Triumphrat

Outrunner · 08-03-2008

I fell off my Tiger last year, a very slow speed tumble, about 25ish Mph. The result was I broke a bone in my right ankle even though I was wearing good quality boots so just think what the injury would have been with shoes on! I also had severe bruising to my right shoulder which would have been much worse without the armoured Jacket for protection. My helmet had 2 deep scores in it from the tarmac so I reckon ATGATT is the only way to go!!

By the way, that was the only the third time I have fallen off in over 40 years of riding so thinking it might never happen is not good, best to be prepared.

Andy.

Medic09 · 08-03-2008

Now all we need is a duck to pop up and say ATGATT!

Well, AFLAC got the duck. What should we use?

dennis3509 · 08-09-2008

I had the same question as the original poster when I started looking into motorcycle riding. I'm a long-time bicycle rider, some racing, mostly commuting in traffic with cars. Fighting traffic on a 20-pound bike, with only a t-shirt, lycra shorts, half-fingered gloves, and my shoes. I've gone down a few times due to a variety of reasons. Never a collision with a car, but a couple of evasive moves that kept me from colliding with a car tossed me. A sprained wrist and extremely minor road rash are the worst I've faced in my wrecks.

When I started looking at motorcycles, I promised myself and my family, I wouldn't get on the motorcycle without the full safety equipment. Partly, I am riding a 400-pound machine with parts that can easily burn me. Partly, I am now moving at a higher pace in the middle of traffic. Also, as a new rider, I know I'm in the highest risk group for having an incident where I'll want the safety gear.

Then I started thinking of those trips to the grocery store. The store is only a mile away, in neighborhood streets with a 25-mph limit. I can ride my bicycle to the store at 25-mph, while wearing my bicycle clothing. I think my confusion, interest, not sure the proper description, came when I realized that on both the bicycle and motorcycle, I'm riding the same streets, at the same speeds, but with very different tolerances of what I consider to be proper safety gear.

Maybe someday I'll feel comfortable in only gloves, jacket, and helmet on the way to the store. Give me 20 years of motorcycle and see how I feel.

It is similar to bicycle riding. When I was a kid, nobody wore a helmet. We had heads split open, but I can't remember any serious injuries that did not involve a kid getting hit by a drunk driver. Now, the only time I don't wear a bicycle helmet is on park trails where I'm riding a slow, relaxed ride with few other bicycles around, and no cars. Just my level of comfort with the risk I'm taking.

skos · 08-23-2008

Sooooie you must be a pro biker as those are very impresive numbers. I too ride a road bike, Mountain bike & a KZ250. Been doing it hard for 25+ years & if you doing drops of 4 to 6' I would like to see it.

As for pertection, I agree. Better be safe then broken.
I ride with the a JOE ROCKET. If anything, it makes me feel safer

dolson · 08-25-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis3509

I had the same question as the original poster when I started looking into motorcycle riding. I'm a long-time bicycle rider, some racing, mostly commuting in traffic with cars. Fighting traffic on a 20-pound bike, with only a t-shirt, lycra shorts, half-fingered gloves, and my shoes. I've gone down a few times due to a variety of reasons. Never a collision with a car, but a couple of evasive moves that kept me from colliding with a car tossed me. A sprained wrist and extremely minor road rash are the worst I've faced in my wrecks.

When I started looking at motorcycles, I promised myself and my family, I wouldn't get on the motorcycle without the full safety equipment. Partly, I am riding a 400-pound machine with parts that can easily burn me. Partly, I am now moving at a higher pace in the middle of traffic. Also, as a new rider, I know I'm in the highest risk group for having an incident where I'll want the safety gear.

Then I started thinking of those trips to the grocery store. The store is only a mile away, in neighborhood streets with a 25-mph limit. I can ride my bicycle to the store at 25-mph, while wearing my bicycle clothing. I think my confusion, interest, not sure the proper description, came when I realized that on both the bicycle and motorcycle, I'm riding the same streets, at the same speeds, but with very different tolerances of what I consider to be proper safety gear.

Maybe someday I'll feel comfortable in only gloves, jacket, and helmet on the way to the store. Give me 20 years of motorcycle and see how I feel.

It is similar to bicycle riding. When I was a kid, nobody wore a helmet. We had heads split open, but I can't remember any serious injuries that did not involve a kid getting hit by a drunk driver. Now, the only time I don't wear a bicycle helmet is on park trails where I'm riding a slow, relaxed ride with few other bicycles around, and no cars. Just my level of comfort with the risk I'm taking.

Riding a bicycle and riding a motorcycle are very discernible. Also yes, you can get hurt badly on a bicycle. I've seen the aftermath when someone does the mountaineering thing. Those little cute helmets don't help much going face first in a rock. But, not having any bicycle experience I probably still wouldn't feel right unless I had my Arai,and full CE armored leathers with a spine protector on.

That said with around 44 years of hard motorcycle experience I feel it's very stupid not to wear full CE approved armored clothing and don't even think about it.
For saving a few moments in not putting on the armor one is risking a lot of time in the ER and much more in recovery. It's like gambling in Vegas, one may get a pot now and then but the house always wins as they have the percentages.
Dennis, the first time you slip on a paint line or go off a curb wrong 1/4 mile from your house you will see the light and there won't be any confusion any longer.

jadel · 08-28-2008

Complete gear before riding. That's my rule.

Jakemuay · 09-12-2008

27 year old punk who just crashed on the freeway at about 65mph. I had kevlar jeans, leather jacket, gloves, combat boots and a full face helmet. I walked away with rash to my knee and soreness to my bones. Without the kevlar and leather I'd have been scraped up bad, I slid a long long way and still got some skin scraped down to the fatty layer on one knee after wearing through the kevlar. I'd probably have ground my kneecap into dust without those pants. I will never ride without my gear.

Really with kevlar mesh pants and jackets as long as you are moving it's no warmer than wearing a T shirt. You can buy stuff that looks tasteful and be fully protected too and it isn't that expensive. If you are too cool for school and think wearing a leather jacket makes you look like a wimp that's your call. Chicks dig mine so I'm sticking with it.

Jake

roy005 · 09-12-2008

Yes, ATGATT. Over the years I have acquired a kit for all seasons and weather conditions. I love riding but hate skin grafts, broken bones, etc... I work in the insurance industry and have seen/heard too many crash stories.

TattooedRedHead · 09-12-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakemuay

27 year old punk who just crashed on the freeway at about 65mph. I had kevlar jeans, leather jacket, gloves, combat boots and a full face helmet. I walked away with rash to my knee and soreness to my bones. Without the kevlar and leather I'd have been scraped up bad, I slid a long long way and still got some skin scraped down to the fatty layer on one knee after wearing through the kevlar. I'd probably have ground my kneecap into dust without those pants. I will never ride without my gear.

Really with kevlar mesh pants and jackets as long as you are moving it's no warmer than wearing a T shirt. You can buy stuff that looks tasteful and be fully protected too and it isn't that expensive. If you are too cool for school and think wearing a leather jacket makes you look like a wimp that's your call. Chicks dig mine so I'm sticking with it.

Jake

Forgive the immature insult, but,

GOOD BOY! That's what I like to hear!

--Kory

P.S.- I'm only 26.

redmosquito1 · 09-13-2008

Luckily when I laid my bike down it was cool out so I had jeans and my jacket on. Prior to that if it was hot I'd toss on the shorts and depending on how far I was going determined if the jacket was worn.

After the off I will never ride again with out my gear, the jacket prevented any roadrash and the pads helped with broken bones. The jeans were almost untouched accept they tore along a seem above the pocket. I went down at 70 and slid for 200ft so I got real lucky.

The jackets out today are designed in a way to keep you cool when moving, mine was a shift mesh jacket and it was as cool as a t-shirt when moving, and chicks loved me in it. I loved the jacket and it was only $100.

Extra insurance is definitely worth it, there is only one you and that cant be replaced.

And I'm a 24 year old punk too.