lining, are CE approved, and are resistant to oil and gas. Example:
http://www.solomotoparts.com/image.php?productid=17347
Pants – look for the same protection and fit as you would in a jacket. If you get pants, make sure that they will be able to zip into the jacket to make a legitimate “2-piece” suit. DO make sure there is additional knee and hip protection for crash impacts. Elastic inseams are pretty much the norm but make sure your pants have this for additional comfort.
One Piece suit – the ultimate in neck to knee protection. If you get a one piece, it is in your best interest to get one that is the most ergonomically correct for you. 90 degree elbows, elastic accents, and good ventilation placements are the norm in many suits. Suits can be from $250 to $4000. Buy the best that you can afford. Cow hide is better than goat, and kangaroo is better than Cow. Of course, you’re going to pay for the difference. Again, be sure that there is added protection at high impact areas, and wear a back protector and under armor (that meets or exceeds CE standards) if possible.
http://www.abate-of-maryland.org/xfatlfct.htm
http://home.tampabay.rr.com/ourplace/Biker/riskpool.htm
http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/reports/crash_facts.html
http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/pdf/2001/helmet_version2.pdf
Adding to this post is most welcome.
Be safe :thumbup