Why wear really good gear?

[moto-rama]

There is not a piece of gear that will prevent your leg from getting crushed when hit broad side.

There is not a piece of gear that will prevent your body from getting crushed when ran over by a semi.

There is not a piece gear that will prevent your neck from breaking from hitting a tree.

All injures from a crash is nothing more than luck regardless the gear worn.

All gear really goes is help prevent road rash, it will not prevent broken bone or internal injuries.

Thinking your safe from injuries or will survive because of the gear you wear is foolish and naive.

What's the use? No sense in taking sensible precautions because there might be a nuclear war at any minute, besides we are all going to die eventually, so why bother to do anything to mitigate potential injury?

Edit: I am surprised that my original post generated much discussion, in particular that wearing good protective gear is that controversial. My point, if not clear, is that I love riding, and want to ride until I am a antique. Preventing Unnecessary injury is part of keeping myself physically able to continue riding as long as possible.

That is Not To Say there aren't other considerations but one thing I can do to mitigate needless injury is take basic precautions, like Wearing good protective gear. Not riding like a fucking idiot and keeping my motorcycles in good running order, among other things also play a part in that.

I've been down a number of times, on the street and on the track. Aside from a high-speed impact collision with a large deer, I have only suffered very minor injuries. I learned an early lesson when a high school riding buddy of mine got his face smashed in by a curb. He was not wearing any protective clothing, boots or a helmet. He never rode again.

Because of that, I was an early convert to full-face helmets, despite them being very confining, uncomfortable and generally a miserable thing to ride in. When they made helmets with retractable visors, I got one. Over the years, riding gear has improved and I have tried to improve my gear as things have gotten better. I have been investigating air bag vests lately, since they represent another way to reduce potential injury from a crash.

When I hit that deer, I believe it was a combination of things that prevented me from dying right there. An Arai helmet, Helimot Gloves, Aerostich Roadcrafter, Sidi Boots all prevented possibly fatal contusions, road rash, uncontrolled bleeding, shock.
Yes, I had a badly dislocated wrist, that required 2 operations to put back in working order, but it did not end my riding.

But the lack of any one of those articles of gear could have allowed much more serious injury to occur. For example, if I had not been wearing gloves, I might have lost my fingers. If no helmet, well , I would not have a head, and so on.

A combination of any of those injuries could be fatal. So did my gear save my life? I am certain that it did. Of course my head might've been OK without a helmet like the one I was wearing... but see for yourself what a 50-75 yard tumble at 60+ does to a helmet.

That's how I see it anyway.

 

[OaklandF4i]

I've gone down many times with full top of the line gear and without gear of any kind, at the track, on the street, and in the dirt over many decades. What I have learned?

Gear will reduce the chances of some injuries but not eliminate the risk. There will always be the risk of severe injury, paralysis, and death no matter what we wear. Its what between your ears that is the single biggest factor in surviving and riding into old age IMO. Just my experience, others may vary.

This forum and other groups often fall into the trap of gear nazi's, snobs, and the AGATT crowd which frankly sometimes turns off new riders or those without the means for $2000+ custom leathers or $1200 Aerostich suit, $800 helmet, $600 boots etc etc.......

I can remember vividly having to listen patiently to a member who was a newer rider I met in the city extol the virtues of his very expensive kit (it was very nice) and comment how he wouldnt ride in the brand of gear I had on, ever.

In the same vein of thought, if I cam across a new rider on an $800 CB250 enjoying the learning experience wearing some chippewas and some Icon gear, I certainly wouldnt make him feel bad that he wasnt wearing more or an expensive brand (that yes, may protect more.) That budget might make motorcycles beyond some folks reach.

Just my thoughts......

edit: for the record, gear is good. Not arguing against it.

 

[Mechanikrazy]

This forum and other groups often fall into the trap of gear nazi's, snobs, and the AGATT crowd which frankly sometimes turns off new riders or those without the means for $2000+ custom leathers or $1200 Aerostich suit, $800 helmet, $600 boots etc etc.......

I can remember vividly having to listen patiently to a member who was a newer rider I met in the city extol the virtues of his very expensive kit (it was very nice) and comment how he wouldnt ride in the brand of gear I had on, ever.

The gear snobbery from some folks can definitely be annoying. It is crazy how often one-time-newbs-now-experienced will forget what it was like when they first started riding, and just put down others instead of just having a friendly conversation.

I tend to go the other way, that of the drug dealer. I let others check out my gear and talk about the benefits. Then once they buy one item, they get hooked and waste all of their free cash on this hobby.

At this point, I go by whether it lessens the chance of breaking something by more than 0% and increases my chance of getting to work on Monday. If it does, I am a fan.

 

[bpw]

I think the most overlooked part of most gear discussions is that riding motos is quite dangerous (40x more than driving according to some data). Gear makes it slightly less dangerous, but the big increase in risk is deciding to ride at all.

Listening to the ATTGATT crowd lecture people for doing something really dangerous in a slightly more dangerous way is pretty obnoxious. Riding is probably the most dangerous thing most of us do, if you aren't ok with that its time to find a new hobby, not live in a warm fluffy cocoon of Aerostich induced denial.

Personally, I own everything from track leather and an areostich to 3/4 helmets and old leather jackets without armor. All of it gets used, and nothing really beats a warm day on the vintage bike in a comfy jacket and open helmet. The gear I own does tend to be expensive, but that has more to do with fit and comfort than protection.

 

[jacob11379]

I've gone down many times with full top of the line gear and without gear of any kind, at the track, on the street, and in the dirt over many decades. What I have learned?

Gear will reduce the chances of some injuries but not eliminate the risk. There will always be the risk of severe injury, paralysis, and death no matter what we wear. Its what between your ears that is the single biggest factor in surviving and riding into old age IMO. Just my experience, others may vary.

This forum and other groups often fall into the trap of gear nazi's, snobs, and the AGATT crowd which frankly sometimes turns off new riders or those without the means for $2000+ custom leathers or $1200 Aerostich suit, $800 helmet, $600 boots etc etc.......

I can remember vividly having to listen patiently to a member who was a newer rider I met in the city extol the virtues of his very expensive kit (it was very nice) and comment how he wouldnt ride in the brand of gear I had on, ever.

In the same vein of thought, if I cam across a new rider on an $800 CB250 enjoying the learning experience wearing some chippewas and some Icon gear, I certainly wouldnt make him feel bad that he wasnt wearing more or an expensive brand (that yes, may protect more.) That budget might make motorcycles beyond some folks reach.

Just my thoughts......

edit: for the record, gear is good. Not arguing against it.

Some gear is better than no gear....I wear what i can afford.

 

[Climber]

The best way to avoid injury is to avoid the collision/fall.

You can't avoid in every possible case but an alert rider who has put in the time to develop the ability to recognize threats or potential threats as they develop and has developed the skills to react to the threats in the best manner are going to be safer without gear than a careless rider in the best possible gear.

That being said, get good gear, there is far, far more and better gear available than when I started riding and for much of my riding career.

But more importantly, don't get the best possible gear then relax your vigil because you are 'protected', that would be defeating the purpose.

I have spoken to some cops who have had to clean up after a bad accident a few times too many and they told me that some riders get all of that gear and then ride like they're in a video game, lolled into a false sense of security.

 

[Honey Badger]

Gear primarily prevents road rash. To say that isn't a very important factor, however, is just stupid.

Injuries multiply. One traumatic injury (such as broken bits) on it's own may be survivable. Some less traumatic injuries (such as road rash) may be easily survived on their own. Combined, however, it can be a death sentence.

Bad enough road rash can be a death sentence on it's own - I know a couple people who survived but their lives were forever altered because of it.

Yes, the 6" between your ears is the most effective "gear" you can invest in, but hey, let's face it, most of us have done a stupid on a bike (some of us many times) and doing all you can to make your life easy or not is well worth the investment.

That, and newer technology does and can help. It's hard to say what gear "prevents" but I'm fairly certain I was saved a broken collar bone by my air-suit. Can't prove it as I don't really plan to try to recreate the exact circumstances without one to "test" it LOL.

No, gear is not going to save stupid, and it's not a cure-all to ensure one's safety.

But to say it does nothing other than prevent a "little" road rash is also a gross understatement in the opposing direction.

 

[thedub]

You guys thought this was a thread about gear, but really OP was just bragging about how he doesn't have to go work, and instead gets to ride his motorcycle on a beautiful weekday while us suckers sit in our cubes. Then you all took it upon yourselves to start arguing about gear for 50 posts.

Also, ontherearwheel is a master level troll.

...when you won't have to be working on days like today.
You know, those crisp, cold days like Today, when all your favorite roads are devoid of annoying tourists who won't pull over, and everything is absolutely perfect .... when you can ride all the way from Tam Junction to Point Reyes Station, without having to pass one single vehicle.

 

[dadsafrantic]

i wish cheap helmets fit my dome but i'm stuck with and arai signet head. i really like some of the other helmets but what can i do?

i've had cheap gear and it's gone. i have some spidi textile stuff with 140,000+ miles. pretty faded but it's still in good shape. i don't track or do touring. i do commuting every day and i like what fits. i'm as cheap as it gets but i spend money on commuter gear and work shoes.

 

[moto-rama]

You guys thought this was a thread about gear, but really OP was just bragging about how he doesn't have to go work, and instead gets to ride his motorcycle on a beautiful weekday while us suckers sit in our cubes. Then you all took it upon yourselves to start arguing about gear for 50 posts.

Also, ontherearwheel is a master level troll.

Well, there is that. Perhaps he is known as "Lucky" by those who know him well.

But I never would've lived long enough to limp away from 50 years of toil so I could enjoy another 20 years of riding if I hadn't worn "adequate" riding gear when I had my High-Speed Wildlife Encounter.

Maybe a discussion on the virtues of unions, defined benefit pensions and Medicare as it pertains to riding?

After all, there is nothing like being ATTGATT (spelling?) and getting hit by a falling skyscraper or errant meatball sandwich, and not having good medical coverage since it was your "fate" to suffer major injuries while wearing protective gear.

 

[Smash Allen]

I prefer defined contribution plans as the accounting is easier

 

[Junkie]

i wish cheap helmets fit my dome but i'm stuck with and arai signet head. i really like some of the other helmets but what can i do?

i've had cheap gear and it's gone. i have some spidi textile stuff with 140,000+ miles. pretty faded but it's still in good shape. i don't track or do touring. i do commuting every day and i like what fits. i'm as cheap as it gets but i spend money on commuter gear and work shoes.

in comparison, I love my Bell Qualifier DLX that you can get for $130 with a transitions visor.

I just bought a new one (well, the MIPS version) because I wanted a new visor and the price for a new helmet is about the same as the price for a visor.

 

[fubar929]

Also understand what it can't prevent: Injuries that scramble your insides so you bleed to death internally, lacerations that sever an artery so you bleed to death externally, fractures, limb amputations, decapitation. Depending on what you hit, and how hard, your gear may not be able to help.

I'm certain the gear I've worn has prevented fractures and serious lacerations. Good gear may not prevent all fractures and lacerations, but it can definitely prevent some of them...

 

[SFSig]

You guys thought this was a thread about gear, but really OP was just bragging about how he doesn't have to go work, and instead gets to ride his motorcycle on a beautiful weekday while us suckers sit in our cubes. Then you all took it upon yourselves to start arguing about gear for 50 posts.

Also, ontherearwheel is a master level troll.

OMG I feel so duped on both accounts!!!

 

[tzrider]

I'm certain the gear I've worn has prevented fractures and serious lacerations. Good gear may not prevent all fractures and lacerations, but it can definitely prevent some of them...

One of the ways gear can help with this is in making it possible for the rider to relax once he hits the ground. Having experienced my share of high speed crashes on the track and walked away from every one of them unscathed, I’m a believer in going limp and waiting to come to a stop.

This is effective when the only thing to hit is the ground. If you slide into something hard and immovable, all bets are off, though as others have pointed out, armor help once in a while in these cases too.

As the OP stated, good gear betters your odds, it doesn’t guarantee outcomes.

 

[FreeRyde]

Cause I like the way my gut looks in a 'Stich.

 

[sanjuro]

That reminds me, on a morning commute, I saw a guy straight from the 70's: riding a Honda UJM with a two tone down jacket, fully puffed up from the wind, jeans, and sneakers. I saw his calves from where the jeans pulled up. PS it was about 35 degrees out.

I was in my full suit, winter riding gloves, waterproof boots, and heated grips on my bike too.

As I rode pass the guy, I wrapped my arm around my body and shuddered, then smiled.

 

[nakedape]

That reminds me, on a morning commute, I saw a guy straight from the 70's: riding a Honda UJM with a two tone down jacket, fully puffed up from the wind, jeans, and sneakers. I saw his calves from where the jeans pulled up. PS it was about 35 degrees out.

I was in my full suit, winter riding gloves, waterproof boots, and heated grips on my bike too.

As I rode pass the guy, I wrapped my arm around my body and shuddered, then smiled.

This post made my day. Anyone rolling with a $1K bike and $0K gear on a gnarly commute has my respect.

 

[tuxumino]

The first back protector I bought to wear under my frank thomas two piece so I could do track days on my gs500, I got from a guy in a wheel chair. He said if had been wearing that bohn back protector he wouldn't be in that wheel chair.

gear up, pay attention and watch out. if you're lucky you'll live to ride another day.

 

[lam@barf]

There is not a piece of gear that will prevent your leg from getting crushed when hit broad side.

There is not a piece of gear that will prevent your body from getting crushed when ran over by a semi.

There is not a piece gear that will prevent your neck from breaking from hitting a tree.

All injures from a crash is nothing more than luck regardless the gear worn.

All gear really goes is help prevent road rash, it will not prevent broken bone or internal injuries.

Thinking your safe from injuries or will survive because of the gear you wear is foolish and naive.

I got T-boned on the way to work. (yes, by the cage in my avatar pic, I totaled that car)

The responding motorman was sure I would be dead.
The emts were shocked I was alive and conscious.
The drs were amazed they didn't have to amputate anything.
so on and so forth

Full face helmet that fit properly
Stich with their armor

Head slammed into a concrete tree planter but no damage.
Femur, fibula and ankle broken but I have a knee that works because of the armor.

Would all that keep me alive no matter what? Hell no. But in this instance it did and saved me from even more damage.

Don't watch this if you're nervous
https://gfycat.com/entiremedicalerin

EDIT: Before I start getting the 20/20 hindsight play-by-play back - streaming is slower that real life.
.